Universal Cradle for Contactless Power Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contactless power transferring systems using electromagnetic induction face challenges in aligning the center positions of primary and secondary coils, limiting design freedom and requiring specific cradle designs for each type of mobile terminal, which restricts compatibility and necessitates frequent purchases of new cradles when switching devices.

Innovation Solution

A contactless power transferring apparatus with a terminal loading portion that supports mobile terminals from multiple directions, allowing easy alignment of coil centers and accommodating various terminal forms, enabling efficient power transfer without requiring precise user alignment or specific cradle designs for each device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If contactless power transferring is used to eliminate electric contacts and provide design freedom, then ease of operation and design freedom are improved, but coil alignment precision deteriorates leading to power transfer failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcoil alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cradle as an intermediary device between the power source and mobile terminal. The cradle includes a positioning structure with positioning protrusions and positioning grooves that automatically align the primary and secondary coils when the terminal is placed on the cradle, eliminating the need for manual alignment by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning structure enables self-alignment of the coils through the positioning protrusions and grooves that automatically engage when the terminal is placed on the cradle. The system performs the alignment function automatically without requiring user intervention or precise manual positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If specific cradle designs are created for each mobile terminal type to ensure coil alignment, then coil alignment precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates requiring multiple cradles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil alignment precisionVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cradle is designed with a universal positioning structure that can accommodate multiple types of mobile terminals. The positioning protrusions and grooves are configured to work with different terminal forms and sizes, allowing a single cradle to serve multiple terminal types without requiring terminal-specific cradles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the opening of the terminal mount is made small to restrict terminal placement position for coil alignment, then coil alignment precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil alignment precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cradle acts as an intermediary that provides the positioning function rather than restricting the opening size. The positioning protrusions and grooves on the cradle automatically guide and align the terminal coils, allowing a larger opening that is easier to operate while maintaining precise coil alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables efficient contactless power transfer to multiple types of mobile terminals with reduced design restrictions, eliminating the need for multiple cradles and simplifying the charging process by allowing easy alignment and positioning of coils within the apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

contactless power transferring is carried out between a primary coil provided in a cradle and a secondary coil provided in a mobile terminal via electromagnetic induction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP1998423B1Contactless power transferring apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP1998423B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1998423B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1998423B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A contactless power transferring apparatus includes a terminal loading portion (40), a primary coil (4), an up-down-direction pressing portion (31), a width direction pressing portion (21a;21b) and a thickness direction pressing portion (50). The terminal loading portion (40) has an opening through which a mobile terminal (2) is inserted and loaded. The primary coil (4) transfers power using electromagnetic induction to a secondary coil (5) incorporated in the mobile terminal (2). When the mobile terminal is inserted inside the terminal loading portion (40), the pressing portions operate in an up-down direction, in a left-right direction and in a width direction, to press and support the mobile terminal (2) respectively from below to position the coils in the up-down direction, from the width direction to position the coils in the left-right direction and from the thickness direction to dispose the coils a predetermined distance apart.