Wireless Power Receiver Polarization Switching for Orientation Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power delivery methods for electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, often require physical connections to outlets, limiting their usability and flexibility, especially when batteries drain quickly, and existing wireless charging solutions are inefficient due to the need for precise device placement and high-cost components.

Innovation Solution

The development of a wireless power transmission system using a transmitter with multiple antennas and control circuitry that employs beamforming to direct and focus power beams to specific receivers, allowing for efficient power delivery without physical connections, using advanced antenna designs and multiple rectifiers to scale power conversion efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional physical connection methods are used for power delivery, then power can be reliably transmitted, but device flexibility and usability are limited due to outlet location constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice flexibilityVSAvoidpower delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (physical plugs and outlets) with an electromagnetic field-based wireless power transmission system. The transmitter generates electromagnetic signals that are received by the receiver device, eliminating the need for physical connections and thereby improving device flexibility and usability while maintaining reliable power delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional wireless charging methods are used, then physical connection constraints are removed, but system cost increases due to high-cost components and placement precision requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless power deliveryVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless power transmission system into distinct functional components: a transmitter that generates electromagnetic signals, a receiver that captures and converts these signals, and control circuitry that manages the power transfer. This segmentation allows for optimized design of each component, reducing overall system cost by eliminating the need for high-cost integrated solutions and complex placement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If wireless power transmission is implemented without orientation detection, then system simplicity is maintained, but power delivery efficiency decreases when device orientation changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower delivery efficiencyVSAvoidorientation detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver device detects its own orientation relative to the transmitter and communicates this information back to the transmitter. The transmitter then adjusts the orientation of its antenna elements or beamforming patterns to maintain optimal alignment with the receiver, ensuring efficient power delivery even when the device orientation changes. This feedback-based adaptation avoids the need for complex mechanical orientation detection systems while maintaining high power transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 enables efficient, flexible, and cost-effective wireless power delivery to electronic devices, ensuring power is transmitted only when needed, improving device usability and reducing the need for frequent recharging, while minimizing component costs.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter with multiple antennas and control circuitry that employs beamforming to direct and focus power beams to specific receivers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeamforming:

Implementation Method 2

using advanced antenna designs and multiple rectifiers to scale power conversion efficiently

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRectification:

Data Source

PatentUS12057715B2Systems and methods of wirelessly delivering power to a wireless-power receiver device in response to a change of orientation of the wireless-power receiver device

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 ENERGOUS CORP

AI summary

An example wireless-power receiver comprises one or more processors configured to perform operations, including receiving, via one or more antenna elements of an antenna array, a plurality of first electromagnetic (EM) signals. Each antenna element of the one or more antenna elements of the antenna array has a respective polarization. The one or more processors are further configured to perform operations including, in response to a change in an orientation of the wireless-power receiver, changing the respective polarization to a changed polarization for the one or more antenna elements of the antenna array, and receiving, via the one or more antenna elements of the antenna array, and while the one or more antenna elements have the changed polarization, a plurality of second EM signals.