Drive-Sense Circuit for Wireless Power Device Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transfer systems lack efficient sensing and control mechanisms to accurately detect and respond to changes in electrical characteristics of sensors and actuators, leading to suboptimal performance and potential interference.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of drive-sense circuits that simultaneously drive and sense signals via a single line, using a reference signal to detect changes in electrical characteristics and adjust power signals accordingly, enabling precise control and communication in wireless power transfer systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate drive and sense circuits are used for sensors and actuators, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines drive and sense circuits into a single integrated circuit that can simultaneously perform both functions. The circuit includes a drive signal generator and a sense amplifier that share common components and signal paths, reducing the overall number of separate circuits while maintaining sensing precision through careful signal separation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed to perform multiple functions including driving actuators, sensing sensor outputs, and providing both drive and sense signals through the same circuit structure. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity while maintaining the precision needed for accurate measurements.
2Reliability
If multiple separate circuits are used for drive and sense functions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates drive and sense functions into a single circuit to reduce the number of connection points and potential failure modes associated with multiple separate circuits. The integrated design reduces wiring complexity and potential interface failures while maintaining reliability through internal signal isolation techniques.
3Power
If wireless power transfer is implemented without in-line sensing, then power transfer capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing circuit that is placed in-line between the power source and the wireless power transfer system. This intermediary circuit can detect electrical characteristics such as impedance changes, current, and voltage without significantly interfering with the power transfer, thereby maintaining both power capability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-line sensing circuit is designed to perform multiple functions including power monitoring, impedance detection, and communication signaling simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows accurate measurement of electrical characteristics while maintaining efficient power transfer through the same circuit path.
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 allows for efficient and accurate sensing and control of sensors and actuators, reducing power requirements, minimizing interference, and enabling concurrent sensing functions, thereby enhancing the overall performance of wireless power transfer systems.
Implementation Method 1
Based on the first coil being in a proximity to a second coil associated with another device that facilitates electromagnetic coupling between the first coil the second coil
Data Source
AI summary
A device operative to transfer power wirelessly includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s). The DSC generates a drive signal based on a reference signal and provides the drive signal to a first coil via a single line and via a resonating capacitor, and simultaneously senses the drive signal via the single line, to facilitate electromagnetic coupling to a second coil to transfer power wirelessly to another device. The DSC also detects electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal. The processing module(s) generates the reference signal and processes the digital signal to determine the electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal. In some examples, the processing module(s) adapts the reference signal based on detection of the other device (e.g., based on interpreting the electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal).