Shaped Coil Wireless Power Transfer System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer systems face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for additional antennas and circuitry for data communication, which can lead to interference and harmonic distortion, and complicate device design with impractical antenna placement constraints, especially for shaped items.
Innovation Solution
A wireless power transfer system with shaped coils that conform to the object's shape, using a concave spherical antenna base and a convex spherical target item, allowing for inductive coupling and simultaneous data communication through a single coil system, including an electrical circuit within the target item to sense motion and communicate via amplitude shift keying signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional antennas and circuitry are used for data communication in wireless power transfer systems, then data communication capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wireless power transfer and data communication functions into a single antenna system. The same antenna used for receiving power wirelessly also receives modulated data signals, eliminating the need for separate communication antennas and circuitry. This merging approach reduces device complexity while maintaining both power transfer and data communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving electromagnetic power signals and receiving modulated data signals through the same hardware infrastructure. The receiver circuitry processes both power and data functions universally, reducing the need for specialized components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional antennas and circuitry are used for data communication, then data communication capability is improved, but harmful interference and harmonic distortion increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging power and data communication into a single antenna and processing channel, the patent eliminates inter-antenna interference and reduces harmonic distortion. The modulated data signals are transmitted through the same power reception channel, avoiding the harmful interactions that occur between separate antennas operating in proximity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional antennas and circuitry are used for data communication, then data communication capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by combining power reception and data communication functions into a single antenna and circuit system. This eliminates the need to manufacture, source, and assemble separate communication antennas and associated circuitry, directly reducing bill of materials costs and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver system is designed with universal circuitry that handles both power rectification and data demodulation functions. This multi-functional approach reduces the total component count and allows for more economical manufacturing compared to systems requiring specialized separate circuits for each function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional antennas and circuitry are used for data communication, then data communication capability is improved, but the area required for wireless power system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates power reception and data communication hardware into a single antenna structure, eliminating the space required for separate communication antennas and their associated mounting structures. This merging approach significantly reduces the total area occupied by the wireless power system while maintaining full functionality.
5Adaptability or versatility
If shaped coils are used to conform to object shape, then adaptability to different object shapes is improved, but antenna placement constraints become more restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spherical or curved antenna design that naturally conforms to curved surfaces of target objects. This spherical geometry allows the antenna to adapt to various object shapes while maintaining effective electromagnetic coupling, eliminating restrictive placement constraints associated with flat or rigid antenna configurations.
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 enables efficient wireless power transfer and data communication without additional antennas, reducing costs and interference, while allowing for flexible placement and rotation of the target item, maintaining effective inductive coupling.
Implementation Method 1
inductive coupling and simultaneous data communication through a single coil system
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless power transfer system includes an antenna base having a charger surface configured substantially as a concave spherical section and a first antenna comprising a spiral wire coil conforming to the charger surface of the antenna base. A target item includes an interface surface configured as a convex spherical section substantially matching the concave spherical section of the charger base. A second antenna is located within the target item and adjacent to the interface surface such that when the target item is placed in the antenna base with the interface surface mated to the charger surface, the first and second antennas are within inductive coupling range for wireless power transfer between the antennas.