USRE49017E1 - Wireless power transmitting apparatus and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a wireless power transmitting apparatus and a method thereof. The wireless power transmitting apparatus wirelessly transmits power to a wireless power receiving apparatus. The wireless power transmitting apparatus detects a wireless power transmission state between the wireless power transmitting apparatus and the wireless power receiving apparatus, and generates a control signal to control transmit power based on the detected wireless power transmission state. The wireless power transmitting apparatus generates the transmit power by using first DC power based on the control signal, and transmits the transmit power to a transmission resonance coil through a transmission induction coil unit based on an electromagnetic induction scheme.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/826,526, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2012-0027977, filed Mar. 19, 2012 and 10-2012-0146956, filed Dec. 14, 2012, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This Application is a Reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 9,711,974 issued on Jul. 18, 2017, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/826,526 filed on Mar. 14, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,225,391 issued on Dec. 29, 2015), which claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2012-0146956 filed on Dec. 14, 2012 and 10-2012-0027977 filed on Mar. 19, 2012, both filed in the Republic of Korea, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a wireless power transmitting apparatus and a method thereof.

A wireless power transmission or a wireless energy transfer refers to a technology of wirelessly transferring electric energy to desired devices. In the 1800's, an electric motor or a transformer employing the principle of electromagnetic induction has been extensively used and then a method for transmitting electrical energy by irradiating electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves or lasers, has been suggested. Actually, electrical toothbrushes or electrical razors, which are frequently used in daily life, are charged based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction refers to a phenomenon in which voltage is induced so that current flows when a magnetic field is varied around a conductor. Although the commercialization of the electromagnetic induction technology has been rapidly progressed around small-size devices, the power transmission distance is short.

Until now, wireless energy transmission schemes include a remote telecommunication technology based on magnetic resonance and a short wave radio frequency in addition to the electromagnetic induction.

Recently, among wireless power transmitting technologies, an energy transmitting scheme employing magnetic resonance has been widely used.

In a wireless power transmitting system employing magnetic resonance, since an electrical signal generated between the wireless power transmitting apparatus and the wireless power receiving apparatus is wirelessly transferred through coils, a user may easily charge electronic appliances such as a portable device.

A wireless power transmitting apparatus generates AC power having a resonance frequency to be transmitted to a wireless power receiving apparatus. In this case, power transmission efficiency is determined due to various factors. The demand for wireless power transmission efficiency is increased.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a wireless power transmitting apparatus capable of improving wireless power transmission efficiency and a method thereof.

According to the embodiment, there is provided a wireless power transmitting apparatus wirelessly transmitting power to a wireless power receiving apparatus. The wireless power transmitting apparatus includes a detector detecting a wireless power transmission state between the wireless power transmitting apparatus and the wireless power receiving apparatus, a transmit power controller generating a control signal to control transmit power based on the detected wireless power transmission state, an AC power generator generating an AC power using first DC power based on the control signal, and a transmission induction coil unit transmitting the AC power to a transmission resonance coil through an electromagnetic induction scheme.

According to the embodiment, there is provided a wireless power transmitting apparatus wirelessly transmitting power to a wireless power receiving apparatus. The wireless power transmitting apparatus includes a transmission induction coil transmitting power applied thereto to a transmission resonance coil through an electromagnetic induction scheme, a transistor circuit unit having a full-bridge structure and connected to the transmission induction coil, a detector detecting a wireless power transmission state between the wireless power transmitting apparatus and the wireless power receiving apparatus, and a transmit power controller controlling the transistor circuit unit having the full-bridge structure based on the detected wireless power transmission state.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the efficiency of the wireless power transmitting apparatus can be increased.

In addition, according to the embodiment, circuits can be inhibited from being destroyed due to high current.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a wireless power system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the transmission induction coil unit according to the one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a power supply device and a wireless power transmitting apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a wireless power receiving apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the power supply device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an AC power generator and a transmit power controller according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a DC-DC converter according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the DC-AC converter and the power transmission state detector according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a wireless power transmitting method according to one embodiment

FIG. 10 shows waveforms of voltage at each node in the power supply device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a power supply device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an AC power generator and a transmit power controller according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a DC-AC converter and a power transmission state detector according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a wireless power transmitting method according to another embodiment

FIG. 15 shows waveforms of voltage at each node in the power supply device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a power supply device according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an AC power generator and a transmit power controller according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram showing a DC-AC converter and a power transmission state detector according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a wireless power transmitting method according to still another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily work with the embodiments. However, the embodiments may not be limited to those described below, but have various modifications. The elements, which are not concerned with the description of the embodiments in the drawings, may be omitted for the purpose of convenience or clarity. The same reference numbers will be assigned the same elements throughout the drawings.

In the following description, when a predetermined part “includes” a predetermined component, the predetermined part does not exclude other components, but may further include other components unless indicated otherwise.

Hereinafter, a wireless power transmitting system according to one embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a wireless power system according to one embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 1, the wireless power transmitting system may include apower supply device100, a wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200, a wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 and aload400.

According to one embodiment, thepower supply device100 may be included in the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200.

The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 may include a transmissioninduction coil unit210 and a transmissionresonant coil unit220.

The wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 may include a receptionresonant coil unit310, a receptioninduction coil unit320, and a rectifyingunit330.

Both terminals of thepower supply device100 are connected to both terminals of the transmissioninduction coil unit210.

The transmissionresonant coil unit220 may be spaced apart from the transmissioninduction coil unit210 by a predetermined distance.

The receptionresonant coil unit310 may be spaced apart from the receptioninduction coil unit320 by a predetermined distance.

Both terminals of the receptioninduction coil unit320 are connected to both terminals of the rectifyingunit330, and theload400 is connected to both terminals of the rectifyingunit330. According to one embodiment, theload400 may be included in the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300.

The power generated from thepower supply device100 is transmitted to the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200. The power received in the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 is transmitted to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 that makes resonance with the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 due to a resonance phenomenon, that is, has the resonance frequency the same as that of the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200.

Hereinafter, the power transmission process will be described in more detail.

Thepower supply device100 generates AC power having a predetermined frequency and transmits the AC power to the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200.

The transmissioninduction coil unit210 and the transmissionresonant coil unit220 are inductively coupled with each other. In other words, if AC current flows through the transmissioninduction coil unit210 due to the power received from thepower supply apparatus100, the AC current is induced to the transmissionresonant coil unit220 physically spaced apart from the transmissioninduction coil unit210 due to the electromagnetic induction.

Thereafter, the power received in the transmissionresonant coil unit220 is transmitted to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300, which makes a resonance circuit with the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200, through resonance.

Power can be transmitted between two LC circuits, which are impedance-matched with each other, through resonance. The power transmitted through the resonance can be farther transmitted with higher efficiency when comparing with the power transmitted by the electromagnetic induction.

The receptionresonant coil unit310 receives power from the transmissionresonant coil unit220 through the resonance. The AC current flows through the receptionresonant coil unit310 due to the received power. The power received in the receptionresonant coil unit310 is transmitted to the receptioninduction coil unit320, which is inductively coupled with the receptionresonant coil unit310, due to the electromagnetic induction. The power received in the receptioninduction coil unit320 is rectified by the rectifyingunit330 and transmitted to theload400.

According to one embodiment, the transmissioninduction coil unit210, the transmissionresonant coil unit220, the receptionresonant coil unit310, and the receptionresonant coil unit320 may have the shape of a circle, an oval, or a rectangle, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The transmissionresonant coil unit220 of the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 may transmit power to the receptionresonant coil unit310 of the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 through a magnetic field.

In detail, the transmissionresonant coil unit220 and the receptionresonant coil unit310 are resonance-coupled with each other so that the transmissionresonant coil unit220 and the receptionresonant coil unit310 operate at a resonance frequency.

The resonance-coupling between the transmissionresonant coil unit220 and the receptionresonant coil unit310 can significantly improve the power transmission efficiency between the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300.

A quality factor and a coupling coefficient are important in the wireless power transmission. In other words, the power transmission efficiency can be gradually improved as the values of the quality factor and the coupling coefficient are increased.

The quality factor may refer to an index of energy that may be stored in the vicinity of the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 or the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300.

The quality factor may vary according to the operating frequency ω as well as a shape, a dimension and a material of a coil. The quality factor may be expressed as following equation, Q=ω*L/R. In the above equation, L refers to the inductance of a coil and R refers to resistance corresponding to the quantity of power loss caused in the coil.

The quality factor may have a value of 0 to infinity. The power transmission efficiency between the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 can be improved as the value of the quality factor is increased.

The coupling coefficient represents the degree of magnetic coupling between a transmission coil and a reception coil, and has a value of 0 to 1.

The coupling coefficient may vary according to the relative position and the distance between the transmission coil and the reception coil.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the transmissioninduction coil unit210 according to the one embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 2, the transmissioninduction coil unit210 may include an inductor L1 and a capacitor C1, and a circuit having a desirable inductance and a desirable capacitance can be constructed by the inductor L1 and the capacitor C1.

The transmissioninduction coil unit210 may be constructed as an equivalent circuit in which both terminals of the inductor L1 are connected to both terminals of the capacitor C1. In other words, the transmissioninduction coil unit210 may be constructed as an equivalent circuit in which the inductor L1 is connected to the capacitor C1 in parallel.

The capacitor C1 may include a variable capacitor, and impedance matching may be performed by adjusting the capacitance of the capacitor C1. The equivalent circuit of each of the transmissionresonant coil unit220, the receptionresonant coil unit310 and the receptioninduction coil unit320 may be the same as the equivalent circuit shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of thepower supply device100 and the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 according to one embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 3, the transmissioninduction coil unit210 includes the inductor L1 having predetermined inductance and a capacitor C1 having predetermined capacitance. The transmissionresonant coil unit220 includes an inductor L2 having predetermined inductance and a capacitor C2 having predetermined capacitance.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 according to one embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 4, the receptionresonant coil unit310 includes an inductor L3 having predetermined inductance and a capacitor C1 having predetermined capacitance. The receptioninduction coil unit320 includes an inductor L4 having predetermined inductance and a capacitor C4 having predetermined capacitance.

The rectifyingunit330 may transfer converted DC power to theload400 by converting AC power received from the receptioninduction coil unit320 into the DC power.

In detail, the rectifyingunit330 may include a rectifier and a smoothing circuit. According to one embodiment, the rectifier may include a silicon rectifier and may be equivalent as a diode D1 as shown inFIG. 4.

The rectifier may convert AC power received from the receptioninduction coil unit320 into the DC power.

The smoothing circuit may output smooth DC power by removing AC components from the DC power converted by the rectifier. According to one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, the smoothing circuit may include a rectifying capacitor C5, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

Theload400 may be a predetermined rechargeable battery or a device requiring the DC power. For example, theload400 may refer to a battery.

The wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 may be installed in an electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a laptop computer or a mouse, requiring the power. Accordingly, the receptionresonant coil unit310 and the receptioninduction coil unit320 may have the shape suitable to the shape of the electronic device.

The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 may interchange information with the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 through in-band communication or out-of-band communication.

The in-band communication refers to the communication for interchanging information between the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 through a signal having the frequency used in the wireless power transmission. The wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 may further include a switch, and may receive or may not receive power transmitted from the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 through a switching operation of the switch. Accordingly, the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 can recognize an on-signal or an off-signal of the switch included in the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 by detecting the quantity of power consumed in the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200.

In detail, the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 may change the power consumed in the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 by adjusting the quantity of power absorbed in a resistor by using the resistor and the switch. The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 may acquire the state information of the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 by detecting the variation of the power consumption. The switch may be connected to the resistor in series. According to one embodiment, the state information of the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 may include information about the present charge quantity in the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 and the change of the charge quantity.

In more detail, if the switch is open, the power absorbed in the resistor becomes zero, and the power consumed in the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 is reduced.

If the switch is short-circuited, the power absorbed in the resistor becomes greater than zero, and the power consumed in the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 is increased. If the wireless power receiving apparatus repeats the above operation, the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 detects power consumed therein to make digital communication with the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300.

The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 receives the state information of the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 through the above operation so that the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 can transmit appropriate power.

On the contrary, the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 may include a resistor and a switch to transmit the state information of the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300. According to one embodiment, the state information of the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 may include information about the maximum quantity of power to be supplied from the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200, the number of wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 receiving the power from the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the quantity of available power of the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200.

Hereinafter, the out-of-band communication will be described.

The out-of-band communication refers to the communication performed through a specific frequency band other than the resonance frequency band in order to interchange information necessary for the power transmission. The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 can be equipped with out-of-band communication modules to interchange information necessary for the power transmission. The out-of-band communication module may be installed in the power supply device. In one embodiment, the out-of-band communication module may use a short-distance communication technology, such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, WLAN or NFC, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, thepower supply device100 according to one embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 10.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing thepower supply device100 according to one embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 5, thepower supply device100 according to one embodiment includes apower supply110, anoscillator130, anAC power generator150, a powertransmission state detector180, and a transmitpower controller190. In addition, thepower supply device100 is connected with the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200.

Thepower supply110 generates DC power having DC voltage and outputs the DC power through an output terminal thereof.

Theoscillator130 generates a lower-power sine wave signal.

The powertransmission state detector180 detects a wireless power transmission state between the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus300.

The transmitpower controller190 generates a control signal to control theAC power generator150 based on the detected wireless power transmission state.

TheAC power generator150 generates an AC power. At this time, the AC power can have various waveforms such as a rectangular-waveform, sinusoidal-waveform, or etc. In particular, theAC power generator150 generates AC power having rectangular-waveform voltage by amplifying the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130 using DC power of thepower supply110 based on the control signal of the transmitpower controller190.

The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 transmits the output power of theAC power generator150 to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 by resonance.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing theAC power generator150 and the transmitpower controller190 according to one embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 6, theAC power generator150 according to one embodiment includes ACpower generation controller151, a DC-AC converter153, and a DC-DC converter155, and the transmitpower controller190 includes a DCpower generation controller191 and astorage unit192.

The ACpower generation controller151 generates an AC power generation control signal based on the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130.

The DCpower generation controller191 generates a DC power generation control signal based on the detected wireless power transmission state so that the DC-DC converter155 may output power having output current in a target current range and target DC voltage.

Thestorage unit192 stores a look-up table.

The DC-DC converter155 converts the output power of thepower supply110 into DC power, which has output current in the target current range and the target DC voltage, based on the DC power generation control signal.

The DC-AC converter153 converts the output power of the DC-DC converter155 into AC power having the rectangular-waveform AC voltage based on the AC power generation control signal, and outputs the power to the transmissioninduction coil unit210.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the DC-DC converter155 according to one embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 7, the DC-DC converter155 includes an inductor L11, a power switch T11, a diode DK and a capacitor C11. The power switch T11 may be realized by using a transistor. In particular, the power switch T11 may include an n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (NMOSFET), but may be substituted with another device performing the same function.

One terminal of the inductor L11 is connected with an output terminal of thepower supply110, and an opposite terminal of the inductor L11 is connected with a drain electrode of the power switch T11.

The gate electrode of the power switch T11 is connected with an output terminal of the DCpower generation controller191, and a source electrode of the power switch T11 is connected with the ground.

An anode electrode of the diode D11 is connected with the drain electrode of the power switch T11.

One terminal of the capacitor C11 is connected with the cathode electrode of the diode DK and an opposite terminal of the capacitor C11 is connected with the ground.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the DC-AC converter153 and the powertransmission state detector180 according to one embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 8, the DC-AC converter153 includes a transistor circuit unit having a half-bridge structure. The half-bridge transistor circuit includes an upper transistor T21, a lower transistor T22, and a DC cut-off capacitor C21, and is connected to the ACpower generation controller151 and the transmissioninduction coil unit210. The powertransmission state detector180 includes a resistor R1 and a voltagedifference measuring unit181, and is connected with the DC-DC converter155, the DC-AC converter153, and the DCpower generation controller191. The DC-AC converter153 is connected with the DC-DC converter155 through the resistor R1. The upper and lower transistors T21 and T22 may include n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (NMOS), but may be substituted with another device performing the same function.

The ACpower generation controller151 has an output terminal for an upper transistor control signal and an output terminal for a lower transistor control signal, and outputs the AC power generation control signal based on the lower-power sine wave signal. The ACpower generation controller151 generates the upper transistor control signal as the AC power generation control signal based on the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130, and outputs the upper transistor control signal through the output terminal for the upper transistor control signal. The ACpower generation controller151 generates the lower transistor control signal as the AC power generation control signal based on the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130, and outputs the lower transistor control signal through the output terminal for the lower transistor control signal.

A drain electrode of the upper transistor T21 is connected with one terminal of the resistor R1, and the gate electrode is connected with the output terminal for the upper transistor control signal of the ACpower generation controller151.

A drain electrode of the lower transistor T22 is connected with a source electrode of the upper transistor T21, a gate electrode of the lower transistor T22 is connected with the output terminal for the lower transistor control signal of the ACpower generation controller151, and a source electrode of the lower transistor T22 is connected with the ground.

One terminal of the DC cut-off capacitor C21 is connected with the source electrode of the upper transistor T21, and an opposite terminal of the DC cut-off capacitor C21 is connected with one terminal of the inductor L1. An opposite terminal of the inductor L1 is connected with the ground.

The voltagedifference measuring unit181 measures the difference between voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1.

Hereinafter, a wireless power transmitting method according to one embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the wireless power transmitting method according to one embodiment, andFIG. 10 shows waveforms of voltage at each node in thepower supply device100 according to one embodiment.

In particular,FIG. 9 shows the wireless power transmitting method to explain the embodiments ofFIGS. 6 to 8 in detail.

Thepower supply110 generates DC power having DC voltage (step S101). In particular, thepower supply110 may convert AC power having AC voltage into the DC power having DC voltage.

Theoscillator130 generates the lower-power sine wave signal (step S103).

The powertransmission state detector180 detects the wireless power transmission state (step S105). The powertransmission state detector180 may detect the wireless power transmission state based on the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter155. Since the voltages applied to the both terminal of the resistor R1 are proportional to the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter155, the voltagedifference measuring unit181 of the powertransmission state detector180 may detect the wireless power transmission state based on the different between the voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1.

Since the coupling coefficient varies depending on the distance between the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the wirelesspower reception apparatus300 or the relatively positions thereof, the wireless power transmission state may be changed. In other words, as the distance between the distance between the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the wirelesspower reception apparatus300 is increased, the coupling coefficient is reduced, so that the wireless power transmission state may be degraded. As the wireless power transmission state becomes degraded, even if the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 transmits power having the same intensity to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300, greater power is consumed due to the inferior transmission efficiency. Therefore, the powertransmission state detector180 may detect the wireless power transmission state based on the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter155.

Since the output current of the DC-DC converter155 may not be constantly maintained, the powertransmission state detector180 may measure the peak-to-peak value of the output current of the DC-DC converter155.

The DCpower generation controller191 generates a DC power generation control signal based on the detected wireless power transmission state so that the DC-DC converter155 may output DC power having output current in a target current range and target DC voltage (step S107), and outputs the DC power generation control signal to the gate electrode of the transistor T11. In this case, the target current range may have a constant value regardless of the level of the target DC voltage, or may vary depending on the level of the target DC voltage. In addition, the target current range may be the range of the peak-to-peak value of the target current. As shown inFIG. 10, the DC power generation control signal may be a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal continuously represented throughout the whole duration. The DCpower generation controller191 may determine a duty ratio of the PWM signal based on the detected wireless power transmission state.

According to one embodiment, the voltagedifference measuring unit181 obtains a measurement output current value based on the difference between voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1. Thereafter, if the measurement output current value gets out of the reference range, the DCpower generation controller191 changes the duty rate, and outputs the DC power generation control signal serving as the PWM signal having the changed duty rate to the gate electrode of the transistor T11 so that the output current value of the DC-DC converter155 becomes in the reference range. In detail, if the measurement output current value is greater than the upper limit of the reference range, the DCpower generation controller191 reduces the duty rate and outputs the DC power generation control signal serving as the PWM signal having the reduced duty rate to the gate electrode of the transistor T11 so that the output current value of the DC-DC converter155 becomes in the reference range. Further, if the measurement output current value is smaller than the lower limit of the reference range, the DCpower generation controller191 increases the duty rate and outputs the DC power generation control signal serving as the PWM signal having the increased duty rate to the gate electrode of the transistor T11 so that the output current value of the DC-DC converter155 becomes in the reference range.

According to another embodiment, thestorage unit192 may have a look-up table representing the relationship between a plurality of measurement output power values and a plurality of target output voltage values. Table 1 shows the look-up table representing the relationship between the measurement output power values and the target output voltage values according to one embodiment.

TABLE 1
	Measurement Output Power	Target Output Voltage
	10 W or less	12 V
	10~12 W	14V
	12~14 W	16 V
	14~16 W	18 V
	16~18 W	20 V
	18~20 W	22 V
	20 W or more	24

In this case, the voltagedifference measuring unit181 obtains a measurement output current value based on the difference between voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1. Thereafter, the DCpower generation controller191 obtains a measurement output power value of present output power of the DC-DC converter155 based on the measurement output current value, and searches for a target output voltage value corresponding to the measurement output power value in the look-up table. Then, the duty rate of the PWM signal is determined using the voltage of the node B as feed-back information so that the output voltage of the DC-DC converter155 may have the target output voltage value, and the DC power generation control signal may be generated based on the duty rate.

According to another embodiment, thestorage unit192 may have a look-up table representing the relationship between a plurality of measurement output current values and a plurality of target output voltage values. In this case, the voltagedifference measuring unit181 obtains a measurement output current value based on the difference between voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1. Thereafter, the DCpower generation controller191 searches for a target output voltage value corresponding to the measurement output current value in the look-up table. Then, the duty rate of the PWM signal is determined using the voltage of the node B as feed-back information so that the output voltage of the DC-DC converter155 may have the target output voltage value, and the DC power generation control signal may be generated based on the duty rate.

Table 2 shows a look-up table according to one embodiment.

TABLE 2
Measurement output
current at initial output	Coupling	Target output	Desirable
voltage	coefficient	voltage	current range
100 mA or less	0.03 or less	30 V	801~851 mA
101~150 mA	0.05	28 V	751~800mA
151~200 mA	0.08	26 V	701~751 mA
201~250 mA	0.11	24 V	651~700 mA
251~300 mA	0.14	22 V	601~650 mA
301~350 mA	0.17	20 V	551~600 mA
351 mA or more	0.20 or more	18 V	501~550 mA

As shown in table 2, thestorage unit192 may have a look-up table corresponding to an output current value of the DC-DC converter155, a coupling coefficient, an output voltage value of the DC-DC converter155, and a desirable current range.

If the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter155 is 100 mA or more when the DC-DC converter155 outputs DC power having an initial output voltage value, the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 may be regarded as being detected. The initial output voltage may be 12V which is given for the illustrative purpose.

If the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter155 is 120 mA when the DC-DC converter155 outputs the DC power having the initial output voltage value, the coupling coefficient between the transmissionresonance coil unit220 of the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the receptionresonance coil unit310 of the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 corresponds to 0.05. In this case, the DCpower generation controller191 determines the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 as being apart from the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and controls the DC-DC converter155 to have the output voltage of 28V.

Thereafter, when the level of the output voltage of the DC-DC converter155 is maintained at 28V, the DCpower generation controller191 determines if the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter155 is in a desirable current range of 751 mA to 800 mA.

If the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter155 is out of the desirable current range, the DCpower generation controller191 controls the DC-DC converter155 so that the level of the output voltage of the DC-DC converter155 is the level (12V) of the initial output voltage. If the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter155 is 180 mA, the controller270 determines the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 as being closer to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 when comparing with the case that the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter155 is 120 mA. Accordingly, the controller270 controls the DC-DC converter155 such that the level of the output voltage of the DC-DC converter155 is 26V.

Although the above example has been described in that the distance between the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 is related to the intensity of current, various wireless power states such as a direction in which the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 and the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 are placed may be considered.

As described above, the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 adjusts power transmitted to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 based on the various wireless power transmission states such as the distance from the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 and the direction in which the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 is placed, thereby maximizing the power transmission efficiency, and presenting the power loss.

The DC-DC converter155 converts the output power of thepower supply110 into the DC power having the output current in the target current range and the target DC voltage based on the DC power generation control signal (step S109). The level of the output voltage of the DC-DC converter155 may be equal to that of the output voltage of thepower supply110, or greater than or smaller than that of the output voltage of thepower supply110.

The ACpower generation controller151 generates an AC power generation control signal based on the sin-wave lower power of the oscillator130 (step S111). The ACpower generation controller151 may generate the upper transistor control signal serving as the AC power generation control signal based on the sin-wave lower power of theoscillator130, and may output the upper transistor control signal through the output terminal for the upper transistor control signal. The ACpower generation controller151 may generate the lower transistor control signal serving as the AC power generation control signal based on the sin-wave lower power of theoscillator130, and may output the lower transistor control signal through the output terminal for the lower transistor control signal.

Hereinafter, the upper and lower transistor control signals will be described with reference toFIG. 10.

As shown inFIG. 10, the upper and lower transistor control signals have the rectangular waveform.

One period of the upper transistor control signal sequentially includes a turn-on time slot of the upper transistor T21 and a turn-off time slot of the upper transistor T21. The turn-on time slot of the upper transistor T21 may correspond to one half period of the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130, and the turn-off time slot of the upper transistor T21 may correspond to the other half period of the lower-power sine wave signal.

One period of the lower transistor control signal sequentially includes a turn-on time slot of the lower transistor T22 and a turn-off time slot of the lower transistor T22. The turn-on time slot of the lower transistor T22 may correspond to one half period of the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130, and the turn-off time slot of the lower transistor T22 may correspond to the other half period of the lower-power sine wave signal.

The upper transistor control signal has a level to turn on the upper transistor T21 during the turn-on time slot of the upper transistor T21. The level to turn on the upper transistor T21 may be a high level.

During the turn-off time slot of the upper transistor T21, the upper transistor control signal has a level to turn off the upper transistor T21. The level to turn off the upper transistor T21 may be a low level.

During the turn-on time slot of the lower transistor T22, the lower transistor control signal has a level to turn on the lower transistor T22. The level to turn on the lower transistor T22 may be a high level.

During the turn-off time slot of the lower transistor T22, the lower transistor control signal has a level to turn off the lower transistor T22. The level to turn off the lower transistor T22 may be a low level.

During the turn-on time slot of the upper transistor T21, the lower transistor control signal has the level to turn off the lower transistor T22 during the turn-off time slot of the lower transistor T22.

During the turn-on time slot of the lower transistor T22, the lower transistor control signal has the level to turn off the lower transistor T22 during the turn-off time slot of the upper transistor T21.

In order to inhibit a short circuit occurring by simultaneously turning on the upper and the lower transistors T21 and T22, the upper and lower transistor control signals may have a dead time slot.

In order to output power of voltage provided in a rectangular waveform having the duty cycle of 50%, the turn-on time slot of the upper transistor T21 has a duration corresponding to (50−a) % of one period (T), and the dead time slot of the upper transistor T21 has the duration of a % of one period (T). The turn-off time slot of the upper transistor T21 may have a duration corresponding to 50% of one period (T), the turn-on time slot of the lower transistor T22 may have a duration corresponding to (50−a) % of one period (T), the dead time slot of the lower transistor T22 may have a duration corresponding to a % of one period (T), and the turn-off time slot of the lower transistor T22 may have a duration corresponding to 50% of one period (T). For example, “a” may be 1%.

The DC-AC converter153 converts the output power of the DC-DC converter155 into AC power having rectangular-waveform AC voltage based on the AC power generation control signal (step S113) and outputs the AC power to the transmissioninduction coil unit210. Hereinafter, the operation of the DC-AC converter153 will be described with reference toFIG. 10.

The upper and lower transistors T21 and T22 output rectangular-waveform power having rectangular-waveform voltage V3 shown inFIG. 10 according to the upper and lower transistor control signals having the dead time slot.

The DC cut-off capacitor C21 cuts off DC voltage of the rectangular-waveform power and outputs the rectangular-waveform power having the rectangular-waveform AC voltage V4 to the transmissioninduction coil unit210.

The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 transmits the rectangular-waveform AC power having the rectangular-waveform AC voltage to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 by resonance (step S115).

Hereinafter, apower supply device100 according to another embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 11 to 15.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing thepower supply device100 according to another embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 11, thepower supply device100 according to another embodiment includes thepower supply110, theoscillator130, anAC power generator160, the powertransmission state detector180, and the transmitpower controller190. In addition, thepower supply device100 is connected with the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200.

Thepower supply110 generates DC power having DC voltage and outputs the DC power through an output terminal thereof.

Theoscillator130 generates a lower-power sine wave signal.

The powertransmission state detector180 detects the wireless power transmission state.

The transmitpower controller190 generates a control signal to control theAC power generator160 based on the detected wireless power transmission state and the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130.

TheAC power generator160 generates AC power having rectangular-waveform voltage by amplifying the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130 using DC power of thepower supply110 based on the control signal of the transmitpower controller190.

The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 transmits the output power of theAC power generator160 to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 by resonance.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing theAC power generator160 and the transmitpower controller190 according to another embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 12, theAC power generator160 according to another embodiment includes a DC-AC converter163, and the transmitpower controller190 includes an ACpower generation controller193.

The ACpower generation controller193 generates an AC power generation control signal based on the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130. In addition, the ACpower generation controller193 may generate the AC power generation control signal, which allows thepower supply110 to output DC power having output current in a target current range, based on the detected wireless power transmission state. The target current range may be the range of the peak-to-peak value of the target current.

The DC-AC converter163 converts the output power of thepower supply110 into AC power having rectangular-waveform AC voltage based on the AC power generation control signal, and outputs the AC power to the transmissioninduction coil unit210.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing the DC-AC converter163 and the powertransmission state detector180.

As shown inFIG. 13, the DC-AC converter163 includes a full-bridge transistor circuit unit. The full-bridge transistor circuit unit includes two half-bridge transistor circuits. One of the two half-bridge transistor circuits includes upper and lower transistors T41 and T42, and the other includes upper and lower transistors T44 and T43. The upper transistors T41 and T44, and the lower transistors T42 and T43 may be n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (NMOS-FETs), and may be substituted with different devices performing the same operation.

The powertransmission state detector180 includes a resistor R1 and the voltagedifference measuring unit181, and is connected to thepower supply110, the DC-AC converter163, and the ACpower generation controller193. The DC-AC converter163 is connected to thepower supply110 through the resistor R1.

The ACpower generation controller193 has first and second upper transistor control signal output terminals and first and second lower transistor control signal output terminals, and generates an AC power generation control signal based on the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130 and a wireless power transmission state.

A drain electrode of the upper transistor T41 is connected with one terminal of the resistor R1, a gate electrode of the upper transistor T41 is connected with the first upper transistor control signal output terminal of the ACpower generation controller193, and a source electrode of the upper transistor T41 is connected with one terminal of the inductor L1.

A drain electrode of the lower transistor T42 is connected with the source electrode of the upper transistor T41, a gate electrode of the lower transistor T42 is connected to the first lower transistor control signal output terminal of the ACpower generation controller193, and a source electrode of the lower transistor T42 is connected with the ground.

A drain electrode of the upper transistor T44 is connected with one terminal of the resistor R1, a gate electrode of the upper transistor T44 is connected with the second upper transistor control signal output terminal of the ACpower generation controller193, and a source electrode of the upper transistor T44 is connected with an opposite terminal of the inductor L1.

A drain electrode of the lower transistor T43 is connected with the source electrode of the upper transistor T44, a gate electrode of the lower transistor T43 is connected to the second lower transistor control signal output terminal of the ACpower generation controller193, and a source electrode of the lower transistor T43 is connected with the ground.

The voltagedifference measuring unit181 measures the difference between voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1.

Hereinafter, a wireless power transmitting method will be described with reference toFIGS. 14 and 15 according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the wireless power transmitting method according to another embodiment, andFIG. 15 shows waveforms of voltage at each node in thepower supply device100 according to another embodiment.

In particular,FIG. 14 shows the wireless power transmitting method to explain the embodiments ofFIGS. 11 to 13 in detail.

Thepower supply110 generates DC power having DC voltage (step S301). In particular, thepower supply110 may convert AC power having AC voltage into the DC power having DC voltage.

Theoscillator130 generates a lower-power sine wave signal (step S303).

The powertransmission state detector180 detects the wireless power transmission state (step S305). The powertransmission state detector180 may detect the wireless power transmission state based on the level of the output current of thepower supply110. Since the voltages applied to the both terminal of the resistor R1 are proportional to the level of the output current of thepower supply110, the voltagedifference measuring unit181 of the powertransmission state detector180 may detect the wireless power transmission state based on the different between the voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1. Since the output current of thepower supply110 may not be constantly maintained, the powertransmission state detector180 may measure the wireless power transmission state based on the peak-to-peak level of the output current of thepower supply110.

The ACpower generation controller193 generates the AC power generation control signal allowing thepower supply110 to output DC power having the output current in the target current range, based on the detected wireless power transmission state (step S311), and outputs the generates the AC power generation control signal to the DC-AC converter163. Since the output current of thepower supply110 may not be constantly maintained, the powertransmission state detector180 may measure the peak-to-peak level of the output current of thepower supply110.

According to one embodiment, the ACpower generation controller193 may determine an operating mode of the DC-AC converter163 based on the detected wireless power transmission state, and may output the AC power generation control signal for the operating mode to the DC-AC converter163. In this case, the operating mode may be one of a full-bridge operating mode and a half-bridge operating mode. The voltagedifference measuring unit181 obtains a measurement output current value based on the difference between voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1. The DCpower generation controller191 may compare the measurement output current value with a reference value and determine the operating mode of the DC-AC converter163 according to the comparison result. In this case, the reference value may be in the desirable current range of table 2 set according to the initial output voltage values. If the measurement output current value is greater than the reference value, the DCpower generation controller191 may determine the operating mode of the DC-AC converter163 as the full-bridge operating mode. If the measurement output current value is smaller than the reference value, the DCpower generation controller191 may determine the operating mode of the DC-AC converter163 as the half-bridge operating mode.

At the half-bridge operating mode, the ACpower generation controller193 operates one of two half-bridge transistor circuits, and stops the operation of the other. The ACpower generation controller193 turns off the upper transistor of the half-bridge transistor circuit, the operation of which is stopped, and turns on the lower transistor of the half-bridge transistor circuit. The ACpower generation controller193 applies a control signal to the half-bridge transistor circuit, the operation of which is allowed, as described with reference toFIG. 10.

At the full-bridge operating mode, the ACpower generation controller193 alternately applies a control signal for one half period and a control signal for the other half period to the DC-AC converter163. During one half period, the upper transistor T41 of one half-bridge transistor circuit is turned on, and the lower transistor T42 thereof is turned off. The upper transistor T44 of the other half-bridge transistor circuit is turned off, and the lower transistor T43 thereof is turned on. During the other half period, the upper transistor T41 of one half-bridge transistor circuit is turned off, and the lower transistor T42 thereof is turned on. The upper transistor T44 of the other half-bridge transistor circuit is turned on, and the lower transistor T43 thereof is turned off. Two transistor operating modes may be synchronized with a lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130. In order to inhibit a short circuit occurring by simultaneously turning on the upper and the lower transistors, the upper and lower transistor control signals may have a dead time slot.

According to another embodiment, the voltagedifference measuring unit181 may obtain the measurement output current value based on the difference between voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1, the DCpower generation controller191 may obtain a measurement output power value, which is a present output power value of thepower supply110, based on the measurement output current value, and may determine the operating mode of the DC-AC converter163 based on the measurement output power value. In this case, the operating mode may be one of the full-bridge operating mode and the half-bridge operating mode. The DCpower generation controller191 may compare the measurement output power value with the reference value and determine the operating mode of the DC-AC converter163 according to the comparison result. In this case, the reference value may be in the desirable current range of table 2 set according to the initial output voltage value. If the measurement output power value is greater than the reference value, the DCpower generation controller191 may determine the operating mode of the DC-AC converter163 as a full-bridge operating mode. If the measurement output power value is smaller than the reference value, the DCpower generation controller191 may determine the operating mode of the DC-AC converter163 as the half-bridge operating mode.

The DC-AC converter163 converts the output power of thepower supply110 into the AC power having the rectangular-waveform AC voltage V3 based on the AC power generation control signal (step S313), and outputs the output power to the transmissioninduction coil unit210.

The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 transmits the rectangular-waveform AC power having the rectangular-waveform AC voltage V3 to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 by resonance (step S315).

Hereinafter, apower supply device100 according to still another embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 16 to 19.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing thepower supply device100 according to still another embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 16, thepower supply device100 according to still another embodiment includes apower supply110, anoscillator130, anAC power generator170, a powertransmission state detector180, and a transmitpower controller190. In addition, thepower supply device100 is connected with the wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200.

Thepower supply110 generates DC power having DC voltage and outputs the DC power through an output terminal thereof.

Theoscillator130 generates a lower-power sine wave signal.

The powertransmission state detector180 detects the wireless power transmission state.

The transmitpower controller190 generates a control signal to control theAC power generator170 based on the detected wireless power transmission state and the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130.

TheAC power generator170 generates AC power having rectangular-waveform voltage by amplifying the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130 using DC power of thepower supply110 according to the control signal of the transmitpower controller190.

The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 transmits the output power of theAC power generator170 to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 by resonance.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing theAC power generator170 and the transmitpower controller190 according to still another embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 17, theAC power generator170 according to still another embodiment includes a DC-DC converter175 and a DC-AC converter173, and the transmitpower controller190 includes an DCpower generation controller191, astorage unit192, and an ACpower generation controller193.

The DCpower generation controller191 generates a DC power generation control signal based on the detected wireless power transmission state so that the DC-DC converter175 may output DC power having output current in a target current range and target DC voltage.

Thestorage unit192 stores a look-up table.

The DC-DC converter175 converts the output power of thepower supply110 into the DC power, which has output current in the target current range and the target DC voltage, based on the DC power generation control signal.

The ACpower generation controller193 generates an AC power generation control signal based on the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130. In addition, the ACpower generation controller193 may generate the AC power generation control signal, which allows the DC-DC converter175 to output DC power having the output current in the target current range, based on the detected wireless power transmission state. The target current range may be the range of the peak-to-peak value of the target current.

The DC-AC converter173 converts the output power of the DC-DC converter155 into the rectangular-waveform power based on the AC power generation control signal, and outputs the power to the transmissioninduction coil unit210.

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram showing the DC-AC converter173 and the powertransmission state detector180 according to still another embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 18, the DC-AC converter173 includes a full-bridge transistor circuit unit. The full-bridge transistor circuit unit includes two half-bridge transistor circuits. One of the two half-bridge transistor circuits includes upper and lower transistors T61 and T62, and the other includes upper and lower transistors T64 and T63. The upper transistors T61 and T64, and the lower transistors T62 and T63 may be n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (NMOS-FETs), and may be substituted with different devices performing the same operation.

The powertransmission state detector180 includes a resistor R1 and the voltagedifference measuring unit181, and is connected to the DC-DC converter175, the DC-AC converter173, and the ACpower generation controller193. The DC-AC converter173 is connected to the DC-DC converter175 through the resistor R1.

The ACpower generation controller193 has first and second upper transistor control signal output terminals and first and second lower transistor control signal output terminals, and generates an AC power generation control signal based on the lower-power sine wave signal of theoscillator130 and a wireless power transmission state.

A drain electrode of the upper transistor T61 is connected with one terminal of the resistor R1, a gate electrode of the upper transistor T61 is connected with the first upper transistor control signal output terminal of the ACpower generation controller193, and a source electrode of the upper transistor T61 is connected with one terminal of the inductor L1.

A drain electrode of the lower transistor T62 is connected with the source electrode of the upper transistor T61, a gate electrode of the lower transistor T62 is connected to the first lower transistor control signal output terminal of the ACpower generation controller193, and a source electrode of the lower transistor T62 is connected with the ground.

A drain electrode of the upper transistor T64 is connected with one terminal of the resistor R1, a gate electrode of the upper transistor T64 is connected with the second upper transistor control signal output terminal of the ACpower generation controller193, and a source electrode of the upper transistor T64 is connected with an opposite terminal of the inductor L1.

A drain electrode of the lower transistor T63 is connected with the source electrode of the upper transistor T64, a gate electrode of the lower transistor T63 is connected to the second lower transistor control signal output terminal of the ACpower generation controller193, and a source electrode of the lower transistor T63 is connected with the ground.

The voltagedifference measuring unit181 measures the difference between voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1.

Hereinafter, a wireless power transmitting method will be described with reference toFIG. 19 according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the wireless power transmitting method according to still another embodiment.

In particular,FIG. 19 shows the wireless power transmitting method to explain the embodiments ofFIGS. 16 to 18 in detail.

Thepower supply110 generates DC power having DC voltage (step S501). In particular, thepower supply110 may convert AC power having AC voltage into the DC power having DC voltage.

Theoscillator130 generates the lower-power sine wave signal (step S503).

The powertransmission state detector180 detects the wireless power transmission state (step S505). The powertransmission state detector180 may detect the wireless power transmission state based on the level of the output current of the DC-DC converter175. Since the voltages applied to the both terminal of the resistor R1 are proportional to the level of the output current of thepower supply110, the voltagedifference measuring unit181 of the powertransmission state detector180 may detect the wireless power transmission state based on the different between the voltages applied to both terminals of the resistor R1. Since the output current of the DC-DC converter175 may not be constantly maintained, the powertransmission state detector180 may measure the peak-to-peak value of the output current of the DC-DC converter175.

The DCpower generation controller191 generates a DC power generation control signal based on the detected wireless power transmission state so that the DC-DC converter175 may output DC power having current in the target current range and target DC voltage (step S507), and outputs the DC power generation control signal to the gate electrode of the transistor T11. Details of step S507 have already been described in step S107.

The DC-DC converter175 converts the output power of thepower supply110 into DC power having the output current in the target current range and the target DC voltage based on the DC power generation control signal (step S509).

The ACpower generation controller193 generates the AC power generation control signal allowing the DC-DC converter175 to output DC power having the output current in the target current range, based on the detected wireless power transmission state (step S511), and outputs the AC power generation control signal to the DC-AC converter173. Details of step S511 have already been described in step S311.

The DC-AC converter173 converts the output power of thepower supply110 into the AC power having the rectangular-waveform AC voltage V3 based on the AC power generation control signal (step S513), and outputs the output power to the transmissioninduction coil unit210.

The wirelesspower transmitting apparatus200 transmits the rectangular-waveform AC power having the rectangular-waveform AC voltage V3 to the wirelesspower receiving apparatus300 by resonance (step S515).

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (31)

What is claimed is:

1. A wireless power transmitting apparatus wirelessly transmitting power to a wireless power receiving apparatus, the wireless power transmitting apparatus comprising:

a detector detecting a wireless power transmission state between the wireless power transmitting apparatus and the wireless power receiving apparatus;

a transmit power controller generating a control signal to control transmit power based on the detected wireless power transmission state;

an AC power generator generating an AC power using a first DC power, wherein the generated AC power is determined based on the control signal; and

a transmission coil unit transmitting the AC power to the wireless power receiving apparatus;

wherein the AC power generator comprises:

a DC-DC converter converting the first DC power into a second DC power, wherein the second DC power is determined based on the control signal; and

a DC-AC converter converting the second DC power into the AC power;

wherein the detector detects the wireless power transmission state based on a level of an output current of the DC-DC converter, and

wherein the detector detects the wireless power transmission state based on a peak-to-peak level of the output current of the DC-DC converter.

2. The wireless power transmitting apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the transmit power controller comprises a DC power generation controller generating a DC power generation control signal based on the detected wireless power transmission state, and

wherein the second DC power is determined based on the DC power generation control signal.

3. The wireless power transmitting apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the DC power generation controller changes a duty cycle of the DC power generation control signal based on the detected wireless power transmission state.

4. The wireless power transmitting apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the DC-AC converter comprises a transistor circuit unit including a half-bridge structure.

5. The wireless power transmitting apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the AC power generator comprises a full-bridge transistor circuit unit capable of operating at a half-bridge operating mode and a full-bridge operating mode,

wherein the transmit power controller comprises an AC power generation controller selecting one of the half-bridge operating mode or the full-bridge operating mode based on the detected wireless power transmission state, and generating an AC power generation control signal corresponding to the selected operating mode, and

wherein the full-bridge transistor circuit unit converts the second DC power into the AC power based on the AC power generation control signal.

6. The wireless power transmitting apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the full-bridge transistor circuit unit comprises:

a first transistor comprising a drain electrode having DC power applied thereto and a source electrode connected to one terminal of the transmission coil unit;

a second transistor comprising a drain electrode connected to the source electrode of the first transistor and a source electrode connected to a ground;

a third transistor comprising a drain electrode having the DC power applied thereto and a source electrode connected to an opposite terminal of the transmission coil unit; and

a fourth transistor comprising a drain electrode connected to the source electrode of the third transistor and a source electrode connected to the ground.

7. The wireless power transmitting apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein, in the half-bridge operating mode, the transmit power controller turns off the third transistor, turns on the fourth transistor, turns on the first transistor, turns off the second transistor during one half period, and turns off the first transistor and turns on the second transistor during a remaining half period.

8. The wireless power transmitting apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein, in the full-bridge operating mode, the transmit power controller turns on the first and fourth transistors and turns off the second and third transistors during one half period, and turns off the first and fourth transistors and turns on the second and third transistors during a remaining half period.

9. The wireless power transmitting apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the AC power is a rectangular-waveform power.

10. A method of controlling a wireless power transmitter, the method comprising:

providing a DC power to an AC power generator;

generating, via the AC power generator, an AC power signal having a predetermined frequency to transmit wireless power;

detecting a variation of consumption of the wireless power;

determining state information of a wireless power receiver based on the variation;

in response to the determined state information indicating the variation is less than a reference value, transmitting, by the AC power generator, the wireless power to have a first waveform; and

in response to the determined state information indicating the variation is equal to or greater than the reference value, transmitting, by the AC power generator, the wireless power to have a second waveform different from the first waveform,

wherein the generating the AC power comprises:

converting, via a DC-DC converter included in the AC power generator, a first DC power into a second DC power determined based on a control signal; and

converting, via a DC-AC converter included in the AC power generator, the second DC power into the wireless power, and

wherein the detecting the variation of the consumption of the wireless power comprises detecting the variation based on a level of an output current of the DC-DC converter and based on an adjustment of a switch and a resistor included in the wireless power receiver.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the AC power generator includes a full bridge transistor circuit for operating in a full bridge mode or a half bridge mode.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the AC power generator operates in the half bridge mode for transmitting the first waveform.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the AC power generator operates in the full bridge mode for transmitting the second waveform.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the full bridge transistor circuit includes a first half bridge circuit and a second half bridge circuit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the AC power generator includes a controller operating the first half bridge circuit and stopping operation of the second half bridge circuit in the half bridge mode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the controller operates the first half bridge circuit and the second half bridge circuit in the full bridge mode.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting the variation of consumption of the wireless power comprises detecting a power consumption of the wireless power based on the switch being opened or closed and in series with the resistor, and

wherein the power consumption is increased when the switch is closed and decreased when the switch is opened.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the state information of the wireless power receiver includes a change of a charge quantity of the wireless power.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the state information of the wireless power receiver includes a maximum power of the wireless power transmitter and an available power of the wireless power transmitter.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the AC power has the first waveform or the second waveform different than the first waveform based on the state information of the wireless power receiver.

21. A wireless power transmitter wireless transmitting power to a wireless power receiver, the wireless power transmitter comprising:

an AC power generator configured to generate an AC power signal having a predetermined frequency to transmit wireless power;

a detector configured to detect a variation of consumption of the wireless power; and

a controller configured to:

determine state information of the wireless power receiver based on the detected variation of the consumption of the transmitted power; and

in response to the determined state information indicating the variation is less than a reference value, control a transistor circuit of the AC power generator to transmit the wireless power to have a first waveform; and

in response to the determined state information indicating the variation is equal to or greater than the reference value, control the transistor circuit of the AC power generator to transmit the wireless power to have a second waveform different from the first waveform,

wherein the AC power generator comprises:

a DC-DC converter configured to convert a first DC power into a second DC power determined based on a control signal; and

a DC-AC converter configured to convert the second DC power into the wireless power, and

wherein the detector detects the variation of consumption of the wireless power based on a level of an output current of the DC-DC converter and based on an adjustment of a switch and a resistor included in the wireless power receiver.

22. The wireless power transmitter of claim 21, wherein the AC power generator includes a full bridge transistor circuit for operating in a full bridge mode or a half bridge mode.

23. The wireless power transmitter of claim 22, wherein the AC power generator operates in the half bridge mode for transmitting the first waveform.

24. The wireless power transmitter of claim 23, wherein the AC power generator operates in the full bridge mode for transmitting the second waveform.

25. The wireless power transmitter of claim 22, wherein the full bridge transistor circuit includes a first half bridge circuit and a second half bridge circuit.

26. The wireless power transmitter of claim 25, wherein the controller operates the first half bridge circuit and stops operation of the second half bridge circuit in the half bridge mode.

27. The wireless power transmitter of claim 26, wherein the controller operates the first half bridge circuit and the second half bridge circuit in the full bridge mode.

28. The wireless power transmitter of claim 22, wherein the controller detects the variation of consumption of the wireless power by detecting a power consumption of the wireless power based on the switch being opened or closed and in series with the resistor, and

wherein the power consumption is increased when the switch is closed and decreased when the switch is opened.

29. The wireless power transmitter of claim 22, wherein the state information of the wireless power receiver includes a change of a charge quantity of the wireless power.

30. The wireless power transmitter of claim 22, wherein the state information of the wireless power receiver includes a maximum power of the wireless power transmitter and an available power of the wireless power transmitter.

31. The wireless power transmitter of claim 22, wherein the AC power has the first waveform or the second waveform different than the first waveform based on the state information of the wireless power receiver.

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