Inductive Power Transfer Sensor Array for Vehicle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive power transfer systems for vehicles require additional winding arrangements on both sides for position detection, which increases complexity and may lead to inefficiencies and safety issues due to the presence of metal objects between the primary and secondary sides.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement on the primary side, comprising an array of sensor coils, is used for position detection, allowing for the determination of the secondary side receiving device's position without the need for additional winding arrangements on the secondary side, and can detect metal objects or communication signals to ensure safe and efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional winding arrangements are installed on both primary and secondary sides for position detection, then position detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the position detection function with the existing primary side winding arrangement by adding sensor coils to it, rather than creating separate detection windings. This merging approach allows position detection without adding independent detection systems on both sides, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary side winding arrangement is given dual functionality: it serves both as the energy transfer conductor and as the position detection sensor. By making the primary winding multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate detection windings on the secondary side, thus reducing device complexity while preserving position detection capability.
2Productivity
If metal objects are present between primary and secondary sides, then inductive power transfer can occur, but harmful effects such as overheating and damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of metal objects using the sensor coils on the primary side before initiating full power transfer. By detecting the presence of conductive objects in advance and adjusting operating parameters accordingly, the system prevents harmful overheating effects while maintaining productive power transfer when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor coils provide continuous feedback about the presence and position of metal objects between primary and secondary sides. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to adjust power transfer parameters in real-time, preventing harmful overheating while maintaining efficient power transfer when conditions are safe.
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 simplifies position detection, enhances safety by avoiding metal object interference, and maintains efficient energy transfer by using the primary side sensor device to guide the vehicle to the optimal position, reducing the risk of overheating or damage.
Implementation Method 1
a wayside (primary side) electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a vehicle side (secondary side) receiving device for receiving the alternating electromagnetic field and for producing electric energy by magnetic induction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an inductive power transfer system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle (81), wherein the system comprises - a wayside electric conductor arrangement (1) for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle (81), - a vehicle side receiving device (2) for receiving the alternating electromagnetic field and for producing electric energy by magnetic induction, wherein - the wayside electric conductor arrangement (1) is combined with an array (14) of a plurality of sensor coils (4), the sensor coils (4) being placed side by side to form the array (14), - the array (14) extends in directions transverse to a field direction of the electromagnetic field, which field direction extends from the wayside electric conductor arrangement (1) to the vehicle side receiving device (2) during transfer of the energy to the vehicle, - a detector arrangement (12) is connected to the plurality of the sensor coils (4), the detector arrangement (12) being adapted to detect an effect of any magnetic and/or electrically conducting body (3, 6), that is possibly located in the field direction, on at least one electrical property of at least one of the sensor coils (4), - the vehicle side receiving device (2) is combined with a communication transmitter (5) adapted to transmit communication signals to the array (14) of the plurality of sensor coils (4), wherein the detector arrangement (12) and/or a communication receiver, that is connected to the plurality of the sensor coils, is/are adapted to receive the communication signals via at least one of the of the plurality of sensor coils (4), - and the system is adapted to use a communication signal received via at least one of the of the plurality of sensor coils to detect a position of the vehicle side receiving device (2).