This paper presents a custom-made, computer-connected, and controlled 3D platform that enables the evaluation of the coupling coefficient between the transmitter and receiver coil parts of an inductive wireless power transfer (IPT) system. The platform includes a computer application, a 3D positioning mechanism, and an inductance measurement circuit. The positioning mechanism moves the coils to the point in 3D space, and the inductance circuit measures the mutual inductance between the transmitter and the receiver coil. The measured value can be used to calculate the coupling coefficient between the transmitter and the receiver coil. The data are sent to the computer for further visualisation. The transmitter and the receiver coil can be evaluated by measuring the coupling coefficient between them in multiple points in space. Measurements performed with the platform can be used in the design and evaluation phases of inductive wireless power transfer systems and to extrapolate the polynomial function of the coupling coefficient in relation to the distance between coils or their misalignment.
Keywords: IPT; IPT coil design; coupling coefficient; inductance measurement.