Method and device for foreign object detection in induction electric charger
US9893557B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J50/60
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An example embodiment of the invention is a method and device for detecting foreign objects (FO) near the primary coil of an induction charger used in charging electric vehicle batteries. Individual sensors of a sensor array are configured to output a sensing signal in response to magnetically coupling the high frequency alternating magnetic field produced by the primary coil. A disable signal line is configured to disable the power source when a controller determines from scanned sensor signals, that a FO is present. An alarm can be activated by the microprocessor to alert the user to the presence of a FO on or near the primary coil. In this manner, damage can be avoided that could otherwise be caused from the presence of a FO near the primary coil. Moreover, a more efficient charging operation can be achieved by avoiding dissipating energy by heating a FO.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.