Wireless Charging Resonant Frequency Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless electric vehicle charging systems face inefficiencies in aligning power receivers with power transmitters, which affects charging efficiency and safety, particularly in scenarios where manual alignment is cumbersome or unreliable.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a resonant circuit with a power transfer element and a controller that determines the resonant frequency at different positions relative to the power transmitter, allowing for precise lateral misalignment detection and automatic alignment adjustments without relying on communication between the vehicle and charging pad.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual alignment methods are used for wireless charging, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision and power transfer efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines lateral misalignment by monitoring resonant frequency changes without requiring manual intervention or complex external alignment systems. The controller autonomously adjusts the power transfer element position based on resonant frequency measurements, enabling self-alignment that improves precision while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment with an automated electrical measurement system. Instead of physically adjusting components, the system uses resonant frequency detection and controller-based positioning to achieve alignment, substituting mechanical operations with electrical and control system functions.
2Measurement precision
If resonant frequency monitoring is implemented for alignment detection, then alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant circuit serves multiple functions: it transfers power wirelessly and simultaneously acts as a sensor for alignment detection. The same power transfer element that receives power also provides the resonant frequency signal used to determine lateral misalignment, eliminating the need for separate sensing components and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors resonant frequency changes and uses this feedback to determine lateral misalignment. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic alignment adjustment without requiring complex external sensors or measurement systems, achieving high precision through simple frequency monitoring.
3Productivity
If automatic alignment adjustment is implemented, then power transfer efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts the power transfer element position based on resonant frequency measurements without requiring external control systems or manual intervention. The controller autonomously performs alignment adjustments, enabling the system to self-optimize power transfer efficiency while maintaining simplicity through integrated control.
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 approach enhances power transfer efficiency and safety by enabling precise alignment of the power receiver with the transmitter, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving charging reliability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant circuit including a power transfer element, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency; determining a first resonant frequency of the resonant circuit corresponding to a first time; determining a second resonant frequency of the resonant circuit corresponding to a second time; and determining an offset of the power transfer element relative to a power transmitter based on the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency
Implementation Method 2
Wireless charging systems that are capable of transferring power in free space (e.g., via an electromagnetic field) to be used to charge electric vehicles
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a wireless-power receiver comprises: determining a first resonant frequency of a resonant circuit, of the wireless-power receiver, corresponding to a first time at which the wireless-power receiver is disposed at a first longitudinal offset from a power transmitter, the first longitudinal offset being relative to a length of a device containing the wireless-power receiver; determining a second resonant frequency of the resonant circuit, corresponding to a second time at which the wireless-power receiver is disposed at a second longitudinal offset from the power transmitter, the second longitudinal offset being relative to the length of the device containing the wireless-power receiver, and the first longitudinal offset being different from the second longitudinal offset; and determining a lateral misalignment of the wireless-power receiver relative to a wireless-power transmitter based on the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency.