EP4463930A1

EP4463930A1 - Transmitter device with switching network for wirelessly powering receiver devices

Info

Publication number: EP4463930A1
Application number: EP22705516.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sarai Malinal TORRES DELGADO; Fralett SUAREZ SANDOVAL
Original assignee: Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-01-28
Filing date: 2022-01-28
Publication date: 2024-11-20
Also published as: WO2023143723A1; CN117581449A

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a transmitter device for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device. The transmitter device comprises: a power source for providing electric power; a plurality of coils; and a switching network comprising a plurality of switches which are configured to interconnect coils from the plurality of coils according to a predetermined switching configuration to obtain a three-dimensional coil array for generating an electromagnetic powering field. The three-dimensional coil array is configured, based on the switching configuration, to direct the electromagnetic powering field towards a volumetric zone for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device located in the volumetric zone.

Description

TRANSMITTER DEVICE WITH SWITCHING NETWORK FOR WIRELESSLY POWERING RECEIVER DEVICES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to the field of wireless power transfer or charging from transmitter structures that have reconfigurable coils. In particular, the disclosure relates to a transmitter device for wirelessly powering or charging at least one receiver device, a wireless powering system and a corresponding method, wherein the transmitter device uses a switching network for implementing reconfigurable coils. The disclosure particularly relates to reconfigurable coils for wireless power transfer.

BACKGROUND

Nowadays the number of battery-powered electronic devices is increasing rapidly because they provide freedom of movement and portability. Several methods for wireless power transmission (WPT) to recharge the battery of the electronic device without the use of a charging cable have been proposed in recent history. The mayor engineering challenges surrounding the existing wireless power transfer systems to recharge battery-powered devices can be summarized as: reduced positioning freedom of the receiver device(s) because the wireless power transfer efficiency is affected by the coupling conditions of the receiver. Making this type of technology highly sensitive to lateral or angular misalignments between the transmitter and receiver devices causing that the receiver device is not properly charged or even not charged at all in some locations. Moreover, it is difficult to efficiently supply to multiple receiving devices simultaneously, to redirect the wireless power availability according to the receiver location, as well as to deactivate in parts the wireless power availability automatically or by user input.

Although great progress in the implementation of electromagnetic wireless power transfer has been made, there is currently no single solution that: can provide efficient wireless power transmission with a high-degree of positioning freedom to the receivers, can simultaneously and efficiently charge several receivers, can charge receiver devices at extended transmission distances, can have the capabilities to reduce the wireless transfer of power to certain, unused locations, that is, to be able to segment the active volume, and, that can provide a more uniform magnetic field around the volume of the transmitter device. SUMMARY

This disclosure provides an efficient and flexible solution for a wireless power transfer with a high degree of positioning freedom to the receivers.

The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

In order to describe the disclosure in detail, the following terms and notations will be used.

In this disclosure, wireless power transfer, transmitter devices for wirelessly powering receiver devices and wireless powering systems are described.

Wireless power transfer is the transmission of electrical energy without the use of wires as a physical link. This technology uses a transmitter device capable of generating a timevarying electromagnetic field that causes a circulating electric field through a receiver device (or devices) based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The receiver device (or devices) is (are) capable of being supplied directly from this circulating electric field or they convert it to a suitable power level to supply to an electrical load or battery connected to them.

Nowadays the number of battery-powered electronic devices is increasing rapidly because they provide freedom of movement and portability. These devices should be continuously recharged to ensure they function. Their charging frequency could be diminished by the use of a large battery, but these impact the overall cost of the electronic device, as well as their weight and size.

Charging of battery-powered electronic devices is usually done with the use of a wall charger and a dedicated cable that connects to an input port of the device to be charged to establish an electrical connection between the power supply and the power-hungry device. Some disadvantages of this charging mechanism are summarized as: a) the connector at this input port is susceptible to mechanical failure due to the connection/disconnection cycles required to charge the battery; b) each battery-powered device comes with its dedicated cable and wall charger. These two components function sometimes exclusively with each device and are not interchangeable between devices. This increases the cost of the device and the electronic-waste generated by the non-functional wall chargers and cables; c) the production of waterproof devices becomes more challenging due to the higher cost associated with the enclosure required around the input port of the battery-powered electronic device; and d) the use of a cable restricts the mobility of the user according to the length of the charging cable.

In order to avoid these disadvantages, several methods for wireless power transmission (WPT) to recharge the battery of the electronic device without the use of a charging cable have been proposed in recent history.

Commercial wireless power transfer systems have mainly been driven by two organizations, the Wireless Power Consortium and the AirFuel Alliance. The Wireless Power Consortium created the Qi Standard to wirelessly charge consumer electronic devices using magnetic induction from a base station, usually a thin mat-like object, containing one or more transmitter coils and a target device fitted with a receiving coil. Qi systems require close proximity of the transmitter and receiver devices, usually within a couple of millimeters to a couple of centimeters. Wireless power transfer systems that function under the AirFuel Alliance principle use a resonant inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil to consequently charge the battery connected to the receiver device. The resonant coupling allows for the power to be transferred over greater distances.

Devices, systems and methods are described to wirelessly supply to or charge the battery of electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, smart glasses, earphones, wearables, console remote controls, etc.), using wireless power transfer of the resonant type. The wireless power transfer devices described herein use resonant inductive coupling between the transmitter resonator(s) and the receiver resonator(s). In some aspects the wireless power transfer systems are capable of simultaneously supply to multiple receiver devices with severe angular misalignment with respect to the transmitter array and at any or many locations inside a charging volume extending outside of three-dimensional transmitter array. In other aspects, the methods disclosed herein allow to dynamically change the wireless power transfer volume around the transmitter device in response to user input or information coming from a receiver detection unit.

According to a first aspect, the disclosure relates to a transmitter device for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device, the transmitter device comprising: a power source for providing electric power; a plurality of coils; and a switching network coupled between the power source and the plurality of coils, the switching network comprising a plurality of switches, the plurality of switches being configured to interconnect coils from the plurality of coils according to a predetermined switching configuration to obtain a three-dimensional coil array, the three-dimensional coil array being configured to generate an electromagnetic powering field; wherein the three-dimensional coil array is further configured, based on the switching configuration of the plurality of switches, to direct the electromagnetic powering field towards a volumetric zone for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device located in the volumetric zone.

The switching network can be a reconfigurable switching network which can be reconfigured by the plurality of switches.

Such a transmitter device can provide efficient wireless power transmission with a high degree of positioning freedom to one or more receivers. In particular, the transmitter device is able to simultaneously and efficiently charge several receivers, to charge receiver devices at extended transmission distances, to reduce the wireless transfer of power to certain, unused locations, by segmenting the active volume. Besides, the transmitter device can provide a more uniform magnetic field around the volume of the transmitter device.

The plurality of coils can be any number of coils, for example coils L1 , L2 as shown in Figure 2 or more than these two coils. For example, an exemplary number of 100 coils can be implemented, as well.

Note that wirelessly powering the receiver device can include wirelessly charging the receiver device if the receiver device has a battery. If the receiver device has no battery, it can be wirelessly powered by the transmitter device.

All of the devices described in this disclosure are not only chargers but also transmitters. This means that one can have receiver devices without a battery to charge. The idea behind the devices disclosed herein is to have a volumetric wireless power availability, i.e., the volumetric zone. This feature differentiates the disclosed devices from pad-like transmitters in which the wireless power transfer (WPT) can only happen inside an area.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the predetermined switching configuration indicates interconnection of coils from the plurality of coils in order to obtain a radiation pattern of the electromagnetic powering field directing towards the volumetric zone. This provides the advantage that the volumetric zone in which wireless power transfer takes place can be efficiently adjusted.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the three-dimensional coil array is configured to: direct the electromagnetic powering field towards a first volumetric zone of a plurality of volumetric zones based on a first switching configuration of a plurality of switching configurations of the plurality of switches; and direct the electromagnetic powering field towards a second volumetric zone of the plurality of volumetric zones based on a second switching configuration of the plurality of switching configurations of the plurality of switches, wherein the first volumetric zone is different from the second volumetric zone.

This provides the advantage that depending on the switching configuration, the volumetric zone can be easily adjusted. That means, by switching from a first switching configuration to a second switching configuration the volumetric zone can be easily adjusted from a first one to a second one.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the first volumetric zone and the second volumetric zone are non-overlapping or partially overlapping.

This provides the advantage that different configurations of the volumetric zone can be efficiently implemented.

The first and second volumetric zones may overlap, i.e., in some implementations they overlap, in some other implementations they do not overlap.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the switching network is configured to interconnect a subset of coils from the plurality of coils to obtain the three- dimensional coil array.

This provides the advantage that flexible radiation patterns corresponding to different coil configurations can be created.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the switching network is configured to interconnect the coils from the plurality of coils to form a series circuit path and to connect the series circuit path to the power source. This provides the advantage that the power supply can be connected to a subset of coils from the plurality of coils.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the switching network is configured to interconnect at least two coils from the plurality of coils through which current flows in the same direction.

This provides the advantage that the electromagnetic field can be shaped based on such coil configuration and the current flow through the coils.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the switching network is configured to interconnect at least two coils from the plurality of coils through which current flows in opposite direction.

This provides the advantage that the electromagnetic field can be easily changed by applying inverse current flow.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the transmitter device comprises a user interface configured to receive the switching configuration of the plurality of switches based on a user input.

This provides the advantage that the user interface can be efficiently used for setting or controlling the characteristics of the transmitter device, e.g., controlling the interconnection between coils of the transmitter device described above and thereby adjusting the volumetric zone of the transmitter device.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the transmitter device comprises at least one controller configured to adjust the switching configuration of the plurality of switches based on information about the at least one receiver device.

This provides the advantage that the at least one controller can be used for performing the above control task. Thus, the transmitter device can be efficiently adjusted by controlling the above coil and coupling parameters

There are two aspects of the device that can be controlled to perform a change. Each one can be represented by a controller or a single controller can perform the two, these are: 1) change in the equivalent impedance of any of the coils. This can include changing the resonance frequency but it can also include opening or closing the electrical circuit of the resonator. 2) Change in the excitation characteristics of the power supply, for example, amplitude, frequency, phase. If one of these variables changes, the WPT volume will be affected and in turn the power sent to the receiver.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the information about the at least one receiver device comprises information about an orientation, a position and/or load changes of the at least one receiver device.

This provides the advantage that this information can be used for a precise adjustment of the volumetric zone towards the receiver device for optimally powering the receiver device.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the transmitter device comprises a receiver detection unit, configured to detect at least one receiver device and to determine the information about the orientation, the position and/or the load changes of the at least one receiver device.

This provides the advantage that the location and status of the receiver device can be accurately detected, and the volumetric zone can be directed towards the location of the receiver device to obtain a more efficient powering or charging of the receiver device.

A receiver detection unit according to this disclosure can be an electrical and/or optical circuit for detecting a receiver device located within a proximity of the transmitter device (i.e., within the volumetric zone) or for detecting a receiver device approaching the transmitter device (i.e., approaching the volumetric zone).

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the plurality of switches is configured to interconnect at least one first coil from the plurality of coils with a capacitive element to form a first resonator circuit.

This provides the advantage that the first resonator circuit may form the electromagnetic powering field with a frequency according to the resonance frequency of the first resonator circuit which can be adjusted based on the capacitive element.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the plurality of switches is configured to interconnect at least one second coil from the plurality of coils with a second capacitive element to form a second resonator circuit, wherein the second resonator circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the first resonator circuit.

This provides the advantage that the first resonator circuit and the second resonator circuit may form the electromagnetic powering field with a frequency according to the resonance frequency of the first resonator circuit and the resonance frequency of the second resonator circuit which can be adjusted based on the capacitive element and the second capacitive element.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the coils of the three-dimensional coil array have a square, circular or polygonal geometry, in particular according to a two- dimensional geometrical figure, e.g., in the shape of a square, circular or polygonal geometry.

This provides the advantage that such a planar coil can be easily fabricated.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, the three-dimensional coil array has a cubical, pyramidal, polyhedral, or cylindrical arrangement.

This provides the advantage that the electromagnetic field emanating from the three- dimensional coil array is volumetric.

In an exemplary implementation of the transmitter device, at least two coils of the three- dimensional coil array are arranged adjacent to each other and positioned orthogonally or parallel with respect to each other.

This provides the advantage that different shapes for the three-dimensional coil array can be supported resulting in different geometries for the volumetric zone. Hence, an optimal powering or charging can be achieved.

According to a second aspect, the disclosure relates to a wireless powering system, comprising: a transmitter device according to any of the preceding exemplary implementations; and at least one receiver device configured to receive the electromagnetic powering field generated by the transmitter device upon movement into the volumetric zone for a wireless powering.

Such a wireless powering system can provide efficient wireless power transmission with a high degree of positioning freedom to one or more receivers. In particular, the wireless powering system is able to simultaneously and efficiently charge several receivers, to charge receiver devices at extended transmission distances, to reduce the wireless transfer of power to certain, unused locations, that is, to be able to segment the active volume. Besides, the wireless powering system can provide a more uniform magnetic field around the volume of the transmitter device.

According to a third aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for radiating an electromagnetic powering field in a volumetric zone for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device, the method comprising: providing electric power by a power source; interconnecting, by a plurality of switches of a switching network coupled between the power source and a plurality of coils, coils from the plurality of coils according to a predetermined switching configuration to obtain a three-dimensional coil array; generating, by the three- dimensional coil array, the electromagnetic powering field; and directing, based on the switching configuration of the plurality of switches, the electromagnetic powering field towards the volumetric zone for wirelessly powering the at least one receiver device.

Such a method provides the same advantages as the transmitter device according to the first aspect and the wireless powering system according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, the disclosure relates to a wireless power transmitter device comprising: a power source; at least two coils each with two connection ports; wherein the coils are arranged in space to form a 3-dimensional array; an operable switching network with 2 input terminals that creates a reconfigurable series electrical connection between the power source and the at least one coil to produce a closed electrical circuit for electrons to flow through and that generates an electromagnetic field that emanates from the 3- dimensional array; wherein the wireless power transmitter device is operated to wirelessly power or charge electric or electronic device(s) by providing the produced electromagnetic field at a receiver coil or coil array to convert the received electromagnetic field into electrical energy.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be coils with circular or polygonal shapes such as triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be coils with a substrate/core of a material either with a high permeability, magnetic or composite magnetic core, or with a low permeability, e.g. a dielectric substrate like glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material (FR4).

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be coils made of hollow conductor pipes or thin conductor films.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be adjacent.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be parallel.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be orthogonal.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the switching network has AC switches like solid-states-relays or transistors connected back-to-back.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the switching network has a reconfigurable matching network.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the switching network has mechanical switches.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the wireless power transmitter device further comprises a DC-AC conversion circuit.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the wireless power transmitter device further comprises a DC-DC conversion circuit.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the wireless power transmitter device further comprises at least one capacitor of fixed or variable value to create an inductive-capacitive resonant circuit.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device, the wireless power transmitter device further comprises a control unit. In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device with control unit, the wireless power transmitter device further comprises a user interface.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device with control unit, the wireless power transmitter device further comprises a receiver detection unit.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power transmitter device with control unit and user interface, the wireless power transmitter device further comprises a receiver detection unit.

According to a fifth aspect, the disclosure relates to a wireless power system comprising: a wireless power transmitter device including a power source; at least two coils each with two connection ports; wherein the coils are arranged in space to form a 3-dimensional array; an operable switching network with 2 input terminals that creates a reconfigurable series electrical connection between the power source and the at least of coil to produce a closed electrical circuit for electrons to flow through and that generates an electromagnetic field that emanates from the 3-dimensional array; wherein the wireless power transmitter device is operated to wirelessly power or charge electric or electronic device(s) by providing the produced electromagnetic field at a receiver coil or coil array to convert the received electromagnetic field into electrical energy.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power system, the power in the wireless power or charging area can have a variable shape or profile.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power system, the wireless power system further comprises a user interphase to change and select the operation mode of the wireless power transmitter device.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power system, the wireless power system further comprises an AC-DC or DC-DC conversion circuit in the receiver device.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power system, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be coils with circular or polygonal shapes such as triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power system, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be coils with a substrate/core of a material either with a high permeability, magnetic or composite magnetic core, or with a low permeability, e.g. a dielectric substrate like glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material (FR4).

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power system, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be coils made of hollow conductor pipes or thin conductor films.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power system, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be adjacent.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power system, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be parallel.

In an exemplary implementation of the wireless power system, the at least two coils from the 3-dimensional coil array can be orthogonal.

According to a sixth aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for operating the wireless power transmitter device of the fourth aspect with controller unit, wherein the control unit is pre-programmed to change the shape of the wireless power area to adjust the energy transfer from the wireless power transmitter device to the device to be wirelessly powered or charged based on a reconfiguration of the series electrical connection between the power source and the at least one coil to produce a closed electrical circuit for electrons to flow through and that generates an electromagnetic field that emanates from the 3-dimensional array by operating the switching network.

According to a seventh aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for operating the wireless power transmitter device according to the fourth aspect with control unit and user interface, wherein the control unit is operated to dynamically change the shape of the wireless power area to adjust the energy transfer from the wireless power transmitter device to the device to be wirelessly powered or charged based on a reconfiguration of the series electrical connection between the power source and the at least one coil to produce a closed electrical circuit for electrons to flow through and that generates an electromagnetic field that emanates from the 3-dimensional array by operating the switching network depending on the input obtained by the user via the user interface. According to an eighth aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for operating the wireless power transmitter device according to the fourth aspect with control unit and receiver detection unit, wherein the control unit is operated to dynamically change the shape of the wireless power area to adjust the energy transfer from the wireless power transmitter device to the device to be wirelessly powered or charged based on a reconfiguration of the series electrical connection between the power source and the at least one coil to produce a closed electrical circuit for electrons to flow through and that generates an electromagnetic field that emanates from the 3-dimensional array by operating the switching network depending on the information obtained by the receiver detection unit that comprises sensing the receiver orientation, position or load changes.

According to a ninth aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for wirelessly operating the wireless power transmitter device according to the fourth aspect with control unit, user interface and receiver detection unit, wherein the control unit is operated to dynamically change the shape of the wireless power area to adjust the energy transfer from the wireless power transmitter device to the device to be wirelessly powered or charged based on a reconfiguration of the series electrical connection between the power source and the at least one coil to produce a closed electrical circuit for electrons to flow through and that generates an electromagnetic field that emanates from the 3-dimensional array by operating the switching network depending on the information obtained by the receiver detection unit that comprises sensing the receiver orientation, position or load changes or the input obtained by the user via the user interface.

According to a tenth aspect, the disclosure relates to a computer program product including computer executable code or computer executable instructions that, when executed, causes at least one computer to execute the methods according to any of the preceding aspects described above.

The computer program product may run on a transmitter device as described above or on any controller or processor performing wireless power transfer.

According to an eleventh aspect, the disclosure relates to a computer-readable medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the methods according to any of the preceding aspects described above. Such a computer readable medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium. The instructions stored on the computer-readable medium may be executed by a controller or a processor, e.g., by a transmitter device described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further embodiments of the disclosure will be described with respect to the following figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless power transfer system 100 with a switching network according to the disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless power transfer system 100 with four exemplary configurations 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d of the switching network;

Figure 3 shows exemplary performance diagrams 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d of expected wireless power transfer efficiency for the four exemplary configurations 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d of the switching network shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of the transmitter device 101 using a 12-pole switch as the switching network with different switch configurations;

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary embodiments 500a, 500b, 500c, 500d, 500e, 500f of the three-dimensional coil array; and

Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a method 600 for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific aspects in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other aspects may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. It is understood that comments made in connection with a described method may also hold true for a corresponding device or system configured to perform the method and vice versa. For example, if a specific method step is described, a corresponding device may include a unit to perform the described method step, even if such unit is not explicitly described or illustrated in the figures. Further, it is understood that the features of the various exemplary aspects described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless power transfer system 100 with a switching network according to the disclosure.

The wireless power transfer system 100, also called wireless powering system 100, comprises a transmitter device 101 and one or more receiver devices 108. The receiver device 108 is configured to receive an electromagnetic powering field 107 generated by the transmitter device 101 upon movement into a volumetric zone for a wireless powering of the receiver device 108. The volumetric zone specifies a volume around the transmitter device 101 in which powering of the receiver device 108 can be performed due to a sufficient strength of the electromagnetic powering field 107 generated and radiated by the transmitter device 101.

The transmitter device 101 can be used for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device 108. The transmitter device 101 comprises a power source 102 for providing electric power. The transmitter device 101 comprises a plurality of coils; and a switching network 104 coupled between the power source 102 and the plurality of coils.

The switching network 104 comprises a plurality of switches which are configured to interconnect coils from the plurality of coils according to a predetermined switching configuration to obtain a three-dimensional coil array 106. The three-dimensional coil array 106 is configured to generate an electromagnetic powering field 107.

The three-dimensional coil array 106 is further configured, based on the switching configuration of the plurality of switches, to direct the electromagnetic powering field 107 towards a volumetric zone for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device 108 located in the volumetric zone. The plurality of coils can be any number of coils, for example coils Li , l_₂ as shown in Figure 2 or more than these two coils. For example, an exemplary number of 100 coils can be implemented, as well.

The predetermined switching configuration may indicate an interconnection of coils from the plurality of coils in order to obtain a radiation pattern of the electromagnetic powering field directing towards the volumetric zone.

The three-dimensional coil array 106 may be configured to direct the electromagnetic powering field 107 towards a first volumetric zone of a plurality of volumetric zones based on a first switching configuration of a plurality of switching configurations of the plurality of switches. The three-dimensional coil array 106 may be configured to direct the electromagnetic powering field towards a second volumetric zone of the plurality of volumetric zones based on a second switching configuration of the plurality of switching configurations of the plurality of switches. The first volumetric zone is different from the second volumetric zone.

For example, the first volumetric zone and the second volumetric zone may be nonoverlapping or partially overlapping.

The first and second volumetric zones may overlap. I.e., in some implementations they overlap, in some other implementations they do not overlap.

The switching network 104 may be configured to interconnect a subset of coils from the plurality of coils to obtain the three-dimensional coil array 106, e.g., as shown in Figure 2.

The switching network 104 may be configured to interconnect the coils from the plurality of coils to form a series circuit path and to connect the series circuit path to the power source 102, e.g., as shown in Figure 2.

The switching network 104 may be configured to interconnect at least two coils from the plurality of coils 106, through which a current flows in the same direction, e.g., as shown in Figure 2 or 3. The switching network 104 may be configured to interconnect at least two coils from the plurality of coils 106, through which a current flows in opposite direction, e.g., as shown in Figure 2 or 3.

The transmitter device 101 may comprise a user interface configured to receive the switching configuration of the plurality of switches based on a user input.

The transmitter device 101 may comprise at least one controller configured to adjust the switching configuration of the plurality of switches based on information of the at least one receiver device.

The information of the at least one receiver device 108 may comprise information about an orientation, a position and/or load changes of the at least one receiver device 108.

The transmitter device 101 may comprise a receiver detection unit, configured to detect at least one receiver device 108 and to determine information about the at least one receiver device 108, in particular information about the orientation, the position and/or the load changes of the at least one receiver device 108.

The plurality of switches may be configured to interconnect at least one first coil from the plurality of coils with a capacitive element 200, 400 to form a first resonator circuit, e.g., as shown in Figure 2 or 4.

The plurality of switches may be configured to interconnect at least one second coil from the plurality of coils with a second capacitive element to form a second resonator circuit, wherein the second resonator circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the first resonator circuit.

The three-dimensional coil array can have a circular or polygonal cross-section, for example, as shown in Figure 5. At least two coils of the three-dimensional coil array 106 can be arranged adjacent to each other and can be positioned orthogonally or parallel with respect to each other, e.g., as shown in Figure 5.

In the following, a specific implementation of the wireless power transfer system 100 is described.

The wireless power transfer system 100 of the disclosed technology for which one embodiment is depicted in Figure 1 comprises a wireless power transmitter device 101 and at least one wireless power receiver device 108. The wireless power transmitter device 101 comprises a power source 102, at least two coils 106 each with two connection ports 105; wherein the coils are arranged in space to form a 3-dimensional array 106.

The wireless power transmitter device 101 also comprises an operable switching network 104 with two input terminals 103 that creates a reconfigurable series electrical connection between the power source 102 and the at least one coil to produce a closed electrical circuit for electrons to flow through and that generates an electromagnetic field 107, also referred to as electromagnetic powering field 107 in this disclosure, that emanates from the 3- dimensional coil array 106.

The wireless power transmitter device 101 is operated to wirelessly power or charge electric or electronic device(s) 108, referred herein as the receiver devices 108, by providing the produced electromagnetic field 107 at a receiver coil or coil array 109 to convert the received electromagnetic field into electrical energy.

In some implementations, the power source 102 of the transmitter device 101 may be connected to the output of a direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC) converter, in order to extract the required power for its function from a DC power source, such as a battery in the transmitter device 101. In some other implementations the transmitter device 101 may also have the possibility to extract the required DC power for its function from an AC-DC converter, such as a circuit that converts the AC power of the line into a DC power.

The receiver device 108 can have a single coil or an arrangement of coils 109 acting to receive the wireless power coming from the transmitter device 101. In some implementations, the receiver device 108 may be connected to an AC-DC converter 110, for example a rectifier that converts the alternating current (AC) to a direct current (DC) if the device to be powered by the specific application requires DC, such as the case of delivering DC power to an electronic device. In some other implementations, there can be a circuit 111 to convert a DC power level to another DC power level, such as a DC-DC converter or a charging circuit used to regulate the power delivered to the battery of the electronic device that is being supplied to or even a voltage regulator that ensures a certain voltage level at the input of the electronic device.

With the inclusion of the reconfiguration capabilities of the disclosed wireless power transmitter device 101 the creation of a wireless power transfer area around it, referred to as volumetric zone in this disclosure, is not limited to a single profile either with an omnidirectional or a single direction characteristic. This increases the applicability of the transmitter device 101 because it offers more directed wireless power transfer avoiding, for example, scenarios where the transmitter device 101 can be surrounded by foreign objects. The creation of a wireless power transfer area, i.e., volumetric zone, around the transmitter device 101 permits the disclosed technology to be able to transmit wireless power to receiver device(s) 108 with differing coupling conditions coming from different positions or orientations of the receiver coil(s) 109 on the receiver devices 108. The disclosed transmitter device 101 can supply to multiple receivers 108 simultaneously even by effectively reducing or segmenting the wireless power transfer area, i.e., the volumetric zone.

The disclosed devices and methods allow to adjust the energy transfer to the receiver device(s) 108 in order to avoid that energy is sent multidirectional when there is only one receiver 108 or a group of receiver devices 108 located at the same zone around the transmitter device 101. This increases the overall efficiency of the system 100 by avoiding unused areas with available wireless power.

The disclosed transmitter device 101 requires only one power supply 102 reducing the complexity of the system. This is a benefit when compared to conventional wireless transfer systems in which every coil in the transmitter structure has its own power supply.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless power transfer system 100 with four exemplary configurations 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d of the switching network.

The wireless power transfer system 100 corresponds to specific implementations of the wireless power transfer system 100 described above with respect to Figure 1. The wireless power transfer system 100 comprises a transmitter device 101 and one or more receiver devices 108. In Figure 2 only a single receiver device 108 is shown as one example. The receiver device 108 is configured to receive an electromagnetic powering field 107 generated by the transmitter device 101 upon movement into a volumetric zone for a wireless powering of the receiver device 108. The volumetric zone specifies a volume around the transmitter device 101 in which powering of the receiver device 108 can be performed due to a sufficient strength of the electromagnetic powering field 107 generated and radiated by the transmitter device 101. This may happen when transmitter device 101 and receiver device 108 are arranged in close proximity with respect to one another, as shown in Figure 2.

The transmitter device 101 can be used for wirelessly powering the receiver device 108. The transmitter device 101 comprises a power source 102 for providing electric power. The transmitter device 101 comprises a plurality of coils (Li, l_₂); and a switching network 104 coupled between the power source 102 and the plurality of coils (Li, l_₂). In Figure 2, only an exemplary number of two coils (Li, l_₂) is shown. It understands that any other number of coils may be used as well, e.g., 3, 5, 10, 20, 100, or more coils.

The switching network 104 comprises a plurality of switches which are configured to interconnect coils from the plurality of coils (Li, l_₂) according to a predetermined switching configuration to obtain a three-dimensional coil array 106. The three-dimensional coil array 106 is configured to generate an electromagnetic powering field 107.

The three-dimensional coil array 106 is further configured, based on the switching configuration of the plurality of switches, to direct the electromagnetic powering field 107 towards a volumetric zone for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device 108 located in the volumetric zone.

Figure 2 shows for different switching configurations 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d as described in the following.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the disclosed wireless power transmitter device in this case formed by two coils 106 electrically connectable at each connection port 105 and forming the exemplified 3-dimensional arrays shown at the bottom of Figure 2. The switching network 104 in this embodiment is operated to create four different series electrical connections according to four different switching configurations 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d between the power source 102 and the coils. In the first switching configuration 200a, a series electrical connection is created between the power source 102 and only one coil Li of the 3-dimensional coil array 106 creating one wireless power transfer volume nearby coil Li.

In the second switching configuration 200b, a series electrical connection is created between the power source 102 and only one coil l_₂ of the 3-dimensional coil array 106 creating another wireless power transfer volume nearby coil l_₂.

In the third switching configuration 200c, a series electrical connection is created between the power source 102 and the two coils Li and l_₂ of the 3-dimensional coil array 106; wherein the coils are wound and connected in such a manner that the electrical current flows in the same direction through both creating yet another wireless power transfer volume nearby both coils.

In the fourth switching configuration 200d, a series electrical connection is created between the power source 102 and the two coils Li and l_₂ of the 3-dimensional coil array 106; wherein the coils are wound and connected in such a manner that the electrical current flows in opposite direction through both creating a further wireless power transfer volume nearby both coils.

The wireless power transfer device 101 may also comprise a control unit and/or a user interface and/or a receiver detection unit in which the operation of the switching network can be applied by the control unit in response to a user input.

For example, the user may require redirection of the wireless power transfer profile to a certain direction and not another direction or the receiver detection unit may have detected a change in position or orientation of the receiver device and it may be required to adjust the wireless power to the receiver device to account for this change.

Figure 3 shows exemplary performance diagrams 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d of expected wireless power transfer efficiency for the four exemplary configurations 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d of the switching network shown in Figure 2.

In particular, Figure 3 shows the expected wireless power transfer efficiency expected from the same wireless power transmitter device described above with respect to Figure 2 in the four exemplary configurations 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d of the switching network 104 for a rotational sweep of a receiver device 108 configured to receive the wireless energy being sent from the transmitter device that scans the profile of the available wireless power around the transmitter.

The wireless power transfer profile 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d depicted in Figure 3 below the respective switching configuration 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d exemplifies the expected wireless power transfer volume created nearby the coils operating in the manner described above with respect to Figure 2.

Figure 3 also depicts the direction of the electromagnetic field 107 that emanates from the 3-dimensional array 106 generated by the current flowing through the closed electrical circuit achieved by each switching configuration 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d presented in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of the transmitter device 101 shown in Figure 1 using a 12-pole switch as the switching network with different switch configurations.

In some embodiments of the presented technology, the transmitter device 101 can have at least one capacitive element 400 electrically coupled to the at least one coil through the switching network 104 as to create inductive-capacitive resonant circuits with the at least one coil from the 3-dimensional coil array as exemplified in Figure 4.

Figure 4 demonstrates an embodiment of the disclosed transmitter device 101 using a 12- pole (4 input/output/output) switch 104 as an exemplary implementation of the switching network 104 described above with respect to Figure 1 to achieve the reconfiguration of the resonators of the transmitter device 101 with a single actuation.

The switching network 104, in this case embodied by the 12-pole switch, has 2 input terminals 103.

In a first configuration (a), the switching network 104 is operated to create a reconfigurable series electrical connection between the power source (not shown in Figure 4), at least one of the coils (L_TXI , L_TX2) of the 3D array 106 and at least one element of the capacitance array (C_Txi, C_TX2) 400 to produce a closed electrical circuit. In a second configuration (b), the switch 104 is operated to create a series electrical connection between the power source (not shown in Figure 4), one of the coils (l__Txi) of the 3D array 106 and one element (C_Txi) of the capacitance array 400 to produce a closed electrical circuit.

In a third configuration (c), the switch 104 is operated to create a series electrical connection between the power source (not shown in Figure 4), two coils (l__Txi and L_Tx2) of the 3D array 106 and one element (in this case C_Tx2) of the capacitance array 400 to produce a closed electrical circuit.

Some other embodiments of the switching network may comprise AC switches such as transistors back-to-back, solid-state-relays or mechanical switches actuated automatically or upon a user action.

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary embodiments 500a, 500b, 500c, 500d, 500e, 500f of the three-dimensional coil array.

These embodiments 500a, 500b, 500c, 500d, 500e, 500f of the 3-dimensional coil array may be composed of at least two coils. Exemplary coil geometries, coil orientations as well as their arrangement with respect to one another are shown in Figure 5.

For example, first embodiment 500a shows two coils placed orthogonally with respect to one another. Second embodiment 500b shows two coils placed in parallel with respect to one another. Third embodiment 500c shows three coils bent at an obtuse angle which are placed in the shape of a hexagon. Fourth embodiment 500d shows four polygon shaped coils which are placed to form a polygon-shaped cube. Fifth embodiment 500e shows three trapezoidal shaped coils which are placed to form a pyramid. Sixth embodiment 500f shows two bent round shaped coils which are placed to form a cylinder.

The coil geometries may include but are not limited to square, circular, trapezoidal, polygonal. The 3-dimensional coil arrays may include but are not limited to cube, pyramid, polyhedral, cylindrical arrangements. Moreover, the coils from the 3-dimensional array can be placed acute, obtuse, orthogonal or even parallel with respect to one another.

The coils of the 3-dimensional array may include a substrate or a core material of a high permeability, magnetic or composite magnetic core and/or a substrate with a low permeability, e.g., a dielectric substrate such as a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate or a flexible polyimide substrate.

In order for the coils of the 3-dimensional array to retain their shape or their arrangement with respect to one another they may be mechanically attached to a flexible carrier substrate, e.g., thin FR4, polyimide, thin polymer, etc. The coils can also retain a defined arrangement without the use of a carrier substrate. If the fabrication method allows them to stand free, for example, the coils may be made with mechanically malleable conductive material, like a hollow metal pipe or the conductive material is coated with a self-bonding polymer. After the application of heat, for example, the material may melt and after the heat is removed, the polymer may stiffen around the conductive material that makes the turns of the composed coils. 3D printing technology to print a conductive material can also be used.

Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a method 600 for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device according to the disclosure. The method 600 can be used for radiating an electromagnetic powering field 107 in a volumetric zone for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device 108, e.g., as described above with respect to Figures 1 to 5.

The method 600 comprises providing 601 electric power by a power source 102, e.g., as described above with respect to Figures 1 to 5.

The method 600 comprises interconnecting 602, by a plurality of switches of a switching network 104 coupled between the power source 102 and a plurality of coils, coils from the plurality of coils according to a predetermined switching configuration to obtain a three- dimensional coil array 106, e.g., as described above with respect to Figures 1 to 5.

The method 600 comprises generating 603, by the three-dimensional coil array 106, the electromagnetic powering field 107, e.g., as described above with respect to Figures 1 to 5.

The method 600 comprises directing 604, based on the switching configuration of the plurality of switches, the electromagnetic powering field 107 towards the volumetric zone for wirelessly powering the at least one receiver device 108.

As described above with respect to Figures 1 to 5, the wireless power transmitter device 101 may comprise a user interface. The wireless power transmitter device 101 can be operated by the user and a control unit to wirelessly power or charge electric or electronic device(s) by reconfiguring the wireless power transfer profile. For example, such a user interface may include a press-button, a mechanical switch whose actuator is in reach of the user and/or a manual selection of an operation mode of the transmitter device 101 on a touch display located onto the transmitter device 101 or activated wirelessly by information obtained via electromagnetic waves between a wireless communication stage of the receiver device 108 and the transmitter device 101.

The information obtained by the user may over-ride the currently active operation mode of the transmitter device 101 or the information coming from a receiver detection unit.

As described above with respect to Figures 1 to 5, the wireless power transmitter device 101 may comprise a receiver detection unit.

Such a receiver detection unit may detect at least one receiver device 108 located inside the volumetric zone. For example, the following procedure may be applied for detection:

1) Starting operation of the wireless power transmitter device 101.

2) If a receiver device 108 configured to receive the wireless power from the wireless power transmitter device 101 is detected by the receiver detection unit, the following items may be performed:

3) The control unit of the transmitter device 101 assesses if the at least one receiver device 108 is inside the volumetric zone, i.e., the volume in which the wireless power transmitter device 101 can supply wireless power to the receiver device 108.

3a) When supplying wireless power is possible, the control unit instructs the wireless power transmitter device 101 to initiate a wireless power transfer protocol to the receiver device 108 and may additionally inform the user about the active wireless power transfer volume around the transmitter device 101.

3b) When supplying wireless power is not possible, the control unit may indicate the user that no power supply is possible, e.g., by using a visualization unit to call for the user’s attention by, for instance, performing light blinking or dimming effects to inform the user about the active wireless power transfer volume around the transmitter device in which the transmitter device 101 is capable of providing wireless power to the receiver device 108. 4) While the transmitter device 101 is active, the above loop, i.e., items 2), 3), 3a) and 3b) may be repeated.

This procedure may also assess if the current condition is the same as the condition from the last cycle to avoid turning on and off the wireless power supply 102 continuously or keep informing the user about the active wireless power transfer volume around the transmitter device in which the transmitter device 101 is capable of providing wireless power to the receiver device 108.

While a particular feature or aspect of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature or aspect may be combined with one or more other features or aspects of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "include", "have", "with", or other variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprise". Also, the terms "exemplary", "for example" and "e.g." are merely meant as an example, rather than the best or optimal. The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with derivatives may have been used. It should be understood that these terms may have been used to indicate that two elements cooperate or interact with each other regardless whether they are in direct physical or electrical contact, or they are not in direct contact with each other.

Although specific aspects have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific aspects shown and described without departing from the scope of the disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific aspects discussed herein.

Although the elements in the following claims are recited in a particular sequence with corresponding labeling, unless the claim recitations otherwise imply a particular sequence for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that particular sequence.

Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. Of course, those skilled in the art readily recognize that there are numerous applications of the disclosure beyond those described herein. While the disclosure has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art recognize that many changes may be made there without departing from the scope of the disclosure. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A transmitter device (101) for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device (108), the transmitter device (101) comprising: a power source (102) for providing electric power; a plurality of coils; and a switching network (104) coupled between the power source (102) and the plurality of coils, the switching network (104) comprising a plurality of switches, the plurality of switches being configured to interconnect coils from the plurality of coils according to a predetermined switching configuration to obtain a three-dimensional coil array (106), the three-dimensional coil array (106) being configured to generate an electromagnetic powering field (107); wherein the three-dimensional coil array (106) is further configured, based on the switching configuration of the plurality of switches, to direct the electromagnetic powering field (107) towards a volumetric zone for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device (108) located in the volumetric zone.

2. The transmitter device (101) of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined switching configuration indicates interconnection of coils from the plurality of coils in order to obtain a radiation pattern of the electromagnetic powering field directing towards the volumetric zone.

3. The transmitter device (101) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the three-dimensional coil array (106) is configured to: direct the electromagnetic powering field (107) towards a first volumetric zone of a plurality of volumetric zones based on a first switching configuration of a plurality of switching configurations of the plurality of switches; and direct the electromagnetic powering field (107) towards a second volumetric zone of the plurality of volumetric zones based on a second switching configuration of the plurality of switching configurations of the plurality of switches, wherein the first volumetric zone is different from the second volumetric zone.

4. The transmitter device (101) of claim 3, wherein the first volumetric zone and the second volumetric zone are nonoverlapping or partially overlapping.

5. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the switching network (104) is configured to interconnect a subset of coils from the plurality of coils to obtain the three-dimensional coil array (106).

6. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the switching network (104) is configured to interconnect the coils from the plurality of coils to form a series circuit path and to connect the series circuit path to the power source (102).

7. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the switching network (104) is configured to interconnect at least two coils from the plurality of coils (106) through which a current flows in the same direction.

8. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the switching network (104) is configured to interconnect at least two coils from the plurality of coils (106) through which a current flows in opposite direction.

9. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, comprising: a user interface configured to receive the switching configuration of the plurality of switches based on a user input.

10. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, comprising: at least one controller configured to adjust the switching configuration of the plurality of switches based on information about the at least one receiver device.

11. The transmitter device (101) of claim 10, wherein the information about the at least one receiver device (108) comprises information about an orientation, a position and/or load changes of the at least one receiver device (108).

12. The transmitter device (101) of claim 11 , comprising: a receiver detection unit, configured to detect at least one receiver device (108) and to determine information about the orientation, the position and/or the load changes of the at least one receiver device (108).

13. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of switches is configured to interconnect at least one first coil from the plurality of coils with a capacitive element to form a first resonator circuit.

14. The transmitter device (101) of claim 13, wherein the plurality of switches is configured to interconnect at least one second coil from the plurality of coils with a second capacitive element to form a second resonator circuit, wherein the second resonator circuit is electromagnetically coupled to the first resonator circuit.

15. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the coils of the three-dimensional coil array have a square, circular or polygonal geometry.

16. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the three-dimensional coil array (106) has a cubical, pyramidal, polyhedral, or cylindrical arrangement.

17. The transmitter device (101) of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least two coils of the three-dimensional coil array (106) are arranged adjacent to each other and positioned orthogonally or parallel with respect to each other.

18. A wireless powering system, comprising: a transmitter device (101) according to any of the preceding claims; and at least one receiver device (108) configured to receive the electromagnetic powering field (107) generated by the transmitter device (101) upon movement into the volumetric zone for a wireless powering.

19. A method for radiating an electromagnetic powering field (107) in a volumetric zone for wirelessly powering at least one receiver device (108), the method comprising: providing electric power by a power source (102); interconnecting, by a plurality of switches of a switching network (104) coupled between the power source (102) and a plurality of coils, coils from the plurality of coils according to a predetermined switching configuration to obtain a three-dimensional coil array (106); generating, by the three-dimensional coil array (106), the electromagnetic powering field (107); and directing, based on the switching configuration of the plurality of switches, the electromagnetic powering field (107) towards the volumetric zone for wirelessly powering the at least one receiver device (108).