Fraunhofer develops cost-effective wireless charging system
No hassle with incompatible plug systems, no struggle with thick and clumsy cables: Wireless charging holds the promise of a comfortable charging process without complexity. Driver just need to place their vehicle The core elements of this technology are two coils – one located in the underground of the street, the parking lot or the garage, the other one in the underbody of the car. In combination with two accordingly dimensioned capacitors, the coils are a kind of resonant antenna system for energy transmission. The closer the two coils are positioned against each other, the more efficient the energy transfer.
Researchers at the Fraunhofer IWES (Kassel, Germany), which deals with the technology of energy systems, have introduced a cost-effective approach for such systems. “We were utilising standard components available at mass markets”, explains Marco Jung, deputy head of the power converter department at Fraunhofer IWES. In addition, the researchers utilised coil systems that require fewer ferrite elements. The ferrite plates are used to shield the magnetic field. They are expensive and, due to their high content of iron oxide, heavy.
The system’s power electronic circuitry has been designed to achieve a high energy efficiency of 93 to 95 per cent across the entire power range from 400 watts to 3.6 kilowatts even at a relatively high coil distance of 20 cm, explains project manager René Marklein. “Comparable systems achieve such a high efficiency only at a lower distance which however leads to limited use for vehicle with high ground clearance.”
The charging system is integrated in the vehicle, containing all necessary electronics as well as various connector systems for the case that wireless charging infrastructure is not available. The Fraunhofer scientists designed it for maximum user flexibility, supporting single and three phase grid connection. It is also capable of managing not only the charging process, but also the other way: By discharging the battery to the power grid it can contribute to the stability of the grid and serve as energy storage in solar and wind-powered grids.
Typically, induction plates and coils are integrated in parking bays. Since they transfer high amounts of energy, subjects and animals between that happen to reside between the coils are in danger of being overheated. This applies in the first place to cats that like to sit under cars. To avoid that the pets are fried, the researchers also have developed an alternative to the floor-mounted induction plate. In this system, the coils are located near the license plate. The system provides a small charging column to which the car can approach to a very small distance. This system has a maximum output power of 3.7 kilowatts at a weight of just 3 kilograms.
More information: https://www.iwes.fraunhofer.de/en.html
Fraunhofer at IAA (only available in German language)
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