WIRELESS ILLUMINATION

A wireless power receiver is provided herein. The wireless power receiver includes a coil and light emitting diodes. The coil of the wireless power receiver interacts with a magnetic field of a wireless power transmitter to wirelessly obtain induced power. The light emitting diodes of the wireless power receiver illuminate based on the induced power of the coil.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to wireless power systems, and more specifically, to wireless illumination.

At present, the concept of wireless illumination while generally experimented with has generally not been put to wide commercial use to date. In these experiments, so called inductive bulbs use wireless power transfer to excite a gas therein. However, there has been no action or intent to decouple these inductive bulbs from the wired power source.

In contemporary implementations of wireless power transfer methods, power can be transferred between a power transmitter (Tx) and a power receiver (Rx). The Rx is coupled to an electronic device, such as mobile handset. The Rx transfers the DC output power, received from the Tx, to the electronic device accordingly.

Thus, there is an need for a wireless illumination system that can power target electronic devices fitted for illumination.

SUMMARY

According to one or more embodiments, a wireless power receiver is provided. The wireless power receiver includes a coil that interacts with a magnetic field of a wireless power transmitter to wirelessly obtain induced power. The wireless power receiver includes a plurality of LEDs that illuminate based on the induced power of the coil.

According to one or more embodiments, a wireless power transmitter is provided herein. The wireless power transmitter can include a coil that generates a magnetic field for a wireless power transfer to a wireless power receiver. The wireless power transmitter can include a controller that execute a foreign detection operation to determine whether a foreign object within the magnetic field.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the system embodiment herein, a system is provided. The system includes a wireless power receiver. The wireless power receiver includes a coil that interacts with a magnetic field of a wireless power transmitter to wirelessly obtain induced power. The wireless power receiver includes a plurality of LEDs that illuminate based on the induced power of the coil. The system includes a wireless power transmitter, which also includes a transmitter coil that generates the field for the wireless power transfer to the wireless power receiver and a controller.

According to one or more embodiments, the wireless power transmitter, the wireless power receiver, and the system above can be implemented as systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or a computer program product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein may include apparatuses, systems, methods, and/or computer program products (e.g., a wireless illumination system) that power target electronic devices fitted for illumination.

Generally, a light emitting diode (LED) is an electronic component. Specifically, an LED is a type of diode that conducts current flowing in one direction and blocks current in the reverse direction. Further, an LED emits light at specific limited voltage range and has a non-linear current to voltage response (i.e., close to exponential).

For instance, to drive an LED of an existing wired LED device from main alternating current (AC) source, a driving circuit can include a rectifier (e.g., a four diode bridge) followed by rectification capacitor. The output of the driving current (of the existing wired LED device) is a direct current (DC) source at close to a peak AC voltage (e.g., 300V for a 220V AC source). The DC source is fed to a field effect transistor (FET) that is controlled by a controller (e.g., the FET may also be integrated in the controller). The FET drives an inductor connected to the LED (or multiple LEDs) and to a diode connected in reverse direction.

Further, when the FET is activated/closed, current is flowing through the inductor and the LED, the voltage gradient is positive, and the current in the inductor is increasing over time. When the current reaches a certain threshold (e.g., a threshold value), the FET is shut down. The current gradient reverses polarity. The diode starts conducting, by keeping all current flow positive and the LED active. The controller is also connected to a shunt resistor that allows the controller to sense the current flowing through the inductor and the LED. Note that by controlling a timing of the FET activation and shut down, the controller can maintain the current at a certain average level. An amount of current ripple depends on an inductor size and FET switching speed. An additional capacitor can be connected in parallel to the LED to smooth the current fluctuations.

Yet, the LED as described requires direct connections to the main alternating current (AC) source. In turn, when an illumination body including this LED is placed at any distance from a wall or celling, a wire is extended from the main alternating current (AC) source to the existing wired LED device. Wires reduce aesthetic value of the existing wired LED device. Further, with respect to installing the existing wired LED device in wet environments, wires are very problematic for sealing of the existing wired LED device and can create connection concern. In other environments and/or scenarios where a quick removal and installation of the existing wired LED device may be required, wires and direct power connections also provide drawbacks.

Thus, according to one or more embodiments, a wireless illumination system that powers target electronic devices fitted for illumination is provided herein. By way of example, the wireless illumination system provides a solution that powers an LED lighting device by a main AC power with no galvanic or physical connection between the main AC power and the LED lighting device. Further, the wireless illumination system can transmit this power over a distance that may extend up to a few meters (i.e., depending on a coil size). One or more advantages, technical effects, and/or benefits of the wireless illumination system include a low complexity and efficient solution with minimal increase in cost over existing wired LED lightning devices.

According to one or more embodiments, a wireless power receiver is provided. The wireless power receiver includes a coil that interacts with a magnetic field of a wireless power transmitter to wirelessly obtain induced power. The wireless power receiver includes a plurality of LEDs that illuminate based on the induced power of the coil.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power receiver embodiments described herein, the wireless power receiver can include a rectifier, a resonance capacitor, and a rectification capacitor.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power receiver embodiments described herein, the coil and the resonance capacitor can be connected to the rectifier and the rectification capacitor. Further, the plurality of LEDs can be connected to the rectifier and the rectification capacitor.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power receiver embodiments described herein, the plurality of LEDs can include a first LED and a second LED arranged in a first direction.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power receiver embodiments described herein, the plurality of LEDs can include a third LED and a fourth LED arranged in a second direction.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power receiver embodiments described herein, the wireless power receiver can include a resonance capacitor.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power receiver embodiments described herein, the first and second LEDs can conduct current on a first-half of a cycle and disconnect on second-half.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power receiver embodiments described herein, the third and fourth LEDs can conduct the current on a second-half of a cycle and disconnect on first-half.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power receiver embodiments described herein, the wireless power receiver can be at a distance between of 0 cm to 30 cm from the wireless power transmitter.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power receiver embodiments described herein, the coil can include folded electrical wiring copper wires or Litz wires.

According to one or more embodiments, a wireless power transmitter is provided herein. The wireless power transmitter can include a coil that generates a magnetic field for a wireless power transfer to a wireless power receiver. The wireless power transmitter can include a controller that execute a foreign detection operation to determine whether a foreign object within the magnetic field.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power transmitter embodiments described herein, the foreign object can include a metal object.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power transmitter embodiments described herein, the wireless power transmitter can continue to generate the magnetic field for the wireless power transfer when the foreign detection is not detected.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power transmitter embodiments described herein, he wireless power transmitter can cease to generate the magnetic field for the wireless power transfer when the foreign detection is detected.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power transmitter embodiments described herein, the wireless power transmitter can execute the foreign detection operation at one or more test intervals during the generation of the magnetic field for the wireless power transfer.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power transmitter embodiments described herein, one or more test intervals can include a first interval at a period of 20 msec or less.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the wireless power transmitter embodiments described herein, the one or more test intervals can be imperceptible to the human eye so as to not cause a flicker on the wireless power receiver.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the system embodiment herein, a system is provided. The system includes a wireless power receiver. The wireless power receiver includes a coil that interacts with a magnetic field of a wireless power transmitter to wirelessly obtain induced power. The wireless power receiver includes a plurality of LEDs that illuminate based on the induced power of the coil. The system includes a wireless power transmitter, which also includes a transmitter coil that generates the field for the wireless power transfer to the wireless power receiver and a controller.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the system embodiment herein, the controller can execute a foreign detection operation to determine whether a foreign object within the magnetic field.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the system embodiment herein, the plurality of LEDs can include a first LED and a second LED arranged in a first direction.

FIG. 1shows a block diagram depicting a system100(e.g., a wireless illumination system) in accordance with one or more embodiments. The system100comprises a wireless power transmitter101and a wireless power receiver102(referred herein as Tx101and Rx102, respectively). The Tx101is any device that can generates electromagnetic energy from a main AC supply103(e.g., AC power source) to a space around the Tx101that is used to provide power to the Rx102. The Rx102is any device that can receive, use, and/or store the electromagnetic energy when present in the space around the Tx101. Note that the Tx101can have a similar or the same component structure as the Rx102, and vice versa.

As shown inFIG. 1, the Tx101includes circuitry for generating and transmitting the electromagnetic energy (i.e., transmitting power). The circuitry of the Tx101may include a transmitter coil110; a resonant capacitor115; a shunt resistor for AC current measurement116; a driver120(e.g., half bridge or full bridge); a controller125, which further includes an input/output (I/O) module126and firmware127; a rectifier capacitor130, a shunt resistor for DC current measurement131; and a diode bridge rectifier135. The coils (e.g., the transmitter coil110) of the Tx101and the Rx102can include standard electrical wiring copper wires folded and/or Litz wires.

According to one or more embodiment, the Tx101includes an inductor implemented as transmitter coil110that is driven by a FET (e.g., the driver120) controlled by the controller125. For example, a topology of a single FET with a diode can be used, as well as a half bridge (e.g., 2 FETs) or full bridge (e.g., 4 FETs) driving topologies. The rectifier capacitor130is connected to the rectifier135. Another side of the resonant capacitor115can be connected to a ground GND (i.e., for the single and dual FET topology) and to the second half of the full bridge (i.e., for the 4 FET topology). The transmitter coil101in the Tx101can be used to inductively couple to a receiving coil of the Rx102is connected to the resonant capacitor115(e.g., a serial resonance capacitor).

The transmitter coil101and the resonant capacitor115provide an LC circuit for generating an inductive current in accordance with operations of the driver120and the controller125to support power transmissions. The main AC supply103is rectified using the rectifier135.

According to one or more embodiments, the rectifier135can be based on commercially available half-wave rectification; full-wave rectification; field-effect transistor (FET) based full-wave rectification; and any combination thereof, or the like. For example, the rectifier135can be any rectifier using one or more components, such as 4 diodes (e.g., asynchronous rectifier), 2 didoes and 2 FETs (half synchronous), 4FET (synchronous), or 2 capacitors and 2 switches, that are controlled by either a dedicated logic circuit or the controller125. For instance, the rectifier135can be a four diode bridge or use a single diode to produce half wave rectifier. The rectifier135is followed by the rectifier capacitor130.

According to one or more embodiments, the controller125can include a sensing circuit, circuitry, and/or software, for sensing voltage and/or current of the Tx101. The controller125can control and/or communicate any part of the Tx101to provide modulation injections as needed for power transfer. The controller125can include software therein (e.g., firmware127) that logically provides one or more of a FIR equalizer, an analyzer of in-band communication data, a selector for selecting a ping, a coupler for dynamically determining a coupling factor, a regulator for dynamically determining an operating frequency, etc. In this regard, the controller125can utilize a system memory and a processor, as described herein, to store and execute the firmware127. According to one or more embodiments, the controller125can be utilized to perform computations required by the Tx101or any of the circuitry therein.

According to one or more embodiments, the controller125can utilize the I/O module126as an interface to transmit and/or receive information and instructions between the controller125and elements of the Tx101(e.g., such as the driver120and/or any wiring junction or shunt resistors116and130). For instance, the controller125can include a sensing circuit, circuitry, unit, and/or software for sensing voltage and/or current of the Tx101(e.g., sensing voltage and/or current of the main AC supply103or shunt resistors116and130). According to one or more embodiments, the controller125can sense, through the I/O module126one or more currents or voltages, such as a AC input voltage (Vin) and a AC resonance circuit voltage (Vac). According to one or more embodiments, the controller125can activate, through the I/O module126, one or more switches to change the resonance frequency (as the Rx102and/or the Tx101can include multiple switches for multiple frequencies). According to one or more embodiments, the controller125can may utilize the firmware127as a mechanism to operate and control operations of the Tx101. In this regard, the controller125can be a computerized component or a plurality of computerized components adapted to perform methods such as described herein (e.g., detection of foreign objects or FOs).

The Rx102includes circuitry for receiving, providing, and/or storing the electromagnetic energy, which can be further provided to a load therein. The load can be any combination of illumination components, such as LEDs and incandescent light, as well as other circuit components (e.g., resistors, capacitors, etc). According to one or more embodiments, the Rx102includes at least a coil configured to interact with a magnetic field of the Tx101to wirelessly obtain induced power and one or more LEDs (i.e., the load) that illuminate based on the induced power of the coil. The RX102can further include one or more capacitors for storing the induced power. The RX102can a controller as described herein and/or feedback circuitry to communicate with the Tx101. The RX102can be located at a distance180from the Tx101. The distance180can be selected from a range from 0 to 5 meters, based on a desired wattage in view of a generated current.

According to one or more embodiments, the system100can provide the Rx101, as a light fixture, on a transparent suspension. The light fixture is a low cost device, as it does not require a controller. Further, regardless of how much the AC power is oscillating, the Tx101uses DC power, a typical resistance, a measure voltage, a current, and how much power the Rx102is supposed to use to deduce losses within the system100. In this regard, the Tx101can subtract one or more of these items from an input power to deduce how much power is supposed to be provided to the Rx102. Note that the credentials of the light fixture (i.e., the Rx102) and the Tx101are known in advance (as these can be sold as a set of components for installation). In turn, watts can be delivered by the Tx101based on distance and current, as well as with changes in frequency or duty cycle.

Turning now toFIGS. 2 and 3, diagrams200and300are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 2, a diagram200of the Rx102includes a rectifier210, a resonance capacitor220, a rectification capacitor221, a coil230, and LEDs231and232(arrange in a first direction), with a ground GND. Note that any of the components of the diagram200can be reduced to one thereof or increase to more than one thereof. Further, based on different requirements of an operational environment of the Rx102, other electrical components can be swapped in or added to the diagram200. According to one or more embodiments, the Rx102may be used for powering a load, examples of which include the LEDs231and232. More particularly, the Rx102may be used to wirelessly obtain induced power from the Tx101for supplying power to the LEDs231and232. The coil230and the resonance capacitor220can be connected to a rectification circuit (a full wave or half wave rectifier), such as the rectifier210and the rectification capacitor221, which will connect to the LEDs231and232.

As shown inFIG. 3, a diagram300of the Rx102includes a resonance capacitor320, a coil330, LEDs331and332(arrange in a first direction), and LEDs333and334(arrange in a second direction). Note that any of the components of the diagram300can be reduced to one thereof or increase to more than one thereof. Further, based on different requirements of an operational environment of the Rx102, other electrical components can be swapped in or added to the diagram300. For example, the coil230and the resonance capacitor220can be directly connected to the LEDs231and232. Note, in some embodiments, that the resonance capacitor320can be removed to enable the direct connection to work correctly. In this regard, during the direct connection, the LEDs231and232or a first LED chain conducts only through a half cycle (e.g., a positive half) and disconnects on another half (e.g., a negative half). Further, the LEDs331and332or a second LED chain conducts according to reverse polarity (the second LED chain conducts on the negative half of the cycle). Thus, the diagram300provides a balanced response to the transmission of power from the Tx101.

Turning toFIG. 4, one or more operations of the system100are described with respect to a method400in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The method400begins at block410, wherein the Tx101detects the Rx102. At block420, the Tx101generates power for the Rx102. For example, the controller125of the Tx101(e.g., on a main transmitting side) measures a current (AC current) flowing in the transmitter coil110as well as an input current (DC current) to the rectifier capacitor130. For instance, the controller125measures a voltage drop using the using one or more of the shunt resistors116and131. The controller125can, further, switch one or more FETs (e.g., the driver120) to achieve specific conditions on the DC and AC currents measured. The controller125increases the AC current flow, when the DC current is below a defined target value and the AC current is below a max current value. The defined target current value can be modified by user using an external variable resistor or by commands of the controller125(e.g., to achieve a functionality of a dimmer and control level of illumination). The controller125can also decrease the AC current flow when the DC current is above the defined target value or AC current is above the maximal current value.

According to one or more embodiments, the defined target value of DC current can be modified according to the AC current to compensate for internal losses of the Tx101. As an example, assume the Rx102(e.g., a target illumination device) is a first device, such as a 60 W RMS device, that receives an input voltage. For instance, an input voltage for 220AC RMS supply can be 300V peak, so that the defined target value is set to a value along a range of 10 mA to1000ma(e.g., 200 mA). Note, however, the transmitter coil110(and circuit) may have a typical resistance, such as 1 ohm. Thus, when operating with the Rx102installed at a distance of 30 cm (e.g., the distance180), the AC RMS current levels can be 4 A, the losses of the Tx101can therefore be evaluated at 4{circumflex over ( )}2*1=16 W, for 300V, which translates to 53 mA. The defined target value is therefore adjusted to a higher value (e.g., 253 mA).

According to one or more embodiments, when the Rx102(e.g., a target illumination device) is installed at 20 cm distance (e.g., the distance180), the AC current can be 3 A and the power loss can be 9 W, which is equivalent to 30 mA. The threshold value is therefore set to 230 mA. The controller125can achieve an increase or decrease of the AC current by modifying a frequency of FET, thereby toggling and/or changing the active cycle duty cycle. The minimal and maximal AC and DC current values, as well as a Tx101resistance may be stored in the controller125(e.g., in non-volatile memory or fixed in circuit thereof). For instance, these values can be modified as part of factory calibration of the Tx101. According to one or more embodiments, these values of these parameters can be coded in a value of external resistors connected to the controller125. Further, a subset of the parameters can use any of the storage/calibration options described herein.

At block430, the Rx102receives the power from the Tx101. In this regard, the load of the Rx102illuminates.

At block440, the Tx101executes a foreign detection operation. In turn, at decision block450, the Tx101determines whether a foreign object is detected. A foreign object can be any metal object or the like that interfere with the inductive power transfer of the system100.

According to one or more embodiments, the controller125evaluates whether a foreign object reacting with a magnetic field of the Tx101is in a proximity of the Rx102or the Tx103. For instance, the controller125compares a DC current draw on multiple operation points (within the Tx101). By way of example, the controller125can specifically identify when a low power operation point is used. As explained herein, an LED has a non-linear response and hardly conducts for voltages that are below a certain threshold. If the controller125manages a transmitter current to a level that is known to induce relatively low voltage on the Rx102(for all its possible installation distances), the LEDs of the Rx102will not conduct making an overall consumption of the Rx102close to 0. The DC current level of the Tx101, in turn, reflects only internal losses. As these internal losses can be measured, as part of factory calibration or initial calibration, any significant increase above (e.g., significant increase in losses) would imply that there are additional elements (FOs) in the magnetic field that consume the extra power. A factory calibration value can be stored in non-volatile memory of the controller125, or may be coded in a value of external resistor connected to the controller125. The controller125can test for FOs, when turning a light on (e.g., illuminating the Rx102), as it may pass through a known calibrated operational point.

According to one or more embodiments, the controller125can also perform a test for FOs periodically by introducing test intervals or lower power transmission. The test intervals can may be shorter than a response of a human eye (i.e., a period of 20 msec or less). The Rx102can include enough capacitance on a rectification circuit (if the Rx102includes one) to sustain light emission for the duration of a halt period (e.g., which can be equal to the test interval). If a FO is detected, the controller125can cease power transfer and indicate an error. Error indication can be based on a UI on the Tx101or by the Tx101using a receiving lightning feature (e.g., flashing shortly before shutting down power completely).

Thus, if a foreign detection is not detected (as indicated by the ‘NO’ arrow), the method400returns to block420, where the Tx101continues to generate power for the Rx102. If a foreign detection is detected (as indicated by the ‘YES’ arrow), the method400proceeds to block460, where the Tx101shuts off. The foreign object operation of block440can be executed at during operation of the Rx102(i.e., while being illuminated) and with respect to the test intervals that are imperceptible to the human eye (e.g., the illumination does not flicker).

FIG. 5depicts a system500in accordance with one or more embodiments. The system500has a device501(e.g., the Rx102and/or the Tx101of the system100ofFIG. 1) with one or more central processing units (CPU(s)), which are collectively or generically referred to as processor(s)502(e.g., the controllers135and180ofFIG. 1). The processors502, also referred to as processing circuits, are coupled via a system bus503to system memory504and various other components. The system memory504can include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), internal or external Flash memory, embedded static-RAM (SRAM), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile memory. For example, the ROM is coupled to the system bus and may include a basic input/output system (BIOS), which controls certain basic functions of the device501, and the RAM is read-write memory coupled to the system bus503for use by the processors502.

FIG. 5further depicts an I/O adapter505, a communications adapter506, and an adapter507coupled to the system bus503. The I/O adapter505may be a small computer system interface (SCSI) adapter that communicates with a drive and/or any other similar component. The communications adapter506interconnects the system bus503with a network512, which may be an outside network (power or otherwise), enabling the device501to communicate data and/or transfer power with other such devices (e.g., such as the Tx101connecting to the Rx102). A display513(e.g., screen, a display monitor) is connected to the system bus503by the adapter507, which may include a graphics controller to improve the performance of graphics intensive applications and a video controller. Additional input/output devices cab connected to the system bus503via the adapter507, such as a mouse, a touch screen, a keypad, a camera, a speaker, etc.

In one embodiment, the adapters505,506, and507may be connected to one or more I/O buses that are connected to the system bus503via an intermediate bus bridge. Suitable I/O buses for connecting peripheral devices such as hard disk controllers, network adapters, and graphics adapters typically include common protocols, such as the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI).

The system memory504is an example of a computer readable storage medium, where software519can be stored as instructions for execution by the processor502to cause the device501to operate, such as is described herein with reference toFIGS. 1-4. In connection withFIG. 1, the software519can be representative of firmware190for the Tx101, such that the memory504and the processor502(e.g., the controller180) logically provide a FIR equalizer551, an analyzer552of in-band communication data, a selector for selecting a ping, a coupler553for dynamically determining a coupling factor, a regulator554for dynamically determining an operating frequency, etc.

As indicated herein, embodiments disclosed herein may include apparatuses, systems, methods, and/or computer program products at any possible technical detail level of integration. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a controller to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store computer readable program instructions. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

The computer readable program instructions described herein can be communicated and/or downloaded to respective controllers from an apparatus, device, computer, or external storage via a connection, for example, in-band communication. Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.