Inductive Charging Coil Integrated Into Engine Oil Pan

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid vehicles face packaging challenges due to the space requirements of on-board coils for inductive charging, which can compromise ground clearance and lead to inefficient energy transfer and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The coil for inductive charging is integrated into the internal combustion engine's oil pan, allowing for a space-saving arrangement that maintains ground clearance and efficient energy transfer, with optional electronic components housed within the container for modular installation and reduced adaptation costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the on-board coil is installed in the vehicle to enable inductive charging, then the charging convenience and availability are improved, but the installation space is insufficient and ground clearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The coil is integrated into the oil pan of the internal combustion engine, merging the inductive charging component with an existing vehicle component. This combination eliminates the need for separate coil housing and reduces overall installation space requirements while maintaining ground clearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The oil pan serves dual functions: it continues to contain lubricant for engine lubrication while simultaneously housing the coil for inductive charging. This multi-functionality approach allows the same space to serve multiple purposes, resolving the space constraint issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the on-board coil is installed in the vehicle for inductive charging, then the charging availability is improved, but the package problems and ground clearance are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging availabilityVSAvoidground clearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the coil into the oil pan, the system eliminates additional external components that would reduce ground clearance. The oil pan's existing position and structure are utilized, maintaining adequate clearance while enabling inductive charging functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a separate coil housing is provided for the inductive charging system, then the coil is protected and easily installed, but the device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coil is directly integrated into the oil pan structure, eliminating the need for separate housing, mounting brackets, and additional fastening components. This reduction in parts simplifies the manufacturing process and lowers assembly complexity while maintaining installation ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The oil pan serves as both a functional engine component and a housing for the coil, eliminating the need for dedicated coil housing. This multi-use approach reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enables efficient inductive charging with reduced space constraints, maintaining ground clearance and lowering costs by utilizing existing vehicle components, while also providing a convenient and efficient energy transfer mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The coil is, for example, a secondary coil which can interact with a primary coil inductively and thus without contact. The primary coil is connected, for example, to an energy source, in particular a power grid, so that electrical energy can be transmitted to the vehicle-side coil via a magnetic field limited between the primary coil and the secondary coil.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2788212B1Motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP2788212B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2788212B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2788212B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle, having at least one electric motor for driving the motor vehicle, having at least one electrical storage device by means of which electrical current can be supplied to the electric motor, and having a charging device with at least one coil (12) via which electrical energy can be inductively transmitted in order to charge the electrical storage device, wherein an internal combustion engine is provided which has a vessel (10) in which lubricant for lubricating the internal combustion engine can be accommodated and on which the coil (12) and if appropriate at least one electronics component (13) assigned to the coil (12) are arranged.