Design, implementation and experimental results of an inductive power transfer system for electric bicycle wireless charging

Abstract

The use of renewable energy and the transformation of transport mode are crucial items for achieving an efficient and clean electrical mobility that allow being competitive on the market. In this context the interface between the power system and the Electric Vehicles (EVs) assumes a strategic role. Specifically, wireless energy transmission, based on Inductive Power Transfer (IPT), is an attractive solution for EVs charging. Moreover, the use of electric bicycles or kick scooters as mode of urban transport is continuously growing because they are lightweight, sustainable, easily parking, flexible and efficient transport devices. Owing to its benefits, the wireless power transfer can be considered suitable for those devices. In fact, IPT can also be exploited for Vehicle-To-Grid (V2G), where the wireless power flow can occur from battery to power grid as well. For E-bike applications, bicycle-to-grid or bicycle-to-bicycle energy transfer are viable solutions by means of a Bi-Directional Inductive Power Transfer (BDIPT). In this paper, a 300 W IPT wireless charger prototype for E-bikes is proposed. Modelling, design, simulation and experimental results of this prototype are provided. Open-loop and closed-loop tests have been performed, focusing on system behaviour for different cases of load, distance and misalignment between the coils.