Wireless power transmission system for sanitary equipment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary installations, such as toilets, require both wireless power transfer and a dedicated communication link for control commands, increasing complexity and manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

An energy transmission system using a primary and secondary resonant circuit for simultaneous energy and unidirectional communication, where the energy modification period determines a target parameter, allowing the secondary device to measure energy changes without additional communication circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated communication link is added for control commands, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the communication function with the existing wireless power transfer circuit by using the same electromagnetic coupling mechanism. Control commands are transmitted by modulating the power transfer parameters (such as switching frequency or amplitude), allowing both power and communication to share the same hardware infrastructure, thus eliminating the need for a separate communication link.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless power transfer circuit is designed to perform dual functions: transferring power and transmitting control commands. By making the power transfer system universal, it can carry both energy and information, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining reliable communication for temperature control and other sanitary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated communication link is added for control commands, then communication capability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the communication function with the existing wireless power transfer circuit by using the same electromagnetic coupling mechanism. Control commands are transmitted by modulating the power transfer parameters (such as switching frequency or amplitude), allowing both power and communication to share the same hardware infrastructure, thus eliminating the need for a separate communication link.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless power transfer circuit is designed to perform dual functions: transferring power and transmitting control commands. By making the power transfer system universal, it can carry both energy and information, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining reliable communication for temperature control and other sanitary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If wireless power transfer is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the communication function with the existing wireless power transfer circuit by using the same electromagnetic coupling mechanism. Control commands are transmitted by modulating the power transfer parameters (such as switching frequency or amplitude), allowing both power and communication to share the same hardware infrastructure, thus eliminating the need for a separate communication link.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Reduces overall complexity and manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for separate communication circuits while enabling efficient power control and information transfer.

Implementation Method 1

a first device with a primary resonant circuit and a second device with a secondary resonant circuit, which is coupled to the primary resonant circuit and configured for wirelessly receiving energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a first device with a primary resonant circuit and a second device with a secondary resonant circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4641884A1Wireless power transmission system for sanitary equipment

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 GEBERIT INT AG

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an energy transmission system (1) for a sanitary installation, in particular for a toilet, comprising a first device (2) with a primary resonant circuit (3), and a second device (4) with a secondary resonant circuit (5) which is coupled to the primary resonant circuit (3) and configured for wirelessly receiving energy intended for operating a consumer (6), wherein the first device (2) is configured to modify the energy to be transmitted to the secondary resonant circuit (5) for a predefined period of time, and the second device (4) is configured to determine a value of an intended target parameter based on the period of time for which the transmitted energy was modified. The present invention further relates to a corresponding method.