Systems and method for wireless power transfer
Systems and methods for enabling efficient wireless power transfer, and charging of devices and batteries, in a manner that allows freedom of placement of the devices or batteries in one or multiple (e.g., one, two or three) dimensions. In accordance with various embodiments, applications include inductive or magnetic charging and power, and wireless powering or charging of, e.g., mobile, electronic, electric, lighting, batteries, power tools, kitchen, military, medical or dental, industrial applications, vehicles, trains, or other devices or products. In accordance with various embodiments, the systems and methods can also be generally applied, e.g., to power supplies or other power sources or charging systems, such as systems for transfer of wireless power to a mobile, electronic or electric device, vehicle, or other product.
1. A base unit for wireless power transfer through a magnetic field, comprising:
one or more components including a magnetic material or layer, that modify the magnitude and/or phase of the magnetic field and/or guide a corresponding magnetic flux generated by one or more coils in the base unit in one or multiple dimensions and/or to guide the magnetic flux in such a manner as to create a preferential path for returning flux flow in one or multiple dimensions,
wherein, when one or more power receivers each having one or more receiver coils or receivers associated therewith, is placed in proximity to a base unit, the one or more coils in the base unit are used to inductively generate a current in the one or more receiver coils or receivers associated with the one or more power receivers, and
further wherein the base unit and the one or more power receivers have a coupling coefficient therebetween of less than 0.5.
2. The base unit of claim 1 , provided as or integrated within a pad, bag, container, case or similar apparatus for use in receiving and charging or powering one or more mobile devices, cases, skins, battery doors, dongles, or batteries.
3. The base unit of claim 1 , including multiple charger sections that are tiled to be adjacent or overlapping to provide a continuous active charging surface.
4. The base unit of claim 1 , wherein the one or more receivers are a component of, or is attached to a shell, case, skin, door or other cover or a dongle of a mobile device.
5. The base unit of claim 1 , wherein the one or more receivers are a component of, or is attached to a shell, case, skin or other cover of the mobile device, and is provided as an after-market accessory for use with the mobile device, and replaces an original shell, case, skin or cover of a mobile device.
6. The base unit of claim 1 , provided within an automobile, bus, motorcycle, truck or other vehicle or train, airplane or boat or ship or other transport system or vehicle, for use in charging or powering one or more mobile devices, cases, skins, battery doors, dongles, or batteries within the automobile, bus, motorcycle, truck or other vehicle or train, airplane or boat or ship or other transport system or vehicle.
7. The base unit of claim 1 , used to charge the automobile, bus, motorcycle, truck or other vehicle or train or other transport system or vehicle.
8. The base unit of claim 1 , provided as a kiosk that allows users to purchase or receive an occasional charge for their mobile devices or batteries.
9. The base unit of claim 1 , used to charge any of batteries, cell phones, smart phones, cordless phones, communication devices, pagers, personal data assistants, portable media players, global positioning (GPS) devices, Bluetooth headsets and other devices, headsup or display glasses, 3-d display glasses, shavers, watches, tooth brushes, calculators, cameras, optical scopes, infrared viewers, computers, laptops, tablets, netbooks, key boards, computer mice, book readers or email devices, pagers, computer monitors, televisions, music or movie players and recorders, storage devices, radios, clocks, speakers, gaming devices, game controllers, toys, remote controllers, power tools, scanners, construction tools, office equipment, robots including vacuum cleaning robots, floor washing robots, pool cleaning robots, gutter cleaning robots or robots used in hospital, clean room, military or industrial environments, industrial tools, mobile vacuum cleaners, medical or dental tools, military equipment or tools, kitchen appliances, mixers, cookers, can openers, food or beverage heaters or coolers such as electrically powered beverage mugs, massagers, adult toys, lights or light fixtures, signs or displays, or advertising applications, electronic magazines or newspapers, or magazines or newspapers containing an electronic part, printers, fax machines, scanners, automobiles, buses, trains, motorcycles or bicycles, personal mobility (e.g., Segway) devices, or other vehicles or mobile transportation machines, and other battery or electrically powered devices or products or a product that is a combination of the products listed above that can include or be attached to the one or more power receivers.
10. The base unit of claim 1 , forming a system configured as a multi-protocol system for use with different communication and/or control protocols, or different means of communication.
11. A method for wireless power transfer through a magnetic field, comprising:
providing a base unit that comprises one or more components including a magnetic material or layer, that modify the magnitude and/or phase of the magnetic field and/or guide a corresponding magnetic flux generated by one or more coils in the bases unit in one or multiple dimensions and/or to guide the magnetic flux in such a manner as to create a preferential path for returning flux flow in one or multiple dimensions,
wherein, when one or more power receivers, each having one or more receiver coils or receivers associated therewith, is placed in proximity to a base unit, one or more coils in the base unit are used to inductively generate a current in the one or more receiver coils or receivers associated with the one or more power receivers, and
further wherein the base unit and the one or more power receivers have a coupling coefficient therebetween of less than 0.5.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more power receivers are integrated into mobile devices, cases, skins, battery doors, dongles, or batteries, to charge or power the mobile devices, cases, skins, battery doors, dongles, or batteries.
13. The base unit of claim 1 where the one or more power receivers are integrated into mobile devices, cases, skins, battery doors, dongles, or batteries, to charge or power the mobile devices, cases, skins, battery doors, dongles, or batteries.