Orthogonal Transmitting Coils for Self-Aligning Wireless Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless power transfer devices cannot control the direction of the magnetic field, making it cumbersome to improve alignment with the secondary coil, which affects energy transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wireless power transfer system with a first and second transmitting coil oriented along different axes, decoupled by a nonmagnetic material, and driven by a driver to generate a rotating magnetic field with equal frequencies and a 90-degree phase difference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the primary coil is physically moved or reoriented to improve alignment with the secondary coil, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the magnetic field direction to rotate dynamically. The primary coil system can generate a rotating magnetic field that automatically aligns with the secondary coil regardless of its orientation, eliminating the need for manual physical adjustment of the coil positions while maintaining optimal energy transfer efficiency throughout the rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of magnetic field orientation from fixed to variable. By controlling the phase difference between currents in orthogonal coils, the magnetic field direction can be adjusted continuously, allowing automatic alignment with the secondary coil without physical movement, thus improving both energy efficiency and operational convenience.
2Device complexity
If a single primary coil is used, then the device structure is simple, but the magnetic field direction cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single primary coil into two orthogonal coils (first and second transmitting coils positioned at right angles). This segmentation allows independent control of each coil's current, enabling the generation of a rotating magnetic field with controllable direction while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the coil system multi-functional by enabling it to generate magnetic fields in multiple directions. The same orthogonal coil configuration can produce linearly polarized, circularly polarized, or rotating magnetic fields depending on the current phase relationship, providing versatile magnetic field control without requiring multiple separate coils.
3Adaptability or versatility
If orthogonal coils are used to enable magnetic field rotation, then magnetic field direction control is achieved, but magnetic coupling between coils may interfere with field generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a nonmagnetic material as an intermediary between the first and second transmitting coils. This intermediary prevents harmful magnetic coupling between the orthogonal coils while allowing both coils to function independently for generating the rotating magnetic field, thus eliminating interference without sacrificing directional control capability.
4Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment of the primary coil with the secondary coil is required, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but alignment time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-alignment through the rotating magnetic field capability. The system automatically adjusts the magnetic field direction to match the secondary coil's orientation without requiring manual intervention for alignment, thereby eliminating alignment time while maintaining precise magnetic coupling for optimal energy transfer.
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 efficient energy transfer to the secondary coil by automatically aligning the magnetic field with the receiver coil, reducing the need for manual adjustment and improving alignment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A primary coil may be driven with AC current to generate an oscillating magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a nonmagnetic material magnetically decoupling the first transmitting coil from the second transmitting coil in an area of overlap between the first and second transmitting coils
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless power transfer device includes a first transmitting coil oriented along a first axis; a second transmitting coil on the first transmitting coil and oriented along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a nonmagnetic material magnetically decoupling the first transmitting coil from the second transmitting coil in an area of overlap between the first and second transmitting coils; and a driver configured to provide first and second equal currents to the first and second transmitting coils, respectively, to generate a rotating magnetic field, the driver being configured to provide the first and second currents to have equal frequencies, substantially equal amplitudes, and a phase difference of substantially 90 degrees.