Wheel-Mounted Secondary Coil for Roadway Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic induction systems for powering vehicles from a roadway-embedded conductor face inefficiencies due to distance and alignment issues between coils, insufficient relative motion, and health safety concerns from high-frequency currents.
Innovation Solution
A powering assembly with a wheel-mounted secondary coil configured to rotate perpendicular to an axle, allowing for efficient magnetic induction when proximate to an embedded conductor, combined with a dual-mode clutch system to engage/disengage the internal combustion engine and electric motor, and an energy storage device for energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an air gap is provided between the roadway and the pick-up unit to clear debris, then safety is improved, but magnetic induction effectiveness deteriorates due to increased distance between coils
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up unit is made movable relative to the roadway surface, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. The unit can be lowered to minimize the air gap when the roadway is clear, and raised to clear debris when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining safety clearance and ensuring effective magnetic coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect debris presence and control the actuator to raise or lower the pick-up unit accordingly. This self-regulating mechanism ensures optimal operating conditions are maintained without manual intervention, balancing safety and induction effectiveness
2Reliability
If the secondary coil is positioned closer to the roadway to improve induction, then magnetic coupling is improved, but vulnerability to roadway hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up unit with the secondary coil is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing real-time adjustment of its height above the roadway. This dynamic positioning enables the system to optimize the balance between maintaining effective magnetic coupling and avoiding contact with roadway hazards
Solution Approach 2:
An actuator mechanism serves as an intermediary between the roadway surface and the secondary coil, providing controlled adjustment of the coil's position. This intermediary allows the system to maintain optimal operating distance while protecting against hazards
3Power
If high-frequency alternating current is used in the primary coil to increase induced current, then power output is improved, but health and safety concerns increase due to exposure risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary portion of electromagnetic energy transfer needed for powering vehicles, using lower frequencies than traditional wireless power systems. This extraction approach achieves sufficient power transfer while eliminating the harmful high-frequency exposure risks associated with conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the electromagnetic induction system, specifically using lower frequency alternating current in the primary coil compared to traditional high-frequency systems. This parameter change maintains power transfer capability while reducing health and safety risks from electromagnetic exposure
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
Enhances power transfer efficiency by minimizing distance and alignment issues, while ensuring safety through controlled energy delivery and enabling vehicles to operate using both magnetic induction and electric conduction.
Implementation Method 1
a primary coil may be electrically coupled to a current source such that the flow of current through the primary coil induces a magnetic field surrounding the primary coil. Current may be induced in a secondary coil when turns of the secondary coil cut through imaginary lines of flux of the magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
Current may be induced in a secondary coil when turns of the secondary coil cut through imaginary lines of flux of the magnetic field. The at least one secondary coil may be configured such that when the wheel is proximate to an embedded conductor embedded in a roadway and carrying a first electrical current, a magnetic field induced by the first electrical current induces a second electrical current in the at least one secondary coil winding
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for powering of a vehicle is disclosed. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a roadway may include an embedded conductor and a source of energy. The embedded conductor may be embedded in the roadway configured to transfer energy to a vehicle upon the roadway via magnetic induction or electric conduction. The source of energy may be applied upon or embedded in the roadway and configured to generate electric current to the embedded conductor. The source of energy may include a solar power generator, a thermoelectric power generator, a piezoelectric power generator, and/or any other suitable source of energy.