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WO2025090561A1 - Mise à la masse artificielle dans un appareil sans fil - Google Patents

Mise à la masse artificielle dans un appareil sans fil Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025090561A1
WO2025090561A1 PCT/US2024/052493 US2024052493W WO2025090561A1 WO 2025090561 A1 WO2025090561 A1 WO 2025090561A1 US 2024052493 W US2024052493 W US 2024052493W WO 2025090561 A1 WO2025090561 A1 WO 2025090561A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
appliance
artificial ground
power
voltage
insulation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/US2024/052493
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jayanti GANESH
Viswanathan Kanakasabai
Subbarao TATIKONDA
Suma Memana Narayana Bhat
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GE Intellectual Property Licensing LLC
Original Assignee
GE Intellectual Property Licensing LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GE Intellectual Property Licensing LLC filed Critical GE Intellectual Property Licensing LLC
Publication of WO2025090561A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025090561A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
    • H02J50/70—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/02—Induction heating
    • H05B6/10—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications
    • H05B6/12—Cooking devices
    • H05B6/1209—Cooking devices induction cooking plates or the like and devices to be used in combination with them
    • H05B6/1236—Cooking devices induction cooking plates or the like and devices to be used in combination with them adapted to induce current in a coil to supply power to a device and electrical heating devices powered in this way
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
    • H02J50/10—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to wireless power and some aspects relate to artificial ground in a cordless appliance.
  • An appliance uses a power source to power a load, such as a motor, a heating element, electronics, or a power storage device, among other examples.
  • Appliances that use a wired power source are typically designed for line frequencies of approximately 50 to 60 Hertz (Hz) and line voltages of between approximately 110 to 230 volts (V). At times, the line voltages can peak up to 265 V.
  • Some appliances include other metallic components (such as a metallic base plate, metallic enclosure, or other metallic components) that are not electrically connected to the load. Insulation separates the metallic components from the load. However, parasitic capacitance is formed by the metallic component, the load, and the insulation.
  • Parasitic capacitance is an unavoidable and unwanted capacitance that exists between parts of an appliance due to their proximity to each other.
  • the parasitic capacitance causes leakage current to flow through the insulation.
  • the leakage current causes degradation of the insulation.
  • the magnitude of leakage current depends upon the magnitude and frequency of the applied voltage. Insulation for plug-in appliances is typically rated for the voltage and frequency expected from main line power.
  • a cordless appliance such as a cordless blender, kettle, toaster, or cooking vessel, among other examples
  • a wireless power system includes a Power Transmitter (PTx) and a Power Receiver (PRx).
  • a cordless appliance is any device (such as a small domestic appliance) that includes a Power Receiver and that can be operated using wireless power received from a Power Transmitter, including hybrid devices which have both wired and wireless power capability.
  • inductive coupling can enable wireless power transfer between a primary coil of the Power Transmitter and a secondary coil of the Power Receiver.
  • the primary' coil of the Power Transmitter produces an electromagnetic field during a power state of the wireless power system.
  • the electromagnetic field induces a voltage in the secondary coil of the Power Receiver when the secondary coil is present in the electromagnetic field.
  • the Power Receiver can use the induced voltage (either directly or via a rectifier) as a power source to power the load.
  • a magnetic power source (such as a kitchen hob) might include one or more Power Transmitters.
  • a cordless appliance can be placed on a magnetic power source such that the Power Receiver of the cordless appliance can receive wireless power from a Power Transmitter of the magnetic power source.
  • the secondary coil can induce higher voltages and higher frequencies (such as 230 V at 25-75 kilohertz) than seen from a traditional wired power source.
  • the induced voltages are applied to a load and can cause uneven voltage distribution or higher current leakage than typically present in plug-in devices. To accommodate the higher voltages and higher current leakage, some manufacturers might increase the rating or amount of insulation.
  • the appliance includes a power reception circuit to wirelessly receive power from a Power Transmitter and provide the power to a load.
  • the appliance includes a metallic component and insulation separating the metallic component from the load.
  • the appliance includes an artificial ground formed by a connection to the power reception circuit. The metallic component is connected to the artificial ground.
  • the power reception circuit includes a first leg coupled to an input terminal of the load, a second leg coupled to an output terminal of the load, and a bridge circuit between the first leg and the second leg.
  • the artificial ground can be formed by a connection to a tap point in the bridge circuit.
  • the tap point may be located between a first capacitor and a second capacitor in the bridge circuit.
  • the power reception circuit includes a secondary coil having a first coil section and a second coil section overlapping each other such the first coil section and the second coil section have approximately equal coupling with the Power Transmitter during power transfer.
  • the artificial ground can be formed by a connection to a tap point between the first coil section and the second coil section.
  • the appliance includes one or more sensors to measure one or more electrical properties associated with the artificial ground. A controller can monitor effectiveness of the insulation based on changes in the one or more electrical properties.
  • Another aspect of this disclosure can be implemented as a method of an appliance.
  • the method includes wirelessly receiving power from a Power Transmitter using a power reception circuit coupled to a load of the appliance.
  • the method includes insulating, using an insulation, a metallic component from the load.
  • the method includes forming an artificial ground by a connection to the power reception circuit.
  • the metallic component is connected to the artificial ground.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless power system.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an example appliance that uses a wired power source.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an example appliance that uses wireless power and an artificial ground.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an example appliance that monitors leakage current using a current sensor.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an example appliance that monitors leakage current using voltage sensors.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an example appliance that uses wireless power and an artificial ground formed using a tap point between overlapping coil segments of a secondary coil.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates another example appliance that monitors leakage current.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates another example appliance in which the artificial ground can be formed at a tap point that optimally reduces stress to the insulation.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates example voltages in an appliance having an artificial ground according to some implementations of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart with example operations of an appliance.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example apparatus for use in a wireless power system.
  • a cordless appliance (which can be referred to as an “appliance” for brevity) is capable of operating in a wireless power system.
  • a wireless power system includes a Power Transmitter (PTx) and a Power Receiver (PRx).
  • the Power Transmitter might be part of a first device (which can be referred to as a “magnetic power source”) such as a hob, a countertop, or range.
  • the Power Transmitter may include a surface-mounted primary coil, an integrated primary coil, a countertop-mounted primary coil or a primary coil that is embedded or manufactured in a surface on which a Power Receiver can be placed.
  • a Power Receiver includes a secondary coil to wirelessly receive power via inductive coupling with the primary coil of the Power Transmitter.
  • the Power Receiver might be part of a cordless appliance such as a cordless blender, kettle, toaster, or cooking vessel, among other examples.
  • a Power Receiver an appliance that includes a Power Receiver can also be referred to as a Power Receiver.
  • An appliance can include a power reception circuit (including all or part of a Power Receiver), a load, one or more other metallic components, and insulation.
  • the metallic components referred to in this description might include a metallic base plate, a metallic enclosure, or a metallic handle, among other examples.
  • the insulation separates the metallic component from the load and the power reception circuit.
  • parasitic capacitance can be formed by the metallic component, the load, and the insulation. When a voltage is applied to the load during operation of the appliance, the parasitic capacitance causes leakage current to flow through the insulation.
  • An appliance that operates using wireless power can have higher voltages and/or higher frequencies at the load compared to traditional appliances that operate using wired power from an alternating current (AC) mains power source.
  • AC alternating current
  • the increased voltages and frequencies can lead to higher voltage stress on the insulation and therefore higher leakage current.
  • the increased voltage stress and leakage current can result in early failure of insulation.
  • a failure of the insulation can lead to dangerous electric shocks and user safety hazard.
  • One possible solution to this problem is to increase the rating or amount of the insulation. Such an approach can be costly due to a higher amount or rating insulation needed to protect against transient voltage peaks of wireless power, which can exceed 700 volts (V) in some instances.
  • This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for reducing voltage stress on the insulation of an appliance.
  • the voltage stress on the insulation can be reduced by connecting the metallic component to an artificial ground.
  • the artificial ground can be formed by a connection to the power reception circuit.
  • the artificial ground is formed at a tap point in a bridge circuit between a first leg of the power reception circuit and a second leg of the power reception circuit.
  • the bridge circuit can include two or more capacitors connected in series. The tap point can be located between a first capacitor and a second capacitor of the bridge circuit.
  • the artificial ground can be formed at a tap point between overlapping coil sections of the secondary coil of the power reception circuit.
  • the appliance includes a controller (such as a PRx controller) and one or more sensors.
  • the sensor(s) can measure one or more electrical properties associated with the artificial ground.
  • the controller can monitor effectiveness of the insulation based on changes in the sensor measurements. For example, the controller can determine that the insulation is compromised or degraded if a measured current from the metallic component to the artificial ground exceeds a threshold or when the measured current is trending higher over time.
  • the controller can indicate an error condition when the insulation is compromised or degraded.
  • the controller can cause a communication unit of the appliance to communicate an error message to the Power Transmitter, a home server, a monitoring service, or a user application, among other examples.
  • the controller can present an error indication via a user interface.
  • the controller can refrain from requesting wireless power from the Power Transmitter when the insulation is compromised or degraded.
  • the controller can cause the Power Transmitter to cease wireless power transmission to prevent the metallic component from conducting harmful leakage current.
  • the disclosed techniques can reduce the rating or amount of insulation needed in appliance to maintain leakage current below a threshold.
  • the appliance can obtain measurements of the artificial ground to detect abnormal conditions caused by compromised insulation. The disclosed techniques improve the safety and user satisfaction associated with using cordless appliances in a wireless power system.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless power system 100.
  • the example wireless power system 100 includes a Power Transmitter 102 and a Power Receiver 118.
  • the Power Transmitter 102 might be part of a magnetic power source such as a hob, a countertop, or range.
  • the Power Transmitter may include a surface-mounted primary coil, an integrated primary coil, a countertop-mounted primary coil or a primary coil that is embedded or manufactured in a surface on which a Power Receiver 118 can be placed.
  • the Power Transmitter 102 includes a primary coil 104 to transmit wireless power.
  • the Power Receiver 118 includes a secondary coil 120 to wirelessly receive power via inductive coupling with the primary coil 104 of the Power Transmitter 102.
  • the Power Receiver 118 might be part of a cordless appliance such as a cordless blender, kettle, toaster, or cooking vessel, among other examples.
  • a cordless appliance such as a cordless blender, kettle, toaster, or cooking vessel, among other examples.
  • An appliance can include the Power Receiver 118 and other components, such as a load 128 and a load controller 134.
  • an appliance that includes a Power Receiver 118 can also be referred to collectively as a Power Receiver.
  • the primary coil 104 may be associated with a Power Transmitter circuit 106 (sometimes also referred to as a power signal generator, or a driver circuit, or a driver).
  • the primary coil 104 may be a wire coil which transmits wireless power (which also may be referred to as wireless energy) via a wireless power signal 138.
  • the primary coil 104 may transmit wireless energy using an inductive or a resonant magnetic field.
  • the Power Transmitter circuit 106 may include components (not shown) to prepare the wireless power.
  • the Power Transmitter circuit 106 may include one or more switches, drivers, series capacitors, rectifiers, inverters, or other components.
  • the Power Transmitter circuit 106, a PTx controller 108 and other components may be collectively referred to as a Power Transmitter unit 110.
  • Some or all of the Power Transmitter unit 110 may be embodied as an integrated circuit (IC) that implements features of this disclosure.
  • the Power Transmitter 102 includes a PTx controller 108.
  • the PTx controller 108 may be implemented as a microcontroller, dedicated processor, integrated circuit, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or any other suitable electronic device.
  • a power source 112 provides power to the Power Transmitter unit 110.
  • the power source 112 may convert AC power to direct current (DC) power.
  • the power source 112 may include a converter that receives an AC power from an external power supply and converts the AC power to a DC power used by the Power Transmitter circuit 106.
  • a component such as an inverter
  • the power source 112 may be integrated as part of the Power Transmitter 102 or may be external to the Power Transmitter 102.
  • the Power Transmitter 102 causes the power source 112 to regulate the DC output voltage of the power source 112.
  • the PTx controller 108 is connected to a first communication interface 114.
  • the first communication interface 114 is connected to a first communication coil 116.
  • the first communication interface 114 and the first communication coil 116 may be collectively referred to as the first communication unit 122.
  • the first communication unit 122 may support short-range radio frequency communication, such as Near-Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth (BT). NFC is a technology by which data transfer occurs on a carrier frequency of 13.56 Megahertz (MHz).
  • the first communication unit 122 also may support any suitable communication protocol.
  • the first communication unit 122 may contain modulation and demodulation circuits to transmit a communication signal 140 via the first communication coil 116.
  • the PTx controller 108 may use frequency, amplitude, current, or voltage modulation of the wireless power signal 138 to communicate via an in-band communication link (not shown) that includes the primary coil 104.
  • the Power Receiver 118 may include a secondary coil 120, a PRx controller 126, a communication interface 130, a load controller 134, a load 128, and a memory (not shown).
  • the load 128 can include a driver (not shown) for controlling at least one parameter such as charging current, speed, or torque of the load.
  • the example Power Receiver 118 includes a disconnect switch 136 connected in a series between one of the terminals of the secondary coil 120 and the load 128.
  • the Power Receiver 118 includes a rectifier 124. Alternatively, the rectifier 124 may be omitted such as when the voltage induced in the secondary coil 120 can directly power the load 128.
  • the secondary 7 coil 120, the disconnect switch 136, the rectifier 124 form part of a circuit that connects to the load 128.
  • the circuit referred to as a power reception circuit can include other components, such as capacitors or diodes.
  • a first leg of the power reception circuit connects to an input terminal of the load 128 and a second leg of the power reception circuit connects to an output terminal of the load 128.
  • the power reception circuit includes the electrical path that includes the secondary coil 120 and other components that provide power to the load 128.
  • a PRx controller 126 may be operationally coupled to the communication interface 130.
  • the communication interface 130 may contain modulation and demodulation circuits to wirelessly communicate via the second communication coil 132.
  • the PRx controller 126 may wirelessly communicate feedback information to the PTx controller 108 via the communication interface 130 and the first communication interface 114 using short-range radio frequency communication, such as NFC.
  • the PRx controller 126 may use load modulation to communicate via an in-band communication link (not shown) that includes the secondary coil 120.
  • a load controller 134 may be operationally coupled to the load 128 and the communication interface 130.
  • the load controller 134 may detect changes to load states such as change in charging currents in a battery 7 charging application.
  • the load controller 134 also may determine a load voltage reference.
  • the load controller 134 also may send load voltage references, load power, load current, and any other suitable information to the PRx controller 126 or the communication interface 130 for communication to the Power Transmitter 102.
  • the PRx controller 126 may additionally determine and provide feedback information indicating a measured load voltage or power available to the load 128. In some feedback messages, the feedback information may include a reference voltage indicating a required voltage for the load 128, an error in the output voltage of the load 128, or the required power for the load.
  • the PRx controller 126 and the load controller 134 may be implemented as a single controller.
  • the PRx controller 126, the load controller 134, or any combination thereof, may be implemented as a microcontroller, dedicated processor, integrated circuit, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or any other suitable electronic device.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • the PRx controller 126 and the load controller 134 can be collectively or individually referred to as a controller.
  • an appliance can include one or more metallic components (shown as a metallic component 142 in FIG. 1).
  • the load 128 is a heating element.
  • the metallic component 142 could be any metal object in the Power Receiver 118.
  • Examples of a metallic component 142 include a metallic base plate, a metallic enclosure, a metallic handle, or control board with metallic materials, among other examples.
  • the load 128 and the metallic component 142 are separated by an insulation 144.
  • the combination of load 128, metallic component 142 and the insulation 144 forms a parasitic capacitance. When a voltage is applied to the load 128, a leakage current flows through this capacitance, including through the insulation. The leakage current through the insulation affects the life of the insulation. The leakage current is reduced by appropriately selecting the characteristics of insulation 144 such as its material type, the voltage rating, the frequency rating, and temperature rating.
  • Traditional line-powered appliances might include insulation rated for a voltage and frequency that is based on nominal peak voltages (between 110- 230 volts) that might occur in at nominal frequency (between 50-60 Hz).
  • the nominal peak voltages and frequencies in a wireless power system can be much higher than those that would be present in a traditional line-powered appliance.
  • the secondary coil 120 can induce higher voltages (such as, greater than 230 V) and at different frequencies (such as 25-75 kHz) than seen from a traditional wired power source.
  • the peak voltages at the load 128 using wireless power might exceed 2-3 times the peak voltages previously expected for wired power.
  • the insulation 144 for a cordless appliance might require a higher rating or higher amount of insulation 144, which adds greater manufacturing cost. Furthermore, there is a higher possibility of insulation failure and shorter lifespan of the insulation due to the leakage current passed through the insulation. A failure of the insulation can lead to dangerous electric shocks and user safety hazard. Such risk of compromised insulation can be more dangerous in the case of a hybrid appliance that can be operated from both wired and wireless means, if the insulation fails while the hybrid power is operated using a wired power source.
  • one aim of this disclosure is to decrease the nominal rating or amount of additional insulation needed to maintain the leakage current below a threshold.
  • Another aim of this disclosure is to monitor for degradation of the effectiveness of the insulation 144.
  • the metallic component 142 is connected to an artificial ground 146.
  • the artificial ground 146 is formed by a connection to the power reception circuit.
  • artificial ground 146 can be formed at a tap point 150 in a bridge circuit of the power reception circuit 148.
  • the tap point 150 is located between two approximately equal size capacitors in the bridge circuit.
  • the tap point 150 can be a point between two similarly positioned coil segments of the secondary' coil 120.
  • the artificial ground 146 can reduce the voltage stress to the insulation 144 and therefore reduce the potential leakage current. Therefore, the rating and amount of insulation 144 needed to mitigate the leakage current from a power reception circuit can be decreased.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an example appliance 200 that uses a wired power source.
  • the appliance 200 includes a load 128, a disconnect switch 136, a metallic component 142 and insulation 144 as described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • the appliance is powered using a wired power source, such as an AC mains electricity’ or utility power.
  • a power cord 210 might include 3-wire connection to a wall plug or outlet connected to the AC mains electricity.
  • the power cord 210 can include a power line 212, a neutral line 214, and a ground line 216.
  • the power line 212 and neutral line 214 will complete a circuit to a power source 220 of the AC mains electricity.
  • the ground line 216 will connect to a ground bar.
  • the metallic component 142 can be electrically coupled to the ground line 216.
  • a purpose of connecting the metallic component 142 to the ground line 216 is to enable a pathway for electricity' to flow so that an electrical charge will not build up in the metallic component 142.
  • the appliance 200 can prevent an electrical shock to a user that might otherwise occur without a connection between the metallic component 142 and the ground line 216.
  • a ground fault (not shown) or circuit breaker can disconnect the power line 212 or the neutral line 214 when the current in the ground line 216 exceeds a threshold.
  • a cordless appliance operates using wireless power (as described with reference to FIG. 1).
  • a wireless power system does not provide a physical connection to earth ground 230.
  • the peak voltages and peak frequencies of a wireless power system can be much higher than those typically provided by the power source 220 of AC mains electricity.
  • the metallic component 142 can be connected to an artificial ground.
  • Artificial ground (sometimes referred to as virtual ground) is not directly connected to earth ground. Instead, as described in this disclosure, the artificial ground can be created using a connection to the power reception circuit used for wireless power.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an example appliance 300 that uses wireless power and an artificial ground 146.
  • the example appliance 300 of FIG. 3 may be an example of the Power Receiver 118 described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • the appliance 300 includes a load 128, insulation 144, and metallic component 142 and a power reception circuit of a Power Receiver, including a secondary coil 120 and disconnect switch 136 as described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • the power reception circuit might include a series capacitor 305 that is present in one or more legs of the power reception circuit.
  • the disconnect switch 136 may be connected before or after a series capacitor 305 when the series capacitor 305 is present on leg of the power reception circuit. Although the disconnect switch 136 is shown as being connected in series, other configurations are possible.
  • the appliance 300 can include a second communication coil 132, a communication interface 130, and a PRx controller 126 as described with reference to FIG. 1 (none of which are shown in FIG. 3).
  • the appliance 300 does not include a rectifier (also not shown in FIG. 3).
  • FIG. 3 also shows a parallel capacitor 310 connected across the legs of the power reception circuit. When present, the parallel capacitor 310 (sometimes also referred to as a load capacitor) removes high frequency noise from the power supplied to load 128. [0044]
  • the load 128, the insulation 144, and the metallic component 142 can create undesirable parasitic capacitance.
  • leakage current some electricity' (referred to as leakage current) to pass through the insulation 144 to the metallic component 142.
  • leakage current some electricity' (referred to as leakage current)
  • the portions of the insulation 144 carrying the leakage currents are vulnerable to failure over time.
  • FIG. 3 provides a technique for reducing leakage current through insulation 144 by reducing the voltage stress to the insulation 144.
  • the metallic component 142 is connected to an artificial ground 146.
  • the artificial ground 146 formed using a tap point 150 in a bridge circuit of the power reception circuit.
  • the bridge circuit is connected between a first leg 320a of the power reception circuit and a second leg 320b of the power reception circuit.
  • the tap point 150 is located between a pair of capacitors 312a and 312b connected in series in the bridge circuit.
  • the capacitors 312a and 312b carry less current so that most of the current is passed through the load 128.
  • the capacitors 312a and 312b are approximately the same capacitance, such that tap point 150 (and therefore the artificial ground 146) receives approximately equal voltage from the first capacitor 312a and the second capacitor 312b.
  • the metallic component 142 is connected to the artificial ground 146 formed at the tap point 150.
  • the parallel capacitor 310 can be replaced by the pair of capacitors 312a and 312b.
  • the capacitors 312a and 312b can be in addition to the parallel capacitor 310 of a Power Receiver.
  • the location of the capacitors 312a and 312b can be different from the example illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • the capacitors 312a and 312b can be connected between the legs 320a and 320b closer to the secondary' coil 120 or closer to the load 128.
  • the potential voltage difference between a peak voltage of the load 128 and the metallic component 142 can be decreased.
  • the potential voltage difference between a peak voltage of the load 128 and the metallic component 142 (without the artificial ground) might be -700 volts without the artificial ground 146, while the potential voltage difference between a peak voltage of the load 128 and the metallic component 142 might be reduced to -350 volts when the metallic component 142 is connected to the artificial ground 146.
  • the insulation 144 required to mitigate leakage current can be rated for 350 volts rather than 700 volts.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an example appliance 400 that monitors leakage current using a current sensor 410.
  • FIG. 4 includes the components as described with reference to FIG. 3, as well as the communication interface 130 and the PRx controller 126 described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • the appliance 400 includes one or more sensors to measure one or more electrical properties (such as current or voltage) associated with the artificial ground 146.
  • the example in FIG. 4 is based on current measurements, and the appliance 400 includes a current sensor 410 to obtain measurements of the current flowing from the metallic component 142 to the artificial ground 146.
  • the current sensor 410 can be located in any part of the connection between the metallic component 142 and the tap point 150.
  • the current sensor 410 can obtain current measurements indicating the current flowing from the metallic component 142 to the artificial ground 146 formed by the tap point 150.
  • the current measurements from the current sensor 410 can be an indication of the amount of leakage current flowing through the insulation 144.
  • the current measurement can be proportional to the leakage current.
  • the PRx controller 126 is communicatively coupled to the current sensor 410 and receives values corresponding to the measurements of current sensor 410.
  • PRx controller 126 monitors the current measurements to detect failure or degradation of the insulation 144. If the value for the current measurements gets too high (such as above a threshold), the PRx controller 126 can determine that the insulation 144 is becoming compromised. Thus, the PRx controller 126 can monitor the effectiveness of the insulation 144 based on changes in the current measurements over time. When the current measurements exceed a threshold, the PRx controller 126 can indicate an error condition warning of actual or impending insulation failure.
  • the PRx controller 126 can take action to prevent wireless power transfer. For example, the PRx controller 126 can refrain from requesting wireless power from the Power Transmitter (not shown). Alternatively, or additionally, the PRx controller 126 can maintain the disconnect switch 136 in an open position to prevent the power reception circuit from inducing electricity.
  • the PRx controller 126 when the PRx controller 126 detects the error condition, the PRx controller 126 can communicate an error message 422 to indicate the error condition. For example, the PRx controller 126 can cause the communication interface 130 to communicate the error message 422 to the Power Transmitter (not shown). Alternatively, the PRx controller 126 can cause the error message 422 to be communicated in other ways or to other recipients, such as a home server, a central monitoring service, or a user application, among other examples.
  • the PRx controller 126 when the PRx controller 126 detects the error condition, the PRx controller 126 can present an error indication 420 via a user interface.
  • the error indication 420 can be a light emitting diode (LED), an icon on a display, or sound, among other examples.
  • the user interface may be located in or on the appliance 400, the Power Transmitter (not shown), or other equipment used with the appliance 400.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an example appliance 500 that monitors leakage current using voltage sensors 510a and 510b.
  • FIG. 5 includes the components as described with reference to FIG. 3, as well as the communication interface 130 and the PRx controller 126 described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • the appliance 500 includes a first voltage sensor 510a and a second voltage sensor 510b.
  • the first voltage sensor 510a can measure voltage of a first input (such as the first capacitor 312a) of the power reception circuit to the artificial ground 146 (at tap point 150); and the second voltage sensor 510b can measure voltage of a second input (such as the second capacitor 312b) of the power reception circuit to the artificial ground 146 (at tap point 150).
  • the voltage measurements of the voltage sensors 510a and 510b can be considered one or more electrical properties of the artificial ground 146.
  • the PRx controller 126 can receive the voltage measurements VI and V2 from the voltage sensors 510a and 510b, respectively.
  • the PRx controller 126 can monitor the effectiveness of the insulation 144 based on the voltage measurements.
  • the PRx controller 126 can infer that the leakage current through portions of the insulation 144 is increasing based on one or more criteria associated with the voltage measurements VI and V2.
  • Example criteria can be met when the voltage measurements VI and V2 are unequal, when one or both of the voltage measurements VI and V2 change over time, when one or both of the voltage measurements VI and V2 exceed a threshold, or when one or both of the voltage measurements VI and V2 changes more than a threshold amount.
  • the PRx controller 126 can determine that the insulation 144 is becoming compromised. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the PRx controller 126 can take various actions in response to detecting that the insulation 144 is becoming compromised. For example, the PRx controller 126 can indicate an error condition, prevent wireless power transfer, maintain the disconnect switch 136 in an open position, communicate an error message 422, present an error indication 420 via a user interface, or any combination of these actions.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an example appliance 600 that uses wireless power and an artificial ground 146 formed using a tap point 150 between overlapping coil segments of a secondary coil 120.
  • the example appliance 600 of FIG. 6 may be an example of the Power Receiver 118 described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • the appliance 600 includes a load 128, insulation 144, and metallic component 142 and a power reception circuit of a Power Receiver, including a secondary coil 120 and disconnect switch 136 as described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • the appliance 600 also includes the series capacitor 305 and parallel capacitor 310 described with reference to FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 6 does not include the pair of capacitors 312a and 312b described with reference to FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates another example appliance 700 that monitors leakage current.
  • the appliance 700 of FIG. 7 includes the features of FIG. 6 as well as the communication interface 130, the PRx controller 126, the current sensor 410. the error indication 420, and the error message 422 as described with reference to FIG. 4, respectively.
  • FIG. 7 performs the same features and functions described with reference to FIG. 4, except that the current sensor 410 is positioned between the metallic component 142 and the artificial ground 146 formed by the tap point 150, where the tap point 150 is a point between a pair of coil sections 610a and 610b as described with reference to FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates another example appliance 800 in which the artificial ground 146 can be formed at a tap point 150 that optimally reduces stress to the insulation 144.
  • the appliance 800 is similar to the appliance 300 described with reference to FIG. 3 except that the bridge circuit includes a plurality of capacitors 810.
  • the tap point 150 can be located between a first subset 812 of the capacitors 810 and a second subset 814 of the capacitors 810.
  • one or more of the capacitors 810 may have different capacitance.
  • the tap point 150 can connected at a point of the bridge circuit where the aggregate capacitance of the first subset 812 matches the aggregate capacitance of the second subset 814.
  • the tap point 150 can be connected at any location where the voltage stress to the insulation 144 is minimized.
  • an optimal location of the tap point 150 can be determined based on empirical testing or based on actual measured characteristics of the capacitors 810 during manufacturing or deployment of the appliance 800.
  • FIG. 3, FIG. 4. FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 show capacitors in the bridge circuit
  • other electrical components such as resistors, inductors, diodes, filters, or regulators
  • the bridge circuit can be located on the AC side or DC side of the rectifier in various implementations.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates example voltages in an appliance 900 having an artificial ground 146 according to some implementations of this disclosure.
  • the load voltage supplied to the load 128 is 230 V.
  • the voltage stress on the insulation 144 is 230 V with peak voltages up to or above 700 V.
  • FIG. 9 shows the metallic component 142 connected to an artificial ground 146 formed by a connection to the power reception circuit.
  • the artificial ground 146 is formed at a tap point 150 between a pair of capacitors on a bridge circuit, as described with reference to FIG. 3.
  • a first input of the artificial ground 146 has a voltage of 115 V (roughly half of the load voltage input) and a second input of the artificial ground 146 has a voltage of -115 V (roughly half of the load voltage output).
  • voltage stress to the insulation 144 is reduced by half to 115 V.
  • the voltage stress can be described as a potential difference between the load voltage and the metallic component 142. By connecting the metallic component 142 to the power reception circuit, the voltage stress can be reduced by up to half of the load voltage. Therefore, the rating and amount of insulation 144 needed to mitigate the leakage current might be decreased by half.
  • Some appliances are hybrid appliances that support both wired and wireless power sources depending on which power source is available at a particular time.
  • the techniques described for forming a artificial ground 146 can also be implemented in a hybrid appliance.
  • the artificial ground can be electrically coupled to an ground line of a power cord (such as the ground line 216 of the power cord 210 described with reference to FIG. 2) to that when the power cord is connected to a wired power source, the artificial ground is connected to the earth ground.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart with example operations 1000 of an appliance.
  • the operations 1000 might be performed by the Power Receiver 118 or any of the appliances 300, 400. 500, 600, 700, 800 or 900 described herein.
  • the operations 1000 are described as being performed by an appliance.
  • the operations 1000 might be performed by various components, such as a controller of an appliance or a Power Receiver.
  • the example operations 1000 depicts a particular sequence of operations, the sequence may be altered without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, some of the operations depicted may be performed in parallel or in a different sequence that does not materially affect the function of the operations 1000. In other examples, different components of an example device or system that implements the operations 1000 may perform functions at substantially the same time or in a specific sequence.
  • the appliance wirelessly receives power from a Power Transmitter using a power reception circuit coupled to a load of the appliance.
  • the power reception circuit includes at least a secondary coil of a Power Receiver and the power reception circuit is coupled to a load.
  • the appliance insulates, using an insulation, a metallic component from the load.
  • the appliance forms an artificial ground by a connection to the power reception circuit, where the metallic component is connected to the artificial ground.
  • the artificial ground formed at a tap point of the power reception circuit (such as described with reference to any one of FIG. 1 or FIG. 3-9).
  • the artificial ground is designed to reduce voltage stress on the insulation.
  • the appliance measures one or more electrical properties associated with the artificial ground using one or more sensors.
  • the appliance may monitor effectiveness of the insulation based on changes in the one or more electrical properties.
  • the appliance can indicate an error condition (such as via an error message or error indication) when the one or more electrical properties exceed a threshold, as described with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example apparatus for use in a wireless power system.
  • the apparatus 1100 may be a wireless power apparatus (such as the Power Receiver 118 or any of the appliances 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 or 900 described herein).
  • the apparatus 1100 may be an example of a controller (such as a PRx controller, a load controller, or both) in such appliances.
  • the apparatus 1100 can include a processor 1102 (possibly including multiple processors, multiple cores, multiple nodes, or implementing multi-threading, among other examples).
  • the apparatus 1100 also can include a memory 1104.
  • the memory' 1104 may be system memory' or any one or more of the possible realizations of computer-readable media described herein.
  • the apparatus 1100 also can include a bus 1106 (such as PCI, ISA, PCI-Express, HyperTransport®, InfiniBand®. NuBus®, AHB. AXI. etc.).
  • the apparatus 1100 may include logic 708.
  • the logic 1108 can be distributed within the processor 1102, the memory' 1104, and the bus 1106.
  • the logic 1108 may perform some or all of the operations described herein.
  • the logic 1108 may implement the operations described with reference to any one of FIG. 1 through FIG. 10, or any combination thereof.
  • the memory 1104 can include computer instructions (such as instructions for logic 1108) that are executable by the processor 1102 to implement the functionality of the implementations described herein. Any one of these functionalities may be partially (or entirely) implemented in hardware or on the processor 1102.
  • the functionality may be implemented with an application specific integrated circuit, in logic implemented in the processor 1102, in a co-processor on a peripheral device or card, etc.
  • realizations may include fewer or additional components not illustrated in FIG. 11.
  • the processor 1102, the memory 1104, and the logic 708 may be coupled to the bus 1106. Although illustrated as being coupled to the logic 1108, the memory 1104 may be integrated with, or coupled to, the processor 1102.
  • the apparatus 1100 includes a sensor 1110 and an artificial ground 1112.
  • the artificial ground 1112 is an electrical ground formed by a tap point in a power reception circuit.
  • the sensor 1110 can obtain current or voltage measurements associated with the artificial ground 1112. For example, the sensor 1110 can measure current between a metallic component and the artificial ground. Alternatively, or additionally, the sensor 1110 can measure voltage of two inputs from the power reception circuit to the artificial ground.
  • the logic 1108 can monitor measurements from the sensor 1110 to determine whether the insulation is compromised, failing, or degraded.
  • the logic 1108 includes instructions to generate an error condition, communicate an error message, present an error indication, or any combination thereof, when the measured leakage current exceeds a threshold.
  • FIG. 1 through FIG. 11 and the operations described herein are examples meant to aid in understanding example implementations and should not be used to limit the potential implementations or limit the scope of the claims. Some implementations may perform additional operations, fewer operations, operations in parallel or in a different order, and some operations differently.
  • An appliance including: a power reception circuit to wirelessly receive power from a Power Transmitter and provide the power to a load; a metallic component; an insulation separating the metallic component and the load; and an artificial ground formed by a connection to the power reception circuit, where the metallic component is connected to the artificial ground.
  • Clause 2 The appliance of clause 1, where the power reception circuit includes: a first leg coupled to an input terminal of the load, a second leg coupled to an output terminal of the load, and a bridge circuit between the first leg and the second leg; and where the artificial ground is formed by a connection to a tap point in the bridge circuit.
  • Clause 5 The appliance of clause 1, where the power reception circuit includes a secondary coil having a first coil section and a second coil section such the first coil section and the second coil section have approximately equal coupling with the Power Transmitter during power transfer, and where the artificial ground is formed by a connection to a tap point between the first coil section and the second coil section.
  • Clause 6 The appliance of any one of clauses 1 to 5, further including: one or more sensors to measure one or more electrical properties associated with the artificial ground; and a controller to monitor effectiveness of the insulation based on changes in the one or more electrical properties.
  • Clause 7 The appliance of clause 6, where the one or more sensors includes a current sensor connected between the metallic component and the artificial ground, and where the one or more electrical properties include a current measurement.
  • Clause 9 The appliance of any one of clauses 6 to 8, where the controller indicates an error condition when the one or more electrical properties exceed a threshold.
  • Clause 10 The appliance of clause 9, further including at least one of: a communication unit to communicate an error message associated with the error condition, or a user interface to present an error indication associated with the error condition.
  • a method of an appliance including: wirelessly receiving power from a Power Transmitter using a power reception circuit coupled to a load of the appliance; insulating, using an insulation, a metallic component from the load; and forming an artificial ground by a connection to the power reception circuit, where the metallic component is connected to the artificial ground.
  • Clause 13 The method of clause 12, further including: measuring one or more electrical properties associated with the artificial ground using one or more sensors; and monitoring effectiveness of the insulation based on changes in the one or more electrical properties.
  • Clause 14 The method of clause 13, where the one or more sensors includes a current sensor connected between the metallic component and the artificial ground, and where the one or more electrical properties include a current measurement.
  • Clause 15 The method of clause 12, where the artificial ground is formed by a combination of a first input and a second input of the power reception circuit, the method further including: measuring, by a first voltage sensor, a first voltage across the first input of the artificial ground; measuring, by a second voltage sensor, a second voltage across the second input of the artificial ground; and monitoring effectiveness of the insulation based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.
  • Clause 16 The method of any one of clauses 12 to 14, further including: indicating an error condition when the one or more electrical properties exceed a threshold.
  • Clause 17. The method of clause 16, where indicating the error condition includes at least one of: communicating an error message to the Power Transmitter, or presenting an error indication at a user interface of the appliance.
  • Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented as a computer-readable medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform any one of the above- mentioned functionalities.
  • a phrase referring to “at least one of’ or “one or more of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members.
  • “at least one of a, b, or c” is intended to cover the possibilities of a only, b only, c only, a combination of a and b. a combination of a and c. a combination of b and c, and a combination of a and b and c.
  • the hardware and data processing apparatus used to implement the various illustrative components, logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.
  • a general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.
  • a processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
  • particular processes, operations and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.
  • aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as software.
  • various functions of components disclosed herein, or various blocks or steps of a method, operation, process or algorithm disclosed herein can be implemented as one or more modules of one or more computer programs.
  • Such computer programs can include non-transitory processorexecutable or computer-executable instructions encoded on one or more tangible processor-readable or computer-readable storage media for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus including the components of the devices described herein.
  • such storage media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to store program code in the form of instructions or data structures. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of storage media.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

La présente divulgation concerne des systèmes, des procédés et des appareils permettant de réduire la contrainte de tension sur une isolation d'un appareil sans fil. Dans des appareils qui reçoivent de l'énergie sans fil, la tension et la fréquence de l'énergie peuvent être supérieures à l'énergie filaire classique. La tension et la fréquence supérieures peuvent appliquer une contrainte supplémentaire sur l'isolation dans l'appareil. L'isolation isole un circuit de réception d'énergie et une charge vis-à-vis d'autres composants métalliques de l'appareil. La contrainte de tension sur l'isolation peut être réduite en connectant les composants métalliques à une mise à la masse artificielle. La mise à la masse artificielle peut être formée à l'aide de caractéristiques électriques équilibrées du circuit de réception d'énergie. Dans un exemple d'approche, la mise à la masse artificielle est formée au niveau d'un point de prise dans un circuit en pont du circuit de réception d'énergie, par exemple entre une paire de condensateurs approximativement égaux dans le circuit en pont ou entre des bobines de réception d'énergie se chevauchant.
PCT/US2024/052493 2023-10-25 2024-10-23 Mise à la masse artificielle dans un appareil sans fil Pending WO2025090561A1 (fr)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160308399A1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2016-10-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Power transmission device and power reception device
JP2017184363A (ja) * 2016-03-29 2017-10-05 株式会社Ｓｏｋｅｎ 非接触受電装置
CN112422159A (zh) * 2020-11-06 2021-02-26 西安电子科技大学 用于携能通信的电-磁正交耦合装置及携能通信系统
JP2023116459A (ja) * 2017-12-06 2023-08-22 ストライカー・コーポレイション 外科用システムに駆動信号を供給する制御コンソール

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20160308399A1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2016-10-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Power transmission device and power reception device
JP2017184363A (ja) * 2016-03-29 2017-10-05 株式会社Ｓｏｋｅｎ 非接触受電装置
JP2023116459A (ja) * 2017-12-06 2023-08-22 ストライカー・コーポレイション 外科用システムに駆動信号を供給する制御コンソール
CN112422159A (zh) * 2020-11-06 2021-02-26 西安电子科技大学 用于携能通信的电-磁正交耦合装置及携能通信系统

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