Inductive EV Charger Autonomous Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems face inefficiencies and aesthetic, safety, and maintenance issues, particularly in uncontrolled parking environments like apartment lots and public garages, where traditional plug-in chargers are not feasible due to space and vandalism concerns, and modern inductive chargers suffer from reduced efficiency and misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for inductive charging that utilizes autonomous electric vehicles to self-align and mate with ground-level inductive charger stations, employing an LLC resonant half-bridge converter circuit with integrated transformers for efficient energy transfer, achieving 94% or greater DC-DC charging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If modern inductive charging systems use ground-mount charging with spacing to accommodate suspension travel and misalignment, then aesthetic appearance and safety are improved, but charging efficiency deteriorates (energy loss doubles compared to plug-in chargers)
Solution Approach 1:
The inductive charging system dynamically adjusts the coupling between primary and secondary coils to maintain optimal alignment despite vehicle suspension travel and positioning variations. The system incorporates active alignment mechanisms that adjust coil positions in real-time to maximize magnetic coupling efficiency while accommodating the spaced ground-mount configuration.
2Loss of energy
If corded plug-in chargers are used, then charging efficiency is improved (94-97%), but aesthetic appearance, safety, and maintenance issues deteriorate (exposed cords, vandalism risk, degradation of electrical contacts)
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical plug-and-contact system with an inductive magnetic coupling system. This eliminates exposed electrical contacts and cords, removing the associated safety hazards (shock, sparks, vandalism) while maintaining high charging efficiency through optimized magnetic field coupling between spaced coils.
3Reliability
If inductive paddles are used, then safety and degradation issues are improved, but charging efficiency deteriorates (about 85%) and clutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the inductive charging function from traditional paddle formats and integrates it into a ground-mount infrastructure system. This removes the portable paddle clutter while achieving superior efficiency through optimized coil spacing, active alignment, and resonant coupling techniques that overcome the limitations of earlier inductive systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If spacing is increased to accommodate suspension travel and misalignment, then adaptability is improved, but charging efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the alignment and coupling between primary and secondary coils. Based on this feedback, the system actively adjusts coil positions, orientations, and operating frequencies to maintain optimal magnetic coupling efficiency even when larger spacing is used to accommodate suspension travel and positioning variations.
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 provides a hands-free, high-efficiency inductive charging system that is aesthetically pleasing, durable, and minimally intrusive, addressing the inefficiencies and environmental concerns of previous charging methods while ensuring reliable and efficient charging of electric vehicles in various parking settings.
Implementation Method 1
inductive charging system that provides high efficiency inductive charging... inductive charging of the vehicle is achieved via a system... employing an LLC resonant half-bridge converter circuit with integrated transformers for efficient energy transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A method for charging an electric vehicle includes steps of providing a charger station and providing an electric vehicle operable to navigate to a desired destination autonomously, the vehicle comprising a power receiver configured to mate with the charger station to provide charging to the electric vehicle. The method further includes steps of aligning, via autonomous operation of the electric vehicle, the charger station and the power receiver of the electric vehicle, so as mate the charger station and the power receiver, and initiating charging of the electric vehicle upon mating of the charger station and the power receiver.