Inductive Element for Loudspeaker and Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contactless energy transfer systems for portable electronic devices, such as smart watches, are bulky due to the separate components for loudspeakers and energy transfer, necessitating a solution to combine these functions while reducing overall size while maintaining advantageous characteristics like compactness and resistance to water and dust.
Innovation Solution
A device combining an electromagnetic loudspeaker with an inductive element that serves both as a sound driver and a receiver for contactless energy transfer, utilizing the same inductive element for simultaneous operation by separating signal frequencies to prevent interference, with matching circuits to manage impedance and ensure efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate components for loudspeaker and contactless energy transfer are used, then each component can function independently, but the overall device size increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the loudspeaker inductive element and the contactless energy transfer receiver coil into a single shared inductive element. This merging eliminates the need for separate components, reducing device volume while maintaining both sound production and energy transfer functions through frequency separation
Solution Approach 2:
The single inductive element serves dual purposes: it functions as the loudspeaker coil for audio output and simultaneously as the receiver coil for contactless energy transfer. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making one component perform multiple roles without increasing device size
2Volume of moving object
If the same inductive element is used for both loudspeaker and energy transfer, then device size is reduced, but signal interference may occur between audio and energy transfer signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter to resolve signal interference. Audio signals are maintained in the conventional range up to 20 kHz, while contactless energy transfer operates at a higher frequency range above 60 kHz. This frequency separation allows the single inductive element to handle both functions simultaneously without significant interference
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic modulation of the inductive element's operation, switching between audio signal transmission and energy transfer reception based on the frequency content of the input signal. This temporal separation further prevents interference between the two functions
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 approach allows for a compact, low-complexity device that reduces size by eliminating the need for a dedicated inductive element for energy transfer, enabling simultaneous sound production and energy transfer while maintaining efficient energy delivery and resistance to environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
a contactless (or wireless) energy transfer system comprises an emitter device comprising a resonant circuit generating a magnetic field via an inductive element, such as a coil, of the resonant circuit
Implementation Method 2
a resonant circuit generating a magnetic field via an inductive element, such as a coil, of the resonant circuit, the resonant circuit being, for example, driven by a pulsed power signal
Implementation Method 3
a receiver device comprising a receiving inductive element configured for sensing the magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
an electromagnetic loudspeaker comprising an inductive element configured for driving the membrane of the loudspeaker
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a first module having an electromagnetic loudspeaker having an inductive element configured to drive a membrane of the electromagnetic loudspeaker. A second module is coupled between the inductive element and a load. The second module is configured to carry out a contactless transfer of energy from an emitter to the load via the inductive element.