Movable Primary Winding Structure for Inductive Power Transfer Pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive power transfer systems for vehicles face challenges in ensuring operational safety and motion control, particularly when dealing with vehicles of different ground clearances, as they often result in mechanical contact risks due to inconsistent air gaps.
Innovation Solution
The proposed inductive power transfer pad features a movable primary winding structure that can be controlled to adjust its position between a retracted and extended state, allowing it to adapt to varying ground clearances by moving to specific predetermined positions, ensuring a minimal air gap height is maintained, thereby reducing the risk of mechanical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a stationary primary unit with spatially separated elements is used, then the device structure is simple, but the air gap consistency deteriorates leading to mechanical contact risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the stationary primary unit into a movable one. The primary winding structure is mounted on a movable carrier that can adjust its position vertically to maintain a consistent air gap with the secondary winding on the vehicle, regardless of the vehicle's ground clearance. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by preserving reliability through consistent air gap maintenance while accepting increased device complexity through the addition of movable components.
2Reliability
If the primary winding structure is made movable to adapt to different ground clearances, then the air gap consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by enabling the movable primary unit to automatically adjust its own position. The system includes sensors that detect the air gap distance and control mechanisms that autonomously actuate the movable carrier to maintain the optimal air gap, eliminating the need for external manual adjustment or complex external control systems. This self-service capability improves reliability while managing device complexity through automated self-regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by incorporating sensors that continuously monitor the air gap distance between the primary and secondary windings. The sensor signals are fed back to the control system, which adjusts the position of the movable primary unit to maintain a consistent air gap. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable power transfer by dynamically compensating for variations in vehicle ground clearance while using a manageable control system architecture.
3Productivity
If a movable primary element is used to reduce distance, then the power transfer efficiency is improved, but the risk of mechanical contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the movable primary unit proactively adjust its position before mechanical contact can occur. The system continuously monitors the air gap and actuates the movable carrier to maintain a safe minimum distance, preventing mechanical contact before it can happen. This proactive position control improves power transfer efficiency by optimizing the air gap while preventing the harmful effect of mechanical contact through advance adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by incorporating a control system that maintains a minimum safe air gap distance between the movable primary unit and the vehicle. This minimum distance acts as a cushion or safety margin that prevents mechanical contact even when the vehicle's ground clearance varies. The system prioritizes maintaining this safety buffer over maximizing power transfer efficiency, thereby preventing mechanical contact while still achieving effective inductive power transfer.
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 enhances operational safety and simplifies motion control by ensuring a consistent minimal air gap height, even with vehicles of different ground clearances, reducing the risk of collision and improving power transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a circuit arrangement, which can be a traction system or a part of a traction system of the vehicle, comprising a receiving device adapted to receive an alternating electromagnetic field and to produce an alternating electric current by electromagnetic induction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an inductive power transfer pad, in particular a power transfer pad (1) of a system for inductive power transfer to a vehicle, comprising a stationary part (2) and a movable part (3), wherein the movable part (3) comprises a primary winding structure, wherein the movable part (3) is movable between a retracted state and an extended state, wherein the power transfer pad (1) is designed and/or controllable such that the movable part (3) is only movable to a position from a set of predetermined positions, wherein the set of predetermined positions is a subset of the set of all positions between the retracted and the extended state. The invention further relates to a method of operating an inductive power transfer pad and an inductive power transfer system.