Active Receiver Detection in Pool Robot Wireless Charging

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power transfer systems face challenges in accurately detecting receiving devices due to interference, alignment issues, and noisy environments, leading to false positives or negatives, especially with small IoT devices and mobile platforms like pool cleaning robots.

Innovation Solution

The power receiving unit actively oscillates at the transmit frequency in response to detected proximity signals, influencing the decay characteristics of the transmit coil current to create distinct patterns, enabling more reliable detection by the power transmitting unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional analog pings are used to detect receiver presence, then the system can detect receivers, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to interference, alignment issues, and noisy environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidinterference and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is activated to oscillate at the transmit frequency before the actual power transfer begins. This preliminary action creates a detectable signal pattern that allows the transmitter to confirm receiver presence and readiness, improving detection accuracy before committing to higher power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the decay characteristics of the transmit coil current as feedback to detect receiver presence. By analyzing how the current decays after the transmit oscillator is turned off, the system can determine whether a receiver is present and properly aligned, creating a closed-loop detection mechanism that improves reliability in noisy environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Power

If the transmitter uses high power levels, then power delivery is improved, but false detection increases due to interference and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower deliveryVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before delivering high power, the system performs a detection phase where the transmitter oscillates at the operating frequency and then analyzes the decay characteristics. This preliminary detection ensures that a receiver is present and properly aligned before high power is applied, preventing false detections and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic oscillation cycles, alternating between transmitting power and measuring decay characteristics. This periodic action allows the system to continuously monitor for receiver presence and alignment while delivering power, enabling it to detect and respond to changes in the wireless power transfer environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the system waits for natural decay characteristics, then detection is passive, but detection reliability deteriorates in noisy and wet environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidwet and noisy environments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is activated to oscillate at the transmit frequency before the actual power transfer begins. This preliminary action creates a detectable signal pattern that allows the transmitter to confirm receiver presence and readiness, improving detection accuracy before committing to higher power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the decay characteristics of the transmit coil current as feedback to detect receiver presence. By analyzing how the current decays after the transmit oscillator is turned off, the system can determine whether a receiver is present and properly aligned, creating a closed-loop detection mechanism that improves reliability in noisy environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances detection reliability and flexibility, allowing robust and adaptive wireless charging even in wet environments and varying coil alignments, ensuring consistent power delivery to mobile devices like pool cleaning robots.

Implementation Method 1

Magnetic induction or magnetic resonance are typically used to transfer power over the air between a transmitting coil and receiving coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Magnetic induction or magnetic resonance are typically used to transfer power over the air between a transmitting coil and receiving coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS20250279679A1Pool associated platforms and pool cleaning robots and active receiver for enhanced detection in wireless power transfer systems

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 MAYTRONICS LTD

AI summary

A wireless charging system for a poolside platform utilizes magnetic fields transmitted from edge stations to a receiving unit on the platform. The receiving unit actively adjusts its response to maintain a connection despite varying positions and wet environments, enabling efficient and automated wireless charging.