Inductive Power Receiver Fault Signaling for Rapid Wireless Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless energy transfer systems, particularly in transcutaneous applications, face challenges in quickly detecting time-critical faults and responding appropriately without complex hardware, especially due to delays from protocol-specific overhead and vulnerability to external attacks.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a transmitter unit and a receiver unit with a primary and secondary coil, respectively, where the receiver unit detects faults by monitoring the energy flow and adjusts its operating parameters outside the specified range, and the transmitter unit recognizes these changes through plausibility checks, enabling quick fault response and enhanced security against external interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless communication protocols (infrared or radio technology) are used for fault detection, then communication between transmitter and receiver is established, but detection speed is reduced due to protocol overhead and security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy transfer path with the communication path by modulating data signals onto the magnetic field used for wireless energy transfer. This eliminates the need for separate wireless communication protocols and enables direct, rapid fault detection through the same inductive coupling mechanism that transfers energy, resolving the contradiction between reliable communication and fast detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the magnetic field as an intermediary carrier that simultaneously performs both energy transfer and data communication functions. By modulating data onto the magnetic field, the system achieves rapid fault detection without the delays inherent in separate communication protocols, while maintaining security through the physical constraints of inductive coupling.
2Speed
If hardware protection devices are added for time-critical fault detection, then fault response speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing wireless energy transfer hardware multi-functional by enabling it to perform both energy transfer and fault detection. The same primary and secondary coils used for energy transfer are also used for detecting faults through data modulation, eliminating the need for additional dedicated hardware protection devices and achieving fast response without increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own energy transfer infrastructure to detect faults autonomously. The receiver unit modulates data signals onto the magnetic field it generates during normal operation, and the transmitter unit detects these modulations to identify faults, allowing the system to self-monitor without external or additional hardware intervention.
3Reliability
If data signals are modulated onto the energy transfer path for communication, then fault detection capability is enabled, but communication speed is reduced due to protocol overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous energy transfer and simultaneous continuous fault detection by modulating data signals onto the ongoing magnetic field. Unlike discrete communication protocols that interrupt energy transfer for data exchange, this approach allows uninterrupted energy flow while continuously monitoring for faults through the modulated signal, achieving both reliability and speed.
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 rapid detection and response to time-critical faults, reducing the risk of damage and improving security by using existing hardware with minimal additional components, effectively managing faults in transcutaneous energy transfer systems.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field can be generated in a transmitter unit having a primary coil, which induces a voltage and thus a current flow in a receiver unit having a secondary coil
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field can be generated in a transmitter unit having a primary coil, which induces a voltage and thus a current flow in a receiver unit having a secondary coil
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an energy transfer system for the wireless transfer of energy, having a transmitter unit and a receiver unit separate therefrom, wherein the transmitter unit has a primary coil that is able to be supplied with a supply voltage, and wherein the receiver unit has a secondary coil to which an energy sink is connected via a rectifier, wherein the receiver unit is configured so as to detect a fault case in an energy flow from the secondary coil to the energy sink and, in the fault case, to execute a fault mode (F) having at least one operating parameter (Iout) of the receiver unit that is preferably in a range outside the given specification (B), and in that the transmitter unit is configured so as to recognize the fault mode (F) of the receiver unit and to perform a fault response (N) in response.