Dual-Mode Inductor Circuit for Wireless Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices, especially wearables, face challenges in integrating wireless charging due to their small form factor and magnetic shielding effects, which limit charging efficiency and require additional components.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit that functions as both an actuator and a wireless charging receiver, utilizing a multi-mode switching circuitry with an inductor and capacitance to form a resonant circuit for inductive charging, and includes dual-use components like transistors that switch between actuator and rectifier modes, reducing component count and form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless charging components are integrated into portable devices, then wireless charging capability is provided, but device form factor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator and wireless charging receiver functions into a single integrated circuit. The inductor serves dual purposes: as the actuator coil for generating mechanical motion and as the wireless charging receiver coil. This merging eliminates the need for separate wireless charging components, thereby reducing device form factor while maintaining wireless charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductor is designed to perform multiple functions: it operates as an actuator in first mode and as a wireless charging receiver in second mode. The multi-mode switching circuitry enables the same hardware component to serve different purposes, reducing the overall component count and device volume while providing both actuation and wireless charging capabilities.
2Reliability
If magnetic shielding materials are used in portable devices, then device protection is improved, but wireless charging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs tunable resonance frequency capability in the wireless charging receiver circuit. By dynamically adjusting the resonance frequency to match the transmitted charging signal frequency, the system maximizes energy transfer efficiency even in the presence of magnetic shielding materials. This dynamic tuning compensates for the shielding effects and maintains efficient wireless charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies operational parameters, specifically the resonance frequency of the wireless charging receiver, to optimize charging efficiency. By changing the resonant frequency parameter to match the transmitter frequency, the system overcomes magnetic shielding effects and achieves efficient energy transfer without requiring removal of protective magnetic materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional wireless charging components are integrated, then wireless charging is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuator and wireless charging receiver into a single integrated circuit with shared components. The inductor, capacitance, and switching circuitry serve dual purposes, eliminating the need for separate wireless charging components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductor operates as both an actuator coil and a wireless charging receiver coil. The multi-mode switching circuitry enables the same hardware to perform different functions based on operational mode, thereby reducing component count and device complexity while maintaining both actuation and wireless charging capabilities.
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
Enhances wireless charging capabilities by reducing the number of components and form factor requirements, while overcoming magnetic shielding effects through tunable resonance and modulation schemes, ensuring efficient charging and communication with the charger device.
Implementation Method 1
the wireless charging signal may be an electromagnetic near-field signal suitable for resonant inductive coupling of the electronic circuit's inductor to a corresponding inductive device of a wireless charging device
Implementation Method 2
to form therewith a resonant circuit for inductively receiving an electromagnetic wireless charging signal
Implementation Method 3
for rectifying a voltage induced in the resonant circuit in response to a received electromagnetic wireless charging signal
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic circuit for a portable battery-powered electronic device and a related system for wireless charging an electronic circuit for a portable battery-powered electronic device are disclosed. The electronic circuit is operable in a first mode as an actuator and in a second mode as a wireless charging receiver and comprises an electromechanical actuator, a capacitance, and a multi-mode switching circuitry. The electromechanical actuator comprises an inductor. The capacitance is selectively connectable to the inductor, at least in the second mode, to form therewith a resonant circuit for inductively receiving an electromagnetic wireless charging signal. The multi-mode switching circuitry comprises one or more switching devices for switching the electronic circuit between its different modes, wherein at least one of the switching devices is configurable as a rectifying device.