Inductive Charging Assembly With Vertical Guide for Tidal Water Levels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive power transfer solutions for water-bound vehicles, such as boats and ships, are inefficient and complex due to changing water levels, particularly during tidal changes, and require numerous movable parts and actuators, leading to high costs and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A compact inductive power transfer device with a linear guide allowing vertical adjustment of the power transfer part, decoupled from horizontal movements, using a kinematic unit with a foldable arm and a fixed linear guide to maintain reliability and efficiency, reducing the need for complex actuators and fluid systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable arm with hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders is used to adjust the power transfer device height, then the device can respond to changing water levels, but the structure becomes complex and space-inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a stationary base structure and a movable power transfer assembly that can independently adjust vertically. This segmentation allows the complex adjustment function to be isolated to a specific module rather than requiring the entire structure to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transfer assembly is designed with dynamic capability to move vertically along the stationary base structure. This dynamic design enables the device to adapt to changing water levels while maintaining a simple, fixed base structure, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators are used to jointly adjust the power transfer device height, then the device can respond to tidal changes, but the number of movable parts increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex actuation system with multiple hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders is extracted and replaced with a single actuator that moves the entire power transfer assembly vertically. This reduction in the number of actuators directly improves system reliability while maintaining the ability to respond to tidal changes.
Solution Approach 2:
A single actuator is designed to perform the multi-function of adjusting the height of the entire power transfer assembly, replacing what would have required multiple specialized actuators. This universal actuator approach reduces component count and improves reliability while achieving the same adaptive response to water level changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a diagonally extending retractable arm is used for power transfer, then the device can accommodate water level changes, but the device size and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a horizontal diagonal arm configuration to a vertical movement configuration. By changing the dimension of movement from horizontal to vertical, the device achieves water level adaptation without requiring large horizontal space, thus reducing overall device footprint while maintaining adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables reliable and cost-effective inductive power transfer to water-bound vehicles by simplifying the structure, reducing complexity, and maintaining efficiency across varying water levels without the need for extensive actuation systems, thus enhancing operational reliability and reducing installation space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle may comprise a circuit arrangement which can be a propulsion system or a part of a propulsion system of the vehicle, comprising a receiving device adapted to receive an alternating electromagnetic field and to produce an alternating electric current by electromagnetic induction.
Implementation Method 2
Furthermore, such a vehicle can comprise a rectifier adapted to convert an alternating current (AC) to a direct current (DC).
Implementation Method 3
In the latter case, the DC can be converted into an AC by means of an inverter.
Implementation Method 4
The first primary conductor arrangement and the second primary conductor arrangement form a high frequency transformer to transfer electric energy to the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an inductive power transfer device for an inductive power transfer to a water-bound vehicle, with a power transfer part, comprising a primary conductor arrangement; and a kinematic unit for enabling a movement of the power transfer part; wherein the kinematic unit comprises a linear guide which is oriented so that, when the power transfer part is displaced along a path defined by the linear guide, a position of the power transfer part along a vertical spatial axis (Z) is altered. Further, the invention relates to a system for an inductive power transfer to a water-bound vehicle and a method for operating an inductive power transfer device.