Wireless Charging Coil Pre-Alignment by Magnetic Field Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power transfer systems struggle with aligning magnetic fields efficiently with secondary coils, requiring physical manipulation of coils, leading to inefficiencies and user inconvenience, and generate eddy currents that reduce energy transfer efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power transfer device with two transmitting coils oriented along different axes and magnetically decoupled, controlled by a controller to differentially drive the coils, allowing precise alignment and direction control of the magnetic field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If physical moving and orientating of coils is used to improve alignment, then magnetic field alignment with secondary coil is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field alignmentVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically moving and orientating coils with a magnetic field control system. The controller adjusts the amplitude ratio of currents in two spatially fixed transmitting coils to electronically steer the magnetic field direction, eliminating the need for mechanical coil movement while achieving precise alignment with the secondary coil.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters (current amplitude ratios) of the two transmitting coils to control the magnetic field direction. By varying the amplitude ratio between the first and second transmitting coils, the system can electronically adjust the magnetic field orientation to align with the secondary coil without physical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If physical moving and orientating of coils is used to improve alignment, then magnetic field alignment with secondary coil is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field alignmentVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If single transmitting coil is used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single transmitting coil into two spatially separated transmitting coils (first and second transmitting coils) oriented along different axes. This segmentation allows the system to generate magnetic fields in multiple directions by independently controlling the current amplitude in each coil, thereby achieving precise alignment with the secondary coil while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If alignment speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision and reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment speedVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a pre-alignment process where the controller determines the optimal amplitude ratio between the two transmitting coils before initiating full power transfer. This preliminary alignment step ensures that the magnetic field is correctly oriented with the secondary coil before energy transfer begins, enabling fast alignment without sacrificing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 and precise alignment of the magnetic field with the secondary coil, reducing errors and eddy currents, thereby enhancing energy transfer efficiency and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

A primary coil may be driven with AC current to generate an oscillating magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the magnetic field can generate a current in a secondary coil in proximity to the primary coil via electromagnetic induction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The primary coil in related art devices also generates a magnetic field that generates eddy currents in electronic components in the proximity of the primary coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentEP4463928B1Method and apparatus for pre-alignment of an automatically aligning magnetic field system

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 ALFRED E MANN FOUND FOR SCI RES

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AI summary

A wireless power transfer system includes a wireless power transfer device configured to determine a magnetic field, from among a plurality of directionally different potential magnetic fields that the wireless power transfer device is configured to generate, that has, at a receiver coil of an electronic device, a direction aligned with the receiver coil.