Wireless Power Transmission Antenna Array for Misalignment Robustness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless power transmission systems using the magnetic resonance method for electric and hybrid electric vehicles experience a significant drop in power transmission efficiency when the power transmission and reception antennas are not aligned, lacking robustness to maintain efficiency during positional shifts.

Innovation Solution

The system is designed with a configuration that sets the circuit constants of the power transmission and reception antennas differently, using distinct coil sizes and layouts to ensure efficient energy transfer even when there is a slight shift in antenna positions, employing a matching unit and inverter unit to control resonance frequencies and impedance, and incorporating ferrite and aluminum substrates to optimize magnetic field transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the power transmission antenna and power reception antenna are aligned for maximum transmission efficiency, then the power transmission efficiency is maximized, but the system lacks robustness when positional shifts occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidrobustness to positional shift
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power transmission antenna is divided into multiple independent coil units arranged in an array. Each coil unit can independently generate magnetic flux, and their combined effect creates a broader effective transmission area. This segmentation allows the system to maintain efficient power transfer even when the reception antenna shifts position, as multiple transmission coils can still couple effectively with the reception antenna.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple power transmission coil units are combined in an array configuration, where each unit contributes to the overall magnetic field. The combined magnetic flux from multiple coils creates a more robust and distributed transmission field that maintains coupling with the reception antenna across a wider positional range, thereby improving system robustness while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If a single power transmission antenna is used for precise alignment, then maximum power transfer is achieved, but the system becomes sensitive to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer capabilityVSAvoidtolerance to positional variation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single power transmission antenna is replaced by multiple segmented coil units arranged in an array. This segmentation allows the transmission system to cover a broader spatial area, making it adaptable to positional variations of the reception antenna while maintaining effective power transfer through the combined magnetic fields of multiple coils.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The array of power transmission coil units provides multi-functionality by serving both as a high-efficiency transmission system when aligned and as a robust system when misaligned. Each coil unit can independently contribute to power transfer, making the system universally effective across different positional configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration maintains power transmission efficiency by adjusting circuit constants and using substrates to reduce metal object interference, ensuring consistent power delivery regardless of vehicle positioning, thus enhancing the robustness of the system.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless power transmission system of a magnetic resonance method... the resonance frequency of a power transmission-side antenna is equal to the resonance frequency of a power reception-side antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

an inverter unit (103) that generates a predetermined AC voltage from a voltage supplied from the voltage control unit (102)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

incorporating ferrite and aluminum substrates to optimize magnetic field transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2916430B1Power transmission system
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 EQUOS RES CO LTD
  • EP2916430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2916430B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2916430B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a power transmission system that can prevent a plunge in power transmission efficiency even when there is a positional shift of a power reception antenna with respect to a power transmission antenna. A power transmission system 100 of the present invention is characterized by including: a power transmission antenna 105 that includes a wound power transmission coil that is placed on the ground; and a power reception antenna 201 that is disposed in such a way as to face the power transmission antenna 105 , includes a wound power reception coil, and receives electric energy from the power transmission antenna 105 via an electromagnetic field, wherein an area (S1) of a first projection plane that is formed by the power transmission coil in a vertical direction with respect to a horizontal plane is larger than an area (S2) of a second projection plane that is formed by the power reception coil in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal plane.