Adaptive RF Charging Pad Antenna Grid for Flexible Device Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless charging pads require precise device placement, limiting user flexibility and resulting in inefficient energy transfer and user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
An RF charging pad with adaptive antenna elements that adjust energy transmission characteristics, including impedance and frequency, to optimize energy transfer to electronic devices placed at any position, utilizing processors to monitor and optimize energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional inductive coils are used to generate a magnetic field for charging, then charging function is achieved, but the device must be placed at a specific position on the pad and cannot be moved without interrupting charging
Solution Approach 1:
The charging pad is divided into multiple independently controllable antenna elements arranged in a grid pattern. Each antenna element can be independently activated or deactivated based on the device position, allowing the system to maintain charging continuity while accommodating flexible device placement across different areas of the pad.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which antenna elements are active based on real-time detection of device position and orientation. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the charging pad to adapt to moving devices without interrupting charging, resolving the contradiction between placement flexibility and charging continuity.
2Ease of operation
If the device is placed at an incorrect position on the charging pad, then user convenience is improved, but energy transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different antenna elements are optimized for different regions of the charging pad. When a device is placed in a specific area, the system activates only the locally optimal antenna elements, ensuring high energy transfer efficiency regardless of where the device is positioned on the pad.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors energy transfer efficiency and device position, then provides feedback to adjust which antenna elements are active. This closed-loop control ensures that the system maintains optimal energy transfer efficiency even when devices are placed at various positions on the pad.
3Ease of operation
If RF signals are transmitted continuously to ensure charging at any position, then placement flexibility is improved, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of activating all antenna elements continuously, the system activates only the subset of elements necessary to cover the detected device position. This partial action approach maintains placement flexibility while avoiding the energy waste of transmitting RF signals across the entire pad when fewer elements are needed.
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
Ensures maximum energy transfer to electronic devices regardless of their position on the pad, minimizing wasted energy and enhancing user experience by allowing flexible device placement.
Implementation Method 1
one or more antenna elements that are in communication with the one or more processors for transmitting RF signals to the RF receiver of the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
An example radio frequency (RF) charging pad includes: at least one processor for monitoring an amount of energy that is transferred from the RF charging pad to an RF receiver of an electronic device. The pad also includes: one or more transmitting antenna elements that are in communication with the processor for transmitting RF signals to the RF receiver. In some embodiments, each respective transmitting antenna element includes: (i) a conductive line forming a meandered line pattern; (ii) a first terminal of the conductive line for receiving current at a frequency controlled by the processor; and (iii) a second terminal coupled with a component that allows for modifying an impedance value at the second terminal. In some embodiments, the processor adaptively adjusts the frequency and/or the impedance value to optimize the amount of energy that is transferred from the one or more transmitting antenna elements to the RF receiver.