Methods for detecting mated coils
First Claim
1. A transmitter of a power transfer system the transmitter comprising:
- a sensor configured to detect absence of a receiver, the sensor comprising a strain sensor mechanically coupled to an alignment magnet configured to attract the receiver;
a transmit coil;
a power supply coupled to the transmit coil and operable in;
a sustained power transmit mode associated with a first output of the sensor that corresponds to a detected alignment between the transmit coil and a receive coil associated with the receiver; and
an intermittent power transmit mode associated with a second output of the sensor that corresponds to absence of the receiver;
whereinthe first output is different from the second output.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for improved efficiency when an inductive power transmitter associated with an inductive power transfer system experiences a low-load or no-load condition. More particularly, methods and systems for detecting when an inductive power receiver is absent or poorly connected to an inductive power transmitter. The inductive power transmitter includes, in one example, a current peak monitor coupled to an inductive power transmit coil. The current peak monitor waits for a current peak resulting from spatial displacement of a magnetic field source within the inductive power receiver, indicating to the inductive power transmitter that the inductive power receiver is moving, or has moved, toward the inductive power transmitter. Other examples include one or more Hall effect sensors within the inductive power transmitter to monitor for the magnetic field source of the inductive power receiver.
179 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A transmitter of a power transfer system the transmitter comprising:
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a sensor configured to detect absence of a receiver, the sensor comprising a strain sensor mechanically coupled to an alignment magnet configured to attract the receiver; a transmit coil; a power supply coupled to the transmit coil and operable in; a sustained power transmit mode associated with a first output of the sensor that corresponds to a detected alignment between the transmit coil and a receive coil associated with the receiver; and an intermittent power transmit mode associated with a second output of the sensor that corresponds to absence of the receiver;
whereinthe first output is different from the second output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A power transfer system comprising:
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an inductive power receiver comprising a receive coil; an inductive power mat comprising; a housing defining a surface configured to receive the inductive power receiver; a transmit coil positioned below the surface; a sensor positioned below the surface and configured to detect alignment of the inductive power receiver relative to the surface, the sensor comprising a permanent magnet and a strain sensor mechanically coupled to the permanent magnet; and a processor coupled to the transmit coil and the sensor; and a power supply in communication with the processor and operable in a sustained power transmit mode, an intermittent power transmit mode, and an inactive mode;
whereinthe inactive mode is associated with a first output of the sensor that corresponds to absence of the receiver; the intermittent power transmit mode is associated with a second output of the sensor that corresponds to possible presence of the receiver; and the sustained power transmit mode is associated with a third output of the sensor that corresponds to a detected alignment between the transmit coil and the receive coil. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method of activating transmit circuitry within a transmitter of an inductive power transfer system, the method comprising:
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receiving a signal from a strain sensor coupled to a permanent magnet, the signal corresponding to a condition that the permanent magnet is attracted to an object; determining whether the object is associated with a receiver device of the inductive power transfer system; verifying that the receiver device is ready to receive power; activating the transmit circuitry; and activating a sustained power transmission mode of the transmit circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification