Inductive Charger Coil Array for Small-Device Positioning Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer systems face challenges in efficiently powering or charging devices with small surface areas or volumes, as they often require aligned and similarly sized charger and receiver coils, limiting flexibility and efficiency in applications with varied device geometries.
Innovation Solution
The development of a wireless power transfer system that includes a charger with a hybrid coil design and a receiver coil shaped as a blade or solenoid, utilizing magnetic flux guides and ferrite materials to enable efficient power transfer over a larger area, allowing for positioning freedom and compatibility with devices of different sizes and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional aligned charger and receiver coils of comparable size are used, then power transfer alignment is precise, but device placement flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The charger coil is divided into multiple independent coil segments arranged in an array. Each segment can independently couple with receiver coils of different sizes and orientations, allowing flexible device placement without requiring precise full-coil alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-plane coil alignment to a three-dimensional arrangement of multiple coil segments at different positions and orientations. This spatial distribution enables receivers of various geometries to find optimal coupling in different spatial dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If receiver coils are made smaller to match small device surface areas, then device compatibility is improved, but power transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charger coil segments work together in combination to provide sufficient total coupling area for small receiver coils. The merged magnetic fields from multiple segments compensate for the small receiver size while maintaining high power transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different coil segments are optimized for different receiver types and positions. Each segment provides localized magnetic coupling tailored to specific device geometries, ensuring efficient power transfer regardless of receiver size or orientation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If charger coil area is increased to accommodate various device sizes, then device versatility is improved, but charger size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charger coil is segmented into multiple independent units that can be selectively activated. This modular structure provides large total coverage area while maintaining simple individual segment designs, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each coil segment is designed to be multi-functional, capable of coupling with different receiver types (various sizes, orientations, and geometries). This universality allows a single segmented charger design to accommodate diverse devices without increasing complexity.
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 achieves efficient power transfer to devices with small surface areas or volumes, maintaining high efficiency and flexibility in device placement, with power transfer efficiencies of up to 55% DC to DC, and the ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously with varying power needs.
Implementation Method 1
a charger coil, which receives electric power and generates a magnetic field in response
Implementation Method 2
a receiver coil, which receives a portion of the magnetic field energy generated by the charger coil and converts the received magnetic field energy to electric energy
Implementation Method 3
utilizing magnetic flux guides and ferrite materials to enable efficient power transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A system for inductive power transfer includes a charger. The charger is an inductive charger. The system also includes a first mobile device that includes a receiver to inductively receive power for the first mobile device. A charger for inductive charging includes a printed circuit board having a charger coil, a substantially planar magnetic layer, a charger drive circuit, and means for positioning a receiver in a power transfer position. A mobile device that receives power inductively includes a receiver to inductively receive power for the mobile device. A method for inductive power transfer to a mobile device, which includes a receiver, includes positioning the receiver in a power transfer position to inductively receive power from an inductive charger. The method further includes inductively transferring power from the charger to the receiver of the first mobile device.