Resonant Wireless Power Circuit for Replaceable Pool LED Lights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional underwater LED pool lights face challenges with electrolytic capacitors failing early, leading to reduced lifespan and requiring labor-intensive cable replacement, while DC power poses risks of electrolysis and health hazards.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power transfer method using a wireless power transmitter that converts AC power to a higher frequency, eliminating the need for electrolytic capacitors and allowing detachable LED lights to receive power without cables, thus extending transmitter lifespan and simplifying replacements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If AC power is used to power underwater LED pool lights, then the lights can be powered reliably, but electrolytic capacitors fail early reducing system lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidtransmitter lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes electrolytic capacitors from the system entirely by using wireless power transfer. The power is transmitted wirelessly from a transmitter unit to the LED light unit, eliminating the need for capacitors in the underwater environment that would otherwise fail due to moisture and temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional wired electrical connection system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based power transmission system. This substitution eliminates physical components like capacitors that are susceptible to environmental degradation, thereby extending system lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If DC power is used to power underwater LED pool lights, then the lights can operate efficiently, but electrolysis and health hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidelectrolysis and health hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an alternating current (AC) electromagnetic field as an intermediary medium to transfer power wirelessly. This AC field serves as a mediator that conveys energy without direct electrical contact, avoiding the electrolysis problems associated with DC power while maintaining efficient LED operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If cable replacement is required when LED lights fail, then the system can be maintained, but labor-intensive cable replacement is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem maintainabilityVSAvoidreplacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lighting system into separate modular units: a transmitter unit that remains fixed and a detachable LED light unit. This segmentation allows the LED unit to be independently replaced without affecting the transmitter or requiring cable work, significantly reducing maintenance time and labor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the power source (cable and transformer) detachable for replacement, the patent makes the LED light unit itself detachable from the fixed transmitter. This inversion of the traditional replacement approach allows users to simply remove and replace the light unit without touching the wiring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The solution extends the lifespan of the wireless power transmitter and allows for easy replacement of LED lights without running new cables, reducing labor costs and avoiding electrolysis and health risks associated with DC power.

Implementation Method 1

wireless power transmission-based system for pool lighting includes a transformer, a cable, a wireless power transmitter, and an LED-based light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

driving the first resonant tank with the driver with a driving voltage at a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11770023B2Wireless power transfer method, circuit and apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 SPARK CONNECTED LLC

AI summary

A method for wirelessly providing power to a LED includes: receiving an AC input voltage having a first frequency via a cable; generating a first rectified voltage at a first node from the AC input voltage, the first node coupled to a first filtering non-electrolytic capacitor; powering a driver with the first rectified voltage; wirelessly transmitting power by driving a first resonant tank with the driver with a driving voltage at a second frequency higher than the first frequency, the driving voltage having a sinusoidal envelope at the first frequency and approximating a square-wave at the second frequency; receiving the wirelessly transmitted power with a second resonant tank; generating a second rectified voltage at second node from a voltage across the second resonant tank, the second node coupled to a second filtering capacitor; generating a DC voltage from the second rectified voltage; and powering the LED with the DC voltage.