Wireless Charging Coil Positioning via Coupling Factor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contactless charging and discharging systems for battery-operated objects, such as electric vehicles, face challenges in maintaining a consistent coupling factor over varying air gaps and different transmission partners, leading to increased complexity and cost in power electronics and control strategies.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that use a magnetically coupled coil pair to adjust the position of the battery-operated object relative to the charging/discharging station by determining and adjusting the lateral offset and vertical height based on reference parameters, such as coupling factor or air gap, to maintain a constant coupling factor, thereby reducing the need for additional control components and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the air gap between the coil pair is varied to accommodate different transmission partners, then the adaptability of the charging system is improved, but the coupling factor becomes inconsistent leading to increased complexity in power electronics and control strategies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the switching frequency of the power electronic converter to compensate for variations in coupling factor caused by different air gaps. By dynamically changing the operating frequency parameter, the system maintains consistent charging performance across varying transmission conditions without requiring complex additional control strategies or power electronics components
2Reliability
If additional control components are added to maintain consistent coupling factor over varying air gaps, then the stability of the charging process is improved, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing magnetically coupled coil pair to both transmit power and sense the coupling factor. By monitoring the electrical characteristics of the coil pair during normal operation, the system self-detects variations in coupling and automatically adjusts the switching frequency accordingly, eliminating the need for separate sensing components or additional control hardware
3Productivity
If the switching frequency is adjusted to compensate for coupling factor variations, then the efficiency of power transmission is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the coupling factor is continuously monitored through measurements of the magnetically coupled coil pair's electrical characteristics. Based on this feedback, the switching frequency is automatically adjusted to optimize power transmission efficiency. This closed-loop control uses simple frequency modulation rather than complex control strategies to maintain high efficiency across varying operating conditions
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 approach allows for a consistent coupling factor over changing air gaps and different transmission partners, reducing system costs and complexity, and improving efficiency by eliminating the need for complex control strategies and additional components like DC/DC converters.
Implementation Method 1
A coil pair, the coils of which are inductively coupled to one another by means of an alternating magnetic field, is used for this purpose.
Implementation Method 2
A coil pair, the coils of which are inductively coupled to one another by means of an alternating magnetic field, is used for this purpose.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the contactless charging or discharging of a battery-operated object (4) via a magnetically coupled coil pair, comprising a primary coil (6) of a charging/discharging station (2) and a secondary coil (8) of the object (4), wherein: in a first step, the object (4) is transferred into a reference position in relation to the charging/discharging station (2); in a second step, a reference parameter is determined in the reference position; in a third step, a lateral desired offset of the object (4) to the charging/discharging station (2) is determined, based on the reference parameter; and in a fourth step, based on the lateral desired offset, the object (4) is transferred into a charging/discharging position in relation to the charging/discharging station (2) in which position the contactless charging or discharging is carried out. The invention also relates to a computer program, a system (100), a charging/discharging station (2) and an object (4), which are designed to carry out the method.