Wireless Coil Positioning Unit for Accurate EV Inductive Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The precise alignment of primary and secondary coils for inductive charging in electric vehicles is challenging due to positioning tolerance issues, affecting both the efficiency and safety of the charging process.

Innovation Solution

A measuring unit with fixedly connectable primary positioning sensors, which communicate wirelessly with secondary sensors on the electric vehicle, ensuring accurate alignment by minimizing interference from the primary coil and maintaining a stable connection despite external influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the primary coil is positioned at the base of the charging station for inductive charging, then the charging function can be provided, but the positioning accuracy between primary and secondary coils deteriorates due to interference and external influences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidinterference from primary coil

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent parts: the primary coil positioned at the base and the measuring unit with positioning sensors positioned locally offset. This segmentation allows the positioning sensors to operate independently from the primary coil, avoiding electromagnetic interference while maintaining accurate position detection for reliable charging alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If positioning sensors are placed close to the primary coil for accurate measurement, then positioning precision improves, but the sensors are affected by electromagnetic interference from the primary coil

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring unit acts as an intermediary device that is fixedly connected to the charging unit but positioned locally offset from the primary coil. This intermediary position allows the positioning sensors to measure the position of the electric vehicle accurately without being directly exposed to the electromagnetic interference generated by the primary coil during charging operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the charging unit is made movable for flexibility, then adaptability improves, but the positioning reliability deteriorates due to displacement and external influences

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidpositioning reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring unit is fixedly connected to the charging unit, merging the positioning measurement function with the charging unit. This fixed connection ensures that even if the charging unit is moved or subjected to external influences, the relative position between the measuring unit and the charging unit remains constant, maintaining positioning reliability while allowing system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If a transmitter on the electric vehicle is used for positioning, then positioning function is provided, but the reliability and accuracy of position determination deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning functionVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a transmitter on the electric vehicle to determine position, the system inverts the approach by using positioning sensors in the charging station that wirelessly communicate with sensors on the vehicle. This inversion allows the charging station to actively measure the vehicle's position with higher accuracy and reliability, overcoming the limitations of vehicle-based transmission methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 reliable and precise positioning of the primary coil relative to the secondary coil, enhancing charging efficiency and safety by reducing interference and maintaining sensor accuracy under various conditions.

Implementation Method 1

electromagnetic waves used for positioning are not disturbed by the primary coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic waves: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250289335A1Measuring unit and charging device

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

A measuring unit is provided, including at least one first primary positioning sensor and a connector for use in positioning a primary coil of a charging unit and a secondary coil of an electric vehicle. The measuring unit is designed in such a way that it can be fixedly connected to the charging unit by the connector, and the at least one first primary positioning sensor is designed to communicate wirelessly with at least one secondary positioning sensor of the electric vehicle during the positioning process. A charging device including a measuring unit and a charging unit is also provided.