Wireless Power Repeater Coil with Hollow Airflow Cooling Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transfer systems face challenges with thermal design, particularly when transferring high power levels, as the increased distance between the power transmitter and the electromagnetic load requires higher currents in the transmitter coil, leading to inefficiencies and potential overheating due to ohmic resistance, which can limit the maximum distance and cause thermal hotspots.
Innovation Solution
A device with a resonance circuit comprising a coil and capacitor, mounted on a hollow support structure with a lateral air inlet and central air outlet, and an air flow generator to create airflow, which concentrates energy and provides efficient cooling for the repeater coil, reducing losses and thermal hotspots, and allows for increased power transfer and flexibility in usage scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the distance between the power transmitter and the electromagnetic load is increased, then the flexibility and range of the wireless power transfer system is improved, but the current required in the transmitter coil increases leading to higher ohmic losses and thermal hotspots
Solution Approach 1:
A repeater coil is introduced as an intermediary device between the power transmitter and the electromagnetic load. The repeater coil receives electromagnetic energy from the transmitter and re-transmits it to the load, enabling power transfer over longer distances without requiring excessive current in the original transmitter coil, thus reducing ohmic losses and thermal hotspots.
2Power
If the current in the transmitter coil is increased to transfer power over longer distances, then the power transfer capability is improved, but the thermal design becomes more challenging due to overheating and thermal hotspots
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater coil acts as an intermediary that divides the power transfer function into two stages. This allows the original transmitter to operate at lower current levels (reducing thermal hotspots) while still achieving the desired power transfer capability over extended distances through the combined effort of the transmitter and repeater.
3Temperature
If a thermal barrier is introduced to protect the power transmitter from the electromagnetic load, then the thermal protection is improved, but the distance between the power transmitter and the load increases requiring higher currents
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater coil is positioned within or near the thermal barrier, serving as an intermediary that receives energy from the transmitter through the barrier and re-transmits it to the load. This approach maintains thermal protection while avoiding the need to increase transmitter current, as the repeater compensates for the increased distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transfer function is segmented into two separate functions performed by two separate coils: the original transmitter coil and the repeater coil. This segmentation allows the thermal barrier to be placed between them without compromising power transfer efficiency, as the repeater coil receives and re-transmits energy, effectively bridging the gap created by the thermal barrier.
4Length of stationary object
If the repeater coil is used to extend the power transfer distance, then the range is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater coil is designed to be a universal component that can be integrated with existing wireless power transfer systems. It performs multiple functions: receiving electromagnetic energy, converting it to electrical current, and re-transmitting it to extend the power transfer distance. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing significant range extension without requiring complete system redesign.
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 enhances thermal protection, increases power handling capability, reduces complexity and cost, and achieves more homogeneous heat distribution across the repeater coil, enabling efficient wireless power transfer over longer distances while maintaining high power levels and preventing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
the coil being arranged to electromagnetically couple to the power transmitter through a first surface area and to the electromagnetic load through a second surface area
Implementation Method 2
a resonance circuit including a coil and a capacitor
Implementation Method 3
an air flow generator for creating a flow of air into the air inlet
Implementation Method 4
wireless power transfer from a power transmitter to a power receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediate device for supporting a power transfer to an electromagnetic load (505) from a power transmitter (201) providing a power transfer electromagnetic signal comprises a resonance circuit (507) that includes a coil (701) and a capacitor (703). The coil (701) is arranged to electromagnetically couple to the power transmitter (201) and to the electromagnetic load (505) such that energy of the power transfer electromagnetic signal from the power transmitter (201) is concentrated towards the electromagnetic load (505). A hollow support structure (1001) has a laterally positioned air inlet (1205) and a centrally positioned air outlet (1207). The coil (701) is mounted on the hollow support structure (1001) and disposed around the central air outlet (1207). The device further comprises an air flow generator (901) for creating a flow of air into the air inlet (1205).