Single-Electrode Capacitive Power Transfer for Easier Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power transfer method using capacitive coupling requires two pairs of plates, making it difficult to align and dispose the plates according to use, and suffers from inefficiencies in power transfer efficiency and heat generation.
Innovation Solution
A power transfer system using a single power transfer element and a single power reception element, with a power reception circuit that includes a different potential field disposed at a position where the electric field intensity is different from that at the power reception element, improving alignment and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two pairs of plates are used for capacitive coupling power transfer, then power transfer can be achieved, but device complexity increases and alignment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two separate plates into a single power transfer electrode and a single power reception electrode. The power transfer electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are electrically connected to form one integrated component, similarly the power reception electrode integrates the receiving function. This merging reduces the number of discrete components from four plates to two electrodes while maintaining the capacitive coupling power transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single power transfer electrode serves multiple functions: it acts as both the first electrode and the second electrode in the capacitive coupling system. The electrode structure is designed to create electric fields with both power transfer regions and different potential regions, enabling it to perform multiple functions that previously required separate components.
2Reliability
If two pairs of plates are used for capacitive coupling, then power transfer is possible, but alignment precision becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the first and second electrodes into a single power transfer electrode, the patent reduces the number of alignment interfaces from three (between four separate plates) to one (between the single power transfer electrode and the power reception electrode). This significantly simplifies the alignment requirements and improves manufacturing precision.
3Power
If inductive coupling is used for power transfer, then high power can be transferred, but heat generation increases and efficiency varies with alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the inductive coupling mechanism with a capacitive coupling mechanism. Instead of using magnetic fields generated by coils (inductive coupling), the system uses electric fields generated by conductive electrodes (capacitive coupling). This substitution eliminates the need for magnetic core materials and reduces heat generation while maintaining high power transfer capability through the different potential field design.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If capacitive coupling with two pairs of plates is used, then heat generation is reduced, but device complexity and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the four-plate structure into a two-electrode structure while preserving the capacitive coupling mechanism that produces low heat generation. The single power transfer electrode and single power reception electrode maintain the electric field-based power transfer that inherently generates less heat than inductive coupling, while the reduced component count simplifies the device.
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 system achieves efficient power transfer using a pair of plate-shaped or coil-shaped conductive elements, with improved alignment and reduced heat generation, suitable for applications like powering cardiac pacemakers.
Implementation Method 1
a power transfer system using a single power transfer element and a single power reception element... power transfer device includes an AC power source unit, and a single power transfer element connected to the AC power source unit, the power reception device includes a single power reception element electrically coupled to the power transfer element
Implementation Method 2
a power reception circuit connected to the power reception element and outputting power, and the power reception circuit includes a different potential field that is disposed at a position that is an electric field formed by the power transfer element and at which intensity of the electric field is different from intensity of an electric field formed at a position of the power reception element
Data Source
AI summary
A power transfer device including an AC power source unit and a single power transfer element, and a power reception device including a single power reception element electrically coupled to the power transfer element and a power reception circuit outputting power are included. The power reception circuit includes a different potential field disposed at a position that is an electric field formed by the power transfer element and at which intensity of the electric field is different from intensity of an electric field formed at a position of the power reception element.