Mobile Device Wireless Charging Control via Closed-Loop Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inductive chargers lack real-time monitoring of charge cycles, which can lead to potential damage to both the charger and mobile devices due to overcharging or overheating, especially in the absence of active monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device with a power coil and communication device that enables communication with a charge pad to adjust wireless charge characteristics, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of the charging process, including selecting optimal power coils and managing charge cycles to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If inductive charging is performed without active monitoring, then charging convenience is improved, but device safety deteriorates due to potential damage from overcharging or overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoiddevice safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device actively monitors charging parameters (power, temperature, charge level) in real-time during wireless charging and sends feedback commands to the charge pad to adjust charging characteristics. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures safe charging while maintaining convenience by eliminating the need for physical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device performs self-monitoring of its own charging state using its processor and sensors, and autonomously controls the charging process by communicating with the charge pad. The device serves itself by detecting its own charge level, temperature, and power reception, then adjusting the charging parameters accordingly without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If real-time monitoring and control is implemented, then device safety is improved, but system complexity increases due to communication and monitoring components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device utilizes its existing communication device (originally designed for other wireless communications) to serve dual purposes: both general communication and specific control of the wireless charging process. The processor also performs multiple functions including general device operation, charging monitoring, and charge control, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the monitoring and control functions into the mobile device's existing processor and communication device, rather than adding separate dedicated hardware. The communication device merges charging control signals with regular wireless communication protocols, and the processor integrates charging management with general device operation, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If optimal power coil selection is implemented, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to coil array control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcoil array control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects and activates optimal power coils from the charge pad's coil array based on real-time monitoring of power transfer efficiency, device position, and charging characteristics. The mobile device can request changes in power coil activation during the charging process, allowing adaptive optimization without requiring complex pre-programmed coil selection strategies.

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

Prevents damage to mobile devices and charge pads by enabling real-time monitoring and control of the wireless charging process, optimizing power transfer and ensuring safe and efficient charging.

Implementation Method 1

Wireless energy transfer or wireless power transmission is a process of electrical energy transmission from a power source to an electrical load, without the use of electrical conductors or interconnecting wires. The transfer of energy takes place by electromagnetic coupling through a process known as mutual induction.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

NFC communicates via magnetic field induction, where two loop antennas, or coils, are located within each other's near field, effectively forming an air-core transformer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2313957B1A mobile device to control a charge pad system
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 NXP BV
  • EP2313957B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2313957B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2313957B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method of charging a mobile device on a charge pad. The method includes receiving a wireless charge from at least one of a plurality of charge pad power coils. The method also includes enabling communications between the charge pad and the mobile device. The method also includes sending a command from the wireless device to the charge pad to adjust a characteristic of the wireless charge at the charge pad and to enable the wireless device to control the characteristic of the wireless charge of the charge pad.