Wireless Recharger Enclosure for Skin Temperature-Limited Fast Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless recharging systems face limitations in heat management, particularly for implantable medical devices, where high charge current levels are constrained due to safety concerns, leading to slow charging times and potential overheating risks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless recharger with an enclosure made of materials having low thermal conductivity (<0.5 W/m-°C) and high specific heat (>2300 J/kg-°C), combined with a thermal barrier and temperature sensors, to reduce heat transfer and manage thermal energy effectively, allowing for faster charging without excessive skin temperature increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high charge current levels are used for fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but skin temperature increases causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an enclosure with specific thermophysical properties as an intermediary between the charging coil and the patient's skin. This enclosure acts as a thermal mediator that allows electromagnetic energy transmission for charging while controlling heat transfer to the skin, thus enabling fast charging without excessive skin temperature increases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermophysical parameters of the enclosure material, specifically selecting materials with particular thermal conductivity and specific heat values. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between allowing sufficient heat transfer for charging efficiency and limiting heat transfer to prevent skin overheating
2Object-affected harmful factors
If charge current is capped at safe threshold levels, then skin temperature safety is improved, but charging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure serves as a thermal management intermediary that enables the system to operate at higher charge current levels than conventional safe thresholds would allow. By mediating heat transfer, it permits faster charging while maintaining skin temperature within safe limits
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages heat transfer through the enclosure, allowing variable charge current levels based on thermal conditions. The enclosure's thermophysical properties enable dynamic balancing of charging speed and thermal safety, rather than using fixed conservative current caps
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional enclosure materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but thermal management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies particular ranges for thermophysical parameters (thermal conductivity and specific heat) of the enclosure material. By defining these parameter ranges, the patent enables selection of materials that provide optimized thermal management while remaining compatible with conventional manufacturing processes for implantable devices
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
The solution enables faster charging sessions for implantable medical devices while maintaining safety and comfort by smoothing heat transfer over time, reducing the risk of injury or damage from overheating.
Implementation Method 1
The enclosure is made of a material having a thermal conductivity and a specific heat, the enclosure comprising a thermal barrier having a thermal conductivity of the material is less than about 0.5 W/m-° C. and the specific heat of the material is greater than 2300 J/kg-° C.
Implementation Method 2
The enclosure is made of a material having a thermal conductivity and a specific heat, the enclosure comprising a thermal barrier having a thermal conductivity of the material is less than about 0.5 W/m-° C. and the specific heat of the material is greater than 2300 J/kg-° C.
Implementation Method 3
a wireless recharger comprising a charging coil configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic signal directed to the receiving coil
Implementation Method 4
The emitter provides a varying electromagnetic field, which is harnessed by the receiver to create a charge current
Implementation Method 5
Temperature sensors provide more flexibility than would otherwise be available for thermal management, because they can be used, for example, to detect a temperature threshold at which the device or surrounding elements will be damaged if it is heated further
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods described herein facilitate rapid wireless recharging, while reducing risk of injury, damage, or discomfort caused by heat generated during recharging. The embodiments described herein are useful in a variety of context, including for IoT devices, personal electronics, electric vehicles, and medical devices, among others.