Wireless Charging Pad Alignment via Magnetic Coupling Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aligning a wireless power transfer secondary pad on a vehicle with a stationary primary pad while the vehicle is in motion is challenging, particularly due to the significant air gap between them, which can pose health risks if electromagnetic waves are generated without proper alignment.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes an approach module to determine when the secondary pad is within an approach distance threshold, a pulse module to generate electrical alignment pulses, a measurement module to assess magnetic coupling, and a feedback module to provide alignment signals to the driver, ensuring safe and efficient alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical alignment pulses are generated to determine magnetic coupling, then alignment precision is improved, but harmful electromagnetic radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates low-power electrical alignment pulses before initiating full wireless power transfer to pre-align the secondary pad with the primary pad. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning is established in advance, allowing the system to achieve accurate alignment without requiring continuous high-power electromagnetic radiation during the alignment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic electrical alignment pulses at specific intervals during the vehicle's approach and docking process. These periodic pulses are sufficient to maintain and refine alignment precision while using minimal power, thereby reducing harmful electromagnetic radiation exposure compared to continuous high-power operation.
2Reliability
If the air gap between primary pad and secondary pad is reduced, then magnetic coupling is improved, but the complexity of vehicle positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures magnetic coupling between the primary pad and secondary pad in real-time and provides feedback signals to guide the driver in positioning the vehicle. This feedback mechanism enables the system to achieve optimal magnetic coupling without requiring complex automated positioning systems, as the driver can adjust vehicle position based on simple directional guidance from the alignment system.
3Measurement precision
If continuous alignment monitoring is implemented, then alignment precision is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs magnetic coupling measurements and alignment monitoring at periodic intervals rather than continuously. This periodic monitoring approach maintains sufficient alignment precision for safe and efficient power transfer while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring throughout the entire vehicle approach and docking process.
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
Enables safe and efficient alignment of charging pads in motion by continuously providing alignment feedback to the driver, reducing the risk of electromagnetic interference and ensuring proper power transfer.
Implementation Method 1
Wireless power transfer involves transmitting power from a primary pad located on a stationary wireless power transfer device, such as a charging station, to a secondary pad on a mobile device, such as an electric vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a measurement module that determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the primary pad and the secondary pad
Data Source
AI summary
An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (WPT) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the WPT primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the WPT primary pad or WPT secondary pad in response to determining that the WPT secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the WPT primary pad and the WPT secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the WPT primary pad.