Metal Cover Outer Loop for Wireless Power Transfer Through Metal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer systems face challenges in efficiently transferring power through metal objects due to high resistance and power losses, which impede efficient charging or powering of portable electronic devices with metal housings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a metal cover with an inner and outer portion, where the outer portion forms a loop around the inner portion, and includes a receive circuit to induce and couple power via a magnetic field, reducing resistance and enhancing power transfer efficiency by using slots to create a discontinuous metal ring and incorporating conductive traces to form additional loops or turns for improved inductive coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal cover is used for housing a portable electronic device, then the device has improved strength and aesthetic appearance, but wireless power transfer efficiency deteriorates due to high resistance and power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The metal cover is divided into an inner portion and an outer portion, with the outer portion configured to form a loop around the inner portion. This segmentation creates a structured configuration that reduces resistance and improves wireless power transfer efficiency while maintaining the protective housing function.
Solution Approach 2:
A receive circuit is introduced as an intermediary component electrically coupled to the outer portion of the metal cover. The receive circuit includes a rectifier configured to receive current from the outer portion generated in response to a magnetic field, enabling efficient power transfer through the metal housing.
2Ease of operation
If wireless power transfer is performed through a metal object, then physical electrical connections are eliminated, but power transfer efficiency deteriorates due to high resistance in the metal
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration of the metal cover's outer portion as a loop around the inner portion changes the electrical parameters of the metal housing. This geometric parameter change reduces resistance and improves the efficiency of wireless power transfer through the metal object.
Solution Approach 2:
The receive circuit with rectifier acts as an intermediary that converts the current induced in the metal cover's outer portion into usable power, enabling efficient wireless power transfer while maintaining the benefits of wireless operation.
3Loss of energy
If the outer portion of the metal cover forms a loop around the inner portion, then resistance is reduced and power transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer portion of the metal cover serves multiple functions: it provides structural protection as part of the housing and simultaneously functions as an inductive loop for wireless power reception. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing structure and the wireless power reception elements are merged into a single integrated metal cover assembly. The outer portion serves both structural and electromagnetic functions, combining what could be separate components into one unified structure.
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 configuration significantly reduces resistance and enhances wireless power transfer efficiency, allowing for effective charging or powering of portable electronic devices with metal housings by minimizing power losses and maintaining strong mutual coupling properties.
Implementation Method 1
the outer portion is configured to inductively couple power via a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The metal ring is configured to generate the current based on exposure to a magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing wireless power transfer through a metal object is provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for wirelessly receiving power via a magnetic field is provided. The apparatus includes a metal cover including an inner portion and an outer portion. The outer portion is configured to form a loop around the inner portion of the metal cover. The outer portion is configured to inductively couple power via the magnetic field. The apparatus includes a receive circuit electrically coupled to the outer portion and configured to receive a current from the outer portion generated in response to the magnetic field. The receive circuit is configured to charge or power a load based on the current.