Foldable-Screen Wireless Charging Coil Selection for Better Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable-screen electronic devices experience low wireless charging efficiency due to increased distance between the receiving coil and the transmitting coil when the device is unfolded or an external display screen is attached, leading to prolonged charging times or charging failures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating two wireless power receiving assemblies in the foldable-screen electronic device, allowing the processor to select the most efficient assembly based on the device's attitude and proximity to the charging device, using spatial attitude sensors to determine the optimal assembly for charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single receiving coil is used in the foldable-screen electronic device, then the device structure is simple, but the charging efficiency is low when the device is unfolded or an external display screen is attached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The single receiving coil is divided into multiple receiving coils (first receiving coil and second receiving coil) positioned at different locations on the device. This segmentation allows the system to select the most appropriate coil based on the device's folding state, thereby maintaining high charging efficiency without significantly complicating the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects which receiving coil to use based on the real-time folding state of the device. The processor determines whether the device is folded or unfolded and activates the corresponding receiving coil (first or second) to maintain optimal proximity to the transmitting coil, ensuring dynamic adaptation to structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the device is unfolded to increase display screen size, then the display area is increased, but the distance between the receiving coil and transmitting coil increases causing low receiving efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidreceiving efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The solution adds a spatial dimension consideration by positioning receiving coils at different locations (different dimensions) on the device. When the device is unfolded, the system can switch to a receiving coil that maintains better proximity to the transmitting coil, effectively using spatial arrangement to overcome the distance issue caused by unfolding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different receiving coils based on the device's unfolding state. When unfolded, it selects the receiving coil that maintains optimal distance from the transmitting coil, thereby dynamically maintaining high receiving efficiency despite the increased display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the receiving coil position is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the charging fails when the device attitude changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcharging reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic coil selection based on the device's folding state. The processor monitors whether the device is folded or unfolded and automatically switches between the first and second receiving coils accordingly. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable charging across different device attitudes and configurations without requiring complex mechanical adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter (which receiving coil is active) based on the device's folding state. By switching between different receiving coils depending on whether the device is folded or unfolded, the system adapts to structural parameter changes while maintaining charging reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Improves charging efficiency and reduces charging time by ensuring the receiving coil is always in close proximity to the transmitting coil, enhancing user experience by eliminating the need to manually select charging sides.

Implementation Method 1

a first wireless power receiving assembly and a second wireless power receiving assembly are arranged in the foldable-screen electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3849049B1Wireless charging method, wireless charging conducting device and foldable-screen electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3849049B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3849049B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3849049B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A wireless charging method includes: acquiring a charging type supported by a wireless charging device after handshake communication with the wireless charging device; and selecting a first receiving assembly and/or a second receiving assembly to charge batteries of a foldable-screen electronic device based on the charging type. By arranging the first receiving assembly and the second receiving assembly on the foldable-screen electronic device, at least one of the receiving assemblies can be selected for wireless charging the batteries of the electronic device when one side surface of the foldable-screen electronic device is proximal to the wireless charging device, thereby improving charging efficiency and shortening charging time. User experience can be improved as the users do not need to select a specified side surface for charging.