TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application generally relates to wireless charging systems and, more particularly, this application relates to antennas for near field wireless power charging used in conjunction with wireless charging systems.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Electronic devices, such as laptop computers, smartphones, portable gaming devices, tablets, or others, require power to operate. As generally understood, electronic equipment is often charged at least once a day, or in high-use or power-hungry electronic devices, more than once a day. Such activity may be tedious and may present a burden to some users. For example, a user may be required to carry chargers in case his electronic equipment is lacking power. In addition, some users have to find available power sources to connect to, which is time consuming. Lastly, some users must plug into a wall or some other power supply to be able to charge their electronic device. However, such activity may render electronic devices inoperable or not portable during charging.

[0003] Several attempts have been made to wirelessly transmit energy to electronic devices, where a receiver device can consume the transmission and convert it to usable power. However, most conventional techniques employ antennas that are unable to effectively work when a device to be charged and a wireless charger are placed at a very small distance from each other. For example, conventional solutions may employ a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter comprises antennas that are configured to radiate electromagnetic waves with a power that is a function of its electric feed signal's power and frequency. The receiver comprises antenna(s) that are configured to receive the power signals transmitted by the transmitter. However, when the transmitter antenna(s) and the receiver antenna(s) are placed too close to each other, the antennas may detune as a result of coupling. During the transmission phase, the tuning is then necessary in order to prevent an unwanted injection of strong currents that could be generated in the reception antenna by a received transmission signal. The unwanted reception of the transmission signal in the reception antenna can only be prevented with the use of the tuning circuit, and it adds to overall cost of the package. [0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art to addresses the above described drawbacks of conventional antenna-based wireless charging systems.

SUMMARY

[0005] Wireless power systems disclosed herein attempt to address the above drawbacks and may provide a number of other features, as well. Wireless power systems described herein provide coaxial structures that are used in order to charge electronic devices, and thereby solve the above-described drawbacks of antennas used by conventional wireless charging systems.

[0006] In one embodiment, a wireless charging system comprises a first coaxial structure configured to carry an RF signal present on a conductor; and a second coaxial structure configured to be excited by an RF signal from the first coaxial structure, power being transferred from the first coaxial structure to the second coaxial structure when the first coaxial structure and the second coaxial structure are placed in proximity to each other.

[0007] In another embodiment, a method for charging an electronic device in a wireless charging system comprises upon a first planar coaxial structure being proximately positioned to a second planar coaxial structure, exciting the first planar coaxial structure to allow for the transfer of power from the first planar coaxial structure to the second planar coaxial structure.

[0008] In yet another embodiment, a wireless charging system comprises a second coaxial structure configured to be excited by an RF signal, wherein power is transferred from a first coaxial structure having an RF signal present to the second coaxial structure when the first coaxial structure and the second coaxial structure are placed in proximity to each other.

[0009] In another embodiment, a wireless charging system comprises a first coaxial structure carrying an RF signal, and power is transferred from the first coaxial structure to a second coaxial structure when the first coaxial structure and the second coaxial structure are excited in proximity to each other.

[0010] Additional features and advantages of some embodiments will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description. The objectives and other advantages of some embodiments will be realized and attained by the example structures described in reference to exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. [0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings constitute a part of this specification and illustrate embodiments of the invention. The present disclosure can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a front view of a first coaxial structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. IB is a schematic diagram of a rear view of a first coaxial structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a front view of a second coaxial structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a rear view of a second coaxial structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3A is an illustration of showing excitation of a coaxial structure, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing a first coaxial structure and a second coaxial structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of charging of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, where specific language will be used here to describe the same. It should be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the descriptions of such exemplary embodiments. Alterations and further modifications of the exemplary embodiments and additional applications implementing the principles of the inventive features, which would occur to a person skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure.

[0022] Electronic devices, especially wearable devices, have to be charged regularly.

Wireless charging simplifies the charging process. A charger may include a power generator, and the electronic device may include a receiver for receiving a transfer of wireless energy. Each of the power generator and receiver may include a coaxial structure that provides for the wireless transfer of energy, as described herein. As a summary, when the receiver coaxial structure is not near the transmitter coaxial structure, input impedance of the transmitter coaxial structure is akin to open circuit, therefore, power is not leaked out of the transmitter coaxial structure. Power transfer happens when the receiver coaxial structure is placed near the transmitter coaxial structure and the receiver coaxial structure is excited with the same RF field distribution (mode) as the transmitter coaxial structure.

[0023] FIGS. 1A and IB are schematic diagrams of a front view and a rear view

respectively of a first coaxial structure 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the first coaxial structure 100 may be part of a charging device. In another embodiment, the first coaxial structure 100 may correspond to or be associated with a charging device. In either case, the first coaxial structure 100 may be in electrical communication with a charging device. As shown, the first coaxial structure 100 is generally square, and includes a transmission line (TL) that produces a transmission-line RF field from a transmitter (i.e., coaxial mode), as further described in reference to FIG. 3A below. The shape of the first coaxial structure 100 may alternatively be rectangular, circular, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape.

[0024] The first coaxial structure 100 may include a housing defined by a plurality of sidewalls 102, a top surface 104, and a bottom surface 106. The top surface 104 extends over the bottom surface 106. The sidewalls 102 span between the top surface 104 and the bottom surface 106. The top surface may include vias, as shown, or not include vias. In some embodiments, the housing is formed of plastic, but alternatively or additionally can be formed of other materials, such as wood, metal, rubber, glass, or any other material that is capable of providing for the functionality described herein. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and IB, the first coaxial structure 100 has a generally square shape, but other two-dimensional or three-dimensional shapes are possible, such as a cube, a sphere, a hemisphere, a dome, a cone, a pyramid, or any other polygonal or non-polygonal shape, whether having an open- shape or a closed-shape. In some embodiments, the housing of the first coaxial structure 100 is waterproof or water-resistant.

[0025] The first coaxial structure 100 may be stiff or flexible and optionally include a non- skid bottom surface to resist movement. Similarly, the top surface 104 may be or include non-skid region(s) or be entirely non-skid to resist motion between the top surface 104 and an electronic device. Still yet, a bracket or other guide may be mounted to the top surface 104 to assist a user with positioning of an electronic device. The housing may contain various components of the first coaxial structure 100.

[0026] The first coaxial structure 100 may include a substrate 108. The substrate 108 may include metamaterials, or traditional materials such as FR4 or any other material known in the art. The metamaterials of the present disclosure may be a broad class of synthetic materials that are engineered to yield permittivity and permeability characteristics compliant with the wireless charging system requirements. The metamaterials described herein radiate on their own, and act as very thin reflectors.

[0027] The first coaxial structure 100 may be configured to keep desired currents inside and undesired current outside and thereby retaining the electric current in the first coaxial structure 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the electric current is an RF signal that is carried on the first coaxial structure 100. The first coaxial structure 100 may further include a core 110. The core 110 is formed at a center of the substrate 108. In one embodiment, the core 110 is made up of metal to operate as an electrical conductor, as understood in the art. In another embodiment, the core 110 may be made of any suitable material known in the art without moving out from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] The first coaxial structure 100 may further include coaxial connector 112 having two ends where one end of the coaxial connector 112 may extend from the bottom surface 106 and the other end of coaxial connector 112 is connected to a ground terminal.

[0029] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of a front view and a rear view, respectively, of a second coaxial structure 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the second coaxial structure 200 may be part of an electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, comprising a battery. In another embodiment, the second coaxial structure 200 may be part of a portable battery device. In yet another embodiment, the second coaxial structure 200 may be attached to an electronic device, such as a wearable watch comprising a battery. [0030] The second coaxial structure 200 may include a housing defined by a plurality of sidewalls 202, a top surface 204, and a bottom surface 206. The top surface 204 extends over the bottom surface 206. The sidewalls 202 span between the top surface 204 and the bottom surface 206. In some embodiments, the housing is formed of plastic, but alternatively or additionally can be formed of other materials, such as wood, metal, rubber, glass, or other material that is capable of providing for the functionality described herein. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the second coaxial structure 200 has a generally square shape, but other two-dimensional or three-dimensional shapes are possible, such as a cube, a sphere, a hemisphere, a dome, a cone, a pyramid, or any other polygonal or non-polygonal shape, whether having an open-shape or a closed-shape. In some embodiments, the housing of the second coaxial structure 200 is waterproof or water-resistant.

[0031] The second coaxial structure 200 may be stiff or flexible and optionally include a non-skid bottom surface to resist movement. Similarly, the top surface 204 may be or include non-skid region(s) or be entirely non-skid to resist motion between the top surface 204 and an electronic device. Still yet, a bracket or other guide may be mounted to the top surface 204 to assist a user with positioning of an electronic device. The housing may contain various components of the second coaxial structure 200.

[0032] The second coaxial structure 200 may include a substrate 208. The substrate may include metamaterials, or traditional materials such as FR4 or any other material known in the art. The metamaterials of the present disclosure may be a broad class of synthetic materials that are engineered to yield permittivity and permeability characteristics compliant with the wireless charging system requirements. The metamaterials described herein radiate on their own, and act as very thin reflectors.

[0033] The second coaxial structure 200 may be configured to keep desired currents inside and undesired current outside and thereby retaining the electric current in the second coaxial structure 200. In the exemplary embodiment, the electric current is an RF signal that is carried on the second coaxial structure 200. The second coaxial structure 200 may further include a core 210. The core 210 is formed at a center of the substrate 208. In one embodiment, the core 210 is made up of metal to operate as an electrical conductor, as understood in the art. In another embodiment, the core 210 may be made of any suitable material known in the art without moving out from the scope of the present disclosure. [0034] The second coaxial structure 200 may further include circuitry 212, such as a transducer device, to convert coaxial field radiation into energy to power or charge a battery of the electronic device.

[0035] FIG. 3A is an illustration showing excitation of a coaxial structure 302 on a transmitter side, in accordance with some embodiments. The coaxial structure 302 is shown to include a sidewall with a copper surface 304, conductor 306, and substrate 308. The substrate may be a conventional substrate or otherwise. When the coaxial structure 302 is excited, an RF field distribution (mode) 310 occurs in the substrate 308 between the sidewall with copper surface 304 and conductor 306. Size of the coaxial structure 302 may be scaled up or down without limit. The coaxial structures 302 (FIG. 3 A) and 312 (FIG. 3B) may be identical and reciprocal in structure or be different in structure but be complementary in that the two coaxial structures 302 and 312 are able to connect or otherwise be arranged such that the RF field distribution (mode) 310 is generated based on the coaxial structures 302 and 312 being near to one another. In one embodiment, especially if the coaxial structures 302 and 312 are small, magnet(s) may be integrated or attached to either or both of the coaxial structures 302 and 312 to help alignment and positioning to maintain the coaxial structures 302 and 312 being near to one another.

[0036] In operation, when a coaxial structure 312 on the receiver side (see FIG. 3B) is not positioned near the coaxial structure 302 of the transmitter side, as shown in FIG. 3A, the input impedance of the transmitter unit is akin to an open circuit (that is, the input impedance is infinite) and the receiver unit is not excited with the same RF field distribution (mode) so power is not leaked or otherwise transferred from the coaxial structure 302. However, when the coaxial structure 312 on a receiver side is positioned near the coaxial structure 302, as shown in FIG. 3B, the receiver unit is excited with the same RF field distribution (mode).

[0037] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the first coaxial structure 302 of a transmitter and the second coaxial structure 312 of a receiver, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A more detailed construction of the first coaxial structure 302 is presented above in reference to FIGS. 1A and IB. A more detailed construction of the second coaxial structure 312 is described above in reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3B, when the surfaces of the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312 are positioned at a proximate distance from each other, a coaxial field radiation may be excited due to the presence of an electric current in each of the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312. The coaxial field radiation that is excited or otherwise generated results in a distribution of the coaxial field radiation in an area around the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312, and transfer of the current from the coaxial field radiation may be transferred from the first coaxial structure 302 to the second coaxial structure 312 for conversion by a receiver into power to charge a battery of an electronic device that is coupled to the second coaxial structure 312. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximate distance may be any distance that is less than 10 mm, however it will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the art that the proximate distance is not limited to 10mm or less, and may be more than 10mm without moving out from the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

[0039] In another embodiment, when the surfaces of the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312 are touched to each other, a coaxial field radiation may be created due to the presence of electric current in each of the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312. The coaxial field radiation is then distributed in an area around the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312, and may be converted into power to charge a battery of an electronic device that is coupled to the second coaxial structure 312.

[0040] In one embodiment, the surfaces of the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312 may comprise magnetic properties and/or be configured with magnets that may pull the surfaces of the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312 towards each other such that the distance between the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312 is less than a proximate distance. When the first coaxial structure 302 and the second coaxial structure 312 are proximately positioned, a coaxial field radiation may be generated due to the presence of current in the first coaxial structure 302 and, optionally, the second coaxial structure 312. When both coaxial structures 302 and 312 are in the same mode, and placed in proximate position to one another, power transfers from the first coaxial structure 302 to the second coaxial structure 312. In an alternative embodiment, a structure, such as top surfaces 104 and 204 may have magnetic properties or be configured with magnets to provide attraction properties to bring and maintain the coaxial structures 302 and 312 in proximity to one another. The coaxial field radiation 306 may then be converted into power to charge a battery of an electronic device using a suitable circuitry including a rectifier and a power converter. [0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an electronic device 402, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. An exemplary electronic device 402 may be positioned near a charging device 404. The electronic device 402 includes a second coaxial structure mounted on the electronic device 402 for charging a battery in the electronic device 402. The charging device 404 includes a first coaxial structure. A more detailed construction of the first coaxial structure is described above in reference to FIGS. 1A and IB. A more detailed construction of the second coaxial structure is described above in reference to FIGS. 2 A and 2B.

[0042] The electronic device 402 may include a second coaxial structure, as well as a battery that is to be charged in accordance with the present disclosure. In some

embodiments, the electronic device 402 comprises circuitry including one or more switch elements, a rectifier, and a power converter, where the rectifier and power converter may be combined. In some embodiments, the second coaxial structure may comprise circuitry including one or more switch elements, a rectifier, and a power converter, where the rectifier and power converter may be combined. The second coaxial structure may be positioned within the electronic device 402 and connected to the battery.

[0043] The charging device 404 may include a second coaxial structure. When the electronic device 402 and the charging device 404 are brought close to each other such that the distance between the electronic device 402 and the charging device 404 is less than the proximate distance, then a coaxial field radiation is generated due to presence of electric currents in at least the first and second coaxial structure.

[0044] The switch elements may be capable of detecting coaxial field, and directing the radiations to the rectifier when the detected radiations correspond to a power level that exceeds a threshold. For example, in some embodiments, the switch may direct the received coaxial field to the rectifier when the coaxial radiations received are indicative of a wireless power transfer greater than a pre-defined threshold limit. In other embodiments, the switch may direct the received coaxial field when it is indicative of a wireless power transfer greater than a pre-defined limit. This switching acts to protect electronic components of the electronic device 402 from damage and to prevent a power surge from being applied thereto.

[0045] The generated coaxial field is then converted to a power signal by a power conversion circuit, such as a rectifier circuit for charging a battery of the electronic device 402. In some embodiments, the total power output is less than or equal to 1 Watt to conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations part 15 (low-power, non-licensed first coaxial structures). In an embodiment, the rectifier may include diodes, resistors, inductors, and/or capacitors to rectify alternating current (AC) voltage generated to direct current (DC) voltage, as understood in the art. In some embodiments, the rectifier and switch may be placed as close as is technically possible to minimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated and/or conditioned using power converter. Power converter can be a DC-DC converter, which may help provide a constant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device or, as in this embodiment, to a battery.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 500 illustrating operation of charging of an electronic device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] At step 502, an electronic device with a second coaxial structure may be placed in proximity to a charging device. The second coaxial structure may be positioned within or attached to the body of the electronic device. The second coaxial structure may be configured to keep desired currents inside and undesired currents outside and thereby maintaining an electric current in the second coaxial structure.

[0048] The charging device may be provided with a first coaxial structure. The first coaxial structure may be positioned within or attached to the body of the electronic device. The first coaxial structure may be configured to keep desired currents inside and undesired currents outside and thereby maintain an electric current in the first coaxial structure.

[0049] At step 504, in response to the electronic device being positioned in a proximate distance to the charging device, power may be transferred from the charging device to the electronic device. In one embodiment, the proximate distance is less than about 10 mm. Other distances to be within a proximate distance are also possible. Upon a planar surface of the first coaxial structure being proximately positioned to a planar surface of the second coaxial structure, the first planar coaxial structure excites the same RF field distribution (mode) on the second coaxial structure to transfer a charge from the first coaxial structure to the second coaxial structure.

[0050] At step 506, the electronic device may be charged by converting the coaxial field radiation into a suitable form of energy that is used to power the electronic device. The generated coaxial radiation may be converted to a power signal by a power conversion circuit for example rectifier circuit for charging a battery of the electronic device. The rectifier may include diodes, resistors, inductors, and/or capacitors to rectify alternating current (AC) voltage generated to direct current (DC) voltage, as understood in the art. In some embodiments, the total power output is less than or equal to 1 Watt to conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations part 15 (low-power, non-licensed first coaxial structures).

[0051] The foregoing method descriptions and flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. The steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as "then," "next," etc., are not intended to limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Although process flow diagrams may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination may correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.

[0052] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

[0053] The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [0054] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.