Wireless Charging Coil Misalignment Detection via Frequency Excitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying coil misalignment and mutual coupling in wireless charging systems, particularly for electric vehicles, are time-consuming and require additional wireless communication modules, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method that eliminates the use of evolutionary algorithms, allowing for rapid calculation of mutual inductance terms by exciting the power system at different frequencies to generate sufficient equations and solve for unknown system parameters within seconds, without direct measurement from the receiver coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If evolutionary algorithms are used to identify system parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from iterative evolutionary algorithms to direct algebraic solution by transforming the system identification problem into a set of linear equations that can be solved directly. This parameter change in the mathematical methodology reduces calculation time from tens of minutes to seconds while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the computational 'mechanics' of evolutionary algorithms with a mathematical substitution approach, using algebraic equations to directly calculate system parameters. This substitution eliminates the iterative search process and achieves instant parameter identification.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication modules are added for feedback, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the transmitter to self-determine system parameters and alignment conditions by directly calculating mutual inductance from its own measurements. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate wireless communication modules for feedback, reducing complexity while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the alignment optimization function from the communication module and integrates it into the transmitter's control system. By taking out the communication dependency and embedding the calculation capability within the transmitter, the system achieves alignment optimization without additional communication hardware.
3Measurement precision
If direct measurement from receiver coil is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mutual inductance as an intermediary parameter that the transmitter can calculate from its own measurements. This intermediary allows the transmitter to infer receiver circuit conditions without direct measurement, maintaining precision while avoiding the complexity of receiver-side measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the transmitter multi-functional by enabling it to perform both power transmission and system parameter identification. The transmitter's existing measurement capabilities are extended to simultaneously determine mutual inductance and alignment conditions, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems.
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
Significantly reduces calculation time for system parameters, eliminating the need for wireless communication modules and enhancing efficiency in wireless charging systems by optimizing coil alignment and power transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter coil connected to a transmitter circuit configured to receive an input voltage and generate an oscillating magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a receiver coil connected to a receiver circuit configured to convert the oscillating magnetic field into an output current
Implementation Method 3
Tesla pointed out in his research that using magnetic coupling with resonance could achieve optimal efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for determining the misalignment and mutual coupling between the transmitter coil and receiver coil, with or without an intermediate relay resonator coil, of a wireless power charging system are provided. The determination can be made without using any direct measurement from the receiver circuit. The technic involves exciting the transmitter coil of the wireless power charging system at several frequencies with equal or different input voltage/current, such that the number of equivalent circuit equations is at least equal to the number of unknown terms in the equations. The methods use the knowledge of only the input voltage and the input current of the transmitter coil. This means that the mutual inductance or magnetic coupling coefficient between the transmitter and receiver coils can be determined based on the information obtained from the transmitter circuit and there is no need for any wireless communication from or direct measurements of the receiver circuit.