Wireless Power Receiver Cooling Control for Charge Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for wireless power transfer systems reduce the charge capacity of power storage units due to their operation, as they consume power that could be used for charging, making it difficult to cool efficiently while charging.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system that includes a control unit to manage the cooling process based on the necessary charge amount of the power storage unit, operating the cooling unit using power received by the power reception unit and setting temperature threshold values to optimize cooling performance without reducing the charge capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the cooling unit operates continuously to cool the power reception unit and power storage unit, then the temperature control is improved, but the charge capacity of the power storage unit decreases due to power consumption by the cooling unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidcharge capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling unit operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit determines whether cooling is necessary by comparing the actual charge amount with the necessary charge amount, and only activates the cooling unit when temperature control is actually needed, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining effective temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling control system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions. The control unit continuously monitors the charge amount and necessary charge amount, and dynamically determines whether to activate the cooling unit, making the cooling operation adaptive to the current charging state and temperature requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the cooling unit is operated to prevent overheating, then the reliability of the power reception unit and power storage unit is improved, but the power available for charging is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidpower available for charging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit uses feedback from the charge amount sensor to make cooling decisions. By continuously monitoring the actual charge amount and comparing it with the necessary charge amount, the system provides feedback to determine whether cooling operation is justified, ensuring that cooling only occurs when it does not compromise the charging target

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the cooling unit based on the charging state. When the charge amount is sufficient or excess, the cooling unit may operate at higher capacity or more frequently; when the charge amount is insufficient, cooling operation is restricted or stopped, thereby dynamically adjusting the balance between reliability and power availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 efficient cooling while charging by preventing unnecessary cooling operations, thus maintaining the charge capacity of the power storage unit and preventing overheating of both the power reception and storage units.

Implementation Method 1

a power reception unit configured to wirelessly receive power from a power transmission unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless power transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a cooling unit configured to cool at least one of a power reception unit configured to wirelessly receive power from a power transmission unit and a power storage unit configured to store the power received by the power reception unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat removal: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3306773B1Cooling system and contactless power supply system
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 IHI CORP
  • EP3306773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3306773B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3306773B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cooling system (30) includes a cooling unit (31) configured to cool at least one of a power reception unit (20) configured to wirelessly receive power from a power transmission unit (10) and a power storage device (B) configured to store the power received by the power reception unit (20); and a cooling control unit (32) configured to control the cooling unit (31). The cooling unit (31) is operated by the power received by the power reception unit (20), and the cooling control unit (32) controls the cooling unit (31) on the basis of a necessary amount of charge of the power storage device (B).