TW201735453A - Wireless charging - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device 102 comprises: an antenna 106; an energy store 124; a frequency detection section 136 arranged to determine if an induced frequency of an electric current induced in said antenna 106 corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies and, if so, to charge said energy store 124 using said induced electric current.

Description

Wireless charging technology (2)

The present invention relates to wireless charging of electronic devices having rechargeable batteries or other means of storing electrical energy.

Today's portable electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, wearable devices, etc. generally require frequent charging, such as daily. Many people have several such devices and therefore there are many corresponding chargers (ie power converters) to charge the battery of each device. Despite efforts to standardize connectors used on such devices, such as the almost ubiquitous micro-universal serial-connector (micro-USB) connector or the Lightning® connector used by Apple®, users still have to have Multiple chargers.

These chargers are typically constructed to convert a supply voltage (eg, 120V or 240V) of alternating current (AC) to a low voltage direct current (DC) via a transformer and rectifier, and then to a charging circuit in a corresponding portable device. This generally means that each charger has a power plug that houses the transformer and the rectifier and a length of wire that extends from the plug and has a connector at the plug end that can be inserted into the portable device. For people who typically have multiple devices, this results in an undesirable number of accompanying wires, which is often unpleasant in appearance, entangled and prone to damage.

To overcome these problems, some portable devices today have inductive or "wireless" charging capabilities. Wireless charging usually involves using a day in a charging station or "board" An alternating magnetic field established by a line (typically a coil antenna) and inductively coupled to a corresponding antenna (usually also a coil antenna) within the portable device. The portable device uses the power from the induced current to charge its battery in the manner described above.

However, despite the many advances in this area, there are now conflicting standards adopted by different manufacturers. The wireless charging standard, known as Rezence®, has been developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (A4WP). Rezence® uses a magnetic field that varies with a frequency of 6.78 MHz. Another Qi ^TM referred to as the wireless system by the wireless charging standard charging Union (WPC) has been owned by the Nokia®, Samsung®, Huawei® with Sony® adoption, and using a change in frequency between 300kHz and 80kHz with the Magnetic field. Applicants have also appreciated that power can be utilized by using hardware for near field communication (NFC) set up between such devices, which typically uses a magnetic field of 13.56 MHz. The existence of competitive standards hinders the adoption and acceptance of this technology and indicates that its full potential has not been realized.

When viewed from the first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an electronic device comprising: an antenna; an energy storage device; and a frequency detecting portion configured to determine an induced current induced in the antenna Whether the frequency corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies, and if so, the energy storage is charged using the induced current.

The present invention is directed to a method of operating an electronic device, the electronic device comprising an antenna and an energy storage, the method comprising: determining whether an induced frequency of the induced current in the antenna corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies, and If so, the energy storage is charged using the induced current.

Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an electronic device can detect when it is placed near a charging pad that supports a plurality of different wireless charging standards having different sensing frequencies in accordance with the present invention. One of them. This facilitates the use of such devices to charge using a plurality of different wireless charging stations, providing greater convenience to the user and reducing interoperability concerns with peripheral chargers for manufacturers.

Adding separate antennas for each charging standard increases the cost and size of the device. This is not required according to the invention, however, since the same antenna can be used for a variety of wireless charging standards. This allows embodiments of the present invention to provide only a single antenna. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides a "seamless" experience for the user whereby the user can place the portable device on any wireless charging station that supports one of the standards as the device The battery is charged without worrying about whether it is the correct type of charging station for the user's particular device, or is required to make any changes to the settings of its device.

Furthermore, by detecting the characteristic frequency of a particular wireless charging standard at the physical layer, such electronic devices do not need to initialize or utilize any higher stacked layers (eg, the network layer, even if a particular wireless charging standard is not supported). Or application layer) to save power and computing needs. These decisions can be made solely on a frequency basis, so the device of the present invention does not require any specific protocol information or communication to begin charging.

In one set of embodiments, one of the plurality of resonant frequencies is about 6.78 MHz, which allows the device to support a known Rezence® charging frequency.

In one set of embodiments, one of the plurality of resonant frequencies is about 13.56 MHz, which allows the device to support charging at frequencies typically used for near field communication (NFC).

The frequency detection unit can be implemented in any of a variety of ways known in the art per se. In some embodiments, the frequency detecting portion includes a counter configured to cycle a current induced during a given time period (eg, rising leading edge or falling) The number of trailing edges) and a plurality of predetermined values corresponding to a plurality of resonant frequencies are compared. This allows the associated frequencies to be easily determined using relatively few components without using a large amount of power, such as without the use of a central processing unit.

In an advantageous embodiment the apparatus includes a resonant circuit including the antenna and tunable to at least first and second resonant frequencies, and configured to: if the induced frequency corresponds to a first resonant frequency And tuning the resonant circuit to the first resonant frequency; if the frequency is corresponding to the second resonant frequency, tuning the resonant circuit to the second resonant frequency.

As will be understood by those of ordinary skill, tuning the resonant circuit to an appropriate frequency can effectively transfer energy from the charging station to the energy storage station via the antenna.

When viewed from the second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an electronic device comprising: an antenna; an energy storage device; a resonant circuit including the antenna and tunable to at least first and second resonant frequencies a frequency detecting portion configured to determine whether an induced frequency of the induced current in the antenna corresponds to one of the first or second resonant frequencies; wherein the device is configured to: if the induced frequency Corresponding to the first resonant frequency, tuning the resonant circuit to the first resonant frequency; if the frequency is corresponding to the second resonant frequency, tuning the resonant circuit to the second resonant frequency; and using the induced current to store the energy Charger.

This aspect of the invention is directed to a method of operating an electronic device including an antenna, an energy storage device, and a resonant circuit including the antenna and tunable to at least first and second resonances Frequency, the method comprising: determining whether an induced frequency of the induced current in the antenna corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies; if the induced frequency corresponds to the first resonant frequency, tuning the resonant circuit to the first resonant frequency; If the induced frequency corresponds to the second resonant frequency, the resonant circuit is tuned to the second resonant frequency; and the energy storage is charged using the induced current.

The resonant circuit can be implemented in any of a variety of ways. In one set of embodiments the resonant circuit includes a capacitor. The capacitor can be a variable capacitor such that the resonant circuit can be tuned. One or more additional components can be modified to provide the necessary tuning. However, in one set of embodiments, the resonant circuit includes first and second capacitors and a switching configuration that switches between the first and second capacitors to tune the resonant circuit to the first and the second, respectively Two resonant frequencies. The switching configuration is switchable between the first and second capacitors, or one of the circuits can be turned on or off to provide a different capacitance.

Additionally or alternatively, the tuning of the resonant circuit can be implemented partially or completely by modifying the antenna. While it has been explained above that it is advantageous to be able to use a single antenna to support multiple charging standards in accordance with the present invention, Applicants have also recognized that in some cases it may be desirable to use antenna modifications to provide tuning. This can be accomplished, for example, by turning a portion of the antenna on or off depending on the desired resonant frequency. Since a portion (possibly the main portion) is common to both frequencies, at least some of the benefits of a single antenna can still be achieved.

When referring to the first and second resonant frequencies, this should not be considered limiting. Three or more frequencies can be supported within the scope of the present invention.

Preferably, at least a portion of the electronic device includes an integrated circuit device. The antenna can be placed on the integrated circuit but typically it is independently arranged.

In one set of embodiments, a power supply circuit is disposed between the antenna and the energy storage device. This typically includes a rectifier portion and a regulator portion.

The electronic device can be a portable device such as a smart phone, a tablet, a smart watch, a notebook computer, a wireless speaker, and the like.

The energy storage portion is typically a rechargeable battery but this is not necessary. It may, for example, comprise a supercapacitor or any other form of electrical energy storage.

2‧‧‧Smart mobile phone

4‧‧‧Wireless charging board

6‧‧‧Power socket

8‧‧‧ plug

10‧‧‧Wire

12‧‧‧ Time-varying magnetic field

16‧‧‧Inductive Receiver Coil Antenna

18‧‧‧Inductive transmitting coil antenna

20‧‧‧ receiving circuit

22‧‧‧Transmission circuit

24‧‧‧Battery

102‧‧‧Smart mobile phones

116‧‧‧Antenna

120‧‧‧Power supply module

124‧‧‧Battery

126‧‧‧Resonance circuit

128‧‧‧Power Control Module

134‧‧‧Electronic interface

136‧‧‧frequency detection module

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B shows a typical apparatus for supporting wireless charging and wireless charging stations for reference purposes only; FIG. 2 is for reference purposes only. While the operation of wireless charging is shown; and FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an electronic device utilizing automatic frequency selection in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

1A and 1B show a typical device for supporting wireless charging and a wireless charging station. Shown in Fig. 1A is a top plan view of a smart phone 2 with wireless charging function placed on a compatible wireless charging pad 4. The wireless charging pad 4 is connected to a power outlet 6 via a plug 8, which is connected to the charging pad 4 by a length of electric wire 10.

Fig. 1B is a perspective view showing the same smart phone 2 and charging pad 4. Once placed on the charging board 4, the battery (not shown) in the smart phone 2 is used by the battery The varying magnetic field established by the charging pad 4 is inductively charged (shown by a set of arrows 12). This process is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a wireless charging operation performed by the smart phone 2 and the charging pad 4 of FIG. The smart phone 2 includes an inductive receiving coil antenna 16, a receiving circuit 20, and a battery 24. Similarly, the charging pad 4 includes a matching inductive transmitting coil antenna 18 and a transmitting circuit 22. In general, these coil antennas 16, 18 are formed as loop antennas and are arranged in a spiral or rectangular shape.

The transmitting coil antenna 18 in the charging board 4 is connected to a transmitting circuit 22 for taking an AC power supply voltage from a wall socket 6 via the plug 8 and the electric wire 10, and increasing its frequency to a predetermined wireless according to the device 2 and the charging board 4. The predetermined value specified by the charging agreement. This high frequency current generates a time varying magnetic field 12 through the inductive coil antenna 18. The time varying flux line forming the time varying magnetic field 12 is then "cut" by the receiving coil antenna 16 to induce a current in the receiving coil antenna 16. In other words, the transmitting coil antenna 18 in the charging pad 4 is inductively coupled to the receiving coil antenna 16 when in close proximity to each other.

The induced current in the receive coil antenna 16 is then passed to a receive circuit 20, which converts the voltage to the correct value and converts the AC current to DC to be suitable for charging the battery 24.

3 shows a block diagram of an electronic device in the form of a smart phone 102 utilizing automatic frequency selection in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The device 102 includes an antenna 116, a power supply module 120, a battery 124, and a frequency detecting module 136. The power supply module 120 includes a resonant circuit 126 and a power control module 128.

The antenna 116 is coupled to the resonant circuit 126 via an electronic interface 134 such that they together form a resonant circuit. The resonant circuit 126 includes a variable capacitor, such as a variable capacitor or a pair of different capacitors that are switchable, for example, using a transistor. This allows The resonant frequency of the resonant circuit can be varied. For example, it can operate selectively at 6.78 MHz or 13.56 MHz to use or utilize energy from the NFC magnetic field in conjunction with Rezence® as needed. The power control module 128, which in turn is coupled to the battery 124, performs rectification and adjustment of the induced current in the antenna 116 to provide a stable low voltage DC supply to the battery 124 for charging it. The power control module 128 may also include standard battery management functions such as charge status monitoring, full charge cutoff, and the like.

The frequency detection module 136 includes a counter that calculates edges, peaks, and the like of the induced current in the antenna 116 and compares the count value with some periodic stored values. By calculating the number of cycles of the induced current occurring in a given amount of time (for example, a rising leading edge or a falling trailing edge), it can be easily determined whether the frequency corresponds to a predetermined value.

In use, the device 102 is placed on a charging station that induces a periodically varying current in the antenna 116 as described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The frequency detection module 136 calculates the period, and thus determines whether the frequency of the induced current corresponds to, for example, a Rezence® charging protocol or a typical frequency corresponding to an NFC magnetic field.

The frequency detection module 136 transmits a signal back to the resonant circuit 126 to determine which capacitor to turn on to the circuit such that the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit matches the detected frequency. Once the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit matches the induced current from the charging station, its energy can be effectively transferred to the battery 124 via the power control module 128.

A transmitter (not shown) and a receive coil antenna 116 can also be used to transmit and/or receive control or data signals between the smart phone 102 and the charging pad. This can be implemented, for example, using Near Field Communication (NFC), especially if the charging protocol uses frequencies at or near the NFC frequency. These signals may include the smartphone 102 notifying the charging pad that it supports a particular wireless charging protocol (such as Rezence®) or its support for NFC functionality.

Therefore, it will be seen that the electronic device described herein can automatically detect complex numbers. The characteristic frequency of the wireless charging standard and the antenna is tuned accordingly. Although the specific embodiments have been described in detail, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art

102‧‧‧Smart mobile phones

116‧‧‧Antenna

120‧‧‧Power supply module

124‧‧‧Battery

126‧‧‧Resonance circuit

128‧‧‧Power Control Module

134‧‧‧Electronic interface

136‧‧‧frequency detection module

Claims (19)

An electronic device comprising: an antenna; an energy storage; a frequency detecting unit configured to determine whether an induced frequency of the induced current in the antenna corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies, and if And charging the energy storage device using the induced current. The device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of predetermined frequencies are selected from the group consisting of about 6.78 MHz and about 13.56 MHz. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the frequency detecting portion includes a counter configured to count the number of cycles of the induced current for a given time period and a plurality of predetermined frequencies corresponding to the plurality of predetermined frequencies The predetermined values are compared. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, comprising a resonant circuit comprising the antenna and tunable to at least first and second resonant frequencies, and configured to: if the induced frequency pair The resonant circuit should be tuned to the first resonant frequency at a first resonant frequency; if the induced frequency corresponds to a second resonant frequency, the resonant circuit is tuned to the second resonant frequency. An electronic device comprising: an antenna; an energy storage device; a resonant circuit including the antenna and tunable to at least first and second resonant frequencies; and a frequency detecting portion configured to determine the antenna Whether the induced frequency of the induced current is corresponding to one of the first or second resonant frequencies; Wherein the apparatus is configured to: if the induced frequency corresponds to the first resonant frequency, tuning the resonant circuit to the first resonant frequency; if the induced frequency corresponds to the second resonant frequency, tuning the resonant circuit to the second resonant Frequency; and charging the energy storage using the induced current. The device of claim 4 or 5, wherein the resonant circuit comprises a capacitor. The device of claim 4 or 5, wherein the resonant circuit includes first and second capacitors and a switching configuration, the switching configuration is switched between a first and a second capacitor to respectively tune the resonant circuit To the first and second resonant frequencies. A device as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, which is configured such that the antenna can be partially or completely modified to tune the resonant circuit. The apparatus of claim 8 configured to turn a portion of the antenna on or off depending on a desired resonant frequency. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the devices comprise an integrated circuit device. The device of any of the preceding claims, comprising a power supply circuit between the antenna and the energy storage device. A method of operating an electronic device, the electronic device comprising an antenna and an energy storage, the method comprising: determining whether an induced frequency of the induced current in the antenna corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies, and if so, The energy storage is charged using the induced current. The method of claim 12, wherein one or more of the plurality of predetermined frequencies are selected from the group consisting of about 6.78 MHz and about 13.56 MHz. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the frequency detecting portion includes a counter that is a number of cycles of the induced current for a given time period and a plurality of predetermined values corresponding to the plurality of predetermined frequencies Compare. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the electronic device comprises a resonant circuit comprising the antenna and tunable to at least a first and a second resonant frequency, the method comprising: The evoked frequency corresponds to the first resonant frequency, the resonant circuit is tuned to the first resonant frequency; if the evoked frequency corresponds to the second resonant frequency, the resonant circuit is tuned to the second resonant frequency. A method of operating an electronic device, the electronic device comprising an antenna, an energy storage device and a resonant circuit, the resonant circuit comprising the antenna and tunable to at least a first and a second resonant frequency, the method comprising: determining the antenna Whether the induced frequency of the induced current corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies; if the induced frequency corresponds to the first resonant frequency, tuning the resonant circuit to the first resonant frequency; if the induced frequency corresponds to the second resonance Frequency, tuning the resonant circuit to the second resonant frequency; and charging the energy storage using the induced current. The method of claim 15 or 16, comprising switching between a first and a second capacitance to tune the resonant circuit to the first and second resonant frequencies, respectively. The method of claim 15, 16 or 17, comprising modifying the antenna partially or completely to tune the resonant circuit. The method of claim 18, comprising turning the antenna on or off a portion of the desired resonant frequency.