Wireless Power FOD Confidence Control for Borderline Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transfer systems face inefficiencies and safety issues due to the presence of foreign objects, which can significantly degrade power transmission efficiency and cause overheating, as existing detection methods rely on binary threshold determinations that fail to accurately handle marginal cases.
Innovation Solution
A method for a wireless power receiver to receive a confidence level from a transmitter regarding foreign object detection, allowing it to adjust its operating conditions by mapping this confidence level to a maximum operating condition, thereby controlling power transfer and potentially performing additional tests or reducing power levels in uncertain cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If binary threshold determination is used for foreign object detection, then the detection method is simple, but the accuracy is insufficient in marginal cases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from a binary threshold (present/absent) to a continuous confidence level (0-100%), allowing for nuanced detection results that distinguish between strong and weak foreign object presence indicators, thereby improving detection accuracy without requiring complex additional hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power transfer operations based on the confidence level. When confidence is high, standard operations proceed; when confidence is low, the system performs additional tests or reduces power levels, creating a dynamic response that adapts to detection uncertainty
2Measurement precision
If additional tests are performed for marginal cases, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines the detection process flow based on confidence level. High-confidence cases follow a quick path with immediate results, while low-confidence cases trigger additional tests. This dynamic approach ensures that only cases requiring further investigation consume additional time, minimizing overall time loss
3Reliability
If power level is reduced in uncertain cases, then the safety is improved, but the power transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power levels based on detection confidence. When confidence is high, full power transfer efficiency is maintained. When confidence is low, power levels are temporarily reduced only during additional testing phases, and restored if no foreign object is confirmed, minimizing energy loss while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the confidence level to control power transfer operations. The confidence level acts as a feedback signal that triggers appropriate responses: high confidence allows efficient operation, low confidence triggers safety measures including power reduction, and the results feed back into continuing or resuming power transfer
Data Source
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AI summary
A FOD measurement may be performed to obtain a FOD measurement result. A confidence level as to whether a foreign object is present may be determined based on the FOD measurement result. One or more additional actions may be performed when the confidence level is within a predetermined range. The one or more additional actions may provide information to resolve whether a foreign object is present, to limit a level of power transfer, or both.