Wireless Charging Beam Handoff for Devices in Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless charging technologies limit user mobility as devices can only be charged within a specific range of the power beam transmitter, disrupting charging when the device is moved outside this range.
Innovation Solution
A system where a receiver device reflects a portion of the power beam as a signal to track its motion, allowing power beam transmitter devices to coordinate and prioritize power distribution among multiple devices, using angle-of-arrival, time-of-flight calculations, or signal maps, and switch charging between transmitters to maintain efficient power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a device is charged within a specific range of the power beam transmitter, then charging efficiency is maintained, but user mobility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the charging space into multiple zones with overlapping power beams from multiple transmitters. As a device moves through these segmented zones, different transmitters take over charging, ensuring continuous power delivery without limiting user mobility within the covered area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point charging model to a multi-dimensional spatial charging network. By deploying multiple transmitters in three-dimensional space and coordinating their power beams, the system creates volumetric coverage that maintains charging reliability while enabling free movement within the charged volume.
2Ease of operation
If multiple power beam transmitter devices are used to cover larger areas, then user mobility is improved, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback mechanisms where each transmitter monitors device position, power beam overlap, and charging status. This feedback enables dynamic coordination and handoff decisions, allowing multiple transmitters to work together efficiently without excessive complexity in the coordination protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of multiple independent transmitters into a coordinated network that operates as a unified charging system. By combining their power beams and control functions, the transmitters achieve seamless coverage and automatic handoff, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining individual transmitter simplicity.
3Reliability
If power is continuously delivered to a moving device, then charging reliability is maintained, but power distribution efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power beam intensity, direction, and active transmitter selection based on real-time device position and charging status. This dynamic adaptation ensures that power is delivered efficiently only when and where needed, maintaining charging reliability while minimizing energy waste through optimized power distribution across the network.
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 continuous wireless charging of devices in motion by dynamically tracking and prioritizing power distribution based on device location and power levels, ensuring efficient charging without exceeding safety thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
A receiver device may be charged continuously while in motion if its motion is tracked and if a power beam transmitter device is able to follow the receiver device with a power beam. The receiver device may facilitate a power beam transmitter device tracking its motion by reflecting a portion of a power beam back to the power beam transmitter device as a reflected signal.
Data Source
AI summary
An example receiver device to be wirelessly charged in motion includes a power receiver to receive a power beam to charge a power supply and a modulating reflector. The modulating reflector is to reflect a portion of the power beam as a reflected signal, modulate the reflected signal, and vary a direction of the reflected signal to scan an area for an example power beam transmitter device. The power beam transmitter device is to track motion of the receiver device based on modulation of the reflected signal and to cooperate with other power beam transmitter devices to prioritize distribution of power among a plurality of receiver devices. An example system for wireless charging of devices in motion includes a plurality of power beam transmitter devices to coordinate transmission of power beams to a receiver device based on the motion of the receiver device.