Movable Wireless Charger Aligning Coils via Tire Pressure Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless charging systems for vehicles face inefficiencies due to misalignment between the primary and secondary coils, which can lead to slow or incomplete charging, as they require manual alignment and do not effectively utilize existing vehicle sensors for precise positioning.
Innovation Solution
A movable wireless charging station with a controller that uses tire pressure sensor signal strength data to autonomously position the primary coil relative to the secondary coil, leveraging the vehicle's tire pressure sensors to determine the optimal alignment through signal strength comparison and trilateration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual alignment of coils is used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision and charging efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's own tire pressure sensors to autonomously locate and align the primary coil with the secondary coil. The controller processes signals from these sensors to determine vehicle position and automatically adjusts the primary coil position, eliminating the need for external alignment mechanisms while achieving precise alignment through self-service positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical alignment systems with an electronic sensing and control system. Instead of using mechanical guides or manual positioning, the system uses tire pressure sensor signal strength to electronically determine vehicle position and automatically controls the primary coil positioning, substituting mechanical alignment with electronic control.
2Device complexity
If stationary charger positioning is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to vehicle position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the stationary charger concept into a dynamic positioning system. The primary coil is mounted on a movable platform that can autonomously navigate and position itself relative to the vehicle. The system continuously monitors tire pressure sensor signals and dynamically adjusts the primary coil position to maintain optimal alignment, enabling the charger to adapt to various vehicle positions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.
3Measurement precision
If autonomous positioning using tire pressure sensors is implemented, then alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universal presence of tire pressure sensors in modern vehicles, giving them a dual function: their original tire pressure monitoring role plus a new function for wireless charging alignment. By reusing existing vehicle sensors for positioning purposes, the system achieves high alignment precision without adding dedicated positioning hardware, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing measurement precision.
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 enables efficient and autonomous alignment of the charging coils, ensuring reliable and rapid charging of the vehicle's traction battery by utilizing existing tire pressure sensors, thereby improving charging efficiency and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Wireless charging stations may use induction to transfer electric power from a primary coil located in a charger to a secondary coil attached to the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
Each sensor includes a transceiver configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless charging station includes a movable charger having a primary coil and a controller having memory with a plurality of desired values for tire pressure sensor signal strength. The controller is programmed to position the primary coil relative to a secondary coil of a vehicle based on tire pressure signal strength values from the vehicle and the desired values.