Living Object Detector for Wireless Energy Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless energy transfer systems face challenges in detecting living objects, which can interact with magnetic fields and perturb the energy transfer, potentially causing heating hazards or safety issues, as existing detectors are not adequately designed to differentiate between foreign and living objects effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of living object detectors featuring a sensor, a shield, and a ground reference conductor, with an electrical circuit that maintains similar electrical potentials for the sensor and shield, allowing for the detection of living objects by measuring capacitance changes, and integrated with foreign object detectors to manage both types of objects within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single detector design is used for both foreign and living objects, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because the detector cannot adequately differentiate between the two types of objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function into two separate detector designs: one optimized for foreign object detection and another optimized for living object detection. Each detector has specific conductor configurations and shielding arrangements tailored to its detection target, allowing precise differentiation while maintaining manageable complexity through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different conductor geometries, shielding configurations, and electrical potential arrangements to different detection zones. The living object detector uses specific conductor patterns (e.g., parallel conductors with ground references) that create electric fields optimized for detecting biological tissues, while foreign object detectors use configurations optimized for metallic or non-metallic foreign objects
2Measurement precision
If the detector uses complex conductor configurations with multiple conductors at different potentials, then measurement precision improves for living object detection, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs equipotential shielding arrangements where multiple conductors are maintained at the same electrical potential (e.g., both at ground potential or both at a common reference potential). This reduces parasitic electric fields and interference while simplifying the electrical configuration compared to using conductors at multiple different potentials, thus improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ground reference conductors and shielding structures that act as intermediaries between the detection conductors and the environment. These intermediary elements provide stable reference potentials and isolate the detection system from external electromagnetic interference, improving living object detection precision while using standardized, manageable conductor configurations
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 enables the effective identification and management of living objects in wireless energy transfer systems, preventing potential hazards by initiating warnings or adjusting energy transfer parameters, thereby ensuring safe operation and efficient energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a capacitance of the sensor, and determines whether a living object is present within a spatial region proximal to the sensor based on the measured capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure features living object detectors for a wireless energy transfer systems that include a sensor featuring a first conductor positioned adjacent to a first surface of a substrate, a shield featuring a second conductor different from the first conductor, where at least a portion of the second conductor is positioned proximal to the first conductor and adjacent to the first surface of the substrate, a ground reference featuring a third conductor spaced from the substrate and positioned on a side of the substrate opposite to the first surface, and an electrical circuit coupled to the first, second and third conductors and configured so that during operation of the living object detector, the electrical circuit applies a first electrical potential to the first conductor and a second electrical potential to the second conductor, the first and second electrical potentials being approximately similar.