Phase-Modulated Wireless Charging With Zero-Crossing Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless charging technologies are inadequate for supporting the increasing complexity and varying form factors of mobile devices, requiring improved power control and flexibility in charging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of phase-modulated wireless chargers using resonant circuits with zero-crossing detection and phase-modulation techniques to control power transfer, along with pulse-width modulation and class-D wireless transmitters for precise power management, enabling charging of devices with arbitrary shapes and sizes on a flexible charging surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standards for wireless charging are optimized for relatively simple configurations, then basic charging capabilities are provided, but improved wireless transmission power control is required to support increasingly complex mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission power control by continuously adjusting the resonant frequency of the transmitter based on real-time coupling conditions between transmitter and receiver coils. This allows the system to adapt to varying device configurations, positions, and power requirements, transforming a static charging system into a dynamic one that can support increasingly complex mobile devices while maintaining manageable control complexity through automated frequency adjustment.
2Power
If phase modulation is used to control power transfer, then precise power management is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase modulation as a parameter change technique to control power transfer precision. By varying the phase angle of the modulating signal, the system can precisely control the amount of power transferred to the receiver. This is achieved by mixing the resonant signal with a modulating signal and adjusting the phase relationship between them, allowing fine-grained power control without requiring complex hardware modifications beyond standard signal processing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or analog power control mechanisms with electronic phase modulation. Instead of using variable transformers, mechanical switches, or analog potentiometers to control power, the system uses digital or electronic phase modulation of the resonant frequency, substituting complex mechanical power management with simpler electronic signal processing that achieves superior precision and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If resonant frequency is adjusted to control power delivery, then flexible power management is achieved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic frequency control through feedback mechanisms that monitor the coupling conditions between transmitter and receiver coils. The system measures parameters such as resonant frequency shifts, impedance changes, or power transfer efficiency, and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the transmitter frequency to maintain optimal resonance. This closed-loop control provides flexible power delivery adaptation while keeping control complexity manageable through automated algorithms rather than manual intervention.
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 approach allows for efficient, flexible, and precise wireless charging of devices with varying sizes and shapes, supporting multiple devices simultaneously and enhancing power control, while reducing complexity and improving compatibility with evolving device configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant circuit which includes a transmitting coil, a driver circuit configured to provide a charging current to the resonant circuit
Implementation Method 2
a zero-crossing detector configured to provide a zero-crossing signal that includes edges corresponding to transitions of a voltage measured across the resonant circuit through a zero volt level or corresponding to transitions of a current in the resonant circuit through a zero ampere level
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus for wireless charging are disclosed. A charging device has a resonant circuit comprising one or more transmitting coils, a driver circuit configured to provide a charging current to the resonant circuit, a zero-crossing detector configured to provide a zero-crossing signal that includes edges corresponding to transitions of a voltage measured across the resonant circuit through a zero volt level or corresponding to transitions of a current in the resonant circuit through a zero ampere level and a controller. The controller may be configured to cause the driver circuit to provide the charging current to the resonant circuit when a receiving device is present on a surface of the charging device, and control a level of power that is wirelessly transferred to the receiving device by phase-aligning the charging current with a phase- modulation signal generated from the zero-crossing signal.