Vehicle-to-Vehicle Dynamic Wireless Charging for In-Motion EV Power Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless charging systems for battery-dominant electric vehicles require vehicles to stop at charging stations, leading to downtime and increased infrastructure costs, especially for heavy-duty commercial freight.

Innovation Solution

A dual dynamic wireless charging system where a transmitter vehicle equipped with coils travels alongside or leads a receiver vehicle, enabling wireless power transfer through electromagnetic induction while both vehicles are in motion, using vehicle-to-vehicle communication to maintain alignment and adjust speed and trajectory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If static wireless charging is used, then power transfer is achieved without mechanical connectors, but vehicles must come off-mission and park at charging stations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless charging operationVSAvoidvehicle downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static wireless charging (where vehicles must park) to dynamic wireless charging (where vehicles charge while moving). The transmitter coils are embedded in the roadway and activate when a vehicle passes over them, enabling continuous operation without stopping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical connector-based charging system with wireless electromagnetic induction. Transmitter coils in the roadway create magnetic fields that induce current in receiver coils on moving vehicles, eliminating the need for physical plugging and unplugging at charging stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If dynamic wireless charging with roadway coils is used, then vehicles can charge while moving, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle downtimeVSAvoidcharging infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the charging infrastructure into discrete transmitter coil segments embedded at specific locations along the roadway. Each coil operates independently and only when needed, reducing overall system complexity compared to continuous charging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses vehicle-to-infrastructure communication to automatically detect when a vehicle needs charging and activates the appropriate transmitter coils. The vehicle itself triggers the charging process by passing over designated zones, reducing the need for complex centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If heavy-duty trucks use larger onboard batteries, then cargo capacity decreases, but operational range increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidcargo capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous charging during the vehicle's operational journey through dynamic wireless charging. Trucks receive power while moving along designated roadway segments, eliminating the need for large onboard batteries and associated cargo space restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-positions transmitter coils at strategic locations along routes commonly used by heavy-duty trucks. This preliminary infrastructure placement ensures that vehicles can top up their batteries during regular operations without requiring oversized battery packs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Reduces dependency on traditional charging stations, enhances operational efficiency by eliminating extended stops, and increases cargo capacity by allowing smaller onboard batteries for heavy-duty trucks.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter coil installed on a transmitter vehicle, the transmitter coil being inductively coupled to a receiver coil installed on a receiver vehicle. Power transfer is achieved wirelessly while both vehicles are in motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250242705A1Dual dynamic wireless charging

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 UT BATTELLE LLC

AI summary

A dual dynamic wireless charging system for battery-dominant vehicles is provided, including for example battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs). The dynamic wireless charging system includes a transmitter coil installed on a transmitter vehicle, the transmitter coil being inductively coupled to a receiver coil installed on a receiver vehicle. Power transfer is achieved wirelessly while both vehicles are in motion, such that the receiver vehicle does not come off-mission. The transmitter vehicle and the receiver vehicle can travel in a side-by-side configuration, being parallel to each other in adjacent lanes. In other embodiments, a lead-and-follow configuration is used in place of a side-by-side configuration. Vehicle-to-vehicle communications ensure rapid adjustments to speed and trajectory, allowing seamless alignment despite variations in roadway conditions and traffic.