Wireless power transmission equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a wireless power transmission device, the wireless power transmission device comprising: an alternating current (AC) power output unit for converting input power into AC power and outputting the AC power; and a power transmitter comprising a plurality of resonators. The power transmitter receives the AC power and wirelessly transmits the AC power in a first operation mode and a second operation mode, in which two resonators among the resonators are connected in series and transmit the AC power, and in which one of the resonators transmits the AC power.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0005141 filed on January 15, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0042772 filed on April 12, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] The following description relates to a wireless power transmission device that wirelessly transmits power. Background Art

[0003] Recently, it has become increasingly common for devices such as mobile terminals to include a wireless charging function. Such a device with a wireless charging function can be set in a charging area (i.e., an area where power can be transmitted) on a wireless power transmission device that wirelessly transmits power to receive power wirelessly. When the charging area becomes wider, users can use the wireless charging function more conveniently. Summary of the invention

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce selected concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description below. This summary is neither intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter nor to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one general aspect, a wireless power transmission device includes: an alternating current (AC) power output unit for converting input power into AC power and outputting the AC power; and a power transmitter including a plurality of resonators. The power transmitter receives the AC power and wirelessly transmits the AC power in a first operation mode in which two resonators among the plurality of resonators are connected in series and transmit the AC power, and in a second operation mode in which one resonator among the plurality of resonators transmits the AC power.

[0006] Each of the plurality of resonators may include a power transmitting coil, one end of each of the power transmitting coils may be connected to a neutral point, and directions of currents flowing through each of the power transmitting coils may be in the same direction.

[0007] The AC power output part may be a full-bridge inverter for forming an AC voltage between a first node and a second node.

[0008] The power transmitter may include: a first neutral point switching element connected between the first node and the neutral point; and a second neutral point switching element connected between the second node and the neutral point.

[0009] In the first operating mode, the first neutral point switching element and the second neutral point switching element can be disconnected, and in the second operating mode, one of the first neutral point switching element and the second neutral point switching element can be turned on and the other of the first neutral point switching element and the second neutral point switching element can be turned off.

[0010] The power transmitting coils may be arranged in a row.

[0011] The power transmitter may include a first selection switch element connected between each power transmitting coil in a first group and the first node; and a second selection switch element connected between each power transmitting coil in a second group and the second node.

[0012] In the first operation mode, one first selection switch element and one second selection switch element may be turned on, and in the second operation mode, one first selection switch element or one second selection switch element may be turned on.

[0013] The AC power output section may include: a common bridge circuit connected to the neutral point and configured to receive the input power; and a selection bridge circuit, each of which may be connected to the other end of the corresponding power transmission coil to receive the input power. In the first operation mode, two selection bridge circuits may be combined to operate as a full bridge circuit, and in the second operation mode, the common bridge circuit and one of the selection bridge circuits may be combined to operate as a full bridge circuit.

[0014] In another general aspect, a wireless power transmission device includes: an alternating current (AC) power output unit for converting input power into AC power and outputting the AC power; and a power transmitter including a first power transmission coil and a second power transmission coil, wherein current flows through the first power transmission coil and the second power transmission coil in the same direction. The power transmitter receives the AC power and wirelessly transmits the AC power. When the wireless power receiving device is set in an intermediate area between the first power transmission coil and the second power transmission coil, the AC power is applied to a first end of the first power transmission coil and a first end of the second power transmission coil.

[0015] A second end of the first power transmitting coil and a second end of the second power transmitting coil may be connected to a neutral point.

[0016] The AC power output part may be a full-bridge inverter for forming an AC voltage between a first node and a second node.

[0017] The power transmitter may include: a first neutral point switching element connected between the first node and the neutral point; a second neutral point switching element connected between the second node and the neutral point; a first selection switching element connected between the first end of the first power transmitting coil and the second node; and a second selection switching element connected between the first end of the second power transmitting coil and the first node.

[0018] When the wireless power receiving apparatus is disposed in an intermediate region between the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil, the first and second neutral point switching elements may be turned off, and the first and second selection switching elements may be turned on.

[0019] The AC power output unit may include: a common bridge circuit connected to the neutral point to receive the input power; a first selection bridge circuit connected to the second end of the first power transmitting coil to receive the input power; and a second selection bridge circuit connected to the second end of the second power transmitting coil to receive the input power. When the wireless power receiving device is disposed in an intermediate area between the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil, the first selection bridge circuit and the second selection bridge circuit may be combined to operate as a full bridge circuit.

[0020] In another general aspect, a wireless power transmitting device includes: a power transmitter, including a first power transmitting coil and a second power transmitting coil to perform the following operations: when a power receiving device is set near the center of the first power transmitting coil, power is wirelessly transmitted to the power receiving device only through the first power transmitting coil; when the power receiving device is set near the center of the second power transmitting coil, power is wirelessly transmitted to the power receiving device only through the second power transmitting coil; and when the power receiving device is set in an area between the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil, power is wirelessly transmitted to the power receiving device through both the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil, while the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil are connected so that the direction of current flowing through the first power transmitting coil is the same as the direction of current flowing through the second power transmitting coil.

[0021] The first power transmitting coil may partially overlap with the second power transmitting coil.

[0022] The first power transmission coil and the second power transmission coil may be arranged to satisfy the condition B < 1.4A, where A is the width of one side of each of the first power transmission coil and the second power transmission coil, and B is the distance between the inner boundary surface of the first power transmission coil and the inner boundary surface of the second power transmission coil within the region where the first power transmission coil and the second power transmission coil overlap each other.

[0023] The first power transmission coil and the second power transmission coil may be arranged to satisfy the condition B + C < D, where C is the inner diameter of each of the first power transmission coil and the second power transmission coil, and D is the outer diameter of the power receiving coil in the power receiving device.

[0024] Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission device according to an example.

[0026] Figure 2 and Figure 3 is a diagram showing the layout of the power transmission coils of the wireless power transmission device according to an example.

[0027] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the wireless power transmission device according to an example.

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the configuration of the wireless power transmission device according to an example.

[0029] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C is shown in Figure 5 is a circuit diagram showing the operation of the wireless power transmission device shown therein.

[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the configuration of the wireless power transmission device according to an example.

[0031] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C is shown in Figure 7 is a circuit diagram showing the operation of the wireless power transmission device shown therein.

[0032] 9A to 9C is a diagram showing the switching elements of the wireless power transmission device according to an example (including the examples shown in Figure 5 and Figure 7 shown therein).

[0033] Fig.10is a diagram illustrating a layout of adjacent power transmission coils in a wireless power transmission apparatus according to an example.

[0034] Fig.11 is a diagram illustrating a layout of a power transmitting coil of a wireless power transmitting apparatus according to an example.

[0035] Throughout the drawings and detailed description, like reference numerals denote like elements. The drawings may not be drawn to scale, and the relative sizes, proportions, and depictions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following specific embodiments are provided to help the reader obtain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices and / or systems described herein. However, after understanding the disclosure of the present application, various changes, modifications and equivalents of the methods, devices and / or systems described herein will be apparent. For example, the order of operations described herein is merely an example and is not limited to the order set forth herein, but in addition to the operations that must occur in a particular order, changes that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application may be made to the order of operations described herein. In addition, for greater clarity and brevity, descriptions of features known in the art may be omitted.

[0037] The features described herein may be implemented in different forms and will not be interpreted as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided only to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, devices and / or systems described herein that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application.

[0038] Here, it is noted that the use of the term "may" with respect to an example or embodiment (e.g., with respect to what an example or embodiment may include or implement) means that there is at least one example or embodiment that includes or implements such features, but all examples and embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0039] Throughout the specification, when an element such as a layer, a region, or a substrate is described as being “on”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, the element may be directly “on”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, or one or more other elements may be present between them. In contrast, when an element is described as being “directly on”, “directly connected to”, or “directly coupled to” another element, other elements may not be present between them.

[0040] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items.

[0041] Although terms such as "first", "second", and "third" may be used herein to describe various members, components, regions, layers, or portions, these members, components, regions, layers, or portions are not limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer, or portion from another member, component, region, layer, or portion. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the examples described herein, the first member, first component, first region, first layer, or first portion mentioned in the examples described herein may also be referred to as the second member, second component, second region, second layer, or second portion.

[0042] For ease of description, spatial relational terms such as "above", "upper", "below", and "lower" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element to another element as shown in the drawings. Such spatial relational terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, an element described as being "above" or "upper" relative to another element will subsequently be "below" or "lower" relative to the other element. Therefore, the term "above" includes both "above" and "below" orientations depending on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may also be positioned in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relational terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0043] The terms used herein are only used to describe various examples and will not be used to limit the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. The terms "comprise", "include" and "have" list the existence of the stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements and / or their combinations, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, operations, components, elements and / or their combinations.

[0044] Variations in the shapes shown in the drawings may occur due to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, the examples described herein are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings but include variations in shapes that occur during manufacturing.

[0045] The features of the examples described herein may be combined in various ways that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application. In addition, although the examples described herein have various configurations, other configurations that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application are possible.

[0046] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless power transmission apparatus according to an example. The wireless power transmission apparatus according to an example may include a power supplier 110, an alternating current (AC) power output 120 (eg, an AC power output part), a power transmitter 130, and a controller 140.

[0047] The power supply 110 may output input power Vin. The input power may be a direct current (DC) voltage.

[0048] The AC power output 120 may convert the input power Vin into AC power Vac and output the AC power. The AC power output 120 may include an inverter, etc. The frequency of the AC power Vac may be determined based on the first control signal con1 output by the controller 140 .

[0049] The power transmitter 130 may receive AC power Vac and transmit the power wirelessly. The power transmitter 130 may include a plurality of power transmission coils. The plurality of power transmission coils may transmit power individually, or two or more power transmission coils may transmit power together. The power transmitter 130 may include one or more switching elements. A specific example of the power transmitter 130 will be described below.

[0050] The controller 140 may control the operation of the AC power output 120 and the power transmitter 130. For example, the controller 140 may output a first control signal con1 for controlling a plurality of switching elements included in the inverter of the AC power output 120 to control the frequency and / or amplitude of the AC power Vac output from the AC power output 120. The controller 140 may output a second control signal con2 for controlling one or more switching elements of the power transmitter 130. The controller 140 may output the second control signal con2 according to the position of the wireless power receiving device (not shown). For example, when the wireless power receiving device is disposed at a position corresponding to one of the plurality of power transmitting coils, the controller 140 may control the switching element of the power transmitter 130 so that the AC power is supplied only to the one power transmitting coil. This may be regarded as an operation mode (first operation mode or second operation mode) of the power transmitter 130. When the wireless power receiving device is disposed in an intermediate area between at least two of the plurality of power transmitting coils, the controller 140 may control the switching element of the power transmitter 130 so that the AC power is supplied to the at least two power transmitting coils. This may be considered as an operation mode (a first operation mode or a second operation mode) of the power transmitter 130 .

[0051] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a layout of a power transmitting coil of a wireless power transmitting apparatus according to an example.

[0052] Reference Figure 2, the plurality of power transmission coils L11, L21, L31, L41, and L51 may be implemented in a rectangular shape, respectively, and may be arranged in a row. Adjacent coils among the plurality of power transmission coils L11, L21, L31, L41, and L51 may be configured such that winding portions of the adjacent coils overlap each other. For example, Figure 2 As shown, adjacent coils may be arranged such that at least one side of each coil overlaps an adjacent coil.

[0053] Current may flow in the plurality of power transmission coils L11, L21, L31, L41, and L51 so that power may be transmitted wirelessly. The plurality of power transmission coils L11, L21, L31, L41, and L51 may transmit power wirelessly individually, or at least two of the plurality of power transmission coils L11, L21, L31, L41, and L51 may transmit power wirelessly together. In order for at least two coils to transmit power together, the directions of the currents i flowing in the plurality of power transmission coils L11, L21, L31, L41, and L51 may be the same as each other. The plurality of power transmission coils L11, L21, L31, L41, and L51 may be wound around and connected to each other so that they generate magnetic fields in the same direction, respectively. In order to use the plurality of power transmitting coils L11, L21, L31, L41 and L51 respectively or use a combination of at least two coils, one end of each of the plurality of power transmitting coils L11, L21, L31, L41 and L51 may be connected to one neutral point.

[0054] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a layout of a power transmitting coil of a wireless power transmitting apparatus according to an example.

[0055] exist Figure 3 , each of the plurality of power transmitting coils L12 , L22 , L32 , L42 , and L52 is implemented in a triangular shape.

[0056] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 , a case where the wireless power transmission device according to an example includes five power transmission coils is shown, but the number of power transmission coils may be changed. In addition, the shape of each of the power transmission coils may be appropriately changed.

[0057] Figure 4 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a wireless power transmitting apparatus according to an example. Figure 4 La and Lb are adjacent power transmitting coils.

[0058] The direction of the current flowing in the power transmitting coil La and the direction of the current flowing in the power transmitting coil Lb may be the same direction.

[0059] When the wireless power receiving device is set in area A, the wireless power transmitting device may allow current to flow only in the power transmitting coil La to transmit power to the wireless power receiving device. For example, the power transmitting coil La may be connected to an AC power output that outputs AC power, and the power transmitting coil Lb may not be connected to the AC power output, so that power can be transmitted using only the power transmitting coil La.

[0060] When the wireless power receiving device is set in the area C, the wireless power transmitting device may allow current to flow only in the power transmitting coil Lb to transmit power to the wireless power receiving device. For example, the power transmitting coil Lb may be connected to the AC power output, and the power transmitting coil La may not be connected to the AC power output, so that power can be transmitted using only the power transmitting coil Lb.

[0061] When the wireless power receiving device is set in area B, the wireless power transmitting device may cause current to flow in both the power transmitting coil La and the power transmitting coil Lb to transmit power to the wireless power receiving device. One end of the power transmitting coil La and one end of the power transmitting coil Lb may be connected to a neutral point. The other end of the power transmitting coil La and the other end of the power transmitting coil Lb may be connected to an AC power output so that power can be transmitted using both the power transmitting coil La and the power transmitting coil Lb. The winding direction of each of the power transmitting coil La and the power transmitting coil Lb may be set so that the directions of the currents flowing in the power transmitting coil La and the power transmitting coil Lb are the same as each other when both the power transmitting coil La and the power transmitting coil Lb are connected to the AC power output.

[0062] Since the direction of the current flowing in the power transmission coil La and the direction of the current flowing in the power transmission coil Lb are the same direction as each other, the direction of the magnetic field formed when the current flows in the power transmission coil La and the direction of the magnetic field formed when the current flows in the power transmission coil Lb can be the same direction as each other. Therefore, even in the case where the wireless power receiving device exists in the area B (the area between the power transmission coil La and the power transmission coil Lb), the wireless power transmission device can make the current flow in both the power transmission coil La and the power transmission coil Lb to transmit power to the wireless power receiving device. Even in the case where an additional power transmission coil is not installed between the power transmission coil La and the power transmission coil Lb, the wireless power transmission device according to the example can wirelessly transmit power without a dark area.

[0063] Figure 5 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a configuration of a wireless power transmission device according to an example. The wireless power transmission device may include a power supplier 111, an AC power output 121, and a power transmitter 131. In addition, FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C It is shown in Figure 5 A circuit diagram showing the operation of a wireless power transmission device is shown in FIG.

[0064] The power supply 111 can output input power Vin. The input power Vin can be a DC voltage. Figure 5 As shown, the power supply 111 may include a power source outputting input power Vin and an input capacitor Cin connected in parallel to the power source. The power source may include a battery, an adapter converting power input from an external source into input power, and the like.

[0065] The AC power output 121 can convert the input power Vin into AC power and output the AC power. Figure 5 As shown, the AC power output 121 may include a full-bridge inverter. That is, the AC power output 121 may include: a first conversion switch element S1 connected between a terminal to which the input power Vin is applied and a first node N1; a second conversion switch element S2 connected between the first node N1 and the ground; a third conversion switch element S3 connected between a terminal to which the input power Vin is applied and a second node N2; and a fourth conversion switch element S4 connected between the second node N2 and the ground. AC power may be output to the first node N1 and the second node N2.

[0066] The power transmitter 131 may receive AC power and transmit the power wirelessly. The power transmitter 131 may include a plurality of power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5, a plurality of resonant capacitors C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5, a plurality of selection switch elements SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, and SS5, and a switch unit connected between a neutral point NP and an output terminal (a first node N1 and a second node N2 of the AC power output 121). The switch unit may include a first neutral point switch element SN1 connected between the first node N1 and the neutral point NP and a second neutral point switch element SN2 connected between the second node N2 and the neutral point NP.

[0067] The plurality of power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 and the plurality of resonant capacitors C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 may respectively constitute a plurality of resonant units 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, and 1315. That is, the first power transmission coil L1 and the first resonant capacitor C1 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a first resonant unit (resonator) 1311, the second power transmission coil L2 and the second resonant capacitor C2 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a second resonant unit (resonator) 1312, the third power transmission coil L3 and the third resonant capacitor C3 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a third resonant unit (resonator) 1313, the fourth power transmission coil L4 and the fourth resonant capacitor C4 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a fourth resonant unit (resonator) 1314, and the fifth power transmission coil L5 and the fifth resonant capacitor C5 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a fifth resonant unit (resonator) 1315. All of the plurality of power transmitting coils L1 , L2 , L3 , L4 , and L5 may have the same inductance, and all of the plurality of resonance capacitors C1 , C2 , C3 , C4 , and C5 may have the same capacitance.

[0068] The plurality of power transmitting coils L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 may have the same Figure 2 or Figure 3 The shape described is the same shape and can be as referenced Figure 2 or Figure 3 That is, the plurality of power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 may be arranged in a row in the order of the first power transmission coil L1, the second power transmission coil L2, the third power transmission coil L3, the fourth power transmission coil L4, and the fifth power transmission coil L5, and the directions of the currents flowing through the plurality of power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 may be the same as each other. The shape of each of the plurality of power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 may be implemented differently, and the number of the power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 may be changed.

[0069] One end of each of the plurality of power transmitting coils L1 , L2 , L3 , L4 , and L5 in the first to fifth resonance units 1311 to 1315 may be connected to a neutral point NP.

[0070] The odd-numbered power transmitting coils L1, L3 and L5 (for example, the first group) among the multiple power transmitting coils L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 can be connected to the second node N2 through the selection switch elements SS1, SS3 and SS5, respectively, and the even-numbered power transmitting coils L2 and L4 (for example, the second group) among the multiple power transmitting coils L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 can be connected to the first node N1 through the selection switch elements SS2 and SS4, respectively. Here, "group" may refer to power transmitting coils that are adjacent to each other in position, or to a group of power transmitting coils used when the power receiving coil receives power at a specific position.

[0071] The first selection switch element SS1 can be connected between the first resonance unit 1311 (including the first power transmitting coil L1) and the second node N2, the second selection switch element SS2 can be connected between the second resonance unit 1312 (including the second power transmitting coil L2) and the first node N1, the third selection switch element SS3 can be connected between the third resonance unit 1313 (including the third power transmitting coil L3) and the second node N2, the fourth selection switch element SS4 can be connected between the fourth resonance unit 1314 (including the fourth power transmitting coil L4) and the first node N1, and the fifth selection switch element SS5 can be connected between the fifth resonance unit 1315 (including the fifth power transmitting coil L5) and the second node N2.

[0072] The first neutral point switching element SN1 may be connected between the neutral point NP and the first node N1. The second neutral point switching element SN2 may be connected between the neutral point NP and the second node N2.

[0073] The wireless power transmission device can determine the power transmission coil to which power is to be transmitted by appropriately turning on / off the switching elements SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SN1, and SN2 of the power transmitter 131. For example, when the wireless power receiving device is disposed near the center of the first power transmission coil L1 so that the wireless power transmission device is to transmit power through the first power transmission coil L1, the first selection switching element SS1 and the first neutral point switching element SN1 may be turned on and the other switching elements SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, and SN2 may be turned off, such as Fig. 6A In this example, only the first resonance unit 1311 may be activated and power may be transmitted using the first resonance unit 1311, and the other resonance units 1312, 1313, 1314, and 1315 may not be activated and operated.

[0074] When the wireless power receiving device is disposed near the center of the second power transmitting coil L2 so that the wireless power transmitting device is to transmit power through the second power transmitting coil L2, the second selection switch element SS2 and the second neutral point switch element SN2 may be turned on and the other switch elements SS1, SS3, SS4, SS5 and SN1 may be turned off. Figure 6B In this example, only the second resonance unit 1312 may be activated and power may be transmitted using the second resonance unit 1312, and the other resonance units 1311, 1313, 1314, and 1315 may not be activated and operated.

[0075] When the wireless power receiving device is disposed in the middle area between the first power transmitting coil L1 and the second power transmitting coil L2 so that the wireless power transmitting device is to transmit power through the first power transmitting coil L1 and the second power transmitting coil L2, the first selection switch element SS1 and the second selection switch element SS2 may be turned on and the other switch elements SS3, SS4, SS5, SN1 and SN2 may be turned off. Figure 6C In this example, the first resonance unit 1311 and the second resonance unit 1312 may be activated and power may be transmitted using the first resonance unit 1311 and the second resonance unit 1312, and the other resonance units 1313, 1314, and 1315 may not be activated and operated. The power transmission coils L1 and L2 may have the same inductance, and the resonance capacitors C1 and C2 may have the same capacitance. Figure 6C As shown, the first resonance unit 1311 and the second resonance unit 1312 may be connected in series with each other. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the resonance unit formed by combining the first resonance unit 1311 and the second resonance unit 1312 with each other may become equal to the resonance frequency of each of the resonance units 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314 and 1315.

[0076] Although not in Figure 5 , but the wireless power transmission apparatus may further include a controller for controlling the switching elements S1, S2, S3, S4, SN1, SN2, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, and SS5.

[0077] Figure 7 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the construction of a wireless power transmission device according to an example. The wireless power transmission device may include a power supplier 112, an AC power output 122, and a power transmitter 132. In addition, FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C It is shown in Figure 7 A circuit diagram showing the operation of a wireless power transmission device is shown in FIG.

[0078] The power supply 112 can output input power Vin. The input power Vin can be a DC voltage. Figure 7As shown, the power supply 112 may include a power source outputting input power Vin and an input capacitor Cin connected in parallel to the power source. The power source may include a battery, an adapter converting power input from an external source into input power, and the like.

[0079] The AC power output 122 can convert the input power Vin into AC power and output the AC power. The AC power output 122 may include: a first conversion switch element S1 connected between a terminal to which the input power Vin is applied and a first node N1; a second conversion switch element S2 connected between the first node N1 and the ground; a third conversion switch element S3 connected between a terminal to which the input power Vin is applied and a second node N2; a fourth conversion switch element S4 connected between the second node N2 and the ground; a fifth conversion switch element S5 connected between a terminal to which the input power Vin is applied and a third node N3; a sixth conversion switch element S6 connected between the third node N3 and the ground. The seventh conversion switch element S7 is connected between the terminal to which the input power Vin is applied and the fourth node N4; the eighth conversion switch element S8 is connected between the fourth node N4 and the ground; the ninth conversion switch element S9 is connected between the terminal to which the input power Vin is applied and the fifth node N5; the tenth conversion switch element S10 is connected between the fifth node N5 and the ground; the first neutral point switch element S_N1 is connected between the terminal to which the input power Vin is applied and the neutral point NP; and the second neutral point switch element S_N2 is connected between the neutral point NP and the ground. AC power can be output to the neutral point NP and at least two of the first node N1, the second node N2, the third node N3, the fourth node N4, and the fifth node N5.

[0080] The AC power output 122 may include a plurality of bridge circuits, but may be operated as a full bridge circuit including two bridge circuits at a specific time point. The first neutral point switching element S_N1 and the second neutral point switching element S_N2 may constitute a common bridge circuit, the first conversion switching element S1 and the second conversion switching element S2 may constitute a first selection bridge circuit, the third conversion switching element S3 and the fourth conversion switching element S4 may constitute a second selection bridge circuit, the fifth conversion switching element S5 and the sixth conversion switching element S6 may constitute a third selection bridge circuit, the seventh conversion switching element S7 and the eighth conversion switching element S8 may constitute a fourth selection bridge circuit, and the ninth conversion switching element S9 and the tenth conversion switching element S10 may constitute a fifth selection bridge circuit. One of the selection bridge circuits and the common bridge circuit may be combined with each other to operate as a full bridge circuit, or two of the selection bridge circuits may be combined with each other to operate as a full bridge circuit.

[0081] The power transmitter 132 may receive AC power and wirelessly transmit the power. The power transmitter may include a plurality of power transmitting coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 and a plurality of resonant capacitors C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5.

[0082] The plurality of power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 and the plurality of resonant capacitors C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 may respectively constitute a plurality of resonant units 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324 and 1325. The first power transmission coil L1 and the first resonant capacitor C1 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a first resonant unit 1321, the second power transmission coil L2 and the second resonant capacitor C2 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a second resonant unit 1322, the third power transmission coil L3 and the third resonant capacitor C3 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a third resonant unit 1323, the fourth power transmission coil L4 and the fourth resonant capacitor C4 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a fourth resonant unit 1324, and the fifth power transmission coil L5 and the fifth resonant capacitor C5 may be connected in series with each other to constitute a fifth resonant unit 1325. All of the plurality of power transmitting coils L1 , L2 , L3 , L4 , and L5 may have the same inductance, and all of the plurality of resonance capacitors C1 , C2 , C3 , C4 , and C5 may have the same capacitance.

[0083] The plurality of power transmitting coils L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 may have the same Figure 2 or Figure 3 The shape described is the same shape and can be as referenced Figure 2 or Figure 3 The plurality of power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 may be arranged in a row in the order of the first power transmission coil L1, the second power transmission coil L2, the third power transmission coil L3, the fourth power transmission coil L4, and the fifth power transmission coil L5, and the directions of the currents flowing through the plurality of power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 may be the same as each other. The shape of each of the plurality of power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 may be implemented differently, and the number of the power transmission coils L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 may be changed.

[0084] One end of each of the plurality of power transmitting coils L1 , L2 , L3 , L4 , and L5 in the first to fifth resonance units may be connected to the neutral point NP.

[0085] One end of the first resonance unit 1321 (including the first power transmitting coil L1) can be connected to the first node N1, one end of the second resonance unit 1322 (including the second power transmitting coil L2) can be connected to the second node N2, one end of the third resonance unit 1323 (including the third power transmitting coil L3) can be connected to the third node N3, one end of the fourth resonance unit 1324 (including the fourth power transmitting coil L4) can be connected to the fourth node N4, and one end of the fifth resonance unit 1325 (including the fifth power transmitting coil L5) can be connected to the fifth node N5.

[0086] The wireless power transmission device can determine the power transmission coil to which power is to be transmitted by appropriately turning on / off the switching elements S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S_N1, and S_N2 of the AC power output 122. For example, when the wireless power receiving device is disposed near the center of the first power transmission coil L1 so that the wireless power transmission device is to transmit power through the first power transmission coil L1, the first conversion switching element S1, the second conversion switching element S2, the first neutral point switching element SN_1, and the second neutral point switching element SN_2 can be operated as a full-bridge inverter and the other switching elements can be kept in an off state, such as Fig. 8A In this example, only the first resonance unit 1321 may be activated and power may be transmitted using the first resonance unit 1321, and the other resonance units 1322, 1323, 1324, and 1325 may not be activated and operated.

[0087] When the wireless power receiving device is arranged near the center of the second power transmitting coil L2, so that the wireless power transmitting device is to transmit power through the second power transmitting coil L2, the third conversion switch element S3, the fourth conversion switch element S4, the first neutral point switch element SN_1 and the second neutral point switch element SN_2 can be operated as a full-bridge inverter and the other switch elements can be kept in the disconnected state, such as Figure 8B In this example, only the second resonance unit 1322 may be activated and power may be transmitted using the second resonance unit 1322, and the other resonance units 1321, 1323, 1324, and 1325 may not be activated and operated.

[0088] When the wireless power receiving device is disposed in the middle area between the first power transmitting coil L1 and the second power transmitting coil L2, so that the wireless power transmitting device is to transmit power through the first power transmitting coil L1 and the second power transmitting coil L2, the first conversion switching element S1, the second conversion switching element S2, the third conversion switching element S3 and the fourth conversion switching element S4 may be operated as a full-bridge inverter and the other switching elements may be maintained in an off state, such as Figure 8CIn this example, the first resonance unit 1321 and the second resonance unit 1322 may be activated and power may be transmitted using the first resonance unit 1321 and the second resonance unit 1322, and the other resonance units 1323, 1324, and 1325 may not be activated and operated. The power transmission coils L1 and L2 may have the same inductance, and the resonance capacitors C1 and C2 may have the same capacitance. Figure 8C As shown, the first resonance unit 1321 and the second resonance unit 1322 may be connected in series with each other. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the resonance unit formed by combining the first resonance unit 1321 and the second resonance unit 1322 with each other may become equal to the resonance frequency of each of the resonance units 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324, and 1325.

[0089] 9A to 9C It is shown that according to Figure 5 and Figure 7 Schematic diagram of an example of switching elements of an example wireless power transmission device shown in FIG. Switching elements SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SN1, and SN2 (see Figure 5 ) and S_N1 and S_N2 (see Figure 7 ) can be switched by a relay or 9A to 9C It can be implemented by any one of the multiple semiconductor switches shown in.

[0090] For example, switching elements SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SN1, and SN2 (see Figure 5 ) and S_N1 and S_N2 (see Figure 7 ) may be a back-to-back switch in which two semiconductor switching elements are connected to each other (eg Fig.9A ). Switching elements SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SN1 and SN2 (see Figure 5 ) and S_N1 and S_N2 (see Figure 7 ) can be Fig. 9B A switch in which one of the semiconductor switching elements and the capacitor are connected in series with each other is shown. AC signals can be blocked more effectively by these configurations.

[0091] In selecting the switch elements SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4 and SS5 ( Figure 5 ), the resonant capacitor of the resonant unit to which the selection switch element is connected can be used as Fig. 9B Therefore, the switching elements SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4 and SS5 are selected ( Figure 5 ) can also be expressed as Fig. 9C The semiconductor switching element shown is implemented.

[0092] Fig.10 is a diagram showing the layout of adjacent power transmission coils in a wireless power transmission device according to an example.

[0093] In Fig.10 La and Lb represent power transmission coils arranged adjacent to each other, and L_Rx represents a power receiving coil that receives power. Additionally, A represents the width of one side of the power transmission coil, i.e., the winding width of the power transmission coil in the first direction (e.g., the arrangement direction of the plurality of coils mentioned above), B represents the distance between the inner boundary surface of power transmission coil La and the inner boundary surface of power transmission coil Lb in the overlapping portion of power transmission coil La and power transmission coil Lb, C represents the inner diameter of the power transmission coil, i.e., the maximum width of the inner space of the power transmission coil in the first direction, and D represents the outer diameter of the power receiving coil, i.e., the maximum width of the outermost winding of the power receiving coil in the first direction.

[0094] The power transmission coils La and Lb can be arranged such that at least a part of the winding portions of the coils overlap each other. The power transmission coils La and Lb can be arranged such that they do not completely overlap each other. The power transmission coils La and Lb can be arranged such that the inner space (the space within the inner boundary surface) of power transmission coil La and the inner space of power transmission coil Lb do not overlap each other.

[0095] The power transmission coils La and Lb can be arranged to satisfy the condition B < 1.4A.

[0096] The power transmission coils La and Lb can be arranged to additionally satisfy the condition B + C < D.

[0097] Fig.11 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the power transmission coils of a wireless power transmission device according to an example.

[0098] As Fig.11 shown, the wireless power transmission device may include power transmission coils L13, L23, L33, L43, L53, L63, L73, L83, L93, and L103 arranged in two rows.

[0099] Although not shown, the wireless power transmission device according to an example may also include power transmission coils arranged in three or more rows.

[0100] The wireless power transmission device according to any one of the examples can form a wide charging area without forming a dark area using a smaller number of power transmission coils and a smaller number of switching elements. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved, and the cost required to manufacture the wireless power transmission device can be reduced.

[0101] Perform the operations described in this application Figure 1 The controller 140 in is implemented by a hardware component, and the hardware component is configured to perform the operation performed by the hardware component described in the present application. Examples of hardware components that can be used to perform the operation described in the present application include, where appropriate, controllers, sensors, generators, drivers, memories, comparators, arithmetic logic units, adders, subtractors, multipliers, dividers, integrators, and any other electronic components configured to perform the operation described in the present application. In other examples, one or more hardware components that perform the operation described in the present application are implemented by computing hardware (e.g., by one or more processors or computers). A processor or computer can be implemented by one or more processing elements (such as, logic gate arrays, controllers and arithmetic logic units, digital signal processors, microcomputers, programmable logic controllers, field programmable gate arrays, programmable logic arrays, microprocessors, or any other device or combination of devices configured to respond in a defined manner and execute instructions to obtain desired results). In one example, a processor or computer includes (or is connected to) one or more memories storing instructions or software executed by a processor or computer. The hardware components implemented by a processor or a computer can execute instructions or software such as an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the OS to perform the operations described in this application. The hardware components can also access, operate, process, create and store data in response to the execution of instructions or software. For simplicity, the singular term "processor" or "computer" can be used to describe the examples described in this application, but in other examples, multiple processors or computers can be used, or the processor or computer can include multiple processing elements or multiple types of processing elements, or include both. For example, a single hardware component or two or more hardware components can be implemented by a single processor or two or more processors or a processor and a controller. One or more hardware components can be implemented by one or more processors or a processor and a controller, and one or more other hardware components can be implemented by one or more other processors or another processor and another controller. One or more processors or a processor and a controller can implement a single hardware component or two or more hardware components. The hardware components may have any one or more of different processing configurations, examples of which include a single processor, independent processors, parallel processors, single instruction single data (SISD) multiprocessing, single instruction multiple data (SIMD) multiprocessing, multiple instruction single data (MISD) multiprocessing, and multiple instruction multiple data (MIMD) multiprocessing.

[0102] Instructions or software for controlling computing hardware (e.g., one or more processors or computers) to implement hardware components and perform methods as described above may be written as computer programs, code segments, instructions, or any combination thereof to individually or collectively instruct or configure one or more processors or computers to operate as machine computers or special-purpose computers to perform operations performed by hardware components and methods as described above. In one example, the instructions or software include machine code (such as machine code generated by a compiler) directly executed by one or more processors or computers. In another example, the instructions or software include higher-level code executed by one or more processors or computers using an interpreter. The instructions or software may be written in any programming language based on the block diagrams and flow charts shown in the accompanying drawings and the corresponding descriptions in the specification (disclosing algorithms for performing operations performed by hardware components and methods as described above).

[0103] Instructions or software for controlling computing hardware (e.g., one or more processors or computers) to implement hardware components and perform the methods described above, and any associated data, data files, and data structures, may be recorded, stored, or fixed in or on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD+R, CD-RW, CD+RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-R LTH, BD-RE, magnetic tape, floppy disk, magneto-optical data storage device, optical data storage device, hard disk, solid-state disk, and any other device configured to store instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures in a non-transitory manner and provide the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures to one or more processors or computers so that one or more processors or computers can execute instructions. In one example, the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures are distributed among networked computer systems so that the instructions and software and any associated data, data files, and data structures are stored, accessed, and executed in a distributed fashion by one or more processors or computers.

[0104] Although the present disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application that various changes can be made to these examples in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described here are considered to be descriptive only, not for the purpose of limitation. The description of the features or aspects in each example will be considered to be applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. If the described techniques are performed in different orders, and / or if the components in the described systems, architectures, devices, or circuits are combined in different ways, and / or the components in the described systems, architectures, devices, or circuits are replaced or added by other components or their equivalents, suitable results can be obtained. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by specific embodiments, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents will be interpreted as being included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A wireless power transmission device, include: an AC power output unit configured to convert input power into AC power and output the AC power to the first node and the second node; as well as A power transmitter includes a plurality of resonators and is configured to: receiving the AC power and transmitting the AC power in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, wherein, in the first operation mode, two resonators among the plurality of resonators are connected in series and the two resonators among the plurality of resonators wirelessly transmit the AC power, and In the second operation mode, one of the plurality of resonators wirelessly transmits the AC power, The power transmitter includes a power transmitting coil provided in each of the plurality of resonators, One end of each of the plurality of power transmitting coils is connected to a neutral point, The power transmitter further comprises: A first neutral point switching element connected between the first node and the neutral point; and a second neutral point switching element connected between the second node and the neutral point, When the first neutral point switching element and the second neutral point switching element are turned off, the power transmitter transmits the AC power from the first node and the second node to the plurality of resonators. In the first operation mode, the first neutral point switching element and the second neutral point switching element are disconnected, In the second operation mode, one of the first neutral point switching element and the second neutral point switching element is turned on, and the other of the first neutral point switching element and the second neutral point switching element is turned off, Also, in the first operation mode, the direction of the current flowing through each power transmitting coil is the same direction, thereby generating magnetic fields in the same direction.

2. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 1, in, The AC power output section is a full-bridge inverter configured to form an AC voltage between a first node and a second node.

3. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 2, in, The power transmitting coils are arranged in a row.

4. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 3, in, The power transmitter further comprises: a first selection switch element connected between each power transmitting coil in the first group and the first node; and A second selection switch element is connected between each of the power transmitting coils in the second group and the second node.

5. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 4, in, In the first operation mode, a first selection switch element and a second selection switch element are turned on, and In the second operation mode, one first selection switch element or one second selection switch element is turned on.

6. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 1, in, The AC power output unit comprises: a common bridge circuit connected to the neutral point and configured to receive the input power; and selecting bridge circuits, each of which is connected to the other end of the corresponding power transmitting coil and configured to receive the input power, In the first operating mode, the two selected bridge circuits are combined to operate as a full bridge circuit, and In the second operation mode, the common bridge circuit is combined with one of the selection bridge circuits to operate as a full bridge circuit.

7. A wireless power transmission device, include: an AC power output unit configured to convert input power into AC power and output the AC power to the first node and the second node; as well as a power transmitter including a first power transmitting coil and a second power transmitting coil and configured to receive the AC power and wirelessly transmit the AC power, wherein current flows in the same direction through the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil, wherein, in response to the wireless power receiving device being disposed in an intermediate region between the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil, the AC power is applied to a first end of the first power transmitting coil and a first end of the second power transmitting coil, The second end of the first power transmitting coil and the second end of the second power transmitting coil are connected to a neutral point, The power transmitter further comprises: A first neutral point switching element connected between the first node and the neutral point; and a second neutral point switching element connected between the second node and the neutral point, When the first neutral point switching element and the second neutral point switching element are turned off, the power transmitter transmits the AC power from the first node and the second node to a plurality of power transmitting coils. In response to the wireless power receiving device being disposed in an intermediate region between the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil, directions of currents flowing through the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil are the same direction, thereby generating magnetic fields of the same direction.

8. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 7, in, The AC power output section is a full-bridge inverter configured to form an AC voltage between a first node and a second node.

9. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 8, in, The power transmitter further comprises: a first selection switch element connected between the first end of the first power transmitting coil and the second node; and A second selection switch element is connected between the first end of the second power transmitting coil and the first node.

10. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 9, in, In response to the wireless power receiving device being disposed in an intermediate region between the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil, the first and second neutral point switching elements are turned off and the first and second selection switching elements are turned on.

11. The wireless power transmission device according to claim 7, in, The AC power output unit comprises: a common bridge circuit connected to the neutral point and configured to receive the input power; a first selection bridge circuit connected to the second end of the first power transmitting coil and configured to receive the input power; and a second selection bridge circuit connected to the second end of the second power transmitting coil and configured to receive the input power, Wherein, in response to the wireless power receiving device being disposed in an intermediate region between the first power transmitting coil and the second power transmitting coil, the first selection bridge circuit is combined with the second selection bridge circuit to operate as a full bridge circuit.

Images