Wireless Power Receiver With Selective Coupling States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wired charging systems for electric vehicles are inconvenient and cumbersome, with exposed cables and connectors that can be prone to mechanical wear, moisture exposure, and vandalism, while also lacking the ability to efficiently transfer power without physical connections.
Innovation Solution
A wireless power transfer system that uses a power receiver with inductive elements and a coupling circuit to selectively switch among different coupling and reactance states, controlled by a controller based on operating parameters, to efficiently transfer power wirelessly from a transmitter to a receiver, such as an electric vehicle, eliminating the need for physical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired charging connections with cables and connectors are used, then power can be transferred reliably to electric vehicles, but the system becomes inconvenient and cumbersome with exposed cables prone to mechanical wear, moisture exposure, and vandalism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired charging connection system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based power transfer system. The transmitter generates an electromagnetic field that inductively couples with the receiver coil in the vehicle, eliminating physical cables and connectors entirely. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the mechanical wear and exposure issues while maintaining reliable power transfer through electromagnetic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary medium to transfer power between the charging infrastructure and the vehicle battery. Instead of direct physical contact through cables, the electromagnetic field acts as a mediator that enables energy transfer across the air gap, thereby eliminating the need for exposed connectors and cables while maintaining efficient power transfer.
2Ease of operation
If wireless power transfer is implemented, then convenience and aesthetic appeal are improved by eliminating exposed cables, but power transfer efficiency may be reduced compared to wired connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resonant coupling system that can operate across varying distances and alignments, providing universal power transfer capability. The resonant coils are designed to maintain efficient coupling over a range of positions, allowing the system to adapt to different vehicle positions and orientations while maintaining high transfer efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between wireless convenience and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes resonant frequency matching as a key parameter to maximize power transfer efficiency in the wireless system. By tuning the resonant frequencies of the transmitter and receiver coils to match, the system achieves enhanced coupling and reduced energy losses despite the wireless interface, thereby maintaining efficiency while providing wireless convenience.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inductive elements are used with selective coupling states, then power transfer adaptability and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases with coupling circuits and controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching among multiple coupling states using controllable switches in the coupling circuit. The system can dynamically reconfigure which inductive elements are active based on operating conditions, vehicle position, and power transfer requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize efficiency for different scenarios while the control logic manages the complexity of coordinating multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the wireless charging system into multiple independent inductive elements (coils) that can be selectively activated. Each inductive element can operate independently or in combination with others, allowing the system to segment the power transfer function across multiple components. This segmentation provides adaptability for different vehicle positions and orientations while distributing the complexity across modular elements.
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
The system provides efficient, safe, and convenient power transfer to electric vehicles, reducing mechanical wear, exposure to moisture, and vandalism, while enabling automatic charging and potential Vehicle-to-Grid operations by using wireless induction coils that align automatically for optimal coupling, thereby enhancing the reliability and aesthetic appeal of the charging process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of inductive elements configured to inductively generate current in response to a magnetic field generated by the power transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A power receiver is configured to supply current to a load and to be wirelessly operatively coupled to a power transmitter and includes a plurality of inductive elements. The power receiver further includes a circuit operatively coupled to the plurality of inductive elements and configured to be selectively switched among a plurality of coupling states. The circuit is further configured to be selectively switched such that each inductive element has a reactance state of a plurality of reactance states. The power receiver further includes a controller configured to select the coupling state and to select the reactance state of each inductive element based on one or more signals indicative of one or more operating parameters of at least one of the power receiver and the power transmitter.