Implant Charger Coil Alignment for Homogeneous Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chargers for implantable energy storage devices face challenges in generating a reliable and efficient magnetic alternating field for contactless charging, requiring meticulous adjustments due to inhomogeneous stray fields and high current/voltage resistance, which are exacerbated by frequency-dependent induction methods.
Innovation Solution
A charger with a freestanding coil generating a nearly homogeneous alternating magnetic field, independent of frequency, and a suspension system to adjust the coil's orientation relative to the body, ensuring consistent charging regardless of implant position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user manually inserts a charging cable into a device, then the device can be charged, but the process is inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes charging connections by having the charging device proactively connect to the electronic device before the user requests charging. The charging cable is automatically inserted and the charging session is initiated in advance, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing charging preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system performs self-service by automatically detecting when charging is needed, selecting the appropriate charging cable, inserting it into the device, and initiating the charging process without requiring user action. The system manages the entire charging workflow autonomously from detection to completion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging cables are stored in a charging device, then charging compatibility is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is divided into separate functional modules: a charging device that stores and manages multiple charging cables, and a charging case that houses the electronic device. This segmentation allows the charging device to specialize in cable storage and management without requiring the charging case to be overly complex or large.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging device is designed with multi-functionality to perform several tasks: storing multiple different charging cables, detecting which cable is needed, automatically selecting and inserting the appropriate cable, and managing the charging connection. This universal design consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into one unified system.
3Ease of operation
If automatic charging detection and initiation is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system implements feedback mechanisms where the charging device continuously monitors the charging status, cable connection state, and power availability. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts its behavior - initiating charging when ready, pausing when interrupted, and notifying the user of charging completion or issues. This feedback loop enables intelligent automatic charging without requiring complex user interfaces.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
The invention relates to a charging device (100, 200, 300) for wirelessly charging an energy store of an implant (I) that is implanted in a body of a living being, the charging device comprising: at least one free coil (110, 210) that extends along a coil axis and is designed to generate an alternating magnetic field; the body, during intended use of the charging device (100, 200, 300), being arranged relative to the coil (110, 210) such that the alternating magnetic field, which extends in the region within the coil along the coil axis, penetrates the body to charge the energy store.