Nested Coil Structure for Wireless Interference Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic devices with multiple coils for supporting various wireless communication technologies, such as NFC, MST, and wireless charging, interference between coils leads to performance degradation, affecting communication efficiency and recognition regions.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a flexible printed circuit board with a first coil having three portions, where the second coil surrounds the first coil, and the third coil surrounds the second coil, with a part of the third coil positioned between the second and first coils, and a control circuit to manage signal transmission using each coil, reducing interference and enhancing communication performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple coils are arranged together in a small electronic device to support multiple wireless communication technologies, then the device can provide various wireless services (NFC, MST, wireless charging), but the performance deteriorates due to interference between the coils

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidcommunication performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested coil structure where the first coil is positioned inside the second coil, and the third coil is positioned inside the second coil but outside the first coil. This nested arrangement allows multiple coils to coexist in a compact space while maintaining distinct electromagnetic fields for different communication functions, thereby supporting multiple wireless services without significant performance degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent assigns different functional characteristics to different regions of the coil structure. The first coil is optimized for NFC communication, the second coil for wireless charging, and the third coil for MST communication. By localizing specific communication functions to specific coil regions and optimizing each region's electromagnetic properties, the system achieves multi-functionality while minimizing interference between different communication modes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If multiple coils are placed close together to reduce device size, then the device becomes more compact, but interference between coils increases and performance degradation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcoil interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nested coil configuration allows three separate coils to occupy overlapping spatial regions rather than requiring separate physical spaces. The first coil is nested within the second coil, and the third coil is nested within the second coil but external to the first coil. This arrangement dramatically reduces the overall volume occupied by the coil assembly while maintaining sufficient electromagnetic field separation to minimize interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to resolve coil interference. By positioning coils at different depths and orientations within the device housing, and by using the nested configuration, the system effectively adds spatial dimensionality to the coil layout. This dimensional approach allows compact packaging while maintaining electromagnetic field isolation between different communication functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If coils are arranged in a nested configuration to reduce interference, then communication performance improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidcoil structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While the nested configuration does increase structural complexity compared to simple linear arrangements, it actually simplifies the overall device architecture by eliminating the need for complex shielding structures, isolation barriers, or active interference cancellation systems. The nested geometry inherently provides electromagnetic field separation, reducing the need for additional complexity-mitigating components

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

This configuration reduces interference between coils, enlarges the recognition region, and improves communication performance by shielding and optimizing the electromagnetic field distribution, thereby enhancing the overall performance of multiple communication methods.

Implementation Method 1

a first coil, comprising at least a first portion, a second portion and a third portion... a second coil... and a third coil... the control circuit is configured to: transmit a signal outward by a first transmission method using the first coil; transmit a signal outward by a second transmission method using the second coil; and transmit a signal outward by a third transmission method using the third coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the second coil surrounds the first portion of the first coil, the second portion of the first coil surrounds the second coil, the third portion of the first coil surrounds the second portion of the first coil... This configuration reduces interference between coils... by shielding and optimizing the electromagnetic field distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3392888B1Electronic device including multiple coils
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3392888B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3392888B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3392888B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are various embodiments related to an electronic device including a coil. The electronic device may include: a housing including a first face facing a first direction and a second face facing a second direction different from the first direction; and a flexible printed circuit board and a control circuit disposed between the first and second faces. The flexible printed circuit board may include a first coil including at least one turn, a second coil including at least one turn, and a third coil including at least one turn. At least a part of the second coil may surround a first portion of the first coil, a second portion of the first coil may surround at least a part of the second coil, a third portion of the first coil may surround the second portion of the first coil, and at least a part of the third coil may be disposed between at least a part of the second portion of the first coil and at least a part of the third portion of the first coil. The control circuit may be configured to: transmit a signal outward by a first transmission method using the first coil; transmit a signal outward by a second transmission method using the second coil; and transmit a signal outward by a third transmission method using the third coil.