How does wireless charging work? Principle of operation

Technologies make life of a modern user of mobile devices more convenient in various aspects. Until recently, the main competitive positions were concentrated in the devices themselves, but now manufacturers pay more attention to accessories and peripheral components.

One of them is wireless charging. How does this device work and how can it be useful for a modern user? The answers to these questions lie in the very concept of communication, which excludes a wired connection. Wireless contact is designed to save people from hassle with uncomfortable connectors. In many respects this idea was realized, but not without the shortcomings of such devices.

Features of wireless charging

In the early years of the proliferation of mobile phones, manufacturers had to make reservations when positioning such gadgets as mobile. The fact is that they were mobile and remain only conditionally, since there is dependence on the charger cable. Remove all the conventions of this designation of mobile phones and smartphones allowed wireless charging.

How does this device work? All technologies on which such charges are based are based on the principles of electricity transmission at a distance. It is important to note that the proliferation of wireless technologies and the transfer of information has long been not something new and surprising. Modules of radio signals, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors, network access points - all this to a greater or lesser extent allows the transmission of information signals.

However, the novelty and fundamental difference of chargers with a wireless principle of operation consist in the possibility of transmitting energy at a distance to power the batteries.

Principle of operation

The most common design of such devices involves the presence in the filling of induction coils. In fact, they perform the function of receivers, as well as transmitters of electrical signals. When the actual charge is connected to the mains, a voltage is formed, after which a magnetic field is formed - around the transmitting coil. Actually, after entering this field of the phone, wireless charging is activated.

How does charging work? Due to the transformation of electromagnetic waves, which are transferred to the battery already as electricity. In this case, the targeted object for power can be not only a phone or a smartphone. The developers are guided by the broad standards of batteries and batteries, which also fall under some models of tablets, cameras, players and other equipment.

Depending on the model of the device and its characteristics, different conditions for maintaining charge are possible. For example, to understand how Samsung's wireless charging works , it's worth familiarizing yourself with the Qi power transmission standard. Such a transmitter is able to replenish the capacity of the battery at a distance of 3-5 cm, that is, a practically mobile device must be in contact with the charger.

Wireless Security Charging

The ability of the charge to transmit energy over distances fairly raises questions about their safety for users who, in any case, will be in the range of the induction coils. However, manufacturers argue that such devices do not have any harm to health.

Examples include electric shavers and brushes operating on the same principle of electromagnetic fields, as well as wireless charging for the phone. How does the charging panel work in contact with other equipment and does it harm it? This issue also rises, but manufacturers deny the same danger.

The fact is that the maximum power, at which such devices function, is no more than 5 watts. This is not enough to have a negative impact even on devices sensitive to electromagnetic fields.

Devices from Samsung

One of the most successful developments in the segment of Korean wireless charging is the Wireless Charging Pad. This is an optimized version of the basic family, in which the common problems of most such first-generation devices were eliminated. One of the main advantages of this model is the ability to interact with the phone's battery regardless of its position relative to the functional platform.

In the form of presentation this version is a wireless charging for Samsung Galaxy S6, which supports the WPC standard. This technology differs in that it is suitable not only for smartphones of the Galaxy line, but also for most other Samsung phones. In addition, as the manufacturer notes, charging can replenish energy by half the capacity in just a few minutes.

Apple devices

At once it is necessary to tell, that "apple" production does not support technologies of wireless charging. Nevertheless, the manufacturer is looking for alternative ways to provide this opportunity for its users.

In particular, he recommends using accessories in the form of covers from the firm Duracell. Therefore, the question of whether the wireless charging works through the cover, in the case of iPhones, will have a positive response. If this method does not work, then you can use a card-receiver format iQi. It connects through a special connector Lightning and also disappears under the standard smartphone cover.

Devices from Cota

Interesting proposals are being developed by Cota employees. They not only master the concept of specialized charging panels for mobile devices, but tend to maximize the range of their field of action. For example, in addition to phones and tablets, such an instrument can be filled with energy-wearing electronics. And for this it is not necessary to bring the device to the active panel.

A small breader-sized machine works at a distance of 10 m. The question arises: "How does wireless charging work with such a radius? Is it effective enough?" And here it is worth returning to a portable technique, among which: smart watches, bracelets and wristbands, as it is in working with these gadgets that the device demonstrates the most impressive performance. Obviously, it takes more time to service batteries from phones and smartphones.

Disadvantages of wireless charging

Like all technologies, radically changing approaches to the use of technology and electronics, wireless charging devices have many disadvantages. Of course, the user gets a significant advantage, since he does not have to bother with wires and connectors, but the efficiency of filling the power supply with this method is significantly reduced.

Most devices provide a charge over a longer period of time compared to the classical technique. In addition, there are ergonomic inconveniences, from which the modern wireless charging can not yet get rid. How does a wired charging system work? It requires a connection to the device, after which they can use the very same 30-60 minutes required to replenish the energy. However, in the case of wireless technologies, the charging time is not only increased, but also the possibility of using the device during this period is excluded.

Directions for further development

Actually, all areas of development of chargers, working without wires, are aimed at eliminating the above-mentioned shortcomings and, in general, improving the basic characteristics.

Also a big problem is the considerable weight of such devices. In the middle segment, an ordinary device is a platform that can hardly be called mobile. However, here it is worth noting how the wireless charging Samsung S6 and devices for younger versions of the smartphone from the Charger Kit range work. These are panel charger accessories, which are fixed to the phones according to the type of protective devices and covers. This configuration of interface minimizes the size of the charging infrastructure, but it does not differ and high efficiency.

Conclusion

It can not be said that the emergence of wireless charging has caused a stir in the market of accessories for mobile devices. Despite the novelty of the concept, the distribution of this product is hampered not only by ergonomic shortcomings, but also by the cost at which wireless charging for the phone is realized.

With your own hands, you can manufacture a similar device at a lower cost. For this it is sufficient to organize a blocking generator with the function of an energy transmitter. As noted by experienced masters, for such a scheme only a homemade copper-based coil and one transistor with associated wired infrastructure will be required. Another thing is that in terms of reliability and security, this device will noticeably lose the same brand models from Samsung.