Method for preventing abnormality during wireless charging

• US 10,623,060 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2017
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Government Of The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Kyung-Woo, Jung, Hee-Won, Song, Keum-Su
• Primary Examiner(s): Muralidar, Richard V
• Application Number:
  US15/720,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20180041254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• 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 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• 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 7/0029 with safety or protection devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A method of preventing an abnormality during wireless charging is provided. The method includes transmitting wireless charging power to a plurality of wireless power receivers based on a first power value determined according to a first mode by a wireless power transmitter, determining whether the wireless power transmitter or at least one of the plurality of wireless power receivers satisfies an abnormality occurrence condition, and if the abnormality occurrence condition is satisfied, transmitting wireless charging power to the plurality of wireless power receivers based on a second power value determined according to a second mode by the wireless power transmitter.

Claims

1. A control method of a wireless power transmitter, the method comprising:

transmitting power to a plurality of wireless power receivers based on a first power value required by a first wireless power receiver;

before reaching a threshold condition in which a system error occurs in the wireless power transmitter, selecting a second wireless power receiver among the plurality of wireless power receivers; and

transmitting power to the plurality of wireless power receivers based on a second power value required by the second wireless power receiver,

wherein the system error comprises at least one of an over-temperature error, an over-current error, and an over-voltage error.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a command to

reduce the power to a predetermined level.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined level comprises a lower percentage of maximum received power level of the plurality of wireless power receivers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the system error is based on a measured voltage value exceeding a predetermined value.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the system error is based on a measured current value exceeding a predetermined value.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the system error is based on a measured temperature value exceeding a predetermined value.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the command is a control command for reducing power consumption of the plurality of wireless power receivers.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the command is transmitted in a Power Receiving Unit (PRU) control signal.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that an abnormality is expected to occur before reaching the system error.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining that the abnormality is expected to occur comprises:

determining at least one of a voltage value, a current value, and a temperature value in the wireless power transmitter; and

when the determined value falls within the threshold range indicating that the determined value approaches an error threshold set for determining the system error, determining that the abnormality is expected to occur.

11. A wireless power transmitter for wirelessly charging a plurality of wireless power receivers, the wireless power transmitter comprising:

a power transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit power to the plurality of wireless power receivers based on a first power value required by a first wireless power receiver;

a communication unit configured to transmit a signal to the plurality of wireless power receivers; and

a controller configured to;

before reaching a threshold condition in which a system error occurs in the wireless power transmitter, select a second wireless power receiver among the plurality of wireless power receivers; and

control the power transmitter to transmit power to the plurality of wireless power receivers based on a second power value required by the second wireless power receiver,

wherein the system error comprises at least one of an over-temperature error, an over-current error, and an over-voltage error.

12. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a command to reduce the power to a predetermined level.

13. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein the predetermined level comprises a lower percentage of maximum received power level of the plurality of wireless power receivers.

14. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the system error is based on a measured voltage value exceeding a predetermined value.

15. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the system error is based on a measured current value exceeding a predetermined value.

16. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the system error is based on a measured temperature value exceeding a predetermined value.

17. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein the command is a control command for reducing power consumption of the plurality of wireless power receivers.

18. The wireless power transmitter of claim 12, wherein the command is transmitted in a Power Receiving Unit (PRU) control signal.

19. The wireless power transmitter of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to determine that an abnormality is expected to occur before reaching the system error.

20. The wireless power transmitter of claim 19, wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine at least one of a voltage value, a current value, and a temperature value in the wireless power transmitter; and

when the determined value falls within the threshold range indicating that the determined value approaches an error threshold set for determining the system error, determine that the abnormality is expected to occur.