Stacked Electrical Resonator Array for Uniform Wireless Power Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges of improving inductive coupling between wireless power transmission, particularly between nearest-neighbour electrical resonators, and achieving uniform magnetic field distribution regardless of receiver position, while providing improved control over individual resonators for power transmission.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging electrical resonators in a quadrilateral array with overlapping layers, where each resonator's outer perimeter has distinct major and minor edges, and capacitors are connected to the inductor coil, allowing for improved inductive coupling and controlled power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If electrical resonators are arranged in a conventional array configuration, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the inductive coupling between nearest-neighbour resonators is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar array configuration to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with two layers of resonators. The first layer resonators are positioned at different heights than the second layer resonators, creating vertical stacking. This dimensional change enables overlapping corner regions between adjacent resonators in the same layer while maintaining proper spacing through the vertical dimension, thereby strengthening inductive coupling without excessive planar complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where corner regions of resonators overlap with corner regions of adjacent resonators in the same layer. The resonators are positioned such that their corner regions are nested within the spatial envelope of neighboring resonators, creating multiple coupling paths and enhancing the overall inductive coupling strength between nearest-neighbour resonators.
2Productivity
If resonators are positioned to maximize coupling, then power transfer efficiency improves, but magnetic field uniformity across different receiver positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spatial positioning strategies to different layers of resonators. The first layer resonators are positioned at a first height with specific corner overlap characteristics, while the second layer resonators are positioned at a second height with different corner overlap characteristics. This local differentiation in positioning allows optimization of coupling in specific regions while maintaining overall field uniformity across the array.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing vertical stacking with two distinct layers at different heights, the patent distributes the magnetic field generation in the vertical dimension. This allows the magnetic field to be more uniformly distributed across the horizontal plane at different heights, improving field uniformity for receivers positioned at various locations while maintaining efficient power transfer through the stacked configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional resonator geometries are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but control over individual resonators for targeted power transfer is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resonators with asymmetric geometries, specifically with distinct major edges and minor edges rather than symmetric shapes. This asymmetry enables directional coupling characteristics and allows individual resonators to be controlled for targeted power transfer to specific receivers. The asymmetric corner regions and edge configurations provide different coupling strengths in different directions, enhancing adaptability while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication processes.
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 enhances inductive coupling between resonators, achieves a more uniform magnetic field distribution, and enables targeted wireless power transfer, improving efficiency and control over power transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an array of inductively-coupled electrical resonators for wireless power transfer
Implementation Method 2
Each of the electrical resonators comprises at least one capacitor connected to the inductor coil
Implementation Method 3
the elements being arranged to communicate with one another by means of the coupling portion of each unit and the common communications device, the coupling portion of the data transmission unit comprising a resonant element comprising a loop portion arranged to be near-field coupled to the loop portion of a first resonant element of the device
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrical resonator (10), and an array (30) comprising a plurality of the electrical resonators (10). The electrical resonator (10) comprises an inductor coil comprising at least one turn. The at least one turn comprises an outer turn defining an outer coil perimeter (14). The electrical resonator comprises at least one capacitor connected to the inductor coil. The outer coil perimeter (14) comprises four major edges (141). Each of the major edge (141) is substantially linear and arranged on a different edge of a quadrilateral. The outer coil perimeter (14) comprises four minor edges (142) connecting the major edges (141). The array (30) comprises a first plurality of the electrical resonators (10a) arranged in a first layer, and a second plurality of the electrical resonators (10b) arranged in a second layer on top of the first layer. The minor edge (142a) of each electrical resonator substantially abuts the minor edge (142b) of an adjacent electrical resonator in the same layer, and the first and second layer together define a quadrilateral array of the electrical resonators (30), with a centre of each inductor coil in the first layer coincident with the centre of a gap region between inductor coils in the second layer. A method of arranging a plurality of electrical resonators in an array is also disclosed.