Multi-Frequency Charging Pad for Cross-Standard Wireless Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless power transfer systems are unable to charge receiver devices operating at different frequency standards, such as A4WP, WPC, and PMA, due to the need for separate charging devices with dedicated converters and frequency coils, which increases setup and maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A wireless charging device with an excitation unit capable of driving first and second resonator coils to transmit power to receiver devices compatible with various frequency standards, using a control unit to alternately send frequency control signals to convert DC voltage to AC voltage at different frequencies, allowing simultaneous charging of devices with different frequency standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate charging devices with dedicated converters and frequency coils are used for each frequency standard, then receiver devices operating at different frequency standards can be charged, but device complexity and setup costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different frequency standardsVSAvoidnumber of charging devices required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device is designed with a universal excitation unit that can operate across multiple frequency ranges (100 kHz to 10 MHz) to charge receiver devices compatible with different wireless power standards (WPC Qi, PMA, A4WP) without requiring separate dedicated charging devices for each standard

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

Solution Approach 2:

The excitation unit dynamically adjusts its operating frequency based on the detected receiver device type, allowing the same hardware to adaptively serve multiple frequency standards by tuning its resonant frequency to match the required standard

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate charging devices with dedicated converters and frequency coils are used for each frequency standard, then receiver devices operating at different frequency standards can be charged, but maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different frequency standardsVSAvoidmaintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing a single universal charging device that supports multiple frequency standards through one excitation unit, the system reduces the total number of devices requiring maintenance, thereby lowering overall maintenance costs while maintaining compatibility with WPC, PMA, and A4WP standards

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

3Device complexity

If a single charging device with wide frequency range is used, then fewer charging devices are needed, but power transfer efficiency may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of charging devicesVSAvoidpower transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The excitation unit dynamically tunes its resonant frequency to match the specific frequency standard of the connected receiver device, ensuring optimal power transfer efficiency for each standard (WPC Qi at 100-200 kHz, PMA at 200-400 kHz, A4WP at 7 MHz) while using a single universal device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating frequency parameter of the excitation unit based on the detected receiver type, allowing the same hardware to achieve high efficiency across different frequency standards by adjusting its resonant characteristics rather than using fixed-frequency dedicated devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of a single charging device to efficiently charge receiver devices compatible with multiple frequency standards, reducing setup and maintenance costs while maintaining effective power transfer over a range of frequencies.

Implementation Method 1

an excitation unit (110) that receives control signals from the control unit (112) and converts a DC voltage of an input power (120) received from a power source (102) to a first AC voltage having a first frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a first resonator coil (136) that is magnetically coupled to the exciter coil (132) and a receiver coil (140) in the receiver device (106)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

first resonator coil (136) that is magnetically coupled to the exciter coil (132)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3280030B1System and method for charging receiver devices
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP3280030B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3280030B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3280030B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A charging pad 130, 402, 502 for charging one or more receiver devices is disclosed. The charging pad 130, 402, 502 includes at least one first resonator coil 136 operable at a first frequency band and at least one second resonator coil 138 operable at a second frequency band. Further, the charging pad 130, 402, 502 includes at least one exciter coil 132, 134, 202, 310, 312 magnetically coupled to the at least one first resonator coil 136 and the at least one second resonator coil 138. In addition, the charging pad 130, 402, 502 includes an excitation unit 110, 302 operationally coupled to the at least one exciter coil 132, 134, 202, 310, 312 and configured to drive the at least one first resonator coil 136 and the at least one second resonator coil 138 via the at least one exciter coil 132, 134, 202, 310, 312.