Overcurrent Protection for Wireless Power Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless power receivers are vulnerable to overloading due to strong electromagnetic fields, which can damage or destroy the device, as existing technologies lack effective protection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a temperature-sensitive fuse electrically coupled between the wireless power antenna and the conditioning circuit, with a thermal energy source generating heat to blow the fuse and decouple the antenna from the circuit, providing overcurrent protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless power receiver operates without protection mechanism, then power reception efficiency is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to overloading from strong electromagnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature-sensitive fuse is pre-installed in the power reception circuit before any overload can occur. When excessive power is detected through temperature increase, the fuse automatically blows to disconnect the circuit, preventing damage to electronic components. This preliminary protective measure allows the system to maintain high power reception efficiency while ensuring device reliability through automatic overload protection.
2Reliability
If protection mechanism is added to prevent overloading, then device reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a disposable temperature-sensitive fuse as the protection mechanism. This simple, low-cost component automatically blows when excessive temperature is detected, providing reliable overload protection without requiring complex electronics or control systems. The fuse's simplicity minimizes added device complexity while maintaining high reliability through passive thermal response.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If temperature-sensitive fuse is used for protection, then harmful effects from overcurrent are eliminated, but device complexity increases due to additional protection components
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature-sensitive fuse operates autonomously based on thermal conditions without requiring external control circuits, sensors, or power sources. When excessive current flows through the circuit, the resulting temperature increase automatically triggers the fuse to blow, eliminating the need for complex protection electronics. This self-service mechanism effectively eliminates overcurrent damage while minimizing added complexity.
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 effectively prevents damage from excessive power by electrically decoupling the antenna from the conditioning circuit, allowing the device to reset and resume power reception once the overload is discontinued, thus ensuring robust protection against continuous overloading while permitting transient events.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal energy source configured to generate thermal energy based on an electrical signal from an output of the conditioning circuit
Implementation Method 2
a temperature-sensitive fuse electrically coupled between the wireless power antenna and the conditioning circuit and configured to electrically decouple the wireless power antenna from the conditioning circuit in response to being blown
Implementation Method 3
Wireless power transfer using high-frequency magnetic fields (near field) may employed in certain types of devices
Data Source
AI summary
One example device for overcurrent protection for wireless power receivers includes a wireless power antenna comprising a wire coil; a conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the wireless power antenna to receive an electric power signal from the wireless power antenna; a temperature-sensitive fuse electrically coupled between the wireless power antenna and the conditioning circuit and configured to electrically decouple the wireless power antenna from the conditioning circuit in response to being blown; and a thermal energy source configured to generate thermal energy based on an electrical signal from an output of the conditioning circuit, the thermal energy source positioned proximate the temperature-sensitive fuse.