Microwave Wireless Charger with Multi-Focusing Field

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless power transmission systems face inefficiencies due to complex hardware requirements and lengthy search procedures for determining receiver locations, especially when charging multiple devices simultaneously, leading to suboptimal power transmission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A transmitter with a method that employs a 3-stage search algorithm for precisely determining receiver locations and positions, using beam steering and focal beam steering to create a multi-focusing field for simultaneous charging of multiple receivers, optimizing power transmission efficiency through panoramic beam steering and iterative optimization procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a narrow beam of radiated electromagnetic power is provided for preliminary RX search, then the beam direction can be controlled, but it is impossible to determine a precise location of the RX because the received power is not different for different scanning angles

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRX location precisionVSAvoidRX position information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics from divergent to converging/focusing. By controlling the phase and amplitude of multiple transmitting antenna elements, the system creates focused beams that converge at specific spatial locations. This allows the received power to vary significantly with position, enabling precise RX location determination through feedback from the RX about received power levels at different beam steering angles and focal positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If a small TX antenna is used, then the system size is reduced, but the power transmission efficiency drops very fast as the distance between TX and RX increases due to intense field divergence

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTX antenna sizeVSAvoidpower transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the beam characteristics adaptive and controllable. The system dynamically adjusts the phase and amplitude of each antenna element based on the desired focal position and RX location. This dynamic control allows a small TX antenna array to achieve focused energy transmission at varying distances, maintaining power transmission efficiency despite the compact size by concentrating the electromagnetic energy precisely where needed through real-time parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If a large TX antenna is used, then field divergence is lower and power transmission efficiency drops slowly with distance, but the system size and hardware complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidTX antenna size
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the TX antenna into multiple discrete elements that can be independently controlled. Instead of using a single large antenna, the system uses an array of smaller antenna elements, each contributing to the overall focused beam. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the field focusing effect of a large antenna while maintaining a compact physical size, as the collaborative radiation pattern of multiple small elements produces the same focused energy concentration as a much larger single antenna would require.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If beam steering is implemented for nearby RX, then the TX can select an angle for maximum received power, but the search procedure becomes lengthy when charging multiple devices simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRX angular position accuracyVSAvoidsearch procedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a multi-stage search algorithm that performs coarse positioning first, followed by fine-tuned focal beam steering. In the preliminary stage, the system performs a broader search to identify potential RX locations and rough angular positions. Once initial positions are identified, the system then applies focused beam steering to precisely determine RX locations and optimize power transmission. This two-stage approach significantly reduces the total search time compared to performing exhaustive fine-grained scanning from the beginning, especially when multiple RX devices are present.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 significantly reduces search time and increases power transmission efficiency by up to 10 times, enabling effective simultaneous charging of multiple devices with improved localization and reduced hardware complexity.

Implementation Method 1

Assessment of the efficiency η of power transmission is based on assumption of divergent electromagnetic waves. As shown in FIGS. 1A through 1C, by providing radiating waves converging from TX to RX, the received power and thus the efficiency η may be sufficiently increased. This effect is referred to as electromagnetic waves focusing phenomena

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic waves focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 2

a power supply for wirelessly supplying power to electronic devices by means of microwaves has been proposed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3535831B1Microwave wireless charger with focusing of microwave field
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3535831B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2A
  • EP3535831B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP3535831B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for wirelessly transmitting power to power receivers from a power transmitter. The present disclosure provides a rational search procedure for locations of the power receivers, and provides a function of simultaneously charging multiple receivers using microwave multi-focusing. The wireless power transmission method performed by a power transmitter includes determining angular coordinates of the power transmitter in relation to a position of at least one power receiver; determining a distance between the at least one power receiver and the power transmitter based on the determined angular coordinates by using a focused microwave field; determining a location of the at least one power receiver based on the determined angular coordinates and the distance; and wirelessly transmitting power by focusing the microwave field to the determined location of the at least one power receiver.