Resonant Wireless Charging Battery Label

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-held devices with rechargeable batteries require frequent removal and reconnection for charging, which is inconvenient and inefficient, as existing wireless charging technologies are often specific and not applicable to general-purpose batteries.

Innovation Solution

A wireless charging system using induction with a modified AA battery design featuring a conductive ink pattern and a capacitor to create a resonant coil, allowing batteries to be charged in situ without mechanical or electrical connection, operating at higher frequencies to enable smaller coils and efficient energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless charging is implemented using traditional low-frequency induction (as in electric toothbrushes), then reliable power transfer is achieved, but the device requires large coils with high mutual inductance and close physical coupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer reliabilityVSAvoidcoil size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies resonant oscillation at high frequency (around 1 MHz) to the LC circuits in both transmitter and receiver. This resonance condition creates strong coupling between the coils, enabling efficient power transfer with much smaller coil sizes compared to traditional low-frequency induction systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating frequency from traditional low-frequency induction to high-frequency resonant operation (approximately 1 MHz). This parameter change, combined with adding capacitors to create resonant LC circuits, enables smaller coils while maintaining reliable power transfer through resonant coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If rechargeable batteries are used to reduce ongoing costs and environmental impact, then cost savings and environmental benefits are achieved, but the user must frequently remove and reconnect batteries for charging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost savingsVSAvoidcharging convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection required for charging (plugging batteries into chargers) with wireless inductive power transfer. The battery contains an LC circuit that resonates at the transmitter frequency, enabling contactless power transfer through electromagnetic coupling when the battery is placed near the charging base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery system enables self-charging by simply placing the battery near the charging base. The resonant LC circuit in the battery automatically couples with the transmitter field, eliminating the need for manual connection or user intervention in the charging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If high-frequency resonant coils are used to reduce coil size, then smaller batteries are achieved, but the system requires precise resonant frequency matching between transmitter and receiver

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery sizeVSAvoidfrequency matching precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects a standard frequency of approximately 1 MHz for the resonant operation. This frequency choice balances coil size reduction with practical considerations of component availability and tolerance. The LC circuit components are selected to achieve this resonant frequency, enabling smaller batteries while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cost-effective, efficient trickle charging of rechargeable batteries within devices, eliminating the need for frequent battery removal and connection, and extending wireless recharging to general-purpose batteries beyond specific applications like electric toothbrushes.

Implementation Method 1

by adding a capacitor to make these inductors resonant at that frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

Power is coupled magnetically to charge the cells in the toothbrush

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The secondary coil of the transformer is in the handle of the toothbrush. Power is coupled magnetically to charge the cells in the toothbrush

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS7456606B1Battery label with wireless battery charging circuit

Publication Date: 2008.11.25 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

This invention relates to a cost effective and long-awaited apparatus and method for making a battery charging unit wherein the apparatus and method solution used induction to eliminate the requirement to constantly remove rechargeable batteries from their particular units in order to recharge them. This invention further relates to a cost-effective and long-awaited apparatus and method wherein the apparatus and method solution uses induction to eliminate the requirement to electrically or mechanically connect the charged device to a battery charging unit in order to recharge the battery.