Mobile Case Relay Coils for Wireless Charging Through Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enclosures such as cases or wallets used for mobile devices often limit wireless charging capabilities by increasing the distance between the device and the charger, reducing efficiency and charging speed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first and second electrical coil into the mobile device enclosure, which establish wireless couplings with the transmitter and receiver coils, respectively, to enhance power transfer efficiency and extend the charging range, potentially including self-resonating coils and capacitors to optimize frequency and power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an enclosure (case, wallet, or the like) is placed over the mobile device for protection, then device protection is improved, but wireless charging capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds transmitter and receiver coils directly within the enclosure structure itself, creating a nested configuration where the charging system is contained within the protective case. This allows the enclosure to simultaneously provide physical protection and enable wireless charging functionality without requiring the device to be removed from the case.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure acts as an intermediary component that facilitates wireless charging between the external power source and the mobile device. By incorporating coils in the enclosure, it serves as a mediating structure that transfers power through the protective barrier, allowing charging to occur while the device remains protected within the case.
2Strength
If the distance between the receiver coil and transmitter coil is increased due to enclosure placement, then device protection is improved, but power transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the transmitter coil in the enclosure and the receiver coil in the device (or vice versa), the system minimizes the effective distance between coils while maintaining the protective enclosure structure. This nested arrangement allows power transfer across relatively short distances despite the presence of the enclosure barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs resonant frequency tuning and parameter optimization of the coils to enhance power transfer efficiency across the enclosure barrier. By adjusting electrical parameters such as resonant frequency and impedance matching, the system compensates for the reduced coupling efficiency caused by increased distance and enclosure materials.
3Reliability
If self-resonating coils with capacitors are added to optimize frequency and power transfer, then wireless charging capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides physical protection for the device, houses the wireless charging transmitter coils, and incorporates capacitors for resonant frequency tuning. This multi-functional design integrates what would otherwise be separate components into a unified structure, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced charging capabilities.
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 improves the efficiency and speed of wireless charging by establishing stronger couplings and extending the practical range for charging, even when the device is enclosed, and allows for charging of the enclosure's battery to supply power when the device is not connected.
Implementation Method 1
The use of magnetic induction in wireless charging of mobile devices is conventional
Implementation Method 2
a capacitor may be added in parallel with the first electrical coil, which may cause this sub-circuit (e.g., paralleled coil and capacitor) to resonate at a predetermined frequency
Implementation Method 3
a second electrical coil configured to establish a second wireless coupling with the first electrical coil and to establish a third wireless coupling with a receiver coil of a mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and systems are provided for improving wireless power transmission for mobile devices. An enclosure for a mobile device may include a first electrical coil configured to establish a first wireless coupling with a transmitter coil of a power supply and a second electrical coil configured to establish a second wireless coupling with the first electrical coil and to establish a third wireless coupling with a receiver coil of a mobile device. A distance between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil may exceed a range over which the transmitter coil may be able to transfer power to the receiver coil via a single wireless coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil. The first wireless coupling, the second wireless coupling, and the third wireless coupling, when established, may enable the transmitter coil to perform a wireless power transfer to the receiver coil.