Systems, apparatuses, and methods for wireless transmission of power

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for wireless transmission of power are provided. An apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a transmitter layer, a sensor layer disposed on the transmitter layer, and a cover disposed on the sensor layer. With these systems, apparatuses, and methods, power can be effectively and efficiently wirelessly transmitted.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 18 / 778,894, filed July 19, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 613,157, filed December 21, 2023. Both applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to systems, apparatus, and methods for wirelessly transmitting power in a cost-effective and convenient manner. Background Technology

[0003] Power can be wirelessly transmitted from a power transmitting device (also referred to in the art as a wireless charger or charging station) to a power receiving device (also referred to in the art as a portable device). For example, portable devices (e.g., mobile phones, portable media players, electronic watches, tablets, laptops, portable medical devices, portable power tools, portable home appliances, portable batteries, electric vehicles, robots, drones, etc.) can be charged via magnetic induction between the transmitter coil of the wireless charger and the receiver coil of the portable device.

[0004] Typically, a power transmitter detects a power receiver by sending probe pulses. More specifically, the power transmitter continuously or periodically sends analog probe pulse signals to the power receiver via a wireless interface. Once the power receiver receives the analog probe pulse signal, it responds to the power transmitter via the wireless interface. When the power receiver responds, the power transmitter recognizes the presence of the power receiver and begins transmitting power to it. However, power loss occurs during the detection of the power receiver.

[0005] There is still a need for new systems, devices, and methods for wirelessly transmitting power in a cost-effective and convenient manner. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides an electric transmitting device, which includes a cover layer, a sensor layer, and a transmitter layer.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for wirelessly transmitting power, the system comprising a power receiving device and the aforementioned power transmitting device for wirelessly transmitting power to the power receiving device.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for wirelessly charging one or more power receiving devices. The method includes the following steps: (a) allowing one or more users to place one or more power receiving devices on a power transmitting device; (b) allowing sensors on the power transmitting device to convert mechanical pressure generated by the power receiving devices into one or more electrical signals; (d) scanning the corresponding locations of the sensors by sending analog probe pulse signals; (e) determining whether the power transmitting device receives one or more responses from the one or more power receiving devices within a predetermined time period; and (f) in response to determining that the power transmitting device has received one or more responses from the power receiving devices within the predetermined time period, transmitting power to the power receiving devices.

[0009] Other aspects and features of the above embodiments and other embodiments will be described in more detail below. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1A and Figure 1B The structural relationship between a wireless power receiving device and a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 An example of a cover layer of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0012] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The structural relationship between the tiles, sensor, and transmitter coil of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0013] Figure 4A An example of a cover layer for a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein square indicator tiles are provided. Figure 4B An example of a cover layer and sensor layer for a wireless power transmitter is shown, where square indicators indicate tiles, gray-shaded squares indicate tiles where foreign objects are placed, and triangles indicate sensors. Figure 4C An example of a wireless power transmitter's cover layer and transmitter coil is shown, where circles indicate transmitter coils, and gray-shaded circles indicate transmitter coils corresponding to tiles on which objects are placed. Figure 4D An example of a wireless power transmitter's cover layer and transmitter coil is shown, where circles indicate transmitter coils and gray-shaded circles indicate transmitter coils that have received a response from a receiver.

[0014] Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 6A and Figure 6BThis is a cross-sectional view of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 The layout of the transmitter coil of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the control circuit of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 9 This is an experimental result demonstrating how a disc-shaped piezoelectric sensor responds to external forces.

[0018] Figure 10A and Figure 10B These are experimental results demonstrating how a disc-shaped piezoelectric material responds to a telephone call and to typing on a keyboard.

[0019] Figure 11 The layout of the transmitter coil of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted.

[0020] Figure 12 The layout of the transmitter coil of a wireless power transmitting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is depicted.

[0021] Figure 13A and Figure 13B This is a top view of the transmitter coil of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a piezoelectric sensor and a magnet are provided.

[0023] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for wirelessly transmitting power according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] 1. Systems and devices refer to Figure 1A According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless power transmission system includes a power receiving device (or receiver) 7A and a power transmitting device 7B. The power transmitting device 7B includes one or more cover plates 1, one or more sensors 2, and one or more transmitters 3. The cover plates 1, sensors 2, and transmitters 3 can be disposed in one or more layers. For example, the cover plates 1, sensors 2, and transmitters 3 can be disposed in three separate layers (i.e., a cover plate layer, a sensor layer, and a transmitter layer). Additionally, for example, as... Figure 1BAs shown, sensor 2 and transmitter 3 can be integrated into a single layer 5, and cover plate 1 can be disposed in a separate layer 4. Furthermore, for example, cover plate 1, sensor 2, and transmitter 3 can be integrated into a single layer. One or more additional layers 6 can be disposed in desired locations to provide support and / or improve performance, and / or provide other functions. For example, one or more additional layers 6 can be disposed between the sensor layer and the transmitter layer, and one or more additional layers 6 can include, but are not limited to, printed circuit boards, magnetic sheets, insulators, rubber, plastic sheets, etc. The size, shape, and / or order of the cover plate layer, sensor layer, transmitter layer, and additional layers can be adjusted according to design needs and / or requirements. For example, the sensor layer can be positioned below the transmitter layer.

[0025] The transmitter layer may suitably include electrical components required for wireless power transmission and transmitter control, such as transmitter coils, DC / AC converters and AC / DC converters, microcontrollers and microprocessors, and other necessary electrical components. The transmitter layer may suitably include magnetic shielding that enhances the magnetic coupling between the power transmitting and receiving devices and reduces electromagnetic radiation from the power transmitting device.

[0026] The sensor layer can appropriately function to convert physical parameters (e.g., mechanical stress) into electrical charges. Any type of sensor can be used, as long as it can convert physical parameters into electrical charges. Examples of sensors may include, but are not limited to, rod-shaped piezoelectric sensor 12A and disk-shaped piezoelectric sensor 12B, as shown in Figure 3.

[0027] The cover plate layer can appropriately protect sensor 2 from excessive stress. Optional supports can be provided to increase the stability of the cover plate layer and / or enhance mechanical stress caused by foreign objects. Furthermore, the cover plate layer can appropriately serve as an index, which the power transmitting device can use to locate the power receiving device. More specifically, as... Figure 2 Figure 3 and Figure 4A As shown, the cover layer can be segmented using multiple tiles 9, 11, 14, and 15, and each tile 9, 11, 14, and 15 can be assigned a unique ID (e.g., A1, A2, A3, ..., D3, D4, and D5). The unique IDs can be stored in an appropriate manner (e.g., as a vector or matrix). The resulting tile index can be used by the power transmitter to locate the power receiver. The tile index shown above is for illustrative purposes only and can be adjusted according to design needs and / or requirements. Sensors 2 and 18 and transmitter coils 13 and 20 can be indexed in the same or similar manner. The tile index, sensor index, and transmitter coil index can be appropriately designed to cover the entire charging surface. The size, shape, and number of the indexes can be adjusted according to design needs and / or requirements.

[0028] In some embodiments, the tiles 9 can be designed to fit together without gaps. In some other embodiments, at least some of the tiles 9 can be designed to overlap to improve the detection capability of the sensor 2. The size, material, and shape of the tiles 9 can be adjusted according to design needs and / or requirements. For example, as Figure 2 As shown in Figure 3, the tile 9 can be triangular, rectangular, or hexagonal.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C , Figure 4D As shown, one or more tiles can be suitably designed to correspond to one or more sensors and / or one or more transmitter coils. For example, in some embodiments, a single tile 11 can be designed to be dedicated to a single power transmitter coil 10 and a single sensor 12A, 12B. In some other embodiments, single tiles 14, 15 can be designed to be shared by multiple power transmitter coils 13, 20 and multiple sensors 12A, 12B, 18. Although not shown in the figures, two or more tiles can be designed to be dedicated to one or more sensors and / or one or more transmitter coils, or shared by two or more sensors and / or two or more transmitter coils. However, the configuration of tiles, sensors, and transmitter coils should not be limited to those shown above and can be modified in many other ways as needed and / or required.

[0030] When one or more power receiving devices (or receivers) 16 and objects 17 are placed on the surface of a power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the invention, the one or more receivers and / or objects can be positioned within one or more tiles. The receivers and objects generate mechanical stress 8 and apply it to one or more tiles 9, 15 of the cover layer of the power transmitting device. The one or more tiles 9, 15 then experience changes in mechanical pressure and transmit this mechanical pressure to sensors 2, 18. For example, as... Figure 4AAs shown, when one receiver 16 is placed on four tiles A1, A2, B1, and B2, two receivers 16 are placed on a single tile C4, and a foreign object 17 is placed on tile C2, the mechanical energy generated by the three receivers 16 and the foreign object 17 on tiles A1, A2, B1, B2, C2, and C4 is transferred to sensors 2 and 18. The mechanical pressure is converted into a signal in the form of an electrical potential by sensor 19. These signals are processed to filter out noise. The processed signals can then be used to signal the microcontroller and / or microprocessor 44 to initiate a detection pulse transmission process 21 at or near the location where the mechanical stress is applied. If no response is detected from the object, the object is classified as a foreign object 17. If a response is detected from the object, the object is classified as a receiver 16, and the transmitter or transmitter coil 22 that received the response will be used to transmit power to the receiver in an optimal manner.

[0031] Figure 5A This is a cross-sectional view of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. An upper recess 23 is provided below the tile 24, and a lower recess 25 extends through the magnetic shield 26. A metal element 27 is electrically connected to both ends of a rod-shaped piezoelectric sensor 28. A wire 29 is connected to the metal element 27 through the upper and lower recesses, respectively. A power transmitter coil 30 is arranged to surround the sensor 28. Figure 5B This is a cross-sectional view of a wireless power transmitting device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an optional support member 31 is provided to protect the sensor and enhance the signal quality of the sensor. Preferably, when selecting the optional support member, the magnetic permeability of the electromagnetic field should be considered to allow for the proper functioning of the power transmitting device. Figure 5B For demonstration purposes only, and optional supports may be installed in any suitable location as required by design and / or requirements.

[0032] Figure 6A This is a cross-sectional view of a wireless power transmitting device according to another embodiment of the present invention. An upper recess 41 is provided below the cover plate layer 40. A power transmitter coil 37 is disposed on the transmitter layer 32. A lower recess 33 is provided above or above an optional support member 36. The optional support member 36 may be disposed between the lower recess 33 and the power transmitter coil 37 for greater stability. A disc-shaped piezoelectric sensor 34 is held in place by the upper recess 41 and the lower recess 33. A metal plate 35 is electrically connected to the sensor 34. A wire 39 is connected to the sensor 34 and the metal plate 35. A magnetic shield 38 is disposed below the transmitter coil 37. Figure 6B This is a cross-sectional view of a wireless power transmitting device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, additional support members 42 are provided to enhance the signal quality of the sensor. The electromagnetic conductivity should be considered when selecting the materials for these additional support members to ensure proper operation of the power transmitting device. Figure 6B For illustrative purposes only, and optional supports may be installed in any suitable location as required by design and / or requirements.

[0033] When an object comes into contact with the surfaces of cover plates 24 and 40, its weight induces mechanical stress on piezoelectric sensors 28 and 34. This mechanical stress is converted into a signal by the potential change across the piezoelectric sensors 28 and 34. The microprocessor and / or microcontroller then receives and processes the signal via wires 29 and 39. The transmitter coil begins scanning the corresponding area of ​​the approximate location of the object with analog probe pulse signals. If the object is a power receiver, the power transmitter will transmit power to the object via magnetic coupling. If the object is not a power receiver, the transmitter coil will stop transmitting analog probe pulses until the next potential change is detected.

[0034] Figure 7 The illustration shows the layout of the transmitter coils of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein one or more power transmitter coils 43 are arranged to cover a given surface area with maximum uniformity. To achieve positional freedom of the power receiving device, a single electromagnetic field (EMF), or all EMF emitted from one or more power transmitter coils 43, should cover all or substantially all of the surface of the cover layer of the power transmitting device. A single power transmitter coil can be used if it can generate an EMF to cover the entire surface. Alternatively, multiple power transmitter coils can be used if they together can generate an EMF covering the entire surface. As described above, the position, shape, and geometry of the power transmitter coils can be modified to better suit design needs or requirements. In some embodiments, multilayer coils can be used to achieve this uniform EMF coverage.

[0035] Figure 8This is a diagram illustrating the control circuitry of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. For a rod-shaped piezoelectric sensor, the mechanical stress induced on the sensor is converted into an electric potential by the piezoelectric material 49 and can be observed as a voltage between the metal plates 48. For a disc-shaped piezoelectric sensor, the mechanical stress is converted into a signal by the potential change recorded between the piezoelectric material 49 and the metal plates 48. The signal transmitted via the wire 50 is processed by, but not limited to, filtering, amplification, and sampling 46. This process is simplified to operational amplifiers 45, 46. Once the processed signal reaches the microcontroller and / or microprocessor 44, the microcontroller and / or microprocessor 44 determines the transmitter coil 47 corresponding to a reference identifier of a tile in the cover layer and initiates the transmission of a probe pulse for each transmitter coil. The microcontroller and / or microprocessor 44 waits for a response from the power receiving device to the probe pulse. If one or more power transmitter coils detect a response from the power receiving device, the microcontroller and / or microprocessor 44 initiates power transmission through the transmitter coil closest to the receiver. If one or more power transmitter coils do not detect a response from the power receiving device, the one or more power transmitter coils will be de-energized until the microcontroller and / or microprocessor 44 receives another signal. In some cases, multiple tiles can transmit such signals. In this case, multiple signals can be simultaneously input to the microcontroller and / or microprocessor 44 via operational amplifier 45.

[0036] When mechanical pressure is applied to a piezoelectric material, the electrical charges within the material become unbalanced. This imbalance generates a measurable electric potential. This potential is measured by striking the piezoelectric disc four times consecutively with a hammer. Figure 9 As shown, a distinct pulse signal exceeding 20 volts was observed. Another observation is that each pulse lasts approximately 25 milliseconds. Figure 10A The voltage response of the piezoelectric material is shown when a telephone is placed on top of it. Figure 10B This illustrates the voltage response of a piezoelectric material when typing is performed on a keyboard while it is placed on top of the material. Unlike... Figure 9 The hammering response shown Figure 10B The noise generated when typing on a keyboard, the peak voltage generated when a telephone is placed on it (approximately 4 volts), and the presence of residual pulses that decay exponentially. Importantly, the power transmitter can filter out these differences to determine whether an object is stationary or not on the wireless power transmitter.

[0037] Figure 11 and Figure 12An example layout of the transmitter coil of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein transmitter coils 52 and 53 of different sizes are disposed between the cover plate and the sensor layer 51 and the transmitter layer 54. Different power receiving devices require different power inputs. For example, a personal computer requires much higher power inputs than a mobile phone. To meet different power input requirements, the power transmitter coil of the power transmitting device can be designed to have different magnetic fluxes by employing different numbers of coil turns, different surface areas, different polarities, different coil arrangement sequences, different coil sizes, etc.

[0038] Figure 13A and Figure 13B This is a top view of the transmitter coil of a wireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The larger coil 55 can be used to charge power receiving devices that require relatively high input power, such as personal computers and monitors. The smaller coil 56 can be used to charge power receiving devices that require relatively low input power.

[0039] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of an electric transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. At the top of the electric transmitting device is a tile 57 made of wood, plastic, glass, or any rigid material required or required by the support design. In this embodiment, the tile has a protruding end held by a cavity 58. This protruding end is used to conduct and concentrate the mechanical stress induced on the tile 57 onto the piezoelectric material of the sensor 59. The tile 57 is also locked in place by a tile clamp 60 on a support 61. The support may be made of hard rubber or other materials with sufficient flexibility and rigidity to allow the tile 57 and the sensor 59 to be securely attached. Further, the support 61 has a raised surface 62 to prevent the tile 57 from excessively bending due to excessive mechanical stress. It is important to note that the raised surface 62 has sufficient displacement 63 to prevent attenuation of the mechanical stress induced on the tile 57. A transmitter coil 64 is located below the optional support 61, and a wire 65 connecting the transmitter coil 64 to the transmitter layer 66 penetrates a magnetic shield 67.

[0040] Using the system and apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, wireless charging can be performed in a cost-effective and convenient manner. Compared with conventional systems and apparatuses, the system and apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention can charge the power receiving device with reduced power loss during idle periods.

[0041] 2. Methods Figure 15This is a flowchart illustrating a method for wirelessly transmitting power according to an embodiment of the present invention. When an object is placed on a tile "X" of the cover layer of the power transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention (S68), the sensors [sX1, sX2, ..., sXn] corresponding to the tile "X" convert mechanical stress into signals that can be processed by the power transmitting device (S69). These signals are then processed by the power transmitting device (S70) to filter out mechanical stresses not caused by the object (e.g., typing on a keyboard, writing, mouse clicks, noise, etc.). It is determined whether the processed signal is below a set threshold (S71). If it is determined that the processed signal is below the set threshold, the power transmitting device identifies the mechanical stress as a non-receiver and returns to an idle state (S72, S79) until the next mechanical stress detection occurs. If the processed signal is determined to be equal to or higher than a set threshold, the power transmitter will identify the mechanical stress as an "object" present on tile "X" and initiate a scanning protocol by sending a probe pulse to the object through the transmitter coils [tX1, tX2, ..., tXn] corresponding to the processed signal (steps S73, S74). It is then determined whether the power transmitter receives any response from the power receiver (S75). If it is determined that the power transmitter does not receive any response from the power receiver, the power transmitter will return to an idle state until the next mechanical stress detection occurs (S76, S79). If it is determined that the power transmitter receives a response from the power receiver through one of the transmitter coils, such as "tXn", the power transmitter will begin transmitting power to the power receiver through the power transmitter coil "tXn" (S77, S78). After initiating power transmission between the power receiver and the power transmitter, the power transmitter will monitor the power until the user completes or stops the power transmission. Once the power transmission is complete, the power transmitter will return to an idle state until the next mechanical stress detection occurs (S79). If the sensor does not detect any mechanical stress induced on the tile, a timer (S81) can be used to scan all transmitters at a given frequency (S82). This frequency can be set to any frequency determined by the designer. Multiple timers can exist for different purposes. For example, but not limited to, a timer for daytime and a timer for nighttime, or a timer based on previous detection of objects.

[0042] The inventors acknowledge that these methods can vary depending on the wireless charging standard. In any case, a similar approach of using mechanical sensors to scan a localized area of ​​the power receiving device to conserve standby power can be applied to any magnetic induction technology.

Claims

1. A system for wirelessly transmitting power, comprising: (a) Receiver; as well as (b) A power transmitting device for wirelessly transmitting power to the receiver, wherein the power transmitting device comprises: (i) Emitter layer; (ii) a sensor layer disposed above or above the transmitter layer; and (iii) A cover layer disposed above or on the sensor layer.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmitter layer includes a transmitting device and a magnetic shield.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmitter layer also includes a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor layer includes a piezoelectric sensor.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover plate layer is divided into sections using multiple tiles.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tiles have been indexed.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power transmitting device also includes at least one optional support for supporting the power transmitting device.

8. A power transmitting device for wirelessly transmitting power to a power receiving device, the power transmitting device comprising: (i) Emitter layer; (ii) A sensor layer disposed above or above the transmitter layer; as well as (iii) A cover layer disposed above or on the sensor layer.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The transmitter layer includes a transmitting device and a magnetic shield.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The transmitter layer also includes a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sensor layer includes a piezoelectric sensor.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cover plate layer is divided into sections using multiple tiles.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The tiles have been indexed.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an optional support layer to support the apparatus.

15. A method for wirelessly charging one or more power receiving devices, the method comprising the steps of: (a) Allowing one or more users to place one or more power receiving devices on the surface of the power transmitting device; (b) Allows the sensors of the power transmitting device to convert mechanical pressure generated by the one or more power receiving devices into one or more electrical signals; (d) Scan the corresponding position of the sensor by sending analog probe pulse signals; (e) Determine whether the power transmitting device receives one or more responses from the one or more power receiving devices within a predetermined time period; as well as (f) In response to determining that the power transmitting device has received one or more responses from the one or more power receiving devices within the predetermined time period, power is transmitted to the one or more power receiving devices.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: (g) Allow the timer to periodically scan the power transmitting device in response to the failure to detect the mechanical pressure.

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