Finite element simulation of a universal contactless battery charging platform

Abstract

This paper presents a finite-element (FE) simulation study of a planar contactless battery charging platform for portable consumer electronic equipment. Magnetic field plots of the charging platform are generated under no-load and loaded conditions so that the field distribution of the planar charging platform can be visualized. With new results arising from this FE simulation study, the theory of the mmf generation of the multilayer planar printed-circuit-board (PCB) winding array structure can be further understood. Experiments have been carried out to identify the loading effects and central field sag phenomenon. Magnetic field variation at the edges of the platform can now be explained. It is found that a patented shielding structure is effective in suppressing the EM field at the bottom of the charging platform. Most importantly, the FE simulation confirms the 'pancake' shape of the field distribution in the planar charging platform. Such prediction is verified with practical measurements. © 2005 IEEE.