METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING A VEHICLE WITH AN INDUCTIVE CHARGING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. Apparatus for aligning a vehicle with an inductive charging system, comprising(a) a transformer including a stationary primary coil and a secondary coil mounted on the vehicle;
- (b) at least one alignment coil arranged in the vicinity of said secondary coil, said primary coil generating a magnetic field when energized to induce a voltage in said alignment coil as a function of its proximity to a central axis of said primary coil; and
(c) a controller connected with said alignment coil for generating an output signal corresponding to the position of the vehicle secondary coil relative to the primary coil, whereby the operator of the vehicle can position the vehicle in accordance with the output signal to axially align said secondary coil with said primary coil for maximum induction energy transfer to the secondary coil to power a battery charger on the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for aligning a vehicle with an inductive charging system is characterized by the addition of alignment coils to a secondary coil on the vehicle. For efficient inductive charging, it is necessary that the vehicle mounted secondary coil be aligned with a stationary primary coil of a transformer of the inductive charging system. When the primary coil is energized, it produces a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the alignment coils as a function of the proximity of the alignment coils to the central axis of the primary coil. The voltage differential between opposed pairs of alignment coils is determined by a comparator which then generates a directional signal which can be used by the operator of the vehicle to position the vehicle for closer alignment of the vehicle secondary coil with the primary coil and more efficient charging.
63 Citations
19 Claims
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1. Apparatus for aligning a vehicle with an inductive charging system, comprising
(a) a transformer including a stationary primary coil and a secondary coil mounted on the vehicle; -
(b) at least one alignment coil arranged in the vicinity of said secondary coil, said primary coil generating a magnetic field when energized to induce a voltage in said alignment coil as a function of its proximity to a central axis of said primary coil; and (c) a controller connected with said alignment coil for generating an output signal corresponding to the position of the vehicle secondary coil relative to the primary coil, whereby the operator of the vehicle can position the vehicle in accordance with the output signal to axially align said secondary coil with said primary coil for maximum induction energy transfer to the secondary coil to power a battery charger on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18)
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12. A method for aligning a vehicle having a secondary coil mounted thereon with a primary coil of an inductive charging system, comprising the steps of
(a) providing at least one alignment coil in the vicinity of the secondary coil; -
(b) energizing the primary coil to generate a magnetic field which induces a voltage in said alignment coil as a function of the proximity of said alignment coil to a central axis of the primary coil; and (c) processing said voltage from said alignment coil to produce an output signal corresponding to the position of the vehicle secondary coil relative to the primary coil, whereby the operator of the vehicle can position the vehicle in accordance with the output signal to align the secondary coil with the primary coil for maximum induction energy transfer to the secondary coil to power a battery charger on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (4, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19)
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Specification