Wireless Charging Pad Alignment Using Hall Sensor Magnetic Field Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless charging systems for vehicles face inefficiencies due to sensor malfunctions and poor operation caused by exposure to strong electric and magnetic fields, which hinder accurate alignment of secondary and primary charging pads.
Innovation Solution
A method using hall sensors to measure angles and distances based on magnetic field signals, allowing for precise alignment of secondary charging pads with primary charging pads by calculating and adjusting steering angles, and correcting for coil type differences to optimize power coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical sensors or vision sensors are used for alignment, then alignment capability is provided, but sensor malfunction occurs due to exposure to strong electric and magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hall sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly detect the magnetic field generated by the primary coil to determine alignment status, rather than using sensors that directly expose to the strong electromagnetic environment. The hall sensors measure magnetic field strength at multiple positions to calculate distance and angle, serving as a mediator between the charging pads and the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical/vision sensor systems with a magnetic field-based detection system using hall sensors. This substitution eliminates the vulnerability to electromagnetic interference that plagues optical sensors, as hall sensors are specifically designed to detect magnetic fields and are immune to electric field interference.
2Measurement precision
If hall sensors are used to detect magnetic field signals, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function into multiple hall sensors positioned at different locations (e.g., four corners or distributed positions). Each sensor provides local magnetic field data, and the control unit processes these segmented measurements to calculate overall alignment parameters. This segmentation enables precise spatial mapping of the magnetic field for accurate alignment determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The hall sensors serve multiple functions: they detect both distance and angle information, provide alignment status, and enable calculation of magnetic field distribution. The same sensor array is used for both primary coil detection and secondary coil alignment verification, reducing the need for separate detection systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple hall sensors are arranged for distance and angle calculation, then alignment accuracy is enhanced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores magnetic field characteristics data during the design phase, including expected field strength distributions at various positions. This preliminary characterization allows the system to use simple lookup tables or pre-programmed algorithms for real-time alignment determination, reducing the computational burden and simplifying manufacturing.
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 enhances wireless charging efficiency by ensuring accurate alignment and stable operation of charging pads, improving power transfer efficiency and reducing sensor malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a magnetic field generated by a primary coil of the primary charging pad adjacent to the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
signals of hall sensors induced according to a magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
a magnetic field generated by a primary coil of the primary charging pad adjacent to the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
a secondary coil of a secondary charging pad disposed in the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a secondary charging pad alignment method, a wireless charging control apparatus, and a method of operating a charger. The secondary charging pad alignment method includes monitoring signals induced at a plurality of hall sensors arranged in a vehicle, estimating a position of a primary charging pad of a charger based on measured values of the plurality of hall sensors, and generating one of movement information for moving a secondary charging pad disposed in the vehicle to the estimated position of the primary charging pad and steering information of the vehicle corresponding to the movement information.