Reconfigurable Charging Coil Layout for Wireless Power Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless charging devices face inefficiencies due to the fixed position and size of power transmission coils, which can lead to wasted magnetic field and decreased power supply efficiency as they may not align properly with the power receiving coils.

Innovation Solution

A wireless charging device with a coil forming part comprising multiple element parts and conductors, controlled by a switch part and a control unit to form coils of any size and position on the charging surface, allowing for optimal alignment with the power receiving coils by adjusting the conducting states of the switch parts and conductors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the power transmission coil is fixed in position and size, then the device structure is simple, but the power supply efficiency decreases due to misalignment with the power receiving coil

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply efficiencyVSAvoidcoil structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power transmission coil is divided into multiple independently controllable coil units arranged in a matrix pattern. Each coil unit can be independently activated or deactivated, allowing the system to segment the coil structure into functional modules that can be selectively engaged based on the position and size of the power receiving coil, thereby improving power supply efficiency without requiring a completely complex redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts which coil units are activated based on real-time detection of the power receiving coil's position and dimensions. The control unit selectively turns on or off specific coil units to match the receiving coil's characteristics, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that optimizes power transmission efficiency while managing structural complexity through intelligent control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the power transmission coil size is increased to cover all possible positions, then any position can be charged, but the magnetic field is wasted in areas where the power receiving coil is not present

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging position flexibilityVSAvoidmagnetic field waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The large coverage area is segmented into multiple discrete coil units that can be independently controlled. Instead of activating the entire large coil structure, only the specific segment (coil unit) that corresponds to the power receiving coil's position is activated, maintaining charging flexibility across different positions while preventing magnetic field waste in areas where no receiving coil is present

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each coil unit is designed to provide localized magnetic field generation with appropriate characteristics for its specific position. The system applies local quality by tailoring the activation and parameters of individual coil units to match the local requirements imposed by the power receiving coil's position and size, rather than applying a uniform approach across the entire charging surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If multiple fixed power transmission coils are used to cover different positions, then power supply efficiency improves, but the device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of coil components
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple coil units are merged into a single integrated coil structure that functions as one unified system with multiple independently controllable elements. This merging approach allows the system to achieve the power supply efficiency of multiple separate coils while reducing device complexity by consolidating the structure, control wiring, and magnetic field management into a single modular assembly rather than requiring completely separate coil components

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 enables the formation of coils at any position and size on the charging surface, enhancing the efficiency of power supply by ensuring proper alignment with the power receiving coils, thereby improving the overall efficiency of wireless charging.

Implementation Method 1

the switch part in the ON state and the conductor in the conducting state forming a coil-shaped current path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4287456A1Wireless charging device and coil forming device
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 HITACHI LG DATA STORAGE INC
  • EP4287456A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4287456A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4287456A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A wireless charging device includes a plurality of elemental parts including a switch part and a conductor connecting between the adjacent elemental parts, and a coil forming part applied to a charging surface on which a charging target is placed. The control unit controls the switch part to form, on the charging surface, a coil including the switch part in an ON state and the conductor in a conducting state that allows current to flow that form a coil-shaped current path.