Wireless power transmission and reception system

• US 9,502,925 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2012
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Nam Yun, Kwon, Sang Wook
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Duc M
• Application Number:
  US13/453,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20120280575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,674 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

a source resonance unit configured to transmit power of the determined plurality of resonance frequencies to the plurality of detected target devices,

wherein the controller is further configured to;

assign duty cycles to the plurality of detected target devices, each of the duty cycles corresponding to each of the plurality of detected target devices,

control the source resonance unit to transmit the power to the plurality of detected target devices based on the duty cycles, and

adjust an amount of the power by adjusting the duty cycles based on state information of thebplurality 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 the duty cycles 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. The wireless power transmitter of claim 1, wherein the state information includes at least one of a charging level of a target device, a load suddenly applied to a target device and a power request from a user.

15. A wireless power receiver comprising:

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

a controller configured to determine a resonance frequency between the source resonator and the wireless power receiver,

wherein the target resonance unit configured to receive, from the source resonator, the power of the determined resonance frequency during a duty cycle assigned to the wireless power receiver, and

wherein an amount of the power is adjusted based on an adjustment of the duty cycle according to state information of the wireless power receiver.

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

17. The wireless power receiver of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to control the resonance frequency between the source resonator and the wireless power receiver by controlling the impedance of the wireless power receiver, based on transmission efficiency of the power.

18. The wireless power receiver of claim 15, wherein the target resonance unit is configured to receive a wake-up signal from the wireless power transmitter;

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 wireless power receiver, state information associated with the awakened wireless power receiver, or any combination thereof.

19. 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;

assigning duty cycles to the plurality of detected target devices, each of the duty cycles corresponding to each of the plurality of detected target devices;

transmitting the power of the determined plurality of resonance frequencies to the plurality of detected target devices based on the duty cycles; and

adjusting adjust an amount of the power by adjusting the duty cycles based on state information of the plurality of detected target devices.

20. The method of claim 19, 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.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the controlling comprises:

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

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the controlling comprises:

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

23. The method of claim 19, 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.

24. The method of claim 19, 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.

25. The method of claim 19, 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.

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

determining a resonance frequency between a source resonator and a wireless power receiver; and

receiving, from the source resonator, power of the determined resonance frequency during a duty cycle assigned to the wireless power receiver,

wherein an amount of the power is adjusted based on an adjustment of the duty cycle according to state information of the wireless power receiver.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the determining comprises:

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

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

receiving, from the wireless power transmitter, a wake-up signal;

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