Several new patents have unveiled Tesla's wireless home charging station for electric vehicles. The applications focus on reducing current leakage, sensors, circuit topology, and parameter evaluation.
The wireless charger eliminates the need for a cable connection, which isn't particularly challenging. However, Tesla is committed to automating vehicle operations, ensuring that the car can charge without human intervention while simply parked in the garage.
There are also concerns regarding efficiency. Historically, wireless charging solutions have had lower efficiency compared to wired charging. Some of the latest technologies, like magnetic resonance charging, can achieve efficiencies of around ~95%, similar to wired connections. Nevertheless, for many years, Tesla has favored an automated robotic arm for wired charging.
Last year, Tesla released an image of its wireless home charging station. The automaker has never commented on this image, which was part of a presentation, but it clearly depicts the wireless charging device. Additionally, Tesla acquired a startup focused on wireless charging, later selling it but retaining some employees within the company.
Recently, Tesla's chief designer Franz von Holzhausen confirmed that the company is working on a wireless charging panel. It was previously reported that the Cybertruck includes inductive charging connectors, hinting at a future upgrade to a wireless device.
Currently, Tesla has filed for four patents related to this technology:
- A switch to reduce ground leakage current during inductive charging
- Temperature sensors and their application for wireless charging
- Wireless charging circuit topology and relevant manufacturing methods
- Parameter assessment for wireless charging
It is unclear when Tesla plans to unveil its wireless charging technology, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it appeared at the company’s upcoming robotaxi presentation next month—this technology is particularly relevant for autonomous vehicles that could charge themselves when there’s no one around to plug in a cable.
Source: Electrek
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