Optical Wireless Power Transfer With Organic Material Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transmission systems for portable electronic devices face challenges in safely and efficiently transferring power over a range larger than a few meters, while being cost-effective and capable of enduring household hazards, with current safety systems being complex, unreliable, and unsuitable for domestic use.
Innovation Solution
A laser-based power transmission system that absorbs and detects organic materials using C—H and C—C bond vibrations, with a resonator, gain medium, beam steering, and optical-to-electrical conversion, incorporating a detector to ensure safe operation by adjusting beam parameters and power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If magnetic induction is used for wireless power transmission, then power can be transferred without wires, but the transmission range is limited to just a few mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic induction (electromagnetic field-based) with optical laser beam transmission. The laser-based system uses coherent light instead of magnetic fields, enabling transmission over distances of several meters rather than millimeters, while maintaining safety through controlled beam parameters and organic material detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from magnetic field frequency to optical laser wavelength. By using laser beams with specific wavelengths and controlling beam divergence, the system achieves extended transmission range while maintaining safety through parameter optimization and detection mechanisms.
2Power
If photovoltaic cells are used to receive power, then wireless power transfer is achieved, but the power output cannot exceed 0.1 Watt for mobile phone-sized devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional photovoltaic cells with specialized optical-to-electrical converters optimized for laser beam reception. These converters use photodiodes or photomultiplier tubes that are specifically designed to efficiently convert high-density laser light into electrical current, enabling power transfer rates sufficient for mobile devices without increasing device size.
3Power
If RF waves are used for energy harvesting, then wireless power transfer is achieved, but the power output cannot exceed 0.01 Watt due to health and FCC regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF wave-based energy harvesting with laser beam transmission. By using coherent optical light instead of RF waves, the system achieves higher power transfer capability while maintaining safety through controlled beam parameters, organic material detection, and compliance with exposure guidelines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that monitors the transmission path for organic materials. This intermediary system acts as a safety mediator between the laser source and the target, detecting the presence of organic materials and adjusting or shutting down transmission to prevent excessive exposure, thereby enabling higher power transfer while maintaining health safety.
4Length of moving object
If laser-based power transmission is used, then transmission range exceeds several meters, but complex safety systems are required to prevent harmful reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that monitors the transmission path for organic materials. This intermediary system acts as a safety mediator, detecting the presence of organic materials through their absorption characteristics and adjusting or shutting down transmission to prevent excessive exposure, thereby simplifying the safety system while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a self-regulating safety mechanism where the laser system automatically detects organic materials in the transmission path and adjusts its operation accordingly. The system uses the absorption characteristics of organic materials at specific wavelengths to trigger automatic safety responses, eliminating the need for complex external safety systems.
5Reliability
If existing safety systems are implemented, then protection from harmful reflections is achieved, but the systems are unreliable and unsuitable for domestic use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that monitors the transmission path for organic materials. This intermediary system acts as a safety mediator, detecting the presence of organic materials through their absorption characteristics and adjusting or shutting down transmission to prevent excessive exposure, thereby simplifying the safety system while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a self-regulating safety mechanism where the laser system automatically detects organic materials in the transmission path and adjusts its operation accordingly. The system uses the absorption characteristics of organic materials at specific wavelengths to trigger automatic safety responses, eliminating the need for complex external safety systems and making the technology suitable for domestic use.
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
The system effectively transfers power to portable devices, maintaining safety by detecting and adjusting to organic materials, ensuring reliable operation in domestic environments, and overcoming the limitations of prior art systems.
Implementation Method 1
a gain medium positioned inside the optical resonator and having a first bandgap energy, the gain medium being thermally attached to a cooling system and configured to amplify light passing through it
Implementation Method 2
an optical-to-electrical power converter configured to convert the optical beam into electrical power having a voltage, the optical-to-electrical power converter having a second bandgap energy
Implementation Method 3
A laser-based power transmission system that absorbs and detects organic materials using C—H and C—C bond vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A system for optical wireless power transmission to a power receiving apparatus generally situated in a mobile electronic device. The transmitter has an optical resonator with end reflectors and a gain medium positioned between them, such that an optical beam is generated. The frequency of the beam is selected such that it is absorbed by almost all transparent organic materials in general use. A beam steering unit on the transmitter can direct the beam in any of a plurality of directions, and the beam is absorbed on the receiver by means of an optical-to-electrical power converter, through a low reflection surface. The band gap of this power converter is selected to be smaller than that of the gain medium. The receiver has a voltage converter including an inductor, an energy storage device and a switch. A beam steerer controller ensures that the beam impinges on the receiver.