Wireless charging system and method using energy-efficient magnetic flux-based coupling system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wireless charging system and method using an energy-efficient magnetic flux-based coupling system, and the technical problem is to be solved by providing a mechanism that enables, on the basis of a flux-switching mechanism, easy attachment and detachment of an object requiring charging and a charger by switching a magnetic flux direction of a permanent magnet without a separate large power supply. To this end, the present disclosure provides a configuration comprising an electromagnet, a permanent magnet, and a control circuit for adjusting the magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet using only a short electric pulse through the electromagnet, such that an object to be charged is attached to the charger during charging and the object to be charged is separated from the charger after charging.

Description

Wireless charging system and method using an energy-efficient magnetic flux-based coupling system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless charging system and method using an energy-efficient magnetic flux-based coupling system.

[0002] Wireless charging systems are becoming increasingly important in systems such as drones, humanoid robots, and electric vehicles. One of the most critical challenges in wireless charging is ensuring optimal alignment between the primary coil of the charger and the secondary coil within the object being charged for high-efficiency electromagnetic induction.

[0003] To this end, existing systems have adopted two methods using permanent magnets and electromagnets. However, both methods have the following disadvantages.

[0004] In the case of methods using electromagnets, magnetic attraction can be easily controlled, but a large amount of electrical energy must be continuously supplied in DC form to create a sufficient electric field, and the magnetic force is immediately lost if there is a power failure in the electromagnet's energy source or any other interference in transmitting electrical power to the electromagnet's coil.

[0005] In the case of the method using permanent magnets, unlike electromagnets, no electrical energy is consumed in the process of generating magnetic attraction; however, there is no easy way to separate an object once it is attached other than by applying physical force.

[0006] The information described above disclosed in the background technology of this invention is intended only to enhance understanding of the background of the present invention and may therefore include information that does not constitute prior art.

[0007] In wireless charging systems, uneven alignment of the transmitting and receiving coils and continuous movement of the receiving coil cause increased charging time and reduced charging efficiency.

[0008] To this end, there are two methods for attaching the charging object and the charger: using electromagnets and using permanent magnets; however, as previously described, both methods have significant drawbacks.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to develop a new type of wireless charging system that utilizes the advantages of electromagnets (the characteristic of controlling magnetic attraction at will so that charged objects attach only during charging and detach after charging) and permanent magnets (the characteristic of being able to generate magnetic attraction without an external power supply).

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a wireless charging system and method using an energy-efficient magnetic flux-based coupling system that enables easy attachment and detachment of an object requiring charging and a charger through the switching of the magnetic flux direction of a permanent magnet based on a flux-switching mechanism without a separate large power supply.

[0011] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned problems can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0012] A wireless charging system using an energy-efficient magnetic flux-based coupling system according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem is characterized by comprising: an electromagnet; a permanent magnet; and a control circuit that controls the direction of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet using only short electric pulses through the electromagnet, so that a charging object is attached to the charger during charging and separated from the charger after charging.

[0013] The electromagnet may include a C-core forming a magnetic circuit; and control windings wound on the left and right sides of the C-core starting from the position of the permanent magnet.

[0014] The above permanent magnet can be placed at the center of the above C-core.

[0015] The above control winding can be activated by an electrical pulse to dynamically change the path of the magnetic flux flowing into the C-core.

[0016] The above magnetic flux can be maintained inside the C-core so that loss to the outside can be minimized.

[0017] A wireless charging system using an energy-efficient magnetic flux-based coupling system according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an energy transmission coil that is electrically connected to the control circuit and positioned at a location where power transmission is possible with a coil provided on the charging object as the charging object approaches.

[0018] The control circuit can enable the charging object to attach to the charger by applying a first electric pulse to the control winding when the charging object approaches the charger for attachment, thereby changing the path of the magnetic flux flowing into the C-core from the C-core to the surface of the soft magnetic material of the charging object.

[0019] The above control circuit can generate magnetic attraction through the permanent magnet according to the change in the path of the magnetic flux to fix the charging object to the charging pad of the charger.

[0020] The control circuit can enable the charging object to be separated from the charging pad of the charger by applying a second electric pulse to the control winding when the charging object is fully charged, thereby switching the path of the magnetic flux back to the C-core.

[0021] A wireless charging method using an energy-efficient magnetic flux-based coupling system according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a step in which a control circuit controls the direction of the magnetic flux of a permanent magnet using only short electric pulses through an electromagnet; a step in which the control circuit causes a charging object to be attached to a charger during charging according to the control of the direction of the magnetic flux; and a step in which the control circuit causes the charging object to be separated from the charger after charging according to the control of the direction of the magnetic flux.

[0022] According to the present invention, by switching the direction of the magnetic flux of a permanent magnet based on a flux-switching mechanism, easy attachment and detachment of the object requiring charging and the charger are made possible without a separate large power supply, thereby allowing the transmitting and receiving coils to be accurately aligned.

[0023] In addition, according to the present invention, the efficiency of the entire charging process of a wireless charging system can be maximized, and space utilization can be improved by providing freedom in the installation location of the charger.

[0024] In addition, according to the present invention, by using a permanent magnet and control windings of a C-core structure to dynamically change the path of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet, power is consumed only at the moment the windings are activated, so that continuous power consumption does not occur when the device is fixed, thereby minimizing energy consumption.

[0025] However, the effects obtainable through the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned technical effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0026] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0027] FIGS. 1 to 4 are drawings illustrating a permanent magnet system to which a Flux-Switching Mechanism is applied.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a wireless charging system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating the attachment and separation mechanism between a charging object and a charger in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless charging method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, based on the principle that the inventor may appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his invention, they should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely some of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical spirit of the present invention; thus, various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application. Furthermore, as used in this specification, "comprise" or "include" and / or "comprising" or "including" specify the presence of the mentioned features, numbers, steps, actions, parts, elements, and / or groups thereof, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, actions, parts, elements, and / or groups. In addition, when describing embodiments of the present invention, "may" and "may be" may include "one or more embodiments of the present invention."

[0032] Additionally, to aid in understanding the invention, the attached drawings are not drawn to actual scale, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated. Furthermore, the same reference numerals may be assigned to identical components in different embodiments.

[0033] The statement that two subjects of comparison are 'identical' means that they are 'substantially identical.' Therefore, substantial identity may include deviations considered low in the industry, for example, deviations within 5%. Additionally, the statement that a parameter is uniform in a given area may mean that it is uniform from an average perspective.

[0034] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may also be the second component.

[0035] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0036] The fact that any configuration is placed on the "upper (or lower)" of a component or on the "upper (or lower)" of a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0037] Furthermore, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while said components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through another component. Additionally, when it is stated that a part is electrically coupled with another part, this includes not only cases where they are directly connected but also cases where they are connected with another component in between.

[0038] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise. That is, "and / or" includes any combination or any combination of the enumerated items. "C to D" means C or more and D or less, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0039] FIGS. 1 to 4 are drawings illustrating a permanent magnet system to which a Flux-Switching Mechanism is applied.

[0040] The present invention can solve the disadvantages of both electromagnets and permanent magnets through a permanent magnet system to which a Flux-Switching Mechanism is applied.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 1, open circuits exist above and below the permanent magnet. The open circuits are made of interconnected soft ferromagnetic materials. When an object (Keeper 1) made of soft ferromagnetic materials is brought into contact with the left side of the open circuit, the magnetic flux generated from the permanent magnet and flowing into the air flows along the complete circuit made of Keeper 1, and Keeper 1 adheres to the soft ferromagnetic materials of the open circuit.

[0042] At this time, even if another object (Keeper 2) is brought into contact with the right side, the attraction force is not sufficiently generated because most of the magnetic flux flows along the path created by Keeper 1. However, as shown in Fig. 2, when the electromagnetic pulse flows in the direction of Keeper 2 by the coils (control windings) formed on both sides of the open circuit, the respective reluctance to the right becomes lower than to the left.

[0043] Accordingly, the direction of the total magnetic flux is directed to the right, causing Keeper 2 to adhere to the soft ferromagnetic materials of the open circuit, and Keeper 1 to detach from the soft ferromagnetic materials of the open circuit.

[0044] FIGS. 3 and 4 explain the flux transfer principle in more detail. As shown in FIG. 3, most of the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet (1) is flowing to Keeper 2 (2) on the right. At this time, when the control coils (4, 5) installed in each path apply an electric pulse through the path to Keeper 1 (3) on the left, the respective reluctance of the path on the left becomes lower than that of the path on the right.

[0045] Accordingly, the direction of the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet (1) changes from right to left, and as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic flux to the right may be completely eliminated depending on the strength of the pulse flowing through the coils (4, 5). At this time, Keeper 2 (2) no longer receives magnetic attraction and is separated from the system.

[0046] The present invention applies the above Flux-Switching mechanism to a wireless charging system, thereby switching the direction of the magnetic flux of a permanent magnet using only electric pulses without a separate continuous external power supply, making it possible to easily attach and detach the charger from an object requiring charging (charging object).

[0047] Thus, according to the present invention, the efficiency of the entire charging process can be maximized by including the accurate alignment of the transmitting / receiving coils when the charging object and the charger are attached in a wireless charging system, and the space utilization can be improved by granting a degree of freedom to the installation location of the charger.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a wireless charging system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the attachment and separation mechanism of a charging object and a charger in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the wireless charging system (500) of the present embodiment may be configured to include an electromagnet (510), a permanent magnet (520), and a control circuit (530).

[0050] The electromagnet (510) may have the characteristic of controlling magnetic attraction so that the charging object (610) is attached to the charger only during charging and is separated from the charger after charging. To this end, the electromagnet (510) may include a C-core (511) and control windings (512).

[0051] The C-core (511) can form a magnetic circuit. The control winding (512) can be wound on the left and right sides of the C-core (511) starting from the position of the permanent magnet (520). The control winding (512) can be activated by an electrical pulse to dynamically change the path of the magnetic flux (501) flowing into the C-core (511).

[0052] That is, the control winding (512) can be activated when an electrical pulse generated by the control circuit (530) is applied, thereby changing the direction of the magnetic flux (501) flowing into the C-core (511) and controlling the magnetic attraction generated by the permanent magnet (520). At this time, the magnetic flux (501) is maintained inside the C-core (511) so that loss to the outside can be minimized.

[0053] For example, when a first electric pulse for attachment between the charging object (610) and the charger is applied to the control winding (512), the direction of the magnetic flux (501) flowing into the C-core (511) is changed clockwise as shown in FIG. 6 so that the charging object (610) can be attached to the charger.

[0054] Additionally, when a second electric pulse for separation between the charging object (610) and the charger is applied to the control winding (512), the direction of the magnetic flux (501) flowing into the C-core (511) is changed from the clockwise direction of FIG. 6 to the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 5, so that the charging object (610) can be separated from the charger.

[0055] The permanent magnet (520) can generate magnetic attraction on its own without a power supply. The magnetic attraction generated by the permanent magnet (520) can be controlled through the electromagnet (510), and for this purpose, the permanent magnet (520) can be placed at the center of the C-core (511).

[0056] The control circuit (530) can operate by receiving power from the Rectifier (550). Here, the Rectifier (550) is electrically connected to the grid (GRID) (560) to receive power, and can convert the supplied power through the function of an AC / DC converter.

[0057] The control circuit (530) can adjust the magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet (520) without a continuous external power supply through the electromagnet (510) so that the charging object (610) is attached to the charger during charging and the charging object (610) is separated from the charger after charging.

[0058] Specifically, the control circuit (530) can cause the charging object (610) to be attached to the charger by applying a first electric pulse to the control winding (512) when the charging object (610) approaches the charger for attachment, thereby changing the path of the magnetic flux (501) flowing into the C-core (511) from the C-core (511) to the surface of the soft magnetic material of the charging object (610).

[0059] At this time, the control circuit (530) can generate magnetic attraction through the permanent magnet (520) according to the change in the path of the magnetic flux (501) to fix the charging object (610) to the charging pad of the charger, thereby allowing the charging object (610) to be properly attached to the charger. Thus, according to the present invention, the air gap and movement between the charging object (610) and the coil (611, 540) of the charger can be minimized to improve charging efficiency.

[0060] Additionally, when the charging object (610) is fully charged, the control circuit (530) applies a second electric pulse to the control winding (512) to switch the path of the magnetic flux (501) back into the interior of the C-core (511), thereby allowing the charging object (610) to be separated from the charging pad of the charger. That is, the charger loses magnetic attraction due to the change in the path of the magnetic flux (501), so it can be easily separated from the charging pad of the charger.

[0061] Meanwhile, a wireless charging system (500) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an energy transmission coil (540). The energy transmission coil (540) is electrically connected to a control circuit (530) and may be positioned at a location where power transmission is possible with a coil (611) provided in a charging object (610) as the charging object (610) approaches.

[0062] The energy transmission coil (540) can be aligned evenly with the coil (611) of the charging object (610) according to the path change of the magnetic flux (501) as shown in FIG. 6 during charging. Accordingly, the air gap and movement between the energy transmission coil (540) and the coil (611) of the charging object (610) are minimized, thereby maximizing charging efficiency.

[0063] Here, the coil (611) of the charging object (610) is electrically connected to the control circuit (612) of the charging object (610), and the control circuit (612) of the charging object (610) can be electrically connected to the Battery Management System (BMS) and the battery (613).

[0064] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 7, a mechanism for attachment and separation between a charger and a charging object is described as a wireless charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific descriptions of configurations that overlap with the previously described content are omitted, and the description focuses on the chronological configuration.

[0065] First, referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, during the charging (the "yes" direction of 710) step (720), the control circuit (530) can control the direction of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet (520) with only electric pulses without a continuous external power supply through the combination of the electromagnet (510), that is, the C-core (511) and the control winding (512).

[0066] In other words, as the direction of the magnetic flux (501) flowing within the C-core (511) changes clockwise, the direction of the magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet (520) can be changed. On the other hand, when not charging (the “No” direction of 710), the control circuit (530) can wait until charging.

[0067] Next, in step (730), the control circuit (530) can cause the charging object (610) to be attached to the charger according to the control of the magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet (520) through the electromagnet (510). That is, the control circuit (530) can cause the charging object (610) to be attached to the charger by attracting the surface of the soft magnetic material according to the change in the direction of the magnetic flux (501).

[0068] Next, in step (740), the control circuit (530) can determine whether charging is complete. At this time, if it is determined that charging is complete (in the "yes" direction of 740), the control circuit (530) can control the direction of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet (520) using only electric pulses without continuous external power supply through the electromagnet (510).

[0069] In other words, the magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet (520) can be adjusted as the direction of the magnetic flux (501) flowing within the C-core (511) changes counterclockwise. On the other hand, if charging is not complete (the "No" direction of 740), the control circuit (530) can wait until charging is complete.

[0070] Next, in step (760), the control circuit (530) can cause the charging object (610) to be separated from the charger as the magnetic attraction is controlled by the change in the direction of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet (520) through the electromagnet (510). That is, the control circuit (530) can cause the charging object (610) to be separated from the charger by pushing the surface of the soft magnetic material of the charging object (610) according to the change in the direction of the magnetic flux (501).

[0071] The implementations described herein may be implemented, for example, as methods or processes, devices, software programs, data streams, or signals. Even if discussed only in the context of a single form of implementation (e.g., discussed only as a method), the implementation of the discussed features may also be implemented in other forms (e.g., devices or programs). Devices may be implemented in appropriate hardware, software, and firmware, etc. Methods may be implemented in devices such as processors, which generally refer to processing devices including, for example, computers, microprocessors, integrated circuits, or programmable logic devices. Processors also include communication devices such as computers, cell phones, portable / personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), and other devices that facilitate the communication of information between end-users.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described above by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Claims

1. Electromagnet; Permanent magnet; and A wireless charging system characterized by including a control circuit that controls the direction of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet using only short electric pulses through the electromagnet, so that the charging object attaches to the charger during charging and is separated from the charger after charging.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above electromagnet is A C-core forming a magnetic circuit; and A wireless charging system characterized by including control windings wound on the left and right sides of the C-core starting from the position of the permanent magnet.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above permanent magnet is A wireless charging system characterized by being positioned at the center of the above-mentioned C-core.

4. In Paragraph 2, The above control winding is A wireless charging system characterized by dynamically changing the path of the magnetic flux flowing into the C-core, which is activated by an electrical pulse.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above magnetic flux is A wireless charging system characterized by being maintained inside the above-mentioned C-core and having minimal loss to the outside.

6. In Paragraph 2, A wireless charging system characterized by further including an energy transmission coil that is electrically connected to the control circuit and positioned at a location capable of transmitting power to a coil provided in the charging object as the charging object approaches.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above control circuit is A wireless charging system characterized by applying a first electric pulse to a control winding when the charging object approaches the charger for attachment, thereby changing the path of the magnetic flux flowing into the C-core from the C-core to the surface of the soft magnetic material of the charging object, so that the charging object attaches to the charger.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above control circuit is A wireless charging system characterized by generating magnetic attraction through the permanent magnet according to the path change of the magnetic flux to fix the charging object to the charging pad of the charger.

9. In Paragraph 6, The above control circuit is A wireless charging system characterized by applying a second electric pulse to the control winding when the charging object is fully charged, thereby switching the path of the magnetic flux back to the C-core so that the charging object is separated from the charging pad of the charger.

10. A step in which a control circuit controls the direction of the magnetic flux of a permanent magnet using only electric pulses without a continuous external power supply through an electromagnet; A step in which the above control circuit causes a charging object to be attached to the charger during charging according to the direction control of the magnetic flux; and A wireless charging method characterized by including a step in which the above-described control circuit causes the charging object to be separated from the charger after charging according to the direction control of the magnetic flux.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above electromagnet is A C-core forming a magnetic circuit; and A wireless charging method characterized by including control windings wound on the left and right sides of the C-core starting from the position of the permanent magnet.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above permanent magnet is A wireless charging method characterized by being positioned at the center of the above-mentioned C-core.

13. In Paragraph 11, The above control winding is A wireless charging method characterized by dynamically changing the path of the magnetic flux flowing into the C-core, which is activated by an electrical pulse.

14. In Paragraph 13, The above magnetic flux is A wireless charging method characterized by being maintained inside the above-mentioned C-core and minimizing loss to the outside.

15. In Paragraph 11, The step of attaching the above-mentioned charging object to the charger A step of applying a first electric pulse to the control winding when the charging object approaches the charger for attachment; and A wireless charging method characterized by including the step of fixing the charging object to the charging pad of the charger by changing the path of the magnetic flux flowing into the C-core to the surface of the soft magnetic material of the charging object as the first electric pulse is applied.

16. In Paragraph 15, The step of separating the above-mentioned charging object from the charger A step of applying a second electric pulse to the control winding when the charging object is fully charged; and A wireless charging method characterized by including the step of enabling the charging object to be separated from the charging pad of the charger by switching the path of the magnetic flux back to the C-core as the second electric pulse is applied.

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