Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present invention relates generally to a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover and method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[002] Services and additional functions, which are provided by electronic devices, have been gradually extended and diversified. Electronic devices have been continuously developed in order to improve the effective value of the electronic device and in order to meet various desires of users. As an example of satisfying the user's desire, the electronic device may be wirelessly supplied with power from a charging apparatus that supplies power, and the charging apparatus may wirelessly supply power to the electronic device.
[003] There is a need for articles to be supplied to and removed from the loading ports of devices such as a semiconductor machining device and a semiconductor inspection device without causing such devices to wait. Accordingly, if articles required by the processing device have been transported to the buffer in advance, the articles can be quickly supplied to the processing device. Also, the overhead travelling vehicle for short-distance transport quickly removes articles from the loading port of the processing device. However, this configuration requires providing tracks at the same height position in parallel, thus increasing the floor space occupied by the transport system in a plan view. Also, the loading port is used not only by an automatic transport device, but also for manual supply and removal of articles, and manual access is difficult if the front surface of the processing device is covered by the buffer.
[004] Therefore, there is a need for a system which overcomes the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments of the present disclosure present technological improvements as solutions to one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems.
[006] Before the present subject matter relating to a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover and method thereof, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular system described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the implementations or versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[007] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover and method thereof. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the present subject matter.
[008] In an embodiment, a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover is disclosed. The system includes a wireless charger, an unmanned mover, a power transmitter and a control unit. The wireless charger including at least one coil for a magnetic resonance technique and a plurality of coils for a magnetic induction technique, wherein the wireless charger processes charging a user device. The unmanned mover is configured to move along a predefined path. The power transmitter mounted on said unmanned mover, said power transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit power to one or more receiving devices positioned along said predefined path. The control unit is configured to control the movement of said unmanned mover and the operation of said power transmitter.
[009] In another embodiment, a method for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover is disclosed. The method includes the step of moving an unmanned mover along a predefined path. The method includes the step of wirelessly transmitting power from a power transmitter mounted on said unmanned mover to one or more receiving devices positioned along said predefined path. The method includes the step of controlling the movement of said unmanned mover and the operation of said power transmitter using a control unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure; however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific system or method disclosed in the document and the drawings.
[0011] The present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.
[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram showing an electronic device and a charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective base view of a remotely operated vehicle according to the invention.
[0014] Figure 3 illustrates a front view of a structure of a local vehicle.
[0015] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling wireless charging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] In the above accompanying drawings, a non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
[0017] Further, the figures depict various embodiments of the present subject matter for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the present subject matter described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover and method thereof, similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover and method thereof is now described.
[0019] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. For example, although the present disclosure will be described in the context of a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover and method thereof, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover and method thereof can be utilized in any situation. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0020] In an embodiment, a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover is disclosed. The system includes a wireless charger, an unmanned mover, a power transmitter and a control unit. The wireless charger including at least one coil for a magnetic resonance technique and a plurality of coils for a magnetic induction technique, wherein the wireless charger processes charging a user device. The unmanned mover is configured to move along a predefined path. The power transmitter mounted on said unmanned mover, said power transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit power to one or more receiving devices positioned along said predefined path. The control unit is configured to control the movement of said unmanned mover and the operation of said power transmitter.
[0021] In another implementation, the unmanned mover comprises a drone.
[0022] In another implementation, the power transmitter comprises a wireless power transmitter configured to transmit power using electromagnetic waves.
[0023] In another implementation, a power source configured to supply power to said unmanned mover and said power transmitter.
[0024] In another implementation, the control unit comprises a computer system programmed to receive input data regarding the location of said unmanned mover and one or more receiving devices, and to generate control signals to adjust the movement of said unmanned mover and the operation of said power transmitter accordingly.
[0025] In another implementation, the predefined path comprises a track or a route defined by markers or beacons.
[0026] In another embodiment, a method for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover is disclosed. The method includes the step of moving an unmanned mover along a predefined path. The method includes the step of wirelessly transmitting power from a power transmitter mounted on said unmanned mover to one or more receiving devices positioned along said predefined path. The method includes the step of controlling the movement of said unmanned mover and the operation of said power transmitter using a control unit.
[0027] In another implementation, the method includes the step of moving of said unmanned mover comprises flying a drone along said predefined path.
[0028] In another implementation, the method includes the step of wirelessly transmitting power comprises transmitting power using electromagnetic waves.
[0029] In another implementation, the method includes the step of supplying power to said unmanned mover and said power transmitter from a power source.
[0030] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram showing an electronic device and a charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] In an embodiment, the charging apparatus 110 may include a power transmitting unit 111, a controller 112, a communication unit 113, a display unit 114, a storage unit 115, and a power supply unit 121. The charging apparatus 110, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, may provide power to one or more electronic devices that adopt, for example, a battery or a power source, and may be referred to as a charger. The power transmitting unit 111 may include one or more induction coils and one or more resonance coils.
[0032] The power transmitting unit 111 may provide power required by the electronic device 150 and may wirelessly provide power to the electronic device 150. Here, the power transmitting unit 111 may provide power in the form of an alternating current (AC) and may convert a direct current (DC) power into an AC power by using an inverter to then supply the AC power to the electronic device 150. The communication unit 113 may communicate with the electronic device 150 by means of a predetermined method. The communication unit 113 can receive power information from the electronic device 150. The communication unit 113 may communicate with the electronic device 150 through a frequency (out-of-band) that is different from the frequency of a wireless power signal. The charging function control signal may be a control signal that controls a power receiving unit 151 of a specific electronic device 150 to enable, or disable, the charging function. In addition, the charging function control signal may be information that is related to the determination of a cross connection, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0033] The controller 112 may control overall operations of the charging apparatus 110. The controller 112 may control overall operations of the charging apparatus 110 by using algorithms, programs, or applications, which are read from the storage unit 115. The controller 112 may be implemented in the form of a CPU, a microprocessor, or a minicomputer. The controller 112 may display the state of the electronic device 150 on the display unit 114 based on the signal received from the electronic device 150 through the communication unit 113. In addition, the controller 112 may display, on the display unit 114, the estimated time to complete the charging of the electronic device 150.
[0034] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective base view of a remotely operated vehicle according to the invention.
[0035] In an embodiment, a robot 1 comprising a rectangular vehicle body or framework 4 displaying a cavity 7 centrally arranged there within, a top lid 72 covering the top part of the body 4, a first set of four wheels 10 mounted inside the cavity 7 and a second set of four wheels 11 mounted at the exterior walls of the body 4. The first and second set of wheels 10, 11 are oriented perpendicular to each other. For the sake of clarity, a Cartesian coordinate system is shown with its X, Y and Z axes aligned along the principal directions of the rectangular vehicle body 4. The size of the cavity 7 is adapted to contain necessary component for a lifting device 9 and to contain the largest storage bin 2 intended to be picked up by the robot 1.
[0036] Figure 3 illustrates a front view of a structure of a local vehicle.
[0037] In n embodiment, the local vehicle 22, and in this figure, reference numerals 38 denote running wheels that are driven by a running motor 40, and reference numeral 42 denotes a battery that is charged by the charging device 36 via a power receiving device 43. In place of the battery, another power storage member such as a capacitor may be used. Electricity may be supplied to the power receiving device 43 via, for example, non-contact electricity feeding or contact electricity feeding via a connector, a charging coupler, or the like. Reference numeral 44 denotes a hoist that lifts and lowers the elevation platform 23, and reference numerals 45 denote chucks that grab and release flanges at the top of the articles 18.
[0038] A communication unit communicates with the overhead travelling vehicle and performs interlocking when the overhead travelling vehicle delivers articles to and receives articles from the buffers. A communication unit communicates with a communication unit of the local vehicle and instructs the local vehicle to move articles between the buffers and the loading ports. There are cases where an article/ user device required by the processing device has not been placed on the buffer when it is required. In such a case, the waiting time of the processing device can be shortened if the overhead travelling vehicle can directly drop off articles at the loading ports. Also, if the removal of an article required by the next processing device is delayed, the waiting time of the next processing device can be shortened if the overhead travelling vehicle directly removes articles from the loading ports.
[0039] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling wireless charging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] In an embodiment, the charging apparatus 110 may detect the approach of the electronic device that is required to be charged at operation 210. The charging apparatus 110 may periodically, or aperiodically, transmit signals (e.g., power beacons) in order to thereby detect the approach of the electronic device. The charging apparatus 110 may apply a power beacon for induction detection to the induction coil of the induction coil unit 111 b, and may apply a power beacon for resonance detection to the resonance coil of the resonance coil unit 111 a. The charging apparatus 110 may determine the charging method corresponding to the detected electronic device at operation 212. The charging apparatus 110 may determine whether the detected electronic device is charged in the magnetic induction method or in the magnetic resonance method according to whether a response signal to the transmitted power beacon is received through the induction modem 120 or through the communication unit 113 (e.g., the BLE). The charging apparatus 110 may select the coil corresponding to the determined charging method in order to thereby charge the electronic device at operation 214. The charging apparatus 110 may detect another electronic device while the electronic device is charged at operation 216. The charging apparatus 110 may periodically or a periodically transmit a power beacon to detect the other electronic device while the electronic device is charged. The charging apparatus 110 may detect the approach of the other electronic device through one or more sensors during the charging of the electronic device.
[0041] A wireless charging control method of a charging apparatus, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, may include detecting one or more electronic devices; determining the charging method corresponding to the detected electronic device; and wirelessly charging the electronic device by selecting a coil corresponding to the determined charging method.
[0042] Although the description provides implementations of a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover and method thereof, it is to be understood that the above descriptions are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or systems. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for a system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover and method thereof.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A system for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover, comprising:
a wireless charger including at least one coil for a magnetic resonance technique and a plurality of coils for a magnetic induction technique, wherein the wireless charger processes charging a user device;
an unmanned mover configured to move along a predefined path;
a power transmitter mounted on said unmanned mover, said power transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit power to one or more receiving devices positioned along said predefined path; and
a control unit configured to control the movement of said unmanned mover and the operation of said power transmitter.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said unmanned mover comprises a drone.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power transmitter comprises a wireless power transmitter configured to transmit power using electromagnetic waves.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a power source configured to supply power to said unmanned mover and said power transmitter.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises a computer system programmed to receive input data regarding the location of said unmanned mover and one or more receiving devices, and to generate control signals to adjust the movement of said unmanned mover and the operation of said power transmitter accordingly.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predefined path comprises a track or a route defined by markers or beacons.
7. A method for wireless power transmission using an unmanned mover, comprising:
moving an unmanned mover along a predefined path;
wirelessly transmitting power from a power transmitter mounted on said unmanned mover to one or more receiving devices positioned along said predefined path; and;
controlling the movement of said unmanned mover and the operation of said power transmitter using a control unit.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said moving of said unmanned mover comprises flying a drone along said predefined path.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said wirelessly transmitting power comprises transmitting power using electromagnetic waves.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising supplying power to said unmanned mover and said power transmitter from a power source.