Ring Device

Abstract

A ring-type device (101) comprises a wireless power reception circuit, a radio communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure (1). The wireless power reception circuit is composed of a power reception circuit and a loop coil. The radio communication circuit is a circuit that operates using the loop coil as an antenna. The power reception circuit and the radio communication circuit are composed of electronic components and a flexible circuit board on which the electronic components are mounted. The ring-shaped structure (1) has a ring side surface (1S), a ring upper surface (1T), and a ring lower surface (1B). The loop coil is formed in a position along the ring upper surface (1T). The flexible circuit board is a planar structure when deployed, and is disposed on and curves along the ring side surface (1S) of the ring-shaped structure (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ring-type device that performs wireless communication and wireless power reception. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, various ring-shaped wireless communication devices that can be worn on the finger have been devised, some of which include antenna coils for short-range wireless communication and wireless power receiving functions.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a ring-shaped wireless communication device in which a near field communication (NFC) antenna is surrounded by a conductive band. Patent Document 2 discloses a ring-shaped antenna device in which a power supply coil is formed along the side of the ring structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-184764 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-148452 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Since ring-type wireless communication devices are worn on the finger, it is desirable for them to be small, and it is also desirable for the antenna coil to be small. However, if the antenna coil is made small, the characteristics of the short-range wireless communication function and wireless power receiving function will be degraded.

[0006] Whether the antenna coil is placed on a portion of the side of the ring structure or is wound around the ring structure, the coil occupies a large amount of space within the ring structure, so making the ring thinner reduces the size of the antenna coil, which degrades the wireless communication characteristics and wireless power receiving characteristics. Therefore, in either case, it is difficult to make the ring thinner.

[0007] Furthermore, if the electronic component mounting circuit including the power receiving circuit and communication circuit and the antenna coil are formed with different structures or materials, a connector or other device is required to electrically connect them. However, connectors and other devices hinder the miniaturization and thinning of devices. Furthermore, electrical connections are prone to breakage and failure, which can significantly reduce the reliability of the device.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ring-type device that is small, has excellent performance in wireless communication and wireless power reception, and has improved reliability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (a) An example ring-shaped device according to the present disclosure includes: a wireless power receiving circuit, a wireless communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure; the wireless power receiving circuit is composed of a power receiving circuit and a loop coil, the wireless communication circuit is a circuit that operates using the loop coil as an antenna, the power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are configured by electronic components and a flexible circuit board on which the electronic components are mounted, the ring-shaped structure has a ring side surface, a ring upper surface, and a ring lower surface; The loop coil is formed at a position along the upper surface of the ring, the flexible circuit board has a planar structure in an unfolded state and is curved and disposed along a ring side surface of the ring-shaped structure; A current flowing through the loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces of the ring.

[0010] (b) An example ring-shaped device according to the present disclosure includes: a wireless power receiving circuit, a wireless communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure; the wireless power receiving circuit is composed of a power receiving circuit and a loop coil, the wireless communication circuit is a circuit that operates using the loop coil as an antenna, the power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are configured in electronic components and a flexible circuit board on which the electronic components are mounted, the ring-shaped structure has a ring side surface, a ring upper surface, and a ring lower surface; the loop coil is formed along the side surface of the ring, the flexible circuit board has a planar structure in an unfolded state and is curved and disposed along a side surface of the ring; When the loop coil facing the external power transmission coil is projected onto a plane passing through the center of gravity of the ring-shaped structure, the length of the loop coil in a direction along the upper surface or the lower surface of the ring is equal to or greater than the ring height between the upper surface and the lower surface of the ring and is equal to or less than √3 times the radius of the ring-shaped structure. A current flowing through the loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the side surface of the ring.

[0011] (c) An example ring-shaped device according to the present disclosure includes: a wireless power receiving circuit, a wireless communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure; the wireless power receiving circuit is composed of a power receiving circuit and a loop coil, the wireless communication circuit is a circuit that operates using a communication loop coil as an antenna, the power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are configured in electronic components and a flexible circuit board on which the electronic components are mounted, the ring-shaped structure has a ring side surface, a ring upper surface, and a ring lower surface; The loop coil is formed on the upper surface of the ring, the communication loop coil is formed on the lower surface of the ring, the flexible circuit board has a planar structure in an unfolded state and is curved and disposed along a ring side surface of the ring-shaped structure; The current flowing through the loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces of the ring, and the current flowing through the communication loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces of the ring.

[0012] (d) An example ring-shaped device according to the present disclosure includes: a wireless power receiving circuit, a wireless communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure; the wireless power receiving circuit is composed of a power receiving circuit and a first loop coil, the wireless communication circuit is a circuit that operates using a second loop coil as an antenna, the power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are configured in electronic components and a flexible circuit board on which the electronic components are mounted, the ring-shaped structure has a ring side surface, a ring upper surface, and a ring lower surface; the first loop coil is formed at a position along a side surface of the ring, the second loop coil is formed on the upper surface of the ring; the flexible circuit board has a planar structure in an unfolded state and is curved and disposed along a side surface of the ring; a length of the first loop coil facing the external power transmitting coil, when projected onto a plane passing through the center of gravity of the ring-shaped structure, in a direction along the upper surface or the lower surface of the ring, that is equal to or greater than a ring height between the upper surface and the lower surface of the ring, and is equal to or less than √3 times the radius of the ring-shaped structure; The current flowing through the first loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the side surface of the ring, and the current flowing through the second loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the top surface and bottom surface of the ring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, a ring-shaped device can be obtained that is small, has excellent performance in wireless communication and wireless power reception, and has improved reliability while achieving a thinner and smaller connection between the electronic component mounting circuit and the loop coil. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a ring-shaped device 101 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the ring-shaped device 101 at a predetermined height position. [Figure 2] Fig. 2(A) is a plan view of the unfolded flexible circuit board provided inside the ring-shaped device 101. Fig. 2(B) is a cross-sectional view of the BB portion in Fig. 2(A). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ring-type device 101, the reader / writer 40 used therewith, and the wireless power supply device 50. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of how the ring-shaped device 101 is used with the reader / writer 40. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part, showing an example of using the ring-shaped device 101 with the wireless power supply apparatus 50. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of how the ring-shaped device 101 is used with the wireless power supply apparatus 50. In FIG. [Figure 7] Fig. 7(A) is a plan view of a flexible circuit board provided inside a ring-shaped device according to a second embodiment in an unfolded state, and Fig. 7(B) is a cross-sectional view of part BB in Fig. 7(A). [Figure 8] FIG. 8(A) is a perspective view of the ring-shaped device 102, and FIG. 8(B) is a plan view showing the region where the loop coil of the ring-shaped device 102 is formed. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a ring-shaped device 102 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a ring-shaped device 103 according to the third embodiment, illustrating an example of use of the ring-shaped device 103 with respect to a wireless power supply apparatus 50. In FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a flexible circuit board provided inside a ring-shaped device according to a fourth embodiment in an unfolded state. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a ring-shaped device 104 according to the fourth embodiment, and a reader / writer 40 and a wireless power supply apparatus 50 used together therewith. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a flexible circuit board provided inside a ring-shaped device according to a fifth embodiment in an unfolded state. [Figure 14] FIG. 14(A) is a perspective view of a ring-shaped device 106 according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 14(B) is a front view of the ring-shaped device 106. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15(A) is a perspective view of a ring-shaped device 107A according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 15(B) is a perspective view of a ring-shaped device 107B. [Figure 16] 16(A) and 16(B) are exploded cross-sectional views showing the structure of a flexible circuit board. [Figure 17] 17(A) and 17(B) are diagrams showing the electrical characteristics of the flexible circuit board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, several specific examples will be given with reference to the drawings to illustrate several embodiments for carrying out the present invention. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts in each drawing. For the sake of convenience, the embodiments are shown divided into several embodiments, taking into account ease of explanation and understanding of the main points, but partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. From the second embodiment onwards, a description of matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences will be described. In particular, similar effects resulting from similar configurations will not be mentioned in each embodiment.

[0016] First Embodiment FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a ring-shaped device 101 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the ring-shaped device 101 at a predetermined height position.

[0017] The ring-shaped device 101 includes a ring-shaped structure 1 having a ring side surface 1S, a ring top surface 1T, and a ring bottom surface 1B. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the ring-shaped structure 1 is provided with a flexible circuit board 10 that is curved and disposed along the ring side surface 1S.

[0018] FIG. 2(A) is a plan view of a flexible circuit board in an unfolded state provided inside a ring-shaped device 101. FIG. 2(B) is a cross-sectional view of portion BB in FIG. 2(A). The flexible circuit board 10 is composed of a rectangular portion 10R and an annular portion 10C. A loop coil 11 is formed in the annular portion 10C of the flexible circuit board 10. A power receiving circuit and a wireless communication circuit are provided in the rectangular portion 10R of the flexible circuit board 10. Multiple electronic components 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E are mounted on the rectangular portion 10R of the flexible circuit board 10. The wireless power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are composed of electronic components 12A to 12E and the flexible circuit board 10. As a result, the power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are arranged along the circumferential surface of the ring-shaped structure 1.

[0019] With the flexible circuit board 10 attached to the ring-shaped structure 1, a current flowing through the loop coil 11 generates a magnetic flux in a direction perpendicular to the ring upper surface 1T and the ring lower surface 1B.

[0020] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a ring-shaped device 101, and the reader / writer 40 and wireless power feeder 50 used therewith. The ring-shaped device 101 is a device that receives power wirelessly from the wireless power feeder 50 and also communicates with the reader / writer 40 in a contactless manner. The wireless power feeder 50 includes a wireless power transmitting coil 51 and a wireless power feed circuit 52. The reader / writer 40 includes a reader / writer antenna 41 and a reader / writer circuit 42.

[0021] The ring-shaped device 101 includes a loop coil 11, a rectifier circuit 22, a voltage conversion circuit 23, a charging circuit 24, and a power storage device 30. The rectifier circuit 22 and the voltage conversion circuit 23 form a power receiving circuit 21. The loop coil 11 and the power receiving circuit 21 form a wireless power receiving circuit 20.

[0022] The ring device 101 includes an NFC communication circuit 12, an electronic function circuit 16, and a voltage conversion circuit 15. The ring device 101 further includes a proximity detection circuit , a charging circuit control unit 25, and a power supply control circuit .

[0023] The proximity detection circuit 26 detects the proximity state of the ring-shaped device 101 to the wireless power feeder 50 based on the output voltage of the rectifier circuit 22, and outputs a detection signal to the charging circuit control unit 25 and the power supply control circuit 14.

[0024] The charging circuit control unit 25 controls the charging circuit 24 after a certain time has elapsed since the proximity detection circuit 26 detected the “proximity state” or based on a notification signal from the electronic function circuit 16 .

[0025] The power supply control circuit 14 controls the power supply from the power storage device 30 to the electronic function circuit 16 based on the detection result of the proximity detection circuit 26. In other words, the power supply control circuit 14 enables the voltage conversion operation of the voltage conversion circuit 15 based on the "proximity state" detection signal of the proximity detection circuit 26. This causes the electronic function circuit 16 to perform a predetermined operation.

[0026] The voltage conversion circuit 15 converts the voltage of the power storage device 30 into a predetermined voltage and supplies it to the electronic function circuit 16 as a power supply voltage.

[0027] 4 is a diagram showing an example of how the ring device 101 is used with respect to the reader / writer 40. When the ring device 101 is worn on a user's finger, the ring device 101 is close to the reader / writer 40 so that the loop coil 11 of the ring device 101 faces the reader / writer 40 and is substantially parallel to it. Moreover, the distance between the loop coil 11 and the reader / writer antenna 41 is effectively reduced. In this state, the reader / writer antenna 41 and the loop coil 11 of the reader / writer 40 shown in FIG. 3 are magnetically coupled, and the NFC communication circuit 12 communicates wirelessly with the reader / writer circuit 42.

[0028] When the loop coil 11 is positioned closer to the ring top surface 1T shown in FIG. 1(A), the indicator (mark) 1M shown in FIG. 4 indicates the direction of the ring top surface 1T. The user uses the device so that this indicator 1M faces the reader / writer 40. As a result, the ring top surface 1T faces the reader / writer 40, and the distance between the loop coil 11 and the reader / writer 40 becomes narrower.

[0029] When using the device in a state where the distance between the loop coil 11 and the reader / writer 40 is not too narrow, the indicator (mark) 1M shown in Figure 4 indicates the direction of the ring underside 1B, and the user may use the device so that this indicator 1M faces the reader / writer 40.

[0030] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part, showing an example of how the ring-shaped device 101 is used with respect to the wireless power feeder 50. In this example, the ring-shaped device 101 is placed alone on the wireless power feeder 50. In this state, the loop coil 11 of the ring-shaped device 101 faces the wireless power transmitting coil 51 of the wireless power feeder 50 in a substantially parallel manner. Moreover, the loop coil 11 and the wireless power transmitting coil 51 are close to each other at the shortest distance. In this state, the wireless power transmitting coil 51 and the loop coil 11 of the wireless power feeder 50 shown in FIG. 3 are magnetically coupled, and the power receiving circuit 21 receives power wirelessly from the wireless power feeder circuit 52.

[0031] 5, the ring-shaped device 101 is placed on the wireless power feeder 50 so that the upper surface of the ring on which the loop coil 11 is formed (the upper surface 1T of the ring shown in FIG. 1(A)) is in contact with the upper surface of the wireless power feeder 50 (so that the indicator (mark) 1M indicating the formation direction of the loop coil 11 is in contact with the upper surface of the wireless power feeder 50), and therefore the loop coil 11 and the wireless power transmitting coil 51 are close to each other at the shortest distance. If the loop coil 11 and the wireless power transmitting coil 51 are used in a state where the gap between them is not too narrow, the ring-shaped device 101 may be placed on the wireless power feeder 50 so that the lower surface of the ring (the lower surface 1B of the ring shown in FIG. 1(A)) is in contact with the upper surface of the wireless power feeder 50.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of how the ring-shaped device 101 is used in relation to the wireless power feeder 50. In this example, the wireless power feeder 50 is ring-shaped and is worn on a user's finger. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the wireless power feeder 50 and the ring-shaped device 101 are worn on the same finger (one finger). In this state, the loop coil 11 of the ring-shaped device 101 faces and is approximately parallel to the wireless power transmitting coil 51 of the wireless power feeder 50. Moreover, the loop coil 11 and the wireless power transmitting coil 51 are close to each other at the shortest distance. In this state, the wireless power transmitting coil 51 and the loop coil 11 of the wireless power feeder 50 shown in FIG. 3 are magnetically coupled, and the power receiving circuit 21 receives power wirelessly from the wireless power feed circuit 52.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the ring-shaped device 101 and the wireless power feeder 50 are attached to the finger so that the loop coil 11 of the ring-shaped device 101 and the wireless power transmission coil 51 of the wireless power feeder 50 are closest to each other. However, when used in a state where the distance between the loop coil 11 and the wireless power transmission coil 51 is not too narrow, the ring underside of the ring-shaped device 101 (the ring underside 1B shown in FIG. 1(A)) may be attached to the base of the finger.

[0034] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, a ring-shaped device in which a loop coil is formed along the side surface of the ring will be exemplified.

[0035] Fig. 7(A) is a plan view of a flexible circuit board provided inside a ring-shaped device according to a second embodiment in an unfolded state. Fig. 7(B) is a cross-sectional view of part BB in Fig. 7(A). Fig. 8(A) is a perspective view of a ring-shaped device 102 according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 8(B) is a plan view showing the region where the loop coil of the ring-shaped device 102 is formed.

[0036] Similar to the example shown in the first embodiment, this ring-shaped device 102 comprises a ring-shaped structure having a ring side surface 1S, a ring top surface 1T, and a ring bottom surface 1B. This ring-shaped structure is provided with a flexible circuit board 10 arranged along the ring side surface. A rectangular helical loop coil 11 is formed on this flexible circuit board 10.

[0037] With this structure, a current flowing through the loop coil 11 generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the ring side surface 1S.

[0038] The loop coil 11 of the ring-shaped device of this embodiment is magnetically coupled to the wireless power transmitting coil 51 of the wireless power feeder 50 shown in Fig. 3. The loop coil 11 is also magnetically coupled to the reader / writer antenna 41 of the reader / writer 40 shown in Fig. 3.

[0039] The ring-shaped device of this embodiment is magnetically coupled through magnetic flux perpendicular to the ring side surface of the ring structure, so the ring-shaped device 102 is placed so that the ring side surface faces the wireless power transmitting coil 51 or the reader / writer antenna 41.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), the ring-shaped structure 1 has a ring side surface 1S, a ring top surface 1T, and a ring bottom surface 1B, and the loop coil 11 is formed along the ring side surface 1S.

[0041] In FIG. 8B, magnetic flux φ represents a part of the magnetic flux that couples the loop coil 11 with an external wireless power transmission coil or reader / writer antenna.

[0042] Here, if the ring height between the ring upper surface 1T and the ring lower surface 1B is represented by h and the radius of the ring-shaped structure 1 (the radius from the center of gravity G to the loop coil 11) is represented by r, then: In the projection outline of the wireless power transmission coil or the reader / writer antenna and the loop coil 11 facing the loop coil 11 onto a plane S passing through the center of gravity G of the ring-shaped structure 1, the length x in the direction along the ring upper surface 1T or the ring lower surface 1B has the following relationship:

[0043] h≦x≦√3r Therefore, the angle θ when x=√3r shown in FIG. 8(B) is 120°.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a ring-shaped device 102 according to a second embodiment. The flexible circuit board 10 is a laminate of resin layers 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d and conductor layers. The conductor layers form connection electrodes for electronic components 12C, 12D, and 12E, a loop coil 11, wiring, and the like. The laminate also includes a first region A1 that forms the loop coil 11, a second region A2 that mounts electronic components 12C, 12D, and 12E, and another region A3. The number of resin layers and conductor layers in the first region A1 is greater than the number of resin layers and conductor layers in the second region A2. This allows for a larger number of turns of the loop coil 11 and a thinner mounting area for electronic components 12C, 12D, and 12E. In other words, a ring-shaped device 102 can be configured that is thin overall yet has a loop coil with a large number of turns.

[0045] The structure and electrical characteristics of the flexible circuit board of this embodiment are described below. FIGS. 16A and 16B are exploded cross-sectional views showing the structure of the flexible circuit board. In the flexible circuit board shown in FIG. 16A, resin layers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e, such as liquid crystal polymer, are bonded to copper foils 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e, respectively, to form a sheet. The copper foils are then patterned into a predetermined pattern, and the entire sheet is laminated and heated to form the flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board shown in FIG. 16B is manufactured by the following procedure: (1) A resin layer 8a, such as polyimide, is bonded to copper foil 9a; the resin layer 8b is bonded to copper foil 9b; the resin layer 8c is bonded to copper foils 9c and 9d; the resin layer 8d is bonded to copper foil 9e; and the resin layer 8e is bonded to copper foil 9f, and the copper foils are then patterned into a predetermined pattern. (2) Adhesive layers 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are formed on each sheet. (3) A sheet made of resin layer 8c and copper foils 9c, 9d is used as a core substrate, and a sheet made of resin layer 8b and copper foil 9b and a sheet made of resin layer 8d and copper foil 9e are laminated to this core substrate using adhesive layers, and then pressure and heat are applied to form a laminate of the core portion. (4) A sheet made of resin layer 8a and copper foil 9a and a sheet made of resin layer 8e and copper foil 9f are laminated to the laminate of the core portion using adhesive layers, and then pressure and heat are applied. This forms a flexible circuit board.

[0046] The flexible circuit board shown in Figure 16(A) is characterized by the fact that the required number of sheets made of resin and copper foil bonded together are prepared and pressed together to form a single unit, and that no adhesive layer is required to bond the sheets together. This flexible circuit board is characterized by its smaller relative permittivity (εr), electrostatic dissipation factor (tanδ), and water absorption rate than the resin materials used for conventional resin boards (such as glass epoxy boards and polyimide flexible circuit boards).

[0047] Figures 17(A) and 17(B) are diagrams showing the electrical characteristics of a flexible circuit board. Figure 17(A) shows the frequency characteristics of insertion loss of a transmission line formed on a flexible circuit board. In Figure 17(A), characteristic line M shows the frequency characteristics of insertion loss of a transmission line formed on a flexible circuit board with the structure shown in Figure 16(A), and characteristic line F shows the frequency characteristics of insertion loss of a transmission line formed on a flexible circuit board with the structure shown in Figure 16(B).

[0048] In this way, the flexible circuit board shown in FIG. 16(A) has small loss in the high frequency range, and therefore can reduce the insertion loss of high frequency signals.

[0049] Fig. 17(B) shows the degradation characteristics of the frequency characteristics of insertion loss due to high temperature and high humidity for a transmission line formed on a flexible circuit board. In Fig. 17(B), characteristic line M represents the characteristics of a transmission line formed on a flexible circuit board with the structure shown in Fig. 16(A), and characteristic line F represents the characteristics of a transmission line formed on a flexible circuit board with the structure shown in Fig. 16(B).

[0050] In this way, the flexible circuit board shown in Figure 16(A) uses a resin material with low water and moisture absorption rate, and does not require an adhesive layer to bond the layers together, so it is possible to realize a highly reliable product with high water and sweat resistance.

[0051] Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, a ring-shaped device including a magnetic sheet arranged along a loop coil will be exemplified.

[0052] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a ring-shaped device 103 according to the third embodiment, illustrating an example of how the ring-shaped device 103 is used in relation to a wireless power supply apparatus 50. In this example, a circular magnetic sheet 2 is provided along the loop coil 11. With this structure, a predetermined inductance can be obtained even with a small number of turns in the loop coil 11. In addition, the magnetic coupling coefficient between the loop coil 11 and the wireless power transmission coil 51 is increased.

[0053] In the example shown in Figure 10, the loop coil 11 is placed between the magnetic sheet 2 and the wireless power transmission coil 51, but the magnetic sheet 2 may also be placed in a relationship where the magnetic sheet 2 is placed between the loop coil 11 and the wireless power transmission coil 51.

[0054] Furthermore, Figure 10 shows an example in which the loop coil 11 is formed on a surface facing the upper surface of the wireless power supply device 50, but if the loop coil 11 is formed in a position along the ring side surface 1S as shown in Figure 7, a magnetic sheet may be placed along the loop coil 11.

[0055] Fourth Embodiment In the fourth embodiment, a ring-shaped device including a first loop coil and a second loop coil will be exemplified.

[0056] 11 is a plan view of a flexible circuit board in an unfolded state provided inside a ring-shaped device according to a fourth embodiment. The flexible circuit board 10 is composed of a rectangular portion 10R and two annular portions 10CA and 10CB. A first loop coil 11A is formed in the annular portion 10CA of the flexible circuit board 10, and a second loop coil 11B is formed in the annular portion 10CB. A power receiving circuit and a wireless communication circuit are provided in the rectangular portion 10R of the flexible circuit board 10. Multiple electronic components 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E are mounted on the rectangular portion 10R of the flexible circuit board 10. The wireless power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are formed by the electronic components 12A to 12E and the flexible circuit board 10.

[0057] The configuration of the ring-shaped structure is as shown in Fig. 1(A) in the first embodiment, whereby the power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are arranged along the circumferential surface of the ring-shaped structure.

[0058] With the flexible circuit board 10 attached to the ring-shaped structure, a current flowing through the first loop coil 11A generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the ring upper surface 1T and the ring lower surface 1B. Similarly, a current flowing through the second loop coil 11B generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the ring upper surface 1T and the ring lower surface 1B.

[0059] 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a ring-shaped device 104 according to this embodiment, and the reader / writer 40 and wireless power feeder 50 used therewith. The ring-shaped device 104 is a device that receives power wirelessly from the wireless power feeder 50 and also communicates with the reader / writer 40 in a contactless manner. The wireless power feeder 50 includes a wireless power transmitting coil 51 and a wireless power feed circuit 52. The reader / writer 40 includes a reader / writer antenna 41 and a reader / writer circuit 42.

[0060] The ring-shaped device 104 includes a first loop coil 11A, a second loop coil 11B, a rectifier circuit 22, a voltage conversion circuit 23, a charging circuit 24, and a power storage device 30. The rectifier circuit 22 and the voltage conversion circuit 23 form a power receiving circuit 21. The first loop coil 11A and the power receiving circuit 21 form a wireless power receiving circuit 20.

[0061] The ring-shaped device 104 includes an NFC communication circuit 12, an electronic function circuit 16, and a voltage conversion circuit 15. The NFC communication circuit 12 is a circuit that operates using the second loop coil 11B as an antenna. The other configurations are the same as those of the ring-shaped device 101 shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.

[0062] As shown in this embodiment, the loop coil for wireless power reception and the loop coil serving as an antenna for wireless communication may be separate. Alternatively, the loop coil may be formed using both the upper and lower ring surfaces of the ring structure.

[0063] Fifth Embodiment In the fifth embodiment, a ring-shaped device including a first loop coil and a second loop coil, the first loop coil and the second loop coil having different configurations, will be exemplified.

[0064] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a flexible circuit board in an unfolded state provided inside a ring-shaped device according to a fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the flexible circuit board 10 is composed of a rectangular portion 10R and an annular portion 10C. A first loop coil 11A is formed in the annular portion 10C of the flexible circuit board 10. A second loop coil 11B having a rectangular spiral shape is formed in the rectangular portion 10R. A power receiving circuit and a wireless communication circuit are provided in the rectangular portion 10R of the flexible circuit board 10. Multiple electronic components 12C, 12D, and 12E are mounted on the rectangular portion 10R of the flexible circuit board 10. The wireless power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are composed of the electronic components 12C, 12D, and 12E and the flexible circuit board 10. As a result, the power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are arranged along the circumferential surface of the ring-shaped structure 1.

[0065] Other configurations are as shown in the first and fourth embodiments, etc. In this way, the first loop coil for wireless power reception may be formed on the top surface of the ring, and the second loop coil as an antenna for wireless communication may be formed in a position along the side surface of the ring.

[0066] Similarly, a first loop coil for wireless power reception may be formed along the side surface of the ring, and a second loop coil as an antenna for wireless communication may be formed on the top surface of the ring.

[0067] Sixth Embodiment In the sixth embodiment, a ring-shaped device including a conductive ring-shaped structure will be exemplified.

[0068] Fig. 14(A) is a perspective view of a ring-shaped device 106 according to a sixth embodiment, and Fig. 14(B) is a front view of the ring-shaped device 106. The ring-shaped structure 1 of this ring-shaped device 106 is made of a ring-shaped metal except for the flexible circuit board. A slit 1SL that serves as a void is formed in this ring-shaped metal. Therefore, the ring-shaped metal is electrically open-loop due to the slits 1SL, 1SL.

[0069] A loop coil 11 formed on the annular portion of the flexible circuit board is disposed on the ring upper surface 1T.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the current induced by the magnetic flux passing through the coil opening of the loop coil 11 does not circulate around the ring-shaped metal, and suppression of the induced magnetic field can be avoided.

[0071] Seventh Embodiment In the seventh embodiment, a ring-shaped device having an indicator portion for indicating the direction in which the loop coil is formed is illustrated. In the first embodiment, an example in which an indicator portion (mark) 1M for indicating the direction in which the loop coil is formed is formed is shown in FIG. 4, but in the seventh embodiment, a further different example is illustrated.

[0072] 15(A), an indicator 1M is formed which indicates the direction in which the loop coil is formed by color. That is, the loop coil is formed on the ring top surface 1T side of the ring-shaped structure 1, and the color of this ring top surface 1T is different from the colors of the ring bottom surface 1B and the ring side surface 1S.

[0073] The indicator 1M allows the formation surface of the loop coil in the ring device to be easily seen, so that the loop coil of the ring device 107A can be properly oriented toward the coil of the other party for power reception or communication.

[0074] 15(B), an indicator (mark) 1M is formed to indicate the direction in which the loop coil is formed by color. That is, an indicator (mark) 1M is formed on the ring side surface 1S of the ring-shaped structure 1 to indicate the region in which the loop coil is formed.

[0075] In this way, the indicator 1M makes it easy to see the area where the loop coil is formed in the ring device, so that the loop coil of the ring device 107B can be properly oriented toward the coil of the other party for power reception or communication.

[0076] Finally, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications and variations. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-described embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention includes modifications and variations from the embodiments within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] A1…First area A2…Second area A3: Other areas G...Center of gravity S…Plane 1...Ring-shaped structure 1B...Underside of ring 1S...Side of the ring 1T...Top of ring 1M…Instruction section 2...Magnetic sheet 7a,7b,7c,7d…adhesive layer 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e...resin layer 9a,9b,9c,9d,9e,9f...Copper foil 10...Flexible circuit board 10a,10b,10c,10d,10e...resin layer 10C, 10CA, 10CB...Circular section 10R…Rectangular part 11...Loop coil 11A...First loop coil 11B...Second loop coil 12...NFC communication circuit (wireless communication circuit) 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E...Electronic components 14...Power supply control circuit 15...Voltage conversion circuit 16...Electronic functional circuits 20...Wireless power receiving circuit 21... Power receiving circuit 22... Rectifier circuit 23...Voltage conversion circuit 24…Charging circuit 25...Charging circuit control section 26...Proximity detection circuit 30...Electricity storage device 40...Reader / writer 41...Reader / writer antenna 42...Reader / writer circuit 50...Wireless power supply device 51...Wireless power transmission coil 52...Wireless power supply circuit 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107A, 107B...Ring type device

Claims

1. a wireless power receiving circuit, a wireless communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure; the wireless power receiving circuit is composed of a power receiving circuit and a loop coil, the wireless communication circuit is a circuit that operates using the loop coil as an antenna, the wireless power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are configured by electronic components and a flexible circuit board on which the electronic components are mounted, the ring-shaped structure has a ring side surface, a ring upper surface, and a ring lower surface; The loop coil is formed at a position along the upper surface of the ring, the flexible circuit board has a planar structure in an unfolded state and is curved and disposed along a ring side surface of the ring-shaped structure; A current flowing through the loop coil generates a magnetic flux in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface and the lower surface of the ring. Ring device.

2. The loop coil is formed on the flexible circuit board, and the flexible circuit board is bent so that the loop coil is arranged along the upper surface of the ring. The ring-shaped device according to claim 1 .

3. the loop coils are formed at positions along the upper surface of the ring and at positions along the lower surface of the ring, The ring-shaped device according to claim 1 .

4. the loop coil is formed on the flexible circuit board, and the flexible circuit board is bent so that the loop coil is disposed along each of the upper surface and the lower surface of the ring. The ring-shaped device according to claim 3 .

5. a wireless power receiving circuit, a wireless communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure; the wireless power receiving circuit is composed of a power receiving circuit and a loop coil, the wireless communication circuit is a circuit that operates using the loop coil as an antenna, the wireless power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are configured on an electronic component and a flexible circuit board on which the electronic component is mounted; the ring-shaped structure has a ring side surface, a ring upper surface, and a ring lower surface; the loop coil is formed on the flexible circuit board along a side surface of the ring and adjacent to the electronic component; the flexible circuit board has a planar structure in an unfolded state and is curved and disposed along a side surface of the ring; When the loop coil facing the external power transmission coil is projected onto a plane passing through the center of gravity of the ring-shaped structure, the length of the loop coil in a direction along the upper surface or the lower surface of the ring is equal to or greater than the ring height between the upper surface and the lower surface of the ring, is equal to or less than one-third of the length of 360 degrees of the circumference of the ring-shaped structure, and is equal to or less than √3 times the radius. A magnetic flux is generated perpendicular to the side surface of the ring by a current flowing through the loop coil. Ring device.

6. the flexible circuit board is a multilayer laminate of a resin layer and a conductor layer, and the multilayer laminate comprises at least a first region that constitutes the loop coil and a second region that mounts the electronic component; the first region has a larger number of laminated resin layers and conductive layers than the second region, and the first region and the second region are electrically connected to each other; The ring-shaped device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The loop coil is sheet-shaped and includes a magnetic sheet disposed along the loop coil. The ring-shaped device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The ring-shaped structure is sized to be worn on a user's finger and includes an indicator that indicates the direction in which the loop coil is formed. The ring-shaped device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. 6. The ring-shaped device according to claim 2, 4 or 5, wherein the ring-shaped structure is made of metal, and a slit serving as a void is provided on a side surface of the ring.

10. a wireless power receiving circuit, a wireless communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure; the wireless power receiving circuit is composed of a power receiving circuit and a loop coil, the wireless communication circuit is a circuit that operates using a communication loop coil as an antenna, the wireless power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are configured on an electronic component and a flexible circuit board on which the electronic component is mounted; the ring-shaped structure has a ring side surface, a ring upper surface, and a ring lower surface; The loop coil is formed on the upper surface of the ring, the communication loop coil is formed on the lower surface of the ring, the flexible circuit board has a planar structure in an unfolded state and is curved and disposed along a ring side surface of the ring-shaped structure; a current flowing through the loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the upper surface and the lower surface of the ring, and a current flowing through the communication loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the upper surface and the lower surface of the ring; Ring device.

11. a wireless power receiving circuit, a wireless communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure; the wireless power receiving circuit is composed of a power receiving circuit and a first loop coil, the wireless communication circuit is a circuit that operates using a second loop coil as an antenna, the wireless power receiving circuit and the wireless communication circuit are configured on an electronic component and a flexible circuit board on which the electronic component is mounted; the ring-shaped structure has a ring side surface, a ring upper surface, and a ring lower surface; the first loop coil is formed at a position along a side surface of the ring, the second loop coil is formed on the upper surface of the ring; the flexible circuit board has a planar structure in an unfolded state and is curved and disposed along a side surface of the ring; a length of the first loop coil facing the external power transmitting coil in a direction along the upper surface or the lower surface of the ring, when projected onto a plane passing through the center of gravity of the ring-shaped structure, that is equal to or greater than a ring height between the upper surface and the lower surface of the ring, and that is equal to or less than √3 times the radius of the ring-shaped structure; A current flowing through the first loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the side surface of the ring, and a current flowing through the second loop coil generates a magnetic flux perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces of the ring. Ring device.

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