Modular Transmitter Coil Arrangement for Seamless Power Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inductive wireless power transmission systems lack flexibility in size adjustment, as the transmitter area is pre-determined and cannot be easily extended, leading to gaps and inefficiencies when multiple systems are combined.

Innovation Solution

A modular inductive power system with transmitter modules that can be connected to form an arbitrary-sized power transmitting surface, featuring interconnection units for sharing power supply and maintaining an uninterrupted pattern of adjacent coils, allowing for flexible and efficient power transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pre-determined size system is used, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system lacks flexibility and cannot be extended to arbitrary sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in size adjustmentVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power transmitting system is divided into multiple identical transmitter modules, each containing one or more transmitter coils. These modules can be connected in different configurations to create power transmitting surfaces of arbitrary sizes, allowing the system to adapt to different application requirements while maintaining a standardized, manageable structure for each module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each transmitter module is designed with a universal structure that can function independently or be combined with other identical modules. The standardized design of each module allows it to serve multiple purposes - whether used alone or as part of a larger array - providing versatility in system configuration without requiring different designs for different sizes.

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

2Area of stationary object

If multiple predetermined size systems are put together, then the total coverage area increases, but gaps remain between systems and operation is not properly provided at border positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmitting surface areaVSAvoidpower transmission continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into modular transmitter modules with standardized interfaces. Each module contains transmitter coils arranged to ensure that when modules are connected, the coil pattern continues seamlessly across module boundaries, eliminating gaps and ensuring continuous power transmission across the entire assembled surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple transmitter modules are combined to form a unified power transmitting surface. The modules are designed to connect seamlessly, merging their individual coil patterns into a continuous, uninterrupted array that provides uniform power transmission across the entire assembled area without gaps or discontinuities at the interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the transmitter area size is fixed, then the manufacturing and deployment is straightforward, but the system cannot be extended or reconfigured for different applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem extendabilityVSAvoidsystem deployment simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter system is segmented into standardized, identical modules that can be manufactured using the same processes. This segmentation allows for straightforward manufacturing of each module while enabling flexible assembly into larger configurations, combining manufacturing simplicity with system extendability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design allows smaller transmitter module configurations to be nested within or combined to form larger configurations. The same basic module unit can be used to create systems of various sizes by simply increasing the number of modules, providing a scalable approach that maintains manufacturing consistency while achieving different deployment scales.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables the creation of an extendible inductive power surface of arbitrary size with seamless coil arrangements, improving power transmission efficiency and mechanical stability, and allowing receivers to be positioned anywhere on the surface.

Implementation Method 1

a power transmitting device, hereafter called transmitter module, comprising one or more transmitter coils which can individually be energized, thereby generating an alternating magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the power receiving device is provided with a receiver coil, in which the alternating magnetic field, provided by the energized transmitter coils, induces a current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2577692B1Transmitter module for use in a modular power transmitting system
Publication Date: 2017.04.12 PHILIPS INTPROP & STANDARDS GMBH
  • EP2577692B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2577692B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2577692B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A modular power transmitting system comprises multiple transmitter modules being connected together for transmitting power inductively to a receiver. The transmitter module is connected with other transmitter modules for transmitting power inductively to the receiver, wherein the transmitter module (40) comprises at least one transmitter cell (30), each transmitter cell having one transmitter coil (33) by which the transmitter cell transmitting power to the receiver, the transmitter module having an outer periphery (45) being shaped so as to fit to neighboring transmitter modules for forming an power transmitting surface, the at least one transmitter cell being arranged such that the power transmitting surface is constituted by an uninterrupted pattern of adjacent transmitter coils extending in said surface, and interconnection units (110,111) for connecting with neighboring transmitter modules for sharing a power supply.