WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION SYSTEM

• US 20120280575A1
• Filed: 04/23/2012
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: KIM, Nam Yun, KWON, Sang Wook
• Granted Patent: US 9,502,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• 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 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A wireless power transmission method and a wireless power transmitter are provided that may selectively transmit wireless power to a plurality of target devices. According to an aspect, a wireless power transmitter may include: a detecting unit configured to detect a plurality of target devices; a controller configured to determine a plurality of resonance frequencies between a source resonator and the plurality of detected target devices and to control the plurality of resonance frequencies to transmit the power to the plurality of detected target devices; and a source resonance unit configured to transmit the power to the plurality of detected target devices.

Claims

1. A wireless power transmitter comprising:

a detecting unit configured to detect a plurality of target devices;

a controller configured to determine a plurality of resonance frequencies between a source resonator and the plurality of detected target devices and to control the plurality of resonance frequencies to transmit the power to the plurality of detected target devices; and

a source resonance unit configured to transmit the power to the plurality of detected target devices.

2. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine the plurality of resonance frequencies based on one or more coupling factors between the source resonator and the plurality of target resonators.

3. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the plurality of resonance frequencies that matches the plurality of detected target devices, to be used sequentially.

4. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control a duty cycle corresponding to a transmission period of the power, based on state information associated with the plurality of detected target devices.

5. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the power by setting an initial resonance frequency in a predetermined range corresponding to each of the plurality of detected target devices, and to receive information associated with wireless power transmission efficiency from a target device that receives the power so as to variably determine an optimal resonance frequency.

6. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine the plurality of resonance frequencies corresponding to the source resonance and the plurality of target resonances, respectively, by controlling the impedance of the source resonator to control or optimize wireless power transmission efficiency.

7. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to calculate wireless power transmission efficiency based on the power transmitted from the source resonator and power received by the plurality of detected target devices.

8. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to calculate wireless power transmission efficiency based on the power transmitted from the source resonator and power reflected from the plurality of detected target devices.

9. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive, from the plurality of detected target devices, a response signal corresponding to wake-up signal, identifications (IDs) of target resonators included in the plurality of detected target devices, IDs of the plurality of detected target devices, state information associated with the plurality of detected target devices, or any combination thereof.

10. The wireless power transmitter of claim 9, wherein the communication unit is configured to obtain, from the plurality of detected target devices, information for impedance matching between the source resonator and the plurality of detected target devices, and information for calculating wireless power transmission efficiency, through in-band communication or out-band communication.

11. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, further comprising:

a power converting unit configured to convert DC power of a predetermined level to AC power for the power based on a predetermined switching pulse signal.

12. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the detecting unit is configured to generate a wake-up signal that awakens a plurality of target devices and to detect a plurality of target devices based on a response signal in response to the wake-up signal.

13. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the source resonance unit is configured to sequentially transmit the power to the plurality of detected target devices.

14. A wireless power receiver comprising:

a target resonance unit configured to receive power from a source resonator; and

a controller configured to determine a resonance frequency between the source resonator and a target device.

15. The wireless power receiver of claim 14, wherein the target resonance unit is configured to receive, from the source resonator, the power during a predetermined duty cycle.

16. The wireless power receiver of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to control the resonance frequency between the source resonator and the target device by controlling the impedance of the target device, based on transmission efficiency of the power.

17. The wireless power receiver of claim 14, wherein the target resonance unit is configured to receive a wake-up signal from the source resonator;

and

the wireless power receiver further comprises;

a communication unit configured to transmit a response signal corresponding to the wake-up signal, a charging request signal, an identification (ID) of an awakened target device, state information associated with the awakened target device, or any combination thereof.

18. A wireless power transmission method, the method comprising:

detecting a plurality of target devices;

determining a plurality of resonance frequencies between a source resonator and the plurality of detected target devices;

controlling the plurality of resonance frequencies to transmit power to the plurality of detected target devices; and

transmitting the power to the plurality of detected target devices.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining comprises:

determining the plurality of resonance frequencies, based on distances between the source resonator and the plurality of target resonators, resonance impedances, impedance mismatching, locations of the plurality of target resonators on the source resonator, or any combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the controlling comprises:

controlling the plurality of resonance frequencies that matches the plurality of detected target devices, to be used sequentially.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the controlling comprises:

controlling a duty cycle corresponding to a transmission period of the power, based on state information associated with the plurality of detected target devices.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining comprises:

transmitting the power by setting an initial resonance frequency in a predetermined range corresponding to each of the plurality of detected target devices, and receiving information associated with wireless power transmission efficiency from a target device that receives the power so as to variably determine an optimal resonance frequency.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving, from the plurality of detected target devices, a response signal corresponding to the wake-up signal, identifications (IDs) of target resonators included in the plurality of detected target devices, IDs of the plurality of target devices, state information associated with the plurality of target devices, or any combination thereof.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein detecting a plurality of target devices comprising receiving a response signal corresponding to a wake-up signal that awakens the plurality of target devices.

25. A wireless power reception method, the method comprising:

receiving power from a source resonator; and

determining a resonance frequency between the source resonator and a target device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the receiving comprises:

receiving, from the source resonator, the power during a predetermined duty cycle.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the determining comprises:

determining the resonance frequency between the source resonator and the target device, based on transmission efficiency of the power.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving, from the source resonator, a wake-up signal;

transmitting a response signal corresponding to the wake-up signal, a charging request signal, an identification (ID) of an awakened target device, state information associated with the awakened target device, or any combination thereof.