Segmented Wireless Charging Coil for Alignment Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wireless charging methods for information handling systems face inefficiencies due to large transmit coils, which reduce efficiency for smaller devices and increase electromagnetic interference, and are hindered by unpredictable coil sizes and user alignment.
Innovation Solution
A segmented transmit coil with segment switches and power source switches, controlled by a coil control system that adjusts based on physical parameters such as alignment and interference, to optimize the active path for efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large transmit coil is used to enable high-power charging and multi-device charging, then the charging capability is improved, but the efficiency for smaller devices decreases and electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmit coil is divided into multiple segments that can be independently controlled. The coil control system selectively activates only the segments needed for the current charging task, rather than using the entire large coil. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high power capability when needed while improving efficiency for smaller devices by using only the necessary portion of the coil.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the active coil segments based on real-time detection of device presence, size, and power requirements. The coil control system modifies the electrical connections between segments during operation, transitioning between different coil configurations to optimize both power delivery and efficiency for varying charging scenarios.
2Power
If a large transmit coil is used to enable high-power charging and multi-device charging, then the charging capability is improved, but electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the transmit coil into controllable sections, the system can limit electromagnetic radiation to only the areas where devices are actually present. This reduces overall electromagnetic interference compared to using the entire large coil, while still providing sufficient charging capability for high-power and multi-device scenarios when multiple segments are activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies electromagnetic energy locally only where needed, rather than uniformly across the entire large coil area. The coil control system activates specific segments corresponding to device locations, creating localized charging zones that minimize unnecessary electromagnetic radiation and interference in other areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a larger charging area is used to accommodate unpredictable coil sizes and user alignment, then the adaptability is improved, but the charging efficiency decreases due to the aspect ratio between transmit and receive coils
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented coil structure provides a large physical charging area while maintaining efficiency through selective activation. Instead of using a single large coil that would suffer from poor aspect ratio efficiency, the system uses multiple smaller segments that can be independently controlled, achieving both large coverage and high efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures which segments are active based on detected device position and alignment. This allows the charging area to adapt to different user placements while maintaining optimal transmit-receive coil aspect ratios for each active segment, preventing efficiency loss that would occur with a static large-coil configuration.
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 efficiency and reduces electromagnetic interference by dynamically adjusting the active path of the transmit coil, improving charging performance for both high-power and small devices.
Implementation Method 1
inductive and resonant charging methods
Data Source
AI summary
A charging pad may include a transmit coil comprising a plurality of segments of conductive material, one or more segment switches, each segment switch configured to electrically couple two of the plurality of segments together when such segment switch is activated and electrically isolate the two of the plurality of segments when such segment switch is deactivated, one or more power source switches configured to selectively electrically couple a tap point of one of the plurality of segments to a first terminal of a power source, and a coil control system configured to generate one or more control signals based on one or more physical parameters associated with the charging pad, the control signals for selectively enabling and disabling the one or more segment switches and the one or more power source switches in order to select an active path of the transmit coil based on the physical parameters.