Scanning Mirror Aiming Control for Safe Laser Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser-based wireless power transmission systems face challenges in accurately and safely directing laser beams to small photovoltaic cells, leading to inefficiencies and potential hazards due to stray power spillage into the environment, especially with class 3B lasers which can be dangerous.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable beam deflection unit with rotatable mirrors electronically controlled to ensure precise aiming of the laser beam onto the photovoltaic cell, minimizing spillage by calculating and defining parameters such as angular deviation and target size to keep stray power within safe limits, using a system with a transmitter comprising an orientable mirror with an operational field of view controlled by an electronic signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If higher power lasers are used to provide useful charging power, then power transmission capability is improved, but safety risk increases due to potential retinal burn and skin injury
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where a detector on the receiver communicates with the transmitter to confirm proper beam alignment and power reception. The transmitter adjusts beam parameters based on feedback signals, ensuring power is transmitted only when the receiver is correctly positioned and ready to accept it, thereby preventing harmful exposure to surrounding areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system that acts as a mediator between the high-power laser beam and the surrounding environment. The detector on the receiver serves as an intermediary that verifies beam alignment before full power transmission occurs, preventing direct harmful exposure to human tissue while maintaining high power transmission capability.
2Productivity
If laser beam is directed to locate and charge a small photovoltaic cell, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but stray power spillage into the environment increases causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by concentrating the laser beam precisely on the small photovoltaic cell area rather than distributing it broadly. The beam parameters are locally optimized for the specific target location, ensuring high power density where needed for efficient charging while minimizing spillage to surrounding areas through precise spatial control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic beam control where the transmitter adjusts beam direction, focus, and intensity in real-time based on receiver position and orientation. This dynamic adjustment ensures the beam remains precisely targeted on the photovoltaic cell during movement, maintaining high power transfer efficiency while preventing stray power spillage as the device moves.
3Loss of energy
If accurate aiming of laser beam is implemented to concentrate power on photovoltaic cell, then power concentration efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to need for precise control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where the receiver's detector automatically detects beam alignment and communicates with the transmitter to enable or disable power transmission. This self-regulating feedback loop achieves precise power concentration on the photovoltaic cell without requiring complex external control systems, as the receiver itself participates in controlling the beam delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector on the receiver serves multiple functions: it detects beam alignment, communicates receiver status to the transmitter, and enables power transmission control. This multi-functional component achieves accurate power concentration without adding separate dedicated control mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high efficiency.
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 enables safe and efficient remote charging of electronic devices by ensuring that the laser beam is accurately focused on the photovoltaic cell, reducing the risk of injury and improving power transfer efficiency while adhering to regulatory power limits for class 3B lasers.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic cell in or on the device to be charged, converts the optical power of the laser to electrical power
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter comprising an orientable mirror having an operational field of view, the mirror orientation being electronically controlled by an input electronic signal
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for the aiming of a laser beam of wireless power towards the photovoltaic cell of a receiver, using an adjustable beam deflection unit, enabling accurate orientation of the mirror used to deflect the laser beam. Insufficient aiming accuracy may result in the spilling over of beam energy intended for absorption by the photovoltaic cell, into the surroundings. The criteria of accuracy and stability required of an electronically controlled beam aiming mirror must be such that the angular deviation of a beam, from the direction intended by the electronic control, is such that the level of optical power transferred into the surroundings, when a beam having the maximum power which the system can transmit is aimed at the target, does not exceed that allowed by a regulatory requirement. One common regulation limits the allowed dissipated power to the power of a class 3B laser.