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.
Abstract:
Currently the most common method on the market to charge electric vehicles is to plug in the electric vehicle to a power source. Wireless charging technologies are also being developed and infrastructure has begun to be rolled out into the marketplace. Designing separate charging systems for wireless and wired systems may lead to drawbacks as not all chargers will be compatible with all vehicles. The invention described herein illustrates a system for bridging the gap between wired and wireless charging infrastructure through the use of a multi-mode electric vehicle charging system capable of delivering power through a plurality of transmission methods, where one of those methods is wireless power transfer.
Abstract:
Transmitter and receiver magnetic rotors are provided wherein each of the rotors comprises a plurality of magnets. Each magnet has a magnetization direction which lies normal to the axis of rotation, and at least some magnetization directions are non-parallel with other magnets' magnetization directions. The magnetization direction of a magnet may be at an offset angle relative to adjacent magnets. The transmitter and receiver may be symmetry about a bisecting plane, and the receiver's magnetization directions may correspond to a rotation of the transmitter's magnetizations directions about an axis parallel to the transmitter's axis of rotation. The magnets in the transmitter and receiver are oriented to reduce rotor vibration due to magnetic coupling between the rotors.