Foreign object detection for wireless charging systems

Abstract

A wireless charging system and a method for detecting a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging system. The wireless charging system (10) includes a wirelessly chargeable battery (14) that receives power from a wireless charging device (16) when the wirelessly chargeable battery (14) is in the vicinity of the wireless charging device (16). The wireless charging device (16) determines an actual power consumption of the wireless charging system (10), and the wirelessly chargeable battery (14) measures a voltage induced in the wirelessly chargeable battery (14) by the wireless charging device (16). The wireless charging device (16), the wirelessly chargeable battery (14), or a combination of both, determines an expected power consumption of the wireless charging system (10) based on the measured voltage, and determines whether a foreign object (12) is in the vicinity of the wireless charging system (10) based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and all benefits to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 884,092, filed August 7, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] When a conductive foreign object is positioned near the transmitting coil of a wireless charging system, the coil induces a current in the object, causing its temperature to rise. This increased temperature can damage materials used in and around the wireless charging system and may burn an accidental user. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one example, a system for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging device includes a wirelessly rechargeable battery. The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a receiving coil, one or more battery cells, and an electrical load. The receiving coil is used to receive power from the wireless charging device when it is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device. The system also includes at least one controller configured to switch the wirelessly rechargeable battery between the first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the receiving coil is coupled to one or more battery cells to charge them and is decoupled from the electrical load. In the second configuration, the receiving coil is coupled to the electrical load to supply power to it and is decoupled from the one or more battery cells. The at least one controller is also configured to measure the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device, determine a first electrical characteristic of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage, and determine a second electrical characteristic of the electrical load when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the second configuration. The at least one controller is also configured to determine the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device based on the first and second electrical characteristics.

[0005] In another example, the wireless charging device includes: a transmitting coil for transmitting power to a wirelessly rechargeable battery when the battery is in the vicinity of the transmitting coil; a power source coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal to power the transmitting coil; and at least one controller. The at least one controller is configured to determine a first electrical characteristic of the power signal, determine a second electrical characteristic of the expected power loss of the wireless charging device, and determine the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device based on the first and second electrical characteristics.

[0006] In another example, a method for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system is provided. The wireless charging system includes a wireless charging device and a wirelessly rechargeable battery comprising a receiving coil, one or more battery cells, and an electrical load. The receiving coil is configured to receive power from the wireless charging device when it is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device. The method includes: switching the wirelessly rechargeable battery to a first configuration in which the receiving coil is coupled to the electrical load to supply power to the electrical load and decoupled from the one or more battery cells; measuring a voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device; and determining a first electrical characteristic of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage. The method further includes: determining a second electrical characteristic of the electrical load when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the first configuration; and determining the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device based on the first and second electrical characteristics.

[0007] In another example, a method is provided for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging device, the wireless charging device including a transmitting coil for transmitting power to a wirelessly rechargeable battery when the battery is near a transmitting coil, and a power source coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal for powering the transmitting coil. The method includes: determining a first electrical characteristic of the power signal; determining an expected electrical loss of the wireless charging device as a second electrical characteristic; and determining the presence of a foreign object near the wireless charging device based on the first and second electrical characteristics.

[0008] In another example, a wireless charging system for detecting foreign objects includes a wireless charging device and a wirelessly rechargeable battery that receives power from the wireless charging device when the battery is near it. The wireless charging device includes a first controller configured to determine the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system. The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a second controller configured to measure the voltage induced in the battery by the wireless charging device. The first controller, the second controller, or a combination of the first and second controllers are configured to determine the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system based on the measured voltage, and to determine the presence of a foreign object near the wireless charging system based on the expected and actual power consumption.

[0009] In another example, a wirelessly rechargeable battery is provided for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system. The wireless charging system includes a wirelessly rechargeable battery and a wireless charging device that transmits power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery when it is near the wireless charging device. The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a controller configured to measure the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device, determine the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system based on the measured voltage, and determine the presence of a foreign object near the wireless charging system based on the expected and actual power consumption.

[0010] In another example, a method is provided for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system, the wireless charging system including a wireless charging device and a wirelessly rechargeable battery, the latter receiving power from the wireless charging device when it is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device. The method includes determining the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system by the wireless charging device, and measuring the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device. The method also includes determining the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system based on the measured voltage by the wireless charging device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery, or a combination of both, and determining whether a foreign object is present in the vicinity of the wireless charging system by the wireless charging device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery, or a combination of both, based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

[0011] In another example, a method is provided for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system, the wireless charging system including a wirelessly rechargeable battery and a wireless charging device, wherein the wireless charging device transmits power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is located near the wireless charging device. The method includes measuring a voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device, determining the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system based on the measured voltage, and determining whether a foreign object is present near the wireless charging system based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system.

[0012] In another example, a wireless charging system for detecting foreign objects includes a wirelessly rechargeable battery and a wireless charging device with a transmitting coil for charging the wirelessly rechargeable battery when it is located in the vicinity of the transmitting coil. The wireless charging system also includes at least one controller configured to, in response to positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery at a first distance from the transmitting coil of the wireless charging device, determine a first expected power consumption of the wireless charging system corresponding to the first distance, and determine, based on the first expected power consumption, whether a foreign object is present in the vicinity of the wireless charging device. The at least one controller is further configured to, in response to positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery at a second distance from the transmitting coil of the wireless charging device, different from the first distance, determine a second expected power consumption of the wireless charging system corresponding to the second distance, and determine, based on the second expected power consumption, whether a foreign object is present in the vicinity of the wireless charging device.

[0013] In another example, a method is provided for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system, the wireless charging system including a wirelessly rechargeable battery and a wireless charging device having a transmitting coil for charging the wirelessly rechargeable battery when it is located near the transmitting coil. The method includes, in response to positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery at a first distance from the transmitting coil of the wireless charging device, determining a first expected power consumption of the wireless charging system corresponding to the first distance, and determining, based on the first expected power consumption, whether a foreign object is present near the wireless charging system. The method further includes, in response to positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery at a second distance from the transmitting coil of the wireless charging device, different from the first distance, determining a second expected power consumption of the wireless charging system corresponding to the second distance, and determining, based on the second expected power consumption, whether a foreign object is present near the wireless charging system.

[0014] In another example, a method is provided for calibrating a wirelessly rechargeable battery to detect foreign objects near a wireless charging system, the wireless charging system including a wirelessly rechargeable battery and a wireless charging device having a transmitting coil, and the wirelessly rechargeable battery having a receiving coil, an electrical load coupled to the receiving coil, and a non-volatile storage device. The method includes positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery near the wireless charging device such that the receiving coil is positioned at a first distance from the transmitting coil, and while positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery near the wireless charging device, positioning the receiving coil at the first distance from the transmitting coil; measuring a first voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device; measuring a first electrical characteristic of a signal originating from the electrical load and a first electrical characteristic of a power signal provided by the wireless charging device; and determining a first electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the first electrical characteristic of the electrical load, the first electrical characteristic of the power signal provided by the wireless charging device, and the expected electrical loss of the wireless charging device. The method further includes positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery near the wireless charging device, such that the receiving coil is positioned at a second distance from the transmitting coil, different from a first distance; and when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is positioned near the wireless charging device, such that the receiving coil is positioned at the second distance from the transmitting coil, measuring a second voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device, measuring a second electrical characteristic of a signal originating from an electrical load and a second electrical characteristic of a power signal provided by the wireless charging device, and determining a second electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the second electrical characteristic of the electrical load, the second electrical characteristic of the power signal provided by the wireless charging device, and the expected electrical loss of the wireless charging device. The method also includes generating calibration data for the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the first electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the second electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the measured first voltage, and the measured second voltage, and storing the calibration data in a non-volatile storage device of the wirelessly rechargeable battery.

[0015] In yet another example, a wireless charging system for detecting foreign objects includes: a wireless charging device; a wirelessly rechargeable battery having one or more battery cells configured to be charged using power received from the wireless charging device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is located near the wireless charging device to charge the one or more battery cells; and at least one controller. The at least one controller is configured to initiate a charging cycle in response to positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery near the wireless charging device, during which the electrical characteristics of a power signal provided by the wireless charging device are monitored, and a foreign object detection cycle is triggered based on the monitored electrical characteristics.

[0016] In another example, a method is provided for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system, the wireless charging system including a wirelessly rechargeable battery having one or more battery cells and a wireless charging device for charging the one or more battery cells of the wirelessly rechargeable battery. The method includes positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery near the wireless charging device, initiating a charging cycle, monitoring the electrical characteristics of a power signal provided by the wireless charging device during the charging cycle, and triggering a foreign object detection cycle based on the monitored electrical characteristics. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The advantages of this disclosure will be readily apparent when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, as these advantages can be better understood by referring to the following detailed description. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of this disclosure are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein, unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts in the various views.

[0018] Figure 1 A wireless charging system for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 The components of a wireless charging system are shown.

[0020] Figure 3A and Figure 3B The different positions of the wirelessly rechargeable battery relative to the wireless charging device of the wireless charging system are shown.

[0021] Figure 4 The power consumption of the wireless charging system varies depending on the distance between the wirelessly rechargeable battery and the wireless charging device of the wireless charging system.

[0022] Figure 5 A method for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system is shown.

[0023] Figure 6 Calibration data is shown for determining the expected power consumption of a wirelessly rechargeable battery in a wireless charging system.

[0024] Figure 7 The power curves for charging a wirelessly rechargeable battery for a wireless charging system are shown.

[0025] Figure 8 A charging device for charging multiple wirelessly rechargeable batteries is shown.

[0026] Figure 9 A sterilizable container for holding a wirelessly rechargeable battery is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Throughout the patent specification, references to "an instance," "a kind of example," "an example," or "an example" refer to a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an example, which is included in at least one instance of the invention. Therefore, the phrases "in an instance," "in a kind of example," "an example," or "an example" appearing in various places throughout this patent specification do not necessarily all refer to the same instance or example. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics may be incorporated in any applicable combination and / or sub-combination in one or more instances or examples. Additionally, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings provided herein are for the purpose of explanation to those skilled in the art, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0028] Figure 1 A wireless charging system 10 is shown configured to detect foreign objects 12 in the vicinity of the wireless charging system 10. When a foreign object 12 (or more specifically, a conductive foreign object 12) is accidentally located near the wireless charging system 10, the wireless charging system 10 can induce a current in the foreign object 12 that causes the foreign object 12 to heat up. The heated foreign object 12 may then damage the materials used in and around the wireless charging system 10, for example, by melting adjacent plastic materials, and may burn a user who comes into contact with the wireless charging system 10 and the foreign object 12. The wireless charging system 10 can therefore be configured to detect the presence of a foreign object 12 in the vicinity of the wireless charging system 10, and in response to the detection of such a foreign object 12, to disable charging operation and warn the user.

[0029] The wireless charging system 10 may include a wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and a wireless charging device 16. The wireless charging device 16 may include a charging surface 18. The wireless charging device 16 may be configured to charge the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 when the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is positioned near the charging surface 18. Specifically, the wireless charging device 16 may sense an electrical signal in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 that charges the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14.

[0030] Figure 1 A foreign object 12 located near the charging surface 18 is also shown. The foreign object 12 may comprise a conductive material in which the wireless charging system 10 induces a current, as described above. In the example shown, the foreign object 12 is a paperclip. As other non-limiting examples, the foreign object 12 may be a coin, a key, or a ring. The foreign object 12 may also be a medical object, such as a foil-backed sterile indicator.

[0031] Figure 2Components of a wireless charging system 10, or more specifically, components of a wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and a wireless charging device 16, are shown. The wireless charging device 16 may include a power supply 20, a charger control circuit 22, and a transmitting coil 24. The charger control circuit 22 may include a DC / AC converter 26. During operation of the wireless charging system 10, the power supply 20 may receive an AC signal from an AC power source 28, such as a wall socket. The AC signal may be an alternating current (AC) signal. The power supply 20 may be configured to output a power signal from the received AC signal. Specifically, the power supply 20 may be an AC / DC converter, and the power signal may have a supply voltage v. 供电 Supply current i 供电 and power supply P 供电 The power supply 20 can be configured to provide a power signal to the DC / AC converter 26 of the charger control circuit 22. The DC / AC converter 26 can then be configured to generate an AC signal on the transmitting coil 24 via the power signal. When the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is positioned near the charging surface 18, the AC signal on the transmitting coil 24 can generate an electromagnetic field that induces a corresponding AC signal in the receiving coil 30 of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14.

[0032] In addition to the receiving coil 30, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may also include a voltage rectifier 32, a voltage regulator 34, a battery control circuit 36, and one or more battery cells 38. When the receiving coil 30 of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is positioned near the charging surface 18, an electrical signal induced in the receiving coil 30 by the transmitting coil 24 can be supplied to the voltage rectifier 32. The voltage rectifier 32 can be configured to generate an input power signal based on the signal induced in the receiving coil 30. The input power signal may have a receiving voltage v 接收 The voltage rectifier 32 can be configured to provide the input power signal to the voltage regulator 34, which can then be configured to output a load signal from the received power signal. The load signal can be a signal having a load voltage v. 负载 Load current i 负载 and load power P 负载 The DC signal. When the wireless charging system 10 is operating in charging mode, the battery control circuit 36 ​​can be configured to send a load signal to the battery cell 38 to charge the battery cell 38.

[0033] Once a predefined event occurs, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to switch from charging mode to foreign object detection mode, in which the wireless charging system 10 determines whether a foreign object 12 is present in the vicinity of the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging system 16. The wireless charging system 10 can determine whether the foreign object 12 is dissipating power from the wireless charging system 10 by identifying the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 (assuming no foreign object 12 is present) and comparing the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 with the actual power consumption.

[0034] The power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can vary depending on the power loss of the wireless charging system 10 and the power consumption of the load (e.g., battery cell 38) of the wireless charging system 10. The power loss of the wireless charging system 10 can correspond to the power loss of the wireless charging system 10, which may include the power dissipated by the foreign object 12 (if present), and the power consumption of the load of the wireless charging system 10 can correspond to the power dissipated by the load of the wireless charging system 10. The power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can thus correspond to the power supplied by the wireless charging system 10, or more specifically, to the power supplied by the power source 20 and dissipated by the wireless charging system 10 and the foreign object 12 (if located near the wireless charging system 10).

[0035] The power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can be attributed to a variety of sources. For example, power can be dissipated by the inherent structure of the wireless charging device 16 (e.g., charger control circuitry 22 and transmitting coil 24). Power may also be dissipated by the inherent structure of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 (e.g., voltage rectifier 32, voltage regulator 34, and battery control circuitry 36). Power can be further dissipated by the load of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 (e.g., battery cell 38). The power dissipated by the inherent structure of the wireless charging device 16 may be referred to herein as the power loss P of the wireless charging device 16. Tx损失 The power dissipated by the inherent structure of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be referred to herein as the power loss P of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. Rx损失 The power dissipated by the load of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be referred to herein as P. 负载 .

[0036] The power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can be approximately equal to P. Tx损失 P Rx损失 and P 负载 The sum of these values. Assuming no foreign object 12 is located near the transmitting coil 24 of the wireless charging device 16, this sum can be substantially equal to the power supplied by the power source 20, which can be referred to herein as P. 供电 In other words, when foreign object 12 is not present, the following relationship may hold:

[0037] 0≈P供电 -P Tx损失 -P Rx损失 -P 负载

[0038] However, when the foreign object 12 is near the transmitting coil 24 of the wireless charging device 16, the power P supplied by the power source 20 is reduced. 供电 Some of the power dissipated by the foreign object 12 may also be lost. Specifically, when the foreign object 12, which includes conductive material, enters the magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil 24, the magnetic field can induce eddy currents in the conductive material. These currents can cause the foreign object 12 to dissipate the power from the wireless charging system 10. The power dissipated by the foreign object 12 may be referred to herein as P. FO Therefore, when foreign object 12 is present, the following relationship may hold:

[0039] P FO ≈P 供电 -P Tx损失 -P Rx损失 -P 负载

[0040] Therefore, in order to determine the presence of foreign object 12, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to determine the power P supplied by the power source 20. 供电 The difference between the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 (which may be referred to as the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10) and the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 (assuming no foreign object 12). If this difference is less than a predetermined threshold, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to determine that no foreign object 12 is present. Alternatively, if the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the foreign object 12 may be dissipating power P. FO Furthermore, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to detect the presence of a foreign object 12.

[0041] The power dissipated by the wireless charging system 10 (or more specifically, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14) can also vary depending on the position of the receiving coil 30 of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 relative to the transmitting coil 24 of the wireless charging device 16. Specifically, the receiving coil 30 can be spaced at different distances from the transmitting coil 24 and still receive power from the transmitting coil 24. For example, refer to Figure 3A The wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be disposed on the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16, such that the receiving coil 30 and the transmitting coil 24 are spaced apart by a distance D1, wherein the distance D1 corresponds to the thickness of the casing of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. As another example, see reference... Figure 3BThe wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be placed inside a sterilizable container 39, which is then placed on the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16, such that the receiving coil 30 is spaced apart from the transmitting coil 24 by a distance D2, wherein the distance D2 includes the thickness of the housing of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the thickness of the sterilizable container 39, and is therefore greater than the distance D1. As another example, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be positioned on the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16 such that the receiving coil 30 is eccentric relative to the transmitting coil 24.

[0042] The power dissipated by the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the corresponding power dissipated by the wireless charging system 10 can vary depending on the distance between the receiving coil 30 of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the transmitting coil 24 of the wireless charging device 16. For example, Figure 4 A graph with a solid line is shown, representing the received voltage v that can be induced by the wireless charging system 10 in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 by the wireless charging device 16 when there is no foreign object 12 in the vicinity of the wireless charging device 16. 接收 The power dissipated. As shown in the example, the greater the distance between the receiving coil 30 and the transmitting coil 24, the greater the receiving voltage v that can be induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 by the wireless charging device 16. 接收 The smaller the size, the greater the power that can be dissipated by the wireless charging system 10.

[0043] Figure 4 The diagram also shows dotted lines indicating the following power of the wireless charging system 10, which is determined by the received voltage v induced by the wireless charging device 16 in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 when a foreign object 12 is present in the vicinity of the wireless charging device 16. 接收 And it is dissipated. As shown in the example, the power that the wireless charging system 10 can dissipate when the foreign object 12 is near the wireless charging device 16 can be similar to the power that the wireless charging system 10 can dissipate when the foreign object 12 is not present but the distance between the receiving coil 30 and the transmitting coil 24 is increased. This situation can be caused by Figure 3A and Figure 3B The example shown is used to illustrate this.

[0044] The wireless charging system 10 can be configured to distinguish between two scenarios even when the power dissipation of the wireless charging system 10 is similar. In one scenario, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is positioned at a distance from the wireless charging device 16 in the absence of the foreign object 12; in another scenario, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is positioned at a greater distance from the wireless charging device 16 and the foreign object 12 is located near the wireless charging device 16. More specifically, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to determine the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 based on electrical characteristics measured during operation and predefined calibration data specific to the wireless charging system 10. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 may assume the absence of the foreign object 12 near the wireless charging device 16. The wireless charging system 10 can also be configured to determine the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 based on electrical characteristics measured during operation. For example, the actual power consumption may correspond to the power P provided by the power source 20. 供电 The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 may not include any power P lost to the foreign object 12. FO Because when power P FO When the supply current i is dissipated through foreign object 12 供电 Increase, the actual power consumption determined for the wireless charging system 10 can be increased in power P FO The power dissipated through foreign object 12 increases. Therefore, unlike the expected power consumption, the actual power consumption may include the power P lost to foreign object 12. FO Therefore, if the difference between the actual power consumption and the expected power consumption exceeds a predetermined threshold, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to determine that the foreign object 12 is located near the wireless charging device 16.

[0045] Instead of power consumption, the power consumption identified by the wireless charging system 10 for determining the presence of a foreign object 12 near the wireless charging device 16 can be defined by the current flowing through the wireless charging system 10. Specifically, since the power dissipated by an object varies depending on the voltage across the object and the current flowing through it, and the voltage across the wireless charging system 10 can remain substantially constant in a given foreign object detection cycle, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to determine the expected current flowing through the wireless charging system 10 assuming the absence of a foreign object 12, and compare the expected current with the actual current supplied to the wireless charging system 10 to determine the presence of a foreign object 12 near the wireless charging device 16. The actual current supplied to the wireless charging system 10 may correspond to the supply current i. 供电If the difference between the actual current and the expected current exceeds a predetermined threshold, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to determine that the foreign object 12 is located near the wireless charging device 16. Therefore, although the power supplied and dissipated by the wireless charging system 10 can be illustrated in the following example to detect the presence of the foreign object 12, it should be understood that the current supplied and dissipated by the wireless charging system 10 can be used as an option.

[0046] The wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the wireless charging device 16 may each include a sensor 40 and a controller 42 for determining whether a foreign object 12 is present in the vicinity of the wireless charging device 16. Sensor 40A of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may be configured to generate data indicating the electrical characteristics of electrical signals in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, and sensor 40B of the wireless charging device 16 may be configured to generate data indicating the electrical characteristics of electrical signals in the wireless charging device 16. As a non-limiting example, the sensor 40 of each of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the wireless charging device 16 may include a voltage sensor and a current sensor.

[0047] The controller 42 may be configured to determine the presence of a foreign object 12 in the vicinity of the wireless charging device 16 based on the electrical characteristics indicated by sensor data generated by the sensor 40. Specifically, the controller 42 may be configured to determine the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 based on the sensor data, and to determine the presence of a foreign object 12 in the vicinity of the wireless charging device 16 based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10, as described herein.

[0048] The power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can vary depending on the current flowing through it, which may include the current flowing through the battery cells 38. Since the impedance of the battery cells 38 can vary depending on their charging level, determining the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 based on the current flowing through the battery cells 38 while they are being charged can complicate the determination and lead to inaccurate results. Therefore, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may also include an electrical load 46 for performing foreign object detection. The electrical load 46 may have a fixed, predetermined impedance. In some cases, the electrical load 46 may represent the impedance of the battery cells 38 when they are fully charged or substantially fully charged. In other words, the electrical load 46 may have an impedance that dissipates substantially equal to the maximum amount of power that can be supplied to the battery cells 38 during charging (which may occur when the battery cells 38 are nearly fully charged). For example, the electrical load 46 may include one or more resistors sized to provide a combined resistance of 8.3 ohms and dissipate approximately 15 watts of power.

[0049] The wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may include one or more switches 48, such as switch 48A between voltage regulator 34 and battery cell 38 and switch 48B between voltage regulator 34 and electrical load 46, for switching between a charging configuration and a foreign object detection configuration. In the charging configuration, receiving coil 30 is coupled to battery cell 38 to charge battery cell 38; in the foreign object detection configuration, receiving coil 30 is coupled to electrical load 46 to supply power to electrical load 46. Battery controller 42A may be configured to switch the wirelessly rechargeable battery 42A between these configurations. Specifically, when a charging cycle is triggered, battery controller 42A may be configured to engage switch 48A and disengage switch 48B (if engaged), such that receiving coil 30 is coupled to battery cell 38 and decoupled from electrical load 46. As a result, power from receiving coil 30 may be supplied to battery cell 38 and charge battery cell 38. When the foreign object detection cycle is triggered, the battery controller 42A can be configured to disconnect switch 48A (if engaged) and engage switch 48B, such that the receiving coil 30 is coupled to the electrical load 46 and decoupled from the battery cell 38. As a result, power from the receiving coil 30 can be supplied to the electrical load 46. When the wireless charging system 10 is neither performing a charging cycle nor a foreign object detection cycle, for example when the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is not near the wireless charging device 16, or when a foreign object 12 has been detected, the battery controller 42A can be configured to disconnect switches 48A and 48B, so that neither the battery cell 38 nor the electrical load 46 receives power from the receiving coil 30. In response to the successive triggering of the charging cycle or the foreign object detection cycle, the battery controller 42A can be configured to engage switch 48A or switch 48B, respectively.

[0050] As an alternative to an electrical load 46 that has the impedance of battery cell 38 when battery cell 38 is fully charged or substantially fully charged, electrical load 46 may be configured to have an impedance for minimizing the amount of power transferred from transmitting coil 24 to receiving coil 30 during each foreign object detection cycle. In other words, electrical load 46 may be configured with a relatively large impedance, such as about 56 ohms, which dissipates about 2 watts of power during a given foreign object detection cycle. The smaller amount of power dissipation allows wireless charging system 10 to detect smaller variations in power consumption relative to the expected power consumption, thereby improving the detection of foreign objects 12.

[0051] Each controller 42 of the wireless charging system 10 may include a processor 50, memory 52, and non-volatile memory 54. The processor 50 may include one or more devices selected from a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field-programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuit, analog circuit, digital circuit, and / or any other device that manipulates (analog or digital) signals based on operating instructions stored in the non-volatile memory 54 and read into the memory 52. ​​The memory 52 may include a single memory device or multiple memory devices, including but not limited to read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache, and / or any other device capable of storing information. The non-volatile memory 54 may include one or more persistent data storage devices, such as hard disk drives, optical drives, tape drives, non-volatile solid-state devices, and / or any other device capable of persistently storing information.

[0052] Each controller 42's processor 50 can be programmed to implement the functions, features, procedures, methods, and modules of the controller 42 described herein. Specifically, the processor 50 can operate under the control of software embodied by computer-executable instructions residing in non-volatile memory 54. The computer-executable instructions can be compiled or interpreted using various programming languages ​​and / or techniques, including but not limited to Java, C, C++, C#, Objective C, Fortran, Pascal, JavaScript, Python, Perl, and PL / SQL, used alone or in combination. During operation, the processor 50 can be configured to load the computer-executable instructions into memory 52 and then execute them. The computer-executable instructions can be configured, when executed by the processor 50, to cause the processor 50 to implement the functions, features, procedures, methods, and modules of the controller 42 described herein.

[0053] For example, computer-executable instructions residing in the non-volatile memory 54 of controller 42 can be configured, upon execution by processor 50 of controller 42, to cause processor 50 to determine, based on electrical characteristics measured by controller 42, such as using sensor 40, whether a foreign object 12 is present in the vicinity of wireless charging device 16. Specifically, computer-executable instructions of battery controller 42A can be configured, upon execution, to cause processor 50A to determine electrical characteristics corresponding to electrical signals in wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. The electrical characteristics determined by battery controller 42A can indicate the expected power consumption of wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. Similarly, computer-executable instructions of charger controller 42B can be configured, upon execution, to cause processor 50B to determine electrical characteristics corresponding to electrical signals in wireless charging device 16. The electrical characteristics determined by charger controller 42B can indicate the expected power consumption of wireless charging device 16 and can also indicate the power supplied by wireless charging system 10.

[0054] The computer-executable instructions of controller 42 may then be configured, upon execution, to cause processor 50 to merge data generated based on electrical characteristics determined at one location in controller 42. In response, a computer-executable instruction of controller 42 may be configured, upon execution, to cause processor 50 of controller 42 to determine, based on the merged data as described herein, the presence of a foreign object 12 in the vicinity of wireless charging device 16.

[0055] To facilitate data communication between controllers 42, each of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the wireless charging device 16 may include a communication device 44. In some examples, the communication device 44 may be a wireless communication device configured to support wireless communication between the battery controller 42A and the charger controller 42B when the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is positioned close to the wireless charging device 16. For example, but not limited to, the communication device 44 may each be configured to wirelessly send and receive data using IR, NFC, RFID, ZigBee, Bluetooth, and / or Wi-Fi protocols.

[0056] In addition to the software program embodied by computer-executable instructions, the non-volatile memory 54 of each controller 42 may also store data supporting the functions, features, processes, methods, and modules of the controller 42 described herein. For example, the non-volatile memory 54 of each controller 42 may store calibration data that enables the controller 42 to determine expected power consumption. Each controller 42 may be configured to query the calibration data stored in the non-volatile memory 54 of the controller 42 to determine the presence of the foreign object 12.

[0057] As a non-limiting example, the non-volatile memory 54A may include calibration data indicating the voltage v sensed in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and measured by the battery controller 42A using the sensor 40A. 接收 The expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 varies. The expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be considered as the expected power loss P of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. Rx损失 Or through the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, the expected power loss P of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is reduced. Rx损失 The battery controller 42A can be configured to determine the expected power consumption of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 based on the expected power loss, and to determine the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 based on the expected power consumption of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14.

[0058] As another non-limiting example, the non-volatile memory 54B of the charger controller 42B can store calibration data indicating the expected power loss of the wireless charging device 16 when the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is positioned near the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16. The expected power loss of the wireless charging device 16 can be the expected power loss P of the wireless charging device 16. Tx损失 Or the current through the wireless charging device 16 may cause the expected power loss P of the wireless charging device 16. Tx损失 The current, as described above. The charger controller 42B can be configured to determine the expected power consumption of the wireless charging device 16 based on the expected power loss of the wireless charging device 16, and to determine the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 based on the expected power consumption of the wireless charging device 16.

[0059] Figure 5 A method 300 for determining the presence of a foreign object 12 in the vicinity of a wireless charging device 16 is shown. Method 300 may be implemented by a controller 42. Specifically, a battery controller 42A may be configured to implement one or more blocks of method 300, and a charger controller 42B may be configured to implement one or more other blocks of method 300.

[0060] In block 302, it can be determined whether a predefined event has occurred. Specifically, at least one controller 42 (e.g., charger controller 42B) can be configured to monitor the occurrence of one or more predefined events. In response to detecting the occurrence of one of the one or more predefined events, controller 42 can be configured to trigger a foreign object detection loop.

[0061] One of the predefined events monitored by at least one of the controllers 42 could be the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 being positioned near the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16. In one example, the charger controller 42B can be configured to base its position on the supply current i of the power signal output from the power source 20. 供电 This determines whether the predefined event has occurred. More specifically, the charger controller 42B can be configured to cause the DC / AC converter 26 to cyclically output an AC signal on the transmitting coil 24, and then measure the supply current i of the power signal output by the power supply 20. 供电 The system cyclically scans the vicinity of the wireless charging device 16 for the presence of a wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. When the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is positioned near the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16, an output power signal can induce electrical energy in the receiving coil 30, and correspondingly, the supply current i of the power signal increases. 供电 It will increase. Therefore, the charger controller 42B can be configured to determine the measured supply current i by means of parameters configured to be determined. 供电 Whether the increase exceeds a predetermined threshold value determines whether the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 has become close to the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16. This is in response to determining the measured supply current i. 供电 If the value has exceeded a predetermined threshold, the charger controller 42B can be configured to determine that the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 has been positioned near the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16.

[0062] As another example, at least one of the controllers 42 may be configured to use a communication device 44 to determine whether the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 has been positioned close to the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16. Specifically, one of the communication devices 44, which may be designated as signaling communication devices 44, may be configured to cyclically notify another communication device 44, which may be designated as confirmation communication device 44, of a beacon signal to be received when the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is positioned close to the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16. In one example, communication device 44B may be configured as signaling communication device 44, and communication device 44A may be configured as confirmation communication device 44. In response to the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 being positioned close to the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16, the confirmation communication device 44 may receive the beacon signal and, in response, transmit a confirmation signal to the signaling communication device 44. The signaling communication device 44 may then transmit a signal to the controller 42 coupled to the signaling communication device 44 to indicate that the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is now adjacent to the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16.

[0063] In some cases, in response to determining that the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 has been positioned near the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16, at least one of the controllers 42 may be configured to verify that the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the wireless charging device 16 are compatible. For example, the non-volatile memory 54 of each controller 42 may store verification data. One of the controllers 42 (e.g., charger controller 42B) may be configured to transmit its stored verification data to another controller 42 via a communication device 44. The other controller 42 is then configured to determine whether the received verification data corresponds to the verification data stored in its non-volatile memory 54. In response to determining that the received verification data corresponds to its verification data, the other controller 42 may be configured to determine that the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the wireless charging device 16 are compatible.

[0064] In response to the determination of the occurrence of a predefined event (e.g., the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 being positioned near the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16) (the "Yes" branch of block 302), and / or verification of the use of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 with the wireless charging device 16, a foreign object detection cycle can be triggered in block 304. For this purpose, the controller 42 determining the occurrence of the predefined event and / or verifying the use of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 with the wireless charging device 16 can be configured to transmit a signal via communication device 44 to another controller 42 indicating that the other controller 42 has begun executing a foreign object detection cycle.

[0065] In block 306, the transmitting coil 24 can be energized to send power to the receiving coil 30 of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. Specifically, the charger controller 42B can be configured to cause the DC / AC converter 26 to generate an AC signal on the transmitting coil 24 using a power signal received from the power source 20. The AC signal on the transmitting coil 24 can generate an electromagnetic field that induces a corresponding AC signal in the receiving coil 30.

[0066] In block 308, a foreign object detection configuration can be implemented within the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. Specifically, the battery controller 42A can be configured to engage switch 48B and disengage switch 48A if engaged, causing the receiving coil 30 to be coupled to the electrical load 46 and decoupled from the battery cell 38. In this way, a portion of the power supplied to the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 from the wireless charging device 16 can be supplied to the electrical load 46 and dissipated by the electrical load 46.

[0067] In box 310, the electrical characteristics of the power supply signal output from power supply 20 can be measured. As an example, the measured electrical characteristic could be the power supply P provided by the power supply signal. 供电 or supply current i 供电As described above, the measured electrical characteristics of the power signal can be used as the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10. The charger controller 42B can be configured to use the sensor 40B to determine the electrical characteristics of the power signal.

[0068] In block 312, the expected power loss of the wireless charging device 16 can be determined. The expected power loss of the wireless charging device 16 can be considered a constant value and can therefore be measured before dispensing and stored as calibration data in the non-volatile memory 54B of the charger controller 42B. Specifically, after the wireless charging device 16 is manufactured and no foreign object 12 or wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is located near the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16, a technician can cause the power supply 20 to generate a power signal, which in turn causes the AC signal to be amplified on the transmitting coil 24. Since there is no foreign object 12 and no wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, the power signal can correspond to the power loss of the wireless charging device 16 during this operation. In other words, (as determined by the supply current i) 供电 With supply voltage v 供电 The product of or solely by the supply current i 供电 The power P of the power supply signal (represented) 供电 The expected power loss of the wireless charging device 16 can be measured and used as the power loss of the wireless charging device 16. In response to determining the power loss of the wireless charging device 16 in this way, calibration data indicating the determined power loss of the wireless charging device 106 can be stored in the non-volatile memory 54B of the charger controller 42B. Later, in block 312, the charger controller 42B can be configured to determine the expected power loss of the wireless charging device 16 by reading the calibration data from the non-volatile memory 54B.

[0069] In block 314, the electrical characteristics of the electrical load 46 can be determined. For example, the battery controller 42A can be configured to use sensor 40A to measure the electrical characteristics of the electrical load 46. More specifically, the battery controller 42A can be configured, for example, to measure the load voltage v. 负载 and load current i 负载 And multiply these two values ​​together, or by measuring the load voltage V. 负载 The power P dissipated by the electrical load 46 is measured by dividing the square of this value by the impedance of the electrical load 46. 负载 The electrical characteristics of the fixed electrical load 46 are defined. Alternatively, the battery controller 42A can be configured to measure the load current i. 负载 This is used as the electrical characteristic of the determined electrical load 46. Alternatively, since the voltage from the voltage regulator 34 can be substantially constant during each foreign object detection cycle, for example, 11.2 volts, the electrical characteristics of the determined electrical load 46 can remain substantially constant during each foreign object detection cycle. Therefore, power P, etc.负载 or current i 负载 Such electrical characteristics can be predetermined, for example, before dispensing the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and stored as calibration data in the non-volatile memory 54A of the battery controller 42A. Subsequently, in response to triggering a foreign object detection cycle in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, the battery controller 42A can be configured to determine the electrical characteristics of the electrical load 46 by reading the electrical characteristics from the calibration data stored in the non-volatile memory 54A.

[0070] In block 316, the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 by the wireless charging device 16 can be measured. More specifically, the AC signal generated on the receiving coil 30 can be provided to the voltage rectifier 32, which can then output a signal having the received voltage v. 接收 The input power signal. The battery controller 42A can be configured to use the sensor 40A to measure the received voltage V. 接收 Alternatively, the battery controller 42A can be configured to measure the AC voltage on the receiving coil 30 and use it as a measurement voltage sensed by the wireless charging device 16 in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14.

[0071] In box 318, the measurement voltage (e.g., the received voltage V) can be used as a basis. 接收 The battery controller 42A is configured to determine the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 based on the measured induced voltage (e.g., the received voltage v). As previously mentioned, positional deviations of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 relative to the wireless charging device 16 may cause different voltages to be induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, and consequently, may cause the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 to exhibit different power losses. Therefore, the battery controller 42A can be configured to determine the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 based on the measured induced voltage (e.g., the received voltage v). 接收 The expected power loss of the wireless rechargeable battery 14 is determined. The determined expected power loss of the wireless rechargeable battery 14 may correspond to the power loss of the wireless rechargeable battery 14 that has already occurred when a measured voltage is induced in the wireless rechargeable battery 14 and there is no foreign object 12.

[0072] More specifically, the non-volatile memory 54A of the battery controller 42A can store calibration data indicating a change in expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, corresponding to a change in position of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 relative to the wireless charging device 16 when no foreign object is present. Each change in expected electrical loss can be associated with a different voltage within the calibration data, which may cause the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 to exhibit an electrical loss corresponding to the expected electrical loss associated with that voltage when sensed by the wireless charging device 16 in the absence of foreign object 12. The battery controller 42A can therefore be configured to determine the expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 based on a measured voltage sensed in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 by being configured to determine the expected electrical loss associated with the measured sensed voltage within the calibration data, as indicated in the calibration data.

[0073] Figure 6 A graph 402 is shown, which can be represented by calibration data stored in the non-volatile memory 52A of the battery controller 42A to determine the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. The Y-axis of the graph represents the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 when the foreign object 12 is absent, and the X-axis represents the varying voltage that may be induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 by the wireless charging device 16 and measured by the battery controller 42A in box 316. According to graph 402, the relationship between the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 when the foreign object 12 is absent and the measured voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be defined by function 404, which may be a non-linear decreasing function. In other words, assuming the absence of the foreign object 12, as the distance between the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the wireless charging device 16 decreases (which may lead to a decrease in the received voltage v induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14), the expected power loss decreases. 接收 With the increase of [the capacity / capacity], the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be reduced.

[0074] In an alternative example, the relationship between the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the measured voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 when the foreign object 12 is absent can be defined by a U-shaped function 404. More specifically, as the receiving coil 30 moves closer to the transmitting coil 24 from the maximum distance at which the wireless charging device 16 can charge the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may increase, while the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may decrease. However, at some point during the continuous movement of the receiving coil 30 toward the transmitting coil 24, eddy currents may be induced in the metal components of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, which increases the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. Therefore, the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may increase, and the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may increase, resulting in a U-shaped waveform.

[0075] The calibration data stored in the non-volatile memory 54A of the battery controller 42A can be used to measure the electrical loss of the wireless rechargeable battery 14 when the distance between the receiving coil 30 and the transmitting coil 24 changes, provided that the wireless rechargeable battery 14 is in a foreign object detection configuration and is placed near the charging surface 18 of the wireless charging device 16 (where no foreign object 12 is present in different locations). Specifically, for each position of the wireless rechargeable battery 14 relative to the wireless charging device 16, the voltage induced in the wireless rechargeable battery 14 by the wireless charging device 16, the electrical characteristics of the electrical load 46, the electrical characteristics of the power signal output by the power supply 20, and the electrical loss of the wireless charging device 16 can be determined. As described above, the electrical loss of the wireless charging device 16 can be stored as calibration data in the non-volatile memory 54B of the charger controller 42B, and other data can be measured by the controller 42. The electrical loss of the wireless rechargeable battery 14 can then be determined based on this data. For example, one of the controllers 42 may be configured to subtract the electrical characteristics of the electrical load 46 and the electrical loss of the wireless charging device 16 from the electrical characteristics of the power supply signal to determine the electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 relative to the current position of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 with respect to the wireless charging device 16.

[0076] The controller 42 can therefore generate calibration samples 406 for each location of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 relative to the wireless charging device 16. Each calibration sample 406 includes a measured voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 by the wireless charging device 16 in the absence of foreign object 12 and the corresponding electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. Calibration data for determining the expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 based on the measured voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can then be determined based on the calibration samples 406.

[0077] For example, controller 42 may be configured to transfer calibration sample 406 to a test fixture, which may be configured to apply a curve fitting algorithm, such as nonlinear regression, to the calibration sample 406 to generate function 404. The test fixture may then generate calibration data indicating function 404 and transfer this calibration data to battery controller 42A for storage in non-volatile memory 54A of battery controller 42A. During subsequent foreign object detection cycles, battery controller 42A may be configured to apply a measured voltage sensed in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 to function 404 indicated by the calibration data to determine the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. As another example, controller 42 and / or test fixture may be configured to generate a lookup table including calibration sample 406 or a sample taken from determining function 404, and store calibration data indicating the lookup table in non-volatile memory 54A of battery controller 42A. During subsequent foreign object detection cycles, the battery controller 42A can be configured to interpolate the expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 from the indicated lookup table based on the measured voltage sensed in the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14.

[0078] In some examples, at least one of the controllers 42 of the wireless charging system 10 may be configured to adjust calibration data (e.g., function 404 indicated by the calibration data) at runtime, for example, based on electrical characteristics of the wireless charging system 10 measured at runtime. For example, at least one of the controllers 42 (e.g., controller 42B) may be configured to respond to determining the supply voltage v of the power signal. 供电 Function 404 is adjusted in response to a different supply voltage than that used to generate calibration data. As another example, at least one of the controllers 42 may be configured to adjust function 404 in response to determining that the inductance of the receiving coil 30 and / or transmitting coil 24 is different from the inductance used to determine the calibration data. As another example, at least one of the controllers 42 (e.g., controller 42A) may be configured to adjust function 404 based on a measured temperature of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. For this purpose, sensor 40A of the battery control circuit 36 ​​may also include a temperature sensor configured to generate data indicating the temperature of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14.

[0079] In block 320, the data determined by controller 42 may be incorporated in one of controllers 42, for example, using communication device 44. For example, charger controller 42B may be configured to transmit the electrical characteristics of the power signal output from power source 20 and the power loss of wireless charging device 16 to battery controller 42A. Alternatively, battery controller 42A may be configured to transmit data indicating the expected power loss of wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the electrical characteristics of electrical load 46 to charger controller 42B. For example, battery controller 42A may be configured to transmit each of the expected power loss of wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the electrical characteristics of electrical load 46 to charger controller 42B, or may be configured to transmit the sum of the expected power loss of wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the electrical characteristics of electrical load 46 to charger controller 42B.

[0080] In box 322, the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can be determined based on the merged data. More specifically, the controller 42, where the data has been merged, can be configured to determine the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 based on the electrical losses of the wireless charging device 16, the expected electrical losses of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, and the electrical characteristics of the stationary electrical load 46. For example, the controller 42 can be configured to sum these items to determine the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10. As previously mentioned, the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 may not include any electrical losses corresponding to foreign objects 12 near the wireless charging device 16.

[0081] In block 324, the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can be compared with the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10. Specifically, the controller 42, where the data has been merged, can be configured to determine the difference between the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 and the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10. As previously mentioned, the measured electrical characteristics of the power supply signal can be used as the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10.

[0082] In an alternative example, the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can be based on both the determined electrical characteristics of the power signal output by the power source 20 and the determined electrical losses of the wireless charging device 16. For example, the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can be set as the sum of these two values, which may correspond to the transmission power of the wireless charging device 16. In this case, the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can be based on the determined expected electrical losses of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the determined electrical characteristics of the electrical load 46. For example, the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can be set as the sum of these two values, which may correspond to the expected power consumption of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 16. Similar to the previous example, the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can correspond to the actual power consumption of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the foreign object 12 (if present), and the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 can correspond to the expected power consumption of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 if the foreign object 12 is not present.

[0083] In these alternative examples, battery controller 42A may be configured to determine the expected power consumption of wireless charging system 10 based on data determined by battery controller 42A (i.e., the expected power loss of wireless charging battery 14 and the electrical characteristics of electrical load 46), and charging controller 42B may be configured to determine the actual power consumption of wireless charging system 10 based on data determined by charging controller 42B (i.e., the electrical characteristics of the power signal output by power source 20 and the power loss of wireless charging device 16). Specifically, each controller 42 may be configured to sum the data it determines. Subsequently, in order to merge the data in block 320, battery controller 42A may be configured to transmit the expected power consumption of wireless charging system 10 to charging controller 42B, or charging controller 42B may be configured to transmit the actual power consumption of wireless charging system 10 to charging controller 42A. Alternatively, one of these controllers 42 may be configured to transmit the data items it determines to another controller 42, which may then perform a summation to determine the actual power consumption and the expected power consumption. Subsequently, in block 324, where the data has been merged, the controller 24 can then be configured to compare the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 with the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10, for example, by determining the difference between the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 and the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system 10.

[0084] Whether the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system 10 is determined based on the electrical characteristics of the power supply and the power loss of the wireless charging device 16, in block 326, a determination can be made, for example, by the controller 42 in which the data has been merged, whether the difference determined in block 324 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold can be stored as a constant value or in a lookup table in the non-volatile memory 54 of the controller 42 in which the data has been merged. In some examples, the predetermined threshold may correspond to the maximum power P that the foreign object 12 can dissipate without reaching an unsafe temperature. FO In some examples, refer to Figure 4 The predetermined threshold may correspond to the average difference between the black line and the dotted line, or the minimum difference between the black line and the dotted line. In other examples, the predetermined threshold used in the comparison in box 326 may vary based on the electrical characteristics of the wireless charging system 10 measured at runtime. For example, refer to... Figure 4 The controller 42 can be configured to use a predetermined threshold value, which corresponds to a value between the black line and the dotted line at the induced voltage measured by the battery controller 42A, such as the median value.

[0085] In response to determining that the difference between the actual power consumption and the expected power consumption is not greater than a predetermined threshold (the "No" branch of block 326), a charging cycle can be triggered in block 328. For this purpose, the battery controller 42A can be configured to engage switch 48A and disengage switch 48b, such that the receiving coil 30 is coupled to the battery cell 38 and decoupled from the electrical load 46. Furthermore, the wireless charging device 16 can output a signal on the transmitting coil 24 to charge the battery cell 38. For example, the battery controller 42A can be configured to transmit a current setpoint to the voltage regulator 34, which indicates the load current i 负载 The target current. For example, the target current could be 1.4 amps. In response to triggering a charging cycle, the voltage regulator 34 can be configured to draw current from the wireless charging device 16, which enables the voltage regulator 34 to provide the target current to the battery cell 38.

[0086] Alternatively, in response to determining that the difference between the actual power consumption and the expected power consumption is greater than a predefined threshold (the "Yes" branch of box 326), in box 330, it can be determined that the foreign object 12 is near the wireless charging device 16. Subsequently, in box 332, the transmitting coil 24 can be disabled. Specifically, the charger controller 42B can be configured to prevent the DC / AC converter 26 from outputting a power signal on the transmitting coil 24 to charge the battery cell 38. In box 334, an alarm of the wireless charging system 10 can be triggered. This alarm can be an audible, visual, or tactile alarm. For example, the wireless charging device 16 may include a speaker configured to emit an audible alarm. The wireless charging device 16 may also include a light-emitting device, such as... Figure 8 The light-emitting device 508 shown is configured to emit light in response to the detection of a foreign object 12. The wireless charging device 16 may also include a vibration motor configured to vibrate in response to the detection of a foreign object.

[0087] In response to triggering an alarm in box 334 or triggering a charging cycle in box 328, method 300 may return to box 302 to continue monitoring one or more predefined events. In addition to positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 near the wireless charging device 16, one or more predefined events monitored by the wireless charging system 10 may include the elapsed time since the last foreign object detection cycle was performed. For example, the wireless charging system 10 may be configured to trigger a foreign object detection cycle every five minutes starting from the last foreign object detection cycle performed by the wireless charging system 10.

[0088] In some examples, one or more predefined events monitored by the wireless charging system 10 may also include an impact detection event. As described above, during a charging cycle, the charger controller 42B may be configured to implement a constant current charging technique, wherein a constant load current i is provided. 负载 To charge battery cell 38. However, as battery cell 38 is charged, the cell voltage may increase, which may increase the effective impedance of battery cell 38 and correspondingly increase the load current i. 负载 Reduce. In response, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14, or more specifically the voltage regulator 34, may be configured to draw additional current from the wireless charging device 16 to reduce the load current i 负载 Maintain at the target level. Correspondingly, the power supply P... 供电 and supply current i 供电 It may increase. (Reference) Figure 7 The solid line represents the power curve, which shows the power supplied, P. 供电 The change over time is so as to achieve a constant load current i that can be achieved by the wireless charging system 10. 负载 Charges the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14.

[0089] Therefore, the power supply P of the power signal output by power supply 20 供电 and supply current i 供电 The current i can be increased during the charging cycle to maintain a constant load current i in battery cell 38. 负载 However, the power supply power P of the power signal 供电 and supply current i 供电 It can also increase in response to an impact to the wireless charging system 10, which causes the foreign object 17 to shift to a position where it absorbs more power P from the wireless charging system 10. FO This increases the power consumption of the wireless charging system 10. (Reference) Figure 7 The dotted lines indicate the power supply P that may occur in response to an impact event. 供电 The changes.

[0090] Therefore, during a charging cycle, the charger controller 42B can be configured to monitor the electrical characteristics of the power signal provided by the wireless charging device 16 and determine the occurrence of an impact event based on the monitoring of these electrical characteristics. For example, the electrical characteristics could be the power supply power P of the power signal output by the power source 20. 供电 Or the supply current i of the power signal 供电 The charger controller 42B can be configured to continuously track the difference between the current level of an electrical characteristic and its initial level at the start of the current charging cycle, and determine whether the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. This predetermined threshold may correspond to a predetermined increment in the power consumption of the wireless charging system 10. As an example, the predetermined increment may be 400 milliwatts. In other words, the charger controller 42B can be configured to increase the power supply P by 400 milliwatts in response to the previous foreign object detection cycle. 供电 To determine the occurrence of predefined events.

[0091] In response to the detection of at least one of one or more predefined events (the "Yes" branch of block 302), another foreign object detection cycle can be triggered in block 304. Therefore, in response to the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 being positioned near the wireless charging device 16, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to perform a foreign object detection cycle spaced apart from charging cycles of the wireless charging device 16 charging the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. In each foreign object detection cycle, the wireless charging system 10 can be configured to prevent charging of the battery cell 38 and determine whether a foreign object 12 is present near the wireless charging device 16.

[0092] Figure 8A wireless charging device 500 for simultaneously charging a plurality of wirelessly rechargeable batteries 14 is shown. More specifically, the wireless charging device 500 may include a controller 502, a power supply 504, and a plurality of charging compartments 506. Each charging compartment 506 may include a transmitting coil 24 for supplying power to a receiving coil 30 of a wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 disposed within the charging compartment 506. The transmitting coil 24 of each charging compartment 506 may be coupled to the power supply 504, for example, via a DC / AC converter. The controller 502 and the power supply 504 may be mirror images of each other and configured to perform the same functions as the power supply 20 and charger controller 42B of the wireless charging device 16 described above, except for each charging compartment 506. In other words, as described above, the controller 502 may be configured to facilitate the execution of charging cycles and foreign object detection cycles for each charging compartment 506.

[0093] The wireless charging device 500 can also be configured to accommodate sterilizable containers (e.g., those disposed on the wireless charging device 500) Figure 9 The wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 in the sterilizable container 600 shown is charged. Specifically, one or more wirelessly rechargeable batteries 14 can be sterilized and subsequently placed in the sterilizable container 600, which can also be sterilized (e.g., via an autoclave) and maintain the sterility of the volume contained therein. In other words, the sterilizable container 600 provides a microbial barrier, such that the contents within the sterilizable container 600 remain sterile until the sterilizable container 600 has been opened.

[0094] Alternatively, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be placed within the sterilizable container 600 prior to sterilization. The sterilizable container 600 can then be sterilized in an autoclave (or other suitable sterilization process) while the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 remains within it. Thus, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and the sterilizable container 600 can be sterilized together, and the volume within the sterilizable container 600 can be sterilized or kept sterile.

[0095] After sterilizing the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 using any of the methods described above, the sterilizable container 600 can be carried or otherwise transported to the desired location of use while maintaining the sterile state and sterile volume of the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14. For example, the sterilizable container 600 can then be positioned on the wireless charging device 500 such that each wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 placed in the sterilizable container 600 is positioned above the transmitting coil 24 and in a different charging chamber 506. Thus, the wireless charging device 500 can provide charging power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 while the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 remains microbially sealed within a sterile volume. Each wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can also communicate with the wireless charging device 500 while remaining in a sterile volume to obtain battery operating data, battery status data, and / or any other applicable data described herein. While the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 is being transported to the wireless charging device 500, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 and its internal components may be in a low-power state.

[0096] In another scenario, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may be placed in a sterilizable container 600 before sterilization, and the sterilizable container 600 may be placed near the wireless charging device 500, allowing the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 to receive charging power, while both the sterilizable container 600 and the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 are in a non-sterile state. In this case, after the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 receives charging power from the wireless charging device 500, the sterilizable container 600 and the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may be sterilized in an autoclave or other sterilization process, allowing the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 to be stored in a sterile and charged state until the sterilizable container 600 is opened. Alternatively, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 may be charged using the wireless charging device 500, and then placed in the sterilizable container 600 for sterilization.

[0097] In addition to the sterilizable container 600, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be placed in the blue packaging, sterilized, and charged using any of the methods described above. Therefore, the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be charged through the blue packaging while remaining sterile.

[0098] It should be noted that the wirelessly rechargeable battery 14 can be replaced by any power receiving device configured to receive and store electrical charge. For example, the power receiving device could be a surgical instrument configured to store electrical charge. The power receiving device could also be a refrigerator configured to store electrical charge or a light-emitting device configured to store electrical charge.

[0099] Several exemplary embodiments have been discussed in the foregoing description. However, the examples discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any particular form. The terminology used herein is intended to be descriptive rather than restrictive. In view of the foregoing teachings, many modifications and variations are possible, and the invention may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described.

[0100] Examples of this disclosure may be described with reference to the following numbered clauses, the specific features of which are set forth in the dependent clauses:

[0101] Terms and Conditions

[0102] 1. A system for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging device, the system comprising:

[0103] Wireless rechargeable battery, comprising:

[0104] A receiving coil, which is used to receive power from the wireless charging device when the receiving coil is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device.

[0105] One or more battery cells, and

[0106] Electrical loads; and

[0107] At least one controller is configured to switch the wirelessly rechargeable battery between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration, the receiving coil is coupled to the one or more battery cells to charge the one or more battery cells and decoupled from the electrical load, and in the second configuration, the receiving coil is coupled to the electrical load to supply power to the electrical load and decoupled from the one or more battery cells, and the at least one controller is configured to:

[0108] Measure the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device.

[0109] The expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage is determined as the first electrical characteristic.

[0110] Determine the second electrical characteristics of the electrical load when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the second configuration, and

[0111] The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging device is determined based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic.

[0112] 2. The system as described in Clause 1, wherein the first electrical characteristic is the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, and the second electrical characteristic is the power dissipated by the electrical load.

[0113] 3. The system as described in Clause 1, wherein the first electrical characteristic is the expected current loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, and the second electrical characteristic is the current through the electrical load.

[0114] 4. The system as described in any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the wirelessly rechargeable battery comprises:

[0115] A voltage rectifier, coupled to the receiving coil and configured to receive a first voltage from the receiving coil and generate a second voltage from the first voltage; and

[0116] A voltage regulator, coupled to the voltage rectifier and configured to receive the second voltage from the voltage rectifier and generate a third voltage from the second voltage.

[0117] Wherein, the one or more battery cells are configured to receive the third voltage from the voltage regulator when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the first configuration, and the electrical load is configured to receive the third voltage from the voltage regulator when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the second configuration, and

[0118] The voltage measured is the second voltage.

[0119] 5. The system as described in any one of clauses 1-4, wherein the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a non-volatile storage device storing calibration data specific to the wirelessly rechargeable battery, and the at least one controller is configured to determine the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data.

[0120] 6. The system as described in Clause 5, wherein the calibration data indicates a variable expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the variable expected power loss corresponding to a variable position of the wirelessly rechargeable battery relative to the wireless charging device, each of the expected power losses being associated with a different voltage within the calibration data, and the at least one controller is configured to determine the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data by being configured to determine an expected power loss associated with the measured voltage within the calibration data among the expected power losses indicated in the calibration data.

[0121] 7. The system as described in any one of Clauses 1-6, wherein the electrical load includes at least one resistor, the at least one resistor being sized to dissipate the same amount of electricity as the one or more battery cells when the one or more battery cells are substantially fully charged.

[0122] 8. The system as described in Clause 7, wherein the at least one resistor has a combined resistance of 8.3 ohms.

[0123] 9. The system as described in any one of clauses 1-8, wherein the at least one controller is configured to:

[0124] The expected electrical loss of the wireless charging device is determined as the third electrical characteristic;

[0125] Determine the fourth electrical characteristic of the power signal generated by the wireless charging device; and

[0126] The presence of the foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device is determined based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic.

[0127] 10. The system as described in Clause 9, wherein the third electrical characteristic is the expected power loss of the wireless charging device, and the fourth electrical characteristic is the power supply provided by the power signal.

[0128] 11. The system as described in Clause 9, wherein the third electrical characteristic is the expected current loss of the wireless charging device, and the fourth electrical characteristic is the supply current of the power signal.

[0129] 12. The system as described in any one of clauses 9-11, wherein the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a first communication device for communicating with a second communication device of the wireless charging device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the at least one controller includes a battery controller integrated with the wirelessly rechargeable battery and configured to:

[0130] Measure the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device;

[0131] The first electrical characteristic is determined based on the measured voltage;

[0132] Measure the second electrical characteristic;

[0133] The first communication device and the second communication device receive the third electrical characteristic and the fourth electrical characteristic from the wireless charging device; and

[0134] The presence of the foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device is determined based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic.

[0135] 13. The system as described in Clause 12, wherein the system further includes the wireless charging device, and the at least one controller includes a battery controller integrated with the wireless charging device and configured to:

[0136] Determine the third electrical characteristic;

[0137] Measure the fourth electrical characteristic; and

[0138] The first communication device and the second communication device transmit the third electrical characteristic and the fourth electrical characteristic to the battery controller.

[0139] 14. The system as described in any one of clauses 9-11, wherein the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a first communication device for communicating with a second communication device of the wireless charging device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the at least one controller includes a battery controller integrated with the wirelessly rechargeable battery and configured to:

[0140] Measure the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device;

[0141] The first electrical characteristic is determined based on the measured voltage;

[0142] Measure the second electrical characteristic; and

[0143] The first electrical characteristics and the second electrical characteristics are transmitted to the wireless charging device by the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0144] 15. The system as described in Clause 14, wherein the system further includes the wireless charging device, and the at least one controller includes a charger controller integrated with the wireless charging device and configured to:

[0145] Receive the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic;

[0146] Determine the third electrical characteristic;

[0147] Measure the fourth electrical characteristic; and

[0148] The presence of the foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device is determined based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic.

[0149] 16. The system as described in any one of clauses 9-15, wherein the wireless charging device includes a non-volatile storage device storing calibration data indicating the third electrical characteristic, and the at least one controller is configured to determine the third electrical characteristic by being configured to read the calibration data from the non-volatile storage device.

[0150] 17. The system as described in any one of clauses 9-16, wherein the at least one controller is configured to determine the presence of the foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device by being configured to perform the following operations based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic:

[0151] Based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, and the third electrical characteristic, the expected power consumption of the system is determined as the fifth electrical characteristic;

[0152] Determine whether the difference between the fifth electrical characteristic and the fourth electrical characteristic is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and

[0153] In response to determining that the difference between the fifth electrical characteristic and the fourth electrical characteristic is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the foreign object is located near the wireless charging device.

[0154] 18. The system as described in any one of clauses 1-17, wherein the at least one controller is configured to:

[0155] In response to determining that there are no foreign objects in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, a charging cycle is triggered; and

[0156] In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

[0157] 19. The system as described in any one of clauses 1-18, wherein, in response to the wirelessly rechargeable battery being positioned near the wireless charging device, the at least one controller is configured to perform foreign object detection cycles spaced apart by charging cycles, wherein in each of the foreign object detection cycles, the at least one controller is configured to:

[0158] Switch the wirelessly rechargeable battery to the second configuration;

[0159] Measure the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device;

[0160] The first electrical characteristic is determined based on the measured voltage;

[0161] Determine the second electrical characteristic;

[0162] Based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic, determine whether there are foreign objects near the wireless charging device;

[0163] In response to determining that there is no foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, one of the charging cycles is triggered; and

[0164] In response to the detection of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

[0165] In each of the charging cycles, the at least one controller is configured to switch the wirelessly rechargeable battery to the first configuration.

[0166] 20. The system as described in Clause 19, wherein the at least one controller is configured to trigger each of the foreign object detection loop in response to the detection of at least one of one or more predefined events.

[0167] 21. The system as described in Clause 20, wherein the one or more predefined events include the wirelessly rechargeable battery being located near the wireless charging device.

[0168] 22. The system as described in Clause 20 or 21, wherein the one or more predefined events include a predetermined time elapsed from the start of the previous foreign object detection cycle.

[0169] 23. The system as described in any one of clauses 20-22, wherein the one or more predefined events include a predefined increase in the power supplied by the wireless charging device since the last foreign object detection cycle.

[0170] 24. A wireless charging device, comprising:

[0171] A transmitting coil for transmitting power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the vicinity of the transmitting coil;

[0172] A power source, coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal for supplying power to the transmitting coil; and

[0173] At least one controller is configured to:

[0174] Determine the first electrical characteristics of the power signal.

[0175] The expected power loss of the wireless charging device is determined as a second electrical characteristic, and

[0176] The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging device is determined based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic.

[0177] 25. The wireless charging device as described in Clause 24, wherein the first electrical characteristic is the power supplied by the power signal, and the second electrical characteristic is the expected power loss of the wireless charging device.

[0178] 26. The wireless charging device as described in Clause 24, wherein the first electrical characteristic is the supply current of the power signal, and the second electrical characteristic is the expected current loss of the wireless charging device.

[0179] 27. A wireless charging device as described in any one of clauses 24-26, wherein the wireless charging device further comprises a first communication device for communicating with a second communication device of the wirelessly rechargeable battery when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the at least one controller is configured to:

[0180] Determine the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic;

[0181] The third and fourth electrical characteristics of the wirelessly rechargeable battery are received from the wirelessly rechargeable battery, which are the expected electrical losses of the wirelessly rechargeable battery through the first and second communication devices as the electrical load of the wirelessly rechargeable battery; and

[0182] The presence of the foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device is determined based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic.

[0183] 28. The wireless charging device as described in Clause 27, wherein the third electrical characteristic is the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, and the fourth electrical characteristic is the power dissipated by the electrical load.

[0184] 29. The wireless charging device as described in Clause 27, wherein the third electrical characteristic is the expected current loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, and the fourth electrical characteristic is the current through the electrical load.

[0185] 30. The wireless charging device as described in any one of clauses 24-29, wherein the wireless charging device further comprises a non-volatile storage device storing calibration data indicating the second electrical characteristic, and the at least one controller is configured to determine the second electrical characteristic by being configured to read the calibration data from the non-volatile storage device.

[0186] 31. A wireless charging device as described in any one of clauses 24-30, wherein the at least one controller is configured to determine the presence of the foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic by being configured to perform the following operations:

[0187] Based on the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic, the expected power consumption of the system is determined as the fifth electrical characteristic;

[0188] Determine whether the difference between the fifth electrical characteristic and the first electrical characteristic is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and

[0189] In response to determining that the difference between the fifth electrical characteristic and the first electrical characteristic is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the foreign object exists in the vicinity of the wireless charging device.

[0190] 32. The wireless charging device as described in any one of clauses 24-31, wherein the at least one controller is configured to prevent charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery in response to determining that a foreign object is present in the vicinity of the wireless charging device.

[0191] 33. A wireless charging device as described in any one of clauses 24-32, wherein, in response to the wirelessly rechargeable battery being positioned near the wireless charging device, the at least one controller is configured to perform foreign object detection cycles spaced apart by charging cycles, wherein, in each of the foreign object detection cycles, the at least one controller is configured to:

[0192] Determine the first electrical characteristic of the power supply signal;

[0193] Determine the second electrical characteristic;

[0194] Based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic, determine whether there are foreign objects near the wireless charging device;

[0195] In response to determining that there is no foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, one of the charging cycles is triggered; and

[0196] In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging is prohibited.

[0197] 34. The wireless charging device as described in Clause 33, wherein the at least one controller is configured to trigger each of the foreign object detection loop in response to detecting at least one of one or more predefined events.

[0198] 35. The wireless charging device as described in Clause 34, wherein the one or more predefined events include the wirelessly rechargeable battery being positioned in the vicinity of the wireless charging device.

[0199] 36. The wireless charging device as described in Clause 34 or 35, wherein the one or more predefined events include the elapsed time from the start of the previous foreign object detection cycle.

[0200] 37. A wireless charging device as described in any of clauses 34-36, wherein the one or more predefined events include a predefined increase in the power supplied by the wireless charging device since the last foreign object detection cycle.

[0201] 38. A method for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system, the wireless charging system including a wireless charging device and a wirelessly rechargeable battery, the wirelessly rechargeable battery including a receiving coil, one or more battery cells, and an electrical load, the receiving coil being configured to receive power from the wireless charging device when the receiving coil is located near the wireless charging device, the method comprising:

[0202] The wirelessly rechargeable battery is switched to a first configuration in which the receiving coil is coupled to the electrical load to supply power to the electrical load and decoupled from the one or more battery cells;

[0203] Measure the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device;

[0204] The expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage is determined as the first electrical characteristic;

[0205] When the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the first configuration, determine the second electrical characteristics of the electrical load; and

[0206] The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging device is determined based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic.

[0207] 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a non-volatile storage device that stores calibration data specific to the wirelessly rechargeable battery and determining the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage includes determining the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data.

[0208] 40. The method as described in clause 38 or 39, wherein the method further comprises:

[0209] The expected electrical loss of the wireless charging device is determined as the third electrical characteristic;

[0210] Determine the fourth electrical characteristic of the power signal generated by the wireless charging device; and

[0211] The presence of the foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device is determined based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic.

[0212] 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a first communication device for communicating with a second communication device of the wireless charging device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is positioned in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the method further comprises:

[0213] The voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device is measured by the wirelessly rechargeable battery.

[0214] The first electrical characteristic is determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage;

[0215] The wirelessly rechargeable battery receives the third electrical characteristic and the fourth electrical characteristic from the wireless charging device via the first communication device and the second communication device; and

[0216] The presence of the foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device is determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic.

[0217] 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the method further comprises:

[0218] The third electrical characteristic is determined by the wireless charging device;

[0219] The fourth electrical characteristic is measured by the wireless charging device; and

[0220] The wireless charging device transmits the third and fourth electrical characteristics to the wirelessly rechargeable battery via the first and second communication devices.

[0221] 43. The method of claim 40, wherein the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a first communication device for communicating with a second communication device of the wireless charging device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the method further includes:

[0222] The voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device is measured by the wirelessly rechargeable battery.

[0223] The first electrical characteristic is determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage;

[0224] The second electrical characteristic is measured by the wirelessly rechargeable battery; and

[0225] The wirelessly rechargeable battery transmits the first electrical characteristics and the second electrical characteristics to the wireless charging device via the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0226] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the method further comprises:

[0227] The wireless charging device receives the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic through the first communication device and the second communication device;

[0228] The third electrical characteristic is determined by the wireless charging device;

[0229] The fourth electrical characteristic is measured by the wireless charging device; and

[0230] The wireless charging device determines whether the foreign object exists near the wireless charging device based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic.

[0231] 45. The method of any one of clauses 40-44, wherein the wireless charging device includes a non-volatile storage device storing calibration data indicating the third electrical characteristic, and determining the third electrical characteristic includes reading the calibration data from the non-volatile storage device.

[0232] 46. ​​The method of any one of clauses 40-45, wherein determining whether the foreign object is present in the vicinity of the wireless charging device based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic comprises:

[0233] Based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, and the third electrical characteristic, the expected power consumption of the system is determined as the fifth electrical characteristic;

[0234] Determine whether the difference between the fifth electrical characteristic and the fourth electrical characteristic is greater than a predetermined threshold; and

[0235] In response to determining that the difference between the fifth electrical characteristic and the fourth electrical characteristic is greater than the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the foreign object exists in the vicinity of the wireless charging device.

[0236] 47. The method of any one of clauses 38-46, wherein the method further comprises:

[0237] In response to determining that no foreign object is present in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery is switched to a second configuration in which the receiving coil is coupled to the one or more battery cells to charge the one or more battery cells and decoupled from the electrical load; and

[0238] In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

[0239] 48. The method of any one of clauses 38-47, wherein the method further comprises, in response to the wirelessly rechargeable battery being positioned near the wireless charging device, performing foreign object detection cycles spaced apart by charging cycles, each of the foreign object detection cycles comprising:

[0240] Switch the wirelessly rechargeable battery to the first configuration;

[0241] Measure the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device;

[0242] The first electrical characteristic is determined based on the measured voltage;

[0243] Determine the second electrical characteristic; and

[0244] Based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic, determine whether there are foreign objects near the wireless charging device;

[0245] In response to determining that there is no foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, one of the charging cycles is triggered; and

[0246] In response to the detection of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

[0247] Each of the charging cycles includes switching the wirelessly rechargeable battery to a second configuration in which the receiving coil is coupled to the one or more battery cells to charge the one or more battery cells and decoupled from the electrical load.

[0248] 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the method further comprises:

[0249] Monitor the occurrence of one or more predefined events; and

[0250] Each of the foreign object detection loops is triggered in response to the detection of at least one of the one or more predefined events.

[0251] 50. The method of clause 49, wherein the method further comprises triggering one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to determining that the wirelessly rechargeable battery has been located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device.

[0252] 51. The method of clause 49 or 50, wherein the method further comprises triggering one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to determining that a predetermined time period has elapsed since the start of the previous foreign object detection cycle.

[0253] 52. The method of any one of clauses 49-51, wherein the method further comprises triggering one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to a predetermined increase in power supplied by the wireless charging device since the previous foreign object detection cycle.

[0254] 53. A method for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging device, the wireless charging device including a transmitting coil and a power source, the transmitting coil being configured to deliver power to a wirelessly rechargeable battery when the battery is located in the vicinity of the transmitting coil, the power source being coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal for supplying power to the transmitting coil, the method comprising:

[0255] Determine the first electrical characteristics of the power signal.

[0256] The expected power loss of the wireless charging device is determined as a second electrical characteristic, and

[0257] The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging device is determined based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic.

[0258] 54. The method of claim 53, wherein the wireless charging device includes a first communication device for communicating with a second communication device of the wirelessly rechargeable battery when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the method further includes:

[0259] The first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic are determined by the wireless charging device.

[0260] The third and fourth electrical characteristics of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, which are received by the wireless charging device from the wirelessly rechargeable battery, are considered as the electrical load of the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the expected electrical loss of the battery through the first and second communication devices; and

[0261] The wireless charging device determines whether the foreign object exists near the wireless charging device based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic.

[0262] 55. The method of claim 53 or 54, wherein the wireless charging device further comprises a non-volatile storage device storing calibration data indicating the second electrical characteristic, and determining the second electrical characteristic includes reading the calibration data from the non-volatile storage device.

[0263] 56. The method of clause 54, wherein determining whether the foreign object is present near the wireless charging device based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic comprises:

[0264] Based on the second electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic, and the fourth electrical characteristic, the expected power consumption of the system is determined as the fifth electrical characteristic;

[0265] Determine whether the difference between the fifth electrical characteristic and the first electrical characteristic is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and

[0266] In response to determining that the difference between the fifth electrical characteristic and the first electrical characteristic is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the foreign object exists in the vicinity of the wireless charging device.

[0267] 57. The method of any one of clauses 53-56, wherein the method further comprises: in response to determining that a foreign object is present in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, preventing charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery.

[0268] 58. The method of any one of clauses 53-57, wherein the method further comprises: in response to the wirelessly rechargeable battery being positioned near the wireless charging device, performing foreign object detection cycles spaced apart by charging cycles, wherein each of the foreign object detection cycles includes:

[0269] Determine the first electrical characteristic of the power supply signal;

[0270] Determine the second electrical characteristic;

[0271] Based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic, determine whether there are foreign objects near the wireless charging device;

[0272] In response to determining that there is no foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, one of the charging cycles is triggered; and

[0273] In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

[0274] 59. The method as described in Clause 58, wherein the method further comprises:

[0275] Monitor the occurrence of one or more predefined events; and

[0276] In response to the detection of at least one of the one or more predefined events, each of the foreign object detection loops is triggered.

[0277] 60. The method of clause 58 or 59, wherein the method further comprises triggering one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to determining that the wirelessly rechargeable battery has been located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device.

[0278] 61. The method of any one of clauses 58-60, wherein the method further comprises triggering one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to determining that a predetermined time period has elapsed since the start of the previous foreign object detection cycle.

[0279] 62. The method of any one of clauses 58-61, wherein the method further comprises triggering one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to a predetermined increase in power supplied by the wireless charging device since the previous foreign object detection cycle.

Claims

1. A wireless charging system for detecting foreign objects, the wireless charging system comprising: A wireless charging device, the wireless charging device including a first controller, the first controller being configured to determine the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system; and Wireless rechargeable battery, the wireless rechargeable battery comprising: A receiving coil, the receiving coil being used to receive power from the wireless charging device when the receiving coil is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device; One or more battery cells; An electrical load, wherein the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in a charging configuration when the receiving coil is coupled to the one or more battery cells to charge the one or more battery cells and is decoupled from the electrical load, and the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in a foreign object detection configuration when the receiving coil is coupled to the electrical load to supply power to the electrical load and is decoupled from the one or more battery cells; and A second controller is configured to measure the voltage sensed in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device and to switch the wirelessly rechargeable battery between the charging configuration and the foreign object detection configuration. Wherein, the first controller, the second controller, or a combination of the first controller and the second controller are configured as follows: The expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is determined based on the measured voltage and calibration data, wherein the calibration data is stored in the second controller and indicates the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery as it varies according to the measured voltage. Based on the expected power loss, the expected power consumption of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is determined, and thereby the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined; and The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system.

2. The wireless charging system as described in claim 1, wherein, The wireless charging device includes: A transmitting coil, used to transmit power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery; and A power source, coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal for supplying power to the transmitting coil, The first controller is configured to determine the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system by measuring the electrical characteristics of the power signal.

3. The wireless charging system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes: A voltage rectifier, coupled to the receiving coil and configured to receive a first voltage from the receiving coil and generate a second voltage from the first voltage; and A voltage regulator, coupled to the voltage rectifier and configured to receive the second voltage from the voltage rectifier and generate a third voltage from the second voltage; and Wherein, the one or more battery cells are configured to receive the third voltage from the voltage regulator, and The voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery that is measured is the second voltage.

4. The wireless charging system as described in claim 1, wherein, The electrical load includes at least one resistor, the size of which is configured to dissipate an amount of electrical energy substantially equal to the maximum power directed to the one or more battery cells in the charging configuration.

5. The wireless charging system as described in claim 4, wherein, The at least one resistor has a combined resistance of 8.3 ohms.

6. The wireless charging system as described in claim 1, wherein, The second controller is configured to: The expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage is determined as a first electrical characteristic; and The electrical characteristics of the signal originating from the electrical load when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the foreign object detection configuration are determined as the second electrical characteristic. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic.

7. The wireless charging system as described in claim 6, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a non-volatile storage device that stores calibration data specific to the wirelessly rechargeable battery, and the second controller is configured to determine the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data.

8. The wireless charging system as described in claim 7, wherein, The calibration data indicates the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the expected power loss corresponding to the change in position of the wirelessly rechargeable battery relative to the wireless charging device, each of the expected power losses being associated with a different voltage within the calibration data, and the second controller is configured to determine the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data by being configured to determine one of the expected power losses indicated in the calibration data and associated with the measured voltage within the calibration data.

9. The wireless charging system according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein, The wireless charging device includes: A transmitting coil, used to transmit power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery; and A power source, coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal for supplying power to the transmitting coil, The first controller is configured to: Measure the electrical characteristics of the power supply signal; The electrical characteristics of the power signal are set to the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system; and The expected power loss of the wireless charging device is determined as the third electrical characteristic. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is further determined based on the third electrical characteristic.

10. The wireless charging system as described in claim 9, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a first communication device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a second communication device for communicating with the first communication device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the second controller is configured to: The third electrical characteristic and the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system are received from the wireless charging device through the first communication device and the second communication device. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, and the third electrical characteristic. as well as The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

11. The wireless charging system as described in claim 9, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a first communication device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a second communication device for communicating with the first communication device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the first controller is configured to: Data indicating the first electrical characteristics and the second electrical characteristics are received from the wirelessly rechargeable battery via the first communication device and the second communication device. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the received data and the third electrical characteristic. as well as The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

12. The wireless charging system according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein, The wireless charging device includes: A transmitting coil, used to transmit power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery; and A power source, coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal for supplying power to the transmitting coil, The first controller is configured to determine the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system by performing the following operations: Measure the electrical characteristics of the power supply signal; The electrical loss of the wireless charging device is identified as a third electrical characteristic; and The actual power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the electrical characteristics of the power signal and the third electrical characteristic.

13. The wireless charging system as described in claim 12, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a first communication device, and the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a second communication device. The second communication device is configured to communicate with the first communication device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the second controller is configured to: The actual power consumption of the wireless charging system is received from the wireless charging device through the first communication device and the second communication device. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic. as well as The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

14. The wireless charging system as described in claim 12, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a first communication device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a second communication device for communicating with the first communication device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, and the first controller is configured to: Data indicating the first electrical characteristics and the second electrical characteristics are received from the wirelessly rechargeable battery via the first communication device and the second communication device. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the received data; as well as The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

15. The wireless charging system as described in claim 9, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a non-volatile storage device that stores calibration data indicating the power loss of the wireless charging device, and the first controller is configured to determine the power loss of the wireless charging device by being configured to read the calibration data from the non-volatile storage device.

16. The wireless charging system as described in claim 1, wherein, The first controller or the second controller is configured to: Determine whether the difference between the actual power consumption and the expected power consumption is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and In response to determining that the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging system.

17. The wireless charging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first controller or the second controller is configured to: In response to determining that there are no foreign objects in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, a charging cycle is triggered; and In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

18. The wireless charging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, In response to the wirelessly rechargeable battery being positioned near the wireless charging device, the first controller and the second controller are configured to implement foreign object detection cycles spaced apart by charging cycles, wherein, in each of the foreign object detection cycles, the first controller or the second controller is configured to: Determine whether there are foreign objects near the wireless charging system based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption. In response to determining that there is no foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, one of the charging cycles is triggered; and In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

19. The wireless charging system as described in claim 18, wherein, The first controller or the second controller is configured to trigger each of the foreign object detection loop in response to the detection of at least one of one or more predefined events.

20. The wireless charging system as described in claim 19, wherein, The one or more predefined events include the wirelessly rechargeable battery being positioned near the wireless charging device.

21. The wireless charging system as described in claim 19 or 20, wherein, The one or more predefined events include the elapsed time from the start of the previous foreign object detection cycle.

22. The wireless charging system according to any one of claims 19-20, wherein, The one or more predefined events include a predefined increase in the power supplied by the wireless charging device since the last foreign object detection cycle.

23. The wireless charging system as described in claim 1, wherein, The expected power consumption is the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system, and the actual power consumption is the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system.

24. The wireless charging system as described in claim 1, wherein, The expected power consumption is the current flowing through the wireless charging system corresponding to the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system, and the actual power consumption is the current flowing through the wireless charging system corresponding to the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system.

25. The wireless charging system as described in claim 2, wherein, The electrical characteristic of the power supply signal is the power of the power supply signal.

26. The wireless charging system as described in claim 2, wherein, The electrical characteristic of the power supply signal is the current of the power supply signal.

27. The wireless charging system as described in claim 9, wherein, The first electrical characteristic is the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the second electrical characteristic is the power dissipated by the electrical load, and the third electrical characteristic is the expected power loss of the wireless charging device.

28. The wireless charging system as described in claim 9, wherein, The first electrical characteristic is the current corresponding to the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the second electrical characteristic is the current through the electrical load, and the third electrical characteristic is the current corresponding to the expected power loss of the wireless charging device.

29. A wirelessly rechargeable battery for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system, the wireless charging system including the wirelessly rechargeable battery and a wireless charging device, the wireless charging device transmitting power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is near the wireless charging device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery comprising: A receiving coil, the receiving coil being used to receive power from the wireless charging device when the receiving coil is located in the vicinity of the wireless charging device; One or more battery cells; An electrical load, wherein the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in a charging configuration when the receiving coil is coupled to the one or more battery cells to charge the one or more battery cells and is decoupled from the electrical load, and the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in a foreign object detection configuration when the receiving coil is coupled to the electrical load to supply power to the electrical load and is decoupled from the one or more battery cells; and The controller is configured to: Measure the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device; Switching the wirelessly rechargeable battery between the charging configuration and the foreign object detection configuration; The expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is determined based on the measured voltage and calibration data, wherein the calibration data is stored in the controller and indicates the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery as it varies according to the measured voltage. Based on the expected power loss, the expected power consumption of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is determined, and thereby the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined; and The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and actual power consumption of the wireless charging system.

30. The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 29, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery also includes: A voltage rectifier, coupled to the receiving coil and configured to receive a first voltage from the receiving coil and generate a second voltage from the first voltage; and A voltage regulator, which is coupled to the voltage rectifier and configured to receive the second voltage from the voltage rectifier and generate a third voltage from the second voltage; Wherein, the one or more battery cells are configured to receive the third voltage from the voltage regulator, and The voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery that is measured is the second voltage.

31. The wirelessly rechargeable battery according to any one of claims 29-30, wherein, The electrical load includes at least one resistor, the size of which is configured to dissipate a quantity of charge substantially equal to the maximum power directed to the one or more battery cells in the charging configuration.

32. The wirelessly rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 31, wherein, The at least one resistor has a combined resistance of 8.3 ohms.

33. The wirelessly rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 29, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a first communication device for communicating with a second communication device of the wireless charging device when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is near the wireless charging device, and the controller is configured to: The expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage is determined as a first electrical characteristic; The electrical characteristics of the signal originating from the electrical load when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the foreign object detection configuration are determined as a second electrical characteristic; and The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic.

34. The wirelessly rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 33, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery also includes a non-volatile storage device that stores calibration data specific to the wirelessly rechargeable battery, and the controller is configured to determine the second electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data.

35. The wirelessly rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 34, wherein, The calibration data indicates the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the expected power loss corresponding to the change in position of the wirelessly rechargeable battery relative to the wireless charging device, each of the expected power losses being associated with a different voltage within the calibration data, and the controller being configured to determine the second electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data by being configured to determine one of the expected power losses indicated in the calibration data and associated with the measured voltage within the calibration data.

36. The wirelessly rechargeable battery according to any one of claims 33-35, wherein, The controller is also configured to: The expected electrical loss of the wireless charging device received through the first and second communication devices is taken as a third electrical characteristic; and The actual power consumption of the wireless charging system is received through the first communication device and the second communication device. The actual power consumption is a measured electrical characteristic of the power signal provided by the wireless charging device. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is also determined based on the third electrical characteristic.

37. The wirelessly rechargeable battery according to any one of claims 33-35, wherein, The controller is also configured to receive the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system, the actual power consumption being based on the measured electrical characteristics of the power signal provided by the wireless charging device and a third electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic being the expected power loss of the wireless charging device through the first communication device and the second communication device.

38. The wirelessly rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 29, wherein, The controller is configured to: Determine whether the difference between the actual power consumption and the actual power consumption is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and In response to determining that the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging system.

39. The wirelessly rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 29, wherein, The controller is configured to: In response to determining that there are no foreign objects in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, a charging cycle is triggered; and In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

40. The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 29, wherein, In response to the wirelessly rechargeable battery being positioned near the wireless charging device, the controller is configured to implement foreign object detection cycles spaced apart by charging cycles, wherein in each of the foreign object detection cycles, the controller is configured to: Determine whether there are foreign objects near the wireless charging system based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption. In response to determining that there is no foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, one of the charging cycles is triggered; and In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

41. The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 40, wherein, The controller is configured to trigger each of the foreign object detection loop in response to the detection of at least one of one or more predefined events.

42. The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 41, wherein, The one or more predefined events include the wirelessly rechargeable battery being positioned near the wireless charging device.

43. The wirelessly rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 41 or 42, wherein, The one or more predefined events include the elapsed time from the start of the previous foreign object detection cycle.

44. The wirelessly rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 41 or 42, wherein, The one or more predefined events include a predefined increase in the power supplied by the wireless charging device since the last foreign object detection cycle.

45. The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 29, wherein, The expected power consumption is the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system, and the actual power consumption is the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system.

46. ​​The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 29, wherein, The expected power consumption is the current flowing through the wireless charging system corresponding to the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system, and the actual power consumption is the current flowing through the wireless charging system corresponding to the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system.

47. The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 36, wherein, The electrical characteristic of the power supply signal is the power of the power supply signal.

48. The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 36, wherein, The electrical characteristic of the power supply signal is the current of the power supply signal.

49. The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 36, wherein, The first electrical characteristic is the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the second electrical characteristic is the power dissipated by the electrical load, and the third electrical characteristic is the expected power loss of the wireless charging device.

50. The wirelessly rechargeable battery of claim 36, wherein, The first electrical characteristic is the current corresponding to the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the second electrical characteristic is the current through the electrical load, and the third electrical characteristic is the current corresponding to the expected power loss of the wireless charging device.

51. A method for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system, the wireless charging system comprising a wireless charging device and a wirelessly rechargeable battery, the wirelessly rechargeable battery comprising one or more battery cells, an electrical load, and a receiving coil, the receiving coil being configured to receive power from the wireless charging device when the receiving coil is located near the wireless charging device, the method comprising: The actual power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined by the wireless charging device. The voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device is measured by the wirelessly rechargeable battery. The wirelessly rechargeable battery is switched between a charging configuration and a foreign object detection configuration, in which the receiving coil is coupled to the one or more battery cells to charge the one or more battery cells and decoupled from the electrical load, and in the foreign object detection configuration, the receiving coil is coupled to the electrical load to supply power to the electrical load and decoupled from the one or more battery cells; The expected power loss of the wireless rechargeable battery is determined based on the measured voltage and calibration data, using the wireless charging device, the wireless rechargeable battery, or a combination of the wireless charging device and the wireless rechargeable battery, wherein the calibration data is stored in the controller of the wireless rechargeable battery and indicates the expected power loss of the wireless rechargeable battery as varying according to the measured voltage. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power loss, using the wireless charging device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery, or a combination of the wireless charging device and the wirelessly rechargeable battery; and... The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system, using the wireless charging device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery, or a combination of the wireless charging device and the wirelessly rechargeable battery.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a transmitting coil for transmitting power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery and a power source coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal for powering the transmitting coil, and determining the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system includes measuring the electrical characteristics of the power signal.

53. The method as claimed in claim 51 or 52, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a receiving coil, a voltage rectifier coupled to the receiving coil, a voltage regulator coupled to the voltage rectifier, and one or more battery cells, and further includes: When the receiving coil is located near the wireless charging device, the receiving coil receives power from the wireless charging device. The voltage rectifier receives a first voltage from the receiving coil; The voltage rectifier outputs a second voltage from the first voltage; The voltage regulator receives the second voltage from the voltage rectifier; The voltage regulator outputs a third voltage from the second voltage; and The third voltage is received from the voltage regulator by the one or more battery cells. Measuring the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device includes measuring the second voltage.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein, The method further includes: The expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage is determined as a first electrical characteristic by the wirelessly rechargeable battery. The electrical characteristics of the signal originating from the electrical load when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the foreign object detection configuration are determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery as a second electrical characteristic; and The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a non-volatile storage device that stores calibration data specific to the wirelessly rechargeable battery, and determining the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage includes determining the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein, The calibration data indicates the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the expected power loss corresponding to the change in position of the wirelessly rechargeable battery relative to the wireless charging device, each of the expected power losses being associated with a different voltage within the calibration data, and determining the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data includes determining one of the expected power losses indicated in the calibration data and associated with the measured voltage within the calibration data.

57. The method of any one of claims 54-56, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a transmitting coil for transmitting power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery and a power source coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal for powering the transmitting coil, and the method further includes: The electrical characteristics of the power signal are measured by the wireless charging device; The wireless charging device sets the electrical characteristics of the power signal to the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system; and The expected power loss of the wireless charging device is determined as a third electrical characteristic by the wireless charging device. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is also determined based on the third electrical characteristic.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a first communication device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a second communication device, and the method further includes: The wirelessly rechargeable battery receives the third electrical characteristic of the wireless charging system and the actual power consumption from the wireless charging device via the first communication device and the second communication device; The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, and the third electrical characteristic; and The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a first communication device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a second communication device, and the method further includes: The wireless charging device receives data indicating the first electrical characteristics and the second electrical characteristics from the wirelessly rechargeable battery via the first communication device and the second communication device; The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined based on the first electrical characteristic, the second electrical characteristic, and the third electrical characteristic; and The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

60. The method according to any one of claims 54-56, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a transmitting coil for transmitting power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery, a power source coupled to the transmitting coil and configured to generate a power signal for powering the transmitting coil, and determining the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system includes: The electrical characteristics of the power signal are measured by the wireless charging device; The power loss of the wireless charging device is determined as a third electrical characteristic by the wireless charging device; and The actual power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined by the wireless charging device based on the electrical characteristics of the power signal and the third electrical characteristic.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a first communication device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a second communication device, and the method further includes: The wirelessly rechargeable battery receives the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system from the wireless charging device via the first communication device and the second communication device. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the first and second electrical characteristics; and The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a first communication device, the wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a second communication device, and the method further includes: The wireless charging device receives data indicating the first electrical characteristics and the second electrical characteristics from the wirelessly rechargeable battery via the first communication device and the second communication device; The wireless charging device determines the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system based on the received data; and The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption.

63. The method of claim 57, wherein, The wireless charging device includes a non-volatile storage device that stores calibration data indicating the power loss of the wireless charging device, and determining the power loss of the wireless charging device includes reading the calibration data from the non-volatile storage device.

64. The method of claim 51, wherein, The method further includes: Determine whether the difference between the actual power consumption and the expected power consumption is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and In response to determining that the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging system.

65. The method of claim 51, wherein, The method further includes: In response to determining that there are no foreign objects in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, a charging cycle is triggered; and In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

66. The method of claim 51, wherein, The method further includes: in response to positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery near the wireless charging device, implementing foreign object detection cycles spaced apart by charging cycles, each of the foreign object detection cycles including: Determine whether there are foreign objects near the wireless charging system based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption. In response to determining that there is no foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, one of the charging cycles is triggered; and In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein, The method further includes triggering each of the foreign object detection loop in response to the detection of at least one of one or more predefined events.

68. The method of claim 66 or 67, wherein, The method further includes triggering one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to detecting that the wirelessly rechargeable battery is located near the wireless charging device.

69. The method of claim 66 or 67, wherein, The method further includes triggering at least one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to detecting the elapsed time since the start of the previous foreign object detection cycle.

70. The method of claim 66 or 67, wherein, The method further includes triggering at least one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to detecting a predetermined increase in power supplied by the wireless charging device since the previous foreign object detection cycle.

71. A method for detecting foreign objects near a wireless charging system, the wireless charging system comprising a wirelessly rechargeable battery and a wireless charging device, wherein when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is near the wireless charging device, the wireless charging device transmits power to the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the wirelessly rechargeable battery comprising a receiving coil, one or more battery cells, and an electrical load, the receiving coil being configured to receive power from the wireless charging device when the receiving coil is near the wireless charging device, the method comprising: The voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device is measured by the wirelessly rechargeable battery. The wirelessly rechargeable battery is switched between a charging configuration and a foreign object detection configuration, in which the receiving coil is coupled to the one or more battery cells to charge the one or more battery cells and decoupled from the electrical load, and in the foreign object detection configuration, the receiving coil is coupled to the electrical load to supply power to the electrical load and decoupled from the one or more battery cells; The expected power loss of the wireless rechargeable battery is determined based on the measured voltage and calibration data, wherein the calibration data is stored in the controller of the wireless rechargeable battery and indicates the expected power loss of the wireless rechargeable battery as it varies according to the measured voltage. The expected power consumption of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is determined based on the expected power loss, and the expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is thus determined; and The presence of foreign objects near the wireless charging system is determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the expected and actual power consumption of the wireless charging system.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a receiving coil, a voltage rectifier coupled to the receiving coil, a voltage regulator coupled to the voltage rectifier, and one or more battery cells, and the method further includes: When the receiving coil is located near the wireless charging device, the receiving coil receives power from the wireless charging device. The voltage rectifier receives a first voltage from the receiving coil; The voltage rectifier outputs a second voltage based on the first voltage; The voltage regulator receives the second voltage from the voltage rectifier; The voltage regulator outputs a third voltage through the second voltage; and The third voltage is received from the voltage regulator by the one or more battery cells. The measurement of the voltage induced in the wirelessly rechargeable battery by the wireless charging device includes measuring the second voltage.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a first communication device for communicating with a second communication device of the wireless charging device, and the method further includes: The expected electrical loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the measured voltage is determined as a first electrical characteristic by the wirelessly rechargeable battery. The electrical characteristics of the signal originating from the electrical load when the wirelessly rechargeable battery is in the foreign object detection configuration are determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery as a second electrical characteristic; and The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is determined by the wirelessly rechargeable battery based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein, The wirelessly rechargeable battery includes a non-volatile storage device that stores calibration data specific to the wirelessly rechargeable battery, and determining the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage includes determining the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein, The calibration data indicates the expected power loss of the wirelessly rechargeable battery, the expected power loss corresponding to the change in position of the wirelessly rechargeable battery relative to the wireless charging device, each of the expected power losses being associated with a different voltage within the calibration data, and determining the first electrical characteristic based on the measured voltage and the calibration data includes determining one of the expected power losses indicated in the calibration data and associated with the measured voltage within the calibration data.

76. The method according to any one of claims 73-75, wherein, The method further includes: The expected electrical loss of the wireless charging device received by the wireless charging device through the first communication device and the second communication device is a third electrical characteristic, as described by the wirelessly rechargeable battery; and The wirelessly rechargeable battery receives the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system through the first and second communication devices. This actual power consumption is a measured electrical characteristic of the power signal supplied by the wireless charging device. The expected power consumption of the wireless charging system is also determined based on the third electrical characteristic.

77. The method according to any one of claims 73-75, wherein, The method also includes the actual power consumption of the wireless charging system, the actual power consumption being based on the measured electrical characteristics of the power signal provided by the wireless charging device and a third electrical characteristic, the third electrical characteristic being the expected power loss of the wireless charging device through the first communication device and the second communication device.

78. The method of claim 71, wherein, The method further includes: Determine whether the difference between the actual power consumption and the actual power consumption is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold; and In response to determining that the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging system.

79. The method of claim 71, wherein, The method further includes: In response to determining that there are no foreign objects in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, a charging cycle is triggered; and In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

80. The method of claim 71, wherein, The method further includes: in response to positioning the wirelessly rechargeable battery near the wireless charging device, implementing foreign object detection cycles spaced apart by charging cycles, each of the foreign object detection cycles including: Determine whether there are foreign objects near the wireless charging system based on the expected power consumption and the actual power consumption. In response to determining that there are no foreign objects in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, one of the charging cycles is triggered; and In response to the determination of the presence of a foreign object in the vicinity of the wireless charging device, charging of the wirelessly rechargeable battery is prohibited.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein, The method further includes triggering each of the foreign object detection loop in response to the detection of at least one of one or more predefined events.

82. The method of claim 80 or 81, wherein, The method further includes triggering one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to detecting that the wirelessly rechargeable battery is located near the wireless charging device.

83. The method of claim 80 or 81, wherein, The method further includes triggering at least one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to detecting the elapsed time since the start of the previous foreign object detection cycle.

84. The method of claim 80 or 81, wherein, The method further includes triggering at least one of the foreign object detection cycles in response to detecting a predetermined increase in power supplied by the wireless charging device since the previous foreign object detection cycle.

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