Wireless power transmission device for transmitting ping signals and controlling converter, operation method thereof, and recording medium

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to provide a wireless power transmission device and method for controlling an inverter such that ping signals are periodically or intermittently transmitted through a coil, controlling a converter such that a PWM mode in which pulse signals causing turn-on are provided by alternating at least some of a plurality of switches of the converter is operated, and controlling the converter such that a pulse skip mode in which at least some of pulse signals are omitted by intermittently providing the pulse signals causing turn-on to at least some of the plurality of switches of the converter is operated, wherein the converter operates in the pulse skip mode during an idle duration in which the ping signals are not transmitted, such that ripples of an input voltage of the inverter are reduced during a ping signal transmission duration so that the accuracy of signals received by the coil is increased, and power transmission efficiency under a light load condition can be increased during the idle duration.

Description

A wireless power transmission device for transmitting a ping signal and controlling a converter, an operating method thereof, and a recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless power transmission device that transmits a ping signal and controls a converter, an operating method thereof, and a recording medium.

[0002] A wireless power transmission device may include a converter and an inverter. The wireless power transmission device may transmit a ping signal for detecting a wireless power receiving device and / or a foreign object. The wireless power transmission device may detect the wireless power receiving device and / or a foreign object based on the Q (quality) value of a circuit including a coil.

[0003] Meanwhile, the wireless power receiver can perform in-band communication while wirelessly receiving power from the wireless power transmitter. The wireless power receiver can provide information to the wireless power transmitter by performing in-band communication. For example, the wireless power receiver can perform in-band communication based on the ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulation method.

[0004] In one embodiment, a wireless power transmission device may include a converter configured to perform a DC / DC power conversion operation, an inverter electrically connected to the converter and configured to perform a DC / AC power conversion operation, a coil electrically connected to the inverter, and at least one processor. The at least one processor may cause the wireless power transmission device to control the inverter to periodically or intermittently transmit a ping signal through the coil. The at least one processor may cause the wireless power transmission device to control the converter to operate in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode. The PWM mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal is provided that causes at least some of a plurality of switches of the converter to be turned on in an alternating manner. The at least one processor may cause the wireless power transmission device to control the converter to operate in a pulse skip mode. The pulse skip mode may include a mode in which at least some of the pulse signals are omitted by intermittently providing pulse signals that cause turn-on to at least some of the switches of the converter. The converter may be configured to operate in the pulse skip mode during an idle duration in which the ping signal is not transmitted.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a method of operating a wireless power receiver may include controlling an inverter of the wireless power transmitter to periodically or intermittently transmit a ping signal through a coil of the wireless power transmitter. The method may include controlling a converter of the wireless power transmitter to operate in a PWM mode. The PWM mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing at least some of a plurality of switches of the converter (230) to be turned on is provided alternately. The method may include controlling the converter to operate in a pulse skip mode. The pulse skip mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing a turn on is intermittently provided to at least some of the plurality of switches of the converter, thereby skipping at least some of the pulse signals. During an idle duration in which the ping signal is not transmitted, the converter may be configured to operate in the pulse skip mode.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions may include instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor of a wireless power transmission device, cause the wireless power transmission device to perform at least one operation. The at least one operation may include controlling an inverter of the wireless power transmission device to periodically or intermittently transmit a ping signal through a coil of the wireless power transmission device. The at least one operation may include controlling a converter of the wireless power transmission device to operate in a PWM mode. The PWM mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal is provided that causes at least some of a plurality of switches of the converter (230) to be turned on in an alternating manner. The at least one operation may include controlling the converter to operate in a pulse skip mode. The pulse skip mode may include a mode in which at least some of the pulse signals are omitted by intermittently providing pulse signals that cause turn-on to at least some of the plurality of switches of the converter. During an idle duration in which the ping signal is not transmitted, the converter may be configured to operate in the pulse skip mode.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a wireless power transmission device may include a converter configured to perform a DC / DC power conversion operation, an inverter electrically connected to the converter and configured to perform a DC / AC power conversion operation, a coil electrically connected to the inverter and configured to transmit a ping signal, and a control circuit configured to control the converter. The control circuit may be configured to receive a signal associated with ping operations. The control circuit may be configured to cause a plurality of switches of the converter to operate in a first mode or a second mode based on the received signal.

[0008] FIG. 1A is a drawing illustrating a wireless power transmission system including a wireless power transmission device and a wireless power reception device according to one embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 1b is a drawing illustrating a wireless power transmission device and a wireless power reception device according to one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a phase of a wireless power transfer system according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating measurement of a Q value according to one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating measurement of a Q value according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an operating method of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a ping signal and a mode control signal according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a pulse skip mode according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a PWM (pulse width modulation) mode according to one embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an input voltage of an inverter according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a circuit of a converter according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating the operation of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating the operation of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment.

[0023] Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating a circuit of a converter according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 1A is a drawing illustrating a wireless power transmission system including a wireless power transmission device and a wireless power reception device according to one embodiment.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1A, a wireless power transmission device (101) according to an embodiment can wirelessly transmit power (106) to a wireless power reception device (103). Wireless power transmission refers to technologies for transmitting power without a physical connection. For example, wireless charging technologies include an electromagnetic induction method using a coil, a resonance method using resonance, and a radio wave (RF / microwave radiation) method that converts electrical energy into microwaves and transmits it. The wireless power transmission device (101) can transmit power based on the induction method, the resonance method, or the radio wave radiation method. The wireless power transmission device (101) can be configured to perform wireless power transmission based on at least one transmission method among the induction method, the resonance method, and the radio wave radiation method. The wireless power transmission device (101) can also be configured to support all of the induction method, the resonance method, and the radio wave radiation method. Wireless power transmission standards can include Qi and PowerMat. Qi may include open technologies that enable wireless power transfer between electronic devices. PowerMat may include technologies that use magnetic induction. Standards that use magnetic resonance may include Rezence, Hiper, WiPower, etc. These methods can charge multiple devices simultaneously. For example, a wireless power transmission device (101) may transmit power (106) using an induction method. When the wireless power transmission device (101) uses an induction method, the wireless power transmission device (101) may include, for example, at least one of a power source, a DC-DC conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter), a DC-AC conversion circuit (e.g., an inverter), an amplifier circuit, an impedance matching circuit, at least one capacitor, at least one coil, or a communication modulation circuit.At least one capacitor may form a resonant circuit together with at least one coil. The wireless power transmission device (101) may include a coil that can generate an induced magnetic field when a current flows. The process of the wireless power transmission device (101) generating an induced magnetic field may be expressed as the wireless power transmission device (101) wirelessly transmitting power (106). In addition, in the coil of the wireless power reception device (103), an induced electromotive force (or current, voltage, and / or power) may be generated by a magnetic field generated in the surroundings according to an induction method. The process of generating an induced electromotive force through the coil may be expressed as the wireless power reception device (103) wirelessly receiving power (106).

[0026] According to one embodiment, a wireless power transmission device (101) can communicate with a wireless power reception device (103). The wireless power transmission device (101) can exchange information with the wireless power reception device (103). For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) can receive information (107) from the wireless power reception device (103). The wireless power transmission device (101) can provide information (107) to the wireless power reception device (103). For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) can communicate with the wireless power reception device (103) according to an in-band method. The wireless power transmission device (101) can modulate data to be transmitted according to, for example, a frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation method, and the wireless power reception device (103) can provide information (107) by modulating according to an amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation method. The wireless power transmission device (101) can check the information (107) provided by the wireless power reception device (103) based on the amplitude of the current and / or voltage applied to the transmission coil. In FIG. 1A, the wireless power reception device (103) is illustrated as directly transmitting the information (107) to the wireless power transmission device (101), but this is only for easy understanding, and those skilled in the art will understand that the wireless power reception device (103) only controls the on / off of at least one switch inside. The operation of performing modulation based on the ASK modulation method and / or the FSK modulation method can be understood as an operation of transmitting data (or packet) according to the in-band communication method, and the operation of performing demodulation based on the ASK demodulation method and / or the FSK demodulation method can be understood as an operation of receiving data (or packet) according to the in-band communication method.

[0027] FIG. 1b is a schematic diagram of a wireless charging system according to one embodiment.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1B, a wireless charging system according to an embodiment may include a wireless power transmission device (101) and a wireless power reception device (103). The wireless power transmission device (101) may be a charging pad that transmits wireless power based on power supplied from a charger (e.g., TA, travel adapter). According to an embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) is a device including a wireless power transmission function, and may be implemented as, for example, a smart phone, and there is no limitation on the form of implementation thereof. The wireless power reception device (103) may be an electronic device such as a smart phone or a wearable device, and there is no limitation on the form of implementation thereof. According to an embodiment, 101 is not limited to an embodiment of a device that transmits wireless power, and 101 may include a function of transmitting wireless power and a function of receiving wireless power. According to an embodiment, 103 is not limited to an embodiment of a device that receives wireless power, and 103 may include a function of receiving wireless power and a function of transmitting wireless power.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, a wireless power transmission device (101) according to one embodiment may include a controller (290). The wireless power transmission device (101) may include a memory (250). The wireless power transmission device may include at least one processor including the controller (290). The at least one processor may include a processing circuit. Referring to FIG. 2, a wireless power transmission device (101) according to one embodiment may include at least one of a coil (210), an inverter (220), a converter (230), a power source (240), or a demodulation circuit (280). According to one embodiment, the controller (290) may include a first controller (260) (e.g., a first control circuit) configured to control the converter (230). For example, the first controller (260) (e.g., a first control circuit) may include a first processing circuit. In one embodiment, the controller (290) may include a second controller (270) (e.g., a second control circuit) configured to control the inverter (220). For example, the second controller (270) (e.g., a second control circuit) may include a second processing circuit. In one embodiment, the controller (290) may include a first controller (260) (e.g., a first control circuit) configured to control the converter (230) and a second controller (270) (e.g., a second control circuit) configured to control the inverter (220). An exemplary circuit of the configurations of the wireless power transmission device (101) of FIG. 2 may be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0031] According to one embodiment, in the present document, when the wireless power transmission device (101) performs a specific operation, it may mean that various hardware included in the wireless power transmission device (101), for example, at least one processor including a processing circuit (e.g., a micro controlling unit (MCU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or an application processor (AP)) (e.g., a controller (215)) performs the specific operation. When the wireless power transmission device (101) performs the specific operation, it may mean that the processor (e.g., the controller (215)) controls other hardware to perform the specific operation. When the wireless power transmission device (101) performs the specific operation, it may mean that at least one instruction for performing the specific operation stored in a storage circuit (e.g., a memory (250)) of the wireless power transmission device (101) is executed, thereby causing the processor (e.g., the controller (215)) or other hardware to perform the specific operation. At least one instruction stored in the memory (250) of the wireless power transmission device (101) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to perform at least one operation when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (e.g., controller (215)). Even when a plurality of processors (e.g., controller (215)) are implemented, for convenience of explanation, the instructions may be described as “operations of the wireless power transmission device (101)”, “operations of a processor (e.g., controller (215))”, or “operations of at least one processor (e.g., controller (215))”.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a phase of a wireless power transfer system according to one embodiment.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, the steps of the wireless power transfer system may include at least one of a selection phase of 300, a ping phase of 310, an identification phase and configuration phase of 320, a negotiation phase of 330, or a power transfer phase of 340. The steps of the wireless power transfer system may follow the Qi standard, for example, but are not limited thereto.

[0034] A wireless power transmission device (101) according to one embodiment may perform an operation corresponding to at least one of the steps of FIG. 3. A wireless power transmission device (101) according to one embodiment may not perform an operation corresponding to at least one of the steps of FIG. 3.

[0035] According to one embodiment, in the selection step (300), the wireless power transmission device (101) can monitor whether an object (e.g., the wireless power reception device (103) or a foreign substance) exists. For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) can detect the object (e.g., the wireless power reception device (103) or a foreign substance) based on the application of a ping signal. The wireless power transmission device (101) can transition to the ping step (310) based on the detection of the object (e.g., the wireless power reception device (103) or a foreign substance). In the ping step (310), the wireless power transmission device (101) can determine whether the detected object (e.g., the wireless power reception device (103) or a foreign substance) is a receiver (e.g., the wireless power reception device (103)). For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) can apply a digital ping signal to the coil (210). The wireless power transmission device (101) can confirm that the detected object is a receiver (e.g., the wireless power reception device (103)) based on the reception of a response corresponding to the digital ping signal. The wireless power transmission device (101) can perform at least one operation corresponding to the identification step and the configuration step (320) with the wireless power reception device (103), and the operation can follow the Qi standard, for example, but is not limited thereto. For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) can receive an identification packet and / or a configuration packet from the wireless power reception device (103). For example, the identification packet can include information about the version of the standard (e.g., the WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) version) and / or the unique code of the terminal manufacturer. For example, the configuration packet can include information about the power class and / or the required power.The wireless power transmission device (101) can check information about the terminal manufacturer, the standard version, and / or the maximum reception power based on the identification packet and / or the configuration packet. As described above, the wireless power transmission device (101) and the wireless power reception device (103) can perform in-band communication. If the wireless power transmission device (101) fails to acquire data from the wireless power reception device (103) during the digital ping signal application (for example, fails to confirm valid data as a demodulation result), the wireless power transmission device (101) may determine that a foreign substance is placed. If the operations in the identification step and the configuration step (320) are successfully completed, the wireless power transmission device (101) can perform at least one operation corresponding to the negotiation step (330), and the operation may follow the Qi standard, for example, but is not limited thereto. In the negotiation step (330), the wireless power transmission device (101) can exchange information (e.g., parameters) for power transmission with the wireless power reception device (103). After the negotiation step (330), the wireless power transmission device (101) can enter the power transmission step (340) and apply power for charging. In the power transmission step (340), the wireless power transmission device (101) can control the power transmission based on information (e.g., parameters) received from the wireless power reception device (103).

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment.

[0037] The circuit of FIG. 4 is only an example of the wireless power transmission device (101) of FIG. 2, and the configurations of the wireless power transmission device (101) of FIG. 2 may be implemented with a circuit different from that of FIG. 4.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, according to one embodiment, a wireless power transmission device (101) may include at least one of a power source (240), a converter (230) including a plurality of switches (e.g., 431, 432, 433, 434), an inverter (220) including a plurality of switches (e.g., 421, 422, 423, 423), a capacitor (410), a coil (210), a demodulation circuit (280), or a controller (290). According to one embodiment, the converter (230) may also include two switches (e.g., 431 and 432 or 433 and 434). For example, the plurality of switches (e.g., 431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230) may include four switches (e.g., 431, 432, 433, 434), two switches (e.g., 431, 432), or two switches (e.g., 433, 434), and there is no limitation on the number of the plurality of switches (e.g., 431, 432, 433, 434) included in the converter (230). In one embodiment, the converter (230) may include an inductor (435). In one embodiment, the plurality of switches (e.g., 431, 432, 433, 434) and the first controller (260) may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC) (460), but this is merely an example. In one embodiment, the output of the demodulation circuit (280) may be connected to a second controller (270). In one embodiment, the demodulation circuit (280) may be included in the second controller (270). According to one embodiment, the second controller (270) may provide a mode control signal (472) to the first controller (260), which will be described later. According to one embodiment, the second controller (270) may provide a ping signal (471) to the inverter (220), which will be described later.Based on the embodiments described below, by increasing the measurement accuracy of the Q value, an operation of detecting a foreign substance or other device may be performed, or authentication of a cover device supporting the Qi standard using a magnet may be performed.

[0039] According to one embodiment, power (e.g., VDC_IN of FIG. 4) provided by a power source (240) may be provided to a converter (230) (e.g., a DC / DC converter). The power source (240) may include at least one of an interface for connecting to an external travel adapter (TA), a battery (not shown), a charger (not shown), or a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) (not shown) of the wireless power transmission device (101). The power source (240) may provide, for example, direct current power to the converter (230), but there is no limitation on the form of the power provided. The converter (230) may convert the provided power (e.g., voltage and / or current) and provide it to the inverter (220). The converter (230) can change the voltage of the input DC power (e.g., VDC_IN of FIG. 4) and provide the DC power having the changed voltage (e.g., VIN of FIG. 4) to the inverter (220). The output voltage of the converter (230) can be the input voltage of the inverter (220) (e.g., VIN of FIG. 4). The output current of the converter (230) can be the input current of the inverter (220) (e.g., IIN of FIG. 4). The converter (230) can perform, for example, buck converting, buck-boost converting, or boost converting, and those skilled in the art will understand that there is no limitation on the type of the converter.

[0040] An inverter (220) according to one embodiment can output AC power using an input voltage (e.g., VIN of FIG. 4) provided from a converter (230). A plurality of switches (e.g., 421, 422, 423, 424) can form, for example, a full bridge circuit, but there is no limitation on the number of switches or the type of bridge circuit. For example, when a full bridge circuit is formed, one end of a coil (210) can be connected to a connection point between switches (e.g., 421, 422) via a capacitor (410), and the other end of the coil (210) can be connected to a connection point between switches (e.g., 423, 424). The plurality of switches (e.g., 421, 422, 423, 424) of the inverter (220) can be controlled to be in an on state or an off state. For example, in order to generate AC power, the controller (290) (e.g., the second controller (270)) can control the first switch (421) and the fourth switch (424) to be in an on state during a first period while controlling the second switch (422) and the third switch (423) to be in an off state, and can control the first switch (421) and the fourth switch (424) to be in an off state during a second period while controlling the second switch (422) and the third switch (423) to be in an on state, and can repeatedly perform the above-described control operations. The controller (290) (e.g., the second controller (270)) can provide a control signal for generating the above-described AC power to a plurality of switches (e.g., 421, 422, 423, 424). Here, not only outputting a control signal, but also refraining from outputting a control signal can be named as control of the controller (290).For example, the controller (290) (e.g., the second controller (270)) outputting a first control signal for generating AC power having a first frequency to the inverter (220) may mean that the controller (290) outputs a control signal for controlling switches (e.g., 421, 424) to be in an on state for a period corresponding to the first frequency, and then outputs a control signal for controlling switches (e.g., 422, 423) to be in an on state for a period corresponding to the first frequency, and repeats the above-described output operations. Meanwhile, the controller (290) (e.g., the second controller (270)) outputting a second control signal for generating AC power having a second frequency to the inverter (220) may mean that the controller (290) (e.g., the second controller (270)) outputs a control signal control signal for controlling switches (e.g., 421, 424) to be in an on state for a period corresponding to the second frequency, and then outputs a control signal control signal for controlling switches (e.g., 422, 423) to be in an on state for a period corresponding to the second frequency, and repeats the above-described output operations. In this case, the period corresponding to the second frequency may be different from the period corresponding to the first frequency.

[0041] According to one embodiment, AC power generated by the inverter (220) may be applied to the coil (210). The capacitor (410) may form a resonant circuit with the coil (210). The coil (210) may form a magnetic field based on the applied AC power. A portion of the magnetic field (or magnetic flux) formed by the coil (210) may pass through a cross-section of a receiving coil of a wireless power receiving device (103). As the magnetic field passing through the cross-section of the receiving coil changes over time, an induced electromotive force (e.g., current, voltage, or power) may be generated in the receiving coil.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the demodulation circuit (280) can demodulate a signal applied to the coil (210) (e.g., a voltage applied to both ends of the coil (210)) and output a demodulated signal (e.g., a demodulated voltage). The demodulation circuit (280) can, for example, check the amplitude or amplitude change of the signal applied to the coil (210) and generate a demodulated signal. The demodulation circuit (280) can output the demodulated signal by, for example, down-converting the frequency of the AC power (e.g., 100 to 210 kHz). According to one embodiment, the demodulation circuit (280) can include an envelope detector (ED) (e.g., a filter) and a comparator. According to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) (e.g., demodulation circuit (280)) may include a mixer and / or multiplier circuit for removing a carrier component (e.g., a frequency of 100 to 210 kHz of AC power) for wireless power transmission. Here, a waveform in which a component by modulation of the wireless power reception device (103) and an AC power component by the wireless power transmission device (101) are mixed may be applied to both ends of the coil (210) of the wireless power transmission device (101), and therefore, the frequency component of the AC power (e.g., 100 to 210 kHz) is named a carrier component, and those skilled in the art will understand that the wireless power reception device (103) does not actually generate an electromagnetic wave by mixing modulated data with a carrier wave. Accordingly, the carrier component (e.g., 100 to 210 kHz, which is the frequency of AC power) can be removed from the voltage at both ends of the coil (210). The demodulation circuit (280) may additionally filter (e.g., low-pass filter) the demodulation signal and output it. The demodulation circuit (280) may also include a low-pass filter.Alternatively, the demodulation circuit (280) may generate a demodulation signal by down-converting the frequency of the AC power (e.g., 100 to 210 kHz) after filtering the voltage across the coil (210). The amplitude of the voltage across the coil (210) may be changed according to the ASK modulation of the wireless power receiving device (103). According to one embodiment, the controller (290) may confirm information provided by the wireless power receiving device (103) based on the demodulation signal (Vdemod) output by the demodulation circuit (280). The controller (290) may, for example, perform analog-to-digital converting (ADC) on the demodulation signal (Vdemod). The controller (290) may decode a digital value obtained as a result of the ADC, and may confirm information provided by the wireless power receiving device (103) according to the decoding result. Those skilled in the art will understand that the decoding method may be, for example, based on the Qi standard, but is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, the demodulation circuit (280) has been described as performing frequency down-conversion (e.g., carrier rejection) and / or low-pass filtering, and the controller (290) as performing ADC and / or decoding, but this is merely exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that, according to one embodiment, the demodulation circuit (280) may be implemented to further perform at least one of ADC and decoding, and, according to another embodiment, the controller (290) may be implemented to further perform frequency down-conversion (e.g., carrier rejection) and / or low-pass filtering.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating measurement of a Q value according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating measurement of a Q value according to one embodiment.

[0044] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the measurement of the Q value can be described. However, FIGS. 5 and 6 are only examples, and the measurement of the Q value can be performed by other methods.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, according to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) is configured to sense the voltage of the capacitor (410) (e.g., V in FIG. 4). CP and V of Fig. 5 CP (t)) can be measured through the attenuation. For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) can provide AC power to the coil (210) and transmit a ping signal (e.g., an analog ping signal or a digital ping signal) through the coil (210) by alternately controlling the first pair of switches (e.g., the first switch (421) and the fourth switch (424)) and the second pair of switches (e.g., the second switch (422) and the third switch (423)). Thereafter, the wireless power transmission device (101) controls the first switch (421) and the third switch (423) of the inverter (220) to be off, and controls the second switch (422) and the fourth switch (424) to be on, thereby forming a discharge path including the coil (210) and the capacitor (410), and controlling the voltage of the capacitor (410) (e.g., V in FIG. 4) CP and V of Fig. 5 CPThe Q value can be measured through the attenuation of (t). For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) can calculate the Q value by measuring the voltage (e.g., ref0, and ref1), frequency (e.g., f0=1 / t), and time (e.g., t0, t1, T) of FIG. 5. The wireless power transmission device (101) can detect an object (e.g., a foreign substance or the wireless power reception device (103)) based on the Q value. While measuring the Q value based on the ping signal of FIG. 5, if the converter (230) operates in the pulse skip mode described below, an error in the measurement of the Q value may occur based on the ripple of the input voltage of the inverter (220) due to the pulse skip mode. In addition, when the wireless power transmission device (101) performs in-band communication with the wireless power reception device (103) based on the ASK (amplitude shift keying) modulation method, the demodulation performance for the signal received from the wireless power reception device (103) may decrease based on the ripple of the input voltage of the inverter (220) due to the pulse skip mode.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 6, according to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) may measure the Q value by generating an analog ping signal using a linear regulator (LDO) and measuring the time of charging and discharging of the capacitor (410). For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) may include a switch (640), a first resistor (631), a second resistor (632), a comparator (620), and a pulse counter (610). For example, in FIG. 6, the wireless power transmission device (101) may measure the voltage of the capacitor (410) (e.g., V of FIG. 4) based on a driving voltage (e.g., Vdd). CPThe Q value can be calculated by measuring the time (e.g., t2-t1 in FIG. 5) at which the peak value of V) of FIG. 6 decreases, or by measuring the time corresponding to the number of alternations until the peak value decreases from one specific value to another lower specific value. The embodiment using the linear regulator of FIG. 6 can reduce voltage ripple when generating a ping signal, but may have insufficient allowable current.

[0047] The operations of the wireless power transmission device (101) can be described in detail with reference to the embodiments described above (e.g., the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6) and the embodiments described below (e.g., the embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 15). Although each embodiment is disclosed in a separate drawing and a separate paragraph, this is only for the convenience of explanation, and at least some of the embodiments described above and at least some of the embodiments described below can be applied together. At least some of the embodiments described above and at least some of the embodiments described below may be omitted.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an operating method of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 can be described in detail with reference to the embodiments described above (e.g., the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6) and the embodiments described below (e.g., the embodiments of FIGS. 8 to 15). FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining a ping signal and a mode control signal according to one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining a first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram explaining a second mode (e.g., pulse width modulation (PWM) mode) according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining an input voltage of an inverter according to one embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining a circuit of a converter according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram explaining an operation of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram explaining an operation of a wireless power transmission device according to one embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram explaining a circuit of a converter according to one embodiment.

[0049] At least some of the operations of FIG. 7 may be omitted. The order of the operations of FIG. 7 may be changed. Operations other than those of FIG. 7 may be performed before, during, or after the operations of FIG. 7.

[0050] In Fig. 7, the wireless power transmission device (101) can transmit a ping signal. In Fig. 8, a period corresponding to a ping width (e.g., Wping in Fig. 8) may be referred to as a ping duration. The ping duration may be a period during which a ping signal is transmitted. In Fig. 8, a period between a previous ping width and a next ping width may be referred to as an idle duration. The idle duration may be a period during which a ping signal is not transmitted. The ping period may include a ping duration and an idle duration.

[0051] Based on the embodiment of FIG. 7, the wireless power transmission device (101) can control the converter (230) to operate in a second mode (e.g., pulse width modulation (PWM) mode) during the ping period to reduce the ripple of the input voltage of the inverter (220), thereby increasing the accuracy of the Q value measured in the circuit including the coil (210) and / or increasing the demodulation performance of the communication signal received from the wireless power reception device (103) via the coil (210). Based on the embodiment of FIG. 7, the wireless power transmission device (101) can control the converter (230) to operate in a first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) during the idle period, thereby increasing the efficiency of the wireless power transmission device (101) (e.g., converter (230)) under light load conditions. For example, the converter (230) may be controlled by a mode control signal (e.g., a signal provided from a second controller (270) configured to control an inverter (220) of FIG. 4 to a first controller (260) configured to control the converter (230). This will be described in detail below.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 701, according to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) may control the inverter (220) to periodically or intermittently transmit a ping signal through the coil (210). The wireless power transmission device (101) may provide AC power to the coil (210) and transmit a ping signal (e.g., an analog ping signal or a digital ping signal) through the coil (210) by alternately controlling a first pair of switches (e.g., a first switch (421) and a fourth switch (424)) and a second pair of switches (e.g., a second switch (422) and a third switch (423)). The wireless power transmission device (101) may control the inverter (220) with a second controller (270) to transmit the ping signal through the coil (210). The wireless power transmission device (101) can transmit a ping signal through the coil (210) by controlling a plurality of switches (e.g., the first switch (421), the second switch (422), the third switch (423), and the fourth switch (424) of FIG. 4) of the inverter (220) with the second controller (270).

[0053] In operation 703, according to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) may control the converter (230) to operate in a first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) during an idle duration in which no ping signal is transmitted. According to one embodiment, the amount of power required by the inverter (220) during the idle duration may be smaller than the amount of power required by the inverter (220) during the ping duration. A power smaller than the amount of power required by the inverter (220) may be referred to as a light load condition. The first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) may be a mode for increasing the efficiency of the wireless power transmission device (101) under a light load condition. The wireless power transmission device (101) may set a target voltage corresponding to the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) to a target voltage of an input voltage of the inverter (220) during the idle duration. The first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) may be described as follows.

[0054] According to one embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode (PSM)) is configured such that the input voltage of the inverter (220) provided from the converter (230) (e.g., V in FIG. 9) IN) may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing a turn-on (e.g., U1-Q and / or U2-Q of FIG. 9) is intermittently provided to at least some of the switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230) so that the pulse signal causing a turn-on (e.g., U1-Q and / or U2-Q of FIG. 9) is included in a specified range. A first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode (PSM)) may include a mode in which at least some of the pulse signals are omitted by intermittently providing a pulse signal causing a turn-on (e.g., U1-Q and / or U2-Q of FIG. 9) to at least some of the switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230). For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) (e.g., the first controller (260)) may control the output voltage of the converter (230) (e.g., the input voltage (V) of the inverter (220) of FIG. 4) through hysteric control. IN )) can be controlled to be included within the upper and lower limits. For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) controls the third switch (433) of the converter (230) to be on, controls the fourth switch (434) of the converter (230) to be off, and controls the output voltage of the converter (230) (e.g., the input voltage (V) of the inverter (220) of FIG. 4 IN )) exceeds the upper limit value, the first switch (431) is controlled to be turned off, and the output voltage of the converter (230) (e.g., the input voltage (V) of the inverter (220) of FIG. 4) IN)) is less than the lower limit value, a pulse signal causing a turn-on (e.g., U1-Q of FIG. 9) can be provided to the first switch (431). The upper limit value and the lower limit value of the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) can be determined by a target voltage (e.g., a target voltage corresponding to the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode)) and / or a hysteresis voltage, and there is no limitation on the method of determining the upper limit value and the lower limit value. The second switch (432) can be controlled to be off, or can be controlled to be on while the first switch (431) is controlled to be off. In FIG. 9, the first controller (260) can control the converter (230) to operate in the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) based on a control signal (e.g., PSM of FIG. 9) provided from the second controller (270). According to one embodiment, for the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode), the wireless power transmission device (101) outputs an error signal (e.g., VEA of FIG. 15) from an error amplifier (e.g., 1410 of FIG. 15) of the first controller (260) to a reference value (e.g., V of FIG. 15). PSM ) is exceeded, the first switch (431) of the converter (230) is turned on to supply power to the inverter (220) and the converter (230) can be deactivated otherwise. This will be described in FIG. 15. According to one embodiment, when the converter (230) operates in the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode), the switching cycle of the converter (230) becomes longer, so that the power consumption of the electronic device (101) can be reduced.

[0055] In operation 705, according to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) may control the converter (230) to operate in a second mode (e.g., pulse width modulation (PWM) mode) instead of a first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) during a ping duration in which a ping signal is transmitted. The wireless power transmission device (101) may control the converter (230) to operate in the second mode (e.g., pulse width modulation (PWM) mode) during a period including the ping duration. According to one embodiment, during the ping duration (or the period including the ping duration), the converter (230) operates in the second mode (e.g., PWM mode), thereby reducing ripple in the input voltage of the inverter (220) due to a pulse signal intermittently provided in the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode). The wireless power transmission device (101) can set the target voltage corresponding to the second mode (e.g., PWM mode) as the target voltage of the input voltage of the inverter (220) during the ping period.

[0056] According to one embodiment, referring to FIG. 11, the wireless power transmission device (101) may set a first target voltage corresponding to a second mode (e.g., PWM mode) as the target voltage during the ping period, and may set a second target voltage corresponding to the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) as the target voltage during the idle period. The first target voltage may be greater than the second target voltage. In FIG. 11, the wireless power transmission device (101) may set a target voltage (e.g., V of FIG. 11) for the second mode (e.g., PWM mode). ref ) can be set as the target voltage corresponding to the second mode (e.g., PWM mode). The wireless power transmission device (101) sets the target voltage (e.g., V of FIG. 11) for the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode). ref), the second target voltage corresponding to the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) can be set as the target voltage. Referring to FIG. 11, the input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the second mode (e.g., PWM mode) may be greater than the input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode). The second mode (e.g., PWM mode) during the ping period may be referred to as a forced PWM mode. The second mode (e.g., PWM mode (e.g., forced PWM mode)) can be described as follows.

[0057] According to one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 12 described below, the second mode (e.g., PWM mode) is configured to input voltage (e.g., V) of the inverter (220). IN ) to the target voltage of the input voltage (e.g. V REF )(e.g., a first target voltage corresponding to a second mode (e.g., PWM mode)) may include a mode for adjusting the duty cycle of the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230). The second mode (e.g., PWM mode) may include a mode in which a pulse signal is provided to cause at least some of the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230) to be turned on alternately. For example, an input voltage (e.g., V IN ) and target voltage (e.g. V REF ), the electronic device (101) can reduce the undershoot of the current (e.g., IL) of the inductor (230). For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) (e.g., the first controller (260)) controls the third switch (433) of the converter (230) to be on, controls the fourth switch (434) of the converter (230) to be off, and controls the input voltage (e.g., V) of the inverter (220) IN ) and target voltage (e.g. V REF)(e.g., the first target voltage corresponding to the PWM mode), the PWM signal (e.g., U1-Q and U2-Q of FIGS. 10 and 12) for adjusting the duty cycle can be provided to the first switch (431) and the second switch (432) of the converter (230). Referring to FIG. 12, the wireless power transmission device (101) (e.g., the first controller (260) of FIG. 4) can provide the input voltage (V of the inverter (220) IN ) and the target voltage (V) of the input voltage REF ) by comparing the error signal (V EA ) may include a first comparator (1410 of FIG. 15) configured to output a ramp signal (V) proportional to the output voltage of the converter (230). The wireless power transmission device (101) (e.g., the first controller (260) of FIG. 4) may output a ramp signal (V) proportional to the output voltage of the converter (230). RAMP ) and error signal (V EA ) may include a second comparator (1420) configured to output a set signal by comparing the first and second output signals. The wireless power transmission device (101) (e.g., the first controller (260) of FIG. 4) may include a flip-flop (1430) configured to output a first output signal based on the set signal. The wireless power transmission device (101) (e.g., the first controller (260) of FIG. 4) may include a constant-on time controller (COTC) (1440) connected to the flip-flop (1430). For example, the duty cycles of the first switch (431) and the second switch (432) of the converter (230) may be adjusted based on the first output signal and the inverted signal of the first output signal output from the flip-flop (1430).

[0058] According to one embodiment, the second controller (270) (e.g., TX IC) of FIG. 4 may provide a mode control signal (e.g., the mode control signal of FIG. 8) to the first controller (260). The “mode control signal” may be a signal that causes the converter (230) to operate in a second mode (e.g., PWM mode) during a ping period and causes the converter (230) to operate in a first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) during an idle period. For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) may provide a mode control signal from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260) that causes the converter (230) to operate in a second mode (e.g., PWM mode) during a ping period and causes the converter (230) to operate in a first mode (e.g., pulse skip mode) during an idle period. For example, the second controller (270) can provide the mode control signal to the first controller (260) by using an I2C communication method or by directly applying a signal to a pin. There is no limitation on the method by which the mode control signal is transmitted from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260). The first controller (260) can perform operations 703 and 705 of FIG. 7 based on the mode control signal provided from the second controller (270).

[0059] According to one embodiment, referring to FIG. 8, the wireless power transmission device (101) may add a preceding period (e.g., Wpre (e.g., preceding width) of FIG. 8) corresponding to a delay time to a mode control signal based on a ping period of a ping signal (e.g., a period corresponding to Wping (e.g., ping width) of FIG. 8). Based on the preceding period (e.g., Wpre (e.g., preceding width) of FIG. 8), a time point at which the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260) may be determined. The width of the mode control signal (e.g., Wctrl of FIG. 8) may be longer or shorter than the ping period (e.g., Wping). For example, based on the fact that the width of the mode control signal (e.g., Wctrl of FIG. 8) includes a preceding period (e.g., Wpre (e.g., preceding width) of FIG. 8), the mode control signal may be formed to be wider than the ping signal.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the point in time at which the mode control signal is provided (e.g., mode-change starting-point) (e.g., T of FIGS. 13 and 14) SP ) can be explained. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the timing of providing the mode control signal can be understood. According to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) is configured to receive an input voltage (V) of the inverter (220). IN ) and check the input voltage and the target voltage of the input voltage (e.g. V REF )(e.g., a first target voltage corresponding to a PWM mode) can be compared, and based on the result of the comparison, the time at which the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260) can be determined. For example, the wireless power transmission device (101) can determine the input voltage (e.g., V) of the inverter (220) IN ) and target voltage (e.g. V REF) can be controlled by a mode control signal. As shown in Fig. 13, the input voltage (e.g., V IN ) and target voltage (e.g. V REF ) can be set as the point at which the mode control signal is provided (e.g., Tsp in Fig. 13) when the difference between V EA Due to the difference between V and Vramp IN Undershoot may occur. As shown in Fig. 14, the input voltage (e.g., V IN ) and target voltage (e.g. V REF ) is negative and therefore VEA is positive (e.g. V in Fig. 14 IN The time point (when the voltage is 4.48 [V] or less than 4.5 [V]) can be set as the time point (e.g., Tsp of FIG. 14) at which the mode control signal is provided. Referring to FIG. 14, according to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) can transmit the mode control signal in advance by a preceding period (e.g., Wpre (e.g., preceding width) of FIG. 8). Through this, the wireless power transmission device (101) can transmit the input voltage (V) of the inverter (220). IN ) and the undershoot of the current of the inductor (230) of the converter (230) can be prevented.

[0061] According to one embodiment, a delay time may occur in response to a mode control signal depending on the performance of the first controller (260). The delay time may be the time from the time when the first controller (260) receives the mode control signal to the time when the first controller (260) controls the converter (230) based on the mode control signal. According to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) may check the delay time depending on the performance of the first controller (260) and, based on the delay time, determine the time when the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260).

[0062] According to one embodiment, a wireless power transmission device (101) (e.g., a first controller (260) of FIG. 4) may include a control circuit (1500). The first controller (260) may control the converter (230) to operate in a pulse skip mode or a PWM mode using the control circuit (1500). Referring to FIG. 15, the control circuit (1500) may control a first output signal output from a flip-flop (1430), a mode control signal provided from a second controller (270), and a reference voltage corresponding to the pulse skip mode (e.g., a pulse skip voltage (V PSM )) based on the first drive signal (U1-Q) that controls the first switch (431) of the converter (230) and the second drive signal (U2-Q) that controls the second switch (432) of the converter (230). For example, the control circuit (1500) may be configured to output a pulse skip voltage (V PSM ) and error signal (V EA ) by comparing the enable signal (V ENA ) may include a third comparator (1510) configured to output an enable signal (V ENA) and a sum logic gate (1520) configured to output a second output signal corresponding to the sum of the mode control signal. The control circuit (1500) may include a plurality of logic gates (1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526). The plurality of logic gates (1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526) may be configured to output a first driving signal (U1-Q) for controlling a first switch (431) of the converter (230) and a second driving signal (U2-Q) for controlling a second switch (432) of the converter (230) based on a first output signal output from the flip-flop (1430) and a second output signal output from the sum logic gate (1520). The configurations of the control circuit (1500) of FIG. 15 are only examples, and the control circuit (1500) may be implemented in a different manner from FIG. 15.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the wireless power transmission device (101) may include a boost converter, a buck converter, a buck-boost converter, or a multi-step converter other than the 4-switch buck-boost converter (230) of FIG. 4, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applied to such converters.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the wireless power receiving device (103) of FIG. 3 may include a receiving coil, a rectifier, and a charger (e.g., a converter). The wireless power receiving device (103) may control the rectifier to operate as an inverter and control the charger (e.g., a converter) to operate in a reverse boost mode. At this time, the wireless power receiving device (103) may perform the operations described in the embodiment of FIG. 7.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein may be applied interchangeably, within the scope of their applicability. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that at least some operations of one embodiment described herein may be omitted and applied, or at least some operations of one embodiment may be applied in conjunction.

[0066] The present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing, and other variations not mentioned will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure.

[0067] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0068] According to one embodiment, a wireless power transmission device (101) may include a converter (230) configured to perform a DC / DC power conversion operation, an inverter (220) electrically connected to the converter (230) and configured to perform a DC / AC power conversion operation, a coil (210) electrically connected to the inverter (220), and at least one processor (290, 260, 270). The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to control the inverter (220) to periodically or intermittently transmit a ping signal through the coil (210). The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to control the converter (230) to operate in a PWM (pulse width modulation) mode. The PWM mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing turn-on is provided to at least some of the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230) in an alternating manner. The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to control the converter (230) to operate in a pulse skip mode. The pulse skip mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing turn-on is intermittently provided to at least some of the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230), thereby omitting at least some of the pulse signals. The converter (230) may be configured to operate in the pulse skip mode during an idle duration in which the ping signal is not transmitted.

[0069] In one embodiment, the at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may include a first controller (260) configured to control the converter (230). The first controller (260) may include a first processing circuit. The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may include a second controller (270) configured to control the inverter (220). The second controller (270) may include a second processing circuit. The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the second controller (270) to control the inverter (220) so as to cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to transmit the ping signal through the coil (210). The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to provide a mode control signal from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260), which causes the converter (230) to operate in the PWM mode during the ping period in which the ping signal is transmitted and to operate in the pulse skip mode during the idle period. The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to control the converter (230) with the first controller (260) based on the mode control signal, so as to operate in the PWM mode during the ping period and in the pulse skip mode during the idle period.

[0070] In one embodiment, the at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to check the input voltage of the inverter (220). The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to compare the input voltage with a target voltage of the input voltage. The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to determine, based on a result of the comparison, when the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260).

[0071] In one embodiment, the at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to determine, based on the performance of the first controller (260), a delay time from a time when the first controller (260) receives the mode control signal to a time when the converter (230) is controlled based on the mode control signal. The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to determine, based on the delay time, the time when the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260).

[0072] In one embodiment, the at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to set the first target voltage corresponding to the PWM mode to the target voltage during the ping period. The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) may cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to set the second target voltage corresponding to the pulse skip mode to the target voltage during the idle period. The first target voltage may be greater than the second target voltage.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the PWM mode may be greater than the input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the pulse skip mode.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the first controller (260) may include a first comparator (1410) configured to output an error signal by comparing the input voltage of the inverter (220) with a target voltage of the input voltage. The first controller (260) may include a second comparator (1420) configured to output a setting signal by comparing the error signal with a ramp signal proportional to the output voltage of the converter (230). The first controller (260) may include a flip-flop (1430) configured to output a first output signal based on the setting signal.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the first controller (260) may include a control circuit (1500). The control circuit (1500) may be configured to output a first drive signal for controlling a first switch (431) of the converter (230) and a second drive signal for controlling a second switch (432) of the converter (230) based on the first output signal, the mode control signal, and a pulse skip voltage corresponding to the pulse skip mode.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the control circuit (1500) may include a third comparator (1510) configured to output an enable signal by comparing the pulse skip voltage with the error signal. The control circuit (1500) may include a sum logic gate (1520) configured to output a second output signal corresponding to the sum of the enable signal and the mode control signal. The control circuit (1500) may include a plurality of logic gates (1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526) configured to output the first driving signal and the second driving signal based on the first output signal and the second output signal.

[0077] In one embodiment, the amount of power required by the inverter (220) during the idle period may be less than the amount of power required by the inverter (220) during the ping period during which the ping signal is transmitted.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) may include a first switch (431), a second switch (432), a third switch (433), and a fourth switch (434). The plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) may include the first switch (431) and the second switch (432). The plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) may include the third switch (433) and the fourth switch (434).

[0079] According to one embodiment, a method of operating a wireless power transmission device (101) may include an operation of controlling an inverter (220) of the wireless power transmission device (101) to periodically or intermittently transmit a ping signal through a coil (210) of the wireless power transmission device (101). The method may include an operation of controlling a converter (230) of the wireless power transmission device (101) to operate in a PWM mode. The PWM mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal is provided to cause at least some of a plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230) to be turned on alternately. The method may include an operation of controlling the converter (230) to operate in a pulse skip mode. The pulse skip mode may include a mode in which at least some of the pulse signals are omitted by intermittently providing pulse signals that cause turn-on to at least some of the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230). During an idle duration in which the ping signal is not transmitted, the converter (230) may be configured to operate in the pulse skip mode.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the method may include controlling the converter (230) with the first controller (260) of the wireless power transmission device (101). The method may include controlling the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) of the wireless power transmission device (101). The controlling of the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) may include controlling the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) to transmit the ping signal through the coil (210). The method may include providing a mode control signal from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260), the mode control signal causing the converter (230) to operate in the PWM mode during a ping period in which the ping signal is transmitted and causing the converter (230) to operate in the pulse skip mode during an idle period. The operation of controlling the converter (230) with the first controller (260) may include an operation of controlling the converter (230) with the first controller (260) to operate in the PWM mode during the ping period and to operate in the pulse skip mode during the idle period, based on the mode control signal.

[0081] In one embodiment, the method may include an operation of checking the input voltage of the inverter (220). The method may include an operation of comparing the input voltage with a target voltage of the input voltage. The method may include an operation of determining, based on a result of the comparison, when the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260).

[0082] According to one embodiment, in the method, the operation of determining the point in time may include an operation of checking a delay time from a point in time when the first controller (260) receives the mode control signal to a point in time when the converter (230) is controlled based on the mode control signal, based on the performance of the first controller (260). The operation of determining the point in time may include an operation of determining the point in time when the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260), based on the delay time.

[0083] In one embodiment, the method may include setting the first target voltage corresponding to the PWM mode to the target voltage during the ping period. The method may include setting the second target voltage corresponding to the pulse skip mode to the target voltage during the idle period. The first target voltage may be greater than the second target voltage.

[0084] According to one embodiment, in the method, the input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the PWM mode may be greater than the input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the pulse skip mode.

[0085] In one embodiment, the method may include an operation of outputting an error signal by comparing the input voltage of the inverter (220) with a target voltage of the input voltage. The method may include an operation of outputting a setting signal by comparing the error signal with a ramp signal proportional to the output voltage of the converter (230). The method may include an operation of outputting a first output signal based on the setting signal.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the method may include an operation of outputting a first drive signal for controlling a first switch (431) of the converter (230) and a second drive signal for controlling a second switch (432) of the converter (230) based on the first output signal, the mode control signal, and a pulse skip voltage corresponding to the pulse skip mode.

[0087] In one embodiment, the method may include an operation of outputting an enable signal by comparing the pulse skip voltage with the error signal. The method may include an operation of outputting a second output signal corresponding to a sum of the enable signal and the mode control signal. The method may include an operation of outputting the first driving signal and the second driving signal based on the first output signal and the second output signal.

[0088] According to one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions may include instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor (290, 260, 270) of a wireless power transmission device (101), cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to perform at least one operation. The at least one operation may include controlling an inverter (220) of the wireless power transmission device (101) to periodically or intermittently transmit a ping signal through a coil (210) of the wireless power transmission device (101). The at least one operation may include controlling a converter (230) of the wireless power transmission device (101) to operate in a PWM mode. The PWM mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing turn-on is provided alternately to at least some of the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230). The at least one operation may include an operation of controlling the converter (230) to operate in a pulse skip mode. The pulse skip mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing turn-on is intermittently provided to at least some of the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230), thereby omitting at least some of the pulse signals. During an idle duration in which the ping signal is not transmitted, the converter (230) may be configured to operate in the pulse skip mode.

[0089] According to one embodiment, in the recording medium, the at least one operation may include an operation of controlling the converter (230) with the first controller (260) of the wireless power transmission device (101). The at least one operation may include an operation of controlling the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) of the wireless power transmission device (101). The operation of controlling the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) may include an operation of controlling the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) to transmit the ping signal through the coil (210). The at least one operation may include an operation of providing a mode control signal from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260), the mode control signal causing the converter (230) to operate in the PWM mode during the ping period in which the ping signal is transmitted and causing the converter (230) to operate in the pulse skip mode during the idle period. The operation of controlling the converter (230) with the first controller (260) may include an operation of controlling the converter (230) with the first controller (260) to operate in the PWM mode during the ping period and to operate in the pulse skip mode during the idle period, based on the mode control signal.

[0090] According to one embodiment, in the recording medium, the at least one operation may include an operation of checking the input voltage of the inverter (220). The at least one operation may include an operation of comparing the input voltage with a target voltage of the input voltage. The at least one operation may include an operation of determining, based on a result of the comparison, when the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260).

[0091] According to one embodiment, in the recording medium, the operation of determining the point in time may include an operation of checking a delay time from a point in time when the first controller (260) receives the mode control signal to a point in time when the converter (230) is controlled based on the mode control signal, based on the performance of the first controller (260). The operation of determining the point in time may include an operation of determining the point in time when the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260), based on the delay time.

[0092] In one embodiment, in the recording medium, the at least one operation may include setting the first target voltage corresponding to the PWM mode to the target voltage during the ping period. The at least one operation may include setting the second target voltage corresponding to the pulse skip mode to the target voltage during the idle period. The first target voltage may be greater than the second target voltage.

[0093] According to one embodiment, in the recording medium, the input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the PWM mode may be greater than the input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the pulse skip mode.

[0094] According to one embodiment, in the recording medium, the at least one operation may include an operation of outputting an error signal by comparing the input voltage of the inverter (220) with a target voltage of the input voltage. The at least one operation may include an operation of outputting a setting signal by comparing the error signal with a ramp signal proportional to the output voltage of the converter (230). The at least one operation may include an operation of outputting a first output signal based on the setting signal.

[0095] According to one embodiment, in the recording medium, the at least one operation may include an operation of outputting a first driving signal for controlling a first switch (431) of the converter (230) and a second driving signal for controlling a second switch (432) of the converter (230) based on the first output signal, the mode control signal, and the pulse skip voltage corresponding to the pulse skip mode.

[0096] According to one embodiment, in the recording medium, the at least one operation may include an operation of outputting an enable signal by comparing the pulse skip voltage with the error signal. The at least one operation may include an operation of outputting a second output signal corresponding to a sum of the enable signal and the mode control signal. The at least one operation may include an operation of outputting the first driving signal and the second driving signal based on the first output signal and the second output signal.

[0097] According to one embodiment, a wireless power transmission device (101) may include a converter (230) configured to perform a DC / DC power conversion operation, an inverter (220) electrically connected to the converter (230) and configured to perform a DC / AC power conversion operation, a coil (210) electrically connected to the inverter (220) and configured to transmit a ping signal, and a control circuit (260) configured to control the converter (230). The control circuit (260) may be configured to receive a signal related to ping operations. The control circuit (260) may be configured to cause a plurality of switches of the converter (230) to operate in a first mode or a second mode based on the received signal.

[0098] In one embodiment, the signal associated with the ping operations may cause the plurality of switches of the converter (230) to operate in the first mode during a first period in which the ping signal is transmitted. The signal associated with the ping operations may cause the plurality of switches of the converter (230) to operate in the second mode during a second period in which the ping signal is not transmitted.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the first mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing turn-on is provided to at least some of the plurality of switches of the converter (230) in an alternating manner. The second mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing turn-on is provided intermittently to at least some of the plurality of switches of the converter (230), thereby omitting at least some of the pulse signals.

[0100] According to one embodiment, a method of operating a wireless power transmission device (101) may include receiving a signal related to ping operations using a control circuit (260) configured to control a converter (230) of the wireless power transmission device (101). The method may include causing a plurality of switches of the converter (230) to operate in a first mode or a second mode based on the received signal using the control circuit (260).

[0101] In one embodiment, in the method, the signal associated with the ping operations may cause the plurality of switches of the converter (230) to operate in the first mode during a first period in which the ping signal is transmitted. The signal associated with the ping operations may cause the plurality of switches of the converter (230) to operate in the second mode during a second period in which the ping signal is not transmitted.

[0102] In one embodiment, in the method, the first mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing turn-on is provided alternately to at least some of the plurality of switches of the converter (230). The second mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing turn-on is provided intermittently to at least some of the plurality of switches of the converter (230), thereby omitting at least some of the pulse signals.

[0103] According to one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor (290, 260, 270) of a wireless power transmission device (101), cause the wireless power transmission device (101) to perform at least one operation. The at least one operation may include receiving a signal associated with ping operations using a control circuit (260) configured to control a converter (230) of the wireless power transmission device (101). The at least one operation may include causing, using the control circuit (260), a plurality of switches of the converter (230) to operate in a first mode or a second mode based on the received signal.

[0104] In one embodiment, in the recording medium, the signal associated with the ping operations may cause the plurality of switches of the converter (230) to operate in the first mode during a first period in which the ping signal is transmitted. The signal associated with the ping operations may cause the plurality of switches of the converter (230) to operate in the second mode during a second period in which the ping signal is not transmitted.

[0105] According to one embodiment, in the recording medium, the first mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing at least some of the plurality of switches of the converter (230) to be turned on is provided alternately. The second mode may include a mode in which a pulse signal causing the turn on is intermittently provided to at least some of the plurality of switches of the converter (230), thereby omitting at least some of the pulse signals.

[0106] Devices according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may take various forms. The devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Devices according to the embodiments of this document are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0107] The various embodiments of this document and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0108] The term "module" used in various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0109] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program) including one or more instructions stored on a storage medium that can be read by a machine (e.g., an electronic device). For example, a processor (e.g., a controller) of the machine may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction called. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code that can be executed by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily in the storage medium.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0111] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

1. In a wireless power transmission device (101), A converter (230) configured to perform a DC / DC power conversion operation; An inverter (220) electrically connected to the above converter (230) and configured to perform a DC / AC power conversion operation; A coil (210) electrically connected to the above inverter (220); and comprising at least one processor (290, 260, 270); The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) causes the wireless power transmission device (101) to: Controlling the inverter (220) to transmit a ping signal periodically or intermittently through the coil (210), Controlling the converter (230) to operate in a PWM (pulse width modulation) mode, wherein the PWM mode includes a mode in which a pulse signal is provided to cause at least some of the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230) to be turned on alternately, Causing the converter (230) to be controlled to operate in a pulse skip mode, wherein the pulse skip mode includes a mode in which at least some of the pulse signals are omitted by providing a pulse signal causing a turn-on to at least some of the switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230), The above converter (230) is configured to operate in the pulse skip mode during an idle duration during which the ping signal is not transmitted. Wireless power transmission device (101).

2. In paragraph 1, At least one processor (290, 260, 270) above, A first controller (260) configured to control the above converter (230); and It includes a second controller (270) configured to control the inverter (220), The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) causes the wireless power transmission device (101) to: Controlling the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) to transmit the ping signal through the coil (210), A mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260) to cause the converter (230) to operate in the PWM mode during the ping period in which the ping signal is transmitted and to cause the converter (230) to operate in the pulse skip mode during the idle period, Based on the above mode control signal, causing the converter (230) to be controlled by the first controller (260) to operate in the PWM mode during the ping period and in the pulse skip mode during the idle period. Wireless power transmission device (101).

3. In paragraph 1 or 2, The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) causes the wireless power transmission device (101) to: Check the input voltage of the above inverter (220), Compare the input voltage and the target voltage of the input voltage, Based on the result of the above comparison, causing the mode control signal to be determined at what point in time it is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260). Wireless power transmission device (101).

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) causes the wireless power transmission device (101) to: Based on the performance of the first controller (260), the delay time from the time the first controller (260) receives the mode control signal to the time the converter (230) is controlled based on the mode control signal is checked, Based on the above delay time, causing the mode control signal to be determined at the time when it is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260). Wireless power transmission device (101).

5. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, The at least one processor (290, 260, 270) causes the wireless power transmission device (101) to: During the ping period, the first target voltage corresponding to the PWM mode is set to the target voltage, During the idle period, the second target voltage corresponding to the pulse skip mode is set to the target voltage, The first target voltage is greater than the second target voltage, Wireless power transmission device (101).

6. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, The input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the PWM mode is greater than the input voltage of the inverter (220) while the converter (230) operates in the pulse skip mode. Wireless power transmission device (101).

7. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 6, The above first controller (260) A first comparator (1410) configured to output an error signal by comparing the input voltage of the inverter (220) with the target voltage of the input voltage; A second comparator (1420) configured to output a setting signal by comparing the error signal with a ramp signal proportional to the output voltage of the converter (230); and A flip-flop (1430) configured to output a first output signal based on the above setting signal, Wireless power transmission device (101).

8. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, The above first controller (260) includes a control circuit (1500), The control circuit (1500) is configured to output a first driving signal for controlling a first switch (431) of the converter (230) and a second driving signal for controlling a second switch (432) of the converter (230) based on the first output signal, the mode control signal, and the pulse skip voltage corresponding to the pulse skip mode. Wireless power transmission device (101).

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, The above control circuit (1500) A third comparator (1510) configured to output an enable signal by comparing the pulse skip voltage and the error signal; A sum logic gate (1520) configured to output a second output signal corresponding to the sum of the enable signal and the mode control signal; and A plurality of logic gates (1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526) configured to output the first driving signal and the second driving signal based on the first output signal and the second output signal, Wireless power transmission device (101).

10. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 9, The amount of power required by the inverter (220) during the idle period is smaller than the amount of power required by the inverter (220) during the ping period in which the ping signal is transmitted. Wireless power transmission device (101).

11. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 10, The above multiple switches (431, 432, 433, 434) are including a first switch (431), a second switch (432), a third switch (433), and a fourth switch (434), or Including the first switch (431) and the second switch (432), or including the third switch (433) and the fourth switch (434), Wireless power transmission device (101).

12. In the operating method of the wireless power transmission device (101), An operation of controlling an inverter (220) of the wireless power transmission device (101) to periodically or intermittently transmit a ping signal through a coil (210) of the wireless power transmission device (101); An operation of controlling a converter (230) of the wireless power transmission device (101) to operate in a PWM mode, wherein the PWM mode includes a mode in which a pulse signal is provided to cause at least some of the plurality of switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230) to be turned on alternately, An operation for controlling the converter (230) to operate in a pulse skip mode, wherein the pulse skip mode includes a mode in which at least some of the pulse signals are omitted by intermittently providing a pulse signal causing a turn-on to at least some of the switches (431, 432, 433, 434) of the converter (230), During an idle duration during which the ping signal is not transmitted, the converter (230) is configured to operate in the pulse skip mode. method.

13. In paragraph 12, An operation of controlling the converter (230) with the first controller (260) of the wireless power transmission device (101), It includes an operation of controlling the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) of the wireless power transmission device (101), The operation of controlling the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) includes the operation of controlling the inverter (220) with the second controller (270) to transmit the ping signal through the coil (210). The method includes providing a mode control signal from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260) that causes the converter (230) to operate in the PWM mode during the ping period in which the ping signal is transmitted and causes the converter (230) to operate in the pulse skip mode during the idle period, The operation of controlling the converter (230) with the first controller (260) includes an operation of controlling the converter (230) with the first controller (260) to operate in the PWM mode during the ping period and to operate in the pulse skip mode during the idle period, based on the mode control signal. method.

14. In paragraph 12 or 13, An operation of checking the input voltage of the above inverter (220), An operation of comparing the input voltage and the target voltage of the input voltage, Based on the result of the above comparison, an operation for determining when the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260) is included. method.

15. In any one of paragraphs 12 to 14, The action that determines the above point in time is, An operation of checking the delay time from the time when the first controller (260) receives the mode control signal to the time when the converter (230) is controlled based on the mode control signal, based on the performance of the first controller (260); Based on the delay time, including an operation of determining the point in time at which the mode control signal is provided from the second controller (270) to the first controller (260), method.

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