Apparatus and method for detecting foreign objects in wireless power transmission system

• US 10,439,445 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2017
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Jung, Chun-Kil, Hong, Sug Ky
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shiao, David A
• Application Number:
  US15/701,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20170373542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for detecting foreign objects in a wireless power transmission system. This specification provides a wireless power reception apparatus for detecting foreign objects, including a power measurement unit for generating required power information indicative of required power for the wireless power reception apparatus, sending the required power information to a wireless power transmission apparatus, and measuring power induced from the wireless power transmission apparatus and a secondary coil for receiving the power induced from the wireless power transmission apparatus. In accordance with the present invention, foreign objects intervened between the wireless power transmission apparatus and the wireless power reception apparatus are recognized, and a user removes the foreign objects. Accordingly, damage to a device attributable to foreign objects can be prevented.

Claims

1. A wireless power reception apparatus, comprising:

a secondary coil configured to receive a wireless power from a primary coil included in a wireless power transmission apparatus; and

a power measurement circuit configured to send, to the wireless power transmission apparatus, power information indicative of an amount of power requested by the wireless power reception apparatus,

wherein the power measurement circuit of the wireless power reception apparatus is further configured to;

measure one or more measured power values indicative of an amount of power received from the wireless power transmission apparatus after sending the power information indicative of the amount of power requested;

determine that a foreign object has been detected based on a comparison of the amount of power requested and the one or more measured power values; and

inform the wireless power transmission apparatus to stop or suspend the transmission of wireless power in response to determining that the foreign object has been detected.

2. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power measurement circuit is further configured to send an indication to the wireless power transmission apparatus regarding whether the foreign object is detected or not.

3. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power measurement circuit is further configured to:

determine a difference value based on the comparison of the amount of power requested and the one or more measured power values during a predetermined time; and

generate a reception power measurement result based on a difference between the difference value and a threshold.

4. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power measurement circuit is further configured to send the reception power measurement result to the wireless power transmission apparatus.

5. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 3, wherein the reception power measurement result comprises a determination of whether the difference value is greater than, equal to, or smaller than the threshold.

6. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary coil is magnetically or resonantly coupled with the primary coil.

7. The wireless power reception apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power measurement circuit is further configured to inform the wireless power transmission apparatus to stop or suspend the transmission of wireless power includes the power measurement circuit configured to send a foreign object detection (FOD) declaration.