Over-the-Air Charging Repeater Coil for Multi-Orientation Wireless Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electronic devices with wireless charging capabilities face inefficiencies due to the placement of receiver coils on the back, which are obstructed by metal chassis and increased distance when oriented differently, limiting full-orientation charging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a repeater coil in a case, cover, or holster that overlaps with the receiver coil, allowing for magnetic coupling and enabling wireless charging in various orientations by forming a unified receiver coil, even when the front side faces the transmitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If receiver coils are located on the back of the device, then the device can accommodate large screen displays and user input mechanisms on the front, but power transfer efficiency is significantly reduced when the front faces the transmitter due to metal chassis blocking and increased distance
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver coil is divided into two separate coils: a first receiver coil located on the front of the device and a second receiver coil located on the back of the device. This segmentation allows each coil to be optimally positioned for different charging orientations, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual receiver coil configuration enables the device to wirelessly recharge in multiple orientations (front-facing, back-facing, and side orientations) with comparable efficiency. The system becomes universal in its charging capability, no longer limited to a single optimal orientation, thus improving adaptability without sacrificing energy efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If receiver coils are placed on the back of the device, then the front can be dedicated to display and user interface, but the thickness of the device introduces additional distance between transmitter and receiver coils
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the receiver coil into front and back portions, the system eliminates the need to choose between front and back placement. The first receiver coil on the front minimizes distance when front-facing, while the second receiver coil on the back minimizes distance when back-facing, thus reducing the effective distance in both scenarios while maintaining user interface accessibility.
3Strength
If receiver coils are located on the back of the device, then the metal chassis can be used for structural integrity, but the metal chassis blocks magnetic coupling between transmitter and receiver coils
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of receiver coils places one coil on the front (first receiver coil) and another on the back (second receiver coil). When the front faces the transmitter, the first receiver coil establishes magnetic coupling before the signal reaches the metal chassis, reducing blocking effects. The metal chassis maintains structural integrity while magnetic coupling reliability is improved through optimal coil positioning.
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 enhances charging efficiency and distance, allowing devices to charge regardless of orientation, with the repeater coil embedded in a flexible substrate forming an L-shape to overcome the blocking effect of the metal chassis and improve magnetic coupling.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the repeater coil overlaps a portion of the receiver coil forming a magnetic coupling therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for full-orientation over-the-air charging includes a receiver coil associated with a portable electronic device for wireless charging; and a repeater coil associated with a device selectively configured to engage or support the portable electronic device for wireless charging, wherein the device is one of a cover, holster, or case for the portable electronic device; wherein, when the device is selectively engaged or supporting the portable electronic device, a portion of the repeater coil overlaps a portion of the receiver coil forming a magnetic coupling therebetween and supporting wireless charging of the portable electronic device in a plurality of orientations of the portable electronic device relative to a transmitter coil.