Wireless charging system and wireless charging device

Abstract

To provide a wireless charging system capable of reducing at least one of defects in the conventional art.SOLUTION: A wireless charging system contains a wireless charging device 1 and an underwater movement device 2 that are adopted so as to execute a charging in an environment of an underwater. The wireless charging device 1 is constructed so as to magnetically attract the underwater movement device 2 and holds them at a charging position, and contains a wireless transmission unit 12 that is arranged in an inner part. The underwater movement device 2 is arranged in the inner part, and the underwater movement device 2 contains a wireless reception unit 22 positionally corresponded to the wireless transmission unit 12 when it is held by a charging device. When the underwater movement device 2 is at the charging position, the wireless reception unit 22 and the wireless transmission unit 12 are positioned each other, and the wireless charging device 1 controls the wireless transmission unit 12, and transmits a power to the wireless reception unit 22 in wireless, and the underwater movement device 2 is charged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless charging system, in particular to a wireless charging system for an underwater environment. The present invention further relates to a wireless charging device for an underwater environment. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional wireless charging systems for underwater vehicles require the underwater vehicle to be held precisely in a specific charging position of the conventional wireless charging system for optimal charging efficiency. Even slight deviation of the underwater vehicle from the specific charging position may result in reduced charging efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-225272 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless charging system and a wireless charging device thereof that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the present invention, a wireless charging system includes a wireless charging device and an underwater mobile device adapted to perform charging in an underwater environment.

[0006] The wireless charging device includes a waterproof housing adapted to be mounted on a wall in an underwater environment and including a first contact wall, a wireless transmitting unit disposed inside the waterproof housing, a first magnetic component disposed inside the first contact wall, and a proximity sensor disposed inside the first contact wall. The wireless transmitting unit includes a wireless transmitter disposed inside the first contact wall and proximate to the first magnetic component and the proximity sensor, and a first controller configured to receive power from an external power source and electrically connected to the wireless transmitter and the proximity sensor.

[0007] The underwater mobile device includes a waterproof shell including a second contact wall corresponding in shape to the first contact wall, a wireless receiving unit disposed inside the waterproof shell, a second magnetic part disposed inside the second contact wall, and a positioning part disposed inside the second contact wall and detectable by a proximity sensor. The first magnetic part and the second magnetic part are configured to attract each other. The wireless receiving unit includes a wireless receiver disposed inside the second contact wall and proximate to the second magnetic part and the positioning part, a second controller electrically connected to the wireless receiver, and a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the second controller.

[0008] When the second contact wall of the underwater mobile device approaches the first contact wall of the wireless charging device, the second magnetic part and the first magnetic part magnetically attract each other, and the second contact wall is held and positioned against the first contact wall by the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part, the wireless receiver and the wireless transmitter are aligned with each other, and the proximity sensor and the positioning part are aligned with each other, so that the proximity sensor detects the positioning part. The proximity sensor is configured to transmit a charging signal to the first controller when it detects the positioning part, and the first controller is configured to continuously send power from an external power source to the wireless transmitter when it receives the charging signal from the proximity sensor, and the wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly send power to the wireless receiver based on the power. The wireless receiver is configured to generate power based on the power from the wireless transmitter and output the power to the second controller, and the second controller is configured to charge the rechargeable battery using the power from the wireless receiver.

[0009] According to the present invention, a wireless charging device is configured for use in an underwater environment and for wirelessly charging an underwater mobile device in the underwater environment.

[0010] The wireless charging device is adapted to be attached to a wall in an underwater environment and includes a waterproof housing including a contact wall, a wireless transmitting unit disposed inside the waterproof housing, a magnetic component disposed inside the contact wall, and a proximity sensor disposed inside the contact wall. The wireless transmitting unit includes a wireless transmitter disposed inside the contact wall, and a controller configured to receive power from an external power source and electrically connected to the wireless transmitter and the proximity sensor.

[0011] When the underwater mobility device approaches the contact wall of the waterproof housing and the underwater mobility device is magnetically attracted to and held by the magnetic component, the proximity sensor detects the underwater mobility device. The proximity sensor is configured to transmit a charging signal to the controller upon detecting the underwater mobility device, and the controller is configured to continuously transmit power received from an external power source to the wireless transmitter upon receiving the charging signal from the proximity sensor, and the wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit power to the underwater mobility device based on the power to charge the underwater mobility device. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the first magnetic part and the proximity sensor are arranged adjacent to the wireless transmitter of the wireless charging device, and the second magnetic part and the positioning part are arranged adjacent to the wireless receiver of the underwater moving device. When the second magnetic part is magnetically attracted by the first magnetic part, the underwater moving device is stably held on the wireless charging device without shifting from the charging position, and the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are tightly aligned. Thus, the proximity sensor detects the positioning part and transmits a charging signal to the first controller, and the first controller continuously transmits the power received from the external power source to the wireless transmitter, and the wireless transmitter wirelessly transmits the power to the wireless receiver based on the power to charge the underwater moving device.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an underwater vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an underwater mobile device held by a wireless charging device for wireless charging; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a wireless charging device and an external power source electrically connected to the wireless charging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Before describing the present invention in more detail, it should be noted that, where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements which may have similar characteristics.

[0016] 1 to 3, a wireless charging system adapted to perform charging in an underwater environment is shown. The underwater environment may be, but is not limited to, a pool, an aquarium, a body of water, etc. The wireless charging system includes a wireless charging device 1 and an underwater moving device 2. In this embodiment, the underwater moving device 2 is, but is not limited to, a robotic fish.

[0017] The wireless charging device 1 is configured to be used in an underwater environment and to wirelessly charge an underwater mobile device 2 in the underwater environment. The wireless charging device 1 includes a waterproof housing 11, a wireless transmitting unit 12, a first magnetic part 13, and a proximity sensor 14. The waterproof housing 11 includes a mounting wall 110 adapted to be mounted on a wall (not shown) in the underwater environment, and a first contact wall 111 located opposite the mounting wall 110. The first magnetic part 13 and the proximity sensor 14 are disposed on the inner side of the first contact wall 111 (i.e., the side facing the inside of the waterproof housing 11), and the proximity sensor 14 is disposed adjacent to the first magnetic part 13.

[0018] The wireless transmission unit 12 is disposed inside the waterproof housing 11 and includes a wireless transmitter 121 and a first controller 122. The wireless transmitter 121 is disposed inside the first contact wall 111 and is adjacent to the first magnetic part 13 and the proximity sensor 14. The first controller 122 is electrically connected to the wireless transmitter 121, the proximity sensor 14, and an external power source 3 (see FIG. 4), and receives power from the external power source 3. For example, the external power source 3 is a battery, a wall outlet that provides commercial power, etc. In this embodiment, the first magnetic part 13 includes, but is not limited to, two first permanent magnets 131, 132 that are evenly arranged around the wireless transmitter 121. The wireless transmitter 121 includes a transmitter coil.

[0019] The underwater mobile device 2 includes a waterproof shell 21, a wireless receiving unit 22, a second magnetic part 23, and a positioning part 24. The waterproof shell 21 includes a second contact wall 211 that corresponds in shape to the first contact wall 111. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the outer shape of the first contact wall 111 matches the outer shape of the second contact wall 211, so that the second contact wall 211 matches the first contact wall 111. The second magnetic part 23 and the positioning part 24 are disposed on the inner side of the second contact wall 211 (i.e., the side facing the inside of the waterproof shell 21). The first magnetic part 13 and the second magnetic part 23 are configured to attract each other. The positioning part 24 is detectable by the proximity sensor 14.

[0020] The wireless receiving unit 22 is disposed inside the waterproof shell 21, and includes a wireless receiver 221, a second controller 222, and a rechargeable battery 223. The wireless receiver 221 is disposed inside the second contact wall 211, and is adjacent to the second magnetic part 23 and the positioning part 24. The second controller 222 is electrically connected to the wireless receiver 221, and the rechargeable battery 223 is electrically connected to the second controller 222. In this embodiment, the second magnetic part 23 includes two second permanent magnets 231, 232 that are evenly disposed around the wireless receiver 221 and positionally correspond to the first permanent magnets 131, 132, as shown in FIG. 3. The wireless receiver 221 includes a receiver coil, and positionally corresponds to the wireless transmitter 121, as shown in FIG. 3. The positioning part 24 may be, but is not limited to, a metal plate (in this case, the proximity sensor 14 is a magnetic proximity sensor that can detect a metal plate).

[0021] The underwater moving device 2 further includes a movement unit 25 electrically connected to the second controller 222. The movement unit 25 is configured to be controlled by the second controller 222 to drive and operate a swimming mechanism (not shown) of the underwater moving device 2, such that the underwater moving device 2 is driven to move in an underwater environment. For example, the movement unit 25 may include a motor, a gear set, etc., and the swimming mechanism may be a fin or a tail of a robotic fish.

[0022] In this embodiment, when the second controller 222 determines based on the current power level of the rechargeable battery 223 that the rechargeable battery 223 needs charging, the second controller 222 controls the moving unit 25 to drive the underwater moving device 2 to rise to the water surface, obtains the distance from the underwater moving device 2 to the wireless charging device 1 using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, and controls the moving unit 25 to drive the underwater moving device 2 forward. The second controller 222 continuously obtains the distance to the wireless charging device 1 and determines whether the distance increases or decreases over time, thereby determining whether the underwater moving device 2 is approaching or moving away from the wireless charging device 1. When the second controller 222 determines that the underwater moving device 2 is moving away from the wireless charging device 1 (i.e., the distance to the wireless charging device 1 is increasing), the second controller 222 further controls the moving unit 25 to drive the underwater moving device 2 to turn left until it determines that the underwater moving device 2 is approaching the wireless charging device 1 (i.e., the distance to the wireless charging device 1 is decreasing). When it is determined that the underwater mobile device 2 is approaching the wireless charging device 1, the second controller 222 further controls the movement unit 25 to drive the underwater mobile device 2 to turn right and approach a wall in the underwater environment, and drive the underwater mobile device 2 to move along the wall, so that the underwater mobile device 2 gradually approaches the wireless charging device 1. In some embodiments, the second controller 222 may include a battery checker that can measure a current power level of the rechargeable battery 223.

[0023] When the second contact wall 211 is sufficiently close to the first contact wall 111, the second magnetic part and the first magnetic part 13 attract each other, and the magnetic attraction force between the second magnetic part 23 and the first magnetic part 13 is greater than the propulsive force of the swimming mechanism of the underwater moving device 2, the second permanent magnets 231, 232 are magnetically attracted by the first permanent magnets 131, 132, so that the second contact wall 211 is driven to gradually approach the first contact wall 111 until the second permanent magnets 231, 232 are held by the first permanent magnets 131, 132, respectively. Thus, the second contact wall 211 is positioned and held relative to the first contact wall 111 (i.e., the underwater moving device 2 is held in the charging position), and the wireless receiver 221 on the second contact wall 211 is aligned with the wireless transmitter 121 on the first contact wall 111. In this embodiment, when the underwater mobile device 2 is held in the waterproof housing 11 by the magnetic attraction force between the second magnetic part 23 and the first magnetic part 13, the distance between the wireless receiver 221 and the wireless transmitter 121 is 5 to 10 millimeters.

[0024] When the second contact wall 211 is held and positioned relative to the first contact wall 111, the proximity sensor 14 and the positioning part 24 are aligned with each other, so that the proximity sensor 14 detects the positioning part 24. When the proximity sensor 14 detects the positioning part 24, it transmits a charging signal to the first controller 122, and when the first controller 122 receives the charging signal from the proximity sensor 14, it continuously transmits the power received from the external power source 3 to the wireless transmitter 121, and the wireless transmitter 121 wirelessly transmits the power to the wireless receiver 221 based on the power. Therefore, the wireless receiver 221 can generate power based on the power from the wireless transmitter 121 and output the power to the second controller 222, and the second controller 222 can charge the rechargeable battery 223 using the power from the wireless receiver 221.

[0025] Upon receiving power from the wireless receiver 221, the second controller 222 controls the moving unit 25 to stop operating so that the underwater moving device 2 does not move while the rechargeable battery 223 is being charged. When the second controller 222 determines that the rechargeable battery 223 is fully charged based on the current power level of the rechargeable battery 223, the second controller 222 controls the moving unit 25 to operate quickly, so that the propulsive force of the swimming mechanism of the underwater moving device 2 becomes greater than the magnetic attraction force between the second magnetic part 23 and the first magnetic part 13, the underwater moving device 2 is driven to move away from the wireless charging device 1 (the second contact wall 211 moves away from the first contact wall 111), the second magnetic part 23 is pulled away from the first magnetic part 13, and the second magnetic part 23 and the first magnetic part 13 are no longer attracted to each other. Therefore, the proximity sensor 14 cannot detect the positioning part 24. When the proximity sensor 14 is no longer able to detect the underwater mobility device 2, it sends a stop signal to the first controller 122, and upon receiving the stop signal, the first controller 122 stops sending the power received from the external power source 3 to the wireless transmitter 121.

[0026] In some embodiments, the waterproof shell 21 of the underwater moving device 2 may further include a third contact wall 212 located on the opposite side of the second contact wall 211 and symmetrical to the second contact wall 211, and the underwater moving device 2 may further include an additional second magnetic part, an additional wireless receiver, and an additional positioning part disposed inside the third contact wall 212 of the waterproof shell 21. The additional second magnetic part, the additional wireless receiver, and the additional positioning part are identical to the second magnetic part 23, the wireless receiver 221, and the positioning part 24, respectively. In this case, the underwater moving device 2 is held and charged by the wireless charging device via either the second contact wall 211 or the third contact wall 212.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first magnetic part 13 may be a circular or semicircular permanent magnet surrounding the wireless transmitter 121, and the second magnetic part 23 may be a circular or semicircular permanent magnet surrounding the wireless receiver 221.

[0028] In some embodiments, the underwater mobile device 2 may be manually moved by a user towards the wireless charging device 1 for charging, and the underwater mobile device 2 does not need to be configured to be able to approach the wireless charging device 1 by its own swimming mechanism for charging.

[0029] In summary, according to the present invention, the first magnetic part 13 and the proximity sensor 14 are arranged adjacent to the wireless transmitter 121 of the wireless charging device 1, and the second magnetic part 23 and the positioning part 24 are arranged adjacent to the wireless receiver 221 of the underwater moving device 2, and positionally correspond to the first magnetic part 13 and the proximity sensor 14 respectively. When the second magnetic part 23 is magnetically attracted and held by the first magnetic part 13, the underwater moving device 2 is stably held on the wireless charging device 1 without shifting from the charging position, and the wireless transmitter 121 and the wireless receiver 221 are tightly aligned. Thus, the proximity sensor 14 detects the positioning part 24 and transmits a charging signal to the first controller 122, and the first controller 122 continuously transmits the power received from the external power source 3 to the wireless transmitter 121, and the wireless transmitter 121 wirelessly transmits the power to the wireless receiver 221 based on the power to charge the underwater moving device 2.

[0030] In the above description, for the purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments may be implemented without the specific details. In addition, in the description of "one embodiment" or "one embodiment" in this specification, it should be understood that all descriptions accompanied by ordinal numbers or other indications may be included in the specific implementation of the present invention having specific aspects, structures, and features. Furthermore, in this specification, multiple variations are sometimes incorporated into one embodiment, drawing, or description thereof, but this is for the purpose of streamlining the specification and for the purpose of understanding the multiple aspects of the present invention, and one or more features or specific examples in one embodiment may be implemented together with one or more features or specific examples in other embodiments, where appropriate, in the implementation of the present invention.

[0031] Although the embodiments and modified examples of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and is intended to encompass all modifications and equivalent configurations as various configurations falling within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 Wireless charging device 11 Waterproof housing 110 Mounting wall 111 First Contact Wall 12 Wireless transmitting unit 121 Wireless Transmitter 122 First Controller 13 First magnetic part 131 First permanent magnet 132 First permanent magnet 14 Proximity Sensor 2 Underwater mobility device 21 Waterproof Shell 211 Second Contact Wall 22 Wireless receiving unit 221 Wireless Receiver 222 Second Controller 223 Rechargeable Battery 23 Second magnetic part 231 Second permanent magnet 232 Second permanent magnet 24 Positioning parts 25 Mobile Units 3 External power supply

Claims

1. A wireless charging system adapted to perform charging in an underwater environment, the wireless charging system including a wireless charging device and an underwater mobile device, The wireless charging device includes: a waterproof housing adapted to be attached to a wall in the underwater environment and including a first contact wall; a wireless transmitting unit disposed inside the waterproof housing; a first magnetic component disposed inside the first contact wall; and a proximity sensor disposed inside the first contact wall; the wireless transmission unit includes: a wireless transmitter disposed inside the first contact wall and proximate to the first magnetic component and the proximity sensor; and a first controller configured to receive power from an external power source and electrically connected to the wireless transmitter and the proximity sensor; The underwater vehicle comprises: a waterproof shell including a second contact wall that corresponds in shape to the first contact wall; a wireless receiving unit disposed inside the waterproof shell; a second magnetic component disposed inside the second contact wall; and a positioning component disposed inside the second contact wall and detectable by the proximity sensor; the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are configured to attract each other; the wireless receiving unit includes a wireless receiver disposed inside the second contact wall and proximate to the second magnetic component and the positioning component, a second controller electrically connected to the wireless receiver, and a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the second controller; when the second contact wall of the underwater mobile device approaches the first contact wall of the wireless charging device, the second magnetic part and the first magnetic part magnetically attract each other, and the second contact wall is held and positioned against the first contact wall by the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part, the wireless receiver and the wireless transmitter are aligned with each other, and the proximity sensor and the positioning part are aligned with each other, so that the proximity sensor detects the positioning part; the proximity sensor is configured to transmit a charging signal to the first controller upon detecting the positioning component, the first controller is configured to continuously transmit the power from the external power source to the wireless transmitter upon receiving the charging signal from the proximity sensor, and the wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit power to the wireless receiver based on the power; the wireless receiver is configured to generate power based on the power from the wireless transmitter and output the power to the second controller, the second controller being configured to charge the rechargeable battery using power from the wireless receiver. Wireless charging system.

2. when the second contact wall of the underwater mobile device is separated from the first contact wall of the wireless charging device and the second magnetic part and the first magnetic part are no longer attracted to each other, the proximity sensor is no longer able to detect the positioning part; the proximity sensor is configured to send a stop signal to the first controller when the positioning component cannot be detected; the first controller is configured to stop transmitting the power received from the external power source to the wireless transmitter upon receiving the stop signal. The wireless charging system of claim 1 .

3. the first magnetic component includes two first permanent magnets evenly spaced around the wireless transmitter; the second magnetic component includes two second permanent magnets evenly spaced around the wireless receiver; The second contact wall is configured to be magnetically attracted by the first permanent magnet when the second contact wall is in close proximity to the first contact wall, such that the second contact wall is driven to gradually approach the first contact wall until the second permanent magnets are respectively held by the first permanent magnets. The wireless charging system of claim 1 .

4. the underwater vehicle further comprising a movement unit configured to be controlled by the second controller; The second controller is controlling the mobility unit to drive the underwater mobility device closer to the wireless charging device when it is determined that the rechargeable battery requires charging based on a current power level of the rechargeable battery; When it is determined that the underwater mobile device is approaching the wireless charging device, driving the underwater mobile device to move along the wall in the underwater environment so as to approach the wireless charging device; and upon receiving the power from the wireless receiver, controlling the mobile unit to stop operation such that the underwater mobile device does not move while the rechargeable battery is being charged. The wireless charging system of claim 1 .

5. 5. The wireless charging system of claim 4, wherein the second controller is further configured to control the mobile unit to operate quickly when the rechargeable battery is determined to be fully charged based on the current power level of the rechargeable battery, such that the underwater mobile device is driven away from the wireless charging device and the second magnetic component is pulled away from the first magnetic component.

6. 2. The wireless charging system of claim 1, wherein when the second magnetic part and the first magnetic part are magnetically attracted to each other and the underwater mobile device is held in the waterproof housing, a distance between the wireless receiver and the wireless transmitter is 5 to 10 millimeters.

7. 1. A wireless charging device configured for use in an underwater environment and for wirelessly charging an underwater mobility device in the underwater environment, comprising: a waterproof housing adapted for attachment to a wall in the underwater environment, the waterproof housing including a contact wall; a wireless transmitting unit disposed within the waterproof housing; a magnetic component disposed inside the contact wall; a proximity sensor disposed inside the contact wall; the wireless transmission unit includes a wireless transmitter disposed inside the contact wall; and a controller configured to receive power from an external power source and electrically connected to the wireless transmitter and the proximity sensor; when the underwater mobile device approaches the contact wall of the waterproof housing and the underwater mobile device is magnetically attracted to and held by the magnetic component, the proximity sensor detects the underwater mobile device; the proximity sensor is configured to transmit a charging signal to the controller when it detects the underwater mobility device, the controller is configured to continuously transmit power received from an external power source to the wireless transmitter when it receives the charging signal from the proximity sensor, and the wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit power to the underwater mobility device based on the power to charge the underwater mobility device. Wireless charging device.

8. When the underwater mobile device is separated from the contact wall of the wireless charging device, the proximity sensor cannot detect the underwater mobile device; the proximity sensor is configured to send a stop signal to the controller when the proximity sensor is no longer able to detect the underwater vehicle; the controller is configured to stop transmitting the power received from the external power source to the wireless transmitter upon receiving the stop signal. The wireless charging device according to claim 7.

9. The wireless charging device of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic component includes two permanent magnets evenly spaced around the wireless transmitter.

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