Magnetic Shielding Element for Wireless Power Transfer Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless power transfer systems face challenges in reducing interference between power transfer and communication functions, leading to degraded communication performance, and require complex and costly designs to achieve efficient power transfer and compatibility across different devices.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing a magnetic shielding element with a saturation point that operates in a saturated mode during power transfer intervals and a non-saturated mode during communication intervals, positioned between the power transfer coil and communication antenna, to minimize interference while maintaining efficient power transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate communication approach is used to improve communication performance, then communication reliability and speed are improved, but power transfer functionality interferes with communication causing significant degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower transfer interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the operating time into distinct power transfer intervals and communication time intervals. During power transfer intervals, power is transferred using the power transfer coil. During communication time intervals, communication occurs using the communication antenna. This temporal segmentation eliminates interference between the two functions while maintaining high communication reliability and effective power transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic alternation between power transfer mode and communication mode. The controller switches between these modes in regular intervals, allowing the power transfer coil and communication antenna to operate separately without interference. This periodic action ensures both functions perform optimally without degrading each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If wireless power transfer is used to eliminate wired connections, then user convenience is improved, but strong electromagnetic fields unintentionally transfer power to metallic objects in vicinity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidunintentional power transfer to metallic objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a magnetic shielding element positioned between the power transfer coil and the communication antenna. This shielding element has different magnetic properties in different regions: it blocks magnetic fields in the communication area while allowing power transfer in the power transfer area. This local differentiation prevents unintentional power transfer to metallic objects near the communication antenna while maintaining wireless power transfer functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If communication antenna overlaps power transfer coil to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but communication performance degrades due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcommunication performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operational timeline into distinct power transfer intervals and communication time intervals. During communication time intervals, the communication antenna operates without interference from the power transfer coil. This temporal separation allows the antennas to overlap spatially without compromising communication performance, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic shielding element acts as an intermediary between the power transfer coil and communication antenna. It blocks magnetic field interference from the power transfer coil during communication intervals, enabling the communication antenna to operate reliably even when spatially overlapping with the power transfer coil. This reduces the need for physical separation and lowers device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If magnetic shielding element is used to block interference during communication, then communication performance is improved, but power transfer efficiency degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidpower transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments operation into power transfer intervals and communication time intervals. During power transfer intervals, the magnetic shielding element is positioned to block interference from reaching the communication antenna. During communication time intervals, the shielding element is repositioned or its effect is minimized to allow efficient power transfer. This temporal segmentation ensures both communication performance and power transfer efficiency are optimized without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the position or orientation of the magnetic shielding element based on the operational mode. During communication intervals, the shielding element is configured to protect the communication antenna. During power transfer intervals, it is reconfigured to minimize impact on power transfer efficiency. This dynamic adjustment ensures optimal performance for both functions without permanent degradation.

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

This approach enhances communication performance and power transfer efficiency by reducing the impact of power transfer coils on communication signals without degrading power transfer, allowing for flexible and cost-effective designs that support high power levels and compatibility with various devices.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic shielding element positioned between the power transfer coil and the communication antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

power is inductively transferred from a transmitter coil in a power transmitter device to a receiver coil in the individual devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the magnetic shielding element comprises a magnetic shield material having a saturation point such that it operates in a saturated mode during power transfer intervals and in a non-saturated mode during communication time intervals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic saturation: Magnetic Saturation

Data Source

PatentEP3837755B1Device and method for wireless power transfer
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3837755B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3837755B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3837755B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A device being a power receiver or power transmitter of a wireless power transfer system transfer powers via a power transfer signal: The device comprises power transfer coil (103, 107) for receiving or generating the power transfer signal and a communication antenna (207, 307) for communicating with the power receiver (105) or the power transmitter (101) via a communication signal. The communication antenna (207, 307) overlaps the power transfer coil (103, 107). A magnetic shielding element (503, 505) is positioned between the power transfer coil (103, 107) and the communication antenna (207, 307). A controller (201, 301) controls the device to perform power transfer during power transfer intervals and communication during communication time intervals, the power transfer intervals and communication time intervals being disjoint. The magnetic shielding element (503, 505) comprises a magnetic shield material arranged to operate in a saturated mode during power transfer intervals and in a non-saturated mode during communication time intervals.