Magnetically Decoupled Resonators for Orientation-Independent Wireless Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power transmission systems for portable computing environments are inefficient as they require specific spatial orientations between peripheral devices and power transmitters, leading to variable power delivery based on device positioning.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of magnetically decoupled near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power receivers and transmitters, which maintain an effective magnetic coupling coefficient of zero regardless of spatial orientation, ensuring consistent power delivery to peripheral devices using multiple resonator structures and a power combining circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single resonator structure is used for wireless power reception, then the device structure is simple, but the power delivery becomes dependent on spatial orientation with respect to the transmitter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial orientation independenceVSAvoidresonator structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless power receiving device is divided into multiple magnetically decoupled resonator structures (first resonator and second resonator) that operate independently. Each resonator can receive power from the NFMR transmitter regardless of its orientation, and their outputs are combined through a power combining circuit to provide orientation-independent power delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple resonator structures are merged into a single wireless power receiving device, with their individual power outputs combined through a power combining circuit. This merging allows the device to maintain power reception capability across various spatial orientations by aggregating the contributions from multiple resonators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If multiple resonator structures are used to achieve spatial orientation independence, then power delivery becomes independent of spatial orientation, but magnetic coupling between resonators increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial orientation independenceVSAvoidmagnetic coupling loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful magnetic coupling effect between resonator structures is extracted and eliminated through magnetic decoupling techniques. This allows multiple resonators to be placed in close proximity without energy loss from mutual magnetic coupling, while still maintaining their individual power reception capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic decoupling structures or techniques act as intermediaries between the resonator structures to prevent direct magnetic coupling. These intermediaries allow the resonators to operate independently without interfering with each other's magnetic fields, thereby reducing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If resonator structures are placed in close proximity to reduce device size, then the device becomes more compact, but magnetic coupling between resonators increases causing power loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidmagnetic coupling loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The potential harmful effect of magnetic coupling between closely spaced resonators is converted into a benefit through magnetic decoupling techniques. By deliberately designing the decoupling mechanism, the close proximity of resonators is transformed from a source of energy loss into an opportunity for compact device design without sacrificing power reception efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 enables peripheral devices to receive a constant and usable amount of power from NFMR power transmitters regardless of their orientation, enhancing user-friendliness and efficiency in wireless power transmission within a computing environment.

Implementation Method 1

a first resonator structure having a resonant frequency ω1, and a characteristic size L1, a second resonator structure, the second resonator structure having a resonant frequency ω2, and a characteristic size L2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS8796885B2Combining power from multiple resonance magnetic receivers in resonance magnetic power system

Publication Date: 2014.08.05 APPLE INC

AI summary

Various embodiments of a wirelessly powered local computing environment are described. A system and method for utilizing wireless near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power transmission in a computing environment. A small form factor wireless power unit can be used to replace conventional batteries.