Wireless power receiver device, wireless power transmitter device, and wireless power transceiver device

The present application is a continuation of PCT/JP2013/069042 filed Jul. 11, 2013, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-230026, filed Oct. 17, 2012, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to wireless power receiver devices, wireless power transmitter devices, and wireless power transceiver devices for use in wireless transmission of electric power.

In recent years, wireless power transmission systems are put to practical use for wirelessly transmitting electric power to electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and the like. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe such wireless power transmission systems.

Patent Document 1 discloses an electromagnetic induction type wireless power transmission system. The electromagnetic induction type wireless power transmission system includes a wireless power transmitter device and a wireless power receiver device. The wireless power transmitter device includes a power transmitter coil, and the wireless power receiver device includes a power receiver coil. Electric power is transmitted between these coils.

Patent Document 2 discloses an electromagnetic induction type wireless power receiver device.

Patent Document 3 discloses a capacitive coupling type wireless power transmission system. The capacitive coupling type wireless power transmission system includes a wireless power transmitter device and a wireless power receiver device. The wireless power transmitter device includes a power transmitter electrode, and the wireless power receiver device includes a power receiver electrode. Electric power is transmitted between these electrodes via electrostatic induction.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3344593

Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2006-510101

Patent Document 3: International Publication No. 2011/148803

There is a need for wireless power transmission in conventional electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and the like, which have no wireless power transmission capability. It is considered that one way of satisfying the need is to attach an external wireless power receiver device to the foregoing electronic device. Here, these electronic devices are being downsized and made thinner to improve user-friendliness. Thus, even for such an external wireless power receiver device, it is desirable to have a smaller and thinner shape.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless power receiver device, a wireless power transmitter device, and a wireless power transceiver device, which are downsized and made thinner.

In the first aspect of the present invention, a wireless power receiver device is provided.

The wireless power receiver device includes an electrode sheet section having a sheet-like shape and a power receiver section, the electrode sheet section including an active electrode and a passive electrode that are substantially coplanar and formed into sheet-like shapes, lead lines that are coplanar with both the electrodes, respectively extended from the electrodes, and formed into sheet-like shapes, and an insulation sheet that covers both the electrodes and both the lead lines from both sides thereof, the power receiver section including a step-down unit that steps down an alternating-current voltage induced between end portions of the lead lines, A rectifying-and-smoothing unit that rectifies and smoothes the alternating-current voltage that is stepped down by the step-down unit, and a connector for outputting an output voltage of the rectifying-and-smoothing unit.

In the second aspect of the present invention, a wireless power transmitter device is provided.

The wireless power transmitter device includes an electrode sheet section having a sheet-like shape and a power transmitter section, the electrode sheet section including an active electrode and a passive electrode that are substantially coplanar and formed into sheet-like shapes, lead lines that are coplanar with both the electrodes, respectively extended from the electrodes, and formed into sheet-like shapes, and an insulation sheet that covers both the electrodes and both the lead lines from both sides thereof, the power transmitter section including an inverter unit that converts a direct-current voltage to an alternating-current voltage having a predetermined frequency, and a step-up unit that steps up the alternating-current voltage outputted from the inverter unit and applies to end portions of the lead lines.

In the third aspect of the present invention, a wireless power transceiver device is provided.

The wireless power transceiver device includes an electrode sheet section having a sheet-like shape, a power receiver section, a power transmitter section, and a selector unit, the electrode sheet section including an active electrode and a passive electrode that are substantially coplanar and formed into sheet-like shapes, lead lines that are coplanar with both the electrodes, respectively extended from the electrodes, and formed into sheet-like shapes, and an insulation sheet that covers both the electrodes and both the lead lines from both sides thereof, the power receiver section including a step-down unit that steps down an alternating-current voltage induced between end portions of the lead lines, a rectifying-and-smoothing unit that rectifies and smoothes the alternating-current voltage that is stepped down by the step-down unit, and a connector for outputting an output voltage of the rectifying-and-smoothing unit, the power transmitter section including an inverter unit that converts a direct-current voltage to an alternating-current voltage having a predetermined frequency, and a step-up unit that steps up the alternating-current voltage outputted from the inverter unit and applies to end portions of the lead lines, the selector unit being configured to connect alternatively the end portions of the lead lines to one of an output section of the step-up unit and an input section of the step-down unit.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, a wireless power transceiver device is provided.

The wireless power transceiver device includes an electrode sheet section, a transformer unit, a power receiver section, a power transmitter section, and a selector unit, the electrode sheet section including an active electrode and a passive electrode that are substantially coplanar and formed into sheet-like shapes, lead lines that are coplanar with both the electrodes, respectively extended from the electrodes, and formed into sheet-like shapes, and an insulation sheet that covers both the electrodes and both the lead lines from both sides, the transformer unit being connected to end portions of the lead lines at a high voltage side thereof, the power receiver section including a rectifying-and-smoothing unit that rectifies and smoothes an alternating-current voltage that is stepped down by the transformer unit, and a connector for outputting an output voltage of the rectifying-and-smoothing unit, the power transmitter section including an inverter unit that converts a direct-current voltage to an alternating-current voltage having a predetermined frequency, the selector unit being configured to selectively connect a lower voltage side of the transformer unit to output of the inverter unit of the power transmitter section or to input of the rectifying-and-smoothing unit of the power receiver section.

In the wireless power receiver device, the wireless power transmitter device, and the wireless power transceiver device, a portion including the active electrode and the passive electrode is formed into the sheet-like electrode sheet section. Thus, the portion including the active electrode and the passive electrode may be made thinner. Accordingly, the wireless power receiver device, the wireless power transmitter device, and the wireless power transceiver device as a whole may be made thinner and therefore made smaller.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a state where a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1 is attached to an electronic device.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional diagram of an electrode sheet section of a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a specific example of an electrode sheet section of a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting a state where a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2 is attached to an electronic device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting examples of an electrode sheet section, which correspond to various electronic devices, in a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional diagram of an electrode sheet of a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 3.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a wireless power transmitter device according to Embodiment 4.

FIG. 12 is an external view of a wireless power transmitter device according to Embodiment 4.

FIG. 13 is a diagram depicting a specific example of an electrode sheet section of a wireless power transmitter device according to Embodiment 4.

FIG. 14 is a diagram depicting an exemplary way of utilization of a wireless power transmitter device according to Embodiment 4.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a wireless power transceiver device according to Embodiment 5.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a wireless power transceiver device according to Embodiment 6.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a wireless power receiver device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an external view of a wireless power receiver device according to another embodiment.

A power transmitter device according to Embodiment 1 is now described with reference to the drawings.

1. Configuration

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting the configuration of a wireless power transmission system according to Embodiment 1. The wireless power transmission system of the present embodiment is of a capacitive coupling type, and includes a wireless power transmitter device 1 and a wireless power receiver device 2 . The wireless power transmitter device 1 transmits electric power to the wireless power receiver device 2 by capacitive coupling type wireless power transmission. The wireless power receiver device 2 converts the received electric power to a direct-current voltage suited for an electronic device 3 and provides it to the electronic device 3 .

1.1 Configuration of Wireless Power Transmitter Device.

The wireless power transmitter device 1 includes an AC/DC converter 11 , a power transmitter module 12 , a step-up unit 21 , and a power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P and a power transmitter side active electrode 31 A (power transmitter side electrode section).

The AC/DC converter 11 converts an alternating-current voltage inputted from a utility power supply or the like to a direct-current voltage of a predetermined voltage value. The predetermined value may be, for example, 10 to 20 volts. A battery may be provided between the secondary side of the AC/DC converter 11 and the primary side of the power transmitter module 12 . Here, the battery is charged by the output of the AC/DC converter 11 . This allows the wireless power transmitter device 1 to transmit electric power even in the case where no utility power supply is available.

The power transmitter module 12 includes a protection circuit 12 a , an inverter 12 b , and a controller circuit 12 c.

The protection circuit 12 a cuts off the connection between the AC/DC converter 11 and the inverter 12 b in the event of, for example, overcurrent or overvoltage.

The inverter 12 b converts the direct-current voltage from the AC/DC converter 11 to an alternating-current voltage of a predetermined voltage value and a predetermined frequency. The predetermined voltage value may be, for example, 10 to 20 volts. The predetermined frequency may be, for example, 1 kHz.

The controller circuit 12 c controls operations of the power transmitter module 12 and the like.

The step-up unit 21 steps up the alternating-current voltage outputted from the inverter 12 b of the power transmitter module 12 . The step-up unit 21 is composed of, for example, a step-up transformer. The voltage after the boosting by the step-up unit 21 may be, for example, 100 V to 10 kV.

The voltage boosted by the step-up unit 21 is applied across the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P and the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A.

When the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P and the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A and a power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and a power receiver side active electrode 41 A of the wireless power receiver device 2 , which will be described later, are at a predetermined opposing state, the coupling capacity is formed between these electrodes. Applying the voltage boosted by the step-up unit 21 across the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P and the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A in this state causes the wireless power transmitter device 1 to transmit electric power to the power receiver device 2 by capacitive coupling.

The power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P and the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A are plate-like metal members.

1.2 Configuration of Wireless Power Receiver Device.

The wireless power receiver device 2 includes an electrode sheet section 2 A and a power receiver section 2 B.

The electrode sheet section 2 A includes the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A (power receiver side electrode section) and lead lines 45 A and 45 P. An insulation sheet 50 covers the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P, the power receiver side active electrode 41 A, and the lead lines 45 A and 45 P.

The power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A are sheet-like metal members such as, for example, metal foils having predetermined thicknesses.

The lead lines 45 A and 45 P connect the power receiver section 2 B to the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A. The lead lines 45 A and 45 P are sheet-like metal members such as, for example, metal foils having predetermined thicknesses.

The power receiver section 2 B includes a step-down unit 43 , a power receiver module 44 , and a connector 46 . The step-down unit 43 steps down an alternating-current voltage induced between the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A (between end portions of the lead lines 45 A and 45 P, which will be described below). The step-down unit 43 is composed of, for example, a step-down transformer.

The power receiver module 44 includes a rectifying-and-smoothing circuit, a DC/DC converter, and the like. The rectifying-and-smoothing circuit rectifies the alternating-current voltage stepped down by the step-down unit 43 to a direct-current voltage and smoothes the direct-current voltage. The DC/DC converter converts the direct-current voltage rectified by the rectifying-and-smoothing circuit to a direct-current voltage suited for the electronic device 3 , stabilizes the converted directed current voltage, and outputs to the connector 46 .

The connector 46 is an interface for supplying electric power to the electronic device 3 . The connector 46 is formed so as to match a connector 63 included in the electronic device 3 .

1.3 Configuration of Electronic Device

The electronic device 3 includes a battery 61 , a load circuit 62 , and the connector 63 . The electronic device 3 may be such as, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a music player, or the like.

The battery 61 stores direct-current electric power outputted from the DC/DC converter of the power receiver module 44 of the wireless power receiver device 2 while supplying the direct-current electric power to the load circuit 62 .

The load circuit 62 executes predetermined functions relating to the electronic device 3 .

The connector 63 is an interface for connecting with an external device. The connector 63 is capable of receiving electric power supplied from the external device. The connector 63 may be, for example, a connector based on a USB specification or a proprietary specification of the electronic device 3 .

2. Structure of Wireless Power Receiver Device

FIG. 2 is an external view of a wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1. Specifically, FIG. 2( a ) is a rear view of the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2( b ) is a side view of the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1.

The wireless power receiver device 2 includes, as described above, the power receiver section 2 B and the electrode sheet section 2 A.

The power receiver section 2 B is provided with the step-down unit 43 , the power receiver module 44 , and the connector 46 , which are described above (see FIG. 1 ).

The electrode sheet section 2 A is provided with the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A. Further, the electrode sheet section 2 A is provided with the lead lines 45 A and 45 P for connecting the power receiver section 2 B to the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A.

FIG. 3 is an external view depicting the state where the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1 is attached to an electronic device. Specifically, FIG. 3( a ) is a rear view in the state where the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1 is attached to an electronic device. FIG. 3( b ) is a side view in the state where the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 1 is attached to an electronic device.

As an example, Embodiment 1 describes a case where the electronic device 3 is a smartphone. The electrode sheet section 2 A is attached to a back surface of the electronic device 3 (Rear surface. A side opposite to the side where a liquid crystal display is provided). Further, as will be described below, the electrode sheet section 2 A inclusive of the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A is transparent, and allows seeing the rear surface of the electronic device 3 therethrough. Further, the power receiver section 2 B is fixed to the electronic device 3 by connecting the connector 46 and the connector 63 of the electronic device 3 .

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional diagram of the electrode sheet section 2 A. The electrode sheet section 2 A includes the insulation sheet 50 that covers the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A, and the lead lines 45 A and 45 P. The power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A are coplanar. Further, although it is not illustrated, the lead lines 45 A and 45 P are also coplanar with the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A. The insulation sheet 50 includes a front sheet 51 that forms a top surface (the surface opposite to the surface to which the electronic device 3 is attached) of the electrode sheet section 2 A and a back sheet 52 that forms a back surface (the surface to which the electronic device 3 is attached) of the electrode sheet section 2 A. The power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A are arranged between the front sheet 51 and the back sheet 52 , and are covered with these sheets 51 and 52 .

The power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A are metal foils. In the present embodiment, transparent metal foils are used as the metal foils. As the transparent metal foils, indium tin oxide (ITO) may be used, for example. The metal foils may have, for example, the thicknesses of about 1 μm. The same applies to the lead lines 45 A and 45 P.

The front sheet 51 and the back sheet 52 are resin sheets, respectively. The resin sheets may be made of, for example, urethane resin or silicon resin with adhesion property or insulation property. During electric power reception, a high voltage is generated between the passive electrode 41 P and the active electrode 41 A. Insulating and covering with the front sheet 51 and the back sheet 52 prevent discharge or electric shock caused when the electrode is brought into contact with another object or device failures associating with such discharge or electric shock. The front sheet 51 may have, for example, the thickness of about 0.02 to 0.1 mm. In the present embodiment, the resin sheets are transparent. The back sheet 52 may have, for example, the thickness of about 0.02 to 0.1 mm. It is preferable that the front sheet 51 has the smallest possible thickness in its thickness range described above, and that the back sheet 52 has the largest possible thickness in its thickness range described above. For example, the thickness of the back sheet 52 is preferably 0.06 mm or more. As the back sheet 52 is made thicker, the capacity formed between a ground electrode built in the electronic device 3 and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A of the electrode sheet section 2 A decreases. This enables to stabilize operations of the wireless power receiver device 2 . On the other hand, reducing the thickness of the front sheet 51 decreases the thickness of the electrode sheet section 2 A. In the present embodiment, the back sheet 52 is to be arranged on the side toward the electronic device 3 that serves as an attachment target, and has the thickness larger than that of the front sheet 51 . This allows to have all the foregoing advantageous effects relating to the front sheet 51 and the back sheet 52 at the same time. In the present embodiment, the foregoing configuration allows the electrode sheet section 2 A to have the thickness of, for example, about 0.2 mm. Thus, the electrode sheet section 2 A may be inserted between the electronic device 3 and a protection case.

As described above, all the members that constitute the electrode sheet section 2 A are transparent. Thus, the whole of the electrode sheet section 2 A is transparent. Accordingly, even when the electrode sheet section 2 A is attached to the electronic device 3 , marking and the like on a surface of the electronic device 3 are visible through the electrode sheet section 2 A, and the design of the electronic device 3 such as a smartphone or the like may not be impaired. In this example, the electrode sheet section 2 A is made transparent in consideration of design. However, the electrode sheet section 2 A is not necessarily transparent. For example, in such a case, inexpensive copper foils or silver foils may be used.

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting a specific example of the electrode sheet section 5 A of the wireless power receiver device 2 . In the electrode sheet section 5 A, the power receiver side active electrode 41 A is arranged substantially at a center, and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P is arranged at an upper portion and a lower portion. Further, the lead lines 45 A and 45 P extend from the electrodes 41 A and 41 P, respectively. These electrodes 41 A and 45 P and the lead lines 45 A and 45 P are provided between the front sheet 51 and the back sheet 52 , as described with reference to FIG. 4 . In the present example, the metal foils, which form the power receiver side active electrode 41 A, the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P, and the lead lines 45 A and 45 P, have mesh-like structures.

According to the wireless power receiver device 2 according to the present embodiment, the following advantageous effects may be obtained.

In the present embodiment, a portion including the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P is formed into a sheet-like shape, thereby making it possible to decrease the thickness of the wireless power receiver device 2 . Thus, even in the case where the wireless power receiver device 2 is attached to the electronic device 3 , the thickness of the electronic device 3 does not increase significantly. Accordingly, it is still easy to carry around the electronic device 3 even with the wireless power receiver device 2 being attached thereto.

Further, in some cases, the electronic device 3 such as a smartphone is used while being encased in a protection case or the like. In the present embodiment, the sheet section 5 A, which is to be attached to the rear surface of the electronic device, is of a thin type. Thus, even in the foregoing case, the sheet section 5 A may be encased in a protection case together with the electronic device 3 such as a smartphone or the like while the sheet section 5 A being attached to the rear surface of the electronic device 3 . Further, the sheet section 5 A is made transparent. Thus, even in the case where the sheet section 5 A is attached to the protection case, the design of the protection case may not be impaired.

Further, arranging the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P on the sheet section 5 A, which is to be attached to the rear surface of the electronic device 3 , allows to make efficient use of the rear surface of the electronic device 3 such as a smartphone and to increase areas of the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P. This facilitates the improvement of electric power transmission efficiency.

Further, since the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P are made transparent, the design of the electronic device 3 is not impaired even in the case where the areas of the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P are increased. In this regard, it is easy to make the areas of the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P larger.

Further, in the wireless power transmission system of the present embodiment, the wireless power transmitter device 1 includes the step-up unit 21 , and the wireless power receiver device 2 includes the step-down unit 43 . Accordingly, voltages higher than those used in the electronic device 3 and the like are applied across the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P and the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A and across the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A. This allows to increase the electric power transmission efficiency. Further, this reduces heat generation as well as transmission loss in the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P and the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A (power transmitter side electrode section), the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A (power receiver side electrode section), and the like. In the electromagnetic induction type wireless power transmission systems, the transmission loss or the heat generation are larger since larger electric currents flow through their coils. Further, as a result of that, it is necessary to increase the diameters of coil wires. Therefore, in the cases with the electromagnetic induction type wireless power transmission systems, even if a sheet section having a coil is provided, the thickness of such sheet section may be, for example, 1 mm or more. Thus, there is a limit to a minimum thickness in practice. Accordingly, it is difficult to insert the sheet section between the electronic device and the protection case.

3. Conclusion.

As described above, the wireless power receiver device 2 of the present embodiment includes the electrode sheet section 2 A; and the power receiver section 2 B, the electrode sheet section 2 A including the active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P that are substantially coplanar and formed into sheet-like shapes, the lead lines 45 A and 45 P that are coplanar with both the electrodes 41 A and 41 P, extended from the respective electrodes 41 A and 41 P, and formed into sheet-like shapes, and the insulation sheet 50 that covers both the electrodes 41 A and 41 P and both the lead lines 45 A and 45 P from both sides thereof, the power receiver section 2 B including the step-down unit 43 that steps down an alternating-current voltage induced between end portions of the lead lines 45 A and 45 P, the power receiver module 44 that rectifies and smoothes the alternating-current voltage that is stepped down by the step-down unit 43 , and the connector 46 for outputting an output voltage of the power receiver module 44 .

In other words, in the wireless power receiver device 2 , a portion including the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P is formed as the sheet-like electrode sheet section. Accordingly, the electrode sheet section 2 A including the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P may be made thinner. Thus, the wireless power receiver device 2 as a whole may be made thinner and therefore made smaller.

In the wireless power receiver device 2 of the present embodiment,

the insulation sheet 50 is composed of the first insulation sheet 51 covering one side of both the electrodes 41 A and 41 P and both the lead lines 45 A and 45 P and the second insulation sheet 52 covering the other side of both the electrodes 41 A and 41 P and both the lead lines, and of the first insulation sheet 51 and the second insulation sheet 52 , the insulation sheet 52 , which is to be arranged on the side toward the electronic device that serves as the attachment target, is thicker than the other insulation sheet 51 .

This allows to reduce the capacities formed between the ground electrode built in the electronic device and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P of the electrode sheet section 2 A, thereby stabilizing operations of the wireless power receiver device 2 .

Alternatively, the insulation sheet 50 may be provided with an adhesion layer 55 (see FIG. 4 ) at one of its principal surfaces.

This allows the electrode sheet section 2 A to be attached and fixed to the electronic device 3 .

A wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2 is now described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting the configuration of the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is an external view of the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2. Specifically, FIG. 7( a ) is a rear view of the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 7( b ) is a side view of the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2.

In the wireless power receiver device 102 according to the present embodiment, an electrode sheet section 102 A and a power receiver section 102 B are separable. Specifically, the power receiver section 102 is provided with spring connectors 47 A and 47 B. The spring connectors 47 A and 47 B are connected to input wiring of the step-down unit 43 . The electrode sheet section 102 A is provided with a first connection terminal 48 A and a second connection terminal 48 B that are connectable to the spring connectors 47 A and 47 B of the power receiver section 102 . The first connection terminal 48 A is connected to an end portion of the lead line 45 A extending from the power receiver side active electrode 41 A, and the second terminal 48 B is connected to an end portion of the lead line 45 P extending from the power receiver side passive electrode 41 B. Other configuration elements are identical to those in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting the state where the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2 is attached to an electronic device. Specifically, FIG. 8( a ) is a rear view in the state where the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2 is attached to an electronic device. FIG. 8( b ) is a side view in the state where the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2 is attached to an electronic device.

For example, with the wireless power receiver device 102 in the present embodiment, it is possible to adopt the utilization method in which only the electrode sheet section 102 A is attached to the electronic device 3 when the electronic device 3 is in use, and the electrode sheet section 102 A is connected to the power receiver section 102 B at the time of charging. In this structure, the spring connectors 47 A and 47 B and the connector 46 are provided on the same surface of the power receiver section 102 B. Thus, when the power receiver section 102 B is connected to the electronic device 3 , the electrode sheet 102 A is also connected to the power receiver section 102 B at the same time. Further, in this structure, contacting portions of the electrode sheet 102 A are sandwiched between the power receiver section 102 B and the electronic device 3 so as not to be externally exposed. Thus, there is no accident such as discharge and the like caused when the contacting portion is brought into contact with an external object. This improves user-friendliness in use of the electronic device 3 in the cases where the wireless power receiver device 102 is utilized. Further, this does not impair the design of the electronic device 3 .

Further, with the wireless power receiver device 102 in the present embodiment, it is possible to exchange the electrode sheet section 102 A. In this case, the present embodiment is applicable to various kinds of electronic devices by preparing various kinds of the electrode sheet section 102 A corresponding to the various kinds of electronic devices. Preferably, in this case, the power receiver section 102 B is configured so as to be capable of handling power consumptions of the various kinds of electronic device 3 . Accordingly, compatibility with various kinds of the electronic device 3 may be provided by combining multiple kinds of the electrode sheet section 102 A and a single unit of the power receiver section 102 B.

FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting examples of the electrode sheet section, which correspond to various kinds of the electronic device, in the wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 9( a ) depicts the case where the electronic device 3 is a tablet terminal. FIG. 9( b ) depicts the case where the electronic device 3 is a music player. As depicted in these figures, the shape of the electrode sheet section 102 A may be changed depending on the electronic device 3 . Further, the same wireless power transmitter device may be used even if the electrode sheet section 102 A is exchanged as long as the shapes and the sizes of the active electrode and the passive electrode in the electrode sheet section 102 A are standardized.

As described above, in the wireless power receiver device 102 according to the present embodiment, the electrode sheet section 102 A and the power receiver section 102 B is separable from each other. This improves user-friendliness in use of the electronic device 3 . Further, the compatibility with various kinds of the electronic device 3 may be provided only by exchanging the electrode sheet section 102 A.

A wireless power receiver device according to Embodiment 3 is now described. In the present embodiment, the structure of electrode sheet section differs from that of the electrode sheet section 2 A in Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a cross sectional diagram of the electrode sheet of Embodiment 3. In the present embodiment, an insulation sheet 50 ′ of the electrode sheet section 2 A′ includes three layers of sheets 51 ′, 52 ′, and 53 ′. Specifically, the electrode sheet section 2 A′ includes the front sheet 51 ′ forming the top surface of the electrode sheet section 2 A′, the back sheet 53 ′ forming the back surface of the electrode sheet section 5 ′, and the middle sheet 52 ′ disposed between these sheets. The power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A are provided between the front sheet 51 ′ and the middle sheet 52 ′. A shield electrode 41 S is provided between the front sheet 51 ′ and the middle sheet 52 ′. The shield electrode 41 S is connected to the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P and also functions as a passive electrode.

In other words, in the wireless power receiver device according to the present embodiment, the shield electrode 41 S having a sheet-like shape is provided on one of the principal surfaces of the insulation sheet 50 ′, and the back sheet 53 ′ is provided at a side of the shield electrode 41 S, which is opposite to the side where the front sheet 51 ′ and the middle sheet 52 ′ are provided.

The foregoing structure prevents, among the electronic devices, variations in capacity formed between the ground electrode built in the electronic device 3 and the power receiver side active electrode 41 A of the electrode sheet section 2 A′. Accordingly, the distance between the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the shield electrode 41 S is determined by the sheet, not by the device, thereby making it possible to achieve sheet standardization.

A wireless power transmitter device according to Embodiment 4 is now described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram depicting the configuration of the wireless power transmitter device according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 12 is an external view of the wireless power transmitter device according to Embodiment 4. Specifically, FIG. 12 is a rear view of the wireless power transmitter device according to Embodiment 4.

The wireless power transmitter device 201 includes, as is the case with the wireless power transmitter device 1 according to Embodiment 1, an AC/DC converter 11 , a power transmitter module 12 , a step-up unit 21 , and a power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P and a power transmitter side active electrode 31 A (power transmitter side electrode section).

The wireless power transmitter device 201 of the present embodiment includes, as is the case with the wireless power receiver device 2 described in the foregoing Embodiment 1, a power transmitter section 201 B and a sheet-like electrode sheet section 201 A. The power transmitter section 201 B is provided with the AC/DC converter 11 , the power transmitter module 12 , and the step-up unit 21 .

The electrode sheet section 201 A is provided with the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P and the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A. Further, the electrode sheet section 201 A is provided with lead lines 35 A and 35 P for connecting the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A and the power transmitter section 201 B. An insulation sheet 70 covers the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P, the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A, and the lead lines 35 A and 35 P. It should be noted that the electrode sheet section 201 A has a base configuration similar to that of the electrode sheet section 2 A in the wireless power receiver device 2 , which is described with reference to FIG. 4 . Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 13 is a diagram depicting a specific example of an electrode sheet section 201 A of the wireless power transmitter device 201 . In the electrode sheet section 201 A, the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A is arranged substantially at a center, and the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P is arranged at an upper portion and a lower portion. Further, the lead lines 35 A and 35 P extend from the electrodes 31 A and 31 P, respectively.

FIG. 14 is a diagram depicting an exemplary mode of utilization of the wireless power transmitter device according to Embodiment 4. Referring to FIG. 14 , the wireless power transmitter device 201 is placed on a table T. Placing, for example, an electronic device 203 with wireless power receiving capability on the electrode sheet section 201 A of this wireless power transmitter device 201 allows the electronic device 203 to be wirelessly charged. In this way, the table T may be used as a charger base by simply placing the electrode sheet section 201 A of the wireless power transmitter device 201 on the table T. Alternatively, the electrode sheet section 201 A may be attached to the table T. This prevents the wireless power transmitter device 201 from moving on the table T or changing its shape. Further, the design of the table T may not be impaired by using a transparent electrode sheet section as the electrode sheet section 201 A.

Alternatively, the electronic device 203 may not be provided with the wireless power receiving capability. For example, the electronic device 203 may be the electronic device 3 described in Embodiment 1, to which the wireless power receiver device 2 is attached.

Further, the wireless power transmitter device 201 may be placed on the electronic device 203 . Even in this case, the transmission of electric power may be performed between the wireless power transmitter device 201 and the electronic device 203 .

Further, in the example of FIG. 14 , the power transmitter section 201 B is placed on the upper surface of the table T. Alternatively, the power transmitter section 201 B may be stowed under the table T. This prevents from affecting the design of the table T. Further, this facilitates use of the table.

As described above, the wireless power transmitter device 201 of the present embodiment includes the electrode sheet section 201 A; and the power transmitter section 201 B, the electrode sheet section 201 A including the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A and the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P that are substantially coplanar and formed into sheet-like shapes, the lead lines 35 A and 35 P that are coplanar with both the electrodes 31 A and 31 P, extended from the respective electrodes 31 A and 31 P, and formed into sheet-like shapes, and the insulation sheet 70 that covers both the electrodes 31 A and 31 P and both the lead lines 35 A and 35 P from both sides thereof, the power transmitter section 201 B including the inverter unit 12 b that converts a direct-current voltage to an alternating-current voltage having a predetermined frequency, and the step-up unit 21 that steps up the alternating-current voltage outputted from the inverter unit 12 b and applies to end portions of the lead lines 35 A and 35 P.

In other words, in the wireless power transmitter device 201 A, a portion including the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A and the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P is formed as the sheet-like electrode sheet section 201 . Accordingly, the electrode sheet section 201 including the power transmitter side active electrode 31 A and the power transmitter side passive electrode 31 P as well as the lead lines 35 A and 35 P may be made thinner. Thus, the wireless power receiver device 201 as a whole may be made thinner and therefore made smaller.

Further, in the wireless power transmitter device 201 of the present embodiment, the electrode sheet section 201 A and the power transmitter section 201 B may be configured to be separable, as is the case with the electrode sheet section 102 A and the power receiver section 102 B in Embodiment 2.

In this way, the compatibility with various kinds of the electronic devices 203 may be provided only by exchanging the electrode sheet section 201 A.

Further, in the wireless power transmitter device 201 of the present embodiment, an adhesion layer may be formed at one of principle surfaces of the insulation sheet 70 .

This allows the electrode sheet section 201 A to be fixed to the electronic device 3 or the table T.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram depicting the configuration of a wireless power transceiver device according to Embodiment 5. The wireless power transceiver device 300 of the present embodiment achieves functionalities of both the wireless power receiver device and the wireless power transmitter device. Specifically, the wireless power transceiver device 300 of the present embodiment includes a power transceiver section 300 B and an electrode sheet section 300 A. The power transceiver section 300 B includes a power transmitter section 301 B, a power receiver section 302 B, and a selector unit 307 .

The electrode sheet section 300 A has a sheet-like shape and includes the same configuration as that of the electrode sheet section 2 A of Embodiment 1. The power transmitter section 301 B includes the same configuration as that of the power transmitter section 201 B of Embodiment 4. The power receiver section 302 B includes the same configuration as that of the power receiver section 102 B of Embodiment 1. Thus, descriptions regarding the electrode sheet section 300 A, the power transmitter section 301 B, and the power receiver section 302 B are omitted.

The selector unit 307 switches between the output of the power transmitter section 301 B and the output of the power receiver section 302 B and outputs to the active electrode 41 A and the passive electrode 41 P. In other words, the electrode sheet section 300 A is shared by the power transmitter section 301 B and the power receiver section 302 B.

The present embodiment allows to switch and use the wireless power transmitting functionality of the power transmitter section 301 B and the wireless power receiving functionality of the power receiver section 302 B.

As described above, the wireless power transceiver device 300 of the present embodiment includes the electrode sheet section 300 A; the power receiver section 302 B; the power transmitter section 301 B; and the selector unit 307 , the electrode sheet section 300 A including the active electrode 41 A and the passive electrode 41 P that are substantially coplanar and formed into sheet-like shapes, the lead lines 45 A and 45 P that are coplanar with both the electrodes 41 A and 41 P, extended from the respective electrodes 41 A and 41 P, and formed into sheet-like shapes, and the insulation sheet 50 that covers both the electrodes 41 A and 41 P and both the lead lines 45 A and 45 P from both sides thereof, the power receiver section 302 B including the step-down unit 43 that steps down an alternating-current voltage induced between end portions of the lead lines 45 A and 45 P, the power receiver module 44 that rectifies and smoothes the alternating-current voltage that is stepped down by the step-down unit 43 , and the connector 46 for outputting an output voltage of the power receiver module 44 , the power transmitter section 301 B including the inverter unit 12 b that converts a direct-current voltage to an alternating-current voltage having a predetermined frequency, and the step-up unit 21 that steps up the alternating-current voltage outputted from the inverter unit 12 b and applies to end portions of the lead lines 45 A and 45 P, the selector unit 307 being configured to alternatively connect the end portions of the lead lines 45 A and 45 P to one of an output section of the step-up unit 21 and an input section of the step-down unit 43 .

This allows to switch and use the wireless power transmitting functionality of the power transmitter section 301 B and the wireless power receiving functionality of the power receiver section 302 B.

In the wireless power transceiver device 300 of the present embodiment, the electrode sheet section 300 A and the power transceiver section 300 B including the power receiver section 302 B, the power transmitter section 301 B, and the selector unit 307 may be configured to be separable.

In this way, the compatibility with various kinds of the electronic device 3 may be provided only by exchanging the electrode sheet section 300 A.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram depicting the configuration of a wireless power transceiver device according to Embodiment 6. The wireless power transceiver device 400 of the present embodiment achieves functionalities of both the wireless power receiver device and the wireless power transmitter device. Specifically, the wireless power transceiver device 400 of the present embodiment includes a power transceiver section 400 B and an electrode sheet section 400 A. The power transceiver section 400 B includes a power transmitter section 401 B, a power receiver section 402 B, a selector unit 407 , and a transformer unit 408 .

The electrode sheet section 400 A includes the same configuration as that of the electrode sheet section 2 A of Embodiment 1.

The power transmitter section 401 B includes the AC/DC converter 11 and the power transmitter module 12 , which are similar to those in Embodiment 1.

The power receiver section 302 B includes the power receiver module 44 and the connector 46 , which are similar to those in Embodiment 1.

The selector unit 407 selectively connects a low voltage side of the transformer unit 408 to the output of the inverter 12 b of the power transmitter section 401 B or to the input of the power receiver module 44 of the power receiver section 402 B.

Terminals of the transformer unit 408 at the side opposite to the selector unit 407 are connected to the active electrode 41 A and the passive electrode 41 P (lead lines 45 A and 45 P). In the transformer unit 408 , the selector unit 407 side is the low voltage side, and the side facing toward the active electrode 41 A and the passive electrode 41 P is the high voltage side.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the electrode sheet section 400 A and the transformer unit 408 are shared by the power transmitter section 401 B and the power receiver section 402 B.

The present embodiment allows to switch and use the wireless power transmitting functionality of the power transmitter section 401 B and the wireless power receiving functionality of the power receiver section 402 B.

As described above, the wireless power transceiver device 400 of the present embodiment includes the electrode sheet section 400 A; the transformer unit 408 ; the power receiver section 402 B; the power transmitter section 401 B; and the selector unit 407 , the electrode sheet section 400 A including the power receiver side active electrode 41 A and the power receiver side passive electrode 41 P that are substantially coplanar and formed into sheet-like shapes, the lead lines 45 A and 45 P that are coplanar with both the electrodes 41 A and 41 P, extended from the respective electrodes 41 A and 41 P, and formed into sheet-like shapes, and the insulation sheet 50 that covers both the electrodes 41 A and 41 P and both the lead lines 45 A and 45 P from both sides thereof, the transformer unit 408 being connected to end portions of the lead lines 45 A and 45 P at the high voltage side, the power receiver section 402 B including the power receiver module 44 that rectifies and smoothes an alternating-current voltage that is stepped down by the transformer unit 408 , and the connector 46 for outputting an output voltage of the power receiver module 44 , the power transmitter section 401 B including the inverter 12 b that converts a direct-current voltage to an alternating-current voltage having a predetermined frequency, the selector unit 407 being configured to selectively connect the low voltage side of the transformer unit 408 to the output of the inverter 12 b of the power transmitter section 401 B or to the input of the power receiver module 44 of the power receiver section 402 B.

This allows to switch and use the wireless power transmitting functionality of the power transmitter section 401 B and the wireless power receiving functionality of the power receiver section 402 B. Further, the single transformer unit 408 is capable of stepping up the output voltage from the inverter 12 b and stepping down of the input voltage to the power receiver module 44 . In Embodiment 5, two transformer units, namely, the step-down unit and the step-up unit are required. Here, however, less number of transformer units is acquired. Further, the selector unit 407 is provided on the low voltage side of the transformer unit 408 . Thus, the selector unit 407 may be implemented with components having withstanding voltages less than those used in the case of Embodiment 5.

Further, in the wireless power transceiver device 400 of the present embodiment, the electrode sheet section 400 A and the power transceiver section 400 B including the power receiver section 402 B, the power transmitter section 401 B, the selector unit 407 , and the transformer unit 408 may be configured to be separable.

Accordingly, the compatibility with various kinds of the electronic device 3 may be provided only by exchanging the electrode sheet section 400 A.

Another Embodiment

A wireless power receiver device according to another embodiment is now described. FIG. 17 is a block diagram depicting still another example of the configuration of a wireless power receiver device. FIG. 18 is an external view of the wireless power receiver device. In the wireless power receiver device 502 depicted in these figures, an electrode sheet section 502 A is provided only with the power receiver side active electrode 41 A, and is not provided with the passive electrode. In this configuration, a ground electrode of the electronic device 3 is used as the passive electrode. For example, one of input terminals of the step-down unit 43 of the power receiver section 502 B is connected to the ground electrode of the electronic device 3 via the connectors 46 and 63 . This configuration allows to simplify the configuration of the wireless power receiver device 502 .

1 , 201 Wireless power transmitter device

2 , 102 Wireless power receiver device

2 A, 102 A, 201 A, 300 A, 400 A Sheet section

2 B, 102 B, 302 B, 402 B Power receiver section

3 Electronic device

11 AC/DC converter

12 Power transmitter module

12 a Protection circuit

12 b Inverter

12 c Controller circuit

21 Step-up unit

31 A Power transmitter side active electrode

31 P Power transmitter side passive electrode

35 A, 35 P Lead line

41 A Power receiver side active electrode

41 P Power receiver side passive electrode

41 S Shield electrode

43 Step-down unit

44 Power receiver module

45 A, 45 P Lead line

46 Connector

47 A Spring connector

47 B Spring connector

48 A First connection terminal

48 B Second connection terminal

50 Insulation sheet

51 Front sheet

52 Back sheet

55 Adhesion layer

51 ′ Front sheet

52 ′ Middle sheet

53 ′ Back sheet

50 ′ Insulation sheet

70 Insulation sheet

61 Battery

62 Load circuit

63 Connector

203 Electronic device

201 B, 301 B, 401 B Power transmitter section

300 , 400 Wireless power transceiver device

300 B, 400 B Power transceiver section

307 , 407 Selector unit

408 Transformer section