Inductive Roadway Coil Installation with Dielectric Insulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies for direct installation of inductive coils under road pavements face issues with capacitive coupling to the ground, leading to inefficiencies and high costs, and existing solutions require external enclosures or unsuitable materials for road paving.

Innovation Solution

The method involves making a coil and arranging it on a dielectric base, followed by a layer of dielectric material like bituminous lacquer or epoxy resin, and then integrating it into the road structure using traditional paving materials such as cement or asphalt, eliminating the need for external enclosures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If inductive coils are installed directly under road pavement, then installation cost is reduced and integration with road infrastructure is improved, but capacitive coupling to ground occurs causing electromagnetic interference and efficiency loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation costVSAvoidcapacitive coupling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A dielectric material layer is introduced as an intermediary between the inductive coil and the conductive road pavement. This dielectric layer acts as a mediator that blocks the direct capacitive coupling path to ground, allowing the coil to be installed directly under the pavement while preventing electromagnetic interference and efficiency loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A thin dielectric coating or film is applied to the inductive coil or placed between the coil and pavement. This thin film provides electrical insulation while maintaining the compact structure needed for direct pavement installation, preventing capacitive coupling without requiring bulky enclosures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If traditional enclosures are used to protect coils, then protection against atmospheric agents is improved, but space occupation increases and vulnerability to vandalism remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against atmospheric agentsVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective enclosure function is merged with the road pavement structure itself. The pavement layers (asphalt, concrete, or other road materials) serve as both the protective covering and the structural element, eliminating the need for separate external enclosures and reducing overall space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The road pavement materials serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical protection against atmospheric agents (rain, snow, temperature variations), structural support for the coil installation, and electrical insulation through the dielectric layer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated protective enclosures.

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

3Reliability

If fiberglass sheets are used to cover excavations, then coil protection is achieved, but mechanical properties for road paving are insufficient and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil protectionVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The material properties are changed by selecting dielectric materials with appropriate electrical insulation characteristics that also possess the mechanical strength required for road paving applications. This ensures both coil protection and sufficient mechanical properties for withstanding traffic loads and environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach reduces capacitive coupling, lowers installation costs, and allows for efficient, low-cost, and protected inductive power transfer systems for electric vehicles, integrating seamlessly with road infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

The invention solves the problem of the capacitive couplings to ground that are present in case of direct installation of inductive elements under the road pavement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

which may suffer from electromagnetic coupling problems, in particular of the capacitive type, relative to the ground in which they have to be positioned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

Method for direct roadway installation of inductors for inductive electric power transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive power transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3810455B1Method for direct roadway installation of inductors for inductive electric power transfer
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 SINELEC
  • EP3810455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3810455B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3810455B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for direct roadway installation of inductors for inductive electric power transfer, comprising the steps of: - making a coil and arranging it onto a base of dielectric material, - making an excavation suitable for housing the coil, - depositing a first layer of dielectric material, - positioning the coil, - depositing a second layer of dielectric material, - waiting for the layer of dielectric material to dry, and - depositing a paving layer. In particular, the selected dielectric material is bituminous lacquer or tar paint, or, as an alternative, epoxy resin for transformers. Furthermore, the material of the paving layer is selected among cement, cold asphalt and hot asphalt.