Wireless Power Antenna Sensors for Keep-Out Zone Object Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless charging systems struggle to accurately distinguish between valid wireless power receivers and foreign objects, including living organisms, which can be harmed by wirelessly delivered power. These systems often require complex and costly components, and they frequently interrupt or terminate charging when foreign objects or living organisms are present.
Innovation Solution
The system employs one or more sensors, such as a ranging sensor and an object-classification sensor, or a single sensor configured to assist with both ranging and object-classification functions, to detect and classify objects within a keep-out zone of a wireless-power transmission field. This allows for safe transmission of wireless power by controlling a single power amplifier and adjusting the radiation profile accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional wireless charging systems use complex sensor arrangements and beam-forming control to detect and classify objects, then object detection accuracy improves, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (ranging sensor and object-classification sensor) into an integrated sensor arrangement that works together to perform both detection and classification functions. This merging approach improves measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor arrangement is designed to perform multiple functions: ranging (distance measurement) and object classification (identifying whether an object is a receiver or foreign object). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.
2Productivity
If conventional systems use beam-forming control with multiple antennas and power amplifiers to focus power transmission, then power transmission efficiency improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex beam-forming control circuitry and algorithm requirements from the system. Instead of using multiple antennas with coordinated phase control, the invention uses a single antenna with sensor-based object identification, thereby maintaining power transmission efficiency while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex beam-forming hardware with simpler, more cost-effective sensor arrangements and processing. The system uses affordable sensors to achieve the necessary power transmission control without requiring multiple high-cost power amplifiers and sophisticated beam-forming algorithms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional systems interrupt charging when foreign objects are detected, then safety improves, but charging productivity decreases due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary object classification using sensor arrangements before initiating power transmission. By identifying whether an object is a valid receiver or a foreign object in advance, the system can safely proceed with charging without interruptions, thereby maintaining both safety and charging efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor data during charging operations and uses this feedback to distinguish between temporary obstructions and actual foreign objects. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain safety while avoiding unnecessary charging interruptions, thereby improving overall charging productivity.
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 ensures safe wireless power transmission by accurately detecting and classifying objects, preventing harm to sensitive objects and maintaining efficient charging operations without the need for complex beam-forming systems.
Implementation Method 1
the ground plane forms (or a portion of the ground plane includes or is coupled with) a capacitive sensor configured to detect one or more objects within the transmission field
Implementation Method 2
the one or more antennas, upon receiving the amplified RF signal, are configured to radiate RF energy within a transmission field
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless-power transmission system (WPTS) includes sensors, antennas, a power amplifier (PA), and integrated circuits (ICs). The antennas, upon receiving an amplified signal for the PA, are configured to radiate energy within a transmission field (TF) of the WPTS. The ICs are configured to receive sensor data indicating presence of an object within a keep-out zone (KOZ). The ICs are configured to classify using the sensor data the object as a sensitive object. While detecting presence of the sensitive object, the ICs are configured to forgo providing an instruction to the PA to amplify the signal. In accordance with a determination that the sensitive object is no longer detected the ICs are configured to determine whether an electronic device is within the TF and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is within the TF the ICs are configured to instruct the PA to amplify the signal.