Wireless Power Transmitter Voltage Isolation via Auxiliary Coils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer systems face challenges in isolating voltage sources from the reference ground, leading to high costs due to the need for expensive and bulky components that can withstand large AC voltages, and these systems often suffer from electromagnetic interference and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of floating components using auxiliary coils that capture a small portion of the magnetic field generated by the source resonator coil, allowing for the creation of floating 'batteries' within the wireless power source, which are not referenced to the common ground, thereby reducing the voltage requirements and costs of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If common ground-referenced components are used in wireless power transmitters, then the system can operate with standard components, but the components must be capable of withstanding large AC driving voltages which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the voltage handling function between two separate circuits: a high-voltage resonant circuit that generates large AC voltages for power transfer, and a low-voltage control circuit that operates at small voltages for component control. This segmentation allows control components to use standard low-voltage parts while the high-voltage function is handled by the resonant circuit alone.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling circuit acts as an intermediary between the high-voltage resonant circuit and the low-voltage control circuit. This coupling circuit transfers control signals from the low-voltage domain to the high-voltage domain without requiring control components to directly withstand high voltages, thus enabling the use of inexpensive low-voltage components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If floating components not referenced to common ground are used, then voltage requirements for components are reduced, but transformers are required which are expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional transformer-based isolation mechanism with a resonant circuit-based approach. Instead of using a transformer to create floating potentials and isolate voltage domains, the system uses resonant circuits with capacitors and inductors to achieve the same voltage domain separation, eliminating the need for bulky transformers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the resonant circuit to enable voltage domain separation. By operating the resonant circuit at specific frequencies and using appropriately sized capacitors and inductors, the system creates natural voltage domains where the resonant circuit operates at high voltage while the control circuit operates at low voltage, without requiring galvanic isolation transformers.
3Power
If large AC voltages are applied to source resonator coils, then significant power can be transferred wirelessly, but components must withstand these large voltages increasing system cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the functional requirements into two distinct domains: a high-voltage resonant power transfer circuit that handles the large AC voltages needed for wireless power transfer, and a low-voltage control circuit that handles all component control functions. This segmentation allows each domain to be optimized independently, with control components operating at safe low voltages while power transfer occurs at high voltages.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling circuit serves as an intermediary that translates control signals from the low-voltage control circuit to the high-voltage resonant circuit. This intermediary enables the control circuit to manipulate high-voltage power transfer without any control component needing to directly withstand high voltages, thus allowing the use of inexpensive low-voltage control components while maintaining high power transfer capability.
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 approach reduces the cost and size of wireless power transfer systems by allowing components to handle smaller voltages, enhances safety by isolating them from high voltages, and minimizes electromagnetic interference, while maintaining efficient power transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the first coil generates a first magnetic field that transfers power to a receiver resonator
Implementation Method 2
the second coil generates a second magnetic field that induces a voltage across the third coil
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure features wireless power transmitters that include a power source, a first coil connected to the power source, a second coil connected in series to the first coil, and a third coil positioned in proximity to the second coil, where during operation of the wireless power transmitters, the power source applies a driving voltage to the first and second coils, the first coil generates a first magnetic field that transfers power to a receiver resonator, the second coil generates a second magnetic field that induces a voltage across the third coil, and the induced voltage across the third coil is applied to a component of the wireless power transmitters.