Wireless power transmission system

Abstract

A wireless power transmission system according to the present invention comprises: a power supply source for providing alternating current power having a predetermined frequency; a power transmission unit, which receives power generated by the power supply source, so as to wirelessly transmit the power; a power reception unit, which is arranged to overlap a wireless power transmission unit in a first direction so as to wirelessly receive the power from the wireless power transmission unit through resonance with the wireless power transmission unit, the wireless power reception unit being provided at a position overlapping in the first direction; and a plurality of repeaters, which are arranged at positions overlapping in the first direction between the wireless power transmission unit and the wireless power reception unit so as to transmit, to the wireless power reception unit, a wireless power signal provided from the wireless power transmission unit.

Description

wireless power transfer system

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless power transmission system, and more particularly, to a wireless power transmission system capable of increasing the distance of wireless power transmission by arranging a plurality of repeaters between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver.

[0002] Wireless power transmission technology, which wirelessly transmits electrical energy to a desired device, began to be used in electric motors and transformers using the principle of electromagnetic induction in the 1800s, and since then, methods of transmitting electrical energy by emitting radio frequency (RF) signals or lasers have also been attempted.

[0003] Commonly used electric toothbrushes and some cordless shavers actually charge using electromagnetic induction. Current wireless energy transfer methods include magnetic induction, magnetic resonance, and long-distance microwave transmission.

[0004] Recently, among these wireless power transmission technologies, energy transfer methods using magnetic resonance are widely used.

[0005] Among these wireless power transmission technologies, wireless power transmission using magnetic resonance receives power from an AC source, generates AC in a transmitting coil, and couples a resonant coil to the transmitting coil, transmitting power via the resonant coil. While magnetic resonance-based wireless power transmission can transmit power over longer distances than electromagnetic induction, its transmission range remains short, requiring significant improvement.

[0006] Recent display devices require large amounts of power due to larger screens and increased circuitry to handle various additional functions. When supplying power wirelessly to these display devices, high currents and voltages are transmitted simultaneously to increase transmission distance. This can lead to electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by magnetic field leakage from wireless power transmission, potentially harming the human body.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wireless power transmission system having a structure capable of reducing the influence of EMI between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless power transmission system capable of increasing a wireless power transmission distance.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a wireless power transmission system comprising: a power supply source providing AC power having a predetermined frequency; a wireless power transmitter receiving power generated by the power supply source and transmitting power wirelessly; a wireless power receiver disposed to overlap the wireless power transmitter in a first direction and wirelessly receiving power from the wireless power transmitter through resonance with the wireless power transmitter; an electronic device performing a function using the power wirelessly received by the wireless power receiver; and a plurality of repeaters disposed between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver at positions overlapping in the first direction and transmitting a wireless power signal provided from the wireless power transmitter to the wireless power receiver.

[0010] In the wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, the first direction may indicate the direction in which the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver are arranged in a vertical relationship.

[0011] In the wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, the first direction may indicate the direction in which the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver are arranged in a horizontal relationship.

[0012] In a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, a wireless power transmitter may include a transmission coil that receives AC power output from the power supply source and generates a magnetic field, and a transmission resonance coil that is coupled to the transmission coil and transmits the received power.

[0013] In a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, a plurality of repeaters may include a first surface that receives wireless power incident from a direction opposite to the wireless power transmitter and a second surface that transmits wireless power received through the first surface in a direction toward the wireless power receiver.

[0014] In a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, a plurality of repeaters may include a first repeater disposed closest to the wireless power transmitter and generating a second magnetic field by a current induced from a first magnetic field generated by the wireless power transmitter; and an n-th repeater disposed closest to the wireless power receiver and generating a magnetic field provided to the wireless power receiver by a current induced from a magnetic field generated by a repeater located at a front end.

[0015] In a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, a plurality of repeaters may further include n-2 repeaters that are arranged between the first repeater and the n-th repeater and generate a magnetic field to be provided to a rear end by a current induced from a magnetic field generated by a repeater located at a front end.

[0016] In the wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, the plurality of repeaters may be arranged at equal intervals from the first repeater to the n-th repeater.

[0017] In a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, a plurality of repeaters may include a first repeater group having at least two repeaters forming a row, and n-1 repeater groups each having two or more repeaters, arranged between the first repeater group and the wireless power receiving unit.

[0018] In a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, n groups of repeaters can be arranged at equal intervals between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver.

[0019] In the wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, n groups of repeaters may be arranged in a row with the same number of repeaters or different numbers of repeaters.

[0020] In the wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, a plurality of repeaters may be formed in any one of a bar shape, a cone shape, or a double cone shape.

[0021] In a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, the electronic device may include a display device.

[0022] In a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, a plurality of repeaters can be fixed to a wall.

[0023] In the wireless power transmission system according to the present invention, the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver can be arranged in a tensegrity structure.

[0024] The present invention can reduce the influence of EMI on the human body by placing a wireless power transmitter above a wireless power receiver, and can increase the wireless power transmission distance by placing a plurality of repeaters between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver.

[0025] Figure 1 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a transmitting coil, a transmitting resonant coil, a receiving resonant coil, and a receiving coil in a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing a signal processing process of a wireless power transmission system according to the first embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0029] FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing a signal processing process of a wireless power transmission system according to the second embodiment of FIG. 5.

[0031] Fig. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing a signal processing process of a wireless power transmission system according to the third embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0033] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Fig. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Fig. 11 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig. 12 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] With respect to the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the text, specific structural and functional descriptions are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining the embodiments of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in the text.

[0038] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and takes various forms. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific disclosed forms, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0039] While terms like "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component could be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component could also be referred to as a "first component."

[0040] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there may also be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Other expressions that describe the relationship between components, such as "between" and "directly between" or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to", should be interpreted similarly. Similarly, "disposed on" can mean disposed directly on the surface of another component or disposed above the surface by a distance.

[0041] The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a disclosed feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be construed in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0043] Meanwhile, if a particular embodiment can be implemented differently, the functions or operations specified within a particular block may occur in a different order than specified in the flowchart. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be performed substantially simultaneously, or, depending on the related functions or operations, the blocks may be performed in reverse order.

[0044] Hereinafter, a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention. As illustrated, the wireless power transmission system according to the embodiment may sequentially include a power supply source (110), a wireless power transmitter (120), a repeater (200), a wireless power receiver (310), and an electronic device (320) based on a wireless power transmission path.

[0046] The power supply source (110) receives power from an external source and provides AC power having a predetermined frequency.

[0047] The wireless power transmitter (120) receives power generated from the power supply source (110) and transmits the power in the form of a wireless signal. The wireless power transmitter (120) may be implemented in various forms. For example, a set-top box may provide wireless power to a TV connected to it.

[0048] The wireless power receiver (310) is placed at the vertical bottom or horizontal side of the wireless power transmitter (120) and wirelessly receives power from the wireless power transmitter (120) through resonance with the wireless power transmitter (120).

[0049] The repeater unit (200) is composed of n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) repeaters (200-1, 200-2, 200-3, …, 200-n) and is placed between the wireless power transmitter (120) and the wireless power receiver (310). The repeater unit (200) can serve as a relay to receive a wireless power signal from the wireless power transmitter (120) and simultaneously transmit power to the wireless power receiver (310). Each of the n repeaters (200-1, 200-2, 200-3, …, 200-n) constituting the repeater unit (200) also performs the function of receiving and transmitting wireless power, respectively.

[0050] Each repeater (200-1, 200-2, 200-3, …, 200-n) includes a first surface that receives wireless power incident from a direction opposite to the wireless power transmitter (120), and a second surface that transmits wireless power received through the first surface in a direction toward the wireless power receiver (310).

[0051] The electronic device (320) receives power wirelessly from the wireless power receiver (310) positioned opposite the wireless power transmitter (120) and performs a corresponding function. For example, the electronic device (320) may be implemented in the form of a display device (e.g., a TV) that operates by receiving power wirelessly.

[0052] The wireless power transmitter (120) and the wireless power receiver (310) can be positioned above and below each other so as to overlap each other in the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 2 to 9, and a configuration is also possible in which the wireless power receivers are positioned on both sides of the display device so as to overlap each other in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 11, and the wireless power transmitters are positioned in the horizontal direction facing each other.

[0053] The wireless power transmitter (120) may include a transmitter coil (121) that receives AC power output from the power supply source (110) and generates a magnetic field, and a transmitter resonant coil (122) that is coupled to the transmitter coil (121) and transmits the received power. The transmitter coil (121) is connected to the power supply source (110), and an AC current flows therethrough. When an AC current flows in the transmitter coil (121), an AC current is also induced in the transmitter resonant coil (122), which is physically separated from the transmitter coil, by electromagnetic induction. The power transmitted to the transmitter resonant coil (122) is transmitted to the wireless power receiver (310) that forms a resonant circuit via the repeater unit (200).

[0054] The wireless power receiver (310) is composed of a receiving resonance coil (311) and a receiving coil (312). The wireless power transmitted through the repeater unit (200) is received by the receiving resonance coil (311), and an alternating current flows through the receiving resonance coil (311). The power transmitted to the receiving resonance coil (311) is transferred to the receiving coil (312) by electromagnetic induction. The power transmitted to the receiving coil (312) is rectified through a rectifier circuit or the like and transferred as an operating current of the electronic device (320).

[0055] Fig. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a transmitting coil (121) in a wireless power transmission system according to the present invention. As illustrated, the transmitting coil (121) may include an inductor (L1) and a capacitor (C1), thereby forming a circuit having appropriate inductance and capacitance values. The capacitor (C1) may be a variable capacitor, and impedance matching may be performed by adjusting the variable capacitor. The equivalent circuit diagram of the transmitting resonant coil (122), the receiving resonant coil (311), and the receiving coil (312) may also be expressed in the same manner as illustrated in Fig. 2, and in this case, the inductance and capacitance values ​​may be the same or different.

[0056] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing a signal processing process of the wireless power transmission system according to the first embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0057] In the wireless power transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the wireless power transmitter (120) is positioned above the TV (320). The wireless power transmitter (120) and the wireless power receiver (310) are arranged to overlap each other in the vertical direction. A repeater (200) is arranged between the wireless power transmitter (120) and the wireless power receiver (310), and the repeater (200) corresponding to one embodiment of the repeater (200) illustrated in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of repeaters (200-1, 200-2, 200-3, ..., 200-n). The plurality of repeaters (200-1, 200-2, 200-3, ..., 200-n) may be formed in the shape of a bar made of the same material and having the same width and length. This illustrates one embodiment, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, at least some of the repeaters (200-1, 200-2, 200-3, …, 200-n) may be made of the same material, or all of them may be made of different materials. Furthermore, at least some of the repeaters (200-1, 200-2, 200-3, …, 200-n) may have the same width or length, or all of them may have different widths or lengths.

[0058] A plurality of repeaters (200-1, 200-2, 200-3, …, 200-n) may be fixed to a wall at equal intervals, for example. Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited thereto, and according to an embodiment, at least some of the plurality of repeaters (200-1, 200-2, 200-3, …, 200-n) may be spaced at equal intervals, or all of them may be spaced at different intervals.

[0059] The wireless power transmitter (120) receives AC power provided by the power supply source (110), converts it into wireless power, and transmits it. The repeater unit (200) receives wireless power from a component arranged in the front end, and transmits the wireless power to a component arranged in the rear end. At this time, the component arranged in the front or rear end may be a repeater, a wireless power transmitter (120), or a wireless power receiver (310) included in the repeater unit (200). Specifically, the repeater arranged closest to the wireless power transmitter (120) among the repeater units (200) receives the wireless power transmitted by the wireless power transmitter (120), and transmits the wireless power to the repeater or wireless power receiver (310) in the rear end. And, among the repeater units (200), the repeater most adjacent to the wireless power receiving unit (130) can receive wireless power from the preceding repeater or wireless power transmitting unit (120) and transmit the power to the wireless power receiving unit (310). The repeater most adjacent to the wireless power transmitting unit (120) or wireless power receiving unit (310) can receive wireless power from the preceding repeater and transmit the wireless power to the subsequent repeater.

[0060] For example, the first repeater (200-1) receives wireless power transmitted from the wireless power transmitter (120). The first repeater (200-1) transmits the wireless power provided from the wireless power transmitter (120) to the second repeater (200-2) located at the rear end. The second repeater (200-2) generates a magnetic field by a current induced from the magnetic field provided from the first repeater (200-1) and transmits the wireless power to the third repeater (200-3) located at the rear end.

[0061] The nth repeater (200-n), which is positioned closest to the wireless power receiver (310), generates a magnetic field by a current induced from a magnetic field generated in the n-1th repeater (200-n-1) located at the front end, thereby transmitting wireless power to the wireless power receiver (310).

[0062] Fig. 5 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing a signal processing process of the wireless power transmission system according to the second embodiment of Fig. 5. Unlike the first embodiment of Fig. 3, the repeater unit (210) corresponding to another embodiment of the repeater unit (200) illustrated in Fig. 1 may include repeater groups (210-1, 210-2, 210-3, 210-n) in which a plurality of repeaters form one row.

[0063] In each repeater group, for example, three bar-shaped repeaters of the same size (W11 = W12 = W13, W21 = W22 = W23, W31 = W32 = W33, Wn1 = Wn2 = Wn3) may be arranged in a horizontal direction with the same spacing distance (D12 = D13, D22 = D33, D32 = D33, Dn2 = Dn3) to form one row. In this embodiment, three repeaters are shown to form one repeater group, but it may also be implemented with two or four or more repeaters.

[0064] Each repeater group (210-1, 210-2, 210-3, 210-n) can be arranged with the same vertical spacing (T12 = T23 = T34 = Tn-1n).

[0065] This illustrates one embodiment and does not imply that the present invention is limited thereto. For example, each repeater forming the first repeater group (210-1) may be formed of at least some of the same material, or may be formed entirely of different materials. Furthermore, each repeater may have at least some of the same width or length, or may have all of the same width or length.

[0066] The wireless power transmitter (120) receives AC power provided by the power supply source (110), converts it into wireless power, and transmits it. The first repeater group (210-1) is arranged closest to the wireless power transmitter (120) and receives the wireless power transmitted from the wireless power transmitter (120). If the repeaters forming the first repeater group (210-1) are all made of the same material and have the same width or length, each repeater can receive the same amount of wireless power and transmit the same amount of wireless power to the second repeater group (210-2) located behind it. If the repeaters included in each repeater group are made of different materials and have different widths or lengths, each repeater can receive different amounts of wireless power and transmit different amounts of wireless power to the repeaters located behind it.

[0067] In the same manner, each repeater forming the second repeater group (210-2) can receive wireless power from the repeaters of the first repeater group (210-1) and transmit the wireless power to the third repeater group (210-3) at the rear.

[0068] Each repeater forming the n-th repeater group (210-n) arranged closest to the wireless power receiving unit (310) receives wireless power from the repeaters of the n-1-th repeater group (210-n-1) and transmits the received wireless power to the wireless power receiving unit (310).

[0069] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the first repeater (R1-1) to the mth repeater (R1-m) belonging to the first repeater group (210-1) each receive wireless power transmitted from the wireless power transmitter (120). The first repeater (R1-1) of the first repeater group (210-1) transmits the wireless power provided from the wireless power transmitter (120) to the first repeater (R2-1) of the second repeater group (220-2) at the subsequent stage, the second repeater (R1-2) of the first repeater group (210-1) generates a magnetic field using the received wireless power and transmits the wireless power to the second repeater (R2-2) of the second repeater group (220-2) at the subsequent stage, and the mth repeater (R1-m) of the first repeater group (210-1) generates a magnetic field using the received wireless power and transmits the wireless power to the mth repeater (R2-m) of the second repeater group (210-2) at the subsequent stage. Likewise, the first repeater (R2-1) of the second repeater group (210-2) generates a magnetic field using the received wireless power and transmits the magnetic field to the first repeater (R3-1) of the third repeater group (210-3) at the rear end, the second repeater (R2-2) of the second repeater group (210-2) generates a magnetic field using the received wireless power and transmits the magnetic field to the second repeater (R3-2) of the third repeater group (210-3) at the rear end, and the m repeater (R2-m) of the second repeater group (210-2) generates a magnetic field using the received wireless power and transmits the wireless power to the m repeater (R3-m) of the third repeater group (210-3) at the rear end. Each repeater (Rn-1, Rn-2, …, Rn-m) of the n-th repeater group (210-n) positioned closest to the wireless power receiving unit (310) generates a magnetic field using the wireless power received from each repeater (Rn-1-1, Rn-1-2, …, Rn-1-m) of the n-1-th repeater group (210-n-1) positioned in front, and transmits the wireless power to the wireless power receiving unit (310).

[0070] Fig. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing a signal processing process of the wireless power transmission system according to the third embodiment of Fig. 7. In the repeater unit (210) illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 above, a plurality of repeaters are shown forming one row and one repeater group, but in the repeater unit (220) according to the third embodiment, the number of repeaters included in each row is different. That is, in the second embodiment, three bar-shaped repeaters forming one row are shown to form one repeater group, but in the third embodiment, the first repeater group (220-1) has a structure in which three repeaters are arranged in a row, the second repeater group (220-2) has two repeaters arranged in a row, the third repeater group (220-3) has three repeaters arranged in a row, and the n-th repeater group (220-n) has a structure in which two repeaters are arranged in a row.

[0071] Meanwhile, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and each repeater group may be arranged to be vertically spaced apart from adjacent repeater groups. For example, the repeaters of the second repeater group (220-2) may be arranged to be vertically spaced apart from the repeaters of the first repeater group (220-1) or the third repeater group (220-3). In addition, the repeaters of the third repeater group (220-3) may be arranged to be vertically spaced apart from the repeaters of the second repeater group (220-2) or the fourth repeater group (220-4).

[0072] In another embodiment, each repeater group may be arranged so that at least a portion (e.g., an edge) overlaps with an adjacent repeater group in the vertical direction and at least a portion (e.g., a center) is spaced apart from the adjacent repeater group.

[0073] The wireless power transmitter (120) receives AC power provided by the power supply source (110), converts it into the form of wireless power, and transmits it. The first repeater group (220-1) is arranged closest to the wireless power transmitter (120) and receives the wireless power transmitted by the wireless power transmitter (120).

[0074] Each unit repeater forming the first repeater group (220-1) can receive wireless power of the same magnitude and transmit the same wireless power of the same magnitude to the second repeater group (220-2) located behind it. At this time, since the second repeater group (220-2) is composed of two repeaters forming one row, each repeater receives a wireless power signal of the same strength from three repeaters of the first repeater group (220-1) that are adjacent to each other and spaced apart by the same distance.

[0075] Meanwhile, each repeater of the third repeater group (220-3) in which three repeaters form one row can receive a wireless power signal from a repeater of the first repeater group (220-1) positioned to overlap in the vertical direction, and can receive a wireless power signal from at least one repeater of the second repeater group (220-2) positioned to form a predetermined angle in the vertical direction and not to overlap in the vertical direction.

[0076] Each repeater forming the n-th repeater group (220-n) arranged closest to the wireless power receiving unit (310) receives wireless power from repeaters of the n-2-th repeater group (220-n-2) arranged vertically overlapping each other, and receives wireless power from repeaters arranged adjacent to each other of the n-1-th repeater group (220-n-1) arranged at a predetermined angle, and transmits the wireless power to the wireless power receiving unit (310).

[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a signal processing process in an embodiment of a wireless power transmission system in which a first repeater group (220-1) includes three repeaters (R1-1, R1-2, R1-3) forming one row, a second repeater group (220-2) includes two repeaters (R2-1, R2-2) forming one row, a third repeater group (220-3) includes three repeaters (R3-1, R3-2, R3-3) forming one row, and a fourth repeater group (220-4) includes two repeaters (R4-1, R4-2) forming one row is as follows.

[0078] In the description below, dotted line (…) arrows indicate wireless power transmission to repeaters arranged at a predetermined angle without overlapping in the vertical direction, and solid line (→) arrows indicate wireless power transmission to a subsequent repeater that overlaps in the vertical direction.

[0079] The three repeaters (R1-1, R1-2, and R1-3) of the first repeater group (220-1) each receive wireless power transmitted from the wireless power transmitter (120). The first repeater (R1-1) of the first repeater group (220-1) transmits the wireless power provided from the wireless power transmitter (120) to the first repeater (R2-1) of the second repeater group (220-2) located behind it, which is arranged at a predetermined angle in the vertical direction so as not to overlap in the vertical direction, and transmits the wireless power to the first repeater (R3-1) of the third repeater group (220-3) located behind it, which is arranged so as to overlap in the vertical direction. The second repeater (R1-2) of the first repeater group (220-1) transmits wireless power provided from the wireless power transmitter (120) to the first repeater (R2-1) and the second repeater (R2-2) of the second repeater group (220-2) arranged at a rear end so as not to overlap in the vertical direction at a predetermined angle in the vertical direction, and transmits wireless power to the second repeater (R3-2) of the third repeater group (220-3) arranged at a rear end so as to overlap in the vertical direction. The third repeater (R1-3) of the first repeater group (220-1) transmits wireless power provided from the wireless power transmitter (120) to the second repeater (R2-2) of the second repeater group (220-2) arranged at a rear end so as not to overlap in the vertical direction at a predetermined angle in the vertical direction, and transmits wireless power to the third repeater (R3-2) of the second repeater group (220-3) arranged at a rear end so as to overlap in the vertical direction. Wireless power is transmitted to the third repeater (R3-3) of the repeater group (220-3).

[0080] The first repeater (R2-1) of the second repeater group (220-2) receives wireless power from the first repeater (R1-1) and the second repeater (R1-2) of the first repeater group (220-1), transmits the wireless power to the first repeater (R3-1) and the second repeater (R3-2) of the third repeater group (220-3) arranged at a rear end so as to form a predetermined angle in the vertical direction and not to overlap in the vertical direction, and transmits the wireless power to the first repeater (R4-1) of the fourth repeater group (220-4) arranged at a rear end so as to overlap in the vertical direction. The second repeater (R2-2) of the second repeater group (220-2) receives wireless power from the second repeater (R1-2) and the third repeater (R1-3) of the first repeater group (220-1), transmits the wireless power to the second repeater (R3-2) and the third repeater (R3-3) of the third repeater group (220-3) arranged at a vertical angle and not overlapping in the vertical direction, and transmits the wireless power to the second repeater (R4-2) of the fourth repeater group (220-4) arranged at a vertical angle and not overlapping in the vertical direction.

[0081] The first repeater (R3-1) of the third repeater group (220-3) receives wireless power from the first repeater (R1-1) of the first repeater group (220-1) and the first repeater (R2-1) of the second repeater group (220-2), transmits the wireless power to the first repeater (R4-1) of the fourth repeater group (220-4) arranged at a rear end so as to form a predetermined angle in the vertical direction and not to overlap in the vertical direction, and transmits the wireless power to the first repeater (R5-1) of the fifth repeater group (220-5) arranged at a rear end so as to overlap in the vertical direction. The second repeater (R3-2) of the third repeater group (220-3) receives wireless power from the second repeater (R1-2) of the first repeater group (220-1), the first repeater (R2-1) and the second repeater (R2-2) of the second repeater group (220-2), transmits the wireless power to the first repeater (R4-1) and the second repeater (R4-2) of the fourth repeater group (220-4) arranged at a vertical angle so as not to overlap in the vertical direction, and transmits the wireless power to the second repeater (R5-2) of the fifth repeater group (220-5) arranged at a vertical angle so as not to overlap in the vertical direction. The third repeater (R3-3) of the third repeater group (220-3) receives wireless power from the third repeater (R1-3) of the first repeater group (220-1) and the second repeater (R2-2) of the second repeater group (220-2), transmits the wireless power to the second repeater (R4-2) of the fourth repeater group (220-4) arranged at a rear end so as to form a predetermined angle in the vertical direction and not to overlap in the vertical direction, and transmits the wireless power to the third repeater (R5-3) of the fifth repeater group (220-5) arranged at a rear end so as to overlap in the vertical direction.

[0082] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the first to third embodiments, each repeater was exemplified as having a bar shape, but in the repeater unit (230) according to the fourth embodiment, repeaters having a cone shape are arranged such that multiple repeater groups having different numbers of repeaters forming one row are vertically overlapped, as shown in the third embodiment. Since a magnetic material has magnetic shape anisotropy, in order to capture and radiate magnetic energy like a parabolic antenna, it is advantageous for the repeater to be formed in a cone shape, as in the fourth embodiment. In addition, according to the embodiment, the wireless power transmission unit (120) may also be implemented in a cone shape.

[0083] Similarly, in the repeater unit (240) according to the fifth embodiment, each repeater may be formed in a double cone shape in which repeaters of different repeater groups are arranged facing each other. Through this shape, the wireless power transmitter and the repeater unit may exhibit maximum efficiency. In the fourth and fifth embodiments, as in the third embodiment of FIG. 7, the repeaters arranged in each repeater group are arranged in a row with different numbers of repeaters, but may also be formed in a configuration in which the same number of repeaters are arranged in each repeater group, as in the second embodiment of FIG. 5. In addition, according to the embodiment, the wireless power transmitter (120) may be implemented in a cone shape.

[0084] Meanwhile, Fig. 11 illustrates the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which wireless power receivers (310a, 310b) are arranged on the left side, right side, and both sides of an electronic device, a TV (320). A first wireless power transmitter (120a) is arranged at a position corresponding horizontally to the first wireless power receiver (310a), and a second wireless power transmitter (120b) is arranged at a position corresponding horizontally to the second wireless power receiver (310b).

[0085] At this time, a first repeater unit (250a) including a plurality of repeaters (250a-1, 250a-2, 250a-3, …, 250a-n) arranged in a horizontally overlapping manner is positioned between the first wireless power transmitter (120a) and the first wireless power receiver (310a). A second repeater unit (250b) including a plurality of repeaters (250b-1, 250b-2, 250b-3, …, 250b-n) arranged in a horizontally overlapping manner is positioned between the second wireless power transmitter (120b) and the second wireless power receiver (310b). The first and second wireless power transmitters (120a, 120b), the first and second repeater units (250a, 250b), and the first and second wireless power receivers (310a, 310b) implement the same operations as in the first to fifth embodiments described above. Of course, a configuration in which the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver are arranged only on one side, either the left or right side, of the electronic device (320) may also be included in the embodiment of the wireless power transmission system according to the present invention.

[0086] Figure 12 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment implements a wireless power transmission system in a structure that appears to be floating in mid-air. Tensegrity is an abbreviation combining tension and integrity. This embodiment applies it to a tensegrity structure, which utilizes the stress and tension of a string to maintain a stable state while appearing to float in mid-air.

[0087] In the tensegrity according to the embodiment of Fig. 12, a television (320) equipped with a wireless power receiver (310) is placed on a lower structure, and a wireless power transmitter (120) is placed on an upper structure at a position that vertically overlaps the wireless power receiver (310). A string (411) located at the center of the inner part of the lower structure (410) receives the upper structure (420) that is about to fall, preventing it from falling, and the strings (421) on the outside of the upper structure (420) are pulled taut to concentrate the force on the string at the center, thereby creating a balance of force.

[0088] As described above, the wireless power transmission system according to the present invention can reduce the influence of EMI on the human body by arranging the wireless power transmitter above the wireless power receiver, and can increase the wireless power transmission distance by arranging a plurality of repeaters between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

[0090] The mode for carrying out the invention has been sufficiently described in the above-mentioned “Best mode for carrying out the invention.”

[0091] The wireless power transmission system according to the embodiment can be used in various fields requiring power, such as display devices.

Claims

1. A power supply source that provides alternating current power with a predetermined frequency; A wireless power transmitter that receives power generated from the power supply source and transmits power wirelessly; A wireless power receiving unit that is arranged to overlap with the wireless power transmitting unit in a first direction and wirelessly receives power from the wireless power transmitting unit through resonance with the wireless power transmitting unit; An electronic device that performs a function by using power wirelessly received by the wireless power receiver; and A wireless power transmission system comprising a plurality of repeaters arranged in overlapping positions in the first direction between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver, the repeaters transmitting a wireless power signal provided from the wireless power transmitter to the wireless power receiver.

2. A wireless power transmission system in the first paragraph, wherein the first direction corresponds to a direction in which the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver are arranged in a vertical relationship.

3. A wireless power transmission system in the first paragraph, wherein the first direction corresponds to a direction in which the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver are arranged in a horizontal relationship.

4. In the second or third paragraph, the wireless power transmitter, A transmitting coil that receives AC power output from the power supply source and generates a magnetic field; and A wireless power transmission system comprising a transmitting resonant coil coupled with the transmitting coil and transmitting the received power.

5. In the second or third paragraph, the plurality of repeaters, A first surface receiving at least one of an electric field or a magnetic field incident from a direction opposite to the wireless power transmitter; and A wireless power transmission system including a second surface that concentrates and transmits at least one of an electric field or a magnetic field received through the first surface in a direction toward the wireless power receiving unit.

6. In the fifth paragraph, the plurality of repeaters, A first repeater arranged closest to the wireless power transmitter and generating a second magnetic field by a current induced from a first magnetic field generated by the wireless power transmitter; and A wireless power transmission system comprising a repeater n, which generates a magnetic field provided to the wireless power receiver by a current induced from a magnetic field generated by a repeater located at the front end and positioned closest to the wireless power receiver.

7. In the 6th paragraph, the plurality of repeaters, A wireless power transfer system further comprising n-2 repeaters arranged between the first repeater and the n-th repeater to generate a magnetic field to be provided to a rear end by a current induced from a magnetic field generated by a repeater located at a front end.

8. In the 6th paragraph, the plurality of repeaters, A wireless power transmission system in which the first repeater to the n-th repeater are spaced apart from each other at equal intervals.

9. In the fifth paragraph, the plurality of repeaters, A first repeater group having at least two repeaters forming a row, A wireless power transmission system comprising n-1 repeater groups, each having at least two repeaters, arranged between the first repeater group and the wireless power receiving unit.

10. A wireless power transmission system in accordance with claim 9, wherein n groups of repeaters are arranged at equal intervals between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver.

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