Wireless Power Transmitter Alignment Detection Using Signal Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transmitter and receiver systems face challenges in determining alignment, as conventional methods are limited to paired designs and struggle to universally determine alignment between general-type transmitter and receiver ends, leading to inefficient power transmission due to potential misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A wireless power transmitter circuit with a transmission control circuit that includes a modulation circuit, storage unit for authentication codes and alignment intensity thresholds, and a communication circuit to generate PWM signals, detect misalignment, and instruct positional adjustments between the transmitter and receiver circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional power intensity determination method is used, then alignment can be determined for paired transmitter-receiver designs, but the method cannot universally determine alignment for general-type transmitter and receiver ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a transmitter circuit that can serve multiple functions: it not only transmits power but also actively detects alignment status by injecting test signals and measuring coupling coefficients. This enables the same transmitter to work reliably with different receiver types (paired or general-type) without requiring separate determination methods for each configuration.
2Productivity
If wireless power transmission is performed without alignment detection, then power transmission can proceed, but misalignment causes reduced power transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing alignment detection before initiating full power transmission. The transmitter first injects a test signal, measures the coupling coefficient, determines alignment status, and only then proceeds with efficient power transmission if properly aligned. This preliminary detection prevents wasted energy from misaligned transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring the coupling coefficient during operation. The transmitter measures the response signal from the receiver, compares the coupling coefficient against thresholds, and uses this feedback information to determine alignment status and adjust transmission accordingly, ensuring sustained efficient power transfer.
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 effectively detects misalignment and guides users to adjust positions, ensuring proper alignment for efficient wireless power transmission by comparing signal intensity values with stored thresholds and providing displacement values for correction.
Implementation Method 1
a modulation circuit, which is configured to operably generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal during a power supply procedure, so as to control the plural switches to convert a direct current (DC) power and generate a wireless transmission power at the resonant transmitter circuit
Implementation Method 2
the resonant transmitter circuit includes: a transmission winding and a resonant capacitor, both of which are coupled to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless power transmitter circuit includes a power stage circuit including switches coupled to a resonant transmitter circuit; and a transmission control circuit controlling the power stage circuit and including: a modulation circuit generating a PWM control signal during a power supply procedure, to control the switches to convert a DC power and generate a wireless transmission power at the resonant transmitter circuit, thereby supplying the wireless power to a corresponding wireless power receiver circuit; a storage unit storing an authentication code-threshold database; and a communication circuit receiving an authentication code and a signal intensity value transmitted by the wireless power receiver circuit, to read an alignment intensity threshold corresponding to the authentication code from the storage unit, and to compare the signal intensity value with the alignment intensity threshold during a groping procedure to determine whether the wireless power transmitter circuit is aligned with the wireless power receiver circuit.