Soft Magnetic Ring for Same-Type Wireless Charging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless charging systems face challenges in aligning coils between devices of the same type, as identical alignment magnets repel each other, preventing proper magnetic alignment and efficient power transfer.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a soft magnetic ring between devices with permanent magnets to shunt magnetic flux, preventing repulsion and allowing proper alignment of wireless charging coils, while also including a near-field communications antenna concentric with the soft magnetic ring for compatible operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If identical alignment magnets are used in devices of the same type for wireless charging, then magnetic alignment can be achieved between different device types, but repulsion occurs between identical magnets preventing proper alignment of devices of the same type
Solution Approach 1:
A soft magnetic ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the permanent magnet and the external environment. This ring acts as a mediator that redirects magnetic flux lines, allowing the permanent magnet to attract opposite polarity magnets from different device types while preventing repulsion with identical polarity magnets from devices of the same type. The soft magnetic material provides a path of least resistance for magnetic flux, effectively shielding the permanent magnet's field in specific directions.
2Force
If permanent magnets are used for alignment in wireless charging devices, then magnetic attraction enables device attachment, but identical magnets repel each other causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic properties are made non-uniform by introducing the soft magnetic ring at a specific location around the permanent magnet. This creates localized modification of the magnetic field distribution, where the ring concentrates and redirects flux lines in specific regions. The local quality change allows the system to maintain strong attraction forces in desired directions while eliminating repulsion in conflicting directions, ensuring reliable alignment.
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
Ensures effective magnetic alignment and efficient wireless power transfer between devices of the same type, enabling bidirectional charging without repulsion issues and compatibility with wireless charging pucks.
Implementation Method 1
the soft magnetic ring in the device shunts magnetic flux from the magnet in the first external device while shunting magnetic flux from the magnet in the second external device to prevent the two magnets from repelling one another
Implementation Method 2
a soft magnetic ring... shunts magnetic flux
Implementation Method 3
The coil of the wireless power receiving device receives alternating-current wireless power signals from the wireless power transmitting device
Implementation Method 4
The rectifier circuitry converts the received signals into direct-current power
Data Source
AI summary
A device or an accessory may include a near-field communications antenna and a soft magnetic ring concentric with the near-field communications antenna. The device or accessory may further include at least one wireless charging coil concentric with the near-field communications antenna, a rectifier coupled to the at least one wireless charging coil, and a battery configured to receive a rectified voltage from the rectifier. The soft magnetic ring may be used to shunt magnetic flux from one or more nearby magnets in external electronic devices to prevent the magnets from repelling each other. The soft magnetic ring may be attracted to a magnet in an external device to help align wireless charging coils in the two mated devices.