Wireless Power Transmitter Object Detection and Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power transfer systems face challenges in detecting unauthorized or unintended devices within their charging regions, which can lead to inefficient power delivery and potential damage to devices, as they lack effective methods to differentiate between compliant and non-compliant devices and adjust power transfer accordingly.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a driver, sensor, communication unit, and controller that monitors power drawn and received signals to identify the type of object within the wireless power transfer region, allowing for adjustment of power delivery and protection of devices from unauthorized or unintended devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wireless power transfer is enabled without device detection, then power delivery can begin immediately, but unauthorized or unintended devices may be damaged and system safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery speedVSAvoiddevice damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of objects within the charging region before initiating full power delivery. The controller activates sensors and communication units to identify and verify devices, then adjusts power transfer based on detection results. This preliminary action ensures safe operation while maintaining efficient power delivery to authorized devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If device detection and identification systems are implemented, then system safety and efficiency improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem safetyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless power transfer system integrates multiple functions into unified components. The controller performs both power management and device detection/identification. Sensors serve dual purposes by detecting both presence and characteristics of objects. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability through comprehensive device verification.

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

3Loss of energy

If power delivery is adjusted based on object identification, then power efficiency increases, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidpower control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control where the controller continuously monitors device identification results and adjusts power delivery accordingly. Communication units exchange information between transmitter and receiver to verify device authorization and operational status. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically optimizes power transfer parameters, ensuring efficient energy delivery while maintaining simple control logic through rule-based decision making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables efficient and safe power transfer by accurately identifying and managing the presence of devices, preventing damage to compliant devices and maintaining system efficiency by adjusting power delivery based on detected objects.

Implementation Method 1

a driver configured to generate a driving signal to drive a circuit to output a wireless power field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a sensor configured to sense an amount of power drawn by the driver to generate a sensing signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic sensing: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2754250B1Systems and methods for detecting and identifying a wireless power device
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2754250B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2754250B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2754250B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments are directed to detecting and identifying a type of a wireless power device in a wireless power transfer field. According to one aspect, systems and methods are disclosed which describe limiting power transfer to non-compliant devices and detection of undesired power absorbers, such as metal objects, in a wireless power system. A method may include detecting one or more non-compliant devices and/or undesired wireless power absorbers positioned within a charging region of a wireless power transmitter. The method may further include limiting an amount of power transmitted by a transmitter in response to the detection, or reducing the amount of power received by the non-compliant device.