Segmented Telescopic Coil for Wireless Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contactless power supply systems for high-output devices like notebook computers restrict the degree of freedom in appliance arrangement, compromise compactness, and portability due to the need for large secondary coils and obstructive power cables, leading to unnatural user postures and usability issues.

Innovation Solution

A contactless power supply system with a power supplying device and adapter that includes a primary coil and secondary coil configuration, where the secondary coil is split into multiple segments with a telescopic arm and universal joints, allowing for flexible positioning and compact storage, and a display lamp indicating optimal coupling, enabling efficient power transfer without cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a large-area secondary coil is used to receive high-output power, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but the device size and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary coil is divided into multiple independent coil segments arranged in series. Each segment has a compact size suitable for portable devices, while the series connection of multiple segments achieves the required total inductance for high-output power reception, resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and device size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-plane coil configuration to a three-dimensional segmented coil structure with universal joints, allowing the coil segments to be folded or extended in multiple directions to achieve optimal positioning without increasing the device's base footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a fixed primary coil position is used, then power supply stability is improved, but the degree of freedom in appliance arrangement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidappliance arrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal joints and telescopic arms that enable dynamic adjustment of the secondary coil's position and orientation. The system transitions from a static fixed-position configuration to a dynamic adjustable configuration, maintaining magnetic coupling stability while allowing flexible appliance placement across the desktop surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable positioning mechanism with universal joints provides multi-directional movement capability, making the power receiving device universally compatible with various appliance types and placement positions, rather than being restricted to a single fixed orientation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a power supplying cable is used to connect adapter and appliance, then power transfer reliability is improved, but the cable becomes an obstacle and limits movement freedom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer reliabilityVSAvoidmovement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the power supplying cable from the system by implementing contactless power transfer through magnetic coupling between primary and secondary coils. This removes the physical obstacle while maintaining reliable power transfer through electromagnetic induction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical connection system (cable and connector) is replaced with an electromagnetic field-based wireless power transfer system, substituting physical contact with magnetic coupling to achieve both reliability and movement freedom

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Power

If the secondary coil area is increased to receive high power, then power reception capability is improved, but the adapter size increases and portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower reception capabilityVSAvoidadapter dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary coil is segmented into multiple smaller coil units connected in series, where each segment maintains a compact size suitable for portable adapters while the combined inductance of all segments delivers high-power reception capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented coil structure allows compact folding or nesting of coil segments within the adapter housing when not in use, reducing the effective dimensions for portability while maintaining full power reception capability when deployed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 configuration allows for flexible placement of devices, maintains compactness, and ensures efficient high-output power transfer while reducing the need for cables, enhancing user freedom and portability.

Implementation Method 1

a primary coil and secondary coil configuration, where the secondary coil is split into multiple segments with a telescopic arm and universal joints, allowing for flexible positioning and compact storage, and a display lamp indicating optimal coupling, enabling efficient power transfer without cables

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2922176B1Contactless power-supply system, contactless adapter, and power-supply device
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2922176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2922176B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2922176B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A contactless adapter (30) installed in a notebook computer (20) has a plug part (31), a telescopic arm (34), a power circuit part (35), and a power-receiving part (40). The power-receiving part (40) is provided with a secondary coil (41) and has a rotatably linked fixed base plate (42) and a rotating base plate (43). Power can be supplied without contact to the notebook computer (20) from a power-supply device (10) via the contactless adapter (30) by expanding the fixed base plate (42) and the rotating base plate (43) to cause the secondary coil (41) to face the primary coil (11) of the power-supply device (10) provided inside the tabletop (2) of a desk (1).