3D Integrated Wireless Power Transmission Platform for Robotics Applications (ART/315CP)

According to the smart city blueprint released by the HKSAR Government in December 2017, the major emphasis is to develop Hong Kong as a world-class smart city. Robotics application, such as automated guided vehicle (AGV) or automated mobile robots (AMR) in intelligent logistic centers, is one of the major categories in smart city scenarios and it is essential to achieve smart and fully automated operations. However, the major bottleneck that prevent the robots from working under a full “darkness” is the charging part. Therefore, a promising charging method with improved efficiency and power density is the key factor to driving the technology innovation and evolution in the industry. This project aims to develop a series of key enabling platform technologies to build a high density and high efficiency ~kW level all-in-one wireless power transmission (WPT) kit to solve the coupled electrical-thermal and integration challenges for charging of AGVs/AMRs/other industrial robots. The proposed key platform technologies include: (1) The application of SiC devices and the development of Easy-SiC Module to reduce form factor, power loss, and improve thermal performance concurrently; (2) The implementation of adaptive compensation network and magnetic integrated coil to ensure an efficient operation under a wide load range; (3) The derivation of temperature-driven dead time control and dynamic feedback algorithms to maximize the power transmission efficiency; (4) The development of an all-in-one WPT solution with synergy from other two ITF projects to boost up power density and efficiency. It is believed that the proposed platform technologies are not only suitable for robotics applications, but also adoptable in other smart city scenarios where WPT is required, such as smart home, smart catering, and even consumer electronics, etc. It is expected that the global WPT market will reach US$ 15.2 billion in 2026, where the industrial and robotics applications have already occupied 25% of market and is predicted to show an increasing trend in the coming years, according to the Credence Research in 2019. It is targeted that the proposed project is to provide not only a technology platform, but also a tangible high efficiency and power density WPT solution beneficial to all smart city related applications in Hong Kong, China, and world-wide.