Wireless Battery Pack Architecture for In-Compartment Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery designs often lack wireless charging capabilities due to space constraints and the bulky nature of traditional wireless charging circuitry, making it difficult to add wireless charging functionality to existing devices without altering their form factor.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack with a wireless power receiver and a processor that configures the electrical output based on the battery's charge level, using a predetermined charging profile that includes constant current and voltage stages, allowing the wireless power circuitry to be enclosed within the battery compartment without the need for a battery charger IC or low-dropout voltage regulator, thus reducing size and enabling wireless charging without modifying the device's form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wireless charging circuitry is added to existing devices, then wireless charging capability is achieved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wireless charging receiver and battery charger functions into a single integrated circuit that communicates with the processor via I2C interface. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining wireless charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit serves multiple functions: it acts as both a wireless charging receiver and a battery charger, and can operate in different modes (charging, discharging, power management). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wireless charging circuitry is added to existing devices, then wireless charging capability is achieved, but device form factor must be altered
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the wireless charging receiver and battery charger into a single integrated component with standardized communication interface, the patent enables compact integration that fits within existing device form factors without requiring structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses I2C communication protocol which allows for compact signal routing and integration. The standardized digital communication interface enables smaller connection requirements compared to analog or more complex communication methods, allowing the circuitry to fit within existing device dimensions.
3Reliability
If separate battery charger IC and voltage regulator are used, then charging control is achieved, but circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery charger IC and voltage regulator functions into a single integrated circuit. This component handles both charging control and voltage regulation internally, eliminating the need for separate discrete components and significantly reducing the overall circuit size while maintaining reliable charging control.
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 the addition of wireless charging capabilities to devices without sacrificing their existing form factor or functionality, allowing for efficient charging of batteries in devices that previously did not support wireless power charging.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless power receiver, a battery electrically connected to the wireless power receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An efficient architecture for a battery pack capable of wirelessly charging is provided. An example battery pack may include a wireless power receiver, a battery electrically connected to the wireless power receiver, and a processor electrically connected to the wireless power receiver. In addition, the processor may configure an electrical output of the wireless power receiver, based at least in part on a charge level of the battery, such that an output voltage and an output current are updated in coordination with a predetermined charging profile. The battery pack, capable of charging via a wireless power charger, may further include a housing, wherein the housing encloses the battery, the processor, and the wireless power receiver.