Wireless Charging Coil Alignment via Dynamic Magnetic Field Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The electromagnetic inductive method for wireless charging is limited as it requires the inner coils of the transmission and reception units to be positioned in parallel, restricting charging efficiency and usability.

Innovation Solution

A wireless charging apparatus using electromagnetic induction with a position sensing unit and conversion unit that includes gyro sensors and electromagnets to adjust the magnetic field direction based on real-time position information, allowing charging even when coils are not parallel, and a mass sensing unit to manage power distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If electromagnetic induction method is used for wireless charging, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but charging can be performed only when coils are positioned in parallel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidcoil position adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the magnetic field direction adjustable rather than fixed. The conversion unit dynamically changes the magnetic field orientation based on real-time position information from gyro sensors, allowing the system to adapt to various coil positions while maintaining efficient power transmission. This resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible enough to handle non-parallel configurations without sacrificing transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of magnetic field direction dynamically. By using position sensing units and conversion units, the system adjusts the magnetic field orientation parameter according to the relative positions of the coils. This parameter change enables the system to maintain optimal power transmission efficiency regardless of whether the coils are parallel or at an angle to each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If coils are positioned in parallel for electromagnetic induction charging, then charging efficiency is maximized, but usability is restricted due to alignment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidalignment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using position sensing units and gyro sensors to continuously monitor the relative positions of the transmission and reception coils. This position information is fed back to the conversion unit, which then adjusts the magnetic field direction accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that charging efficiency is maintained even when users place devices at various angles, eliminating the need for precise parallel alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of the magnetic field direction based on detected position information. The conversion unit automatically compensates for misalignment without requiring user intervention to manually adjust the device position. This self-service capability maintains high charging efficiency while greatly simplifying the ease of operation, as users simply need to place the device near the charging surface without worrying about precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If position sensing and conversion units are added to enable non-parallel charging, then coil alignment flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil position flexibilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a integrated system where the position sensing unit, conversion unit, and electromagnetic induction components work together as a unified multi-functional module. The same position sensing mechanism serves both to detect device placement and to control magnetic field adjustment, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function. This multi-functionality approach increases coil position flexibility while minimizing the overall system complexity.

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

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 wireless charging of devices regardless of coil alignment, optimizing charging efficiency and expanding the charging scenario beyond parallel coil configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission unit including a first coil that is adapted to generate a magnetic field when power is applied

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a reception unit including a second coil and being adapted to charge a battery using induced current that is induced in the second coil when the magnetic field of the first coil is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3467991B1Wireless charging apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP3467991B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3467991B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3467991B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless charging apparatus and a method, wherein a reception unit can charge even when an inner coil of the reception unit and an inner coil of a transmission unit are not positioned in parallel. To this end, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a wireless charging apparatus and a method comprising: a transmission unit that includes a first coil that generates a magnetic field when power is applied; a reception unit that includes a second coil, and that charges a battery using induced current that is induced in the second coil when the magnetic field of the first coil is generated; a position sensing unit that measures position information for the first coil and the second coil; and a conversion unit that converts the direction of the magnetic field according to the position information for the first coil and the second coil.