As the world grapples with climate change, the shift toward sustainable transportation has become imperative. Electric vehicles (EVs) are at the forefront of this transition, offering cleaner and more efficient alternatives to fossil fuel-powered cars. However, the widespread adoption of EVs faces challenges, particularly in charging infrastructure. Wireless power transfer (WPT) technology presents a promising solution, eliminating the need for physical connectors and enabling seamless charging. Among WPT methods, inductive power transfer (IPT) stands out due to its reliability and efficiency. This study focuses on optimizing circular coils with ferrite cores to enhance IPT efficiency for EVs, addressing critical limitations such as misalignment tolerance and electromagnetic field (EMF) dispersion.
The research demonstrates groundbreaking improvements in wireless charging efficiency through innovative coil designs. By integrating ferrite boxes into circular coils, the team achieved a remarkable 50% increase in coupling efficiency and a 300% boost in EMF strength. These enhancements concentrate the magnetic field toward the coil's center, minimizing energy loss and improving power transfer consistency.
Two key designs were tested: an equivalent configuration (uniform coil sizes) and an inequivalent design (enlarged transmitting coil). The equivalent design with ferrite boxes achieved 95% efficiency at a lower cost, making it ideal for standardized applications. Meanwhile, the inequivalent design excelled in misalignment tolerance, increasing the coupling coefficient by 0.183 and EMF strength by 0.00040 T—critical for real-world scenarios where perfect alignment is challenging.
Simulations using ANSYS software validated these findings, showing that ferrite cores not only improve performance but also reduce costs compared to larger, bulkier coils. The study also highlights how ferrite boxes better direct EMF waves, curbing unnecessary dispersion—a common issue in wireless systems.
The implications of this research extend beyond EVs. Optimized ferrite-coil systems could revolutionize wireless charging for consumer electronics, industrial equipment, and even medical devices. Future studies could explore advanced materials like metamaterials to further refine EMF control or investigate scalable manufacturing techniques for cost-effective production.
For EVs, the next steps include real-world testing of dynamic charging systems (e.g., embedded road coils) and integration with renewable energy grids. The inequivalent design's misalignment tolerance is particularly promising for highway charging lanes, where precision alignment is impractical. This study marks a significant leap forward in WPT technology, merging sustainability with cutting-edge engineering. By reimagining coil design with ferrite optimization, the research overcomes longstanding efficiency and alignment barriers, accelerating the transition to wireless EV charging.
Reference
Author: Soukaina Jaafaria, Hamza El Hafdaoui bc, Khadija Ajabbouneb, Ahmed Khallaayounb, Esmail Ahouzi a
Title of original paper: Optimization of circular coils with ferrite boxes for enhanced efficiency in wireless power transfer for electric vehicles
Article link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geits.2024.100195
Journal: Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773153724000471
DOI: 10.1016/j.geits.2024.100195
Affiliations:
a National Institute of Posts and Telecommunications, 10000 Rabat, Morocco
b School of Science and Engineering, Al Akhawayn University, 53000 Ifrane, Morocco
c National School of Applied Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, 30000 Fez, Morocco
