Multi-Coil Wireless Charging with Learned Coil Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless charging systems for wearable articles with multiple transmit coils face inefficiencies due to the need to sequentially energize and test each coil to determine the most efficient alignment, leading to delays in starting the charging process, which is undesirable for quick recharging scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A recharge system that dynamically selects the most efficient transmit coil by sequentially energizing individual coils, noting efficiency over time, and favoring those that meet an efficiency threshold, allowing for quicker settlement on an efficient coil for power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple transmit coils are used to cover a larger area, then the charging area is improved, but the time to identify the most efficient coil increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning of multiple transmit coils before actual charging begins. The controller sequentially energizes each transmit coil and measures its efficiency in advance, storing these measurements for later use. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly select the most efficient coil during actual charging without repeating the full scanning process, thus resolving the contradiction between covering multiple areas and minimizing identification time.
2Reliability
If sequential scanning of transmit coils is performed to determine efficiency, then the most efficient coil can be identified, but the charging process is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning and efficiency measurement of all transmit coils before the actual charging process begins. The controller stores these pre-measured efficiency values and uses them to quickly select the most efficient coil during charging, avoiding the need to repeat the full scanning process and thus reducing charging start delay while maintaining selection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its coil selection strategy based on learned efficiency patterns. After initial scanning establishes baseline efficiency measurements, the system uses these measurements to dynamically select coils during charging operations, favoring previously identified efficient coils while maintaining the ability to re-scan if needed, thus balancing reliability with speed.
3Measurement precision
If multiple transmit coils are sequentially energized and tested, then the most efficient alignment is found, but the user perception of charging speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs efficiency measurements of all transmit coils in advance during a scanning phase before actual charging begins. By completing the time-consuming measurement process beforehand, the system can then quickly select and switch to the most efficient coil during charging operations, maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving the user's perceived charging speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips the repetitive scanning process during actual charging operations by relying on pre-measured efficiency data. Once the initial scanning and measurement is complete, the system rushes through subsequent charging cycles by directly selecting the previously identified most efficient coil without repeating the full measurement sequence, thus improving perceived charging speed while maintaining accuracy.
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 approach reduces the time to recharge and improves the responsiveness of the charging system by quickly identifying and utilizing the most efficient transmit coil, enhancing user perception of charging speed and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The recharge system may include an external transmit coil that couples, e.g., inductively, with an internal receive coil and utilize current induced in the receive coil to recharge the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A system, recharge apparatus, and method includes transmit coils positioned in a pattern to allow at least one of the transmit coils to establish a wireless link with a receive coil positioned in proximity of the recharge apparatus. A power source is coupled to the transmit coils and configured to selectively energize ones of the transmit coils to transfer power to the receive coil. An energy efficiency detection circuit is configured to detect an electrical response of each one of the transmit coils when energized by the power source, the electrical response indicative of an energy efficiency between the one of the transmit coils and the receive coil. The power source selectively energizes ones of the transmit coils, selected according to a statistical analysis of an historical record and the electrical response indicative of the energy efficiency meeting a minimum efficiency criterion for energy transfer to the receive coil.