Embedded Coil Repeater Assembly for Wireless Charging Through Thick Cases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless charging technologies for mobile devices encounter significant power transfer inefficiency and limitations when the devices are covered with thick or dense protective cases, leading to slow charging speeds or complete failure.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device case with an embedded coil repeater assembly that includes a wireless charging repeater circuit with an inductive coil and tuning capacitor, positioned to be proximate to the device's wireless charging coil, enhancing magnetic field coupling and power transfer efficiency without an active power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a thick or dense protective case is used to protect the mobile device, then the device protection is improved, but the wireless charging power transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coil repeater assembly acts as an intermediary component between the external charging pad and the mobile device's charging coil. It receives electromagnetic energy from the charging pad and retransmits it to the device, overcoming the blocking effect of thick protective cases and restoring efficient power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil repeater assembly changes the electromagnetic field parameters by receiving energy at one frequency and retransmitting it at the appropriate frequency for the device's charging coil, thereby optimizing power transfer through the protective case barrier.
2Loss of energy
If a coil repeater assembly is added to improve wireless charging efficiency, then the power transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coil repeater assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: it serves as both a structural protective case component and an active wireless charging enhancement device, eliminating the need for separate charging accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil repeater assembly provides multiple functions: it protects the mobile device as a case, enhances wireless charging efficiency, and can potentially serve as a magnetic attachment mechanism, thereby reducing the need for separate components.
3Loss of energy
If the coil repeater assembly is positioned close to the charging coil to improve coupling, then the magnetic field coupling is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coil repeater assembly concentrates electromagnetic energy transfer at a specific local region where the charging coil is positioned, creating a focused area of enhanced coupling without requiring precise positioning throughout the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil repeater assembly is pre-positioned within the case structure during manufacturing to ensure optimal alignment with the charging coil, eliminating the need for post-assembly adjustments and reducing final positioning precision requirements.
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
The coil repeater assembly improves wireless charging efficiency by focusing magnetic flux and correcting alignment issues, ensuring effective power transfer even with protective cases, thus maintaining charging speed and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless charging repeater circuit and a substrate, wherein the wireless charging repeater circuit comprises a first inductive coil disposed on a first surface of the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a first tuning capacitor electrically coupled to each end of the first inductive coil
Data Source
AI summary
A method of constructing a mobile device case includes placing a coil repeater assembly on pedestal members of a mold section, the repeater assembly including a wireless charging repeater circuit and a substrate, assembling a mold using the mold section to form a mold cavity, the cavity defining surfaces of the case body, injecting into the mold cavity heated thermoplastic material which flows around the repeater assembly, and removing the mold, the wireless charging repeater circuit having an inductive coil disposed on a surface of the substrate and a capacitor electrically coupled to ends of the coil. The wireless charging repeater circuit excludes electrical connection to an active component that supplies power. The coil repeater assembly is located within the case body such that, when the mobile device case is attached to a mobile device, the inductive coil is located proximate to a wireless charging coil in the mobile device.