WO2022052494A1

WO2022052494A1 - Wireless power supply device and wireless power supply method

Info

Publication number: WO2022052494A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/092584
Authority: WO
Inventors: 水伟; 杜志侠
Original assignee: 华为数字能源技术有限公司
Priority date: 2020-09-08
Filing date: 2021-05-10
Publication date: 2022-03-17
Also published as: CN114157053A

Abstract

Provided are a wireless power supply device and a wireless power supply method. The wireless power supply device comprises: an antenna; and a drive module for changing the position of the antenna. The wireless power supply device may be a transmitting end for wireless power supply. An antenna of a transmitting end has the function of a variable position, and therefore, the direction of the antenna can be dynamically adjusted, such that the antenna faces a power receiving end, and accordingly, the transmitting capabilities of all antennas of the transmitting end can be used in any application scenario, thereby increasing the utilization rate of the antennas.

Description

Wireless power supply device and method of wireless power supply

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application with the application number 202010932132.3 and the application title "Wireless Power Supply Equipment and Wireless Power Supply Method", which was filed with the China Patent Office on September 8, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated into this application by reference middle.

technical field

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless power supply, and in particular, to a wireless power supply device and a method for wireless power supply.

Background technique

With more and more applications of wireless communication (for example, scenarios such as smart home or industrial sensor measurement), the demand for wireless power supply is also increasing. Wireless power supply means that the transmitting end (also known as the source end) transmits electromagnetic wave energy through the antenna, and the receiving end (also known as the power receiving end) receives the electromagnetic wave energy through the antenna and stores electricity.

The placement positions of different power receiving terminals are likely to be different, and electromagnetic waves are directional when transmitted through the antenna. If the electromagnetic wave transmitting direction of the transmitting end fails to cover the receiving end in certain directions, the transmitting end cannot support wireless power supply to the receiving end in these directions, or the power supply efficiency is low.

In the prior art, in order to ensure that the wireless power supply covers all power receiving ends, the transmitting end needs to set antennas in different directions. In practical applications, there is a scenario where the receiving end is concentrated in one direction. In this case, the antenna set on the transmitting end that does not face the receiving end has no power output, which reduces the utilization rate of the antenna.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application provides a wireless power supply device and a wireless power supply method. By making the antenna at the transmitter end of the wireless power generation have the function of variable position, the direction of the antenna can be dynamically adjusted so that it faces the power receiving end, so that in any application scenario All can exert the transmitting capability of all antennas at the transmitting end and improve the utilization rate of the antennas.

In a first aspect, a wireless power supply device is proposed, including: a first antenna; and a driving module for changing the direction of the first antenna.

The driving module may change the position of the first antenna through any one of the following operations or a combination of multiple operations: driving the first antenna to generate displacement, and driving the first antenna to generate steering (that is, causing the The orientation of the first antenna changes).

Optionally, the wireless power supply device is a transmitter end (ie, a source end) of wireless power supply.

In the prior art, the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply is usually fixedly installed. Once installed, the electromagnetic wave emission range of the antenna is given. That is to say, the emission direction of electromagnetic waves can only be adjusted within the given electromagnetic wave emission range. However, the antenna cannot cover the receiving end outside the given electromagnetic wave emission range. In practical applications, there may be scenarios where the receiving end is concentrated in one direction. In this case, the antenna installed on the transmitting end that does not face the receiving end has no power output, resulting in lower antenna utilization.

In the embodiment of the present application, the position of the antenna of the wirelessly powered transmitting end is variable (for example, the direction is variable), so the coverage of the antenna can be flexibly and variable, so the antenna of the transmitting end can be dynamically adjusted to face the power receiving end, Therefore, in any application scenario, the transmitting capabilities of all antennas at the transmitting end can be exerted, and the utilization rate of the antennas can be improved.

Optionally, the wireless power supply device is a receiving end (ie, a power receiving end) of wireless power supply.

It should be understood that the antenna of the power receiving end of the wireless power supply has a function of variable position, which can improve the power supply efficiency by adjusting the steering of the antenna during the process of receiving the wireless power supply.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the wireless power supply device is a transmitter of wireless power supply; wherein, the driving module is used to change the position of the first antenna, so that the The first antenna faces the receiving end of the wireless power supply.

Optionally, the transmitting end further includes: a control module, configured to control the driving module to change the position of the first antenna according to the position of the power receiving end, so that the first antenna faces the power receiving end . The driving module changes the position of the first antenna according to the instruction of the control module, so that the first antenna faces the receiving end of the wireless power supply.

Optionally, the driving module can also support manual driving by the user.

By flexibly adjusting the direction of the antenna of the transmitting end according to the position of the receiving end, it can be ensured that the receiving end is within the coverage of the antenna of the transmitting end.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the wireless power supply device is a transmitter of wireless power supply, the transmitter further includes a second antenna, and the current direction of the first antenna is the first antenna. One direction, the current direction of the second antenna is the second direction; the transmitting end further includes a control module for: determining that the first antenna needs to be turned to the second direction according to the position of the power receiving end ; controlling the driving module to change the direction of the first antenna to the second direction; controlling the first antenna and the second antenna to transmit energy using beamforming technology.

Optionally, in the case that all the power receiving ends are concentrated in the same direction, the control module is configured to: control the driving module to change the direction of the antenna whose current direction is not in the same direction, so that all the wireless power supply devices have the same direction. The antennas are all facing the same direction; all the antennas controlling the wireless power supply device use beamforming technology to transmit energy. Wherein, the current direction does not include the first antenna in the antennas in the same direction.

By changing the direction of the antenna at the transmitting end, more antennas can be directed to the same direction, and beamforming technology is used to transmit energy, that is, the number of beamforming antennas is expanded. It should be understood that the coverage of the beamforming technology is proportional to the number of antennas. Therefore, expanding the number of beamforming antennas can improve the utilization rate of energy transmission at the transmitting end and the antenna utilization rate at the transmitting end.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the wireless power supply device is a transmitting end of wireless power supply, and the transmitting end further includes a receiving module for receiving the position sent by the power receiving end information.

Optionally, in each of the foregoing implementation manners, the antenna is an antenna sub-array.

In a second aspect, a wireless power supply system is provided, including a transmitter and a power receiver for wireless power supply, and the direction of the antenna of the transmitter and/or the power receiver can be changed.

Optionally, the directions of the antennas of the transmitting end and/or the receiving end may be changed.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the transmitting end is configured to change the position of the transmitting end according to the position of the power receiving end, so that the antenna faces the power receiving end.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the transmitting end includes a first antenna and a second antenna, the current direction of the first antenna is the first direction, and the second antenna's current direction is the first direction. The current direction is the second direction; the transmitting end is used to: determine that the first antenna needs to be turned to the second direction according to the position of the power receiving end; change the direction of the first antenna to the second direction Two directions; control the first antenna and the second antenna to transmit energy using beamforming technology.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, all the power receiving terminals in the wireless power supply system are concentrated in the same direction; wherein, the transmitting terminal is used for: changing the current direction and not in the same direction The direction of the antenna in the direction, so that all the antennas of the transmitting end face the same direction; all the antennas of the wireless power supply device are controlled to transmit energy using beamforming technology.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the antenna at the transmitting end includes an antenna sub-array.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the power receiving end is configured to send the location information of the power receiving end to the transmitting end.

In a third aspect, a method for wireless power supply is provided, and the method is performed by a transmitting end of wireless power supply. The method includes: acquiring the position of the power receiving end of the wireless power supply; and changing the position of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply according to the position of the power receiving end, so that the antenna of the transmitting end faces the power receiving end.

Optionally, the changing the position of the antenna of the wireless power transmitting end according to the position of the power receiving end, so that the antenna of the transmitting end faces the power receiving end, includes: changing the wireless power supply according to the position of the power receiving end The direction of the antenna of the transmitting end, so that the antenna of the transmitting end faces the receiving end.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the transmitting end includes a first antenna and a second antenna, the current direction of the first antenna is the first direction, and the second antenna's current direction is the first direction. The current direction is the second direction; wherein, according to the position of the power receiving end, changing the position of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply includes: determining, according to the position of the power receiving end, that the first antenna needs to be turned to the second direction; changing the direction of the first antenna to the second direction; and the method further comprising: controlling the first antenna and the second antenna to transmit energy using beamforming technology.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, all the power receiving ends of the wireless power supply are concentrated in the same direction; wherein, according to the position of the power receiving end, the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply is changed. The position includes: changing the direction of the antennas whose current direction of the transmitting end is not in the same direction, so that all the antennas of the transmitting end face the same direction; the method further includes: controlling all the antennas of the transmitting end to use beams Shaping technology emits energy.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the antenna at the transmitting end includes an antenna sub-array.

With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, acquiring the location of the power receiving end for wireless power supply includes: receiving location information sent by the power receiving end.

Based on the above description, the present application makes the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power generation have the function of changing the position, such as the function of turning, so that the direction of the antenna can be dynamically adjusted so that it faces the power receiving end, so that it can be used in any application scenario. Give full play to the transmitting capabilities of all antennas at the transmitting end to improve antenna utilization.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless power supply scenario.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless power supply device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a transmitter (ie, a source) of a wireless power supply provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams of dynamically changing the direction of the antenna at the transmitting end according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of beamforming.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a transmitter of wireless power supply provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a power receiving end for wireless power supply provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a wireless power supply system provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a method for wireless power supply provided by an embodiment of the present application.

detailed description

In scenarios such as smart home and industrial sensing and measurement, there are a large number of sensor nodes, which all require power supply and communication. In order to simplify the wiring/wiring workload, the communication methods of these sensor nodes have basically been wireless (for example, wifi, zigbee, bluetooth, etc.), and the power supply is basically powered by batteries. But batteries make the sensor too bulky, and there are problems such as needing to be replaced when the storage capacity is exhausted. With the increasing application of sensors, the demand for wireless power supply is also increasing. The common far-field wireless power supply means that the transmitter (also known as the source end) transmits electromagnetic wave energy through the antenna, and the receiver end (also known as the power receiver) receives the electromagnetic wave energy through the antenna and stores electricity.

The placement positions of different power receiving terminals are likely to be different. For example, in a smart home scenario, there are multiple power receiving terminals, and different power receiving terminals are placed in different indoor positions. However, electromagnetic waves transmitted through an antenna have a direction. If the electromagnetic wave transmitting direction of the transmitting end fails to cover the receiving end in certain directions, the transmitting end cannot support wireless power supply to the receiving end in these directions, or the power supply efficiency is low.

In order to ensure that the wireless power supply covers all the receiving ends, the concept adopted in the prior art is that the transmitting end needs to set up antennas in different directions. For example, the transmitting end installs antennas in each direction that needs power supply for all power receiving ends. As shown in FIG. 1 , in the smart home scenario, the transmitter (source) is installed on the roof, and the transmitter is provided with a bottom antenna 3 . The power receiving end 1 to the power receiving end n are within the coverage of the bottom antenna 3, so the bottom antenna 3 can provide wireless power to the power receiving end 1 to the power receiving end n. The receiving end x-1 and the receiving end x-2 are not covered by the bottom antenna 3. Therefore, it is necessary to add a side antenna 1 to the transmitting end to supply power to the receiving end x-1, and add a side antenna 2 to the receiving end. Terminal x-2 is powered. Finally, three antennas are installed on the transmitting end: bottom antenna 3, side antenna 1 and side antenna 2.

However, in practical applications, there may be scenarios where the receiving end is concentrated in one direction. At this time, the antenna installed on the transmitting end that is not facing the receiving end has no power output, resulting in lower antenna utilization. For example, in the example of Figure 1, it is assumed that in some cases, the power receiving terminal x-1 and the power receiving terminal x-2 are no longer in use. At this time, the power receiving terminal is concentrated below the transmitting terminal, because the power receiving terminal 1 The power receiving end n is not within the coverage of the side antenna 1 and the side antenna 2, so the side antenna 1 and the side antenna 2 have no power output, which reduces the antenna utilization rate of the transmitting end.

In view of the above problems, the present application provides a wireless power supply device and a wireless power supply method. By making the position of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power generation variable, for example, having a steering function, all antennas can be fully utilized in any application scenario. The transmission capacity of the antenna can be improved, thereby improving the utilization rate of the antenna.

The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless power supply device 200 according to an embodiment of the present application. The wireless power supply device 200 may be a transmitting end (source end) of wireless power supply, or may be a receiving end (power receiving end) of wireless power supply. As shown in FIG. 2 , the wireless power supply device 200 includes an antenna 210 and a driving module 220 , and the driving module 220 is used to change the position of the antenna 210 .

For example, the driving module 220 can change the position of the antenna 210 through any one of the following operations or a combination of multiple operations: driving the antenna 210 to generate displacement, and driving the antenna 210 to generate steering (ie, changing the direction of the antenna 210).

For example, in the initial state, the antenna 210 faces the first direction, and the driving module 220 can change the antenna 210 to face the second direction.

The driving mode of the driving module 220 may be electric driving or manual driving.

Optionally, the driving mode of the driving module 220 is electric driving.

As an example, the driving module 220 includes a motor and a control link, the motor is used to drive the control link to rotate, and the control link is integrated with the antenna. Therefore, by driving the control rod to rotate by the motor, it is possible to drive the antenna to rotate, that is, to change the direction of the antenna. A motor can be activated upon receiving a control command, thereby driving the control link to rotate.

As another example, the driving module 220 includes a motor and a control link, the motor is used to drive the control link to generate displacement, and the control link is integrated with the antenna. Therefore, by driving the control rod to generate displacement by the motor, it is possible to drive the antenna to generate displacement, thereby changing the position of the antenna. The motor can be activated after receiving the control command, thereby driving the control link to generate displacement.

Optionally, the driving manner of the driving module 220 may also support manual driving.

As an example, the driving module 220 includes a holding portion, which is integral with the antenna. The user can move or rotate the grip, and the movement or rotation of the grip can drive the position of the antenna to change, for example, drive the antenna to displace or rotate (ie, drive the antenna to change direction).

It should be understood that the driving module 220 may also change the position (eg, the direction) of the antenna 210 in other feasible manners, which is not limited in this application.

For example, in an embodiment where the driving module 220 is only used to drive the direction of the antenna 210 to change, the driving module 220 may also be referred to as a steering module.

Optionally, the driving module 220 may be a component external to the antenna 210 .

Optionally, the driving module 220 may be a component integrated inside the antenna 210 .

In the case where the driving module 220 is integrated inside the antenna 210, the antenna 210 can be understood as an antenna with a variable position function, for example, an antenna with a steering function.

For example, the wireless power supply device 200 provided in this embodiment of the present application may be understood as a wireless power supply device with an antenna having a variable position function, for example, a wireless power supply device with a steering function of the antenna.

It should be appreciated that wireless powered device 200 may include one or more antennas. The antennas 210 involved in the embodiments of the present application represent each antenna installed on the wireless power supply device 200 . In other words, the solutions described herein regarding the antenna 210 are applicable to any antenna installed on the wireless power supply device 200 .

Optionally, when the wireless power supply device 200 includes multiple antennas, each antenna may correspond to one driving module 220 . For example, the wireless power supply device 200 includes M antennas and M driving modules corresponding to the M antennas one-to-one. That is, the M driving modules are respectively used to change the position of a corresponding antenna.

Optionally, in the case that the wireless power supply device 200 includes multiple antennas, the positions of the multiple antennas may be driven by one driving module in a unified manner.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3 , the wireless power supply device 200 is a transmitting end (ie, a source end) of wireless power supply.

as an example. As shown in FIG. 4 , an antenna 1 , an antenna 2 and an antenna 3 are arranged on the transmitting end (source end) of the wireless power supply. In the initial state of the transmitting end, the directions of the antenna 1, the antenna 2 and the antenna 3 all face below the bottom of the transmitting end. As shown in FIG. 4 , the antenna 1 , the antenna 2 and the antenna 3 may all be disposed on the bottom surface of the transmitting end, for example, on the same horizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 4 , the direction of the antenna 1 can be changed to face the power receiving end x-1, and the direction of the antenna 2 can be changed to face the power receiving end x-2.

As another example. As shown in FIG. 5 , an antenna 1 , an antenna 2 and an antenna 3 are arranged on the transmitting end (source end) of the wireless power supply. In the initial state of the transmitting end, the antenna 1 faces the outside of one side of the transmitting end, the antenna 2 faces the outside of the other side of the transmitting end, and the antenna 3 faces the bottom of the bottom of the transmitting end. As shown in FIG. 5 , the direction of the antenna 1 can be changed to face below the bottom of the transmitting end, and the direction of the antenna 2 can also be changed to be directed below the bottom of the transmitting end.

In the example of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , the steering of the antenna 1 and the antenna 2 is realized by a driving module (the driving module is not shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 ). The driving module may be integrated into the antenna 1 and the antenna 2 respectively, or the driving module may be arranged outside the antenna 1 and the antenna 2 .

In the prior art, the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply is usually fixedly installed. Once installed, the electromagnetic wave emission range of the antenna is given. That is to say, the emission direction of electromagnetic waves can only be adjusted within the given electromagnetic wave emission range. However, the antenna cannot cover the receiving end outside the given electromagnetic wave emission range.

See, for example, the example shown in Figure 1. The bottom antenna 3 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the transmitting end. The power receiving end x-1 and the power receiving end x-2 are not covered by the bottom antenna 3. Therefore, the bottom antenna 3 cannot reach the power receiving end x-1 and the power receiving end x. -2 power supply. The side antenna 1 is fixedly installed on the side of the transmitting end facing the receiving end x-1. The receiving end x-2 and the receiving end 1 to the receiving end n are not covered by the side antenna 1. Therefore, the side antenna 1 cannot be used. Power is supplied to the receiving terminal x-2 and the receiving terminal 1 to the receiving terminal n. The side antenna 2 is fixedly installed on the side of the transmitting end facing the receiving end x-2. The receiving end x-1 and the receiving end 1 to the receiving end n are not within the coverage of the side antenna 2. Therefore, the side antenna 2 cannot be used. Power is supplied to the power receiving terminal x-1 and the power receiving terminal 1 to the power receiving terminal n.

In practical applications, there may be scenarios where the receiving end is concentrated in one direction. In this case, the antenna installed on the transmitting end that does not face the receiving end has no power output, resulting in lower antenna utilization. For example, in the example of FIG. 1 , it is assumed that in some cases, the power receiving terminal x-1 and the power receiving terminal x-2 are no longer in use, and at this time, the power receiving terminal is concentrated below the transmitting terminal. Since the power receiving end 1 to the power receiving end n are not covered by the side antenna 1 and the side antenna 2, the side antenna 1 and the side antenna 2 have no power output, which reduces the antenna utilization rate of the transmitting end.

In the embodiment of the present application, the position of the antenna of the wirelessly powered transmitting end is variable (for example, the direction is variable), so the coverage of the antenna can be flexibly and variable, so that the position of the transmitting end antenna can be flexibly adjusted according to the position of the receiving end , so that all antennas can supply power to the receiving end, so as to improve the antenna utilization rate of the transmitting end.

It should be noted that, changing the position of the antenna (for example, changing the direction of the antenna) mentioned in the embodiments of the present application is different from changing the electromagnetic wave emission direction of the antenna. In this application, by changing the position of the antenna, it is also possible to flexibly change the coverage of the antenna. In the prior art, the antenna at the transmitting end is usually fixedly installed, and the electromagnetic wave emission direction can be adjusted within a given emission range, but the coverage of the antenna cannot be changed in real time.

It should be understood that because the antenna at the transmitting end has a steering function, the direction of the antenna can be dynamically adjusted so that it faces the receiving end, so that in any application scenario, the transmitting capabilities of all antennas at the transmitting end can be exerted and the utilization rate of the antenna can be improved.

In addition, because the antenna at the transmitting end has a steering function, the direction of the antenna can be dynamically adjusted, so that the antenna coverage of the transmitting end can be dynamically adjusted, thereby ensuring that the receiving end is within the antenna coverage of the transmitting end.

Optionally, the wireless power supply device 200 is a receiving end (ie, a power receiving end) of wireless power supply.

It should be understood that the antenna of the power receiving end of the wireless power supply has the function of variable position (eg, steering), which can improve the power supply efficiency by adjusting the position (eg, direction) of the antenna during the process of receiving the wireless power supply.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3 , the wirelessly powered transmitter 200 further includes a control module 230 for controlling the driving module 220 to change the position of the antenna 210.

For example, the control module 230 sends a control command to the driving module 220, and the driving module 220 changes the position of the antenna 210 according to the control command. For example, in the example described above in which the driving module 220 includes a motor and a control link, the motor receives a control command from the control module 230 and drives the control link according to the control command.

It should be understood that the driving module 220 may also support manual driving.

For example, the driving module 220 has a holding part for the user to hold, and the user can drive the driving module 220 to change the position of the antenna 210 by moving the holding part.

Optionally, in the embodiment in which the wireless power supply device 200 is the transmitter end (ie the source end) of the wireless power supply, the driving module 220 is configured to change the position of the antenna 210 through the following operations, so that the antenna 210 faces the power receiver end of the wireless power supply: :

Change the direction of the antenna 210.

For example, in the embodiment in which the transmitting end 200 includes the control module 230, the control module 230 is further configured to control the driving module 220 to change the direction of the antenna 210 according to the position of the power receiving end of the wireless power supply, so that the antenna 210 faces the power receiving end.

The location of the power receiving end mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as the spatial area to which the power receiving end belongs.

In the embodiment of the present application, the direction of the antenna of the transmitting end is changed according to the position of the receiving end, so that the antenna of the transmitting end faces the receiving end. Therefore, it can be ensured that the receiving end is within the coverage of the antenna of the transmitting end.

Optionally, the control module 230 can also control the driving module 220 to change the direction of the antenna 210 according to the user's instruction, so that the antenna 210 faces the power receiving end. As an example, a user may send instructions to the control module 230 using a remote control.

The control module 230 can select the antenna whose direction needs to be changed according to the position of the power receiving end (it is assumed that the transmitting end includes multiple antennas).

Optionally, the transmitting end 200 includes a plurality of antennas (including the antenna 210 shown in FIG. 3 ), and the control module 230 is further configured to, according to the position of the receiving end, determine the first antenna whose direction needs to be changed among the plurality of antennas; control The driving module 220 changes the direction of the first antenna so that the first antenna faces the power receiving end.

as an example. Assuming that the wireless power supply scenario includes power receiving end 1, power receiving end 2, and power receiving end 3, the arrangement orientation of different power receiving ends is different. It is assumed that the transmitting end 200 includes an antenna 1 , an antenna 2 and an antenna 3 . The control module 230 is used to, according to the position of the power receiving end 1, determine that the power is supplied wirelessly from the antenna 1 to the power receiving end 1, that is, to determine that the direction of the antenna 1 needs to be turned to the power receiving end 1; 2. Wirelessly supply power to the power receiving end 2, that is, to determine the direction of the antenna 2, it needs to turn to the power receiving end 2; according to the position of the power receiving end 3, it is determined that the wireless power supply from the antenna 3 to the power receiving end 3 is determined, that is, it is determined that the direction of the antenna 3 needs to be turned. Receiver 3. The control module 230 is also used to control the driving module 220 to change the direction of the antenna 1 to face the power receiving end 1; control the driving module 220 to change the direction of the antenna 2 to face the power receiving end 2; control the driving module 220 to change the antenna 3 direction so that it faces the receiving end 3.

As another example. As shown in FIG. 4 , an antenna 1 , an antenna 2 and an antenna 3 are arranged on the transmitting end (source end) of the wireless power supply. In the initial state of the transmitting end, the directions of the antenna 1, the antenna 2 and the antenna 3 all face below the bottom of the transmitting end. As shown in FIG. 4 , the antenna 1 , the antenna 2 and the antenna 3 may all be disposed on the bottom surface of the transmitting end, for example, on the same horizontal plane. The control module 230 is used for: acquiring the positions of the power receiving terminals (ie, the power receiving terminal 1 to the power receiving terminal n, and the power receiving terminal x-1 and the power receiving terminal x-2); detecting the power receiving terminal x-1 and the power receiving terminal x-2 If the electrical terminal x-2 is not within the coverage of the current antenna, it is determined that the direction of the antenna needs to be changed; the antenna 1 is allocated to the receiving terminal x-1, the antenna 2 is allocated to the receiving terminal x-2, and the receiving terminal 1 to the receiving terminal are allocated to the receiving terminal x-2. The terminal n is assigned to the antenna 3; the driving module 320 is controlled to change the direction of the antenna 1 to face the power receiving terminal x-1, and the driving module 320 is controlled to change the direction of the antenna 2 to face the power receiving terminal x-2.

As yet another example. As shown in FIG. 5 , an antenna 1 , an antenna 2 and an antenna 3 are arranged on the transmitting end (source end) of the wireless power supply. In the initial state of the transmitting end, the antenna 1 faces the outside of one side of the transmitting end, the antenna 2 faces the outside of the other side of the transmitting end, and the antenna 3 faces the bottom of the bottom of the transmitting end. The control module 230 is used to: obtain the position of the power receiving terminal (ie, the power receiving terminal 1 to the power receiving terminal n); detect that the current antenna 1 and the antenna 2 cannot cover the power receiving terminal, and determine that the directions of the antennas 1 and 2 need to be changed; The driving module 320 is controlled to change the direction of the antenna 1 to face the power receiving terminal 1 to the power receiving terminal n, and the driving module 320 is controlled to change the direction of the antenna 2 to face the power receiving terminal 1 to the power receiving terminal n.

Optionally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the transmitting end 200 includes a first antenna and a second antenna, the first antenna represents the antenna 210 shown in FIG. 3 , and the current direction of the first antenna is the first direction , the current direction of the second antenna is the second direction. The control module 230 is used to: determine that the first antenna needs to be turned to the second direction according to the position of the power receiving end; control the driving module 220 to change the direction of the first antenna to the second direction; control the first antenna and the second antenna to use beams Shaping technology emits energy.

Beamforming technology is a technology that propagates electromagnetic waves only in a specific direction. In the wireless power supply system, the transmitter is responsible for transmitting energy through electromagnetic waves and focusing energy through beamforming technology. Beamforming is usually achieved using an antenna array. There are multiple wave sources in the antenna array. By controlling the relative phase and amplitude of the transmitted waves of multiple wave sources, the electromagnetic wave radiation gains of multiple wave sources can be concentrated in one direction (that is, where the receiver is located), while the radiation gains of electromagnetic waves in other places are very high. little. As shown in Figure 6. Therefore, controlling the first antenna and the second antenna to transmit energy using beamforming technology means that by controlling the relative phases and amplitudes of the transmitted waves of the multiple wave sources on the first antenna and the second antenna, the first antenna and the second antenna are made to transmit energy. The electromagnetic wave radiation gain of the wave source on the second antenna is concentrated in one direction (that is, the position of the receiving end).

It should be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, by turning the first antenna in the second direction, and then controlling the first antenna and the second antenna to transmit energy using the beamforming technology, it is equivalent to expanding the number of beamforming antennas.

It should also be understood that the coverage of the beamforming technology (that is, the number of forming points) is proportional to the number of antennas, so expanding the number of antennas can improve the utilization rate of energy transmission at the transmitter, that is, the utilization rate of the antennas can be improved.

Optionally, when all the receiving ends are concentrated in the same direction, the control module 230 is used to: control the driving module 220 to change the direction of the antenna whose current direction is not in the same direction, so that all the antennas of the transmitting end 200 face the same direction. Direction; control all antennas of the transmitting end 200 to transmit energy using beamforming technology.

as an example. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , after the driving module 220 turns the antenna 1 and the antenna 2 to the direction toward the power receiving terminal 1 to the power receiving terminal n, the control module 230 is further used to: control the antenna 1 , the antenna 2 and the antenna 3. Transmit electromagnetic waves through beamforming technology.

It can be understood that, compared with performing beamforming by antenna 3 in an initial state, performing beamforming by antenna 1 , antenna 2 and antenna 3 expands the number of beamforming antennas.

Because the coverage of beamforming technology (that is, the number of forming points) is proportional to the number of antennas, expanding the number of antennas can improve the utilization rate of energy transmission at the transmitter, that is, the utilization rate of antennas can be improved.

In this embodiment, by changing the direction of the antenna at the transmitting end, more antennas or all antennas on the transmitting end can be directed in the same direction, and beamforming technology is used to transmit energy, that is, the number of beamforming antennas is expanded, so that the Improve the utilization rate of energy transmission at the transmitting end, and improve the utilization rate of the antenna at the transmitting end.

For example, when all the receiving ends are concentrated in the same direction, adjust all the antennas whose current direction of the transmitting end is not in the same direction to face the receiving end, and use beamforming technology to transmit energy, so that all the antennas on the transmitting end act as one antenna The array performs beamforming, which can better improve the utilization rate of energy transmission at the transmitting end and improve the utilization rate of the antenna at the transmitting end.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3 , the transmitting end 200 may further include a receiving module 240 for receiving the location information sent by the power receiving end. The control module 230 is configured to obtain the position information of the power receiving end from the receiving module 240, so as to control the driving module 220 to adjust the position of the antenna 210 to face the power receiving end according to the position of the power receiving end.

For example, the antenna mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be an antenna sub-array, that is, an antenna array including multiple wave sources.

For example, the wireless power supply device 200 (transmitting end, and/or power receiving end) in this embodiment of the present application includes one or more antenna sub-arrays.

The antenna sub-array can use beamforming technology to transmit electromagnetic wave energy.

Assuming that the transmitting end includes an antenna sub-array, the transmitting end can transmit electromagnetic wave energy through the antenna sub-array using beamforming technology.

Based on the above description, in the embodiment of the present application, by making the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power generation have the function of changing the position (for example, the function of turning), the position of the antenna can be dynamically adjusted so that it faces the power receiving end, so that the position of the antenna can be adjusted dynamically. In any application scenario, the transmitting capabilities of all antennas at the transmitting end can be exerted to improve antenna utilization.

as an example. FIG. 7 is an example diagram of a transmitter (source) 700 for wireless power supply provided by an embodiment of the present application. The transmitting end 700 includes a control module 710 , a receiving module 720 , a transmitting module 730 and an antenna array pool 740 .

The antenna array pool 740 includes a plurality of antenna subarrays (such as antenna subarrays 1, 2, .

For example, each antenna sub-array has a built-in driving module 220, or each antenna sub-array is connected to an external driving module 220 (the driving module 220 is not shown in FIG. 7).

The receiving module 720 is configured to receive the location information of the power receiving end.

For example, the receiving module 720 receives the location information of the power receiving terminal sent by the power receiving terminal.

For another example, the receiving module 720 receives the location information of the power receiving terminal sent by the user using the remote controller.

The control module 710 is configured to acquire the position of the power receiving end from the receiving module 720, and control one or more antenna sub-arrays in the antenna array pool 740 to change the position, for example, change the direction according to the position of the power receiving end.

Taking the control module 710 controlling the antenna sub-array 2 to change the direction as an example, the control module 710 sends a control command to the driving module 220 in the antenna sub-array 2 to drive the driving module 220 to change the direction of the antenna sub-array 2 .

The transmitting module 730 is used for selecting one or more antenna sub-arrays in the antenna array pool 740 to transmit electromagnetic waves.

The control module 710 may correspond to the control module 230 in the foregoing embodiment, and the specific description is referred to above, and details are not repeated here.

The antenna array pool 740 may correspond to the antenna 210 and the driving module 220 in the foregoing embodiments. In other words, the antenna array pool 740 may include the antenna 210 and the driving module 220 in the foregoing embodiments. For specific description, refer to the above, and details are not repeated here.

as an example. FIG. 8 is an example diagram of a power receiving terminal 800 for wireless power supply provided by an embodiment of the present application. The power receiving end 800 includes an antenna 810 , a transmitting module 820 , a receiving module 830 and an energy storage module 840 .

The sending module 820 is configured to send the location information of the power receiving end 800 to the transmitting end through the antenna 810 .

The receiving module 830 is configured to receive the electromagnetic waves emitted by the transmitting end through the antenna 810 .

The energy storage module 840 is used for storing the electromagnetic wave energy received by the receiving module 830 .

It should be understood that, according to the functions of the power receiving end 800, the power receiving end 800 may also include other functional modules.

For example, the power receiving end 800 is a sensor, and the power receiving end 800 may further include a sensing module, and may also include a corresponding control module. This application does not limit this.

As shown in FIG. 9 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless power supply system 900, including a transmitter 910 and a power receiver 920 for wireless power supply, and the directions of the antennas of the transmitter 910 and/or the power receiver 920 can be changed.

Optionally, the transmitting end 910 is configured to change the antenna of the transmitting end 910 according to the position of the power receiving end, so that the antenna faces the power receiving end.

Optionally, the transmitting end 910 includes a first antenna and a second antenna, the current direction of the first antenna is the first direction, and the current direction of the second antenna is the second direction; the transmitting end 910 is used for: according to the position of the power receiving end, It is determined that the first antenna needs to be turned to the second direction; the direction of the first antenna is changed to the second direction; the first antenna and the second antenna are controlled to transmit energy by using beamforming technology.

Optionally, all the receiving ends in the wireless power supply system are concentrated in the same direction; wherein, the transmitting end 910 is used to: change the direction of the antenna whose current direction is not in the same direction, so that all the antennas of the transmitting end 910 face the same direction; All antennas controlling wireless powered devices transmit energy using beamforming technology.

Optionally, the antenna of the transmitting end 910 includes an antenna sub-array.

Optionally, the power receiving end is used to send the location information of the power receiving end to the transmitting end 910 .

For example, the transmitter 910 is the wireless charging device 200 as the transmitter in the foregoing embodiment. For specific description, refer to the above, which will not be repeated here.

For another example, the transmitting end 910 is the transmitting end 700 in the foregoing embodiment. For specific description, refer to the above, which will not be repeated here.

For example, the power receiving terminal 920 is the power receiving terminal 800 in the foregoing embodiment. For specific description, refer to the above, which will not be repeated here.

The control module involved in each of the above embodiments may be a processing module, or implemented by a processor-related circuit.

The various embodiments described herein may be independent solutions, or may be combined according to internal logic, and these solutions all fall within the protection scope of the present application.

The apparatus embodiments provided by the present application are described above, and the method embodiments provided by the present application will be described below. It should be understood that the description of the method embodiment corresponds to the description of the apparatus embodiment. Therefore, for the content not described in detail, reference may be made to the above apparatus embodiment, which is not repeated here for brevity.

As shown in FIG. 10 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a method 1000 for wireless power supply. The method 1000 includes steps S1010 and S1020.

S1010: Acquire the position of the power receiving end of the wireless power supply.

S1020, according to the position of the power receiving end, change the position of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply, so that the antenna of the transmitting end faces the power receiving end.

Optionally, step S1020 includes: according to the position of the power receiving end, changing the direction of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply, so that the antenna of the transmitting end faces the power receiving end.

Optionally, step S1010 includes: receiving the location information sent by the power receiving end.

Optionally, in step S1010, the instruction information sent by the user using the remote control may also be received to obtain the location information of the power receiving end.

Optionally, the transmitting end includes a first antenna and a second antenna, the current direction of the first antenna is the first direction, and the current direction of the second antenna is the second direction; step S1020 includes: determining the first direction according to the position of the power receiving end The antenna needs to be turned to the second direction; the direction of the first antenna is changed to the second direction; the method 1000 further includes: controlling the first antenna and the second antenna to transmit energy using beamforming technology.

Optionally, all the receiving ends of the wireless power supply are concentrated in the same direction; step S1020 includes: changing the direction of the antenna whose current direction of the transmitting end is not in the same direction, so that all the antennas of the transmitting end face the same direction; the method 1000 further includes: All antennas controlling the transmitter transmit energy using beamforming technology.

It should be understood that the method 1000 is performed by a wirelessly powered transmitter. For example, the execution body of the method 1000 is the wireless power supply device 200 as the transmitter in the foregoing embodiment. For another example, the execution body of the method 1000 is the transmitting end 700 in the foregoing embodiment.

It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application may be applied to a scenario in which multiple nodes (power receiving ends) are wirelessly powered.

It should also be understood that the embodiments of the present application may also be applied to other technical fields, such as a smart home sensor network, an industrial measurement sensor network, an environment measurement sensor network, and the like.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used herein in the specification of the application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the application.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality using different methods for each particular application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the above-described systems, devices and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or Can be integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored, or not implemented. On the other hand, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, and may be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution in this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be embodied in the form of a software product in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including Several instructions are used to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes .

The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited to this. should be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A wireless power supply device, comprising:

the first antenna;

The driving module is used to change the position of the first antenna.
The wireless power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the driving module is configured to change the position of the first antenna through the following operations:

Change the direction of the first antenna.
The wireless power supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wireless power supply device is a transmitter of wireless power supply;

Wherein, the driving module is used to change the position of the first antenna so that the first antenna faces the receiving end of the wireless power supply.
The wireless power supply device according to claim 3, further comprising:

The control module is configured to control the driving module to change the position of the first antenna according to the position of the power receiving end, so that the first antenna faces the power receiving end.
The wireless power supply device according to claim 4, wherein the wireless power supply device further comprises a second antenna, the current direction of the first antenna is the first direction, and the current direction of the second antenna is the second direction direction;

Wherein, the control module is used for:

According to the position of the power receiving end, it is determined that the first antenna needs to be turned to the second direction;

controlling the driving module to change the direction of the first antenna to the second direction;

The first antenna and the second antenna are controlled to transmit energy using beamforming technology.
The wireless power supply device according to claim 4, wherein the control module is used for:

In the case that all the power receiving ends are concentrated in the same direction, control the driving module to change the direction of the antenna whose current direction is not in the same direction, so that all the antennas of the wireless power supply device face the same direction;

All antennas controlling the wireless powered device transmit energy using beamforming techniques.
The wireless power supply device according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the first antenna is an antenna sub-array.
The wireless power supply device according to any one of claims 3-6, further comprising:

The receiving module is used for receiving the location information sent by the power receiving end.
A wireless power supply system is characterized in that it includes a transmitter and a power receiver for wireless power supply, and the positions of the transmitter and/or the antenna of the power receiver can be changed.
The wireless power supply system according to claim 9, wherein the direction of the antenna of the transmitting end and/or the receiving end can be changed.
The wireless power supply system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the transmitting end is configured to change the position of the antenna of the transmitting end according to the position of the receiving end, so that the antenna faces the receiving end .
The wireless power supply system according to claim 11, wherein the transmitting end comprises a first antenna and a second antenna, the current direction of the first antenna is the first direction, and the current direction of the second antenna is the second direction;

The transmitter is used for:

According to the position of the power receiving end, it is determined that the first antenna needs to be turned to the second direction;

changing the direction of the first antenna to the second direction;

The first antenna and the second antenna are controlled to transmit energy using beamforming technology.
The wireless power supply system according to claim 11, wherein all power receiving terminals in the wireless power supply system are concentrated in the same direction;

Wherein, the transmitting end is used for:

changing the direction of the antenna whose current direction is not in the same direction, so that all the antennas of the transmitting end face the same direction;

All antennas controlling the wireless powered device transmit energy using beamforming techniques.
The wireless power supply system according to any one of claims 9-13, wherein the antenna at the transmitting end comprises an antenna sub-array.
The wireless power supply system according to any one of claims 9-14, wherein the power receiving end is configured to send the location information of the power receiving end to the transmitting end.
A method for wireless power supply, comprising:

Obtain the location of the receiving end of the wireless power supply;

According to the position of the power receiving end, the position of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply is changed so that the antenna of the transmitting end faces the power receiving end.
The method according to claim 16, wherein, according to the position of the power receiving end, changing the position of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply so that the antenna of the transmitting end faces the power receiving end, comprising:

According to the position of the power receiving end, the direction of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply is changed, so that the antenna of the transmitting end faces the power receiving end.
The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the transmitting end includes a first antenna and a second antenna, the current direction of the first antenna is the first direction, and the current direction of the second antenna is the second direction;

Wherein, according to the position of the power receiving end, changing the position of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply includes:

According to the position of the power receiving end, it is determined that the first antenna needs to be turned to the second direction;

changing the direction of the first antenna to the second direction;

The method also includes:

The first antenna and the second antenna are controlled to transmit energy using beamforming technology.
The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, all the receiving ends of the wireless power supply are concentrated in the same direction;

Wherein, according to the position of the power receiving end, changing the position of the antenna of the transmitting end of the wireless power supply includes:

changing the direction of the antennas whose current direction of the transmitting end is not in the same direction, so that all the antennas of the transmitting end face the same direction;

The method also includes:

All antennas controlling the transmitting end use beamforming technology to transmit energy.
The method according to any one of claims 16-19, wherein the antenna at the transmitting end comprises an antenna sub-array.
The method according to any one of claims 16-20, wherein acquiring the position of the power receiving end of the wireless power supply comprises:

Receive the location information sent by the power receiving end.