Wireless Power Alignment via Magnetic Coupling Coefficient

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power transfer systems face inefficiencies due to alignment issues between primary transmitter and secondary receiver pads, often requiring additional components and equipment, which increase costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for determining alignment using a coupling coefficient measurement system that applies energy to a primary converter, measures the coupling coefficient between pads, and sends alerts based on threshold values to ensure optimal alignment, utilizing an energy input module, coupling measurement module, and alignment alert module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional components and equipment are used for alignment, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with a magnetic coupling-based measurement system. By using magnetic couplers and measuring coupling coefficients, the system achieves precise alignment detection without requiring additional mechanical components or equipment, thus improving measurement precision while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic couplers as intermediary elements between the transmitter and receiver pads. These couplers serve as mediators to enable indirect measurement of alignment through coupling coefficient detection, avoiding the need for direct mechanical contact or complex alignment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If additional components and equipment are used for alignment, then alignment accuracy is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes expensive mechanical alignment equipment with a cost-effective magnetic coupling measurement approach. By utilizing magnetic fields and coupling coefficients for alignment detection, the system achieves high measurement precision without the high costs associated with traditional mechanical alignment systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic couplers serve dual purposes: they both transfer power wirelessly and enable alignment measurement. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate measurement equipment, reducing overall system cost while maintaining high alignment accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If coupling coefficient measurement is used for alignment, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct physical position measurement to coupling coefficient measurement. By measuring the magnetic coupling coefficient between transmitter and receiver pads, the system achieves accurate alignment detection with simpler device architecture, as the coupling coefficient directly reflects the alignment state between the pads

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

Improves wireless power transfer efficiency by ensuring proper alignment between pads, reducing the need for additional equipment and costs, and providing real-time alignment feedback for enhanced charging performance.

Implementation Method 1

The WPT system transfers energy from the primary transmitter pad of the primary converter to the secondary receiver pad of the secondary converter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

measures a coupling coefficient between the primary transmitter pad and the secondary receiver pad

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10075028B2Determining physical alignment between magnetic couplers for wireless power transfer

Publication Date: 2018.09.11 UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

An apparatus includes an energy input module that applies an amount of energy to a primary converter of a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) system. The WPT system includes secondary converter with a secondary receiver pad. The WPT system transfers energy from a primary transmitter pad to the secondary receiver pad and the secondary converter provides power to a load. The apparatus includes a coupling measurement module that measures a coupling coefficient between the primary transmitter pad and the secondary receiver pad when the primary transmitter pad and the secondary receiver pad are separated by a vertical distance and horizontally aligned at a horizontal position. The apparatus includes a coupling threshold module that determines if the coupling coefficient is above a coupling threshold, and an alignment alert module that sends an alignment alert in response to the coupling coefficient being above the coupling threshold.