Multi-Coil Wireless Charging With RFID Tag Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless charging systems face challenges in supporting the increasing complexity of mobile devices and varying form factors, often risking collateral damage to uninvolved devices during charging operations, particularly when RFID tags are present.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless charging device with multiple layers of charging cells configured in a honeycomb packaging, using inductive coils to detect device location and selectively activate coils to avoid damaging RFID tags, and employing RFID readers to detect and prevent charging when tags are present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless charging systems use basic charging capabilities optimized for simple device configurations, then charging operation is straightforward, but the system cannot support increasingly complex mobile devices and varying form factors
Solution Approach 1:
The charging surface is divided into multiple independently controllable charging cells arranged in a honeycomb pattern. Each cell can be selectively activated or deactivated based on the presence and position of devices, allowing the system to adapt to various device configurations without requiring a complete system redesign. This segmentation enables flexible support for complex device arrangements while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless charging system dynamically adjusts which charging cells are active based on real-time detection of device positions and RFID tag locations. The controller continuously monitors the charging surface and modifies the charging configuration accordingly, enabling the system to adapt to changing device configurations and form factors while maintaining efficient power delivery.
2Area of stationary object
If wireless charging systems activate all charging cells to support multiple devices, then charging coverage is maximized, but RFID tags on uninvolved devices may be damaged by electromagnetic flux
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different operational states to different regions of the charging surface by selectively activating or deactivating individual charging cells. When an RFID tag is detected in a specific area, the corresponding charging cell is deactivated to protect the tag, while other cells continue to provide charging coverage to legitimate devices. This local quality approach ensures broad charging coverage while preventing damage to RFID tags in specific locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the charging cells and devices on the charging surface. It detects the presence of RFID tags and mediates the charging process by selectively deactivating specific charging cells that would otherwise expose RFID tags to harmful electromagnetic flux, while maintaining charging operations in other areas where devices are safely positioned.
3Reliability
If RFID readers continuously monitor the charging surface to detect tags, then protection against tag damage is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID detection functionality is merged with the existing wireless charging infrastructure. The same charging cells that provide power delivery are used to activate RFID tags for detection, and the controller that manages charging operations also handles RFID tag detection and response. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated RFID monitoring hardware, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable tag protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless charging system performs self-monitoring for RFID tags using its existing components. When a charging cell is activated, it automatically detects the presence of RFID tags in its vicinity and can deactivate itself or notify the controller to prevent tag damage. This self-service approach reduces the need for external monitoring systems and simplifies the overall architecture while ensuring reliable tag protection.
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
This solution enables safe and efficient wireless charging of devices of varying sizes and shapes, while protecting RFID tags by selectively deactivating coils and preventing charging when tags are detected, thus minimizing damage and ensuring compatibility with complex device configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a battery charging power source and a plurality of charging cells configured in a honeycomb packaging. In each charging cell, at least one inductive coil is configured to direct an electromagnetic field through a power transfer area
Implementation Method 2
The controller may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to detect the presence of an RFID tag
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus for wireless charging are disclosed. A charging device has multiple transmitting coils, a driver circuit configured to provide a charging current to the resonant circuit, and a controller. The charging cells may provide a charging surface. The driver circuit may be configured to provide a charging current to the transmitting coils. The charging device includes a radio interface configured for transmitting and receiving radio frequency identification (RFID) signals. The controller may be configured to transmit an interrogation signal configured to stimulate RFID tags through the radio interface when a chargeable device is initially placed on or near a surface of the wireless charger, refrain from initiating wireless charging of a chargeable device when a response to the interrogation signal is received, and negotiate a charging configuration when a response to the interrogation signal is not received.