Looped Wireless Power Receiving Coil for Wearable Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable computing devices vary in shape and size, making it challenging to embed a wireless power receiving coil in a flat surface for efficient wireless charging.

Innovation Solution

Embedding a wireless power receiving coil within a looped structure of wearable devices, where each turn of the coil follows the entire length of the loop, allowing for a larger inductive area and variable loop configurations such as flexible, detachable, or foldable portions to maintain efficient charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a wireless power receiving coil is embedded in a flat surface of a wearable device, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the inductive area is limited and wireless charging efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductive areaVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface embedding to a three-dimensional looped structure. The receiving coil is configured to follow the entire length of the loop, utilizing the third dimension (depth/loop formation) to significantly increase the inductive area without proportionally increasing device complexity. This dimensional change allows the coil to capture more magnetic flux while maintaining a wearable form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a looped or curved structure instead of a flat planar surface. The receiving coil follows the curvature of the loop, which enhances the inductive area by utilizing the spatial volume enclosed by the loop. This curved configuration allows for better magnetic coupling and resonance compared to a flat surface embedding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the loop length of a wearable device is varied to fit different users, then the adaptability is improved, but the resonance frequency changes and wireless charging efficiency is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloop length adjustmentVSAvoidwireless charging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates adjustable or flexible loop configurations that can dynamically adapt to different user needs while maintaining wireless charging functionality. The system can adjust the loop length or configuration, and the receiving coil is designed to follow the entire length of the loop regardless of its size, ensuring consistent inductive area utilization. This dynamic adaptability allows the device to accommodate different users while maintaining reliable wireless charging through resonance frequency adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a larger receiving coil is used to increase inductive area, then wireless charging efficiency is improved, but the device size and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless charging efficiencyVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving coil is nested within the looped structure of the wearable device, with each turn of the coil following the entire length of the loop. This nesting approach allows the coil to achieve a larger effective inductive area by utilizing the spatial volume of the loop, without increasing the overall device dimensions. The coil is integrated into the loop structure itself, maximizing the use of available space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enhances the efficiency of wireless charging by creating a larger inductive area and compensating for changes in loop length, ensuring effective magnetic coupling and resonance frequency adjustment for consistent power transfer.

Implementation Method 1

Magnetic resonance wireless charging may employ a magnetic coupling between the Tx coil and the Rx coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Magnetic resonance wireless charging may employ a magnetic coupling between the Tx coil and the Rx coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3238221B1Wireless power receiving coil along a loop of a device
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 INTEL CORP
  • EP3238221B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3238221B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3238221B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques for wireless charging are described herein. For example, an apparatus includes a device formed in a loop. The apparatus may also include a receiving coil disposed around an entire length of the loop. Each turn of the wireless power receiving coil follows the entire length of the loop.