Wireless Charging Coil Authentication for Secure Autonomous Recharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manual or mechanical battery charging methods are unreliable, prone to wear, costly, and complex, and vulnerable to environmental factors like corrosion and humidity, limiting the efficiency and autonomy of battery-powered devices such as drones and robots.
Innovation Solution
A wireless charging system that allows devices to locate and navigate to available charging stations based on broadcasted charging station data, including location and availability, using dual-band communication and authentication protocols to ensure secure and efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual or mechanical charging methods are used, then devices can be charged, but the system is unreliable, prone to wear, costly, and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical charging methods with an automated wireless charging system. Devices autonomously navigate to charging stations and receive wireless power transfer, eliminating the need for human intervention and mechanical plugging/unplugging operations. This substitution reduces system complexity and improves reliability by removing vulnerable mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system enables devices to autonomously locate, navigate to, and connect with charging stations without human assistance. The autonomous navigation and self-connection capabilities allow devices to service themselves, reducing operational complexity and improving reliability by eliminating human error and mechanical wear from manual operations.
2Productivity
If manual charging methods are used, then devices can be charged, but mechanical wear and environmental factors like corrosion and humidity reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical charging connections with wireless power transfer technology. This eliminates physical contacts that are susceptible to corrosion, humidity, and mechanical wear, thereby improving charging efficiency and reliability by removing the system's vulnerability to environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous charging system allows devices to independently locate and connect with charging stations, reducing the need for manual handling and exposure to environmental conditions. This self-service capability minimizes the impact of harmful environmental factors on charging efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless charging stations are deployed, then charging availability increases, but security risks arise from unauthorized devices accessing charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements authentication protocols between charging stations and devices that verify device legitimacy before allowing wireless power transfer. This feedback mechanism ensures that only authorized devices can access charging resources, maintaining security while preserving charging availability for legitimate users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an authentication intermediary layer between the charging station and the device. This intermediary verification process checks device credentials and authorization status, preventing unauthorized access while allowing legitimate devices to charge, thus resolving the contradiction between availability and security.
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 system enhances the reliability and efficiency of battery charging for autonomous devices by reducing human intervention, minimizing mechanical wear, and improving security through secure authentication, while also enabling devices to autonomously manage their charging needs.
Implementation Method 1
a transmit charging coil (205) included in a charger (1040) to deliver wireless energy to a receive charging coil (303) of the device (301)
Data Source
AI summary
An authentication between a wireless charger and a device configured to receive wireless energy from the wireless charger includes establishing a wireless data channel between the wireless charger and the device. An authentication challenge signal is driven onto a transmit charging coil of the wireless charger and a receive charging coil of the device is configured to receive the authentication challenge signal. The device sends an authentication response signal to the wireless charger based at least in part on the authentication challenge signal.