Inductive Power Receiver Current Limiter for Extended Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless power transfer systems face inefficiencies and reduced operational ranges when the inductive power receiver is not perfectly aligned with the transmitter, leading to insufficient power transfer and potential safety issues due to misalignment or mismatched power requirements.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a current limiter into the inductive power receiver, which activates to reduce power requirements before the transmitter stops transmission, allowing continuous power transfer at a lower voltage and extending the operational range, and using a signal regulation system to manage power increase signals and prevent over-decrement by terminating power transfer if safety thresholds are exceeded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the inductive power receiver is not perfectly aligned with the transmitter, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the power transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidpower transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operating frequency of the inductive power transmission based on the alignment between transmitter and receiver. When misalignment is detected (indicating lateral displacement), the frequency is modified to compensate for the changed coupling conditions, thereby maintaining efficient power transfer across a range of positions rather than requiring perfect alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameter (frequency) of the inductive power system in response to alignment conditions. By detecting misalignment and adjusting the frequency parameter, the system optimizes the magnetic coupling between coils at different positions, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and power transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the receiver requests more power to compensate for misalignment, then the power transfer is maintained, but safety risks increase due to excessive power requests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transferVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver monitors the power it receives and sends control signals back to the transmitter. When misalignment is detected and power drops below a threshold, the receiver requests increased power. The transmitter responds by adjusting frequency, and the receiver continuously monitors whether the power increase is sufficient, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents unsafe conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows the receiver to request excessive power increases when misaligned, but implements safety thresholds that prevent truly dangerous levels. The receiver can request power above normal operating levels to compensate for misalignment, but the system terminates transmission if power requests exceed safe limits, allowing partial excessive action while preventing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Length of stationary object

If the transmitter increases power output to maintain transfer at extended range, then the operational range is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational rangeVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously increasing power output to extend range, the system dynamically adjusts the operating frequency based on the distance and alignment between transmitter and receiver. This frequency adaptation allows the system to maintain efficient power transfer at extended ranges by optimizing the magnetic coupling conditions rather than simply increasing power, thereby resolving the contradiction between range and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution enables efficient power transfer over an extended range by reducing power requirements and preventing damage from excessive power requests, ensuring continuous operation even with lateral misalignment and maintaining safety by terminating power transfer when necessary.

Implementation Method 1

An oscillating electric potential is applied across a primary inductor. This sets up an oscillating magnetic field in the vicinity of the primary inductor. The oscillating magnetic field may induce a secondary oscillating electrical potential in a secondary inductive coil placed close to the primary inductive coil.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The oscillating magnetic field may induce a secondary oscillating electrical potential in a secondary inductive coil placed close to the primary inductive coil. In this way, electrical energy may be transmitted from the primary inductive coil to the secondary inductive coil by electromagnetic induction without a conductive connection between the inductors.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3050190B1System and method for increasing operational range of inductive power transmission
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 POWERMAT TECHNOLOGIES
  • EP3050190B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3050190B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3050190B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

An inductive power transfer system and methods for controlling efficient operational wireless power transfer to an electrical device. The system includes an inductive power outlet, an inductive power receiver and a signal transfer system communicating power transfer instruction from receiver to outlet, while transferring power from the outlet to the receiver. The present invention relates to wireless power transfer systems and methods incorporating a current limiter activation mechanism to allow power transfer at an extended operational range, providing a technical solution when an inductive power outlet and an inductive power receiver are laterally misaligned.