Wireless Charging Coil Alignment via Park Assist Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in automotive wireless power transfer systems is aligning the receiving coil with the transmitting coil, especially in vehicles with limited underbody space, which results in reduced coil size and increased misalignment, making precise alignment difficult and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses ultrasonic sensors and a park assist system to guide the driver in positioning the vehicle relative to the charging coil, transitioning from parking mode to wireless charging mode, and adjusting the transmitting coil's position to optimize alignment, allowing the receiving coil to be placed at the front or rear of the vehicle, thus avoiding underbody space constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the receiving coil is placed under the vehicle body, then it can be positioned close to the transmitting coil, but the limited underbody space reduces the coil size and makes precise alignment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the receiving coil from the traditional underbody position to the front or rear exterior of the vehicle. This dimensional relocation allows the coil to be positioned in spaces not constrained by underbody volume, thereby maintaining larger coil size while achieving alignment through vehicle positioning guidance rather than mechanical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a park assist system with ultrasonic sensors as an intermediary between the vehicle and the charging infrastructure. This mediator provides guidance to the driver for proper vehicle positioning, enabling accurate coil alignment without requiring precise mechanical placement of the receiving coil under the vehicle body.
2Reliability
If the receiving coil is placed under the vehicle body, then it can transfer power wirelessly, but the limited space requires expensive locating systems for precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes the existing park assist system with ultrasonic sensors for dual functionality: traditional parking guidance and wireless charging alignment. This eliminates the need for separate expensive locating systems while maintaining reliable wireless power transfer, as the same sensors guide the vehicle into proper positioning for charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle uses its own existing park assist system to perform the alignment function that would otherwise require separate locating equipment. The ultrasonic sensors already present in the vehicle serve themselves to provide both parking and charging alignment, reducing system complexity and cost.
3Volume of moving object
If the coil size is reduced due to space constraints, then the vehicle can accommodate the charging system, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the receiving coil to the front or rear exterior of the vehicle, accessing three-dimensional space that is not constrained by underbody volume. This allows larger coil dimensions while achieving alignment through vehicle positioning guidance, thereby maintaining both adequate coil size and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The park assist system acts as an intermediary that compensates for the larger distance between the vehicle and charging infrastructure. By providing guidance to position the vehicle correctly, it maintains alignment precision even though the receiving coil is larger and positioned in exterior space rather than underbody space.
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 solution enables efficient and precise alignment of the coils, reducing the need for expensive locating systems and allowing for wireless charging even in vehicles with limited underbody space, ensuring optimal energy transfer and vehicle charging.
Implementation Method 1
causes the secondary charge coil to periodically generate a field to excite a remote primary charge coil
Implementation Method 2
A park assist system includes at least one controller that, in response to receiving a trigger signal
Data Source
AI summary
A park assist system may, in response to receiving a signal indicating that a remote inductive charge source is within a vicinity of a vehicle, transition from a park assist mode to a wireless charging mode. During the wireless charging mode, the park assist system generates instructions to assist a driver in positioning the vehicle relative to the inductive charge source.