WIRELESS CHARGING-EXPLAINED

WIRELESS CHARGING

INTRODUCTION

·         Inductive charging (also known as wireless charging or cordless charging) uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energybetween two objects through electromagnetic induction.

·          This is usually done with a charging station.

·          Energy is sent through an inductive coupling to an electrical device, which can then use that energy to charge batteries or run the device.

MECHANISM

·         Induction chargers use an induction coil to create an alternating electromagnetic field from within a charging base, and a second induction coil in the portable device takes power from the electromagnetic field and converts it back into electric current to charge the battery.

·          The two induction coils in proximity combine to form an electrical transformer

MATERIAL

·         Materials for the receiver coil made of silver plated copper or sometimes aluminium to minimize weight and decrease resistance due to the skin effect

APPLICATIONS

·         Low power applications are generally supportive of small consumer electronic devices such as cell phones, handheld devices, some computers, and similar devices which normally charge at power levels below 100 watts.

ADVANTAGES

• Protected connections – No corrosion when the electronics are all enclosed, away from water or oxygen in the atmosphere.
• Less risk of electrical faults such as short circuit due to insulation failure, especially where connections are made or broken frequently.
• Low infection risk – For embedded medical devices, transmission of power via a magnetic field passing through the skin avoids the infection risks associated with wires penetrating the skin.
• Durability – Without the need to constantly plug and unplug the device, there is significantly less wear and tear on the socket of the device and the attaching cable.
• Increased convenience and aesthetic quality – No need for cables.
• Autonomous driving technology, when applied to electric vehicles, depends on autonomous electric charging
• Inductive charging of electric vehicles at high power levels enables charging of electric vehicles while in motion (also known as dynamic charging).

DISADVANTAGES

• Slower charging – Due to the lower efficiency, devices take longer to charge when supplied power is the same amount.
• More expensive – Inductive charging also requires drive electronics and coils in both device and charger, increasing the complexity and cost of manufacturing.^[1][2]
• Inconvenience - When a mobile device is connected to a cable, it can be moved around (albeit in a limited range) and operated while charging.
•  In most implementations of inductive charging, the mobile device must be left on a pad to charge, and thus can't be moved around or easily operated while charging.

DEVICES WITH WIRELESS CHARGING

• September 9, 2014 Apple announced Apple Watch (released on April 24, 2015), which uses wireless inductive charging.
• September 12, 2017 Apple announced the AirPower wireless charging mat. It is capable of charging an iPhone, an Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously.
• March 3, 2015 Samsung announced the new flagships S6 & S6 Edge with wireless inductive charging through both Qi and PMA compatible chargers.
• November 6, 2015 BlackBerry released the new flagship BlackBerry Priv, the first BlackBerry phone to support wireless inductive charging through both Qi and PMA compatible chargers