Wireless Docking Station Power Switching for Safe NFC Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Some electric devices, particularly those with wireless communication interfaces like NFC, are at risk of damage due to the energy provided by wireless charging, as they can be sensitive to the power levels used in existing wireless charging protocols.

Innovation Solution

A method for cooperative use of wireless communication and charging interfaces, where a wireless docking station employs a low-power searching and charging mode to detect and charge devices safely, switching to a higher power mode when necessary for faster charging, while minimizing risk to communication devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wireless charging interface uses high power mode for fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but risk of damage to wireless communication devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidrisk of damage to communication devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless charging interface dynamically switches between first mode (low power, safe for communication devices) and second mode (high power, fast charging) based on real-time detection of communication devices in the charging area. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting power levels according to the presence of sensitive devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses wireless communication interface detection as an intermediary mechanism to identify the presence of communication devices before activating high-power charging mode. This intermediary detection step prevents direct harm by mediating between the charging function and communication device safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wireless charging interface uses low power mode to protect communication devices, then safety is improved, but charging speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of communication devicesVSAvoidcharging speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power mode based on detected conditions, switching from low-power safe mode to high-power fast charging mode when no communication devices are present. This resolves the contradiction by making safety measures conditional rather than constant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the power parameter of the wireless charging interface based on the presence or absence of communication devices. When communication devices are detected, power is limited to safe levels; when absent, power is increased to maximum for fast charging, thus optimizing both safety and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If wireless docking station continuously searches for communication devices, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption of docking station
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless docking station performs periodic searches for communication devices rather than continuous monitoring. The system switches between searching states and charging states, conducting detection at intervals which maintains adequate detection accuracy while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous searching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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

This approach protects sensitive devices from power-related damage during charging and enables quick charging when feasible, balancing safety and efficiency by using low-power modes for detection and charging, and higher power modes when appropriate.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless charging interface (13) configured to support a wireless charging protocol and a searching protocol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3672093B1A method for cooperative use of a wireless communication interface and a wireless charging interface
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3672093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3672093B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for cooperative use of a wireless communication interface (12) and a wireless charging interface (13), wherein the wireless charging interface (13) supports a first searching mode and a second searching mode. The method comprises the steps of: - Searching, by a wireless docking station (10), for a wireless communication device (20) that supports the wireless communication interface (12); - If any wireless communication device (20) that supports the wireless communication interface (12) has been found, searching, by the wireless docking station (10), for a wireless charging device (30) according to the first searching mode; and - If no wireless communication device (20) that supports the wireless communication interface (12) has been found, searching, by the wireless docking station (10), for a wireless charging device (30) according to the second searching mode.