Wireless Power Feeding Device Using Clock Signal Pilot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless power transmission systems face challenges in efficiently transferring power over a wide area without precise alignment, leading to energy inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for multiple clock generators and complex signal distribution, especially when feeding multiple devices simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a device-to-be-fed's control circuit to generate a clock signal, which is then used by the feeding device's signal management circuit to create a pilot signal, eliminating the need for separate clock generators and allowing independent operation of each transmission group, enabling flexible positioning and simultaneous charging of multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple transmitting elements (coils or armatures) are used to expand the feeding area, then the transmission area is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple independent clock generators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission areaVSAvoidnumber of clock generators
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the clock generation function into a single shared clock generator that serves all transmitting elements. The clock signal is distributed through a bus system to multiple power circuits, eliminating the need for multiple independent clock generators. This reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to drive multiple transmitting elements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single clock generator is designed to serve multiple functions by providing clock signals to all power circuits driving different transmitting elements. The bus system enables this universal clock distribution, allowing one clock generator to control the timing of multiple transmitting elements across the expanded transmission area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single shared clock generator is used to reduce costs, then device complexity is reduced, but signal transmission problems occur due to impedance matching, attenuation, and reflections over long distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of clock generatorsVSAvoidsignal transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a bus system as an intermediary between the single clock generator and multiple power circuits. This bus system is specifically designed with proper impedance matching and signal distribution characteristics to minimize attenuation and reflections, ensuring reliable clock signal transmission over the required distances to all transmitting elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If inductive coupling with large reels is used to expand transmission area, then transmission area is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates and electromagnetic pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission areaVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission area coverage into multiple smaller transmitting elements (coils or armatures) arranged in a matrix or distributed pattern. Each element operates with lower power and generates smaller magnetic or electric fields, collectively covering the required area while maintaining energy efficiency. This avoids the need for large single reels that generate excessive electromagnetic fields and waste energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of energy

If precise positioning is required for capacitive coupling, then energy efficiency is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to alignment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidalignment requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the feeding device into multiple smaller transmitting armatures arranged in a matrix pattern. This segmentation allows the system to maintain precise capacitive coupling with individual receiving armatures even when devices are positioned at various locations within the feeding area. The multiple transmitting elements provide redundancy and flexibility, making the system more tolerant of positioning variations while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces costs and energy losses by eliminating the need for multiple clock generators and allows for efficient, flexible, and independent power transmission to devices positioned randomly relative to the feeding device, while maintaining high energy efficiency and reducing electromagnetic pollution.

Implementation Method 1

In systems based on inductive coupling, a transmission antenna is typically used arranged on the feeding device, for example having the shape of a reel or of a coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

transmitting armatures are used, arranged on the feeding device, for example made with conductive areas possibly insulated from the outside through dielectric material, which face analogous receiving armatures arranged on the device to be fed, therefore constituting at least two electrical capacities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3560069B1System for wirelessly transferring electrical power
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 EGGTRONIC ENG SPA
  • EP3560069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3560069B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3560069B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An embodiment of the present invention provides a system (100) for wirelessly transferring electrical power to an electrical load (115) comprising: a feeding device (105) and a device to be fed (110) physically separate and independent from the feeding device; wherein the device to be fed (110) comprises: the electrical load to be fed, a control circuit (125) adapted for generating a clock signal, and a receiving apparatus (120) of the electrical power connected to the electrical load (1 15); and wherein the feeding device (105) comprises at least one transmission group (135) of the electrical power that includes: a transmitting apparatus (145) adapted for making a non- conductive electrical coupling with the receiving apparatus (120) of the device to be fed (110), a signal management circuit (150) adapted for receiving the clock signal generated by the control circuit (125) of the device to be fed (110) and for generating a pilot signal having a frequency proportional to the frequency of the clock signal, and a power circuit (155) adapted for receiving the pilot signal generated by the signal management circuit (150) and for applying to the transmitting apparatus (145) a voltage wave that is periodically variable over time with a frequency equal to the frequency of the pilot signal.