Wireless Power Supply Device with Communication-Based Source Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power supply systems for mobile devices fail to selectively provide suitable power, often leading to excessive power supply when both AC adapters and battery chargers are connected, necessitating manual selection of the power source.

Innovation Solution

A power supply device with a communication unit that transmits specific data to determine whether the mobile device is connected to an external device, allowing it to wirelessly supply power and control the power source selection between the power supply device and external devices based on connection status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the mobile phone receives power from both AC adapter and battery charger simultaneously, then the power supply capacity increases, but excessive power is supplied to the mobile phone causing safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capacityVSAvoidexcessive power supply

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection through communication between the power supply devices and mobile phone to identify which device should supply power before actual power delivery begins. This prevents excessive power supply by establishing proper power source selection in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile phone communicates with both power supply devices to receive feedback about their presence and capability. Based on this feedback, the system determines which device should supply power, enabling intelligent power source selection and preventing harmful excessive power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual selection of power source is required, then excessive power supply can be prevented, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcessive power supply preventionVSAvoidmanual selection requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system performs self-service by automatically detecting the presence of multiple power sources through communication, determining the appropriate power source, and selecting it without user intervention. This eliminates the need for manual selection while preventing excessive power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Through feedback communication between the mobile phone and power supply devices, the system automatically determines which device should supply power. This feedback mechanism enables automatic power source selection, improving ease of operation while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If communication protocol is added to detect connection status, then power source selection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection status detection accuracyVSAvoidcommunication unit requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication unit serves multiple functions: it detects the presence of external devices, determines connection status, identifies power source capability, and enables power source selection. By making the communication unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power supply control function with the communication function into an integrated system. The same communication mechanism used for data exchange also serves for power source detection and selection, combining multiple functions into a unified approach that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient and safe power supply to mobile devices by automatically selecting the appropriate power source, preventing excessive power delivery and optimizing power transmission efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a battery charger having a primary coil for wirelessly outputting the power without connector connection, and a mobile phone having a secondary coil for wirelessly receiving the power supplied from the battery charger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9825466B2Power supply device, electronic device, control method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 CANON KK

AI summary

A power supply device includes a power supply unit that wirelessly supplies power, a communication unit that communicates with an electronic device, and a control unit that controls the communication unit to transmit a predetermined data to the electronic device based on whether or not the electronic device is connected to an external device supplying power to the electronic device.