Safety and efficiency of the wireless charging of electric vehicles

Wireless power transfer is a promising method to address the concerns over charging an electric vehicle. Since wireless charging stations operate without large cables or above-ground stations, they can be conveniently installed in public locations without the risk of vandalism or weather-inflicted damage, improving the lifespan of the electric vehicle charging station. In order for wireless charging stations to become widespread, possible health effects regarding exposure to the strong electromagnetic fields present during wireless power transfer must be investigated. This work examines, first, the potential human safety hazards, second, the electronic device interference, and, third, the thermal heating effects of wireless charging systems. A 3.3 kW wireless power transfer prototype was built in order to examine these effects. Changes in the wireless power transfer efficiency due to the coil misalignment were also investigated using an automated three-axis platform. Design considerations for electric vehicle wireless charging systems and safety recommendations are presented.