SIMP-Method Topology Optimization of Ferrite Structures in Inductive Power Transfer Systems

This article demonstrates the interest of topology optimization in designing the ferrite plate used in an inductive power transfer system for electric vehicles. The solid isotropic material with the penalization (SIMP) method is used to optimize the ferrite plate, and it modifies the topology of the ferrite shape iteratively. This SIMP method can lead to novel structures compared with usual existing shapes. In this article, it is found that a part of the ferrite from the center and the edges of the predefined ferrite plate can be removed to save the ferrite volume while achieving a minimal reduction of transmission efficiency. Moreover, the results from topology optimization are influenced by the aluminum shielding plate near the ferrite plate. Hence, the ferrite on the receiver side has to be larger than the one on the transmitter side. These results give some design guidelines on arranging the ferrite placement for the system, and the approach could be generalized for shielding sheets/walls.