SAE International has published a new wireless charging standard for light-duty EVs — the SAE Standard J2954, Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) for Light-Duty Plug-in/Electric Vehicles and Alignment Methodology. The new standard describes wireless power transfer at up to 11 kW with an efficiency of up to 93%.
The SAE Wireless Power Transfer Task Force — consisting of automakers (OEMs), Tier 1s, and wireless charging suppliers –completed a lengthy consensus process finalizing the wireless charging specification with the vehicle to WPT pad alignment.
The Differential Inductive Positioning System (DIPS) is the technology alignment methodology for the SAE J2954 standard. This revision of SAE J2954 with DIPS enables automated parking and charging also for autonomous vehicles. An innovative feature of the DIPS system is that a vehicle assembly seamlessly recognizes multiple ground assemblies, pairs automatically, and enables precise alignment in all weather conditions.
The SAE WPT task force is also specifying high-power wireless charging for heavy-duty vehicles up to 500 kW for it’s upcoming recommended practice SAE J2954/2.
“With the great teamwork of the SAE Wireless Power Taskforce together with the DIPS-Team, wireless charging with SAE J2954 Standard has become the first standardized automatic charging technology. This step marks a significant breakthrough towards achieving scalability and mass production of wireless charging systems,“ said Dr. Mike Böttigheimer (MAHLE, Member of SAE J2954 Taskforce).
DIPS and WPT
The new J2954 standard alignment system, DIPS, is described as a low-intensity magnetic field generated from the ground assembly with multiple coils that can evaluated by the vehicle assembly for positioning. A conformance test is done to ensure interoperability between vehicle and charging pad. Ground and Vehicle WPT assembly manufacturers can develop and test their systems according to this interoperability specification. The DIPS transmitter and receiver coils can be fully integrated into the GA and VA.
Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) following SAE J2954 fully automatic wireless charging solution for EVs and promises highly efficient charging (up to 93%) of electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles. The missing piece of standardization of light duty WPT has been finding an alignment methodology which works in all weather conditions and environments and is interoperable between many different types of applications.
“The next generation of EV charging can be as simple as parking in a spot, with automatic J2954 wireless charging,” said Jesse Schneider (ZEV Station), chair of the SAE WPT Task Force. “The SAE WPT Taskforce has extensively tested wireless power transfer and alignment in the lab and the field allowing safe wireless power transfer up to 11 kW with efficiencies to 93%. Now, the new standard gives consistent alignment in an exact parking spot with the DIPS System. This will enable a seamless wireless charging & parking even for autonomous vehicles in the rain and snow. With the J2954 standard, the team has solved the missing link, enabling the start of commercialization of wireless charging for EVs, a game changer.”
For full details on the new standard, please click here.
Filed Under: Technology News