U.S. patent application number 15/400348 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-27 for wireless power transmission system, and method of controlling transmission and reception of resonance power.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jin Sung CHOI, Young Tack HONG, Dong Zo KIM, Nam Yun KIM, Sang Wook KWON, Eun Seok PARK, Yun Kwon PARK, Young Ho RYU.
Application Number | 20170117743 15/400348 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46018930 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170117743 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Nam Yun ; et
al. |
April 27, 2017 |
WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING
TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION OF RESONANCE POWER
Abstract
A resonance power transmission system, and a method of
controlling transmission and reception of a resonance power are
provided. According to one embodiment, a method of controlling
resonance power transmission in a resonance power transmitter may
include: transmitting resonance power to a resonance power
receiver, the resonance power having resonance frequencies which
vary with respect to a plurality of time intervals; and receiving,
from the resonance power receiver, information regarding the
resonance frequency having the highest power transmission
efficiency among the resonance frequencies used in the time
intervals.
Inventors: |
KIM; Nam Yun; (Seoul,
KR) ; KWON; Sang Wook; (Seongnam-si, KR) ;
PARK; Yun Kwon; (Dongducheon-si, KR) ; PARK; Eun
Seok; (Yongin-si, KR) ; HONG; Young Tack;
(Seongnam-si, KR) ; RYU; Young Ho; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; KIM; Dong Zo; (Yongin-si, KR) ; CHOI;
Jin Sung; (Gimpo-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
46018930 |
Appl. No.: |
15/400348 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
14967521 |
Dec 14, 2015 |
9543766 |
|
|
15400348 |
|
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|
13293435 |
Nov 10, 2011 |
9214818 |
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14967521 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 50/40 20160201;
H02J 50/12 20160201; H02J 7/027 20130101; H02J 7/025 20130101; H02J
50/80 20160201 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/02 20060101
H02J007/02; H02J 50/80 20060101 H02J050/80; H02J 50/40 20060101
H02J050/40; H02J 50/12 20060101 H02J050/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 10, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0111304 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling wireless power reception performed at an
electronic device, the method comprising: receiving a first
plurality of wireless power signals from a power transmitting
device, wherein each of the first plurality of wireless power
signals is received in a respective time interval among a plurality
of time intervals, transmitting information about each of the first
plurality of wireless power signals to the power transmitting
device; receiving a second wireless power signal from the power
transmitting device, wherein the second wireless power signal is
generated based on the information about each of the first
plurality of wireless power signals; and charging the electronic
device with the received second wireless power signal.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising; transmitting, to the
power transmitting device, a report message comprising a charging
status of the electronic device and an identifier of the electronic
device.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining whether a
charging of the electronic device is completed; and based on the
charging of the electronic device being completed, notifying the
power transmitting device of the completion of the charging of the
electronic device.
4. A method of controlling wireless power transmission performed by
a power transmitting device, the method comprising: transmitting a
first plurality of wireless power signals to an electronic device,
wherein each of the first plurality of wireless power signals is
transmitted in a respective time interval among a plurality of time
intervals, receiving, from the electronic device, information about
each of the first wireless power signals received by the electronic
device; and transmitting a second wireless power signal to the
electronic device, wherein the second wireless power signal is
generated based on the information about each of the first
plurality of wireless power signals.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receiving, from the
electronic device, a report message comprising a charging status of
the electronic device and an identifier of the electronic
device.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: determining that the
electronic device does not exist, based on the report message from
the electronic device not being received within the predetermined
period of time.
7. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receiving, from the
electronic device, a notification indicating the completion of the
charging of the electronic device.
8. An electronic device comprising: a receiver configured to
receive a wireless power signal transmitted from a power
transmitting device; a communication unit configured to communicate
with the power transmitting device; and a controller configured to:
control to receive, through the receiver, a first plurality of
wireless power signals transmitted from the power transmitting
device, wherein each of the first plurality of wireless power
signals is received in a respective time interval among a plurality
of time intervals, control to transmit, to the communication unit,
and to the power transmitting device, information about each of the
first plurality of wireless power signals, control to receive,
through the receiver, a second wireless power signal transmitted
from the power transmitting device, wherein the second wireless
power signal is generated based on the information about each of
the first plurality of wireless power signals, and control to
charge the electronic device with the received second wireless
power signal.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the controller is
further configured to control to transmit, to the communication
unit, a report message comprising a charging status of the
electronic device and an identifier of the electronic device.
10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the controller is
further configured to: control to determine whether a charging of
the electronic device is completed, and notify the power
transmitting device of the completion of the charging of the
electronic device, based on the charging of the electronic device
being completed.
11. A power transmitting device comprising: a transmitter
configured to transmit a wireless power signal to an electronic
device; a communication unit configured to communicate with the
electronic device; and a controller configured to: control to
transmit, through the transmitter, a first plurality of wireless
power signals to a power receiving device, wherein each of the
first plurality of wireless power signals is transmitted in a
respective time interval among a plurality of time intervals,
control to receive, from the communication unit, information about
each of the first plurality of wireless power signals received by
the communication unit from the electronic device, control to
generate a second wireless power signal, based on the received
information about each of the first plurality of wireless power
signals, and control to transmit, through the transmitter, the
second wireless power signal to the electronic device.
12. The power transmitting device of claim 11, wherein the
controller is further configured to control to receive a report
message from the electronic device within a predetermined period of
time, the report message comprising a charging status of the
electronic device and an identifier of the electronic device.
13. The power transmitting device of claim 12, wherein the
controller is further configured to control to determine that the
electronic device does not exist, based on the report message from
the electronic device not being received within the predetermined
period of time.
14. The power transmitting device of claim 11, wherein the
controller is further configured to control to receive, from the
electronic device, a notification indicating a completion of the
charging of the electronic device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE PTO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/967,521, filed Dec. 14, 2015 which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/293,435, filed
Nov. 10, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 9,214,818, issued Dec. 15, 2015, which
claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2010-0111304, filed on Nov. 10, 2010, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of
which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The following description relates to wireless power
transmission.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Resonance power refers to a type of electromagnetic energy
that is wirelessly transmitted. A typical resonance power
transmission system includes a source electronic device and a
target electronic device. The resonance power may be transferred
from the source electronic device to the target electronic device.
More particularly, the source electronic device may transmit
resonance power, and the target electronic device may receive the
resonance power. The source electronic device and the target
electronic device may be referred to as a resonance power
transmitter and a resonance power receiver, respectively.
[0006] Due to characteristics of a wireless environment, the
distance between a source resonator and a target resonator may be
highly likely to vary over time, and matching requirements to match
the source resonator and the target resonator may also change.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to one aspect, a method of controlling resonance
power transmission in a resonance power transmitter may include:
transmitting resonance power to a resonance power receiver, the
resonance power having resonance frequencies which vary with
respect to a plurality of time intervals; and receiving, from the
resonance power receiver, information regarding the resonance
frequency having a highest power transmission efficiency among the
resonance frequencies used in the time intervals.
[0008] The method may further include: detecting the resonance
power receiver. The detecting may include: receiving an identifier
(ID) of the resonance power receiver; and recognizing the resonance
power receiver based on the received ID.
[0009] The method may further include: notifying the resonance
power receiver of the resonance frequencies used in the time
intervals, and of a power amount of the resonance power transmitted
in one or more of the time intervals.
[0010] The method my further include: generating the resonance
power using the resonance frequency having the highest power
transmission efficiency; and transmitting the generated resonance
power to the resonance power receiver.
[0011] One or more of the resonance frequencies used in the time
intervals may be determined by scanning a frequency characteristic
of a reflected wave, determined based on a channel of a
predetermined width, or randomly determined in a predetermined
bandwidth.
[0012] The time intervals may include preset or predetermined time
intervals.
[0013] According to another aspect, a method of controlling
resonance power transmission in a resonance power transmitter may
include: determining an order of a plurality of resonance power
receivers; transmitting first resonance power to a first resonance
power receiver of the plurality of resonance power receivers based
on the determined order, the first resonance power having resonance
frequencies which vary for a plurality of time intervals;
receiving a first resonance frequency from the first resonance
power receiver, the first resonance frequency having the highest
power transmission efficiency for the first resonance power
receiver among resonance frequencies used in the time intervals;
transmitting second resonance power to a second resonance power
receiver of the plurality of resonance power receivers based on the
determined order, the second resonance power having a resonance
frequency variable for of time intervals; and receiving a second
resonance frequency from the second resonance power receiver, the
second resonance frequency having the highest power transmission
efficiency for the second resonance power receiver among the
resonance frequencies used in the time intervals.
[0014] The method may further include: detecting the plurality of
resonance power receivers.
[0015] The method may further include: generating the first
resonance power using the first resonance frequency, and
transmitting the first resonance power generated using the first
resonance frequency to the first resonance power receiver in a
first time interval; and generating the second resonance power
using the second resonance frequency, and transmitting the second
resonance power generated using the second resonance frequency to
the second resonance power receiver in a second time interval.
[0016] The method may further include: generating the first
resonance power using the first resonance frequency, and
transmitting the first resonance power generated using the first
resonance frequency to the first resonance power receiver;
determining whether charging of the first resonance power receiver
is completed; and generating the second resonance power using the
second resonance frequency, and transmitting the second resonance
power generated using the second resonance frequency to the second
resonance power receiver, when the charging of the first resonance
power receiver is completed.
[0017] The method may further include: generating the first
resonance power using the first resonance frequency, and
transmitting the first resonance power generated using the first
resonance frequency to the first resonance power receiver;
determining whether a report message is received from the first
resonance power receiver within a predetermined period of time; and
generating the second resonance power using the second resonance
frequency, and transmitting the second resonance power generated
using the second resonance frequency to the second resonance power
receiver, when the report message is not received within the
predetermined period of time.
[0018] One or more of the resonance frequencies used in the time
intervals may be determined by scanning a frequency characteristic
of a reflected wave, determined based on a channel of a
predetermined width, or randomly determined in a predetermined
bandwidth.
[0019] According to yet another aspect, a method of controlling
resonance power reception in a resonance power receiver may
include: receiving resonance power from the resonance power
transmitter, the resonance power having resonance frequencies which
vary for a plurality of time intervals; receiving information
regarding resonance frequencies used in the time intervals;
detecting a resonance frequency having the highest power
transmission efficiency among the resonance frequencies used in the
time intervals; and notifying the resonance power transmitter of
the detected resonance frequency.
[0020] The method may further include: receiving, from the
resonance power transmitter, resonance power generated using the
detected resonance frequency.
[0021] The method may further include: determining whether charging
of the resonance power receiver is completed; and notifying the
resonance power transmitter of a completion of the charging of the
resonance power receiver, when the charging of the resonance power
receiver is completed.
[0022] According to still another aspect, a resonance power
transmitter may include: a resonance power generator configured to
generate the resonance power, wherein resonance frequencies of the
resonance power vary for a plurality of time intervals; and a
source resonator configured to transmit the resonance power to a
resonance power receiver; a communication unit configured to
receive, from the resonance power receiver, information regarding
the resonance frequency having the highest power transmission
efficiency among the resonance frequencies used in the time
intervals.
[0023] The resonance power transmitter may further include: a
detector configured to detect the resonance power receiver.
[0024] The resonance power generator may be configured to generate
the resonance power using the resonance frequency having the
highest power transmission efficiency, and the source resonator may
be configured to transmit the generated resonance power to the
resonance power receiver.
[0025] One or more of the resonance frequencies used in the time
intervals may be determined by scanning a frequency characteristic
of a reflected wave, determined based on a channel of a
predetermined width, or randomly determined in a predetermined
bandwidth.
[0026] According to a further aspect, a resonance power receiver
may include: a target resonator configured to receive resonance
power from a resonance power transmitter, the resonance power
having resonance frequencies which vary for a plurality of time
intervals; a communication unit configured to receive information
regarding the resonance frequencies used in the time intervals; and
a target controller configured to detect a resonance frequency
having the highest power transmission efficiency among the
resonance frequencies used in the time intervals, wherein the
communication unit is configured to transmit the detected resonance
frequency to the resonance power transmitter.
[0027] The target resonator may be configured to receive, from the
resonance power transmitter, resonance power generated using the
detected resonance frequency.
[0028] When charging of the resonance power receiver is completed,
the target controller may be configured to notify the resonance
power transmitter of a completion of the charging of the resonance
power receiver.
[0029] Other features and aspects will be apparent from the
following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a resonance power
transmitter.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a resonance power
receiver.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an environment in which a
plurality of resonance power receivers exist.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a resonance power
transmission system.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another resonance power
transmission system.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data transmitted from the
resonance power transmitter of FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating data transmitted from the
resonance power receiver of FIG. 2.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating frequency hopping.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a frequency spectrum with
respect to a transmitted power and a reflected power.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method of controlling
resonance power transmission in a resonance power transmitter.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another method of
controlling resonance power transmission in a resonance power
transmitter.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating still another method of
controlling resonance power transmission in a resonance power
transmitter.
[0042] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating yet another method of
controlling resonance power transmission in a resonance power
transmitter.
[0043] FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating power transmission
in a time domain.
[0044] FIGS. 16 through 22B are diagrams illustrating various
resonator structures.
[0045] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating one equivalent circuit of
the resonator of FIG. 16.
[0046] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless
otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be
understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures.
The relative size and depiction of these elements may be
exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] The following detailed description is provided to assist the
reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various
changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be suggested to
those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of processing
steps and/or operations described is an example; however, the
sequence of and/or operations is not limited to that set forth
herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the
exception of steps and/or operations necessarily occurring in a
certain order. Also, description of well-known functions and
constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and
conciseness.
[0048] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a resonance power transmitter 100
and a resonance power receiver 200, respectively, which together
may form a wireless power transmission system.
[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates the resonance power transmitter 100. As
shown in FIG. 1, the resonance power transmitter 100 may include a
source resonator 110, a detector 120, a resonance power generator
130, a source controller 140, a communication unit 150 a rectifier
160, and a constant voltage controller 170.
[0050] FIG. 2 illustrates the resonance power receiver 200. As
shown in FIG. 2, the resonance power receiver 200 may include a
target resonator 210, a communication unit 220, a target controller
230 a rectifier 240, a direct current (DC)-to-DC (DC/DC) converter
250, and a load 260.
[0051] The source resonator 110 may be configured to transfer
electromagnetic energy to the target resonator 210. For example,
the source resonator 110 may transfer a resonance power to the
resonance power receiver 200, through magnetic coupling with the
target resonator 210. The source resonator 110 may resonate within
a set resonance bandwidth.
[0052] The detector 120 may be configured to detect the resonance
power receiver 200. For example, the detector 120 may detect the
resonance power receiver 200, based on an identifier (ID) of the
resonance power receiver 200 received from the resonance power
receiver 200, for instance. When a resonance power needs to be
received, the resonance power receiver 200 may transmit the ID to
the resonance power transmitter 100. And, when the ID is received,
the detector 120 may determine that the resonance power receiver
200 exists.
[0053] The resonance power generator 130 may be configured to
generate resonance power under a control of the source controller
140. For instance, the resonance power generator 130 may convert a
DC voltage of a predetermined level to an alternating current (AC),
by a switching pulse signal (e.g., in a band of one or more
megahertz (MHz) to tens of MHz). In some embodiments, the resonance
power generator 130 may include an AC-to-DC (AC/DC) inverter. The
DC voltage of the predetermined level may be provided from the
constant voltage controller 170. The AC/DC inverter may include a
switching device for high-speed switching, for instance. When the
switching pulse signal is "high" (i.e., at or near its maximum),
the switching device may be powered "ON." And when the switching
pulse signal is "low" (i.e., at or near its minimum) the switching
device may be powered "OFF."
[0054] The resonance power generator 130 may generate a resonance
power, under the control of the source controller 140. The
resonance power may have a resonance frequency which may vary for
one or more time intervals. The time intervals may be preset or
predetermined, for example. Additionally, under the control of the
source controller 140, the resonance power generator 130 may
generate the resonance power using the resonance frequency having
the highest power transmission efficiency among a plurality of
resonance frequencies for the time intervals. The source resonator
110 may transmit, to the resonance power receiver 200, the
resonance power generated using the resonance frequency having the
highest power transmission efficiency.
[0055] The source controller 140 may be configured to control the
resonance power generator 130, so that the resonance frequency of
the resonance power generated by the resonance power generator 130
may vary for one or more of the time intervals. Additionally, the
source controller 140 may control an overall operation of the
resonance power transmitter 100. The source controller 140 may be
configured to control an operation of at least one of the detector
120, the resonance power generator 130, the communication unit 150,
and the constant voltage controller 170. One or more of resonance
frequencies used respectively in the time intervals may be
determined by scanning a frequency characteristic of a reflected
wave, or may be determined based on a channel with a predetermined
width, or may be randomly determined in a predetermined
bandwidth.
[0056] In some embodiments, the source controller 140 may include a
frequency analyzer 141, a frequency scanning table 143, and a
processor 145, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0057] The frequency analyzer 141 may be configured to determine
the resonance frequencies used respectively in the time intervals,
through analysis of a frequency spectrum illustrated in FIG. 9. In
a situation where a frequency spectrum is measured in a time
interval T1, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the frequency analyzer 141
may determine a resonance frequency used in the time interval T1 to
be a frequency "F.sub.1" or "F.sub.2." FIG. 9 illustrates one
example of a frequency spectrum with respect to a transmitted power
and a reflected power. In FIG. 9, "n21" represents a frequency
spectrum for the transmitted power, and "n11" represents a
frequency spectrum for the reflected power. In some instances, the
reflected power may be measured by a reflected signal coupler.
[0058] The frequency scanning table 143 may record or otherwise
store resonance frequencies that are variable based on a channel of
a predetermined width, record resonance frequencies that are
randomly variable, or both.
[0059] The processor 145 may be configured to manage and/or control
functions of the source controller 140.
[0060] The communication unit 150 may transmit, to the resonance
power receiver 200, the resonance frequencies used in the time
intervals, and a power amount of a resonance power transmitted in
one or more of the time intervals, under the control of the source
controller 140. Additionally, the communication unit 150 may
receive, from the resonance power receiver 200, the resonance
frequency having the highest power transmission efficiency among
the resonance frequencies used respectively in the time
intervals.
[0061] The communication unit 150 may perform an in-band
communication for transmitting or receiving data to or from the
resonance power receiver 200 via a resonance frequency, and may
perform an out-band communication for transmitting or receiving
data to or from the resonance power receiver 200 via a frequency
assigned for data communication.
[0062] The term "in-band" communication(s), as used herein, means
communication(s) in which information (such as, for example,
control information, data and/or metadata) is transmitted in the
same frequency band, and/or on the same channel, as used for power
transmission. According to one or more embodiments, the frequency
may be a resonance frequency. And, the term "out-band"
communication(s), as used herein, means communication(s) in which
information (such as, for example, control information, data and/or
metadata) is transmitted in a separate frequency band and/or using
a separate or dedicated channel, than used for power
transmission.
[0063] The rectifier 160 may generate a DC voltage by rectifying an
AC voltage (e.g., in a band of tens of Hz).
[0064] The constant voltage controller 170 may receive an input of
the DC voltage from the rectifier 160, and may output a DC voltage
of a predetermined level under the control of the source controller
140. The constant voltage controller 170 may include a
stabilization circuit to output a DC voltage of a predetermined
level, for instance.
[0065] The target resonator 210 may receive the electromagnetic
energy from the source resonator 110. For example, the target
resonator 210 may receive resonance power from the resonance power
transmitter 100, through the magnetic coupling with the source
resonator 110. The target resonator 210 may resonate within the set
resonance bandwidth.
[0066] The communication unit 220 may transmit or receive data to
or from the communication unit 150, under a control of the target
controller 230. For example, the communication unit 220 may
transmit the ID of the resonance power receiver 200 to the
resonance power transmitter 100. Additionally, the communication
unit 220 may receive information regarding the resonance
frequencies used in the time intervals, and information on the
power amount of the resonance power transmitted in one or more of
the time intervals. Furthermore, the communication unit 220 may
transmit, to the resonance power transmitter 100, the resonance
frequency having the highest power transmission efficiency among
the resonance frequencies used respectively in the time intervals.
Similarly to the communication unit 150 in the resonance power
transmitter 100, the communication unit 220 may perform the in-band
communication and the out-band communication.
[0067] The target controller 230 may detect the resonance frequency
having the highest power transmission efficiency among the
resonance frequencies used in the time intervals.
[0068] Table 1, below, shows power amounts P1, P2, P3, and P4 of
resonance powers received respectively in time intervals T1, T2,
T3, and T4, and pieces of data received from the resonance power
transmitter 100. It should be appreciated that the specific values
shown in Table 1 are merely an example and that other values are
possible. The target controller 230 may detect a frequency F3 as
the resonance frequency having the highest power transmission
efficiency.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 T1 T2 T3 T4 Used resonance F1 F2 F3 F4
frequency (13.56 MHz) (13.65 MHz) (13.60 MHz) (13.56 MHz) Amount of
100 watt (W) 100 W 100 W 100 W resonance power transmitted Amount
of P1 (80 W) P2 (85 W) P3 (92 W) P4 (90 W) resonance power
received
[0069] The target controller 230 may be configured to control or
otherwise direct the communication unit 220 to transmit, to the
resonance power transmitter 100, the resonance frequency having the
highest power transmission efficiency among the resonance
frequencies used respectively in the time intervals. Under the
control of the target controller 230, the communication unit 220
may transmit, to the resonance power transmitter 100, the resonance
frequency having the highest power transmission efficiency among
the resonance frequencies used respectively in the time intervals.
Accordingly, the target resonator 210 may receive, from the
resonance power transmitter 100, a resonance power generated using
the resonance frequency having the highest power transmission
efficiency.
[0070] The target controller 230 may include a received power
scanning unit 231, and a processor 233. The received power scanning
unit 231 may measure a power amount of a resonance power received
in one or more of the time intervals. The processor 233 may be
configured to manage and/or control functions of the target
controller 230.
[0071] The rectifier 240 may generate a DC voltage by rectifying an
AC voltage.
[0072] The DC/DC converter 250 may adjust a level of the DC voltage
output from the rectifier 240, and may provide a DC voltage
required by the load 260.
[0073] The load 260 may include a charge battery to supply a power
required by the resonance power receiver 200 and to charge the
resonance power receiver 200. The target controller 230 may monitor
the load 260, and may notify the resonance power transmitter 100 of
a completion of charging of the resonance power receiver 200 when
the charging of the resonance power receiver 200 is completed.
[0074] FIG. 3 illustrates an environment in which a plurality of
resonance power receivers exist.
[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the resonance power transmitter
100 may transmit a resonance power to a plurality of resonance
power receivers 200a, 200b, and 200c. The environment where the
resonance power receivers 200a, 200b, and 200c exist may be
referred to as a "1-to-N charging environment". In the 1-to-N
charging environment, power transmission efficiency may be reduced
when the resonance power receivers 200a, 200b, and 200c interfere
with each other, when one of the resonance power receivers 200a,
200b, and 200c is removed, and/or when a new device is added.
Accordingly, there is provided a method of controlling resonance
power transmission based on each of the resonance power receivers
200a, 200b, and 200c. Reference numerals 301, 303, 305, and 307 of
FIG. 3 represent magnetic coupling between adjacent resonators.
[0076] FIG. 4 illustrates a resonance power transmission
system.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
transmit, to the resonance power receivers 200a, 200b, and 200c, a
resonance power with resonance frequencies F1, F2, and FN that are
sequentially variable.
[0078] The resonance power transmitter 100 may determine an order
of the resonance power receivers 200a, 200b, and 200c, and may
transmit, to the resonance power receiver 200a, a resonance power
with resonance frequencies F1, F2, and FN that are sequentially
variable in operation 410. After receiving a first response from
the resonance power receiver 200a, the resonance power transmitter
100 may transmit, to the resonance power receiver 200b, a resonance
power with resonance frequencies F1, F2, and FN that are
sequentially variable in operation 420. The first response may
include information on a resonance frequency having a highest power
transmission efficiency among the resonance frequencies F1, F2, and
FN. Additionally, the first response may further include an ID of
the resonance power receiver 200a.
[0079] After receiving a second response from the resonance power
receiver 200b, the resonance power transmitter 100 may transmit, to
the resonance power receiver 200c, a resonance power with resonance
frequencies F1, F2, and FN that are sequentially variable in
operation 430. The second response may include information on a
resonance frequency having a highest power transmission efficiency
among the resonance frequencies F1, F2, and FN. Additionally, the
second response may further include an ID of the resonance power
receiver 200b.
[0080] In FIG. 4, it may assumed that, the resonance frequency
having the highest power transmission efficiency for the resonance
power receiver 200a is denoted by "Fs1", and that the resonance
frequency having the highest power transmission efficiency for the
resonance power receiver 200b is denoted by "Fs2." The resonance
frequencies Fs1 and Fs2 may be different from, or identical to each
other. Operations 410 through 430 of FIG. 4 may be performed
sequentially or simultaneously, in some instances. In a situation
where operations 410 through 430 are simultaneously performed, the
resonance power transmitter 100 may identify the resonance power
receivers 200a, 200b, and 200c, based on the IDs of the resonance
power receivers 200a, 200b, and 200c.
[0081] FIG. 5 illustrates another resonance power transmission
system.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 5, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
transmit a resonance power with a resonance frequency F1 to a
resonance power receiver 200a in operation 510. Similarly to the
transmitter of FIG. 4, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
receive a response signal from the resonance power receiver 200a,
and may transmit another resonance power with the resonance
frequency F1 to a resonance power receiver 200b in operation 520.
Similarly, the resonance power transmitter 100 may receive a
response signal from the resonance power receiver 200b and may
transmit another resonance power with the resonance frequency F1 to
a resonance power receiver 200c in operation 530. One or more of
the response signals may include information regarding the
efficiency of receiving a resonance power with a resonance
frequency F1 or an amount of resonance power received in the
resonance frequency F1. Additionally, one or more of the response
signals may further include an ID of a corresponding resonance
power receiver. When responding to the resonance frequency F1 is
completed, the resonance power transmitter 100 may perform
operations 510 through 530 with respect to a resonance frequency
F2.
[0083] FIG. 6 illustrates data transmitted from the resonance power
transmitter 100 of FIG. 1.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 6, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
simultaneously transmit data 610 and a resonance power with a
resonance frequency F1 to the resonance power receiver 200 of FIG.
2 in a time interval t1. The data 610 may include information on
the resonance frequency F1 used to generate the resonance power,
and/or information on a power amount of the resonance power, as
illustrated in FIG. 6. Reference numeral 620 of FIG. 6 represents
data transmitted to the resonance power receiver 200 in a time
interval t2.
[0085] FIG. 7 illustrates data transmitted from the resonance power
receiver 200 of FIG. 2.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 7, the resonance power receiver 200 may
detect data 720 regarding amounts of power received respectively
corresponding to resonance frequencies F1, F2, . . . , and FN, and
may compute an efficiency corresponding to each of the resonance
frequencies F1, F2, . . . , and FN. In FIG. 7, data 710 for
resonance frequency F3 may have a highest power transmission
efficiency among the resonance frequencies F1, F2, and FN. The
resonance power receiver 200 may transmit, to the resonance power
transmitter 100 of FIG. 1, the efficiency computed for each of the
resonance frequencies F1, F2, and FN, individually. Or the
resonance power receiver 200 may transmit the data 720 to the
resonance power transmitter 100, instead of computing the
efficiency corresponding to each of the resonance frequencies F1,
F2, and FN.
[0087] FIG. 8 illustrates frequency hopping.
[0088] In FIG. 8, resonance frequencies used to transmit resonance
powers may be randomly hopped or skipped. For example, resonance
frequencies F1, F3, and F6 may sequentially determine, instead of
resonance frequencies F1, F2, and FN being sequentially determined.
In operation 810, a resonance power transmitter may transmit
resonance power to a resonance power receiver using a resonance
frequency F1. Additionally, in operation 810, the resonance power
transmitter may transmit, to the resonance power receiver,
information on the resonance frequency F1 and information on a
power amount. Operation 820 may be performed with respect to a
reference frequency F3, in a similar manner as operation 810.
Additionally, operation 840 may be performed with respect to a
reference frequency F6, in a similar manner as operation 810. In
operation 830, the resonance power receiver may transmit, to the
resonance power transmitter, information on a power transmission
efficiency or information on an amount of power received.
[0089] FIG. 10 illustrates a method of controlling resonance power
transmission in a resonance power transmitter. In one or more
embodiments, the method of FIG. 10 may be performed by the
resonance power transmitter 100 of FIG. 1.
[0090] In operation 1010, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
detect a resonance power receiver. For example, the resonance power
transmitter 100 may determine whether a resonance power receiver
exists within a coverage that enables the resonance power
transmission. The resonance power transmitter 100 may receive an ID
of the resonance power receiver, and may recognize the resonance
power receiver based on the received ID.
[0091] In operation 1020, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
transmit resonance power to the detected resonance power receiver.
The resonance frequency of the resonance power transmitted in
operation 1020 may vary for one or more of time intervals. One or
more of the resonance frequencies used in the time intervals may be
determined by scanning a frequency characteristic of a reflected
wave, or may be determined based on a channel of a predetermined
width, or may be randomly determined in a predetermined
bandwidth.
[0092] In operation 1030, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
notify the detected resonance power receiver of the resonance
frequencies used respectively in the time intervals, and of a power
amount of the resonance power transmitted in each of the time
intervals. The detected resonance power receiver may detect a
resonance frequency having the highest power transmission
efficiency among the resonance frequencies used respectively in the
time intervals, and may notify the resonance power transmitter 100
of the detected resonance frequency.
[0093] In operation 1040, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
receive the detected resonance frequency from the detected
resonance power receiver.
[0094] In operation 1050, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
generate the resonance power using the resonance frequency received
in operation 1040.
[0095] In operation 1060, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
transmit the resonance power generated in operation 1050 to the
resonance power receiver.
[0096] FIG. 11 illustrates another method of controlling resonance
power transmission in a resonance power transmitter.
[0097] In one or more embodiments, the method of FIG. 11 may be
performed using the resonance power transmitter 100 of FIG. 1.
[0098] In operation 1110, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
detect a plurality of resonance power receivers. For example, the
resonance power transmitter 100 may receive IDs of the plurality of
resonance power receivers, and may recognize the plurality of
resonance power receiver based on the received IDs. Accordingly,
the resonance power transmitter 100 may verify a number of
resonance power receivers based on a number of the received
IDs.
[0099] In operation 1120, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
determine an order of the plurality of resonance power receivers
detected in operation 1110. This may be the sequential order in
which they were detected, in some instances. Alternatively, some
predetermined or default ordering system might be employed.
[0100] In operation 1130, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
transmit resonance power to a first resonance power receiver based
on the determined order. The resonance frequency of the resonance
power transmitted in operation 1130 may vary for each of time
intervals.
[0101] In operation 1140, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
receive, from the first resonance power receiver, a resonance
frequency Fs1 having a highest power transmission efficiency for
the first resonance power receiver among resonance frequencies used
respectively in the time intervals.
[0102] In operation 1150, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
transmit resonance power to a second resonance power receiver based
on the determined order. The resonance frequency of the resonance
power transmitted in operation 1150 may vary for each of the time
intervals.
[0103] In operation 1160, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
receive, from the second resonance power receiver, a resonance
frequency Fs2 having a highest power transmission efficiency for
the second resonance power receiver among the resonance frequencies
used respectively in the time intervals.
[0104] In operation 1170, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
generate the resonance power using the resonance frequency Fs1, and
may transmit the resonance power generated using the resonance
frequency Fs1 to the first resonance power receiver in a first time
interval.
[0105] In operation 1180, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
generate the resonance power using the resonance frequency Fs2, and
may transmit the resonance power generated using the resonance
frequency Fs2 to the second resonance power receiver in a second
time interval.
[0106] FIG. 12 illustrates still another method of controlling
resonance power transmission in a resonance power transmitter.
[0107] In some instances, operations 1210 through 1260 of FIG. 12
may be similar to operations 1110 through 1160 of FIG. 11 and
accordingly, further descriptions of operation 1210 through 1260
will be omitted.
[0108] In operation 1270, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
generate the resonance power using the resonance frequency Fs1, and
may transmit the resonance power generated using the resonance
frequency Fs1 to the first resonance power receiver.
[0109] In operation 1280, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
determine whether charging of the first resonance power receiver is
completed. For example, whether the charging of the first resonance
power receiver is completed may be determined based on whether a
message indicating a completion of the charging is received from
the first resonance power receiver.
[0110] If charging of the first resonance power receiver is not
completed, the method returns to operation 1270. And, when the
charging of the first resonance power receiver is completed, the
resonance power transmitter 100 may generate the resonance power
using the resonance frequency Fs2, and may transmit the resonance
power generated using the resonance frequency Fs2 to the second
resonance power receiver in operation 1290.
[0111] FIG. 13 illustrates yet another method of controlling
resonance power transmission in a resonance power transmitter.
[0112] In some instance, operations 1310 through 1360 of FIG. 13
may be similar to operations 1110 through 1160 of FIG. 11 and
accordingly, further descriptions of operation 1310 through 1360
will be omitted.
[0113] In operation 1370, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
generate the resonance power using the resonance frequency Fs1, and
may transmit the resonance power generated using the resonance
frequency Fs1 to the first resonance power receiver.
[0114] In operation 1380, the resonance power transmitter 100 may
determine whether a report message is received from the first
resonance power receiver within a predetermined period of time. The
first resonance power receiver may notify the resonance power
transmitter 100 that the first resonance power receiver continues
to be charged by periodically transmitting report messages to the
resonance power transmitter 100. Accordingly, when a report message
is not received from the first resonance power receiver within the
predetermined period of time, the resonance power transmitter 100
may determine or assume that the first resonance power receiver
does not exist. The report message may include an ID of the first
resonance power receiver, for instance.
[0115] If the report message is received from the first resonance
power receiver within the predetermined period of time, the method
returns to operation 1370. And when the report message is not
received from the first resonance power receiver within the
predetermined period of time, the resonance power transmitter 100
may terminate transmitting the resonance power to the first
resonance power receiver. Additionally, the resonance power
transmitter 100 may generate the resonance power using the
resonance frequency Fs2, and may transmit the resonance power
generated using the resonance frequency Fs2 to the second resonance
power receiver in operation 1390.
[0116] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate resonance power transmission,
after resonance frequencies Fs1 and Fs2 are received from resonance
power receivers 200a and 200b.
[0117] In FIG. 14, the resonance power transmitter 100 may transmit
a resonance power to the resonance power receiver 200a using the
resonance frequency Fs1 in a first time interval 1410, and may
transmit a resonance power to the resonance power receiver 200b
using the resonance frequency Fs2 in a second time interval 1420.
The resonance power transmitter 100 may generate the resonance
power by alternately using the resonance frequencies Fs1 and
Fs2.
[0118] In FIG. 15, the resonance power transmitter 100 may transmit
resonance power to the resonance power receiver 200a using the
resonance frequency Fs1 in a third time interval 1510 and a fourth
time interval 1520. Thus, for consecutive time intervals, the
resonance frequency Fs1 having a highest power transmission
efficiency for the resonance power receiver 200a may be used, as
illustrated in FIG. 15.
[0119] According to various example embodiments, it may be possible
to efficiently manage resonance frequencies in a resonance
frequency band.
[0120] Additionally, it may be possible to efficiently charge a
plurality of electronic devices with a resonance power, by managing
resonance frequencies respectively corresponding to the plurality
of electronic devices. Furthermore, high-efficiency wireless power
transmission may be performed by selecting a resonance frequency
with high power transmission efficiency.
[0121] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the source resonator 110
and/or the target resonator 210 may be configured, for example, as
a helix coil structured resonator, a spiral coil structured
resonator, a meta-structured resonator, and/or the like.
[0122] An electromagnetic characteristic of many materials found in
nature is that they have a unique magnetic permeability or a unique
permittivity. Most materials typically have a positive magnetic
permeability or a positive permittivity. Thus, for these materials,
a right hand rule may be applied to an electric field, a magnetic
field, and a pointing vector and thus, the corresponding materials
may be referred to as right handed materials (RHMs).
[0123] On the other hand, a material having a magnetic permeability
or a permittivity which is not ordinarily found in nature or is
artificially-designed (or man-made) may be referred to herein as a
"metamaterial." Metamaterials may be classified into an epsilon
negative (ENG) material, a mu negative (MNG) material, a double
negative (DNG) material, a negative refractive index (NRI)
material, a left-handed (LH) material, and the like, based on a
sign of the corresponding permittivity or magnetic
permeability.
[0124] The magnetic permeability may indicate a ratio between a
magnetic flux density occurring with respect to a predetermined
magnetic field in a corresponding material and a magnetic flux
density occurring with respect to the predetermined magnetic field
in a vacuum state. The permittivity indicates a ratio between an
electric flux density occurring with respect to a given electric
field in a corresponding material and an electric flux density
occurring with respect to the given electric field in a vacuum
state. The magnetic permeability and the permittivity, in some
embodiments, may be used to determine a propagation constant of a
corresponding material in a predetermined frequency or a
predetermined wavelength. An electromagnetic characteristic of the
corresponding material may be determined based on the magnetic
permeability and the permittivity. According to an aspect, the
metamaterial may be easily disposed in a resonance state without
significant material size changes. This may be practical for a
relatively large wavelength area or a relatively low frequency
area.
[0125] FIG. 16 is an illustration of a two-dimensional (2D)
resonator 1600.
[0126] As shown, the resonator 1600 having the 2D structure may
include a transmission line, a capacitor 1620, a matcher 1630, and
conductors 1641 and 1642. The transmission line may include, for
instance, a first signal conducting portion 1611, a second signal
conducting portion 1612, and a ground conducting portion 1613.
[0127] The capacitor 1620 may be inserted or otherwise positioned
in series between the first signal conducting portion 1611 and the
second signal conducting portion 1612 so that an electric field may
be confined within the capacitor 1620, as illustrated in FIG. 16.
In various implementations, the transmission line may include at
least one conductor in an upper portion of the transmission line,
and may also include at least one conductor in a lower portion of
the transmission line. A current may flow through the at least one
conductor disposed in the upper portion of the transmission line
and the at least one conductor disposed in the lower portion of the
transmission may be electrically grounded. As illustrated in FIG.
16, the resonator 1600 may be configured to have a generally 2D
structure. The transmission line may include the first signal
conducting portion 1611 and the second signal conducting portion
1612 in the upper portion of the transmission line, and may include
the ground conducting portion 1613 in the lower portion of the
transmission line. As shown, the first signal conducting portion
1611 and the second signal conducting portion 1612 may be disposed
to face the ground conducting portion 1613 with current flowing
through the first signal conducting portion 1611 and the second
signal conducting portion 1612.
[0128] In some implementations, one end of the first signal
conducting portion 1611 may be electrically connected (i.e.,
shorted) to the conductor 1642, and another end of the first signal
conducting portion 1611 may be connected to the capacitor 1620. And
one end of the second signal conducting portion 1612 may be
grounded to the conductor 1641, and another end of the second
signal conducting portion 1612 may be connected to the capacitor
1620. Accordingly, the first signal conducting portion 1611, the
second signal conducting portion 1612, the ground conducting
portion 1613, and the conductors 1641 and 1642 may be connected to
each other such that the resonator 1600 may have an electrically
"closed-loop structure." The term "closed-loop structure" as used
herein, may include a polygonal structure, for example, a circular
structure, a rectangular structure, or the like that is a circuit
that is electrically closed.
[0129] The capacitor 1620 may be inserted into an intermediate
portion of the transmission line. For example, the capacitor 1620
may be inserted into a space between the first signal conducting
portion 1611 and the second signal conducting portion 1612. The
capacitor 1620 may be configured, in some instances, as a lumped
element, a distributed element, or the like. In one implementation,
a distributed capacitor may be configured as a distributed element
and may include zigzagged conductor lines and a dielectric material
having a relatively high permittivity between the zigzagged
conductor lines.
[0130] If the capacitor 1620 is inserted into the transmission
line, the resonator 1600 may have a property of a metamaterial, as
discussed above. For example, the resonator 1600 may have a
negative magnetic permeability due to the capacitance of the
capacitor 1620. If so, the resonator 1600 may also be referred to
as a mu negative (MNG) resonator. Various criteria may be applied
to determine the capacitance of the capacitor 1620. For example,
the various criteria for enabling the resonator 1600 to have the
characteristic of the metamaterial may include one or more of the
following: a criterion to enable the resonator 1600 to have a
negative magnetic permeability in a target frequency, a criterion
to enable the resonator 1600 to have a zeroth order resonance
characteristic in the target frequency, or the like. The resonator
1600, also referred to as the MNG resonator 1600, may also have a
zeroth order resonance characteristic (i.e., having, as a resonance
frequency, a frequency when a propagation constant is "0"). If the
resonator 1600 has the zeroth order resonance characteristic, the
resonance frequency may be independent with respect to a physical
size of the MNG resonator 1600. Moreover, by appropriately
designing the capacitor 1620, the MNG resonator 1600 may
sufficiently change the resonance frequency without significantly
changing the physical size of the MNG resonator 1600.
[0131] In a near field, for instance, the electric field may be
concentrated on the capacitor 1620 inserted into the transmission
line. Accordingly, due to the capacitor 1620, the magnetic field
may become dominant in the near field. In one or more embodiments,
the MNG resonator 1600 may have a relatively high Q-factor using
the capacitor 1620 of the lumped element. Thus, it may be possible
to enhance power transmission efficiency. For example, the Q-factor
indicates a level of an ohmic loss or a ratio of a reactance with
respect to a resistance in the wireless power transmission. The
efficiency of the wireless power transmission may increase
according to an increase in the Q-factor.
[0132] The MNG resonator 1600 may include a matcher 1630 to be used
in impedance matching. For example, the matcher 1630 may be
configured to appropriately determine and adjust the strength of a
magnetic field of the MNG resonator 1600. Depending on the
configuration, current may flow in the MNG resonator 1600 via a
connector, or may flow out from the MNG resonator 1600 via the
connector. The connector may be connected to the ground conducting
portion 1613 or the matcher 1630. In some instances, the power may
be transferred through coupling without using a physical connection
between the connector and the ground conducting portion 1613 or the
matcher 1630.
[0133] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the matcher 1630 may be
positioned within the loop formed by the loop structure of the
resonator 1600. The matcher 1630 may adjust the impedance of the
resonator 1600 by changing the physical shape of the matcher 1630.
For example, the matcher 1630 may include the conductor 1631 to be
used in the impedance matching positioned in a location that is
separate from the ground conducting portion 1613 by a distance h.
The impedance of the resonator 1600 may be changed by adjusting the
distance h.
[0134] In some instances, a controller may be provided that is
configured to control the matcher 1630 which generates and
transmits a control signal to the matcher 1630 directing the
matcher to change its physical shape so that the impedance of the
resonator may be adjusted. For example, the distance h between the
conductor 1631 of the matcher 1630 and the ground conducting
portion 1613 may be increased or decreased based on the control
signal. The controller may generate the control signal based on
various factors.
[0135] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the matcher 1630 may be
configured as a passive element such as the conductor 1631, for
example. Of course, in others embodiments, the matcher 1630 may be
configured as an active element such as a diode, a transistor, or
the like. If the active element is included in the matcher 1630,
the active element may be driven based on the control signal
generated by the controller, and the impedance of the resonator
1600 may be adjusted based on the control signal. For example, when
the active element is a diode included in the matcher 1630, the
impedance of the resonator 1600 may be adjusted depending on
whether the diode is in an on state or in an off state.
[0136] In some instances, a magnetic core may be further provided
to pass through the MNG resonator 1600. The magnetic core may
perform a function of increasing a power transmission distance.
[0137] FIG. 17 is an illustration of a resonator 1700 having a
three-dimensional (3D) structure.
[0138] Referring to FIG. 17, the resonator 1700 having the 3D
structure may include a transmission line and a capacitor 1720. The
transmission line may include a first signal conducting portion
1711, a second signal conducting portion 1712, and a ground
conducting portion 1713. The capacitor 1720 may be inserted, for
instance, in series between the first signal conducting portion
1711 and the second signal conducting portion 1712 of the
transmission link such that an electric field may be confined
within the capacitor 1720.
[0139] As illustrated in FIG. 17, the resonator 1700 may have a
generally 3D structure. The transmission line may include the first
signal conducting portion 1711 and the second signal conducting
portion 1712 in an upper portion of the resonator 1700, and may
include the ground conducting portion 1713 in a lower portion of
the resonator 1700. The first signal conducting portion 1711 and
the second signal conducting portion 1712 may be disposed to face
the ground conducting portion 1713. In this arrangement, current
may flow in an x direction through the first signal conducting
portion 1711 and the second signal conducting portion 1712. Due to
the current, a magnetic field H(W) may be formed in a -y direction.
However, it will be appreciated that the magnetic field H(W) might
also be formed in the opposite direction (e.g., a +y direction) in
other implementations.
[0140] In one or more embodiments, one end of the first signal
conducting portion 1711 may be electrically connected (i.e.,
shorted) to the conductor 1742, and another end of the first signal
conducting portion 1711 may be connected to the capacitor 1720. One
end of the second signal conducting portion 1712 may be grounded to
the conductor 1741, and another end of the second signal conducting
portion 1712 may be connected to the capacitor 1720. Accordingly,
the first signal conducting portion 1711, the second signal
conducting portion 1712, the ground conducting portion 1713, and
the conductors 1741 and 1742 may be connected to each other,
whereby the resonator 1700 may have an electrically closed-loop
structure. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the capacitor 1720 may be
inserted or otherwise positioned between the first signal
conducting portion 1711 and the second signal conducting portion
1712. For example, the capacitor 1720 may be inserted into a space
between the first signal conducting portion 1711 and the second
signal conducting portion 1712. The capacitor 1720 may include, for
example, a lumped element, a distributed element, and the like. In
one implementation, a distributed capacitor having the shape of the
distributed element may include zigzagged conductor lines and a
dielectric material having a relatively high permittivity
positioned between the zigzagged conductor lines.
[0141] When the capacitor 1720 is inserted into the transmission
line, the resonator 1700 may have a property of a metamaterial, in
some instances, as discussed above.
[0142] For example, when a capacitance of the capacitor is a lumped
element, the resonator 1700 may have the characteristic of the
metamaterial. When the resonator 1700 has a negative magnetic
permeability by appropriately adjusting the capacitance of the
capacitor 1720, the resonator 1700 may also be referred to as an
MNG resonator. Various criteria may be applied to determine the
capacitance of the capacitor 1720. For example, the various
criteria may include one or more of the following: a criterion to
enable the resonator 1700 to have the characteristic of the
metamaterial, a criterion to enable the resonator 1700 to have a
negative magnetic permeability in a target frequency, a criterion
to enable the resonator 1700 to have a zeroth order resonance
characteristic in the target frequency, or the like. Based on at
least one criterion among the aforementioned criteria, the
capacitance of the capacitor 1720 may be determined.
[0143] The resonator 1700, also referred to as the MNG resonator
1700, may have a zeroth order resonance characteristic (i.e.,
having, as a resonance frequency, a frequency when a propagation
constant is "0"). If the resonator 1700 has a zeroth order
resonance characteristic, the resonance frequency may be
independent with respect to a physical size of the MNG resonator
1700. Thus, by appropriately designing the capacitor 1720, the MNG
resonator 1700 may sufficiently change the resonance frequency
without significantly changing the physical size of the MNG
resonator 1700.
[0144] Referring to the MNG resonator 1700 of FIG. 17, in a near
field, the electric field may be concentrated on the capacitor 1720
inserted into the transmission line. Accordingly, due to the
capacitor 1720, the magnetic field may become dominant in the near
field. And, since the MNG resonator 1700 having the zeroth-order
resonance characteristic may have characteristics similar to a
magnetic dipole, the magnetic field may become dominant in the near
field. A relatively small amount of the electric field formed due
to the insertion of the capacitor 1720 may be concentrated on the
capacitor 1720 and thus, the magnetic field may become further
dominant.
[0145] Also, the MNG resonator 1700 may include the matcher 1730 to
be used in impedance matching. The matcher 1730 may be configured
to appropriately adjust the strength of magnetic field of the MNG
resonator 1700. The impedance of the MNG resonator 1700 may be
determined by the matcher 1730. In one or more embodiments, current
may flow in the MNG resonator 1700 via a connector 1740, or may
flow out from the MNG resonator 1700 via the connector 1740. And
the connector 1740 may be connected to the ground conducting
portion 1713 or the matcher 1730.
[0146] As illustrated in FIG. 17, the matcher 1730 may be
positioned within the loop formed by the loop structure of the
resonator 1700. The matcher 1730 may be configured to adjust the
impedance of the resonator 1700 by changing the physical shape of
the matcher 1730. For example, the matcher 1730 may include the
conductor 1731 to be used in the impedance matching in a location
separate from the ground conducting portion 1713 by a distance h.
The impedance of the resonator 1700 may be changed by adjusting the
distance h.
[0147] In some implementations, a controller may be provided to
control the matcher 1730. In this case, the matcher 1730 may change
the physical shape of the matcher 1730 based on a control signal
generated by the controller. For example, the distance h between
the conductor 1731 of the matcher 1730 and the ground conducting
portion 1713 may be increased or decreased based on the control
signal. Accordingly, the physical shape of the matcher 1730 may be
changed such that the impedance of the resonator 1700 may be
adjusted. The distance h between the conductor 1731 of the matcher
1730 and the ground conducting portion 1713 may be adjusted using a
variety of schemes. For example, one or more conductors may be
included in the matcher 1730 and the distance h may be adjusted by
adaptively activating one of the conductors. Alternatively or
additionally, the distance h may be adjusted by adjusting the
physical location of the conductor 1731 up and down. For instance,
the distance h may be controlled based on the control signal of the
controller. The controller may generate the control signal using
various factors. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the matcher 1730 may be
configured as a passive element such as the conductor 1731, for
instance. Of course, in other embodiments, the matcher 1730 may be
configured as an active element such as a diode, a transistor, or
the like. If the active element is included in the matcher 1730,
the active element may be driven based on the control signal
generated by the controller, and the impedance of the resonator
1700 may be adjusted based on the control signal. For example, if
the active element is a diode included in the matcher 1730, the
impedance of the resonator 1700 may be adjusted depending on
whether the diode is in an ON state or in an OFF state.
[0148] In some implementations, a magnetic core may be further
provided to pass through the resonator 1700 configured as the MNG
resonator. The magnetic core may increase the power transmission
distance.
[0149] FIG. 18 illustrates a resonator 1800 for a wireless power
transmission configured as a bulky type.
[0150] As used herein, the term "bulky type" may refer to a
seamless connection connecting at least two parts in an integrated
form.
[0151] Referring to FIG. 18, a first signal conducting portion 1811
and a conductor 1842 may be integrally formed, rather than being
separately manufactured and being connected to each other.
Similarly, a second signal conducting portion 1812 and a conductor
1841 may also be integrally manufactured.
[0152] When the second signal conducting portion 1812 and the
conductor 1841 are separately manufactured and then are connected
to each other, a loss of conduction may occur due to a seam 1850.
Thus, in some implementations, the second signal conducting portion
1812 and the conductor 1841 may be connected to each other without
using a separate seam (i.e., seamlessly connected to each other).
Accordingly, it may possible to decrease a conductor loss caused by
the seam 1850. For instance, the second signal conducting portion
1812 and a ground conducting portion 1813 may be seamlessly and
integrally manufactured. Similarly, the first signal conducting
portion 1811, the conductor 1842 and the ground conducting portion
1813 may be seamlessly and integrally manufactured.
[0153] A matcher 1830 may be provided that is similarly constructed
as described herein in one or more embodiments. FIG. 19 illustrates
a resonator 1900 for a wireless power transmission, configured as a
hollow type.
[0154] Referring to FIG. 19, each of a first signal conducting
portion 1911, a second signal conducting portion 1912, a ground
conducting portion 1913, and conductors 1941 and 1942 of the
resonator 1900 configured as the hollow type structure. As used
herein the term "hollow type" refers to a configuration that may
include an empty space inside.
[0155] For a given resonance frequency, an active current may be
modeled to flow in only a portion of the first signal conducting
portion 1911 instead of all of the first signal conducting portion
1911, a portion of the second signal conducting portion 1912
instead of all of the second signal conducting portion 1912, a
portion of the ground conducting portion 1913 instead of all of the
ground conducting portion 1913, and portions of the conductors 1941
and 1942 instead of all of the conductors 1941 and 1942. When a
depth of each of the first signal conducting portion 1911, the
second signal conducting portion 1912, the ground conducting
portion 1913, and the conductors 1941 and 1942 is significantly
deeper than a corresponding skin depth in the predetermined
resonance frequency, such a structure may be ineffective. The
significantly deeper depth may, however, increase a weight or
manufacturing costs of the resonator 1900 in some instances.
[0156] Accordingly, for the given resonance frequency, the depth of
each of the first signal conducting portion 1911, the second signal
conducting portion 1912, the ground conducting portion 1913, and
the conductors 1941 and 1942 may be appropriately determined based
on the corresponding skin depth of each of the first signal
conducting portion 1911, the second signal conducting portion 1912,
the ground conducting portion 1913, and the conductors 1941 and
1942. When one or more of the first signal conducting portion 1911,
the second signal conducting portion 1912, the ground conducting
portion 1913, and the conductors 1941 and 1942 have an appropriate
depth deeper than a corresponding skin depth, the resonator 1900
may be manufactured to be lighter, and manufacturing costs of the
resonator 1900 may also decrease.
[0157] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the depth of the
second signal conducting portion 1912 (as further illustrated in
the enlarged view region 1960 indicated by a circle) may be
determined as "d" mm, and d may be determined according to
d = 1 .pi. f .mu..sigma. . ##EQU00001##
Here, f denotes a frequency, .mu. denotes a magnetic permeability,
and .sigma. denotes a conductor constant. In one implementation,
when the first signal conducting portion 1911, the second signal
conducting portion 1912, the ground conducting portion 1913, and
the conductors 1941 and 1942 are made of a copper and they may have
a conductivity of 5.8.times.10.sup.7 siemens per meter (Sm.sup.-1),
the skin depth may be about 0.6 mm with respect to 10 kHz of the
resonance frequency, and the skin depth may be about 0.006 mm with
respect to 100 MHz of the resonance frequency.
[0158] A capacitor 1920 and a matcher 1930 may be provided that are
similarly constructed as described herein in one or more
embodiments.
[0159] FIG. 20 illustrates a resonator 2000 for a wireless power
transmission using a parallel-sheet configuration.
[0160] Referring to FIG. 20, the parallel-sheet configuration may
be applicable to each of a first signal conducting portion 2011 and
a second signal conducting portion 2012 included in the resonator
2000.
[0161] The first signal conducting portion 2011 and/or the second
signal conducting portion 2012 may not be perfect conductors, and
thus may have an inherent resistance. Due to this resistance, an
ohmic loss may occur. The ohmic loss may decrease a Q-factor and
may also decrease a coupling effect.
[0162] By applying the parallel-sheet configuration to each of the
first signal conducting portion 2011 and the second signal
conducting portion 2012, it may be possible to decrease the ohmic
loss, and to increase the Q-factor and the coupling effect.
Referring to the enlarged view portion 2070 (indicated by a circle
in FIG. 20), each of the first signal conducting portion 2011 and
the second signal conducting portion 2012 may include a plurality
of conductor lines. The plurality of conductor lines may be
disposed in parallel, and may be electrically connected (i.e.,
shorted) at an end portion of each of the first signal conducting
portion 2011 and the second signal conducting portion 2012.
[0163] When the parallel-sheet configuration is applied to one or
both of the first signal conducting portion 2011 and the second
signal conducting portion 2012, the plurality of conductor lines
may be disposed in parallel. Accordingly, the sum of resistances
having the conductor lines may decrease. Consequently, the
resistance loss may decrease, and the Q-factor and the coupling
effect may increase.
[0164] A capacitor 2020 and a matcher 2030 positioned on the ground
conducting portion 2013 may be provided that are similarly
constructed as described herein in one or more embodiments.
[0165] FIG. 21 illustrates a resonator 2100 for a wireless power
transmission including a distributed capacitor.
[0166] Referring to FIG. 21, a capacitor 2120 included in the
resonator 2100 is configured for the wireless power transmission. A
capacitor used as a lumped element may have a relatively high
equivalent series resistance (ESR). A variety of schemes have been
proposed to decrease the ESR contained in the capacitor of the
lumped element. According to an embodiment, by using the capacitor
2120 as a distributed element, it may be possible to decrease the
ESR. As will be appreciated, a loss caused by the ESR may decrease
a Q-factor and a coupling effect.
[0167] As illustrated in FIG. 21, the capacitor 2120 may be
configured as a conductive line having the zigzagged structure.
[0168] By employing the capacitor 2120 as the distributed element,
it may be possible to decrease the loss occurring due to the ESR in
some instances. In addition, by disposing a plurality of capacitors
as lumped elements, it is possible to decrease the loss occurring
due to the ESR. Since a resistance of the capacitors as the lumped
elements decreases through a parallel connection, active
resistances of parallel-connected capacitors as the lumped elements
may also decrease, whereby the loss occurring due to the ESR may
decrease. For example, by employing ten capacitors of 1 pF each
instead of using a single capacitor of 10 pF, it may be possible to
decrease the loss occurring due to the ESR in some instances.
[0169] FIG. 22A illustrates one embodiment of the matcher 1630 used
in the resonator 1600 illustrated in FIG. 16, and FIG. 22B
illustrates an example of the matcher 1730 used in the resonator
1700 illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0170] FIG. 22A illustrates a portion of the resonator 1600 of FIG.
16 including the matcher 1630, and FIG. 22B illustrates a portion
of the resonator 1700 of FIG. 17 including the matcher 1730.
[0171] Referring to FIG. 22A, the matcher 1630 may include the
conductor 1631, a conductor 1632, and a conductor 1633. The
conductors 1632 and 1633 may be connected to the ground conducting
portion 1613 and the conductor 1631. The impedance of the 2D
resonator may be determined based on a distance h between the
conductor 1631 and the ground conducting portion 1613. The distance
h between the conductor 1631 and the ground conducting portion 1613
may be controlled by the controller. The distance h between the
conductor 1631 and the ground conducting portion 1613 may be
adjusted using a variety of schemes. For example, the variety of
schemes may include one or more of the following: a scheme of
adjusting the distance h by adaptively activating one of the
conductors 1631, 1632, and 1633, a scheme of adjusting the physical
location of the conductor 1631 up and down, and/or the like.
[0172] Referring to FIG. 22B, the matcher 1730 may include the
conductor 1731, a conductor 1732, a conductor 1733 and conductors
1741 and 1742. The conductors 1732 and 1733 may be connected to the
ground conducting portion 1713 and the conductor 1731. The
impedance of the 3D resonator may be determined based on a distance
h between the conductor 1731 and the ground conducting portion
1713. The distance h between the conductor 1731 and the ground
conducting portion 1713 may be controlled by the controller, for
example. Similar to the matcher 1630 illustrated in FIG. 22A, in
the matcher 1730, the distance h between the conductor 1731 and the
ground conducting portion 1713 may be adjusted using a variety of
schemes. For example, the variety of schemes may include one or
more of the following: a scheme of adjusting the distance h by
adaptively activating one of the conductors 1731, 1732, and 1733, a
scheme of adjusting the physical location of the conductor 1731 up
and down, and the like.
[0173] In some implementations, the matcher may include an active
element. Thus, a scheme of adjusting an impedance of a resonator
using the active element may be similar to the examples described
above. For example, the impedance of the resonator may be adjusted
by changing a path of a current flowing through the matcher using
the active element.
[0174] FIG. 23 illustrates one equivalent circuit of the resonator
1600 of FIG. 16.
[0175] The resonator 1600 of FIG. 16 used in wireless power
transmission may be modeled to the equivalent circuit of FIG. 23.
In the equivalent circuit depicted in FIG. 23, L.sub.R denotes an
inductance of the power transmission line, C.sub.L denotes the
capacitor 1620 that is inserted in a form of a lumped element in
the middle of the power transmission line, and C.sub.R denotes a
capacitance between the power transmissions and/or ground of FIG.
16.
[0176] In some instances, the resonator 1600 may have a zeroth
resonance characteristic. For example, when a propagation constant
is "0", the resonator 1600 may be assumed to have .omega..sub.MZR
as a resonance frequency. The resonance frequency .omega..sub.MZR
may be expressed by Equation 1.
.omega. MZR = 1 L R C L [ Equation 1 ] ##EQU00002##
[0177] In Equation 1, MZR denotes a Mu zero resonator.
[0178] Referring to Equation 1, the resonance frequency
.omega..sub.MZR of the resonator 1600 may be determined by
L.sub.R/C.sup.L. A physical size of the resonator 1600 and the
resonance frequency .omega..sub.MZR may be independent with respect
to each other. Since the physical sizes are independent with
respect to each other, the physical size of the resonator 1600 may
be sufficiently reduced.
[0179] The units described herein may be implemented using hardware
components, software components, or a combination thereof. For
example, a processing device may be implemented using one or more
general-purpose or special purpose computers, such as, for example,
a processor, a controller and an arithmetic logic unit, a digital
signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array, a
programmable logic unit, a microprocessor or any other device
capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined
manner. The processing device may run an operating system (OS) and
one or more software applications that run on the OS. The
processing device also may access, store, manipulate, process, and
create data in response to execution of the software. For purpose
of simplicity, the description of a processing device is used as
singular; however, one skilled in the art will appreciated that a
processing device may include multiple processing elements and
multiple types of processing elements. For example, a processing
device may include multiple processors or a processor and a
controller. In addition, different processing configurations are
possible, such a parallel processors.
[0180] The software may include a computer program, a piece of
code, an instruction, or some combination thereof, for
independently or collectively instructing or configuring the
processing device to operate as desired. Software and data may be
embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine,
component, physical or virtual equipment, computer storage medium
or device, or in a propagated signal wave capable of providing
instructions or data to or being interpreted by the processing
device. The software also may be distributed over network coupled
computer systems so that the software is stored and executed in a
distributed fashion. In particular, the software and data may be
stored by one or more computer readable recording mediums. The
computer readable recording medium may include any data storage
device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a
computer system or processing device. Examples of the computer
readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM),
random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks,
optical data storage devices. Also, functional programs, codes, and
code segments for accomplishing the example embodiments disclosed
herein can be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to
which the embodiments pertain based on and using the flow diagrams
and block diagrams of the figures and their corresponding
descriptions as provided herein.
[0181] A number of examples have been described above.
Nevertheless, it should be understood that various modifications
may be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the
described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if
components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit
are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented
by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other
implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *