Wireless Charging Coil Segmentation for Foldable Device Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless charging efficiency in foldable electronic devices is compromised due to misalignment of charging coils, leading to reduced power transmission efficiency, especially when the device is in a folded or intermediate state, and existing solutions do not effectively address this issue.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device includes a housing with a first and second portion that can change position relative to each other, and a processor that controls the wireless charging circuit to adapt to the positional relationship between these portions, allowing it to receive power from a power supply device using either a first or second magnetic field, and optionally adjusts the impedance matching based on the folding angle to optimize power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the electronic device uses a fixed charging coil configuration, then the device structure is simple, but power transmission efficiency deteriorates when the device is folded
Solution Approach 1:
The charging coil is divided into multiple segments (first charging coil and second charging coil) positioned at different locations within the housing. Each segment can independently receive power from the power supply device, allowing the system to select the most efficient segment based on the device's folding state without requiring a completely reconfigurable coil structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which charging coil segment to use based on the positional relationship between the first and second portions of the housing. The processor determines the folding angle and accordingly activates either the first or second charging coil, making the charging system adaptive to the device's physical state while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the charging coil center is fixed relative to the housing, then the mounting is simple, but misalignment with the power supply device occurs when the device is folded
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the housing contain different charging coil segments with different center positions. The first charging coil is positioned in the first portion while the second charging coil is positioned in the second portion, allowing each local region to be optimized for its specific position relative to the power supply device during folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor continuously monitors the positional relationship between the first and second portions of the housing and uses this feedback to determine which charging coil segment is properly aligned with the power supply device. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable charging alignment without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems.
3Loss of energy
If a single magnetic field is used for charging, then the charging circuit is simple, but power reception fails when coil centers are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field reception capability is segmented into multiple independent charging coil segments. Each segment can generate and receive its own magnetic field, allowing the system to switch between segments based on alignment requirements without requiring a complex multi-field coordination system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each charging coil segment is designed to perform the complete charging function independently - generating magnetic fields, receiving power, and communicating with the power supply device. This multi-functionality allows any segment to take over charging responsibilities, ensuring power reception efficiency without requiring complex inter-segment coordination.
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 solution enhances power transmission efficiency by aligning the wireless charging coil with the power supply device's charging coil, even when the device is folded, and displays a guide to the user if power received is below a threshold, helping to maintain charging efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Wireless charging method of an electronic device may include a magnetic induction method and a magnetic resonance method
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic resonance method has a relatively long charging distance compared to the magnetic induction method
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include: a housing, a wireless charging circuit, and at least one processor electrically connected to the wireless charging circuit, the housing may include a first portion and a second portion, the second portion may change in a position relative to the first portion based on a state of the electronic device, and the at least one processor may be configured to: control the wireless charging circuit to receive first power from a power supply device through a first magnetic field having a first center and control the wireless charging circuit to receive the first power from the power supply device through a second magnetic field having a second center different from the first center, based on a positional relationship between the first portion and the second portion of the housing.