Wireless Repeater With Flexible Arm For Vertical Power Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contactless power supplying systems face challenges when embedding a primary coil in a vertically mounted board, as electric appliances with secondary coils cannot be arranged on the board, and existing attachment methods for contactless adaptors are cumbersome and aesthetically detrimental.

Innovation Solution

A repeater system with an intermediate coil that magnetically resonates with the primary coil, accompanied by a support structure with a variable shape and universal joints or flexible arms, allowing the secondary coil to be positioned optimally for efficient power transfer regardless of gravity direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the primary coil is embedded in a vertically mounted board, then the board can provide power supply functionality, but electric appliances with secondary coils cannot be arranged on the board

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply functionalityVSAvoidappliance arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from horizontal placement to vertical suspension, changing the spatial dimension of power transfer. The repeater hangs vertically from the board with the secondary coil facing the board surface, enabling power reception in a different orientation than traditional flat-on surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The repeater acts as an intermediary device between the board's primary coil and the electric appliance's secondary coil. It receives power wirelessly from the board and retransmits it to the appliance, enabling power transfer across the vertical gap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the contactless adaptor is fixed with a separate means such as a magnet or double-sided adhesive tape, then the adaptor can be attached to the vertical surface, but attachment and detachment for repositioning becomes extremely burdensome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidrepositioning convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The repeater employs a dynamic suspension mechanism using a flexible arm with universal joints instead of fixed attachment. The structure allows continuous adjustment and repositioning while maintaining stable power transfer, eliminating the need for adhesive or magnetic attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The repeater structure is divided into segmented components (flexible arm, universal joints, accommodating case) that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation enables easy repositioning while maintaining connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the magnet is used to fix the adaptor, then the adaptor can be attached to the vertical surface, but the magnet may absorb metal and induction-heat the metal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidmetal absorption and induction heating
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible arm with universal joints serves as an intermediary mechanical attachment mechanism, replacing magnets entirely. This eliminates the harmful effects of metal absorption and induction heating while providing stable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive is used to fix the adaptor, then the adaptor can be attached to the vertical surface, but the adhesive deteriorates the appearance of the adaptor and obstructs cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the adhesive attachment mechanism entirely, replacing it with a mechanical flexible arm structure. This eliminates the appearance deterioration and cleaning obstruction caused by adhesives while maintaining attachment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 spatial determination of the primary coil's magnetic connection to the secondary coil at any position in the gravity direction, improving power supply efficiency and maintaining a clean, aesthetically pleasing design.

Implementation Method 1

an intermediate coil configured to magnetically resonate with alternating magnetic flux generated by a primary coil so that magnetic resonance of the intermediate coil causes the secondary coil to generate induced electromotive force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an intermediate coil configured to magnetically resonate with alternating magnetic flux generated by a primary coil so that magnetic resonance of the intermediate coil causes the secondary coil to generate induced electromotive force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2757659B1Repeater
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2757659B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2757659B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP2757659B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A non-contact electrical-power-supply system is provided with a non-contact electrical-power-supply device (3) and an electrical device (10). The non-contact electrical-power-supply device includes a high-frequency inverter (4) for supplying high-frequency electric current, and a primary coil (L1) for carrying the high-frequency current. The electrical device includes a secondary coil (L2) for generating induced electromotive force using alternating flux generated by the primary coil, and a power sink (22) for supplying induced electromotive force generated by the secondary coil to a load (Z). The non-contact electrical-power-supply system is further provided with a structure (15) that has a variable shape and is capable of being independently secured. At least one of a connecting wire connecting the primary coil and the high-frequency inverter, a connecting wire connecting the secondary coil and the power sink, and a connecting wire connecting the power sink and the load is arranged along the structure. Depending on the shape of the structure, the secondary coil is positioned spatially in relation to the primary coil.