U.S. patent application number 15/886674 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-07 for electronic device including non-contact charging module and battery.
The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Munenori Fujimura, Akio Hidaka, Takumi Naruse, Kenichiro Tabata, Shuichiro Yamaguchi.
Application Number | 20180159358 15/886674 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48983867 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180159358 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamaguchi; Shuichiro ; et
al. |
June 7, 2018 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING NON-CONTACT CHARGING MODULE AND
BATTERY
Abstract
A mobile terminal is provided, which includes a wireless
charging module, a battery pack, and a circuit board substrate. The
wireless charging module includes a charging coil formed of a wound
conducting wire and a communication coil placed adjacent to the
charging coil. The wireless charging module has a substantially
planar shape. The battery pack has a substantially planar shape and
is configured to store power from the wireless charging module. The
circuit board substrate is configured to control operation of the
mobile terminal. The wireless charging module overlaps with each of
the circuit board substrate and the battery pack.
Inventors: |
Yamaguchi; Shuichiro; (Oita,
JP) ; Tabata; Kenichiro; (Oita, JP) ;
Fujimura; Munenori; (Oita, JP) ; Hidaka; Akio;
(Fukuoka, JP) ; Naruse; Takumi; (Miyazaki,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
48983867 |
Appl. No.: |
15/886674 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14376574 |
Aug 4, 2014 |
9935481 |
|
|
PCT/JP2013/000553 |
Feb 1, 2013 |
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15886674 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0044 20130101;
H01M 2/1066 20130101; H01Q 21/28 20130101; H02J 50/90 20160201;
H02J 50/005 20200101; H02J 50/40 20160201; H01Q 7/06 20130101; H02J
50/12 20160201; H01Q 1/243 20130101; H01Q 1/38 20130101; H01Q 1/521
20130101; H02J 7/00034 20200101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H02J 7/00
20130101; H02J 7/025 20130101; H01F 38/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/02 20160101
H02J007/02; H01Q 1/52 20060101 H01Q001/52; H02J 50/12 20160101
H02J050/12; H02J 50/40 20160101 H02J050/40; H01F 38/14 20060101
H01F038/14; H01Q 21/28 20060101 H01Q021/28; H01Q 7/06 20060101
H01Q007/06; H02J 50/90 20160101 H02J050/90; H01Q 1/38 20060101
H01Q001/38; H01Q 1/24 20060101 H01Q001/24; H01M 2/10 20060101
H01M002/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 17, 2012 |
JP |
2012-032317 |
Claims
1. An electronic device having a communication capability, the
electronic device comprising: a housing having a generally
rectangular shape in a plan view of the housing; a non-contact
charging module included in the housing and including: (i) a
wireless charging coil having a substantially planar shape and
formed of a wound electrical wire, and (ii) a magnetic sheet that
overlaps with the wireless charging coil in the plan view of the
housing; a display arranged closer to the magnetic sheet than to
the wireless charging coil of the non-contact charging module; a
battery included in the housing and having a substantially planar
shape that overlaps with the wireless charging coil of the
non-contact charging module in the plan view of the housing, the
battery being configured to receive power from the wireless
charging coil of the non-contact charging module; a circuit board
included in the housing and arranged to not overlap with the
battery in the plan view of the housing; and a Near Field
Communication (NFC) antenna included in the housing and including
an NFC coil formed of a wound electrical wire, wherein a first axis
of the wireless charging coil is different from a second axis of
the NFC coil.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first
axis is orthogonal to the second axis.
3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the
generally rectangular shape of the housing includes short edges
extending in X direction and long edges extending in Y direction, Z
direction extending orthogonal to both the X and Y directions,
wherein the first axis of the wireless charging coil extends in the
Z direction and the second axis of the NFC coil extends in the X
direction.
4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless
charging coil is formed in an oval shape or a circular shape.
5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless
charging coil is formed to define a hollow portion surrounded by
the wound electrical wire.
6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the hollow
portion has an oval shape or a circular shape.
7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the largest
span of the hollow portion is greater than 15.5 mm.
8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the hollow
portion has a circular shape and a diameter of the circular-shape
hollow portion is greater than 15.5 mm.
9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a combined
thickness of the wireless charging coil and the magnetic sheet is
between 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm.
10. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising
a second magnetic sheet for the NFC coil.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless charging module
including a wireless charging module and an NFC antenna, as well as
a portable terminal that includes the wireless charging module.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In recent years, NFC (Near Field Communication) antennas
that utilize RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology and
use radio waves in the 13.56 MHz band and the like are being used
as antennas that are mounted in communication apparatuses such as
portable terminal devices. To improve the communication efficiency,
an NFC antenna is provided with a magnetic sheet that improves the
communication efficiency in the 13.56 MHz band and thus configured
as an NFC antenna module. Technology has also been proposed in
which a wireless charging module is mounted in a communication
apparatus, and the communication apparatus is charged by wireless
charging. According to this technology, a power transmission coil
is disposed on the charger side and a power reception coil is
provided on the communication apparatus side, electromagnetic
induction is generated between the two coils at a frequency in a
band between approximately 100 kHz and 200 kHz to thereby transfer
electric power from the charger to the communication apparatus
side. To improve the communication efficiency, the wireless
charging module is also provided with a magnetic sheet that
improves the efficiency of communication in the band between
approximately 100 kHz and 200 kHz.
[0003] Portable terminals that include such NFC modules and
wireless charging modules have also been proposed (for example, see
PTL 1).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
PTL 1
[0004] Japanese Patent No. 4669560
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] A mobile terminal is provided, which includes a wireless
charging module, a battery pack, and a circuit board substrate. The
wireless charging module includes a charging coil formed of a wound
conducting wire and a communication coil placed adjacent to the
charging coil. The wireless charging module has a substantially
planar shape. The battery pack has a substantially planar shape and
is configured to store power from the wireless charging module. The
circuit board substrate is configured to control operation of the
mobile terminal. The wireless charging module overlaps with each of
the circuit board substrate and the battery pack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating a
wireless charging module according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0007] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating a
charging coil and a magnetic sheet according to the embodiment of
the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 3A to 3D illustrate relations between a primary-side
wireless charging module that includes a magnet, and a charging
coil according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a relation between the size of an inner
diameter of a hollow portion of a charging coil and an L value of
the charging coil when an outer diameter of the hollow portion of
the charging coil is kept constant with respect to a case where a
magnet is provided in a primary-side wireless charging module and a
case where a magnet is not provided therein;
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a relation between an L value of a
charging coil and a percentage of hollowing of a center portion
with respect to a case where a magnet is provided in a primary-side
wireless charging module and a case where a magnet is not provided
therein;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view when the NFC coil and the
magnetic body according to the present embodiment have been
assembled;
[0012] FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating the arrangement of
the NFC coil and the magnetic body according to the present
embodiment;
[0013] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the wiring of the NFC coil
according to the present embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an antenna apparatus
formed by an electronic circuit board and an NFC coil that are
mounted in a portable terminal according to the present embodiment,
and lines of magnetic force generated from the antenna
apparatus;
[0015] FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of lines of
magnetic force that a charging coil and NFC coils generate
according to the present embodiment;
[0016] FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views illustrating a
portable terminal equipped with the wireless charging module
according to the present embodiment, and a portable terminal
equipped with a wireless charging module that includes a
loop-shaped NFC antenna for comparison;
[0017] FIG. 12 illustrates a frequency characteristic of an induced
voltage for each of the two wireless charging modules illustrated
in FIGS. 11A and 11B;
[0018] FIGS. 13A and 13B each illustrate a magnetic field on a YZ
plane of a corresponding one of the two wireless charging modules
illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B;
[0019] FIGS. 14A and 14B each illustrate a magnetic field on a ZX
plane of a corresponding one of the two wireless charging modules
illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B; and
[0020] FIGS. 15A to 15E are sectional views that schematically
illustrate a portable terminal including the wireless charging
module according to the present embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0021] The invention of the present disclosure can obtain a
wireless charging module that includes a charging coil formed of a
wound conducting wire, and an NFC coil that is placed around the
charging coil, in which an axis of the charging coil and a winding
axis of the NFC coil intersect with each other. The wireless
charging module achieves a reduction in size by making a wireless
charging coil and an NFC antenna into a single module, and enables
communication and power transmission in the same direction while
also making coil axis directions of antennas different from each
other to prevent mutual interference.
[0022] In the wireless charging module of the present disclosure,
the axis of the charging coil and the axis of the NFC coil are
substantially orthogonal to each other. Thus, mutual interference
can be prevented the most.
[0023] In the wireless charging module of the present disclosure,
the wireless charging module comprises a plurality of the NFC
coils, in which the plurality of NFC modules are placed so as to
sandwich the wireless charging module between the plurality of NFC
modules. Thus, mutual interference can be prevented while a
reduction in size is achieved.
[0024] Further, in the wireless charging module of the present
disclosure: the charging coil is wound in a substantially
rectangular shape; and at least two of the NFC coils are placed
along two facing sides of the charging coil of the rectangular
shape. Thus, a region in which NFC communication is possible can be
widened with favorable balance around the wireless charging
module.
[0025] The wireless charging module of the present disclosure
further includes a magnetic sheet including a face on which the
charging coil is to be entirely mounted, in which the NFC coil is
placed outside the magnetic sheet. Thus, communication of the NFC
coil can be performed efficiently.
[0026] The wireless charging module of the present disclosure
further includes a magnetic sheet including a face on which the
charging coil is to be entirely mounted, wherein the NFC coil is
wound around a magnetic core. Thus, the thickness and size of the
entire wireless charging module can be reduced while a large
opening portion of the charging coil that transmits a large amount
of power over a short range can be secured.
[0027] Further, in the wireless charging module of the present
disclosure, the magnetic sheet and the magnetic core are formed of
different materials from each other. Thus, objective effects can be
improved by using a magnetic material that is suitable for the
charging coil that transmits a large amount of power over a short
range and a magnetic material that is suitable for the NFC coil
that communicates by transmitting a small amount of power over a
long range, respectively.
[0028] In the wireless charging module of the present disclosure,
the magnetic sheet and the magnetic core are formed of different
kinds of ferrite from each other. Thus, objective effects can be
dramatically improved by using a ferrite material that is suitable
for the charging coil that transmits a large amount of power over a
short range and a ferrite material that is suitable for the NFC
coil that communicates by transmitting a small amount of power over
a long range.
[0029] In the wireless charging module of the present disclosure,
the overall thickness in a stacking direction of the charging coil
and the magnetic sheet is greater than a thickness of the NFC coil
in a direction identical to the stacking direction. Thus, an
overall reduction in size and in thickness can be effectively
realized by forming the NFC coil that is placed on the outside with
a reduced thickness.
[0030] Further, in the wireless charging module of the present
disclosure, a length in a longitudinal direction of the two facing
sides of the rectangular charging coil is shorter than a length of
the NFC coil in a direction identical to the longitudinal
direction. Thus, it is difficult for a situation to arise in which
the charging coil interferes with a magnetic field that the NFC
coil generates.
[0031] In the wireless charging module of the present disclosure, a
number of turns of the charging coil is greater than a number of
turns of the NFC coil. Thus, an inductance value of the charging
coil that transmits a larger amount of power can be increased.
[0032] In the wireless charging module of the present disclosure,
an opening area of the charging coil is larger than an opening area
of the NFC coil. Thus, an inductance value of the charging coil
that transmits a larger amount of power can be increased.
[0033] In the wireless charging module of the present disclosure,
the numbers of turns of the plurality of NFC coils are equal to
each other. Thus, a magnetic field is generated with favorable
balance from the plurality of NFC coils, and hence NFC
communication can be stably performed.
[0034] Further, in the wireless charging module of the present
disclosure, the plurality of NFC coils are an identical shape.
Thus, a magnetic field is generated with favorable balance from the
plurality of NFC coils, and hence NFC communication can be stably
performed.
[0035] In addition, a portable terminal of the present disclosure
includes the wireless charging module of the present disclosure
inside a casing. Thus, it is possible to obtain a wireless charging
module that achieves a reduction in size by making a wireless
charging coil and an NFC antenna into a single module and enables
communication and power transmission in the same direction while
also making coil axis directions of antennas different from each
other to prevent mutual interference.
[0036] In the portable terminal of the present disclosure, a metal
body is provided inside the casing and the NFC coil is placed at an
edge of the metal body. Thus, a magnetic field that the NFC antenna
generates can be caused to incline and NFC communication can be
performed more efficiently.
[0037] Further, in the portable terminal of the present disclosure,
an opening portion of the NFC coil is substantially perpendicular
to the metal body. Thus, an eddy current with respect to the NFC
antenna that arises inside the metal body can be suppressed, and
NFC communication can be performed more efficiently.
Embodiment
[Regarding Wireless Charging Module]
[0038] Hereunder, an overview of a wireless charging module
according to an embodiment of the present invention will be
described using FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic
diagrams illustrating a wireless charging module according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a top view of the
wireless charging module, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the
wireless charging module.
[0039] Wireless charging module 100 of the present embodiment
includes: charging coil 30 that includes a conducting wire wound in
a planar shape; two NFC coils 40 that are placed around charging
coil 30; and magnetic sheet 10 that supports charging coil 30. The
number of NFC coils 40 provided in wireless charging module 100 may
also be one, three, four or more.
[0040] Wireless charging module 100 includes sheet-like magnetic
sheet 10 that includes an upper face and a lower face in an
opposite direction. Charging coil 30 is mounted (adhered) on the
upper face of magnetic sheet 10. At least one NFC coil 40, and
preferably a plurality of NFC coils 40 are placed around magnetic
sheet 10 and charging coil 30. In the present embodiment, two NFC
coils 40 are provided that face each other with magnetic sheet 10
and charging coil 30 sandwiched therebetween. NFC coils 40 may also
be mounted on the upper face of magnetic sheet 10. The coil axes of
the two NFC coils 40 are substantially parallel to each other (the
coil axes may also intersect at an angle between around -10 to +10
degrees), and the coil axes may be in a relation in which the coil
axes are substantially perpendicular or inclined with respect to
each other. It is favorable to wind NFC coil 40 around magnetic
body 20, since the communication efficiency of NFC coil 40 is
improved thereby. The area of an upper face of single magnetic body
20 is smaller than the area of the upper face of magnetic sheet 10.
Coil axis A of charging coil 30 and coil axis B of NFC coil 40
intersect with each other in a substantially orthogonal manner (at
an angle between approximately 75 and 105 degrees). Although in the
present embodiment magnetic sheet 10 and magnetic body 20 come in
contact through a protective tape or the like, magnetic sheet 10
and magnetic body 20 may be separated from each other. By making
magnetic sheet 10 and magnetic body 20 contact, magnetic sheet 10
and magnetic body 20 can be configured to the maximum size inside
wireless charging module 100 that is reduced in size.
[0041] [Regarding Charging Coil]
[0042] The charging coil will be described in detail using FIGS. 2A
and 2B.
[0043] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of a charging coil
and a magnetic sheet according to the embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2A is an exploded view illustrating the arrangement
relationship between the charging coil and the magnetic sheet. FIG.
2B is a top view of the charging coil and the magnetic sheet.
[0044] In the present embodiment, charging coil 30 is wound in a
substantially square shape, but may be wound in any shape such as a
substantially rectangular shape including a substantially oblong
shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a polygonal
shape.
[0045] Charging coil 30 has two leg portions (terminals) 32a and
32b as a starting end and a terminating end thereof, and includes a
litz wire constituted by around 8 to 15 conducting wires having a
diameter of approximately 0.1 mm or a plurality of wires
(preferably, around 2 to 15 conducting wires having a diameter of
0.08 mm to 0.3 mm) that is wound around a hollow portion as though
to draw a swirl on the surface. For example, in the case of a coil
including a wound litz wire made of 12 conducting wires having a
diameter of 0.1 mm, in comparison to a coil including a single
wound conducting wire having the same cross-sectional area, the
alternating-current resistance decreases considerably due to the
skin effect. If the alternating-current resistance decreases while
the coil is operating, heat generation by the coil decreases and
thus charging coil 30 that has favorable thermal properties can be
realized. At this time, if a litz wire that includes 8 to 15
conducting wires having a diameter of 0.08 mm to 1.5 mm is used,
favorable power transfer efficiency can be achieved. If a single
wire is used, it is advantageous to use a conducting wire having a
diameter between 0.2 mm and 1 mm. Further, for example, a
configuration may also be adopted, in which, similarly to a litz
wire, a single conducting wire is formed of three conducting wires
having a diameter of 0.2 mm and two conducting wires having a
diameter of 0.3 mm. Leg portions 32a and 32b as a current supply
section supply a current from a commercial power source that is an
external power source to charging coil 30. Note that an amount of
current that flows through charging coil 30 is between
approximately 0.4 A and 2 A. In the present embodiment the amount
of current is 0.7 A.
[0046] In charging coil 30 of the present embodiment, a distance
between facing sides (a length of one side) of the hollow portion
having a substantially square shape is 20 mm (between 15 mm and 25
mm is preferable), and a distance between facing sides (a length of
one side) at an outer edge of the substantially square shape is 30
mm (between 25 mm and 45 mm is preferable). Charging coil 30 is
wound in a donut shape. In a case where charging coil 30 is wound
in a substantially oblong shape, with respect to facing sides of
the hollow portion of the substantially oblong shape, a distance
between short sides (a length of one side) is 15 mm (between 10 mm
and 20 mm is preferable) and a distance between long sides (a
length of one side) is 23 mm (between 15 mm and 30 mm is
preferable). Further, with respect to facing sides at an outer edge
of a substantially square shape, a distance between short sides (a
length of one side) is 28 mm (between 15 mm and 35 mm is
preferable) and a distance between long sides (a length of one
side) is 36 mm (between 20 mm and 45 mm is preferable). In a case
where charging coil 30 is wound in a circular shape, the diameter
of the hollow portion is 20 mm (between 10 mm and 25 mm is
preferable) and the diameter of an outer edge of the circular shape
is 35 mm (between 25 mm and 45 mm is preferable).
[0047] Note that, the combined thickness of charging coil 30 and
magnetic sheet 10 in a state in which charging coil 30 is stacked
on magnetic sheet 10 is 0.8 mm. To achieve a reduction in the
thickness of the module, it is preferable that the combined
thickness of charging coil 30 and magnetic sheet 10 is between 0.6
mm and 1 mm.
[0048] In some cases charging coil 30 is the secondary side (power
reception side), and utilizes a magnet for alignment with a coil of
a primary-side wireless charging module inside a charger that
supplies power to charging coil 30 as a counterpart for power
transmission. A magnet in such a case is defined by the standard
(WPC) as a circular (coin shaped) neodymium magnet having a
diameter of approximately 15.5 mm (approximately 10 mm to 20 mm)
and a thickness of approximately 1.5 mm to 2 mm or the like. A
favorable strength of the magnet is approximately 75 mT to 150 mT.
Since an interval between a coil of the primary-side wireless
charging module and charging coil 30 is around 2 to 5 mm, it is
possible to adequately perform alignment using such a magnet. The
magnet is disposed in a hollow portion of the wireless charging
module coil on the primary side or secondary side. In the present
embodiment, the magnet is disposed in the hollow portion of
charging coil 30.
[0049] That is, for example, the following methods may be mentioned
as an aligning method. For example, a method is available in which
a protruding portion is formed in a charging surface of a charger,
a recessed portion is formed in an electronic device on the
secondary side, and the protruding portion is fitted into the
recessed portion to thereby physically (geometrically) perform
compulsory aligning. A method is also available in which a magnet
is mounted on at least one of the primary side and secondary side,
and alignment is performed by attraction between the respective
magnets or between a magnet on one side and a magnetic sheet on the
other side. According to another method, the primary side detects
the position of a coil of the secondary side and automatically
moves a coil on the primary side to the position of the coil on the
secondary side. Other available methods include a method in which a
large number of coils are provided in a charger so that a portable
device can be charged at every place on the charging surface of the
charger.
[0050] Thus, various methods can be mentioned as common methods for
aligning the coils of the primary-side (charging-side) wireless
charging module and the secondary-side (charged-side) wireless
charging module, and the methods are divided into methods that use
a magnet and methods that do not use a magnet. By configuring
wireless charging module 100 to be adaptable to both a primary-side
(charging-side) wireless charging module that uses a magnet and a
primary-side wireless charging module that does not use a magnet,
charging can be performed regardless of the type of primary-side
wireless charging module, which in turn improves the convenience of
the module.
[0051] The influence that a magnet has on the power transmission
efficiency of wireless charging module 100 will be described.
[0052] When magnetic flux for electromagnetic induction is
generated between the primary-side wireless charging module and
wireless charging module 100 to transmit power, the presence of a
magnet between or around the primary-side wireless charging module
and wireless charging module 100 leads extension of the magnetic
flux to avoid the magnet. Otherwise, the magnetic flux that passes
through the magnet becomes an eddy current or generates heat in the
magnet and is lost. Furthermore, if the magnet is disposed in the
vicinity of magnetic sheet 10, magnetic sheet 10 that is in the
vicinity of the magnet saturates and the magnetic permeability
thereof decreases. Therefore, the magnet that is included in the
primary-side wireless charging module may decrease an L value of
charging coil 30. As a result, transmission efficiency between the
wireless charging modules will decrease. To prevent this, in the
present embodiment the hollow portion of charging coil 30 is made
larger than the magnet. That is, the area of the hollow portion is
made larger than the area of a circular face of the coin-shaped
magnet, and an inside edge (portion surrounding the hollow portion)
of charging coil 30 is configured to be located at a position that
is on the outer side relative to the outer edge of the magnet.
Further, because the diameter of the magnet is 15.5 mm or less, it
is sufficient to make the hollow portion larger than a circle
having a diameter of 15.5 mm. As another method, charging coil 30
may be wound in a substantially oblong shape (including a square
shape), and a diagonal of the hollow portion having a substantially
oblong shape may be made longer than the diameter (maximum 15.5 mm)
of the magnet. As a result, since the corner portions (four
corners) at which the magnetic flux concentrates of charging coil
30 that is wound in a substantially oblong shape are positioned on
the outer side relative to the magnet, the influence of the magnet
can be suppressed. Effects obtained by employing the above
described configuration are described hereunder.
[0053] FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate relations between the primary-side
wireless charging module including the magnet, and the charging
coil according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A
illustrates a case where the aligning magnet is used when the inner
width of the wound charging coil is small. FIG. 3B illustrates a
case where the aligning magnet is used when the inner width of the
wound charging coil is large. FIG. 3C illustrates a case where the
aligning magnet is not used when the inner width of the wound
charging coil is small. FIG. 3D illustrates a case where the
aligning magnet is not used when the inner width of the wound
charging coil is large.
[0054] Primary-side wireless charging module 200 that is disposed
inside the charger includes primary-side coil 210, magnet 220, and
a magnetic sheet (not illustrated in the drawings). In FIGS. 3A to
3D, magnetic sheet 10, charging coil 30, and NFC coil 40 inside
wireless charging module 100 are schematically illustrated.
[0055] Wireless charging module 100 and primary-side wireless
charging module 200 are aligned so that primary-side coil 210 and
charging coil 30 face each other. A magnetic field is generated
between inner portion 211 of primary-side coil 210 and inner
portion 33 of charging coil 30 and power is transmitted. Inner
portion 211 and inner portion 33 face each other. Inner portion 211
and inner portion 33 are close to magnet 220 and are liable to be
adversely affected by magnet 220.
[0056] In addition, because magnet 220 is disposed in the vicinity
of magnetic sheet 10 and magnetic body 20, the magnetic
permeability of magnetic sheet 10 in the vicinity of magnet 220
decreases. Naturally, magnetic sheet 10 is closer than magnetic
body 20 to magnet 220, and is more liable to be affected by magnet
220. Therefore, magnet 220 included in primary-side wireless
charging module 200 weakens the magnetic flux of primary-side coil
210 and charging coil 30, particularly, at inner portion 211 and
inner portion 33, and exerts an adverse effect. As a result, the
transmission efficiency of the wireless charging decreases.
Accordingly, in the case illustrated in FIG. 3A, inner portion 33
that is liable to be adversely affected by magnet 220 is large.
[0057] In contrast, in the case illustrated in FIG. 3C in which a
magnet is not used, the L value increases because the number of
turns of charging coil 30 is large. As a result, since there is a
significant decrease in the numerical value from the L value in
FIG. 3C to the L value in FIG. 3A, when using a wound coil having a
small inner width, the L-value decrease rate with respect to an L
value in a case where magnet 220 is included for alignment and an L
value in a case where magnet 220 is not included is extremely
large.
[0058] Further, if the inner width of charging coil 30 is smaller
than the diameter of magnet 220 as illustrated in FIG. 3A, charging
coil 30 is directly adversely affected by magnet 220 to a degree
that corresponds to the area of charging coil 30 that faces magnet
220. Accordingly, it is better for the inner width of charging coil
30 to be larger than the diameter of magnet 220.
[0059] In contrast, when the inner width of charging coil 30 is
large as illustrated in FIG. 3B, inner portion 33 that is liable to
be adversely affected by magnet 220 is extremely small. In the case
illustrated in FIG. 3D in which magnet 220 is not used, the L value
is smaller than in FIG. 3C because the number of turns of charging
coil 30 is less. Thus, because a decrease in the numerical value
from the L value in the case illustrated in FIG. 3D to the L value
in the case illustrated in FIG. 3B is small, the L-value decrease
rate can be suppressed to a small amount in the case of coils that
have a large inner width. Further, as the inner width of charging
coil 30 increases, the influence of magnet 220 can be suppressed
because the distance from magnet 220 to the edge of the hollow
portion of charging coil 30 increases.
[0060] On the other hand, since wireless charging module 100 is
mounted in an electronic device or the like, charging coil 30
cannot be made larger than a certain size. Accordingly, if the
inner width of charging coil 30 is enlarged to reduce the adverse
effects from magnet 220, the number of turns will decrease and the
L value itself will decrease regardless of the presence or absence
of magnet 220. Therefore, since magnet 220 can be made the maximum
size in a case where the area of magnet 220 and the area of the
hollow portion of charging coil 30 are substantially the same (the
outer diameter of magnet 220 is about 0 to 2 mm smaller than the
inner width of charging coil 30, or the area of magnet 220 is a
proportion of about 75% to 95% relative to the area of the hollow
portion of charging coil 30), the alignment accuracy between the
primary-side wireless charging module and the secondary-side
wireless charging module can be improved. Further, if the area of
magnet 220 is less than the area of the hollow portion of charging
coil 30 (the outer diameter of magnet 220 is about 2 to 8 mm
smaller than the inner width of charging coil 30, or the area of
magnet 220 is a proportion of about 45% to 75% relative to the area
of the hollow portion of charging coil 30), even if there are
variations in the alignment accuracy, it is possible to ensure that
magnet 220 is not present at a portion at which inner portion 211
and inner portion 33 face each other.
[0061] In addition, as charging coil 30 that is mounted in wireless
charging module 100 having the same lateral width and vertical
width, the influence of magnet 220 can be suppressed more by
winding the coil in a substantially rectangular shape rather than
in a circular shape. That is, comparing a circular coil in which
the diameter of a hollow portion is represented by "x" and a
substantially square coil in which a distance between facing sides
of the hollow portion (a length of one side) is represented by "x,"
if conducting wires having the same diameter as each other are
wound with the same number of turns, the respective conducting
wires will be housed in respective wireless charging modules 100
that have the same width. In such case, length y of a diagonal of
the hollow portion of the substantially square-shaped coil will be
such that y>x. Accordingly, if the diameter of magnet 220 is
taken as "m," a distance (x-m) between the innermost edge of the
circular coil and magnet 220 is always constant (x>m). On the
other hand, a distance between the innermost edge of a
substantially rectangular coil and magnet 220 is a minimum of
(x-m), and is a maximum of (y-m) at corner portions 31a to 31d.
When charging coil 30 includes corners such as corner portions 31a
to 31d, magnetic flux concentrates at the corners during power
transmission. That is, corner portions 31a to 31d at which the most
magnetic flux concentrates are furthest from magnet 220, and
moreover, the width (size) of wireless charging module 100 does not
change. Accordingly, the power transmission efficiency of charging
coil 30 can be improved without making wireless charging module 100
a large size.
[0062] The size of charging coil 30 can be reduced further if
charging coil 30 is wound in a substantially oblong shape. That is,
even if a short side of a hollow portion that is a substantially
oblong shape is smaller than m, as long as a long side thereof is
larger than m it is possible to dispose four corner portions
outside of the outer circumference of magnet 220. Accordingly, when
charging coil 30 is wound in a substantially oblong shape around a
hollow portion having a substantially oblong shape, charging coil
30 can be wound in a favorable manner as long as at least the long
side of the hollow portion is larger than m. Note that, the
foregoing description of a configuration in which the innermost
edge of charging coil 30 is on the outer side of magnet 220 that is
provided in primary-side wireless charging module 200 and in which
four corners of the substantially rectangular hollow portion of
charging coil 30 that is wound in a substantially rectangular shape
are on the outside of magnet 220 refers to a configuration as shown
in FIG. 3B. That is, the foregoing describes a fact that when an
edge of the circular face of magnet 220 is extended in the stacking
direction and caused to extend as far as wireless charging module
100, a region surrounded by the extension line is contained within
the hollow portion of charging coil 30.
[0063] FIG. 4 illustrates a relation between the size of the inner
diameter of the wound charging coil and the L value of the charging
coil when the outer diameter of the wound charging coil is kept
constant, with respect to a case where a magnet is provided in the
primary-side wireless charging module and a case where the magnet
is not provided therein. As shown in FIG. 4, when the size of
magnet 220 and the outer diameter of charging coil 30 are kept
constant, the influence of magnet 220 on charging coil 30 decreases
as the number of turns of charging coil 30 decreases and the inner
diameter of charging coil 30 increases. That is, the L value of
charging coil 30 in a case where magnet 220 is utilized for
alignment between primary-side wireless charging module 200 and
(secondary-side) wireless charging module 100 and the L value of
charging coil 30 in a case where magnet 220 is not utilized for
alignment approach each other. Accordingly, a resonance frequency
when magnet 220 is used and a resonance frequency when magnet 220
is not used become extremely similar values. At such time, the
outer diameter of the wound coil is uniformly set to 30 mm.
Further, by making the distance between the edge of the hollow
portion of charging coil 30 (innermost edge of charging coil 30)
and the outer edge of magnet 220 greater than 0 mm and less than 6
mm, the L values in the case of utilizing magnet 220 and the case
of not utilizing magnet 220 can be made similar to each other while
maintaining the L values at 15 pH or more.
[0064] The conducting wire of charging coil 30 may be a single
conducting wire that is stacked in a plurality of stages, and the
stacking direction in this case is the same as the stacking
direction in which magnetic sheet 10 and charging coil 30 are
stacked. At such time, by stacking the layers of conducting wire
that are arranged in the vertical direction with a space interposed
in between, stray capacitance between conducting wire on an upper
stage and conducting wire on a lower stage decreases, and the
alternating-current resistance of charging coil 30 can be
suppressed to a small amount. Further, the thickness of charging
coil 30 can be minimized by winding the conducting wire densely. By
stacking the conducting wire in this manner, the number of turns of
charging coil 30 can be increased to thereby improve the L value.
However, in comparison to winding of charging coil 30 in a
plurality of stages in the stacking direction, winding of charging
coil 30 in one stage can lower the alternating-current resistance
of charging coil 30 and raise the transmission efficiency.
[0065] If charging coil 30 is wound in a polygonal shape, corner
portions (corners) 31a to 31d are provided as described below.
Charging coil 30 that is wound in a substantially square shape
refers to a coil in which R (radius of a curve at the four corners)
of corner portions 31a to 31d that are four corners of the hollow
portion is equal to or less than 30% of the edge width of the
hollow portion. That is, in FIG. 2B, in the substantially square
hollow portion, the four corners have a curved shape. In comparison
to right angled corners, the strength of the conducting wire at the
four corners can be improved when the corners are curved to some
extent. However, if R is too large, there is almost no difference
from a circular coil and it will not be possible to obtain effects
that are only obtained with a substantially square charging coil
30. It has been found that when the edge width of the hollow
portion is, for example, 20 mm, and radius R of a curve at each of
the four corners is 6 mm or less, the influence of magnet 220 can
be effectively suppressed. Further, when taking into account the
strength of the four corners as described above, the greatest
effect of the rectangular coil described above can be obtained by
making radius R of a curve at each of the four corners an amount
that corresponds to a proportion of 5 to 30% relative to the edge
width of the substantially square hollow portion. Note that, even
in the case of charging coil 30 wound in a substantially oblong
shape, the effect of the substantially oblong coil described above
can be obtained by making radius R of a curve at each of the four
corners an amount that corresponds to a proportion of 5 to 30%
relative to the edge width (either one of a short side and a long
side) of the substantially oblong hollow portion. Note that, in the
present embodiment, with respect to the four corners at the
innermost end (hollow portion) of charging coil 30, R is 2 mm, and
a preferable value for R is between 0.5 mm and 4 mm.
[0066] Further, when winding charging coil 30 in a rectangular
shape, preferably, leg portions 32a and 32b are provided in the
vicinity of corner portions 31a to 31d. When charging coil 30 is
wound in a circular shape, irrespective of where leg portions 32a
and 32b are provided, leg portions 32a and 32b can be provided at a
portion at which a planar coil portion is wound in a curve. When
the conducting wire is wound in a curved shape, a force acts that
tries to maintain the curved shape thereof, and it is difficult for
the overall shape to be broken even if leg portions 32a and 32b are
formed. In contrast, in the case of a coil in which the conducting
wire is wound in a rectangular shape, there is a difference in the
force with which the coil tries to maintain the shape of the coil
itself with respect to side portions (linear portions) and corner
portions. That is, at corner portions 31a to 31d in FIG. 2B, a
large force acts to try to maintain the shape of charging coil 30.
However, at each side portion, a force that acts to try to maintain
the shape of charging coil 30 is small, and the conducting wire is
liable to become uncoiled from charging coil 30 in a manner in
which the conducting wire pivots around the curves at corner
portions 31a to 31d. As a result, the number of turns of charging
coil 30 fluctuates by, for example, about 1/8 turn, and the L value
of charging coil 30 fluctuates. That is, the L value of charging
coil 30 varies. Accordingly, it is favorable for a winding start
point on leg portion 32a side of the conducting wire to be adjacent
to corner portion 31a, and for the conducting wire to bend at
corner portion 31a immediately after the winding start point. The
winding start point and corner portion 31a may also be adjacent.
Subsequently, the conducting wire is wound a plurality of times
until a winding end point is formed before bending at corner
portion 31a, and the conducting wire then forms leg portion 32b and
is bent to the outer side of charging coil 30. At this time, the
conducting wire is bent to a larger degree in a gradual manner at
the winding end point compared to the winding start point. This is
done to enhance a force that tries to maintain the shape of leg
portion 32b.
[0067] If the conducting wire is a litz wire, a force that tries to
maintain the shape of charging coil 30 is further enhanced. In the
case of a litz wire, since the surface area per wire is large, if
an adhesive or the like is used to fix the shape of charging coil
30, it is easy to fix the shape thereof. In contrast, if the
conducting wire is a single wire, because the surface area per
conducting wire decreases, the surface area to be adhered decreases
and the shape of charging coil 30 is liable to become uncoiled.
[0068] According to the present embodiment charging coil 30 is
formed using a conducting wire having a circular sectional shape,
but a conducting wire having a square sectional shape may be used
as well. In the case of using a conducting wire having a circular
sectional shape, since gaps arise between adjacent conducting
wires, stray capacitance between the conducting wires decreases and
the alternating-current resistance of charging coil 30 can be
suppressed to a small amount.
[0069] [Regarding Magnetic Sheet]
[0070] Magnetic sheet 10 includes flat portion 12 on which charging
coil 30 is mounted, center portion 13 that is substantially the
center portion of flat portion 12 and that corresponds to (faces)
the inside of the hollow region of charging coil 30, and slit 11
into which at least a part of two leg portions 32a and 32b of
charging coil 30 is inserted. Slit 11 need not be formed as shown
in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and is also not limited to a slit shape that
penetrates through magnetic sheet 10, and may be formed in the
shape of a non-penetrating recessed portion as shown in FIGS. 2A
and 2B. Forming slit 11 in a slit shape facilitates manufacture and
makes it possible to securely house the conducting wire. On the
other hand, forming slit 11 in the shape of a recessed portion
makes it possible to increase the volume of magnetic sheet 10, and
it is thereby possible to improve the L value of charging coil 30
and the transmission efficiency. Center portion 13 may be formed in
a shape that, with respect to flat portion 12, is any one of a
protruding portion shape, a flat shape, a recessed portion shape,
and the shape of a through-hole. If center portion 13 is formed as
a protruding portion, the magnetic flux of charging coil 30 can be
strengthened. If center portion 13 is flat, manufacturing is
facilitated and charging coil 30 can be easily mounted thereon, and
furthermore, a balance can be achieved between the influence of
aligning magnet 220 and the L value of charging coil 30 that is
described later. A detailed description with respect to a recessed
portion shape and a through-hole is described later.
[0071] A Ni--Zn ferrite sheet (sintered body), a Mn--Zn ferrite
sheet (sintered body), or a Mg--Zn ferrite sheet (sintered body) or
the like can be used as magnetic sheet 10. Magnetic sheet 10 may be
configured as a single layer, may be configured by stacking a
plurality of sheets made of the same material in the thickness
direction, or may be configured by stacking a plurality of
different magnetic sheets 10 in the thickness direction. It is
preferable that, at least, the magnetic permeability of magnetic
sheet 10 is 250 or more and the saturation magnetic flux density
thereof is 350 mT or more.
[0072] An amorphous metal can also be used as magnetic sheet 10.
The use of ferrite sheet as magnetic sheet 10 is advantageous in
that the alternating-current resistance of charging coil 30 can be
reduced, while the use of amorphous metal as magnetic sheet 10 is
advantageous in that the thickness of charging coil 30 can be
reduced.
[0073] Magnetic sheet 10 is substantially square with a size of
approximately 40.times.40 mm (from 35 mm to 50 mm). In a case where
magnetic sheet 10 is a substantially oblong shape, a short side
thereof is 35 mm (from 25 mm to 45 mm) and a long side is 45 mm
(from 35 mm to 55 mm). The thickness thereof is 0.43 mm (in
practice, between 0.4 mm and 0.55 mm, and a thickness between
approximately 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm is adequate). It is desirable to
form magnetic sheet 10 in a size that is equal to or greater than
the size of the outer circumferential edge of magnetic body 20.
Magnetic sheet 10 may be a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a
polygonal shape, or a rectangular and polygonal shape having large
curves at four corners.
[0074] Slit 11 houses the conducting wire of leg portion 32a that
extend from winding start point 32aa (innermost portion of coil)
charging coil 30 to the lower end portion of magnetic sheet 10.
Thus, slit 11 prevents the conducting wire from winding start point
32aa of charging coil 30 to leg portion 32a overlapping in the
stacking direction at a planar winding portion of charging coil
30.
[0075] Slit 11 is formed so that one end thereof is substantially
perpendicular to an end (edge) of magnetic sheet 10 that intersects
therewith, and so as to contact center portion 13 of magnetic sheet
10. In a case where charging coil 30 is circular, by forming slit
11 so as to overlap with a tangent of center portion 13 (circular),
leg portions 32a and 32b can be formed without bending winding
start point 32aa of the conducting wire. In a case where charging
coil 30 is a substantially rectangular shape, by forming slit 11 so
as to overlap with an extension line of a side of center portion 13
(having a substantially rectangular shape), leg portions 32a and
32b can be formed without bending the winding start portion of the
conducting wire. The length of slit 11 depends on the inner
diameter of charging coil 30 and the size of magnetic sheet 10. In
the present embodiment, the length of slit 11 is between
approximately 15 mm and 30 mm.
[0076] Slit 11 may also be formed at a portion at which an end
(edge) of magnetic sheet 10 and center portion 13 are closest to
each other. That is, when charging coil 30 is circular, slit 11 is
formed to be perpendicular to the end (edge) of magnetic sheet 10
and a tangent of center portion 13 (circular), and is formed as a
short slit. Further, when charging coil 30 is substantially
rectangular, slit 11 is formed to be perpendicular to an end (edge)
of magnetic sheet 10 and a side of center portion 13 (substantially
rectangular), and is formed as a short slit. It is thereby possible
to minimize the area in which slit 11 is formed and to improve the
transmission efficiency of a wireless power transmission device.
Note that, in this case, the length of slit 11 is approximately 5
mm to 20 mm. In both of these configurations, the inner side end of
slit 11 (slit) is connected to center portion 13.
[0077] Next, adverse effects on the magnetic sheet produced by the
magnet for alignment described in the foregoing are described. As
described above, when the magnet is provided in primary-side
wireless charging module 200 for alignment, due to the influence of
magnet 220, the magnetic permeability of magnetic sheet 10
decreases at a portion that is close to magnet 220 in particular.
Accordingly, the L value of charging coil 30 varies significantly
between a case where magnet 220 for alignment is provided in
primary-side wireless charging module 200 and a case where magnet
220 is not provided. It is therefore necessary to provide magnetic
sheet 10 such that the L value of charging coil 30 changes as
little as possible between a case where magnet 220 is close thereto
and a case where magnet 220 is not close thereto.
[0078] When the electronic device in which wireless charging module
100 is mounted is a mobile phone, in many cases wireless charging
module 100 is disposed between the case constituting the exterior
package of the mobile phone and a battery pack located inside the
mobile phone, or between the case and a substrate located inside
the case. In general, since the battery pack is a casing made of
aluminum, the battery pack adversely affects power transmission.
This is because an eddy current is generated in the aluminum in a
direction that weakens the magnetic flux generated by the coil, and
therefore the magnetic flux of the coil is weakened. For this
reason, it is necessary to alleviate the influence with respect to
the aluminum by providing magnetic sheet 10 between the aluminum
which is the exterior package of the battery pack and charging coil
30 disposed on the exterior package thereof. Further, there is a
possibility that an electronic component mounted on the substrate
will interfere with power transmission of charging coil 30, and the
electronic component and charging coil 30 will exert adverse
effects on each other. Consequently, it is necessary to provide
magnetic sheet 10 or a metal film between the substrate and
charging coil 30, and suppress the mutual influences of the
substrate and charging coil 30.
[0079] In consideration of the above described points, it is
important that magnetic sheet 10 that is used in wireless charging
module 100 have a high level of magnetic permeability and a high
saturation magnetic flux density so that the L value of charging
coil 30 is made as large as possible. It is sufficient if the
magnetic permeability of magnetic sheet 10 is 250 or more and the
saturation magnetic flux density thereof is 350 mT or more. In the
present embodiment, magnetic sheet 10 is a Mn--Zn ferrite sintered
body having a magnetic permeability between 1,500 and 2,500, a
saturation magnetic flux density between 400 and 500, and a
thickness between approximately 400 .mu.m and 700 .mu.m. However,
magnetic sheet 10 may be made of Ni--Zn ferrite, and favorable
power transmission can be performed with primary-side wireless
charging module 200 as long as the magnetic permeability thereof is
250 or more and the saturation magnetic flux density is 350 or
more.
[0080] Charging coil 30 forms an LC resonance circuit through the
use of a resonant capacitor. At such time, if the L value of
charging coil 30 varies significantly between a case where magnet
220 provided in primary-side wireless charging module 200 is
utilized for alignment and a case where magnet 220 is not utilized,
a resonance frequency with the resonant capacitor will also vary
significantly. Since the resonance frequency is used for power
transmission (charging) between primary-side wireless charging
module 200 and wireless charging module 100, if the resonance
frequency varies significantly depending on the presence/absence of
magnet 220, it will not be possible to perform power transmission
correctly. However, by adopting the above described configuration,
variations in the resonance frequency that are caused by the
presence/absence of magnet 220 are suppressed, and highly efficient
power transmission is performed in all situations.
[0081] A further reduction in thickness is enabled in a case where
magnetic sheet 10 is a ferrite sheet composed of Mn--Zn ferrite.
That is, the frequency of electromagnetic induction is defined by
the standard (WPC) as a frequency between approximately 100 kHz and
200 kHz (for example, 120 kHz). A Mn--Zn ferrite sheet provides a
high level of efficiency in this low frequency band. Note that a
Ni--Zn ferrite sheet provides a high level of efficiency at a high
frequency. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, magnetic sheet
10 that is used for wireless charging for performing power
transmission at a frequency between approximately 100 kHz and 200
kHz is constituted by a Mn--Zn ferrite sheet, and magnetic body 20
that is used for NFC communication in which communication is
performed at a frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz is constituted
by a Ni--Zn ferrite sheet. By using respectively different kinds of
ferrite to form magnetic sheet 10 and magnetic body 20 in this
manner, magnetic sheet 10 and magnetic body 20 can efficiently
perform power transmission and communication, respectively.
Further, even when magnetic sheet 10 and magnetic body 20 are
reduced in thickness and reduced in size, sufficient efficiency can
be obtained by magnetic sheet 10 and magnetic body 20,
respectively.
[0082] A hole may be formed at the center of center portion 13 of
magnetic sheet 10. Note that, the term "hole" may refer to either
of a through-hole and a recessed portion. The hole may be larger or
smaller than center portion 13, and it is favorable to form a hole
that is smaller than center portion 13. That is, when charging coil
30 is mounted on magnetic sheet 10, the hole may be larger or
smaller than the hollow portion of charging coil 30. If the hole is
smaller than the hollow portion of charging coil 30, all of
charging coil 30 will be mounted on magnetic sheet 10.
[0083] As described in the foregoing, by configuring wireless
charging module 100 to be adaptable to both a primary-side
(charging-side) wireless charging module that uses a magnet and
primary-side wireless charging module 200 that does not use a
magnet, charging can be performed regardless of the type of
primary-side wireless charging module 200, which improves the
convenience of the module. There is a demand to make the L value of
charging coil 30 in a case where magnet 220 is provided in
primary-side wireless charging module 200 and the L value of
charging coil 30 in a case where magnet 220 is not provided therein
close to each other, and to also improve both L values. In
addition, when magnet 220 is disposed in the vicinity of magnetic
sheet 10, the magnetic permeability of center portion 13 of
magnetic sheet 10 that is in the vicinity of magnet 220 decreases.
Therefore, a decrease in the magnetic permeability can be
suppressed by providing the hole in center portion 13.
[0084] FIG. 5 illustrates a relation between an L value of a
charging coil in a case where a magnet is provided in the
primary-side wireless charging module and a case where a magnet is
not provided, and the percentage of hollowing of the center
portion. Note that a percentage of hollowing of 100%means that the
hole in center portion 13 is a through-hole, and a percentage of
hollowing of 0% means that a hole is not provided. Further, a
percentage of hollowing of 50%means that, for example, a hole
(recessed portion) of a depth of 0.3 mm is provided with respect to
a magnetic sheet having a thickness of 0.6 mm.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 5, in the case where magnet 220 is not
provided in primary-side wireless charging module 200, the L value
decreases as the percentage of hollowing increases. At such time,
although the L value decreases very little when the percentage of
hollowing is from 0% to 75%, the L value decreases significantly
when the percentage of hollowing is between 75% and 100%. In
contrast, when magnet 220 is provided in primary-side wireless
charging module 200, the L value rises as the percentage of
hollowing increases. This is because the charging coil is less
liable to be adversely affected by the magnet. At such time, the L
value gradually rises when the percentage of hollowing is between
0% and 75%, and rises significantly when the percentage of
hollowing is between 75% and 100%.
[0086] Accordingly, when the percentage of hollowing is between 0%
and 75%, while maintaining the L value in a case where magnet 220
is not provided in primary-side wireless charging module 200, the L
value in a case where magnet 220 is provided in primary-side
wireless charging module 200 can be increased. Further, when the
percentage of hollowing is between 75% and 100%, the L value in a
case where magnet 220 is not provided in primary-side wireless
charging module 200 and the L value in a case where magnet 220 is
provided in primary-side wireless charging module 200 can be
brought significantly close to each other. The greatest effect is
achieved when the percentage of hollowing is between 40 and 60%.
Magnet 220 and the magnetic sheet can adequately attract each other
when magnet 220 is provided and the L value of a case where magnet
220 is provided in primary-side wireless charging module 200 is
increased to 1 .mu.H or more while the L value of a case where no
magnet 220 is provided in primary-side wireless charging module 200
is maintained.
[0087] [Regarding NFC Coil and Magnetic Body]
[0088] The NFC coil will now be described in detail using FIG. 6 to
FIGS. 8A and 8B.
[0089] FIG. 6 is a perspective view when the NFC coil and the
magnetic body according to the present embodiment have been
assembled. FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating the arrangement
of the NFC coil and the magnetic body according to the present
embodiment.
[0090] NFC coil 40 according to the present embodiment that is
illustrated in FIG. 6 is an antenna that carries out short-range
wireless communication which performs communication by
electromagnetic induction using the 13.56 MHz frequency, and a
sheet antenna is generally used therefor.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 6, NFC coil 40 of the present embodiment
includes flexible substrate 41 as a conductor arrangement section
that is placed so as to envelop the circumference of magnetic body
20 formed of ferrite or the like and which is a coil pattern formed
on a support medium mainly constituted by resin. NFC coil 40 is a
component that generates lines of magnetic force for NFC
communication for performing communication with radio communication
media such as an unillustrated IC card or IC tag. While the
specific shape of the coil pattern is not illustrated in FIG. 6 and
FIG. 7, a coil pattern is formed in which straight line with an
arrow S is taken as the coil axis. Normally, the coil pattern and
an adjustment pattern that is described later are formed, for
example, by copper foil that is formed between two resin layers,
namely, a polyimide film and a cover lay or resist, of flexible
substrate 41.
[0092] In practice, as shown in FIG. 7, flexible substrate 41 has a
shape that is divided into two parts that sandwich magnetic body
20. In the present embodiment, for convenience, among the parts of
flexible substrate 41 that is divided in two, a side that has
external connection terminals 42a and 42b is taken as lower-side
flexible substrate (first arrangement section) 41a, and the side
without external connection terminals 42a and 42b is taken as
upper-side flexible substrate (second arrangement section) 41b.
Lower-side flexible substrate 41a and upper-side flexible substrate
41b are joined by soldering. In the present embodiment, lower-side
flexible substrate 41a and upper-side flexible substrate 41b are
joined at two sides of flexible substrate 41 that are substantially
parallel with coil axis S. The terms "lower-side" and "upper-side"
are assigned to facilitate understanding in FIG. 7, and the upper
and lower sides may be reversed at a time of mounting in a device
as NFC coil 40.
[0093] In the present embodiment, the width of upper-side flexible
substrate 41b in the direction of coil axis S is set so that
magnetic body 20 does not protrude. The width is set in this manner
so that, particularly in a case in which magnetic body 20 is
constituted by ferrite that is easily broken, broken pieces or
residue of magnetic body 20 are prevented from scattering inside a
communication apparatus in which NFC coil 40 is mounted (for
example, portable terminal 1 in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and adversely
affecting the communication apparatus.
[0094] The size of magnetic body 20 is 5 mm.times.36 mm.times.0.21
mm. A suitable width in the longitudinal direction is between 25 mm
and 50 mm. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, it is preferable to
form magnetic body 20 with a larger width than the width of
magnetic sheet 10 in the same direction. Since portions (both ends)
that are less susceptible to the influence of (not liable to couple
with) charging coil 30 when performing NFC communication can
thereby be created, the efficiency of NFC communication can be
improved. Further, a width between 3 and 10 mm in the short-side
direction is sufficient. The width depends on the number of turns
of NFC coil 40. The thickness of magnetic body 20 is preferably
thinner than the thickness when magnetic sheet 10 and charging coil
30 are stacked, and a thickness between around 0.15 to 1 mm is
preferable.
[0095] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate wiring of the NFC coil in the
present embodiment. FIG. 8A shows lower-side flexible substrate 41a
as seen from a contact surface with magnetic body 20, and FIG. 8B
shows upper-side flexible substrate 41b as seen from a contact
surfaces with magnetic body 20. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the arrow
direction of coil axis S is the near side in the perspective views
of flexible substrate 41 shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Further, in
addition to divided pattern 43a, lower-side flexible substrate 41a
includes external connection terminals 42a and 42b, and in the
present embodiment the copper foil of the external connection
terminals 42a and 42b are also so-called "exposed" and a solder
plating process is executed thereon.
[0096] A plurality of divided patterns 43a that serve as a part of
NFC coil 40 are formed on lower-side flexible substrate 41a so as
to be parallel with each other and to intersect with coil axis S.
Further, on upper-side flexible substrate 41b, a plurality of
divided patterns 43b that serve as a part of a coil pattern are
also formed so as to be parallel with each other and to intersect
with coil axis S. The respective two ends of the plurality of
divided patterns 43a and 43b are in a state in which copper foil is
"exposed" by respective pattern exposing sections 44a and 44b and
pattern exposing sections 45a and 45b thereof.
[0097] By repeating soldering of the plurality of conductive
patterns 43a and 43b that are divided in a manner that sandwiches
magnetic body 20 therebetween, a conductive pattern that starts
from external connection terminal 42a on lower-side flexible
substrate 41a is connected to external connection terminal 42b
after going around magnetic body 20. Further, a helical conductive
pattern is formed around coil axis S of magnetic body 20. The
helical conductive pattern is a so-called "coil" pattern, and is
capable of generating lines of magnetic force for performing
communication with radio communication media such as IC cards and
IC tags.
[0098] In this connection, conductive patterns formed on flexible
substrate 41 of the present embodiment are not only helical coil
patterns. As shown in FIG. 8A, adjustment pattern u that is
described in more detail hereunder is provided that is connected to
divided pattern t that is positioned on one side of an outermost
edge portion. Adjustment pattern u has a plurality of lead-out
patterns v in which end parts on one side are connected to divided
pattern t. Adjustment pattern u also has connection pattern w that
links and is connected with respective end parts on another side
that is not connected to divided pattern t of lead-out patterns v,
and a protrusion-side end part (end part positioned on the outside
of the exterior of magnetic body 20 that is shown by a dotted line)
of protrusion section lead-out pattern z constituting part of
protrusion section y of divided pattern t.
[0099] Note that, in the present embodiment, adjustment pattern u
is provided only on the lower-side flexible substrate 41a side. On
the other hand, the plurality of divided patterns 43a and 43b
forming the coil patterns shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are provided
in a divided manner on both lower-side flexible substrate 41a and
upper-side flexible substrate 41b. In addition to adjustment
pattern u, external connection terminals 42a and 42b are also
provided on lower-side flexible substrate 41a, and lower-side
flexible substrate 41a has a larger exterior than upper-side
flexible substrate 41b. These parts of adjustment pattern u (that
is, all of connection pattern w and part of lead-out patterns v),
part of protrusion section y of divided pattern t, and external
connection terminals 42a and 42b are arranged at positions that are
further to the outer side than the exterior of magnetic body 20
that is shown by a dotted line and upper-side flexible substrate
41b. In other words, it can be said that these parts of adjustment
pattern u are arranged at positions that are apart from the outer
circumference of magnetic body 20 and upper-side flexible substrate
41b.
[0100] Thus, since external connection terminals 42a and 42b are
not covered over by magnetic body 20 and upper-side flexible
substrate 41b when assembly of NFC coil 40 is completed as shown in
FIG. 6, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, NFC coil 40 can be connected
to an electronic circuit board that is placed on a surface facing
NFC coil 40, and an antenna apparatus can be constructed as a
result of such connection.
[0101] Further, an adjustment pattern that is not covered by
magnetic body 20 and upper-side flexible substrate 41b has at least
connection pattern w. The inductance of NFC coil 40 shown in FIG. 6
can be adjusted when assembly of NFC coil 40 is completed by
disconnecting either the plurality of lead-out patterns v
constituting the adjustment pattern or protrusion section lead-out
pattern z constituting part of protrusion section y of divided
pattern t by trimming or the like.
[0102] The inductance of NFC coil 40 is one factor that determines
the resonance frequency of the antenna apparatus that is formed
when NFC coil 40 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is connected to an
electronic circuit board on which an antenna control section such
as a matching circuit is mounted. The inductance of NFC coil 40
having the structure of the present embodiment is significantly
influenced by variations in the size of magnetic body 20. This is
because if the size of magnetic body 20 varies, the apparent
magnetic permeability will also vary.
[0103] Thus, since there are individual differences in the
inductance of NFC coil 40 due to variations in the size of magnetic
body 20, variations also arise in the resonance frequency of an
antenna apparatus in which NFC coil 40 is mounted. By adjusting the
resonance frequency within a predetermined range from a center
frequency (for example, 13.56 MHz in the case of RF-ID) defined by
communication standards, radio communication can be performed with
a high probability and quality. At such time, if variations in the
inductance of NFC coil 40 alone are decreased (for example,
suppressed to within .+-.2%), an adjustment range required for
adjustment of the resonance frequency of the antenna apparatus in
which the relevant NFC coil 40 is mounted can be decreased.
Accordingly, the line length of the coil pattern is adjusted in
order to suppress variations in the inductance of NFC coil 40 that
are attributable to variations in the size of magnetic body 20.
[0104] Trimming of the coil pattern for adjusting the inductance of
NFC coil 40 is performed at a portion that is further on an outer
side than the exterior of magnetic body 20 that is shown by a
dotted line among lead-out patterns v and protrusion section
lead-out pattern z in FIG. 8A. Since these portions are not covered
over by magnetic body 20 and upper-side flexible substrate 41,
trimming work can be performed with ease.
[0105] For example, a difference between the number of turns of a
coil pattern that is wound around magnetic body 20 with respect to
a case where only protrusion section lead-out pattern z in FIG. 8A
is left and lead-out patterns v are all cut off and a case where
only lead-out pattern v adjacent to protrusion section lead-out
pattern z is left and the other portions are all cut off is
"c."
[0106] The inductance of NFC coil 40 varies by an amount that
corresponds to that difference.
[0107] Note that, in FIG. 8A, protrusion section y that is
positioned further on the outer side than the exterior of magnetic
body 20 need not necessarily be provided in divided pattern t
constituting the coil pattern. However, if protrusion section y is
provided, as described above, protrusion section lead-out pattern z
that constitutes part of protrusion section y also contributes to
adjustment of the inductance of the coil pattern. When divided
pattern t that constitutes the coil pattern has protrusion section
y that is positioned further on the outer side than the exterior of
magnetic body 20, even when NFC coil 40 shown in FIG. 6 is small,
it is possible to adequately secure an adjustment margin with
respect to the inductance of the coil pattern. Further, since
protrusion section y in FIG. 8A is a portion that contributes to
adjustment of the inductance of the coil pattern together with
adjustment pattern u, protrusion section y must be on the flexible
substrate that is on the same side as adjustment pattern u is
provided on.
[0108] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an antenna apparatus
formed by an electronic circuit board and an NFC coil that are
mounted in a portable terminal according to the present embodiment,
and lines of magnetic force generated from the antenna
apparatus.
[0109] As shown in FIG. 9, the antenna apparatus of the present
embodiment includes magnetic body 20 and NFC coil 40, and an
electronic circuit board that is placed adjacent to NFC coil 40. As
is generally known, a wiring pattern that connects together
terminals of each circuit component mounted on the electronic
circuit board is provided on a surface of or inside the electronic
circuit board. As a result of miniaturization achieved by modern
circuit integration, in most cases the electronic circuit board has
a plurality of wiring layers. Accordingly, in many cases power
supply lines for supplying power to each circuit component and GND
(ground) lines are provided as a separate wiring layer from the
aforementioned wiring pattern. Naturally, these wiring patterns,
power supply lines and GND lines are conductors made of copper or
the like. That is, the electronic circuit board (metal body 50) can
be regarded as a metal body. When power supply lines and GND lines
are provided as a separate wiring layer as mentioned above, since
these lines are formed across almost the entire area of the
allocated wiring layer, the electronic circuit board becomes a
metal body of particularly good quality.
[0110] Thus, in the antenna apparatus having NFC coil 40 and the
electronic circuit board that can be regarded as practically a
metal body, an opening portion of the coil section of NFC coil 40
is perpendicular to the electronic circuit board, and NFC coil 40
is placed at an end part of the electronic circuit board. Note that
the term "end part of the electronic circuit board" includes both a
case where an end part of NFC coil 40 projects beyond an outermost
edge of the electronic circuit board and a case where the end part
of NFC coil 40 is positioned further on the inner side than the
outermost edge of the electronic circuit board.
[0111] It is good for NFC coil 40 to be disposed so that the
opening portion of NFC coil 40 is perpendicular to the electronic
circuit board and the longitudinal direction of NFC coil 40 is
substantially parallel to an endmost part of the electronic circuit
board (NFC coil 40 is disposed along the endmost part of the
electronic circuit board). Therefore, even when, for example, a
wireless type IC card is positioned in not only region P but also
in region Q, favorable communication can be performed.
[0112] That is, since the opening portion of NFC coil 40 is
perpendicular to the electronic circuit board, when a signal is
input to NFC coil 40 and a current flows, all of lines of magnetic
force M in region Q that are generated from NFC coil 40 are in a
direction away from NFC coil 40, and lines of magnetic force M pass
in only one direction. As a result, a current flows through, for
example, a wireless type IC card positioned in region Q, and the
portable terminal in which the antenna apparatus of the present
embodiment that includes the electronic circuit board and NFC coil
40 is mounted and the wireless type IC card can conduct
communication.
[0113] In addition, in region P also, when a signal is input to NFC
coil 40 and a current flows, the direction of lines of magnetic
force M in region P is either one of a direction away from NFC coil
40 and a direction toward NFC coil 40. This is because lines of
magnetic force M generated from NFC coil 40 attenuate in the
vicinity of the electronic circuit board, and therefore axis C of
lines of magnetic force M is not perpendicular to the electronic
circuit board and is inclined relative thereto. As a result, a
current flows through, for example, a wireless type IC card
positioned in region P, and the portable terminal on which the
antenna apparatus of the present embodiment that includes the
electronic circuit board and NFC coil 40 is mounted and the
wireless type IC card can conduct communication.
[0114] Note that, in lines of magnetic force M shown in FIG. 9,
axis C exists that connects boundaries of the lines of magnetic
force in the direction away from NFC coil 40 and the lines of
magnetic force in the direction toward NFC coil 40. When a wireless
type IC card, for example, is placed in the vicinity of axis C of
lines of magnetic force M, the lines of magnetic force in both the
direction away from the antenna and the direction toward the
antenna act on the wireless type IC card and cancel each other out.
As a result, a current does not flow through the wireless type IC
card, and communication is not conducted between the portable
terminal in which the antenna apparatus of the present embodiment
is mounted and the wireless type IC card.
[0115] Next, the reason that axis C of lines of magnetic force M
inclines with respect to the electronic circuit board is described.
An eddy current that is induced on a surface facing NFC coil 40 of
the electronic circuit board by the lines of magnetic force
generated by NFC coil 40 produces lines of magnetic force in a
perpendicular direction to the surface that faces NFC coil 40 of
the electronic circuit board. Therefore, lines of magnetic force M
generated by NFC coil 40 and lines of magnetic force generated from
the eddy current induced on the surface that faces NFC coil 40 of
the electronic circuit board are combined, and lines of magnetic
force M generated from NFC coil 40 change in a perpendicular
direction in the vicinity of the electronic circuit board. As a
result, axis C of lines of magnetic force M inclines to the side
that is away from the electronic circuit board.
[0116] In addition, since NFC coil 40 is placed at an end part of
the electronic circuit board, lines of magnetic force M on the
electronic circuit board side (the right side in FIG. 6) of NFC
coil 40 attenuate and lines of magnetic force M on the side away
from the electronic circuit board (the left side in FIG. 6) of NFC
coil 40 are strengthened relatively. As a result, axis C of lines
of magnetic force M is inclined with respect to the electronic
circuit board. In the configuration of the present embodiment,
angle a of axis C of lines of magnetic force M inclines at about 40
to 85 degrees with respect to the electronic circuit board. If NFC
coil 40 were not placed at the end part of the electronic circuit
board, the lines of magnetic force in a direction perpendicular to
the surface of the electronic circuit board generated by an eddy
current on the surface of the electronic circuit board would
decrease, and axis C of lines of magnetic force M would remain
substantially perpendicular to the electronic circuit board.
[0117] In that case, even if communication can be performed in
region Q, communication cannot be conducted in region P.
[0118] The end part of NFC coil 40 may be aligned with an end part
of the electronic circuit board, or the end part of NFC coil 40 may
project beyond the end part of the electronic circuit board.
Furthermore, the end part of NFC coil 40 may be placed at a
position that is further to the inner side than the end part of the
electronic circuit board.
[0119] Thus, a current flowing through the electronic circuit board
can be utilized to the maximum by positioning NFC coil 40 at an end
part of the electronic circuit board. Further, the effect of the
present invention is obtained if angle a is approximately 85
degrees, and it is preferable for angle a to be 80 degrees or
less.
[0120] [Regarding Configuration of Wireless Charging Module]
[0121] Next, the configuration of the wireless charging module will
be described. FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of lines of
magnetic force generated by the charging coil and the NFC coil of
the present embodiment.
[0122] As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the opening portion of NFC
coil 40 according to the present embodiment is perpendicular to
metal body 50, and is placed at an end part of metal body 50.
[0123] Note that in some cases NFC coil 40 projects beyond an
outermost edge of metal body 50 and in some cases NFC coil 40 is
located further on the inner side than the outermost edge of metal
body 50, and preferably, as described later, a distance between the
outer edge of NFC coil 40 and the outermost edge of metal body 50
is approximately -5 mm to +5 mm. Note that, a negative value of "d"
indicates that the outer edge of NFC coil 40 is located on the
inner side relative to the outermost edge of metal body 50, and in
this case indicates that the outer edge of NFC coil 40 is located 2
cm on the inner side relative to the outermost edge of metal body
50. Conversely, a positive value of "d" indicates that the outer
edge of NFC coil 40 projects further to the outside than the
outermost edge of metal body 50. Note that, the range from -5 mm to
+5 mm is due to the width in the short-side direction of magnetic
body 20. That is, when the width in the short-side direction of
magnetic body 20 is taken as "d", a distance between the outer edge
of NFC coil 40 and the outermost edge of metal body 50 is between
approximately -d mm and +d mm, which provides the above described
NFC communication favorably.
[0124] Next, a case where the NFC coil is a sheet antenna is
described for comparison.
[0125] Even when a charging coil for wireless charging and an NFC
sheet antenna for NFC communication are in opposite directions, the
opening areas face in the same direction. The reason is that a coil
is wound in a planar condition in both the charging coil and the
NFC sheet antenna, and furthermore it is necessary to make the
respective opening portions thereof large to improve communication
efficiency and charging efficiency, and hence the above described
configuration is adopted by necessity in an electronic device for
which a reduction in size and reduction in thickness are desired.
That is, the reason is that since both the wireless charging module
and the NFC sheet antenna that are mounted on the casing of an
electronic device that has been reduced in size conduct
communication (power transmission) utilizing electromagnetic
induction, the L values are increased by enlarging the opening area
of the charging coil and the NFC sheet antenna.
[0126] When the directions of communication (axes of the opening
portions) are substantially the same as described above, both the
charging coil and the NFC sheet antenna may be liable to be
influenced by each other. That is, magnetic flux for power
transmission between the wireless charging module of a charger for
wireless charging and a charging coil on a charged-side may be
taken by the NFC sheet antenna. Further, the NFC sheet antenna may
also receive magnetic flux that the charging coil generates when
the charging coil receives power. Accordingly, the power
transmission efficiency of the NFC sheet antenna may decrease and
the charging time period may increase. Further, when performing
short-range communication with the NFC sheet antenna also, an eddy
current may arise in the charging coil in a direction that weakens
the magnetic flux generated by the NFC sheet antenna. That is, the
thickness of a conducting wire in the charging coil that feeds a
large current may be large in comparison to the NFC sheet antenna
that conducts communication by feeding a small current. Therefore,
from the viewpoint of the NFC sheet antenna, the charging coil may
be a large metal object, and as far as the NFC sheet antenna is
concerned, the eddy current generated in the charging coil may be
of a degree that cannot be ignored. Consequently, the eddy current
may adversely affect the efficiency and communication distance of
short-range communication conducted by the NFC sheet antenna.
[0127] In addition, unless the charging coil and the NFC sheet
antenna are stacked completely with the respective centers thereof
aligned, two large planar coils are present on a face of the
casing, and from the viewpoint of the wireless charging module on
the charger side, it may be difficult to determine which coil is
the charging coil for the side to be charged. When the alignment
accuracy decreases, the power transmission efficiency may decrease
by a corresponding amount.
[0128] For example, when performing alignment, a method is
available in which the wireless charger (primary side) detects the
position of the charging coil, and a planar coil of the wireless
charger (primary side) is automatically moved to the position of
the charging coil. While detection methods which utilize the
resonance frequency of the charging coil at such time are
available, in such a case there is a possibility that the resonance
frequency of the NFC sheet antenna will be detected and the planar
coil of the wireless charger will be aligned with the NFC sheet
antenna.
[0129] Further, a method is available in which a large number of
coils are arranged in a line in the wireless charger (primary side)
to thereby enable charging of a portable terminal device at every
place on the charging surface of the wireless charger (primary
side). In this case, the coil (primary side) that is near the NFC
sheet antenna may transmit a large amount of unnecessary magnetic
flux to the NFC sheet antenna. As a result, there is a risk that
wasteful energy consumption or a malfunction will occur.
[0130] In addition, in some cases a magnet that is provided on a
wireless charger (primary side) performs alignment by attracting a
magnetic sheet or a magnet that is provided in a hollow portion of
a charging coil. In this case, since there is a possibility that a
magnetic sheet that is used for an NFC sheet antenna will be
saturated by the magnet and the magnetic permeability will
decrease, the L value of the NFC sheet antenna may sometimes
decrease. In such a case there is a risk that the communication
distance or communication efficiency of the NFC sheet antenna will
be reduced.
[0131] Therefore, because an opening area of an NFC sheet antenna
faces in substantially the same direction as that of a charging
coil and generates magnetic flux in substantially the same
direction, adverse effects may be exerted on the communication
performance of the NFC sheet antenna and the power transmission
performance of the charging coil, irrespective of the alignment
method.
[0132] In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when using NFC
coil 40 of the present embodiment, since the directions of the
opening areas of charging coil 30 and NFC coil 40 and the
directions of axes A and B of the windings of the coils can be made
to differ from each other, the above described problems do not
arise, and it is difficult for the coils to become coupled with
each other, and each coil can perform favorable communication
(power transmission).
[0133] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, coil axis A of charging
coil 30 is in the vertical direction in the drawing. In contrast,
coil axis B of NFC coil 40 is in the horizontal direction in the
drawing. Thus, the coil axes A and B are in a substantially
perpendicular relationship with respect to each other. As a result,
it is difficult for the coils to become coupled with each other.
Note that it is sufficient if the coil axes intersect with each
other at an angle within a range of around 80 to 100 degrees.
[0134] In addition, when wireless charging module 100 of the
present embodiment is used, it is possible for charging coil 30 and
NFC coil 40 to perform communication in substantially the same
direction. This is because NFC coil 40 behaves in the manner
described above using FIG. 9. Note that, in a case where a
plurality of NFC coils 40 are provided for that purpose, it is good
to wind NFC coils 40 so that the magnetic flux of all NFC coils 40
extend in the same direction (for example, the upward direction in
FIG. 10B). That is, the two NFC coils 40 in FIG. 10A are each wound
in the clockwise direction as seen from the outside.
[0135] Note that since it is preferable for NFC coil 40 to be
placed at a position that is further on the edge side than the
center portion side of metal body 50, it is good to arrange NFC
coil 40 on the outer side of charging coil 30. As illustrated in
FIGS. 10A and 10B, while it is not necessarily the case that NFC
coil 40 must be placed at two places around charging coil 30,
because axis C of the magnetic flux is caused to incline by metal
body 50, it is preferable to arrange NFC coil 40 on both sides.
Further, in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the two NFC coils 40 are connected
in a loop shape so as to surround the circumference of charging
coil 30.
[0136] For example, if charging coil 30 is wound in a substantially
oblong shape, and NFC coil 40 is placed along a long side thereof,
wireless charging module 100 can be reduced in size. Further, if
the width in the longitudinal direction of NFC coil 40 is
substantially the same as the width in the same direction of
charging coil 30, wireless charging module 100 can be reduced in
size. In addition, in order to allow axis C of magnetic flux of NFC
coil 40 to incline sufficiently, it is preferable not to arrange
magnetic sheet 10 underneath NFC coil 40.
[0137] Next, communication characteristics of the NFC coil in the
wireless charging module of the present embodiment are described
using FIGS. 11A and 11B to FIGS. 14A and 14B.
[0138] FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views illustrating a
portable terminal including the wireless charging module of the
present embodiment and, for comparison, a portable terminal
including a wireless charging module including a loop-shaped NFC
coil. FIG. 12 illustrates the respective frequency characteristics
of induced voltages of the two wireless charging modules shown in
FIGS. 11A and 11B. FIGS. 13A and 13B each illustrate a magnetic
field on a YZ plane of a corresponding one of the two wireless
charging modules illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. FIGS. 14A and
14B each illustrate a magnetic field on a ZX plane of a
corresponding one of the two wireless charging modules illustrated
in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Note that, for comparison, FIG. 11A, FIG. 13A
and FIG. 14A illustrate the case of a wireless charging module that
includes a loop-shaped NFC antenna, while FIG. 11B, FIG. 13B and
FIG. 14B illustrate the case of the wireless charging module of the
present embodiment.
[0139] In FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, wireless charging module 100 of
the present embodiment and wireless charging module 400 including a
loop-shaped NFC antenna are mounted so as to be stacked on battery
pack 303. The power transmission direction of charging coil 30 and
the communication direction of NFC coil 40 of wireless charging
modules 100 and 400, respectively, are the direction of the rear
surface of the portable terminal (a side on which a display section
such as a liquid crystal display is disposed is assumed to be the
front surface).
[0140] At such time, as shown in FIG. 12, an induced electromotive
force of NFC coil 40 of wireless charging module 100 is larger than
an induced electromotive force of the loop-shaped NFC coil of
wireless charging module 400. Consequently, the communication
efficiency of NFC coil 40 of wireless charging module 100 is higher
than that of loop-shaped NFC coil of wireless charging module 400.
Further, as is apparent from FIGS. 13A and 13B and FIGS. 14A and
14B, a region in which communication can be performed is wider in
the case of NFC coil 40 of wireless charging module 100 than in the
case of the loop-shaped NFC coil of wireless charging module
400.
[0141] At such time, the area of wireless charging module 400 shown
in FIG. 11A and the area of the wireless charging module shown in
FIG. 11B are substantially the same size (40 mm.times.40
mm.times.0.4 mm).
[0142] Note that, when the same magnetic sheet 10 and charging coil
30 are used in wireless charging module 100 and wireless charging
module 400, the power transmission efficiency of charging coil 30
does not change significantly. The reason is that charging coil 30
is sufficiently large in comparison to the antenna for NFC
communication.
[0143] Charging coil 30 is a component for transmitting power
during wireless charging, and transmits stepped power over an
extended time period. In contrast, communication by NFC coil 40 is
performed for a short time period and the amount of power at the
time of communication is also small in comparison to charging coil
30. Consequently, a conducting wire constituting charging coil 30
is thicker than a conducting wire constituting NFC coil 40, and the
number of turns thereof is also more than the conducting wire
constituting NFC coil 40. Consequently, from the viewpoint of NFC
coil 40, charging coil 30 is a large metal body, and charging coil
30 exerts a large influence on NFC coil 40. In contrast, from the
viewpoint of charging coil 30, NFC coil 40 is small, and NFC coil
40 has little influence on charging coil 30.
[0144] Therefore, when the same magnetic sheet 10 and charging coil
30 are used in wireless charging module 100 and wireless charging
module 400, respectively, the power transmission efficiency of
charging coil 30 does not change significantly, irrespective of the
shape of the coil (antenna) for NFC communication.
[0145] As described above, by adopting a configuration in which
axis A of charging coil 30 and axis B of NFC coil 40 intersect with
each other, charging coil 30 and the NFC coil can be prevented from
interfering with each other. In particular, mutual interference can
be prevented the most by adopting a configuration in which axis A
of charging coil 30 and axis B of NFC coil 40 are substantially
orthogonal to each other.
[0146] By adopting a configuration in which charging coil 30 is
wound in a rectangular shape and at least two NFC coils 40 are
placed along two facing sides of rectangular charging coil 30, a
region in which NFC communication is possible can be extended in a
well-balanced manner around wireless charging module 100. In
particular, when mounted in a portable terminal, even if the center
of charging coil 30 is placed at the center side of the portable
terminal, the overall center of the plurality of NFC coils 40 can
also be located at the center side of the portable terminal.
Consequently, it is possible to prevent a situation from arising in
which a region in which charging is possible and a region in which
NFC communication is possible around the portable terminal are
significantly biased toward a particular direction.
[0147] Further, arranging NFC coil 40 on the outer side of magnetic
sheet 10 makes it possible to efficiently perform the communication
of NFC coil 40. Furthermore, by adopting a configuration in which
magnetic sheet 10 and magnetic body 20 are constituted by
respectively different kinds of ferrite, wireless charging and NFC
communication can each be performed efficiently.
[0148] [Regarding Portable Terminal]
[0149] FIGS. 15A to 15E are sectional views that schematically
illustrate a portable terminal including the wireless charging
module of the present embodiment. In FIGS. 15A to 15E, the portable
terminal includes a display section on an upper face side, and a
lower face side thereof serves as a communication face. In portable
terminal 300 illustrated in FIGS. 15A to 15E, components other than
casing 301, substrate 302, battery pack 303, and wireless charging
module 100 are not shown, and FIGS. 15A to 15E schematically
illustrate arrangement relationships between casing 301, substrate
302, battery pack 303, and wireless charging module 100.
[0150] Portable terminal 300 includes, within casing 301, substrate
302 that performs control of at least a part of portable terminal
300, battery pack (power holding section) 303 that temporarily
stores received power, and wireless charging module 100 that is
described above. The display section may sometimes include a touch
panel function. In such a case, a user operates the portable
terminal by performing a touch operation on the display section.
With respect to the orientation of wireless charging module 100,
naturally magnetic sheet 10 is disposed on the display section side
(upper side in FIGS. 15A to 15E), and charging coil 30 and NFC coil
40 are disposed so as to face the rear surface side of casing 301
(lower side in FIGS. 15A to 15E). It is thereby possible to make
the transmitting direction for wireless charging and also the
communication direction of the NFC coil the direction of the rear
surface side of casing 301 (lower side in FIGS. 15A to 15E).
[0151] In FIG. 15A, among substrate 302, battery pack 303, and
wireless charging module 100, substrate 302 is disposed furthest on
the display section side (upper side in FIGS. 15A to 15E), battery
pack 303 is disposed on the rear side of substrate 302, and
wireless charging module 100 is nearest to the rear surface side of
casing 301. At least a part of substrate 302 and a part of battery
pack 303 are stacked, and at least a part of battery pack 303 and
wireless charging module 100 are stacked. It is thereby possible to
prevent wireless charging module 100 and substrate 302 as well as
electronic components mounted on substrate 302 from exerting
adverse effects (for example, interference) on each other. Further,
since battery pack 303 and wireless charging module 100 are
disposed adjacent to each other, the components can be connected
easily. In addition, an area for substrate 302, battery pack 303,
and wireless charging module 100, in particular, can be adequately
secured, and there is a high degree of design freedom. The L values
of charging coil 30 and NFC coil 40 can be adequately secured.
[0152] In FIG. 15B, among substrate 302, battery pack 303, and
wireless charging module 100, substrate 302 is disposed furthest on
the display section side (upper side in FIGS. 15A to 15E), and
battery pack 303 and wireless charging module 100 are disposed in
parallel on the rear side of substrate 302. That is, battery pack
303 and wireless charging module 100 are not stacked, and are
disposed in parallel in the transverse direction in FIGS. 15A to
15E. At least a part of substrate 302 and battery pack 303 are
stacked, and at least a part of substrate 302 and wireless charging
module 100 are stacked. Thus, since battery pack 303 and wireless
charging module 100 are not stacked, casing 301 can be made
thinner. In addition, an area for substrate 302, battery pack 303,
and wireless charging module 100, in particular, can be adequately
secured, and there is a high degree of design freedom. The L values
of charging coil 30 and NFC coil 40 can be adequately secured.
[0153] In FIG. 15C, among substrate 302, battery pack 303, and
wireless charging module 100, substrate 302 and battery pack 303
are disposed furthest on the display section side (upper side in
FIGS. 15A to 15E), and wireless charging module 100 is disposed on
the rear side of battery pack 303. That is, battery pack 303 and
substrate 302 are not stacked, and are disposed in parallel in the
transverse direction in FIGS. 15A to 15E. At least a part of
battery pack 303 and a part of wireless charging module 100 are
stacked. Thus, since battery pack 303 and substrate 302 are not
stacked, casing 301 can be made thinner. Further, since battery
pack 303 and wireless charging module 100 are stacked and thus
battery pack 303 and wireless charging module 100 are disposed
adjacent to each other, these components can be connected easily.
In addition, an area for substrate 302, battery pack 303, and
wireless charging module 100 can be adequately secured, and the L
values of charging coil 30 and NFC coil 40 can be adequately
secured.
[0154] In FIG. 15D, among substrate 302, battery pack 303, and
wireless charging module 100, substrate 302 and battery pack 303
are disposed furthest on the display section side (upper side in
FIGS. 15A to 15E), and wireless charging module 100 is disposed on
the rear side of substrate 302. That is, battery pack 303 and
substrate 302 are not stacked, and are disposed in parallel in the
transverse direction in FIGS. 15A to 15E. At least a part of
substrate 302 and a part of wireless charging module 100 are
stacked. Thus, since battery pack 303 and substrate 302 are not
stacked, casing 301 can be made thinner. In general, battery pack
303 is the thickest among substrate 302, battery pack 303, and
wireless charging module 100. Therefore, rather than stacking the
battery pack and another component, casing 301 can be made thin by
stacking substrate 302 and wireless charging module 100. Further,
an area for substrate 302, battery pack 303, and wireless charging
module 100 can be adequately secured, and the L values of charging
coil 30 and NFC coil 40 can be adequately secured.
[0155] In FIG. 15E, substrate 302, battery pack 303, and wireless
charging module 100 are disposed on the display section side (upper
side in FIGS. 15A to 15E). That is, substrate 302, battery pack
303, and wireless charging module 100 are not stacked with respect
to each other at all, and are disposed in parallel in the
transverse direction in FIGS. 15A to 15E. Thus casing 301 can be
made with the smallest thickness among the configurations
illustrated in FIGS. 15A to 15E.
[0156] The disclosure of the specification, drawings, and abstract
included in Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-032317 filed on
Feb. 17, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0157] The present invention is useful for various kinds of
electronic devices such as a portable terminal including the
wireless charging module that includes a wireless charging module
and an NFC antenna, in particular, portable devices such as a
mobile phone, a portable audio device, a personal computer, a
digital camera, and a video camera.
Reference Signs List
[0158] 100 Wireless charging module [0159] 10 Magnetic sheet [0160]
11 Slit [0161] 12 Flat portion [0162] 13 Center portion [0163] 20
Magnetic body [0164] 30 Charging coil [0165] 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d
Corner portion [0166] 32a, 32b Leg portion [0167] 33 Inner portion
[0168] 40 NFC coil [0169] 50 Metal body [0170] 200 Primary-side
wireless charging module [0171] 210 Primary-side coil [0172] 220
Magnet [0173] 300 Portable terminal [0174] 301 Casing [0175] 302
Substrate [0176] 303 Battery pack
* * * * *