Ultrasonic Wireless Charger With Focused Beam Array

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional contact-based chargers for battery-powered devices are device-specific, leading to user inconvenience, while contactless chargers like capacitive and inductive chargers face inefficiencies and electromagnetic interference issues, and ultrasonic charging has limited commercial viability due to safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A contactless charger using a focused ultrasonic beam system with an ultrasonic grid/array that automatically determines device positioning and adjusts the beam to charge devices without the need for specific alignment or materials, employing MEMS-based ultrasonic transducers and receivers to ensure efficient and safe charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional contact-based chargers are used, then charging compatibility with specific devices is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to needing multiple device-specific chargers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging compatibilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal charging system using ultrasonic waves that can charge multiple types of battery-powered devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables) with a single charger, eliminating the need for device-specific chargers and improving user convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If capacitive chargers are used, then contactless charging is achieved, but charging efficiency deteriorates and special materials are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontactless chargingVSAvoidcharging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces capacitive charging with ultrasonic wave-based charging, using mechanical vibration energy transfer through air or other media to achieve contactless charging without requiring special materials like metal chassis, thereby improving charging efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If inductive chargers are used, then contactless charging is achieved, but electromagnetic interference is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontactless chargingVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes inductive electromagnetic charging with ultrasonic mechanical wave charging, using piezoelectric transducers to convert electrical energy to mechanical vibrations that transfer energy through air or media without generating electromagnetic interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If ultrasonic charging is used, then charging efficiency is improved, but safety concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidsafety concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of ultrasonic transmission, adjusting the intensity and duration of ultrasonic waves based on device presence, material properties, and charging status to maintain high charging efficiency while preventing harmful effects from excessive ultrasonic exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor charging progress and environmental conditions, dynamically adjusting ultrasonic parameters to optimize charging efficiency while ensuring safety by preventing overheating or excessive vibration damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution provides efficient, safe, and universal charging for multiple devices, eliminating the need for multiple chargers and reducing electromagnetic interference, with charging efficiency comparable to wired methods and enhanced user experience through carefree device positioning.

Implementation Method 1

employing MEMS-based ultrasonic transducers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

focused ultrasonic beam system with an ultrasonic grid/array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave propagation: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 3

The ultrasonic energy may be converted into electric power to charge the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 4

employing MEMS-based ultrasonic transducers and receivers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Converse Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3053250B1Ultrasonic universal wireless charging

Publication Date: 2019.11.20 INTEL CORP

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AI summary

Methods and systems may provide for detecting a location of an adjacent ultrasonic receiver of a battery powered device relative to a charging surface of a contactless charger. The charging surface may include an ultrasonic array of transmitter sub arrays, wherein one or more of the transmitter sub arrays may be selectively activated based on the location to focus an ultrasonic beam on the adjacent ultrasonic receiver. In one example, a movement of the adjacent ultrasonic receiver may be detected and the focus of the ultrasonic beam is adjusted in response to the movement.