Wireless Charging System for Vehicles Using Magnetic Resonant Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hybrid vehicles with Ni-MH batteries can only operate in electric-only mode for 10 to 20 miles, and even Li-ion batteries, which offer improved efficiency, struggle to extend this range beyond 50 miles without significant advancements in battery technology, limiting their potential for pure electric vehicles and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing wireless electricity and power transmission using magnetic resonant coupling or infrared laser beam radiation to charge vehicle batteries while in motion, allowing for continuous electric-only operation by embedding charging systems in roads or overhead structures, eliminating the need for gasoline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend electric-only range beyond 50 miles, then driving range is improved, but battery technology complexity and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging actions by establishing wireless charging infrastructure along roads before vehicles need long-range operation. Charging coils are embedded in road surfaces at strategic locations, allowing vehicles to recharge during normal driving without requiring oversized batteries. This preliminary infrastructure setup enables extended range while maintaining manageable battery sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless charging infrastructure as an intermediary system between the vehicle battery and the power grid. The road-embedded charging coils act as mediators that transfer energy inductively to vehicle receivers, enabling continuous charging during operation. This intermediary system allows vehicles to achieve extended range without directly increasing battery capacity, thus avoiding the associated technological complexity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If wireless charging infrastructure is deployed along roads, then vehicle operating range is extended, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless charging infrastructure is segmented into discrete charging zones distributed along road networks. Each zone contains charging coils embedded in the road surface at specific intervals. This segmentation allows the system to provide charging coverage along entire routes without requiring a single complex continuous system, enabling gradual deployment and maintenance of manageable infrastructure complexity while extending vehicle operating range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional point-to-point charging (plugging into stations) to a distributed linear infrastructure embedded in road surfaces. By embedding charging coils in the road dimension, the system creates a continuous charging environment that vehicles encounter naturally during driving. This dimensional change from discrete locations to continuous road-integrated charging extends operating range without proportionally increasing infrastructure complexity.
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 hybrid and pure electric vehicles to operate for extended distances without recharging, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overcoming battery capacity limitations, allowing for comparable range to gasoline vehicles without fossil fuel usage.
Implementation Method 1
wireless electricity and power transmission using magnetic resonant coupling between tuned electromagnetic circuits
Implementation Method 2
The charging system may optionally utilize infrared laser beam radiation to transmit power for charging the batteries on board a vehicle while it is in use.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of energy storage and charging usable in vehicles and other applications that eliminate the battery capacity and automotive range issues is described. In our invention, vehicles are equipped with charging mechanisms to charge and recharge onboard batteries using wireless electricity and power transmission using magnetic resonant coupling between tuned electromagnetic circuits. The batteries may be charged using wireless charging systems installed along the roads while the vehicle is in use on the road. Charging system may optionally utilize infrared laser beam radiation to transmit power for charging the batteries on board a vehicle while it is in use as well. The onboard vehicle batteries may also be charged when the vehicle is not being driven either by plugging in the vehicle into wall electricity using wired power connection or may be wirelessly charged using the magnetic resonant coupling. By locating the charging circuits on roads, a continuous operation of electric-only mode of hybrid vehicles or pure electric-only vehicles can be accomplished and fully eliminate the need for gasoline usage.