Dynamic wireless charging technology will be the development direction of electric vehicles

The problem of charging inconvenience for electric vehicles is highly criticized

China has developed a series of policies to support the development of electric vehicles. On February 8, 2014, the National Development and Reform Commission and other units jointly announced that the original subsidy standards for new energy subsidies in 2014 and 2015 have been reduced by 10% and 20% compared with 2013. The country announced that the subsidy amount has been reduced year by year. The adjustments were reduced by 5% and 10% respectively in 2014 and 2015 compared to 2013 to encourage consumers to purchase new energy vehicles. Electric vehicles are a new generation of energy solutions and represent the future direction of development. “The design of electric vehicles is facing safety, new concepts and technical challenges, especially the challenges of battery and charging problems.” Juan Carlos, general manager of Electric Equation Holdings, frankly stated. The battery capacity of an electric vehicle is low, and owners often forget to charge and inconvenience charging. If there is a convenient charging method, it will undoubtedly further promote the development of electric vehicles.

Qualcomm Halo wireless charging technology into the car

It is reported that in order to expand its strength in the wireless charging technology of electric vehicles, Qualcomm has acquired the HaloIPT of the electric car non-contact charging department of the University of Auckland in New Zealand as early as in 2011. In addition to acquiring HaloIPT, Qualcomm also signed a long-term R&D cooperation agreement with Auckland UniServices, a commercial company under Auckland University, to promote further R&D in the field of wireless electric vehicle charging using inductive power transmission.

Qualcomm launched the Halo Vehicle Wireless Charging System in Formula E in 2014. The Halo wireless charging system consists of four parts: the power supply unit, the charging board, the vehicle receiving board, and the onboard controller. Its principle is to use magnetic resonance effect to realize the energy transmission between the ground charging board and the electric vehicle charging board, so as to carry out non-contact charging of the power battery pack of the electric or hybrid vehicle. This charging process can be performed without the use of conventional cables. The owner only needs to park the vehicle above the Halo's charging board for convenient, time-saving charging. “Qualcomm wireless charging technology has enabled wireless charging for the pilot vehicle (BMW i8) and medical vehicle (BMW i3) in the 2014 First Motor Formula Championship,” said Quntong Global Vice President Shen Jin.

"Halo wireless charging system can achieve 90% efficient charging efficiency, exceeding the cable charging efficiency. Halo wireless charging system power up to 20kW, such power, full power 85kWh Tesla MODELS P85 battery pack less than 5 Hours,” said Steve Pazol, Qualcomm’s general manager of wireless charging.

In terms of eliminating potential hazards, Qualcomm has closely followed various human safety regulations and established protective procedures for Halo to support foreign object detection and biological protection. Once foreign objects or organisms appear on the working charging board, Halo Wireless Charging The system will automatically stop the charging operation to avoid danger. Halo also connects with the owner’s smartphone and sends relevant information to the mobile client. For example, if the charging is interrupted, it will send a notification to the owner’s smartphone.

The Halo wireless charging system is highly flexible and has no selectivity for battery types. It can support various battery types. "Nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and even lead-acid batteries used in electric and hybrid vehicles currently on the market. All can be charged through the Halo wireless charging system," explains Steve Pazol. The Halo Wireless Charging System supports contact and buried charging boards to enhance the interoperability of different vendors' charging boards.

Charging will become a reality while driving

The breakthrough in China's electric vehicle market needs to benefit from the support of the country's macroeconomic policies. OEMs still need to work hard, and innovation must be made in the direction of development. The progress of wireless charging technology has undoubtedly promoted the development of electric vehicles.

Although there have been significant advances in wireless charging, there is still a need for continuous breakthroughs, and the problem of obstructing the development of wireless charging technology has to be resolved. There are currently three mainstream wireless charging standards: the Power Matters Alliance (PMA) standard, the Qi standard, and the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) standard. Wireless charging standards are still going their own way. Establishing a unified wireless charging standard can achieve more convergence, better user experience, and thus promote the progress of wireless charging.

Looking at the idea of ​​wireless charging, it can be seen that the development of wireless charging is the development of static wireless charging to semi-dynamic wireless charging. In the future, it will transition to high-speed wireless charging without any plug-in cable at any time anywhere. For example, the receiving boards on both sides of the electric-equipment championship track can be charged in the moment of an electric racing car. Qualcomm said that in the future, the experiment will bury the wireless charging transmitter under a part of the road surface. By then, the electric vehicle can be driven while driving on these road sections. Wireless charging technology will gradually be introduced to passenger cars. This technology is expected to be validated in future Formula E.

Wireless charging technology and car networking are inseparable. "It is estimated that by 2017, 60% of the new cars shipped will be connected via mobile technology. In 2018, one-fifth of the cars on the road will self-perceive the surrounding road conditions." Qualcomm Technology Product Management Deputy President Nakul Duggal said. “Because the Halo system can adjust the charging power, in the car networking environment, electric vehicles can send battery data to the wireless charging system. The wireless charging device can then adjust the charging mode by itself.” Steve Pazol said wireless charging technology and car networking will complement each other. .

The direction of wireless charging in the future will be big convergence, and compatible charging devices such as PCs, tablets, and mobile phones will appear, and the future of road transportation will be the world of electric and wireless charging.