Wireless charging of electric vehicles?
#1
Wireless charging of electric vehicles?
Wouldn't that be just great?!?
RideApart News Link
Sounds more feasible than an electrified road...
RideApart News Link
Frankly it's a pain to find the right battery tender or charger, and it's cumbersome to drag out the cables, extension cord and charge the bike (or car). Then, if you're like some of us, you may also forget to charge it and end up with a bad battery. Well, all that may be a thing of the past in a few months as CTEK, a company known for making high end chargers, is working on new tech that'll charge batteries wirelessly.
CTEK Corporation, one of the leading manufacturers of battery chargers has joined forces with WiTricity, the industry leader in wireless power transfer over distance. The two together are working to commercialize this tech, the wizardry of which involves wireless power transfer using magnetic resonance. The technology and patent license agreement will let CTEK mass produce charging units based on WiTricity’s patented technology.
Future plans include development of charging systems which will allow drivers to simply park the vehicle over a contact patch and charge the batteries from there. This will of course simplify the whole process for the drivers.
CTEK Corporation, one of the leading manufacturers of battery chargers has joined forces with WiTricity, the industry leader in wireless power transfer over distance. The two together are working to commercialize this tech, the wizardry of which involves wireless power transfer using magnetic resonance. The technology and patent license agreement will let CTEK mass produce charging units based on WiTricity’s patented technology.
Future plans include development of charging systems which will allow drivers to simply park the vehicle over a contact patch and charge the batteries from there. This will of course simplify the whole process for the drivers.
Sounds more feasible than an electrified road...
#4
Lexus Champion
Wireless charging (inductive charging) does not use microwaves, it uses magnetic fields, the same principle behind the Qi wireless charger for smartphones now being offered in the Camry, Avalon and Lexus NX (except on a larger scale, of course).
In fact, it is safe enough to be used to charge embedded (in the body) medical devices: the charger sits outside the body and the in-body device has a receiver. The skin is not burned (or cooked) by microwaves.
There is no radiation from radio waves (e.g. microwaves) in inductive charging.
It would be great for EV owners: place a charging pad on the floor of the garage and then drive your EV (with the receiver on the underside) over it and charging starts automatically. There is no need to plug it in or turn it on; just drive in over the charging pad and charging is automatic.
In fact, it is safe enough to be used to charge embedded (in the body) medical devices: the charger sits outside the body and the in-body device has a receiver. The skin is not burned (or cooked) by microwaves.
There is no radiation from radio waves (e.g. microwaves) in inductive charging.
It would be great for EV owners: place a charging pad on the floor of the garage and then drive your EV (with the receiver on the underside) over it and charging starts automatically. There is no need to plug it in or turn it on; just drive in over the charging pad and charging is automatic.
#6
Wireless charging (inductive charging) does not use microwaves, it uses magnetic fields, the same principle behind the Qi wireless charger for smartphones now being offered in the Camry, Avalon and Lexus NX (except on a larger scale, of course).
In fact, it is safe enough to be used to charge embedded (in the body) medical devices: the charger sits outside the body and the in-body device has a receiver. The skin is not burned (or cooked) by microwaves.
There is no radiation from radio waves (e.g. microwaves) in inductive charging.
It would be great for EV owners: place a charging pad on the floor of the garage and then drive your EV (with the receiver on the underside) over it and charging starts automatically. There is no need to plug it in or turn it on; just drive in over the charging pad and charging is automatic.
In fact, it is safe enough to be used to charge embedded (in the body) medical devices: the charger sits outside the body and the in-body device has a receiver. The skin is not burned (or cooked) by microwaves.
There is no radiation from radio waves (e.g. microwaves) in inductive charging.
It would be great for EV owners: place a charging pad on the floor of the garage and then drive your EV (with the receiver on the underside) over it and charging starts automatically. There is no need to plug it in or turn it on; just drive in over the charging pad and charging is automatic.
#7
I don't think it's about "need" or "efficiency" it's about convenience. If I had an electric or plug in hybrid I'd definitely look into this rather than having to plug in each and every time I came home.
Trending Topics
#8
I think it's a cool idea.
I use Qi wireless charging for my Galaxy Note 4, and it's really handy.
But, the OPs argument is clearly being made by someone who does not, and has never, owned an electric vehicle.
You don't use extension cords. You don't spend 5 minutes rolling up the cable and putting it away when you leave for work in the morning, only to have to "remember" to take the cables out, unroll them, and laboriously hook them up once you're home.
I have a power outlet installed conveniently close to where I park my car at home (and anyone who owns an electric vehicle does the same thing - it's called "Common Sense").
It takes me ALMOST 5 seconds, after I'm out of the car, to flip the cover open, grab the connector, and plug it in. 5 seconds each morning, 5 seconds each night. That's 50 seconds a week.
Is there anyone that can fill their gas tank with gas in under a minute? Oh, and I don't ever have to go to the gas/charging station to do it.
This is a solution in search of a problem.
I use Qi wireless charging for my Galaxy Note 4, and it's really handy.
But, the OPs argument is clearly being made by someone who does not, and has never, owned an electric vehicle.
You don't use extension cords. You don't spend 5 minutes rolling up the cable and putting it away when you leave for work in the morning, only to have to "remember" to take the cables out, unroll them, and laboriously hook them up once you're home.
I have a power outlet installed conveniently close to where I park my car at home (and anyone who owns an electric vehicle does the same thing - it's called "Common Sense").
It takes me ALMOST 5 seconds, after I'm out of the car, to flip the cover open, grab the connector, and plug it in. 5 seconds each morning, 5 seconds each night. That's 50 seconds a week.
Is there anyone that can fill their gas tank with gas in under a minute? Oh, and I don't ever have to go to the gas/charging station to do it.
This is a solution in search of a problem.
#10
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
I'd have concern about the effect such large, powerful magnetic fields would have on their surroundings. For example - safe to be around if you have a pacemaker? Will it erase a hard drive? etc. etc.
The fields used to charge phones are very weak relative to what would be needed to charge a car.
The fields used to charge phones are very weak relative to what would be needed to charge a car.
#11
Out of Warranty
Some Qi users report up to 25% loss in available charging efficiency, although I suppose that's largely dependent on the charger. With a 25% loss, that four or five hour charge would take an extra hour - since battery charging is non-linear, tending to taper off toward the end of the cycle. That wouldn't be significant if your car were in your garage and you were in bed, asleep, but used in a car park, it could mean you'd have to wait and have a couple extra cups of coffee before proceeding.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bagwell
Car Chat
9
10-24-08 05:44 PM