Wireless Power Transfer Impedance Matching Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional impedance matching networks in wireless power transfer systems face challenges in maintaining efficiency over a wide range of coupling factors, load conditions, and environmental variations, making it difficult to achieve optimal performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a wireless power transmission control system that synchronously tunes both the transmitter and receiver impedance matching networks by comparing power characteristics and efficiencies, adjusting reactance values, and communicating power data to optimize power transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional impedance matching networks are used in wireless power transfer systems, then the system can operate over a wide range of coupling factors and environmental conditions, but the efficiency of power transfer deteriorates under varying conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating rangeVSAvoidpower transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic impedance matching by continuously adjusting the reactance of both transmitter and receiver impedance matching networks based on real-time monitoring of power transfer efficiency and system parameters. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal efficiency across varying coupling factors and environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between wide operating range and sustained efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the receiver monitors power transfer efficiency and communicates this information back to the transmitter. The transmitter then adjusts its impedance matching network reactance accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains high efficiency across different operating conditions while adapting to changes in the power transfer environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If dynamic impedance matching is implemented at the transmitter side only, then the transmitter can adapt to varying conditions, but the overall system efficiency deteriorates compared to synchronized tuning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the impedance matching control functions of both transmitter and receiver by implementing synchronized tuning where both sides actively participate in maintaining optimal system performance. The receiver's impedance matching network is dynamically adjusted based on feedback about system efficiency, combining the efforts of both transmitter and receiver to achieve superior overall system efficiency compared to transmitter-only control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a universal control approach where both transmitter and receiver are equipped with impedance matching capabilities and can independently adjust their respective networks. This multi-functional architecture allows either side to contribute to efficiency optimization, making the system more robust and efficient than configurations where only one side performs impedance matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3462574B1Controlling wireless power transfer systems
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 WITRICITY CORP
  • EP3462574B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3462574B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3462574B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for operating wireless power transfer systems. One aspect features a wireless energy transfer system that includes a transmitter, and a receiver. The transmitter has a transmitter-IMN and is configured to perform operations including performing a first comparison between a characteristic of a power of the transmitter and a target power. Adjusting, based on the first comparison, a reactance of the transmitter-IMN to adjust the power of the transmitter. The receiver has a receiver-IMN and is configured to perform operations including determining an efficiency of the wireless energy transfer system at a second time based on power data from the transmitter. Performing a second comparison between the efficiency at the second time and an efficiency of the wireless energy transfer system at a first time, the first time being prior to the second time. Adjusting, based on the second comparison, a reactance of the receiver-IMN.