Mobile Field Concentrator for Inductive EV Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing inductive charging systems for electric vehicles face a low magnetic coupling factor due to fixed coil geometry and varying vehicle positions, leading to high reactive power requirements in power electronics.

Innovation Solution

A mobile field concentrator is introduced between the transmitting and receiving coils, equipped with sensors and a lifting unit, to improve coupling factor independence from coil positioning and adapt to different vehicle types and loading conditions, and features a cleaning and sealing mechanism to manage air gaps and foreign objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed coil geometry is used in inductive charging systems, then the system structure is simple, but the magnetic coupling factor is low due to varying vehicle positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil geometryVSAvoidmagnetic coupling factor
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile field concentrator that can dynamically adjust its position between the transmitting and receiving coils. This dynamic positioning capability allows the field concentrator to optimize the magnetic field distribution regardless of vehicle position variations, thereby maintaining a high magnetic coupling factor while keeping the coil geometries fixed and simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The field concentrator acts as an intermediary element placed between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil. It mediates the magnetic field transmission by concentrating and directing the magnetic flux, improving the coupling efficiency without requiring changes to the fixed coil structures of the charging station or vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the space between coils is air, then the system is simple, but the magnetic coupling factor is small requiring high reactive power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidreactive power
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile field concentrator serves as an intermediary that bridges the air gap between the transmitting and receiving coils. By introducing this intermediate structure, the magnetic flux is concentrated and guided through a more efficient path, reducing the effective air gap reluctance and thereby reducing the reactive power requirements while maintaining system structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the transmitting coil geometry is fixed and optimized for parking lot use, then the coil design is optimized, but the coupling factor varies with vehicle type and loading conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil designVSAvoidcoupling factor
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile field concentrator provides dynamic adaptability to compensate for the fixed coil geometry. By moving the field concentrator to different positions and orientations, the system can adapt to various vehicle types, ground clearances, and loading conditions, maintaining optimal coupling without requiring multiple fixed coil designs or complex reconfiguration of the transmitting coil structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 significantly enhances the magnetic field concentration and coupling efficiency, reducing stray field strength and enabling effective charging even with offsets, while minimizing the risk of foreign objects interacting with the magnetic field.

Implementation Method 1

an electric vehicle is parked over a coil or a charging pad or charging device. This coil emits an alternating magnetic field. The alternating magnetic field is picked up by a receiving coil inside the vehicle and converted into electrical energy.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a field concentrator being arranged between the at least one transmitting coil and the at least one receiving coil. The field concentrator advantageously leads to the coupling factor between the two coils being improved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field concentration: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3221178B1Device for transferring energy by induction comprising a monitoring device
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3221178B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3221178B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the transferring energy by induction, for a vehicle, between at least one emitter coil and at least one receiver coil of the vehicle, said at least one receiver coil being arranged at a distance from said at least one emitter coil, a field concentrator being arranged between the at least one emitter coil and the at least one receiver coil.