Wireless Power-Feeding Apparatus for Baseballs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wireless power-feeding technologies, such as those used in golf balls, are inefficient for charging the advanced measurement devices embedded in baseballs due to a larger axial gap between primary and secondary coils, and the polarity of the power-receiving coil is difficult to determine, making it challenging to align the coils for optimal charging.
Innovation Solution
A wireless power-feeding apparatus with a solenoid power-transmitting coil and a predetermined mark on the power-receiving device to facilitate alignment, along with a data transmitter and receiver for adjusting power transmission based on the state of charge and feed efficiency, ensuring efficient power transfer to the embedded power-receiving coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a power-receiving coil is incorporated at the center of a spherical power-receiving device (baseball), then wireless power-feeding can be achieved, but the axial gap between the primary coil and secondary coil becomes large (equal to the radius of the ball), significantly decreasing power-feed efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The power-transmitting coil is divided into multiple segments arranged around the equator of the baseball, rather than using a single centralized coil. This segmentation allows the transmitting coil to be positioned closer to the receiving coil at the center of the ball, reducing the axial gap and improving power transfer efficiency while maintaining wireless charging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point power transmission approach to a distributed ring-shaped arrangement. By positioning multiple coil segments around the equator of the baseball, the system creates a continuous magnetic field path that reduces the effective axial distance between transmitting and receiving coils, thereby improving efficiency
2Ease of manufacture
If the power-receiving coil is embedded inside the baseball capsule, then the device construction can match a real regulation baseball, but the polarity of the power-receiving coil becomes difficult to determine, making alignment challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses visual markers (such as colored stickers or printed patterns) on the baseball surface to indicate the polarity orientation of the embedded power-receiving coil. These markers allow users to easily identify the correct alignment position without needing to detect the coil polarity through complex measurement techniques, thus maintaining the authentic baseball appearance while solving the alignment problem
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 allows for improved alignment and efficiency in wireless power transfer to the power-receiving device, enabling effective charging of the advanced measurement devices in baseballs by reducing the axial gap and providing real-time feedback for optimal positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a power-transmitting coil; a driver circuit adapted to supply the power-transmitting coil with high-frequency current to generate a magnetic flux for wireless power-feeding to the power-receiving coil
Implementation Method 2
a power-receiving coil, a charging circuit adapted to charge the secondary cell with electric power received by the power-receiving coil
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless power-feeding apparatus that enables efficient wireless feeding to a power-receiving coil embedded at the center of a spherical power-receiving device. The apparatus includes: a holding member for holding the power-receiving device; a power-transmitting coil; a driver circuit for supplying the power-transmitting coil with high-frequency current to generate a magnetic flux for wireless power-feeding to the power-receiving coil; and a wireless data receiver for receiving data transmitted regularly from a wireless data transmitter, the power-transmitting coil being positioned relative to the holding member in such a manner that the axes of the power-receiving coil and the power-transmitting coil are parallel to each other when the power-receiving device is held by the holding member in such a manner that a mark provided on the surface of the power-receiving device faces a predetermined direction.