Inductive Wireless Power Link With In-Band Virtual Data Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power transfer systems face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the use of additional antennas and circuitry for data communication, leading to interference, harmonic distortion, and increased bill of materials, while higher power levels degrade communication capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power transfer system that utilizes inductive coupling to encode data into wireless power signals, enabling virtual two-way communication through buffers and controllers to simulate a two-wire connection, allowing for high-power data transfer without additional hardware and maintaining compatibility with legacy systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electromagnetic signals are transmitted through a shared wireless medium for both power transfer and data communication, then wireless power transfer capability is achieved, but signal interference and communication reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless power transfer capabilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless communication spectrum into separate frequency bands: one band dedicated for power transfer signals and another band for data communication signals. This frequency division allows both power transfer and data communication to occur simultaneously without interference, resolving the contradiction between achieving wireless power transfer capability and maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces virtualized wired communication channels as an intermediary layer that translates wireless communications into virtual wired connections. This intermediary mechanism isolates the power transfer signals from data communication signals, preventing direct interference while maintaining both functions, thus resolving the reliability issue when wireless power transfer is implemented.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional wired communication infrastructure is deployed alongside wireless power transfer, then communication reliability is maintained, but system complexity and deployment cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a unified wireless communication infrastructure that serves dual purposes: transferring power wirelessly and conducting data communication simultaneously through virtualized wired channels. This multi-functional system eliminates the need for separate wired communication infrastructure, reducing system complexity and deployment costs while maintaining communication reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional physical wired communication infrastructure with virtualized communication channels that operate over the wireless medium. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cable deployment while maintaining the reliability of wired communication, thereby reducing system complexity without sacrificing communication performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If separate infrastructure is used for wireless power transfer and wired communication, then communication stability is maintained, but deployment cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges wireless power transfer infrastructure and communication infrastructure into a single unified system. By combining these two functions into one infrastructure, the patent eliminates redundant components and deployment requirements, reducing both the quantity of infrastructure resources needed and the associated deployment costs and time, while maintaining communication stability through virtualization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified wireless infrastructure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: power transfer, data communication, and stable signal transmission. This multi-functional design reduces the overall infrastructure requirements compared to deploying separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing deployment cost and time while maintaining communication stability.

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

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

Facilitates faster data communication and reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for wired connections, while maintaining compatibility with legacy systems and enabling higher power transfer without degrading communication standards.

Implementation Method 1

Wireless communication systems transmit data over a shared wireless medium... electromagnetic signals are transmitted through a shared wireless medium for both power transfer and data communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4285493B1Wireless power transfer with in-band virtualized wired communications
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 NUCURRENT INC
  • EP4285493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4285493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4285493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Wireless power transfer systems, disclosed, include a wireless power transmission system and a wireless power receiver system. The wireless power transmission system includes a transmitter antenna configured to couple with a receiver antenna to transmit alternating current (AC) wireless signals to the receiver antenna. Antenna coupling may be inductive and may operate in conformance to a wireless power and data transfer protocol. A transmission controller drives the transmitter antenna at an operating frequency, and either the wireless power transmission system or the wireless power receiver system may damp the wireless power transmission to create a data signal containing a serial asynchronous data signal.