SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER

• US 20170338681A1
• Filed: 05/19/2016
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Lim, Bing Qin, Chan, Chee Kit, Kuyimbil, Murali, Lee, Wai Mun, Ooi, Lee Sun, Tan, Ying Hooi, Teoh, Wooi Ping
• Granted Patent: US 10,797,504 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• 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 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and device for wireless power transfer is provided. The device includes a plurality of charging holders positioned adjacent to each other. The method includes generating a first magnetic field using a first transmit coil in a first charging holder. The method further includes generating a second magnetic field using a second transmit coil in a second charging holder positioned adjacent to the first charging holder. The method further includes magnetically coupling the first and second magnetic field to a receive coil of a portable electronic device, wherein magnetically coupling includes transferring power from the first and second magnetic field to the receive coil of the portable electronic device, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field configured to have a synchronized phase.

Claims

1. A wireless charging system comprising:

a plurality of charging holders positioned adjacent to each other;

each charging holder including;

a first transmit coil configured to wirelessly transfer power,

a second transmit coil positioned opposite the first transmit coil and configured to wirelessly transfer power,

a shield positioned between the first transmit coil and the second transmit coil, and

a sensor configured to sense a presence of a portable electronic device on an adjacent charging holder.

2. The wireless charging system of claim 1, further comprising a base unit, wherein the plurality of charging holders are detachably mounted to the base unit.

3. The wireless charging system of claim 2, wherein the base unit includes a connector unit configured to electrically couple the charging holder to a power supply.

4. The wireless charging system of claim 3, wherein the connector unit generates a reference frequency signal adapted for phase synchronization, the reference frequency signal provided to a first and second wireless transmit power phase synchronization circuit to generate wireless transmit power for first and second transmit coils.

5. The wireless charging system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of charging holders comprise one selected from the group consisting of either or combination of a wand, a cup, and a post, configured to hold a plurality of portable devices on the charging holder.

6. The wireless charging system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one or more infrared transceiver.

7. The wireless charging system of claim 6 including:

a first infrared transceiver configured to transmit and receive an infrared signal when a portable device is placed on the charging holder, and a second infrared transceiver configured to transmit a phase synchronization signal to a first adjacent charging holder.

8. The wireless charging system of claim 7, wherein the adjacent charging holder is configured to transmit a wireless power signal having a phase substantially similar to the phase of the phase synchronization signal.

9. The wireless charging system of claim 7 further comprising:

a phase lock loop (PLL) configured to generate the wireless power signal having a phase substantially similar to the phase of the phase synchronization signal.

10. The wireless charging system of claim 1 further comprising:

a locking mechanism to secure a portable electronic device on the charging holder.

11. The wireless charging system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to communicate with at least one of the adjacent charging holders.

12. The wireless charging system of claim 11, wherein the sensor communicates with the adjacent charging holder using Alliance For Wireless Power (A4WP) protocol.

13. A method of operating a wireless charging system, the method comprising:

generating a first magnetic field using a first transmit coil in a first charging holder;

generating a second magnetic field using a second transmit coil in a second charging holder positioned adjacent to the first charging holder;

magnetically coupling the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field to a receive coil of a portable electronic device, wherein magnetically coupling includes transferring power from the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field to the receive coil of the portable electronic device, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field configured to have a synchronized phase.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing a phase synchronization signal to one or more adjacent charging holder, wherein the phase synchronization signal provides a reference signal to synchronize the phase of a wireless power signal transmitted by the one or more adjacent charging holders.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

sensing the presence of a portable electronic device on the first charging holder using an infrared transceiver to determine a signal strength of a reflected infrared signal transmitted by the charging holder.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

transmitting an infrared phase synchronization signal to at least one adjacent charging holder, wherein the infrared phase synchronization signal provides a reference signal to synchronize the phase of a wireless power signal generated by the one or more adjacent charging holders.