Multi-Coil Inductive EV Charging with Module-Specific Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional EV charging systems face inefficiencies due to the need for complex and costly balancing circuits to manage voltage and current across multiple battery cells, leading to power loss and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
A multi-coil inductive charging system where each module in the EV is connected to a separate receiving coil, with a controller that monitors currents and adjusts frequency or duty cycle to achieve balanced charging, enabling wireless power transfer and balancing between modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wired charging with balancing circuits is used, then battery cell balancing can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical balancing circuit system with a magnetic field-based inductive coupling system. By using electromagnetic induction between transmitter and receiver coils, power is transferred wirelessly to individual battery modules without requiring physical balancing circuits, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining balancing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate inductive coupling system between the power source and battery modules. The transmitter and receiver coils act as intermediaries that enable wireless power transfer and automatic balancing through magnetic field coupling, eliminating the need for direct electrical connections and complex balancing circuits
2Power
If multiple cells are connected in series/parallel, then battery pack voltage requirements are met, but cell balancing problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery pack into multiple independent modules, each with its own receiver coil. This segmentation allows independent wireless power transfer to each module, enabling automatic cell balancing while maintaining the required overall battery pack voltage through series/parallel configuration of the modules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different receiver coils to different battery modules, allowing localized wireless power transfer and independent control of each module. This local approach enables precise balancing of individual cells within each module while maintaining the global battery pack voltage requirements
3Reliability
If inductive charging with separate coils per module is used, then cell balancing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receiver coils into a single integrated inductive charging system with unified control. The controller manages all receiver coils and the transmitter coil as a coordinated system, reducing control complexity despite having multiple coils. The system merges the functions of multiple coils into a single wireless power transfer architecture that automatically balances cells
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 system provides efficient, balanced charging that reduces power loss and extends battery life by directly connecting each module to a separate coil and using feedback to optimize power transfer, thereby improving the overall charging process.
Implementation Method 1
a power receiver including a plurality of receiving coils and a controller. Each of the plurality of receiving coils wirelessly receives electromagnetic energy from a corresponding one of a plurality of transmitting coils
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided herein. The system includes modules of an electric vehicle and a power receiver of the electric vehicle. The power receiver includes receiving coils and a controller. Each of the receiving coils directly and separately connects to a separate one of the modules. The controller monitors currents to and from each of the modules and modifies operation points of each of the modules by changing frequency or duty cycle to achieve a target current.