Modular Wireless Power Transfer System for EV Battery Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bi-directional wireless power transfer systems in electric vehicles face challenges in maintaining continuous power supply and battery health, especially when one or more electric power modules are in a degraded condition, and they struggle to efficiently manage unequal voltage and power characteristics among modules.
Innovation Solution
The system employs RF converter circuitry within electric power modules that can operate bi-directionally as transmitters or receivers, establishing a wireless power transfer area and using control circuitry to process sensor data for aligning modules as power sources or loads, with the ability to maintain power transfer through parallel paths and control battery cell state of charge, including warm-up via wireless reactive power at optimal frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bi-directional wireless power transfer is implemented among electric power modules, then power flexibility and adaptability are improved, but system complexity increases due to need for multiple RF converter circuits and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Each electric power module is equipped with RF converter circuitry that can function as both transmitter and receiver, allowing any module to serve multiple roles. This multi-functionality enables flexible power transfer paths without requiring dedicated transmitter and receiver modules, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity through standardized universal components
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the power transfer function into independent electric power modules, each with its own RF converter circuitry. This segmentation allows modules to be independently controlled and configured, enabling flexible system architecture where complexity is distributed across modular units rather than centralized
2Reliability
If parallel paths of power transfer are established, then reliability is improved through redundancy, but device complexity increases due to additional bi-directional voltage converters and control circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry dynamically selects and switches between parallel power transfer paths based on real-time system conditions and module status. This dynamic path selection enables the system to maintain power continuity through alternative routes when modules are degraded, improving reliability while managing complexity through adaptive control rather than permanently active redundant paths
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes multiple parallel power transfer paths in advance, creating redundant power routes before failures occur. This preparatory redundancy ensures that if a module degrades or fails, alternative paths are already available to maintain power continuity, thus improving reliability while the complexity is managed through pre-configured rather than reactive architecture
3Adaptability or versatility
If RF converter circuitry is connected in series or parallel to match voltage characteristics, then adaptability to unequal voltage and power characteristics is improved, but device complexity increases due to configurable connection arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The RF converter circuitry can reconfigure its internal connections between series and parallel arrangements to match different voltage and power characteristics of electric power modules. This parameter change capability allows the system to adapt to unequal module characteristics by adjusting the electrical configuration, thus improving voltage matching flexibility while managing connection complexity through programmable reconfiguration rather than fixed hardwired arrangements
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 ensures continuous power to vehicle components, maintains battery health, and efficiently manages unequal voltage and power characteristics among modules, providing redundancy and flexibility in power distribution even when modules are degraded.
Implementation Method 1
establish an electromagnetic field as a wireless power transfer area
Implementation Method 2
circulating wireless reactive power between the electric power modules via the wireless power transfer area at a predetermined frequency that can be a frequency at which impedance within the battery cell is at an approximate minimum
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless modular power transfer system includes electric power modules and RF converter circuitry within the electric power modules that meets voltage and power characteristics of the electric power modules. Sensor data is processed to determine a wireless power transfer path. An electric power module is established as a power source by aligning RF converter circuitry as a transmitter, and an electromagnetic field is established as a wireless power transfer area. An electric power module is established as an electric load by aligning RF converter circuitry as a receiver. Power transfer between the electric power modules is controlled through the wireless power transfer area.