Wireless Charging Alignment Detection via Thermal Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless charging methods do not effectively determine alignment between the wireless power reception and transmission devices, leading to increased heat generation when misaligned, which can be mitigated by adjusting the charging current, but this prolongs charging time.

Innovation Solution

A method that measures temperature, frequency, and voltage during wireless charging to determine alignment and adjusts power output from the transmission device, reducing heat generation and allowing for variable charging current adjustments in misaligned states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If charging current is limited to reduce heat generation in misaligned state, then heat generation is reduced, but charging time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat-generating temperatureVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors temperature during wireless charging and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the charging current. When temperature exceeds a threshold, the system reduces charging current to prevent overheating. This closed-loop control allows the system to maintain safe operating temperatures while minimizing charging time by only reducing current when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the charging current parameter based on detected alignment state and temperature conditions. In aligned state, maximum charging current is used for fast charging. In misaligned state with high temperature, the current is reduced. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting charging conditions to real-time system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If charging current is increased to reduce charging time, then charging time is reduced, but heat generation is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging timeVSAvoidheat-generating temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts charging current based on real-time temperature monitoring and alignment detection. Rather than using a fixed high current, the system optimizes current levels moment-by-moment, allowing high current when conditions permit (reducing charging time) and reducing current when temperature rises (preventing overheating). This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between fast charging and heat control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If alignment detection is not implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but heat generation control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment detection systemVSAvoidheat-generating temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the wireless charging process itself to detect alignment by monitoring temperature patterns and power transfer efficiency. No separate alignment detection hardware is needed - the charging system self-diagnoses alignment status based on thermal and electrical characteristics during normal operation. This self-service approach provides alignment detection without adding significant device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively determines alignment and reduces heat generation during wireless charging by adjusting power output, thereby improving charging efficiency and reducing charging time.

Implementation Method 1

an electronic device (e.g., a wireless power reception device) may be wirelessly supplied with power from a charging device (e.g., a wireless power transmission device) that supplies power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3499684B1Electronic device and method for controlling wireless charging
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3499684B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3499684B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3499684B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and to an electronic device and method for controlling wireless charging. To this end, a wireless power reception device according to the present invention comprises: a power reception unit for wirelessly receiving power from a wireless power transmission device; a power source unit charged with the received power; and a processor, wherein the processor can be configured to: measure the temperature according to the received power; measure at least one of a frequency, a voltage, and transmission power of a transmission coil in the wireless power transmission device when the measured temperature is higher than that of a first threshold; identify whether alignment with the wireless power transmission device is in a match state or a mismatch state by comparing the measured value and a preset value; transmit, to the wireless power transmission device, a first control signal for controlling power to be received from the wireless power transmission device when the alignment is in a mismatch state; and receive power controlled based on the transmitted first control signal.