System and method for wireless charging of smart garments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for powering smart garments, such as energy harvesting and batteries, are inadequate due to limited energy supply, bulkiness, and maintenance complications, including alignment requirements for wireless charging systems that can compromise waterproofing and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A smart garment device with integrated coils and rectifiers that enables wireless charging from a drawer or enclosure producing a uniform AC magnetic field, allowing power transfer regardless of garment orientation, using inductors and rectifiers arranged in series to ensure net DC power production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wireless charging systems are used, then power transfer is achieved, but alignment requirements compromise waterproofing and user convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless charging system is segmented into multiple independent coil units distributed throughout the garment. Each coil unit can independently receive power from the magnetic field, eliminating the need for precise alignment between the garment and charging source. This segmentation allows the garment to be charged regardless of its orientation or position within the charging enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point wireless charging approach to a distributed multi-dimensional charging architecture. By embedding multiple coil units at different locations and orientations within the garment, the system creates a three-dimensional charging network that can capture magnetic flux from any direction, thereby eliminating alignment constraints.
2Use of energy by moving object
If energy harvesting from motion is used, then power is generated, but the available energy is limited to less than 1 mW which is insufficient for desired functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple energy harvesting mechanisms (motion-based energy harvesting from wearers and wireless power transfer from external magnetic fields) to create a hybrid power system. This combination allows the garment to accumulate sufficient power for desired functions by integrating energy from multiple sources rather than relying on a single limited source.
3Power
If batteries providing sufficient energy are used, then desired functions are powered, but the batteries become too heavy and bulky to be acceptable in garments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary power accumulation by harvesting energy continuously during wear through motion and ambient magnetic fields. This preliminary energy gathering allows the garment to build up sufficient power reserves before needing to execute power-intensive functions, eliminating the need for large heavy batteries while maintaining adequate power supply capacity.
4Productivity
If multiple garments are charged simultaneously, then charging efficiency is improved, but the magnetic field uniformity must be maintained across the entire enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is segmented into multiple independent coil units distributed throughout the garment, with each unit capable of independently receiving power. This segmentation allows the magnetic field to be less uniform across the entire enclosure, as each local coil unit can still effectively couple with the magnetic field in its immediate vicinity, enabling simultaneous charging of multiple garments without requiring high overall field uniformity.
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 provides a convenient, waterproof, and user-friendly method for charging smart garments of any shape, enabling simultaneous charging of multiple garments without alignment requirements, ensuring reliable power supply and maintaining garment functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an array of integrated coils and rectifiers that enable wireless charging of the device from a drawer or other enclosure that produces a roughly uniform AC magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of rectifying elements in series with respective inductors of the plurality of inductors
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for wirelessly charging smart textiles, such as smart garments, are provided. Aspects of the present application provide a smart garment device with an array of integrated coils and rectifiers that enable wireless charging of the device from a drawer or other enclosure that produces a roughly uniform AC magnetic field. The smart garment can draw power from the magnetic field once placed within the enclosure, regardless of how the garment is placed in the enclosure. The method can be applied to garments of any shape, and multiple garments can be charged simultaneously by placing the multiple garments into the same magnetic field.