Wireless Power Transmitter Dithering to Prevent Coil Misalignment Stalling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless power transfer systems experience stalling due to misalignment between the transmitter and receiver coils, leading to communication failures and timeouts, which prevent effective power transfer.
Innovation Solution
The system perturbs the operating point of the transmitter by adding a dither signal, such as changes in frequency, duty-cycle, or phase, to ensure proper communication and prevent power transfer stalling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmitter operates at a fixed operating point, then the system is simple to control, but communication fails at certain coil alignments causing power transfer stalling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operating point variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the operating point (frequency, duty cycle, or voltage) based on real-time communication success. When communication fails at a particular alignment, the system transitions from a static operating point to a dynamic one that adapts to maintain reliable communication across all alignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the operating point parameters (frequency, duty cycle, or voltage) to resolve communication failures. Instead of keeping these parameters constant, the system changes them in response to communication status, thereby eliminating stalling conditions caused by fixed parameter limitations.
2Reliability
If the transmitter uses a fixed frequency, then the system is easier to implement, but demodulation fails at specific receiver alignments causing timeouts
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static frequency to a dynamic frequency that adapts based on demodulation success. The controller monitors demodulation outcomes and adjusts the operating frequency accordingly, ensuring reliable demodulation across all receiver alignments without requiring complex predetermined frequency mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback by using demodulation success as a feedback signal to adjust the operating frequency. The controller continuously monitors whether demodulation is successful and uses this feedback to determine whether to change the frequency, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically maintains reliable communication.
3Productivity
If the system waits for communication timeout before taking action, then the control logic is simpler, but power transfer efficiency decreases due to repeated stalling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by taking corrective action before the communication timeout occurs. Instead of waiting for the timeout to trigger a response, the system proactively adjusts the operating point when communication difficulties are detected, preventing the stalling condition rather than reacting to it after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time communication status as feedback to trigger operating point adjustments. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to respond to communication degradation immediately rather than waiting for timeout, thereby maintaining continuous power transfer and improving efficiency.
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 ensures continuous power transfer by stabilizing the control loop and preventing stalling, even in misaligned conditions, without requiring additional hardware components.
Implementation Method 1
transmitter circuitry including a transmit coil to generate a wireless power signal
Implementation Method 2
The controller is to perturb an operating point of the transmitter circuitry. In one example, the operating point to be perturbed is a frequency of a generated pulse width modulation signal
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more examples, an apparatus may comprise a wireless power transmitter. The apparatus may include transmitter circuitry including a transmit coil to inductively couple with a receive coil of a wireless power receiver. The apparatus may further include a controller to control the transmitter circuitry to generate a wireless power signal in the transmit coil; perform demodulation on a communication signal, modulated over the wireless power signal, in attempt to decode one or more packets from the wireless power receiver; and perturb an operating point of the transmitter circuitry responsive to identifying a failure in decoding the one or more packets.