Optical Wireless Power Emission State Control for Human Exposure Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless laser power systems lack reliable and fail-safe safety systems to prevent human exposure to hazardous radiation levels, especially in public environments, as existing systems are prone to malfunctions and do not account for various environmental and internal factors that may pose hazards.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power transmission system with self-diagnosing capabilities, multiple sensors, and sophisticated algorithms to detect and respond to errors, malfunctions, and potential hazards, ensuring safe operation by maintaining a low emission state unless verified safe, using redundant methods to prevent switching to high emission states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high power laser is used to transmit sufficient electrical power (5-24W) to charge portable devices, then power delivery capability is improved, but human safety is compromised due to hazardous radiation levels exceeding MPE limits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser powerVSAvoidradiation exposure hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary safety verification by requiring the receiver to send a confirmation signal before the transmitter activates high power emission. This preliminary action ensures that no object is positioned in the beam path and that the receiver is ready to accept power, preventing hazardous exposure before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback through confirmation signals between transmitter and receiver. The receiver monitors beam reception and sends real-time confirmation signals to the transmitter, allowing the system to dynamically adjust power levels based on actual reception conditions, thereby maintaining safety while enabling high power transmission when conditions are safe.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If complex safety systems with multiple sensors and algorithms are implemented to detect and respond to hazards, then safety reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety system reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety system is segmented into distinct functional modules: hazard detection sensors, confirmation signal processing, power level control, and emergency shutdown mechanisms. Each module performs a specific safety function, making the overall complex system manageable through modular design while maintaining high reliability through specialized functionality in each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-programs sophisticated algorithms and response protocols into the control unit before operation. Multiple hazard scenarios are pre-identified and corresponding response actions are pre-configured, allowing the system to rapidly respond to hazards without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thus improving reliability while managing complexity through pre-computed solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the system maintains low emission state to ensure safety, then human safety is improved, but power delivery capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidpower transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts emission levels between low and high states based on real-time safety conditions. When confirmation signals indicate safe conditions with no obstacles in the beam path, the system transitions from low emission safety mode to high emission power delivery mode. This dynamic switching allows the system to achieve both safety and power delivery capability at different operational moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically verifies safety conditions through recurring confirmation signal exchanges between transmitter and receiver. These periodic checks allow the system to maintain low emission state during verification intervals while enabling high power transmission during confirmed safe intervals, achieving a rhythm that balances safety monitoring with effective power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3687849B1Fail-safe optical wireless power supply
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 WI CHARGE
  • EP3687849B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3687849B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3687849B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A fail-safe wireless power transmission system having a transmitter, a receiver, a receiver functionality monitor unit, a transmitter functionality monitor unit and at least two sensors. The transmitter has at least one low emission state, and at least one high emission state, the high emission states having higher emissions and more complex safety systems. The transmitter may be precluded from switching from a low emission state to any high emission states upon detection of a receiver control unit malfunction, a transmitter control unit malfunction, a likelihood of human-accessible emission from the system greater than a predetermined level, or an inconsistency between results arising from at least two of the sensors. Two different methods of such preclusion may be used simultaneously or consecutively to improve reliability. A transmitter control unit analyzes data from the sensors, and performs calculations to determine if and what type of preclusion is needed.