Inductive power transfer for wireless sensor systems inside a tire

• US 9,199,516 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2010
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Jansen, Gerardus Lucien Mathildus
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ortiz, Elim
• Application Number:
  US13/319,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20120049620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,036 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/041 Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0413 Wireless charging of active radio frequency circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0452 Antenna structure, control or arrangement vehicle tyre mounted antennas H01Q1/2241
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• 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 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/73 for taking measurements, e.g. using sensing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A system for inductive power transfer comprises: a send coil for transmitting power, a receive coil for receiving the power by induction, wherein the receive coil is moveable with respect to the send coil. The system further comprises a communication path from the receive coil to the send coil for only turning on the send coil in case that the receive coil is in close proximity.

Claims

1. A system for inductive power transfer comprising:

a send coil transmitting power,

a receive coil receiving the power by induction, the receive coil being positioned along an inside surface of a tire, wherein the receive coil having a variable position with respect to the send coil, the position varying as the receive coil rotates with respect to the send coil from a minimum distance between the receive coil and the send coil to a maximum distance,

a first communication path formed between the receive coil and the send coil, the first communication path providing a path for transmitting power to the receive coil; and

a second communication path formed between the receive coil and the send coil, the second communication path providing a path for a feedback signal to the send coil,

wherein the send coil determines a measure of the feedback signal and transmits a full burst of power on the first communication path in response to the feedback signal being of sufficient power, the feedback signal being of sufficient power within an angular alignment window about the minimum distance between the receive coil and the send coil.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication path comprises anRF-link.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein a trajectory of the receive coil forms a substantially circular-shape.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the send coil is mounting on a vehicle.

5. A vehicle comprising:

at least one tire; and

a system comprising;

a send coil transmitting power,

a receive coil receiving the power by induction, the receive coil being positioned along an inner surface of an outer edge of the at least one tire, the receiving coil having a position varying in a circular manner with respect to the send coil as the at least one tire rotates, the position varying as the receive coil rotates with respect to the send coil from a minimum distance between the receive coil and the send coil to a maximum distance,

a communication path from the receive coil to the send coil, the receive coil providing a feedback signal responsive to a test burst from the send coil, wherein the send coil determines a power of the feedback signal and provides a full burst of transmitting power in response to the feedback signal being of sufficient power, the feedback signal of sufficient power being generated when the receive coil is within an angular alignment window about the minimum distance.

6. A tire comprising:

a sensor providing a physical signal associated with a power; and

a receive coil, positioned on an inner surface of the tire and having a position varying in a circular motion with respect to a source of the physical signal as the at least one tire rotates, the position varying as the receive coil rotates with respect to the send coil from a minimum distance to a maximum distance between the receive coil and the send coil;

receiving the power by induction, and

providing a feedback signal to the source of the physical signal, wherein the sensor determines a power of the feedback signal and provides a full burst of the physical signal to the receive coil when the feedback signal is of sufficient power, the feedback signal being of sufficient power when the receive coil is within a window of angular alignment with the source about the minimum distance between the receive coil and the sensor.