Orientation Detection via Multi-Surface Wireless Power Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses require costly orientation detection sensors to determine their placement orientation, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs contactless power receiving units on multiple surfaces to determine its orientation based on power reception states, eliminating the need for sensors by using a determination unit to compare the power reception states of these units and adjust accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If orientation detection sensors (optical sensor, gyro sensor) are used to determine placement orientation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/orientation sensors with an electrical field-based power reception system. By using contactless power receiving units that detect power transmission strength from different directions, the system determines orientation through electrical field intensity comparison rather than mechanical sensing, thereby eliminating complex sensor hardware while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces contactless power receiving units as intermediary components that indirectly detect orientation. Instead of directly measuring orientation with sensors, the system uses power reception units to detect the strength of power transmission from different directions, with the determination unit then inferring orientation from these power reception signals, thus using power reception as an intermediary to achieve orientation detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple contactless power receiving units are used on different surfaces, then orientation determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement orientation determination accuracyVSAvoidpower receiving unit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contactless power receiving units serve dual functions: they both provide contactless power supply to the apparatus and simultaneously enable orientation detection. By making the power receiving units multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate orientation sensors, thus improving orientation determination accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power reception function and orientation detection function into a single integrated system. The same contactless power receiving units that receive power are also used to determine orientation by comparing power reception states, combining two functions into one system rather than using separate components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for accurate orientation determination without sensors, reducing manufacturing costs and enabling independent operation of the apparatus regardless of its placement orientation, while also notifying users of inappropriate placement.

Implementation Method 1

contactless power receiving units that receive power supplied by an external contactless power supplying apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10291083B2Electronic apparatus and orientation determination method

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes a contactless power receiving unit that receives power supplied by an external contactless power supplying apparatus. The electronic apparatus further includes a first contactless power receiving unit arranged on a first surface, a second contactless power receiving unit arranged on a second surface different from the first surface, and a determination unit that determines a placement orientation of the electronic apparatus on a basis of a power reception state of the first wireless power receiving unit and a power reception state of the second wireless power receiving unit. The determination unit determines that the placement orientation of the electronic apparatus is a placement orientation where a surface on which a contactless power receiving unit that is successfully receiving power is arranged faces the contactless power supplying apparatus, the contactless power receiving unit being one of the first and second contactless power receiving units.