Renewable Inductive EV Charger for Off-Grid High-Power Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging technologies require access to a high-power grid for recharging, making it impractical for locations without grid access, and there is a need for a cost-effective, portable solution that utilizes renewable energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A transportable charging station equipped with a solar array and wind turbine for generating renewable energy, which powers a primary induction coil for resonant inductive coupling with a secondary coil on the vehicle, enabling efficient and high-power recharging (>3 kW) through a self-contained battery charger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a permanently installed source of electric energy (grid) is used for inductive charging, then high power capability (>3 kW) is achieved, but portability and adaptability to off-grid locations are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is divided into separable components: a transportable charging unit with renewable energy sources (solar panels, wind turbine) and storage battery, and a permanently installed inductive charging pad. This segmentation allows the high-power capability to be concentrated in the renewable energy unit while the pad remains simple and portable, resolving the contradiction between power capability and adaptability to off-grid locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If renewable energy sources (solar array and wind turbine) are incorporated into a transportable unit, then portability and off-grid capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple renewable energy sources (solar array and wind turbine) along with storage battery and inductive charging components are merged into a single integrated transportable unit. This consolidation simplifies deployment and operation at off-grid locations despite the inherent complexity of multiple energy conversion systems, as the unit functions as a unified system rather than separate components.
3Productivity
If inductive coupling is used for high-power battery charging (>3 kW), then charging efficiency is improved, but the requirement for permanently installed high-power sources increases device complexity and reduces portability
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical/electrical connection system for high-power charging is replaced with inductive coupling. The transportable unit generates high-power electricity through renewable sources and transmits it wirelessly through the inductive charging pad, eliminating the need for complex physical connections and permanently installed high-power infrastructure while maintaining charging efficiency.
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 solution provides a portable, cost-effective, and efficient means to recharge electric vehicles in off-grid locations using renewable energy sources, minimizing footprint and ensuring safe operation while maintaining high power delivery capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the source of renewable energy includes a solar array and/or a wind turbine
Implementation Method 2
the source of renewable energy includes a solar array and/or a wind turbine
Implementation Method 3
a primary induction coil which establishes a resonant inductive coupling with a secondary induction coil on an electric vehicle
Implementation Method 4
a resonant inductive coupling is established for recharging the battery of the electric vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable unit for charging an electric vehicle has a vehicle docking pad and a source of renewable energy mounted on the docking pad that includes a solar array and/or a wind turbine. Also included is a storage battery for receiving electricity from the source of renewable energy. Structurally, a primary induction coil is affixed to the docking pad where it is connected to receive a converted a.c. current from the storage battery. With this connection, the primary induction coil generates an alternating electromagnetic field that establishes a resonant inductive coupling with a secondary induction coil mounted on the electric vehicle. Thus, an electric current is generated at the secondary induction coil for recharging the battery of the electric vehicle.