Wireless Power Tiles With Tuned Resonators For Uniform EM Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer systems for lighting applications face inefficiencies due to eddy currents induced by metallic objects, which can block or degrade the electromagnetic field, and fail to maintain a uniform EM field across arrays of tiles with varying numbers of nearest neighbors.
Innovation Solution
The development of tiles with built-in wireless power transfer technology, featuring a substrate with a wireless power resonator and receiver device, where each tile's resonator is preselected to resonate at a specific frequency based on its location in the array, ensuring a constant EM field across the array, and using crossover junctions to maintain zero net magnetic flux and strong mutual inductance between adjacent tiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wireless power transfer resonators are installed in all tiles of an array, then power transfer coverage is improved, but the electromagnetic field becomes non-uniform due to varying numbers of nearest neighbors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring resonators with different characteristics based on their specific location within the tile array. Interior tiles, edge tiles, and corner tiles have resonators tuned to different frequencies or with different Q-factors to compensate for their varying numbers of nearest neighbors. This localized customization ensures that each position contributes equally to the overall uniform electromagnetic field, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive coverage and field uniformity.
2Strength
If metallic objects are present in the ceiling structure, then structural support is improved, but eddy currents are induced that block or degrade the electromagnetic field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using resonant coupling at specific frequencies that are optimized to penetrate through or around metallic structures. The system uses tuned resonators that can couple energy through the metallic ceiling components without inducing significant eddy currents, effectively mediating between the need for structural metal support and the need for clean electromagnetic field transmission.
3Manufacturing precision
If resonators are tuned to different frequencies based on location, then electromagnetic field uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying resonator characteristics (frequency, Q-factor, or impedance) based on position within the array. Rather than using completely different resonator designs for each location, the system uses controlled variations of key parameters that can be implemented through standard manufacturing processes. This approach achieves field uniformity while managing complexity through predictable, scalable parameter adjustment.
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 effectively overcomes eddy current issues and ensures a uniform electromagnetic field across the array, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of wireless power transfer in lighting applications by tuning resonators according to their position and using crossover junctions to manage magnetic flux.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitter is electrically coupled to a source of power and converts the power to a time-varying electromagnetic (EM) field
Implementation Method 2
each tile's resonator is preselected to resonate at a specific frequency based on its location in the array
Implementation Method 3
The one or more receiver devices receive the power via the EM field and convert the received power back to an electric current
Data Source
AI summary
A tile is provided with built in wireless power transfer technology that enables power to be wirelessly transferred from a wireless power transfer resonator of the tile to a wireless power receiver device of the tile. The wireless power receiver device includes, or is electrically coupled to, one or more electrical devices disposed on a front surface of the tile that are to be power by the receiver device. An array of the tiles may be provided in which case each tile has a wireless power transfer resonator. At least one of the tiles of the array is electrically coupled to an RF power source. The EM field generated by each tile is inductively coupled from that tile to a nearest-neighbor tile of the array.