WIRELESS INDUCTIVE POWER TRANSFER

• US 20170279305A1
• Filed: 10/13/2015
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: STARING, Antonius Adriaan Maria, VAN WAGENINGEN, Andries
• Granted Patent: US 10,439,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 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: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A wireless power transfer system comprises a power transmitter generating a wireless power signal providing power to a plurality of power receivers (105, 109). The power transmitter (101) comprises a receiver (203) receiving data messages from the power receivers (105, 109) on a load modulation channel divided into time slots. A time slot processor (205) allocates time slots as dedicated time slots for individual power receivers or as common time slots for load modulation by any power receiver (105, 109). An identity controller (207) links a temporary identity to each of the power receivers (105) and a message processor (209) determines the source power receiver for messages in response to temporary identity information in the messages. Specifically, the message processor (209) determines the source for a first message received in a common time slot as the first power receiver (105) if the temporary identity information in the first message is indicative of a temporary identity assigned to the first power receiver (105).

Claims

1. A power transmitter for a wireless power transfer system, the power transmitter comprising:

at least one transmit inductor arranged to generate a wireless inductive power signal for providing power to a plurality of power receivers powered by the power transmitter;

a receiver for receiving data messages on a load modulation channel for load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal by the plurality of power receivers, the load modulation channel being divided into time slot frames with each time slot frame comprising a set of time slots;

a time slot processor arranged to allocate time slots of the set of time slots to the plurality of power receivers, the time slot allocator being arranged to allocate each time slot of a first set of time slots as dedicated time slots for power receivers of the plurality of power receivers, and time slots of a second set of time slots as common time slots available for load modulation by any power receiver of the plurality of power receivers;

an identity controller for linking a temporary identity to each of the plurality of power receivers, the temporary identity being different for each power receiver of the plurality of power receivers; and

a message processor arranged to determine a source power receiver for messages from the plurality of power receivers in response to temporary identity information in the messages;

wherein

the identity controller is arranged to assign a first temporary identity to a first power receiver of the plurality of power receivers, the first power receiver being allocated a first dedicated time slot; and

the message processor is arranged to determine the source power receiver for a first message received in a common time slot as the first power receiver in response to the temporary identity information in the first message being indicative of the first temporary identity.

2. The power transmitter of claim 1 wherein the first temporary identity comprises an indication of the first dedicated time slot.

3. The power transmitter of claim 1 wherein

the time slot processor is arranged to assign a set of common time slots to the first power receiver in response to receiving the first message;

and

the message processor is arranged to determine the first power receiver as the source power receiver for load modulation messages received in the set of common time slots.

4. The power transmitter of claim 3 wherein the message processor is arranged to determine the first power receiver as the source power receiver for at least one load modulation message received in the set of common time slots and not comprising temporary identity information indicative of the first temporary identity.

5. The power transmitter of claim 3 wherein at least one of the messages received in the set of common time slots includes temporary identity information indicative of the first temporary identity.

6. The power transmitter of claim 1 wherein the first message is a request message requesting the power transmitter to enter a parameter setting mode for setting of an operational parameter for the power transfer to the source power receiver;

and the power transmitter comprises;

a setting processor arranged to adapt the parameter setting mode to set parameters for the source power receiver.

7. The power transmitter of claim 6 wherein a set of message types are specific to the parameter setting mode;

and the message processor is arranged to associate received messages of a type belonging to the set of message types to the source power receiver when the parameter setting mode is active.

8. The power transmitter of claim 6 wherein the power transmitter is arranged to reject a request to enter a parameter setting mode for a second power receiver if the power transmitter is operating in a parameter setting mode for the first power receiver.

9. The power transmitter of claim 1 wherein the identity controller is arranged to terminate the link between the first temporary identity and the first power receiver in response to at least one of:

a detection of no messages being received from the first power receiver in a set of time slots meeting a criterion;

a power transfer termination message being received from the first power receiver;

a termination of a power transfer session to the first power receiver; and

a release of a dedicated time slot for the first power receiver.

10. A power receiver for a wireless power transfer system including a power transmitter arranged to provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers via a wireless inductive power signal generated by at least one transmit inductor of the power transmitter;

the power receiver comprising;

at least one receive inductor arranged to extract power from the wireless inductive power signal;

a transmitter for transmitting data messages to the power transmitter by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal;

a time slot controller arranged to control the transmitter to transmit the data messages in either dedicated time slots assigned to the power receiver or in common time slots available for load modulation by any power receiver of the plurality of power receivers;

a message generator arranged to include temporary identity information indicative of a first temporary identity assigned to the power receiver in at least one data message transmitted in a common time slot.

11. The power receiver of claim 10 wherein the temporary identity is indicative of a dedicated time slot assigned to the power receiver.

12. A wireless power transfer system comprising a power transmitter arranged to provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers via a wireless inductive power signal, wherein the power transmitter comprises:

at least one transmit inductor arranged to the a wireless inductive power signal,

a receiver for receiving data messages on a load modulation channel for load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal by the plurality of power receivers, the load modulation channel being divided into time slot frames with each time slot frame comprising a set of time slots,

a time slot processor arranged to allocate time slots of the set of time slots to the plurality of power receivers, the time slot allocator being arranged to allocate each time slot of a first set of time slots as dedicated time slots for power receivers of the plurality of power receivers, and time slots of a second set of time slots as common time slots available for load modulation by any power receiver of the plurality of power receivers,

an identity controller for linking a temporary identity to each of the plurality of power receivers, the temporary identity being different for each power receiver of the plurality of power receivers, and

a message processor arranged to determine a source power receiver for messages from the plurality of power receivers in response to temporary identity information in the messages, and

the identity controller is arranged to assign a first temporary identity to a first power receiver of the plurality of power receivers, the first power receiver being allocated a first dedicated time slot, and

the message processor is arranged to determine the source power receiver for a first message received in a common time slot as the first power receiver in response to the temporary identity information in the first message being indicative of the first temporary identity; and

at least one power receiver of the plurality of power receivers comprises;

at least one receive inductor arranged to extract power from the wireless inductive power signal,

a transmitter for transmitting data messages to the power transmitter by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal,

a time slot controller arranged to control the transmitter to transmit the data messages in either dedicated time slots assigned to the power receiver or in common time slots available for load modulation by any power receiver of the plurality of power receivers, and

a message generator arranged to include temporary identity information indicative of a first temporary identity assigned to the power receiver in at least one data message transmitted in a common time slot.

13. A method of operation for a power transmitter of a wireless power transfer system, the method comprising:

generating a wireless inductive power signal for providing power to a plurality of power receivers powered by the power transmitter;

receiving data messages on a load modulation channel for load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal by the plurality of power receivers, the load modulation channel being divided into time slot frames with each time slot frame comprising a set of time slots;

allocating time slots of the set of time slots to the plurality of power receivers, the time slot allocator being arranged to allocate each time slot of a first set of time slots as dedicated time slots for power receivers of the plurality of power receivers, and time slots of a second set of time slots as common time slots available for load modulation by any power receiver of the plurality of power receivers;

linking a temporary identity to each of the plurality of power receivers, the temporary identity being different for each power receiver of the plurality of power receivers; and

determining a source power receiver for messages from the plurality of power receivers in response to temporary identity information in the messages;

wherein

the linking comprises linking a first temporary identity to a first power receiver of the plurality of power receivers, the first power receiver being allocated a first dedicated time slot; and

the determining of the source power receiver comprises determining the source power receiver for a first message received in a common time slot as the first power receiver in response to the temporary identity information in the first message being indicative of the first temporary identity.

14. A method of operation for a power receiver of a wireless power transfer system further including a power transmitter arranged to provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers via a wireless inductive power signal generated by at least one transmit inductor of the power transmitter;

the method comprising;

extracting power from the wireless inductive power signal;

transmitting data messages to the power transmitter by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal;

controlling the transmitter to transmit the data messages in either dedicated time slots assigned to the power receiver or in common time slots available for load modulation by any power receiver of the plurality of power receivers; and

including temporary identity information indicative of a first temporary identity assigned to the power receiver in at least one data message transmitted in a common time slot.

15. A method of operation for a wireless power transfer system comprising a power transmitter arranged to provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers via a wireless inductive power signal, the method comprising:

the power transmitter performing the steps of;

generating the wireless inductive power signal for providing power to a plurality of power receivers powered by the power transmitter;

receiving data messages on a load modulation channel for load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal by the plurality of power receivers, the load modulation channel being divided into time slot frames with each time slot frame comprising a set of time slots;

allocating time slots of the set of time slots to the plurality of power receivers, the time slot allocator being arranged to allocate each time slot of a first set of time slots as dedicated time slots for power receivers of the plurality of power receivers, and time slots of a second set of time slots as common time slots available for load modulation by any power receiver of the plurality of power receivers;

linking a temporary identity to each of the plurality of power receivers, the temporary identity being different for each power receiver of the plurality of power receivers; and

determining a source power receiver for messages from the plurality of power receivers in response to temporary identity information in the messages;

wherein

the linking comprises linking a first temporary identity to a first power receiver of the plurality of power receivers, the first power receiver being allocated a first dedicated time slot; and

the determining of the source power receiver comprises determining the source power receiver for a first message received in a common time slot as the first power receiver in response to the temporary identity information in the first message being indicative of the first temporary identity;

and at least the first power receiver performing the steps of;

extracting power from the wireless inductive power signal;

transmitting data messages to the power transmitter by load modulation of the wireless inductive power signal;

controlling the transmitter to transmit the data messages in either dedicated time slots assigned to the power receiver or in common time slots available for load modulation by any power receiver of the plurality of power receivers; and

including temporary identity information indicative of a first temporary identity assigned to the power receiver in at least one data message transmitted in a common time slot.