System and method for infrastructure, vehicle and internet of things wireless chargers

Abstract

Systems and methods for enabling transfer of power, from a wireless charger or power supply, to one or more receivers placed on or near the wireless charger or power supply, whereby the charging surface or coil is separated from the drive or control electronics is described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for powering or charging one or multiple receivers or devices, comprising:
 a stand-alone coil assembly;   a drive or control electronics unit housed separately from the stand-alone coil assembly; and   a cable or set of wires connecting the stand-alone coil assembly with the drive or control electronics unit,   wherein the coil assembly is driven by a half-bridge or full-bridge inverter circuit in the drive or control electronics unit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil assembly includes: one or more near field inductive wireless charging coils; one or more ferrite or flux guide layers; one or more metal or thermally conductive layers; one or more resonant capacitors; and/or one or more far field wireless charging antennas. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil assembly includes: one or more thermal, proximity, or capacitive sensors; foreign object detection monitor coils; or electronics for communication and control of the sensors or foreign object detection. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil assembly has a housing that is constructed with high thermal conductivity material or that has high thermal conductivity material embedded in a plastic or thermoplastic, rubber, silicone or other material or has a pattern on its surface so as to reduce unwanted heating and/or electromagnetic emissions. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a drive or control electronics unit has a housing that is constructed with high thermal conductivity material or that has high thermal conductivity material embedded in a plastic or thermoplastic, rubber, silicone or other material or has a pattern on its surface so as to reduce unwanted heating and/or electromagnetic emissions. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stand-alone coil assembly and the drive or control electronics unit is located inside an automobile or transport vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of stand-alone coil assemblies, each having a corresponding cable or set of wires that connects each stand-alone coil assembly with the drive or control electronics unit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each stand-alone coil assembly is each attached to or embedded near a top surface of a table, counter, desk, or counter. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each stand-alone coil assembly is operated or driven by the separate drive or control electronics unit, and the separate drive or control electronic unit is mounted below the top surface. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each stand-alone coil assembly is operated or driven by a separate drive or control electronics unit PCB, and the separate drive or control electronic unit PCBs are housed in a common housing. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each stand-alone coil assembly is located inside an automobile or transport vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each cable or set of wires for the stand-alone assemblies is connectorized at one or both ends to allow flexibility and ease of installation of the stand-alone assemblies. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the stand-alone coil assembly contains multiple near field wireless charging coils, each coil optimized for a different type or size of receiver coil. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil assembly includes at least one coil that is shaped like a racetrack or that exhibit a rectangular shape having an outer length and an outer width, such that the outer length is over twice as long as outer width. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil assembly includes an outer coil and a number of inner coils each comprising a plurality of loops, and the outer coil and the inner coils are electrically connected such that the same current flows through all coils. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the loops overlap each other and are constructed in multiple layers. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil assembly is manufactured from wire, Litz wire, rigid or flexible Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or is stamped or formed from metal. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil assembly is located at least 5 cm from the drive or control electronics unit.