Rotating Contactless Power Transfer with U-Shaped Coil Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contactless energy transmission systems are complex and costly, lacking simplicity and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A system with rotatable primary and secondary windings featuring a U- or C-shaped coil core for enhanced inductive coupling, allowing for constant magnetic flux density and cost-effective production, along with a parallel resonant circuit and medium-frequency voltage supply for efficient energy transfer and data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two inductively coupled windings are rotated in relation to one another with different radii, then contactless energy transmission is achieved, but the construction becomes very complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontactless energy transmissionVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coil core is divided into multiple U-shaped or C-shaped sections arranged around the winding. Each section can be independently positioned and contributes to the overall magnetic flux path, allowing the complex function to be distributed across simpler modular components rather than requiring a single complex core structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The U-shaped or C-shaped coil core acts as an intermediary magnetic flux conductor between the primary and secondary windings. This intermediate magnetic path structure enables efficient coupling without requiring direct contact or complex mechanical alignment mechanisms between the rotating windings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a closed inner surface of the coil core is produced on the inside of the coil core, then the entire flux can be routed from the inside out, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux routingVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of manufacturing a single complex closed-core structure, the core is segmented into multiple U-shaped or C-shaped sections. These segments can be manufactured using simpler processes and then assembled together to form the complete magnetic flux path, reducing individual component manufacturing complexity while achieving the same functional result

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple U-shaped or C-shaped coil core sections are combined around the winding to create the complete magnetic flux routing structure. By merging these simpler individual components, the system achieves effective flux containment and routing without requiring each component to be complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a specially shaped rotary pot is used for the coil core, then production can be carried out more quickly and easily, but material is not optimally utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidmaterial utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The U-shaped or C-shaped core sections provide concentrated magnetic flux paths exactly where needed around the winding, rather than distributing material uniformly throughout a complete rotary pot structure. This localizes the magnetic material to areas of high flux density need, improving material utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the geometric parameters of the coil core from a complete closed structure to open U-shaped or C-shaped sections, the system achieves a balance between manufacturing simplicity and material efficiency. The open structure allows easier production while the strategic placement of sections ensures optimal material utilization in the critical flux path regions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves simple, cost-effective, and efficient contactless energy transmission with constant magnetic flux and reduced material usage, enabling power transfer of over 1 kW and interference-free data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

the magnetic field lines can be conducted through the core and thus a strong inductive coupling between the windings can be provided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a parallel resonant circuit being provided on the secondary side, the resonant frequency of which is tuned to the medium frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP1897242B1System for the contactless transmission of power
Publication Date: 2015.07.15 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP1897242B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP1897242B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP1897242B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System for the contactless transmission of power, comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding which is arranged such that it can rotate in relation to the primary winding, with a coil core being provided on the primary winding and the sectional shape of said coil core being formed in a U-shape or C-shape around the winding region of the primary winding in at least one sectional plane which includes the axis of rotation.