Multi-Coil Wireless Power Transfer with Two-Stage Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transfer systems face inefficiencies due to high energy consumption when attempting to establish power transfer over large distances or weak electromagnetic coupling, leading to the need for large select and ping powers.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage selection and ping approach is implemented, where a controller unit alternately powers transmitter coils in different planes to determine coupling strengths and incrementally supplies power stages to selected coils, optimizing energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high power is supplied to transmitter coils to establish electromagnetic coupling over large distances, then power transfer capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides transmitter coils into multiple groups (first group in first plane, second group in second plane) and performs selection in stages. During the selection stage, only one coil from each group is activated at a time to detect coupling strength, rather than activating all coils simultaneously. This segmentation approach enables power transfer capability across multiple spatial zones while minimizing energy consumption during the coil selection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary selection stage before the actual power transfer stage. During this selection stage, low power is supplied to individual coils to detect coupling strength and identify suitable transmitter-receiver pairs. Only after successful detection does the system transition to the power transfer stage with higher power levels. This preliminary action prevents wasteful high-power activation of coils that would not establish effective coupling.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple transmitter coils are powered simultaneously to cover larger area, then wireless power transfer coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments transmitter coils into multiple groups arranged in different planes, with each group responsible for a specific spatial zone. During the selection stage, coils are activated in a controlled sequence (one from each group at a time) rather than all simultaneously, simplifying the control logic while maintaining broad coverage capability. The controller unit manages this segmented activation to determine coupling strength for each zone independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action through its two-stage operation cycle: selection stage followed by power transfer stage. During the selection stage, coils are periodically activated in groups to detect presence and coupling strength. This periodic activation pattern allows the system to cover large areas through multiple coil groups while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured, time-division-based control.
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 method reduces energy consumption and increases system efficiency by minimizing power required for initial coil selection and communication, enabling effective wireless power transfer with reduced energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
power/energy may be transferred from one or more power transmitter coils to one or more power receiver coils through electromagnetic coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless power transfer system is disclosed. The wireless power transfer system may comprise a first group of transmitter coils disposed in a first plane, a second group of transmitter coils disposed in a second plane, and a controller unit configured to: supply a first power to the first group, one or more transmitter coils at a time; compare a first coupling strength of the powered first transmitter coil with a first threshold; in response to determining the first coupling strength exceeding the first threshold, determine the transmitter coil as a selected transmitter coil; supply a second power to the second group, one or more transmitter coils at a time; compare a second coupling strength of the powered second transmitter coil with a second threshold; and in response to determining the second coupling strength exceeding the second threshold, determine the transmitter coil as another selected transmitter coil.