Wireless Power Receiver Alignment Detection via Electrical Parameter Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless power transfer systems face challenges in ensuring compatibility and efficient power transfer between vehicles and charging systems due to variations in circuit topologies and magnetic layouts, requiring effective alignment and compatibility detection to provide sufficient charging power.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that include a receiver communication circuit, sensor circuit, and controller to measure short circuit current or open circuit voltage, comparing these values to threshold parameters to initiate charging when compatibility is confirmed, ensuring efficient energy transfer and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless power transfer systems use different circuit topologies and magnetic layouts, then system versatility is improved, but compatibility between systems and vehicles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem versatilityVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of alignment and compatibility parameters before initiating power transfer. The receiver measures short circuit current or open circuit voltage to assess compatibility with the transmitter, ensuring that power transfer only begins when compatibility thresholds are met, thus resolving the contradiction between system versatility and compatibility reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the receiver communicates measured parameters (short circuit current or open circuit voltage) back to the transmitter. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment and verification of compatibility, allowing the system to maintain reliability across diverse circuit topologies and magnetic layouts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If physical alignment between transmitter and vehicle is not optimized, then ease of operation is improved, but power transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of alignmentVSAvoidpower transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary alignment detection by measuring parameters such as short circuit current or open circuit voltage before initiating full power transfer. This preliminary assessment ensures that sufficient alignment is achieved without requiring complex manual positioning procedures, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring adequate power transfer efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with electromagnetic field-based detection. By using sensor circuits to measure electrical parameters (short circuit current or open circuit voltage), the system determines alignment quality without requiring precise mechanical positioning, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving sufficient power transfer efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If threshold charging parameters are set high to ensure sufficient power, then power transfer reliability is improved, but the range of compatible systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower sufficiencyVSAvoidsystem compatibility range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters based on real-time measurements of short circuit current or open circuit voltage. Rather than using fixed high thresholds that limit compatibility, the system adapts its power transfer characteristics to match the specific transmitter-receiver pairing, ensuring sufficient power delivery while maintaining compatibility across a broader range of systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (such as power level, frequency, or current) based on measured alignment and compatibility conditions. By adjusting parameters dynamically rather than enforcing fixed high thresholds, the system ensures reliable power transfer for each specific configuration while expanding the overall range of compatible transmitter and receiver combinations

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 reliable and efficient wireless power transfer by determining compatibility and optimizing alignment, ensuring vehicles receive sufficient charging power, enhancing the interoperability of wireless power transfer systems with various electric vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor circuit configured to measure a value of a short circuit current or an open circuit voltage associated with the receive coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3031117B1System and method for alignment and compatibility detection for a wireless power transfer system
Publication Date: 2017.06.21 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3031117B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3031117B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4E
  • EP3031117B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for receiving charging power wirelessly are described herein. One implementation may include an apparatus (608) for receiving charging power wirelessly from a charging transmitter (604) having a transmit coil (614). The apparatus comprises a receiver communication circuit (639), coupled to a receive coil (618) and to a load (636). The receiver communication circuit is configured to receive information associated with at least one characteristic of the charging transmitter. The apparatus further comprises a sensor circuit (635) configured to measure a value of a short circuit current or an open circuit voltage associated with the receive coil. The apparatus further comprises a controller (638) configured to compare the value of the short circuit current or the open circuit voltage to a threshold charging parameter set at a level that provides charging power sufficient to charge the load. The controller may be further configured to initiate receiving the charging power from the charging transmitter when the short circuit current or the open circuit voltage associated with the receive coil is greater than or equal to the threshold charging parameter.