Methods and apparatus for automatic alignment of wireless power transfer systems
First Claim
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1. An automatically aligning wireless power transfer apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a moveably mounted wireless power transmitter comprising a transmitter magnetic system for creating a transmitter magnetic field, the transmitter magnetic system comprising one or more transmitter permanent magnets;
a wireless power receiver comprising a receiver magnetic system for interacting with the transmitter magnetic field, the receiver magnetic system comprising one or more receiver permanent magnets;
the interaction comprising a magnetic coupling between the one or more transmitter permanent magnets and the one or more receiver permanent magnets;
the interaction causing wireless power transfer from the moveably mounted wireless power transmitter to the wireless power receiver by movement of the one or more transmitter permanent magnets causing corresponding movement of the one or more receiver permanent magnets; and
the interaction causing movement of the moveably mounted wireless power transmitter from a first position to a second position, the second position closer to the wireless power receiver than the first position.
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Abstract
A common problem in wireless charging systems in automotive applications is alignment of the wireless power transfer transmitter and receiver units. Poor alignment leads to poor power transfer capacity and a longer charging time. Costly optical sensors and electromechanical systems may be employed to align the transmitter and receiver units. A solution to this problem is to employ a freely moveable wireless power transmitter in at least one direction that is magnetically attracted to the wireless power receiver unit in the vehicle that does not require electrically powered sensors or mechanical alignment systems.
16 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An automatically aligning wireless power transfer apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
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a moveably mounted wireless power transmitter comprising a transmitter magnetic system for creating a transmitter magnetic field, the transmitter magnetic system comprising one or more transmitter permanent magnets; a wireless power receiver comprising a receiver magnetic system for interacting with the transmitter magnetic field, the receiver magnetic system comprising one or more receiver permanent magnets; the interaction comprising a magnetic coupling between the one or more transmitter permanent magnets and the one or more receiver permanent magnets; the interaction causing wireless power transfer from the moveably mounted wireless power transmitter to the wireless power receiver by movement of the one or more transmitter permanent magnets causing corresponding movement of the one or more receiver permanent magnets; and the interaction causing movement of the moveably mounted wireless power transmitter from a first position to a second position, the second position closer to the wireless power receiver than the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for automatically aligning a wireless power transfer system, the method comprising:
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providing a moveably mounted wireless power transmitter comprising a transmitter magnetic system for creating a transmitter magnetic field, the transmitter magnetic system comprising one or more transmitter permanent magnets; providing a wireless power receiver in a vicinity of the moveably mounted wireless power transmitter, the wireless power receiver comprising a receiver magnetic system for interacting with the transmitter magnetic field, the receiver magnetic system comprising one or more receiver permanent magnets; transferring power from the moveably mounted wireless power transmitter to the wireless power receiver via the interaction between the receiver magnetic system and the transmitter magnetic field wherein the interaction comprises a magnetic coupling between the one or more transmitter permanent magnets and the one or more receiver permanent magnets, the power transfer caused by movement of the one or more transmitter permanent magnets causing corresponding movement of the one or more transmitter permanent magnets; and causing movement of the moveably mounted wireless power transmitter from a first position to a second position via the interaction between the receiver magnetic system and the transmitter magnetic field, the second position closer to the wireless power receiver than the first position.
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18. An automatically aligning wireless power transfer system, the system comprising:
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a wireless power transmitter mounted to a support by an adjustable mounting mechanism, the adjustable mounting mechanism permitting movement of the wireless power transmitter; and a wireless power receiver; wherein one or more transmitter permanent magnets of the wireless power transmitter are magnetically attracted to one or more receiver permanent magnets of the wireless power receiver thereby forcing the wireless power transmitter from a first position to a second position, the second position closer to the wireless power receiver than the first position; and wherein a magnetic coupling between the one or more transmitter permanent magnets and the one or more receiver permanent magnets causes wireless power transfer from the wireless power transmitter to the wireless power receiver by movement of the one or more transmitter permanent magnets causing corresponding movement of the one or more receiver permanent magnets. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification