Alignment, verification, and optimization of high power wireless charging systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for alignment, verification and/or optimization of charging coils in an electric vehicle charging system comprising:
- (a) first and second charging coil units disposed in spaced-apart relation to each other, the first charging coil unit coupled to an electrical energy source and the second charging coil unit coupled to an electric load that is a battery;
(b) a guideway sub-assembly including a drive mechanism configured to translate the first charging coil unit in X-, Y-, and Z-directions;
(c) a sensor sub-assembly for sensing the position of the coil units relative to each other, the sensor sub-assembly including electromagnetic field signal means;
(d) translational drive means actuated by servo drives connected to an electrical power source for moving the first charging coil unit in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions relative to the second charging coil unit;
(e) rotational drive means actuated by motor means for moving the first charging coil unit in an angular orientation about the X-, Y-, and Z-axes of the second charging coil unit; and
(f) a system controller connected to an electrical power source and to the translational and the rotational drives means, the system controller being configured to manage, control and direct the movements of the first and the second charging coil units.
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Abstract
Provided are a method and apparatus and method for the alignment, verification and optimization of wireless charging systems manufactured for use and used with electric vehicles. With some minimal modifications the same apparatus may be used to align a charging coil mounted on a vehicle with a charging coil, mounted on or in an electric vehicle charging bay or parking space, or to verify and optimize manufactured wireless vehicle charging system elements before they are installed.
45 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for alignment, verification and/or optimization of charging coils in an electric vehicle charging system comprising:
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(a) first and second charging coil units disposed in spaced-apart relation to each other, the first charging coil unit coupled to an electrical energy source and the second charging coil unit coupled to an electric load that is a battery; (b) a guideway sub-assembly including a drive mechanism configured to translate the first charging coil unit in X-, Y-, and Z-directions; (c) a sensor sub-assembly for sensing the position of the coil units relative to each other, the sensor sub-assembly including electromagnetic field signal means; (d) translational drive means actuated by servo drives connected to an electrical power source for moving the first charging coil unit in the X-, Y-, and Z-directions relative to the second charging coil unit; (e) rotational drive means actuated by motor means for moving the first charging coil unit in an angular orientation about the X-, Y-, and Z-axes of the second charging coil unit; and (f) a system controller connected to an electrical power source and to the translational and the rotational drives means, the system controller being configured to manage, control and direct the movements of the first and the second charging coil units. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An improved apparatus for aligning or verifying and optimizing the first and second charging coils disposed within in first and second charging coil units in an electric vehicle charging system, the improvement comprising the use of electromagnetic field signal means for sensing the position of the coil units relative to each other in which the signal means is composed of an RFID reader centrally positioned on the first coil unit and at least three RFID tags positioned in a triangular arrangement on the second coil unit that (a) locate the charging coil units relative to each other and transmit the location to the system controller and (b) detect a disruption in field strength and transmits the existence of the disruption to the system controller.
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13. An improved apparatus for aligning or verifying and optimizing first and second charging coils disposed within first and second charging coil units in an electric vehicle charging system, the improvement comprising the use of electromagnetic field signal means for sensing the position of the coil units relative to each other in which the signal means includes an EMF probe centrally positioned on the first coil unit and a single RFID tag centrally positioned on the second coil unit that (a) locates the charging coil units relative to each other by transmitting the strength of the electromagnetic field to the system controller and (b) detects a disruption or deterioration in field strength and transmits the existence of the disruption or deterioration to the system controller.
- 14. A method for aligning or verifying and optimizing first and second charging coils disposed within first and second charging coil units in an electric vehicle charging system, the method comprising detecting the location of the first charging coil unit relative to the second charging coil unit in the system by electromagnetic field sensor means mounted on the first and second charging coil units and a system controller electrically coupled to the electromagnetic field sensor means.
Specification