Wireless Power Transfer Restart Control After Power Outages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power transfer systems face challenges in handling power supply interruptions and ensuring safe and reliable operation after power restoration, particularly in systems where the power transmitter is continuously powered, such as in kitchen appliances, leading to potential undesirable power transfers.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power transfer system with a power transmitter and receiver that utilizes a short-range communication channel to detect the presence of a power receiver and requires a user action after power restoration before initiating power transfer, including a power detector, presence detector, communicator, and user interface to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the power transmitter is continuously powered and automatically initiates power transfer when a receiver is detected, then power transfer readiness and convenience are improved, but the risk of undesirable power transfers after power outages increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer readinessVSAvoidsafe operation after power outage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of power restoration and receiver presence before initiating power transfer. The controller detects when power is restored after an outage and checks whether a receiver is present, only then allowing power transfer to commence. This preliminary verification prevents automatic unwanted power transfers while maintaining operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the system automatically detects power restoration and initiates power transfer, then operational continuity is improved, but the risk of unintended power transfer to wrong devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidundesirable power transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the communicator to verify receiver presence and identity before initiating power transfer. The communicator exchanges signals between transmitter and receiver to confirm proper pairing, providing feedback that prevents unintended power transfer to incorrect or unauthorized devices while maintaining operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary communication verification before power transfer initiation. The communicator establishes connection and verifies device identity in advance, ensuring that only authorized receivers receive power even when power is continuously available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the system requires user action after power restoration, then safety and user control are improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control over power transferVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing communicator infrastructure already present in wireless power transfer systems to handle detection and verification tasks. By repurposing the communicator for power restoration detection and receiver verification, the system avoids adding separate complex control circuits while still achieving enhanced user control and safety.

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

The system provides improved reliability and user control over power transfer, reducing the risk of undesirable power transfers and ensuring safe operation during power outages by requiring a user action before resuming power transfer, enhancing flexibility and safety.

Implementation Method 1

power is inductively transferred from a transmitter inductor in a power transmitter device to a receiver coil in the individual devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a first communicator arranged to set up a short range communication channel to a second communicator using a short range communication system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentUS20260066707A1Wireless power transfer

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

ABSTRACT:A power transmitter (101) transfers power to a power receiver (105) and comprises a power input (209) receiving supply power. A power detector (211) detects a restoring of the supply power following an outage, and a presence detector (213) detects the presence of the power receiver when supply power is being restored. A first communicator (207) can communicate with a second communicator (509) of the power receiver (105) using a short range communication channel. A message circuit (215) transmits a power restore message to the second communicator (509) when supply power is being restored. A user action detector (217) detects a power receiver user action and a controller (205) arranged to initiate a power transfer to the power receiver after power restoration in response to the detection of the user action and to inhibit initiation of the power transfer after power restoration if the user action is not detected. The power receiver (105) can generate a user alert when receiving the power restore message.