Wireless Power Receiver Feedback for Optimal Coupler Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless power receivers with smaller receive couplers may not receive sufficient power when positioned in areas with lower field strength on larger charging surfaces, leading to inadequate power for system boot-up and charging, especially when the battery is nearly discharged.

Innovation Solution

A closed-loop power measurement system that compares the received power to a stored threshold, providing visual, audible, or haptic feedback to the user to reposition the receiver for optimal power transfer, utilizing a sensor circuit to measure power and a controller to instruct a feedback circuit for user indication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a smaller receive coupler is used in the wireless power receiver, then the device size is reduced, but the received power becomes insufficient when positioned in areas with lower field strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver sizeVSAvoidreceived power

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller monitors the received power level and provides real-time feedback to the user through visual, audible, or haptic indicators. This allows the user to reposition the receiver until sufficient power is received, resolving the contradiction by enabling small receivers to achieve adequate power transfer through informed positioning rather than increasing receiver size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback circuit acts as an intermediary between the power transfer system and the user, translating complex electromagnetic field interactions into simple positional guidance. This mediator enables the user to optimize positioning without needing to understand the underlying physics, thus allowing small receivers to achieve sufficient power transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the receiver is positioned in areas with lower field strength, then the device can be placed more flexibly on the charging surface, but the received power becomes insufficient for system boot-up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidsystem boot-up success

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism provides real-time information about received power levels, allowing the user to adjust positioning to ensure reliable boot-up. The system maintains positioning flexibility while guaranteeing minimum power thresholds are met through iterative user adjustment guided by feedback signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary power measurement and evaluation before initiating the boot-up sequence. If power levels are insufficient, the system provides feedback for repositioning before attempting boot-up, ensuring reliability is established in advance rather than risking failed boot attempts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If power measurement and feedback systems are added to guide receiver positioning, then power transfer sufficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer sufficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback circuit serves multiple functions: it monitors power levels, determines sufficiency, selects appropriate feedback methods, and provides user guidance. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving improved power transfer sufficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis of power sufficiency and self-guidance for optimization. The controller automatically monitors power levels and determines when repositioning is needed, eliminating the need for external measurement equipment or complex user procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Ensures proper positioning for sufficient power transfer by informing the user to reposition the receiver, ensuring successful system boot-up and charging, even when power levels are insufficient for initial boot-up, while minimizing power consumption for feedback.

Implementation Method 1

a coupler configured to receive a first amount of wireless power via a wireless field generated by a wireless power transmitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a sensor circuit configured to measure the first amount of wireless power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS10122215B2Method and apparatus for closed loop power estimation for determination of optimal placement of a power receive unit on a power transmit unit with visual and/or haptic feedback

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

An apparatus for receiving wireless power is provided. The apparatus comprises a coupler configured to receive a first amount of wireless power via a wireless field generated by a wireless power transmitter. The apparatus comprises a sensor circuit configured to measure the first amount of wireless power. The apparatus comprises a controller configured to instruct a feedback circuit to provide an indication to a user based on a comparison of the first amount of wireless power measured by the sensor circuit to a power threshold.