Wireless Power Transfer Feedback Loop for Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless power transfer systems require continuous communication between the transmitter and receiver to adjust power, leading to inefficiencies due to power consumption and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
The system adjusts the output voltage based on characteristics extracted from the receiver, eliminating the need for communication by monitoring changes in transmitter current to minimize input power, using a feedback loop and DC/DC converter to optimize inductor current and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If continuous communication is used between transmitter and receiver to adjust power, then power transfer adaptability is improved, but power consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the power transfer system by using passive sensing of load changes through the power path. Instead of active communication between transmitter and receiver, the system infers receiver status by monitoring variations in transmitter current, thereby eliminating communication overhead while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing power transfer path itself to carry information about receiver status. By monitoring current variations caused by receiver load changes, the transmitter can autonomously adjust power output without external communication, making the power path serve dual purposes of energy and information transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If continuous communication is used between transmitter and receiver to adjust power, then power transfer adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the communication subsystem (transceivers, protocols, processing units) from the power transfer system. Adaptability is achieved through passive electrical sensing of load changes via the power path, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to respond to receiver needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transfer path is made multi-functional by using it both for energy transmission and for sensing receiver status. The same electrical connection that delivers power also carries information about receiver load conditions, eliminating the need for separate communication infrastructure.
3Power
If transmitter current is increased to meet load demands, then power delivery capability is improved, but input power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements passive feedback by continuously monitoring transmitter current variations that naturally occur due to receiver load changes. This feedback mechanism enables the transmitter to adjust its output to match actual receiver needs, delivering sufficient power when required while minimizing energy consumption during lower demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmitter current based on real-time receiver load conditions detected through current sensing. Instead of operating at fixed high power levels, the transmitter current varies continuously to match receiver demands, optimizing the balance between power delivery capability and energy consumption.
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 enhances efficiency by minimizing input power without continuous communication, reducing complexity and power consumption, and maximizing power transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter to wirelessly transmit power to a receiver through inductive coupling between a first inductor of the transmitter and a second inductor of the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An example apparatus includes a feedback loop to: change a direction value when a second current value is greater than a first current value, the second current value being obtained after the first current value; and maintain the direction value when the second current value is less than the first current value. When the direction value corresponds to a first direction value, a summer increases a reference signal by a step size. When the direction value corresponds to a second direction value different than the first direction value, the summer decrease the reference signal by the step size.