Magnetic Flux-Guided Wireless Charging for Free Receiver Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wireless charging systems require precise alignment of the transmitter and receiver coils, limiting the freedom of placement for devices or batteries being charged, which is undesirable for applications like electric vehicles and multiple device charging.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods that enable wireless power transfer allowing for freedom of placement in one or multiple dimensions, using inductive or magnetic charging, with features like larger surface area chargers, mismatched coil sizes, and communication protocols for efficient power transfer and regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional wireless charging systems use aligned transmitter and receiver coils of comparable size, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but placement freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter is divided into multiple independently controllable coil segments arranged in an array. Each coil can be individually activated or deactivated based on the position of the receiver, allowing the system to maintain efficient power transfer while accommodating various placement positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and activates specific transmitter coils based on real-time detection of receiver position. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power transfer efficiency for each placement scenario while maintaining user placement freedom.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transmitter coils are used to increase placement freedom, then device versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transmitter coils are merged into a single integrated array structure with shared control electronics. This combining approach provides multiple functional coils while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate transmitter systems, as all coils operate under unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter array is designed to universally support various receiver positions and orientations through a single multi-functional system. The same coil array can serve multiple purposes by selectively activating different coils, eliminating the need for multiple specialized transmitters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coil sizes are mismatched to accommodate different device sizes, then adaptability is improved, but coupling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the transmitter array have coils with locally optimized characteristics. Coils in different positions may have different sizes, shapes, or inductance values tailored to the specific device types or positions they are most likely to serve, allowing efficient coupling across various device configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as frequency, voltage, or current distribution across different transmitter coils based on the detected receiver characteristics. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize coupling efficiency for each specific device size and type.
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
Enables efficient charging of devices and batteries with flexibility in placement, supporting multiple devices with varying power and voltage requirements, and allowing for charging of electric vehicles and other products without the need for precise alignment, improving usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Traditional wireless technologies, for powering or charging mobile or other electronic or electric devices, generally use a wireless power transmitter and wireless power receiver in combination, to provide a means for transfer of power across a distance
Implementation Method 2
In accordance with various embodiments, applications include inductive or magnetic charging and power
Data Source
AI summary
The invention enables efficient wireless power transfer, and charging of devices and batteries, in a manner that allows freedom of placement of devices or batteries in one or multiple dimensions. Provided is a base unit for wireless power transfer or charging through a time varying magnetic field. The unit typically includes a magnetic material or layer that guides magnetic flux generated by a charger coil as to create a preferential path for returning magnetic flux from a receiver coil in one or multiple dimensions. The receiver may include a magnetic core having a magnetic permeability exceeding 1 with copper Litz wire around a ferrite core. With power receivers proximate to the base unit, the base unit coil may inductively generate a current in receiver coils or receivers associated with the power receivers. Uni-directionally or bi-directionally wireless communication protocols include NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, and etc. control and optimize power transfer therebetween.