Capacitive Power Transfer Conductive Stripes for Large Surface Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transfer technologies, such as inductive and capacitive systems, face inefficiencies and high costs when attempting to power large areas, particularly due to hot-spots in inductive systems and limited scalability in capacitive systems with pixelated electrodes, making them unsuitable for widespread applications like large surface areas or arbitrary position power delivery.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive power transfer system utilizing a sheet of non-conductive material with insulated conductive stripes or segments of alternating polarity, allowing for efficient power distribution over large surfaces without mechanical connectors, using an insulating layer and conductive electrodes to enable power transfer at any point on a surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If inductive powering systems use concentrated magnetic fields within coils, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but hot-spots are created and system scalability to large areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large surface into multiple segments, each with its own conductive layer and controller. This segmentation allows the system to cover large areas by combining multiple manageable units, resolving the contradiction between concentrated efficient power transfer and large area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-to-point inductive coupling to planar capacitive coupling by placing conductive layers on opposite sides of an insulating substrate. This dimensional change enables distributed power transfer across large surfaces while maintaining efficiency through the capacitive field distribution.
2Loss of energy
If inductive powering systems use high quality factor coils with optimal inductance to resistance ratio, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but system cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive high-quality-factor coils with simpler, cheaper conductive layers that can be manufactured using standard PCB or flexible circuit techniques. The capacitive coupling approach eliminates the need for expensive Litz-wire coils and complex geometric designs, significantly reducing system cost while maintaining power transfer efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If capacitive power transfer uses pixelated electrodes, then power transfer alignment tolerance is improved, but number of connections and power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pixelated electrode segments into continuous conductive layers on each side of the insulating substrate. This merging reduces the number of connections required while maintaining the alignment tolerance benefits of distributed electrodes, as the continuous layers provide multiple parallel coupling paths across the interface.
4Adaptability or versatility
If capacitive power transfer system operates at frequencies outside inherent resonance, then versatility of applications is improved, but power transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that can adjust operating parameters including frequency, voltage, and electrode configuration based on load requirements and coupling conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize efficiency at different operating points while maintaining versatility across various applications.
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 solution provides a low-cost, efficient means to deliver power over large areas with minimal power losses, enabling power distribution to multiple loads and allowing for flexible positioning without the need for direct electrical contact, thus overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitive coupling is another technique for transferring power wirelessly. This technique is predominantly utilized in data transfer and sensing applications.
Implementation Method 2
In such a system, electromagnetic inductance between a power source (transmitter) and the device (receiver) allows for contactless power transfers.
Implementation Method 3
In inductive powering systems, the generated magnetic field is concentrated within the coils.
Implementation Method 4
be composed of materials with low resistance, and fabricated using a Litz-wire process to reduce skin-effect.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An article of manufacture for supplying a power to a load connected in a capacitive power transfer system comprises a sheet (210) of a non-conductive material; and a plurality of conductive stripes (220), each two adjacent conductive stripes being electrically insulated from each other, wherein the sheet forms an insulating layer of the capacitive power transfer system and the plurality of conductive stripes form at least a pair of transmitter electrodes of the capacitive power transfer system.