Wireless charging device and wireless charging system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wireless charging device and, more specifically, to a charging device for charging a device including an optical charging unit for charging a power supply unit by using electricity generated by photovoltaic power generation by absorbing light, the wireless charging device including: a plurality of light sources for emitting light toward an upper portion; a plurality of sensors for sensing a position where the device is placed; and a control unit which may determine the position where the device is placed through the sensing of the sensors and selectively turn on a light source located in a lower portion of the device. The present invention is advantageous in that after a plurality of light sources are arranged, the light sources are selectively turned on only at a position where a device to be charged is placed, and thus there is no requirement for the device to be accurately arranged at a specific position for charging, thereby improving user convenience and improving space utilization of a desk or a table on which the wireless charging device is installed.

Description

Wireless charging device and wireless charging system

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless charging device and a wireless charging system, and more particularly, to a wireless charging device and a wireless charging system that perform wireless charging through photovoltaic power generation.

[0002]

[0003] The use of smart devices such as smartphones and tablets has been increasing recently, as has the use of wearable smart devices such as smartwatches. Most of these smart devices have their own power supply, typically powered by rechargeable secondary batteries.

[0004] With the advancement of secondary battery technology, the amount of charge has increased significantly compared to the size of the secondary battery, but not only is the size of smart devices getting smaller, but as the area of ​​use of smart devices increases, the electricity consumption also increases, and the cycle of charging smart devices is getting shorter.

[0005] Traditionally, wired charging has been the method of recharging the power supply of these smart devices. However, as the charging cycles of smart devices become shorter, the inconvenience of wired charging is increasing. Consequently, demand for wireless charging, which eliminates the need for a cable, is growing.

[0006] In order to perform wireless charging, the device to be charged must be equipped with wireless charging capabilities, such as a wireless power receiving module, and a charging device equipped with a wireless power transmitting module that supplies power to the wireless power receiving module of the device is required. This wireless charging is classified into magnetic induction and magnetic resonance methods, and depending on the method of detecting the approach of the wireless power receiving module to the wireless power transmitting module, it is classified into PMA and Qi methods. Although standardization of wireless charging methods is being carried out, various methods are still in use together. At this time, if the method of the wireless power receiving module of the device and the method of the wireless power transmitting module of the charging device do not match, a problem may occur in which wireless charging cannot be performed. Charging devices that can simultaneously apply various wireless charging methods are being developed, but the disadvantage is that the device costs are high.

[0007] Additionally, because the current wireless charging method causes problems with heat generation from the device and charger, technology for heat dissipation is being developed. (Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-1629653)

[0008] Furthermore, since charging may not occur or charging efficiency may be extremely low if the device is not precisely positioned in a specific location on the charging device, a technology for adjusting the position of the device is being developed. (Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-1489743)

[0009]

[0010] The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the above-mentioned prior art and to provide a new type of wireless charging device and wireless charging system.

[0011]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a wireless charging device for charging a device including a photovoltaic charging unit that absorbs light and charges a power supply unit using electricity generated by photovoltaic power generation, the device comprising: a plurality of light sources that irradiate light upward; a plurality of sensors for detecting a position where the device is placed; and a control unit that determines a position where the device is placed through detection by the sensors and selectively turns on a light source located below the device.

[0013] The above sensor may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a light sensor, a motion sensor, and a pressure sensor that detects an object.

[0014] The above sensor may detect NFC or RFID installed in the device.

[0015] The above light source may be at least one selected from the group consisting of an LED lamp, an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) lamp, and a fluorescent lamp.

[0016] A wireless charging system according to another form of the present invention is characterized by comprising a device connection device including a photovoltaic unit that absorbs light to generate electricity through photovoltaic power generation, and a device connection unit that transmits the electricity generated in the photovoltaic unit to a device; and a wireless charging device including a plurality of light sources that irradiate light upward, a plurality of sensors for detecting a position where a device is placed, and a control unit that can determine a position where a device is placed through detection by the sensors and selectively turn on a light source located below the device.

[0017] The above control unit can control the light source not to turn on when a device is not connected to the device connection unit.

[0018] The above sensor may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a light sensor, a motion sensor, and a pressure sensor that detects an object.

[0019] The above sensor may detect NFC or RFID installed in the device or device connection device.

[0020] The above light source may be at least one selected from the group consisting of an LED lamp, an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) lamp, and a fluorescent lamp.

[0021] The above photovoltaic unit may be at least one selected from a silicon solar cell, a thin-film solar cell, an organic solar cell, an organic-inorganic composite solar cell, a perovskite solar cell, and a dye-sensitized solar cell.

[0022] The photovoltaic unit may include a photoelectrode formed on a conductive substrate or a flexible substrate and including a porous film of metal oxide nanoparticles adsorbed with a photosensitive dye; a counter electrode formed on a conductive substrate or a flexible substrate and spaced apart from the photoelectrode and including a nanoparticle metal film layer; and a liquid electrolyte composition filled between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode.

[0023]

[0024] The present invention, configured as described above, has the effect of improving user convenience by selectively lighting the light sources only at locations where the device to be charged is placed after arranging a plurality of light sources, thereby not forcing the device to be placed precisely at a specific location for charging, and at the same time improving the space utilization of the desk or table on which the wireless charging device is installed.

[0025]

[0026] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a wireless charging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a wireless charging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a wireless charging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a wireless charging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]

[0031] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] However, the embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation, and elements indicated by the same symbols in the drawings are the same elements.

[0033] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the cases where it is "directly connected" but also the cases where it is "electrically connected" with another element in between. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" or "comprise" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it can include or comprise other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0034] Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are intended to distinguish one component from another and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the rights. For example, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

[0035]

[0036] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a wireless charging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a wireless charging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The wireless charging device (100) according to the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of light sources (110), a sensor (120), and a control unit (not shown).

[0038] The light source (110) is configured to charge the power supply of the device (10) by irradiating light onto the photo-charging portion (12) formed in the device (10).

[0039] The photovoltaic charging unit (12) of the device (10) is configured to receive light, generate electricity, and use this to charge the power supply. Various photovoltaic technologies and electric charging technologies can be used, and in particular, a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) can be applied. The dye-sensitized solar cell is a cell developed by Professor Gratzel of Switzerland by applying the photosynthesis principle of plants, and is a photoelectric conversion cell composed of semiconductor nanoparticles with titanium dioxide (TiO2) as the main component, a dye for absorbing sunlight, an electrolyte, and a platinum counter electrode. The dye-sensitized solar cell has a relatively simple structure compared to other solar cells, and although its energy efficiency is about half that of a silicon solar cell, its manufacturing cost is only at most one-fifth of that of other photovoltaic cells, making it economical. A device (10) including a dye-sensitized solar cell in a photovoltaic charging unit (12) continuously generates photovoltaic power in an environment where sunlight or indoor lighting is on, thereby charging the power supply unit, but has the disadvantage of low efficiency and a problem of not being charged at night.

[0040] The wireless charging device (100) of the present embodiment generates a larger amount of electricity than when a dye-sensitized solar cell generates power using sunlight or indoor lighting by irradiating light from a light source (110) onto the photo-charging portion (12) of the device (10), thereby enabling charging to be performed more quickly, and even at night and in a dark room, the photo-charging portion (12) of the device (10) can be used.

[0041] The light source (110) may be of various types that irradiate light that can be charged through the photo-charging unit (12) of the device (10), and a type that irradiates light of a wavelength range with high power generation efficiency in the photo-charging unit (12) may be applied. At this time, a light source (110) capable of controlling lighting is applied, and is configured to enable selective lighting among a plurality of light sources (110).

[0042] The light source (110) of the present embodiment may be at least one selected from the group consisting of an LED lamp, an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) lamp, and a fluorescent lamp. The color temperature of the light source (110) is 2500K to 9000K, preferably 3000K to 7600K, and specifically, about 3200K, about 5000K, about 5500K, or about 7600K may be used.

[0043] The sensor (120) is a sensor for detecting the approach and location of the device (10).

[0044] These sensors (120) can be applied in various ways, such as a light sensor, a motion sensor, and a pressure sensor, which are used to detect whether an object is approaching, and different types of sensors can also be applied together. The light sensor uses the darkness that occurs when a device (10) approaches and covers the sensor, the motion sensor can detect the approach of a device (10) by detecting movement, and the pressure sensor can detect pressure applied to the sensor due to the weight of a device (10) placed on the sensor.

[0045] In addition, the approach of the device (10) can be detected in response to various devices installed in the device (10). For example, the approach of the device (10) can be detected by providing a sensor corresponding to near field communication (NFC) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), which are widely used in recent smart devices.

[0046] The control unit uses information obtained from the sensor (120) to determine whether the device (10) is in proximity and the location where the device (10) is placed, and controls the light source (110) located below where the device (10) is placed to turn on.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the device (10) is not placed on the wireless charging device (100), the sensors (120) do not respond and all light sources (110) are turned off.

[0048] When the device (10) is placed on the surface of the wireless charging device (100), sensors (120) located at the location where the device (10) is placed detect the device (10). The control unit determines the location where the device (10) is placed based on the locations of the operating sensors (120) and selectively turns on the light sources (110) located at the bottom of the device (10).

[0049] Since only the light source (110) located at the bottom of the device (10) is illuminated regardless of the position where the device (10) is placed by this operation, the wireless charging device (100) can be configured by placing the light source (110) and the sensor (120) over a wide range, and for example, the wireless charging device (100) can be placed on the surface of a piece of furniture such as a desk or table or the upper surface of a low shelf.

[0050] When the wireless charging device (100) of the present embodiment is placed on a wide surface such as a desk or table, light charging can be performed in any location where the light source (110) is placed. Accordingly, the user does not need to place the device (10) precisely in a specific location for charging the device (10), but can place the device (10) anywhere, thereby improving user convenience and enhancing space utilization of the desk or table.

[0051] Additionally, since the number of light sources that are turned on varies depending on the size of the device (10), larger devices have the advantage of being able to charge faster.

[0052] Furthermore, since only the light sources located in the area covered by the device (10) are turned on, energy waste can be reduced, and problems such as light sources turned on in areas where the device (10) is not present from disturbing the user's sleep can be prevented.

[0053]

[0054] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a wireless charging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a wireless charging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The wireless charging system according to this embodiment is composed of a wireless charging device (100) and a device connection device (200).

[0056] The wireless charging device (100) is composed of a plurality of light sources (110), sensors (120), and a control unit (not shown), and since the technical details used in the first embodiment can be applied almost as is, a detailed description is omitted.

[0057] The device connection device (200) is a configuration for providing photoelectric charging to a device that does not have a photoelectric charging unit for performing photoelectric charging, and includes a photoelectric generating unit (220) and a device connection unit (210).

[0058] The photovoltaic unit (220) is a unit that receives light and generates electricity. Various photovoltaic technologies can be used without limitation, and specifically, one or more selected from a group of photovoltaic cells consisting of silicon solar cells, thin-film solar cells, organic solar cells, organic-inorganic composite solar cells, perovskite solar cells, and dye-sensitized solar cells can be applied.

[0059] Among these, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are photovoltaic cells composed of semiconductor nanoparticles with titanium dioxide (TiO2) as the main component, a dye for absorbing sunlight, an electrolyte, and a platinum counter electrode.

[0060] When the photovoltaic unit (220) is based on a dye-sensitized solar cell, it may include a photoelectrode formed on a conductive substrate or a flexible substrate and including a porous film of metal oxide nanoparticles adsorbed with a photosensitive dye, a counter electrode formed on the conductive substrate or the flexible substrate and facing the photoelectrode and spaced apart from the photoelectrode and including a nanoparticle metal film layer, and a liquid electrolyte composition filled between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode. In addition, technologies used in dye-sensitized solar cells may be applied without limitation as long as they do not impair the characteristics of the present invention.

[0061] In addition, technologies for silicon solar cells, thin-film solar cells, organic solar cells, organic-inorganic composite solar cells, perovskite solar cells, etc. can be applied without limitation to the extent that they do not impair the characteristics of the present invention.

[0062] The device connection unit (210) is connected to the charging port of the device (10), and transmits electricity generated by the photovoltaic unit (220) to the charging unit of the device (10), thereby charging the power supply unit of the device (10).

[0063] By separately providing such a device connection device (200), even when using a device that does not have a photo-charging unit for performing photo-charging, photo-charging can be performed using the wireless charging system of the present embodiment.

[0064] The device connection device (200) may be equipped with near field communication (NFC) or radio frequency identification (RFID), which are widely used in smart devices, and the wireless charging device (100) may be configured to detect the approach and location of the device connection device (200) by installing a sensor corresponding to these.

[0065] The operation of the wireless charging system of this embodiment is almost identical to that of the first embodiment described above in FIG. 2, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0066] However, as shown in the third, when a device is not connected to the device connection part (210), it is desirable to control the light source (110) not to light up even when the device connection device (200) is placed on the surface of the wireless charging device (100).

[0067]

[0068] The present invention has been described above through preferred embodiments. However, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made without departing from the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted not by specific embodiments, but by the matters described in the claims, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A charging device for charging a device including a photovoltaic charging unit that charges a power supply unit using electricity generated by photovoltaic power generation by absorbing light, Multiple light sources irradiating light upwards; A plurality of sensors for detecting the position where the device is placed; and A wireless charging device characterized by including a control unit that can determine the position of a device by detecting a sensor and selectively light a light source located at the bottom of the device.

2. In claim 1, A wireless charging device characterized in that the above sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of a light sensor, a motion sensor, and a pressure sensor that detects an object.

3. In claim 1, A wireless charging device characterized in that the above sensor detects NFC or RFID installed in the device.

4. In claim 1, A wireless charging device characterized in that the light source is at least one selected from the group consisting of an LED lamp, an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) lamp, and a fluorescent lamp.

5. A device connection device including a photovoltaic unit that absorbs light to generate electricity through photovoltaic power generation, and a device connection unit that transmits the electricity generated in the photovoltaic unit to a device; and A wireless charging system characterized by comprising a wireless charging device including a plurality of light sources for irradiating light upward, a plurality of sensors for detecting a position where a device is placed, and a control unit for determining a position where a device is placed through detection by the sensors and selectively turning on a light source located at a lower portion of the device.

6. In claim 5, A wireless charging system characterized in that the control unit controls the light source not to turn on when a device is not connected to the device connection unit.

7. In claim 5, A wireless charging system characterized in that the above sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of a light sensor, a motion sensor, and a pressure sensor that detects an object.

8. In claim 5, A wireless charging system characterized in that the above sensor detects NFC or RFID installed in a device or device connection device.

9. In claim 5, A wireless charging system characterized in that the light source is at least one selected from the group consisting of an LED lamp, an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) lamp, and a fluorescent lamp.

10. In claim 5, A wireless charging system characterized in that the photovoltaic unit is at least one selected from among a silicon solar cell, a thin-film solar cell, an organic solar cell, an organic-inorganic composite solar cell, a perovskite solar cell, and a dye-sensitized solar cell.

11. In claim 5, The above photovoltaic unit, A photoelectrode formed on a conductive substrate or a flexible substrate and including a porous film of metal oxide nanoparticles adsorbed with a photosensitive dye; A counter electrode facing and spaced apart from the photoelectrode, formed on a conductive substrate or a flexible substrate and including a nanoparticle metal film layer; and A wireless charging system characterized by including a liquid electrolyte composition filled between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode.

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