Polymeric Charging Rails for Electric Vehicle Wireless Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing infrastructure for charging electric vehicles is inadequate, requiring frequent stationary charging and lacking in availability, especially in urban and rural areas, which limits the range and convenience of electric vehicle mobility.
Innovation Solution
A system of flexible, polymeric charging rails embedded with electrical conductors that can be easily installed and connected along routes, allowing for inductive energy transfer to electric vehicles while driving, reducing material usage and installation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional metal rails are used for charging electric vehicles, then electrical conductivity is ensured, but installation complexity and material resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by embedding electrical conductors within a polymeric matrix to create charging rails that combine the electrical conductivity of metal with the installation ease and flexibility of polymer materials. This composite structure eliminates the need for complex metal rail installation while ensuring reliable electrical contact with vehicle collectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible polymeric charging rails that can be easily laid and connected along routing paths without requiring major infrastructure modifications. The flexible nature of these polymer-based rails allows for simple installation compared to rigid metal rail systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive charging infrastructure is deployed, then charging availability improves, but manufacturing resource consumption and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible polymeric charging rails can be easily deployed along routing paths without requiring major infrastructure construction. Their flexibility allows them to be laid and connected with minimal installation effort, enabling charging availability to be extended to more locations without proportionally increasing material resource consumption.
3Strength
If rigid metal rails are installed, then structural strength is ensured, but ease of installation and adaptability to routing paths decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible polymeric charging rails that can be easily adapted to various routing paths and installed with minimal effort. These flexible rails maintain sufficient structural strength for their intended application while offering significant installation advantages over rigid metal alternatives.
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 system provides a cost-effective, flexible, and efficient means of charging electric vehicles on the go, minimizing resource consumption and enabling seamless energy transfer without the need for extensive infrastructure modifications.
Implementation Method 1
have one or more electrical conductors at least partially embedded in the polymeric material
Implementation Method 2
electrical conductors at least partially embedded in the polymeric material
Data Source
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AI summary
System for charging an energy storage device of an electric vehicle while driving, comprising several energy transfer devices arranged in a continuous series parallel to the direction of travel of the electric vehicle on or along the driving path and a stationary energy receiving device arranged in the vehicle, wherein the respective energy transfer devices are arranged among themselves and in relation to the energy receiving device in such a way and are switchable, actuable or connectable in such a way that the energy transfer devices for charging the energy storage device successively interact with the energy receiving device and the energy transfer device is designed as charging rails made of polymeric material, preferably elastomeric material, arranged along the driving path, which are connected to each other in a controlled electrical manner and have one or more electrical conductors embedded at least partially in the elastomeric material.