Adjustable Resonant Capacitor for Wireless Charging Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless charging systems using the Qi protocol, the fixed capacitance value of the resonant capacitor in the receiver does not match the actual working frequency of the transmitter, leading to suboptimal charging efficiency, especially when the transmitter adjusts its frequency and the relative positions of the coils change, further reducing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The resonant capacitor in the receiver is configured as an adjustable capacitor, allowing the capacitance value to be dynamically adjusted to match the actual working frequency of the transmitter, using a variable capacitor or multiple capacitor branches connected in parallel, controlled by a processor or controller to optimize charging efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed capacitance value (400nF or 500nF) is used in the resonant capacitor, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the wireless charging efficiency is suboptimal when the transmitter frequency deviates from the nominal resonant frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidwireless charging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed capacitance value into a dynamically adjustable one. The resonant capacitor is designed with multiple selectable capacitance values (e.g., 400nF, 500nF, and other values) that can be switched based on the actual working frequency of the transmitter. This allows the receiver to adapt its resonant frequency to match the transmitter's frequency, thereby optimizing wireless charging efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through discrete switching rather than continuous adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the capacitance value parameter of the resonant capacitor. Instead of using a single fixed capacitance value, the system provides multiple capacitance options (400nF, 500nF, and additional values) that can be selected according to the transmitter's operating frequency. This parameter variation enables the receiver to maintain optimal resonance conditions across different frequency scenarios, directly addressing the efficiency loss problem while keeping the implementation practical through discrete parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If the capacitance value is adjusted to match the transmitter's actual working frequency, then the wireless charging efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control circuits and variable capacitors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless charging efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed capacitance value into a dynamically adjustable one. The resonant capacitor is designed with multiple selectable capacitance values (e.g., 400nF, 500nF, and other values) that can be switched based on the actual working frequency of the transmitter. This allows the receiver to adapt its resonant frequency to match the transmitter's frequency, thereby optimizing wireless charging efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through discrete switching rather than continuous adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing the resonant capacitor to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a fixed capacitor for basic resonance and a variable capacitor for frequency adaptation. The same capacitor component can operate at different capacitance values (400nF, 500nF, or other values) depending on the transmitter's operating conditions, eliminating the need for separate capacitors for each frequency scenario and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If a variable capacitor or multiple capacitor branches are used, then the resonant frequency can be matched to the transmitter's frequency, but the manufacturing precision and calibration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless charging efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the resonant capacitor into multiple discrete capacitor branches or selectable capacitance values (400nF, 500nF, and other specific values). Each segment represents a predetermined capacitance value that can be independently selected based on the transmitter's operating frequency. This segmentation approach simplifies manufacturing precision requirements compared to continuous variable capacitors, as each discrete value can be precisely manufactured and calibrated once, then reused across multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calibrating and presetting multiple capacitance values (400nF, 500nF, and other values) during the manufacturing process. These predetermined values are optimized for specific frequency ranges, so the receiver can directly select the appropriate pre-calibrated capacitance value based on the transmitter's operating frequency without requiring complex real-time calibration. This preliminary preparation reduces manufacturing precision challenges by shifting the calibration burden to the factory setting phase rather than field operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 wireless charging efficiency by adjusting the resonant frequency to match the transmitter's frequency, increasing efficiency by up to 2.8% compared to fixed capacitance values, and reduces charging time by ensuring optimal resonance.

Implementation Method 1

a resonant frequency of the receiver is not matched with the actual working frequency of the transmitter. In this case, the resonant capacitor of the receiver does not work at an optimal charging efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

a wireless charging solution of Qi protocol... a transmitter of a wireless charging device adjusts an actual working frequency... a resonant frequency of the receiver is not matched with the actual working frequency of the transmitter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3716443B1Method of improving wireless charging efficiency, electronic device, apparatus and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3716443B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3716443B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7A
  • EP3716443B1 patent drawingFigure 7B~8

AI summary

A method, an electronic device, an apparatus and a storage medium are provided for improving a wireless charging efficiency. The method includes: a current capacitance value of a resonant capacitor in a receiver of the electronic device is adjusted to a target capacitance value, where a wireless charging efficiency corresponding to the target capacitance value is superior to a wireless charging efficiency corresponding to the current capacitance value.