DIY wireless power transfer device concept

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and implementation of a DIY wireless power transfer device. Participants explore the underlying principles of operation, including the necessity of oscillation and the role of components like transistors, while considering practical challenges related to power transfer distance and efficiency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant queries the necessity of a varying magnetic field for inducing voltage in the secondary coil and questions the role of the transistor in the circuit.
  • Another participant points out that the design resembles a transformer and emphasizes the need for AC power, suggesting that an oscillator is required to generate an AC signal.
  • A participant mentions the concept of a "transformer oscillator," explaining that oscillators require positive feedback and gain, which the transistor provides.
  • There is a suggestion to experiment with an AC source at lower voltages for safety and to test the wireless power transfer over shorter distances before attempting longer ranges.
  • Participants discuss the importance of being able to vary the frequency of oscillation to optimize power transfer efficiency.
  • One participant highlights the complexity of existing commercial solutions and suggests that a simpler approach may limit learning opportunities in electronics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the challenges of wireless power transfer, particularly regarding the distance and the type of power source. There is no consensus on the best approach or the effectiveness of the proposed designs.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the limitations of their designs, including the dependence on specific circuit configurations and the challenges of achieving efficient power transfer over longer distances.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts interested in electronics, particularly those exploring wireless power transfer technologies and oscillator design.

srinaath
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i am planning to do a small diy wireless power transfer device.
The circuit of the transmitter is
upload_2017-2-1_18-1-43.png

receiver has just the coil and load arrangement.
my query is, (please correct me if am wrong)
-->to induce a voltage in the secondary coil, there must be a varying magnetic field right?
-->but according to circuit, the transistor doesn't help in changing the polarity, what is the necessity of using the transistor then?

am just a hobbyist.
thanks much for your reply in advance.
 
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How much power over what distance are you planning?

A more common name for what you are designing is a transformer even though you think of it as wireless power transmission. There are numerous web sites that offer aid in transformer design.

Transformers work with AC power, not DC. If you have no DC source, then your circuit must be an oscillator that will generate an AC signal. Wikipedia is a good place to start your research. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_oscillator
 
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anorlunda said:
How much power over what distance are you planning?

A more common name for what you are designing is a transformer even though you think of it as wireless power transmission. There are numerous web sites that offer aid in transformer design.

Transformers work with AC power, not DC. If you have no DC source, then your circuit must be an oscillator that will generate an AC signal. Wikipedia is a good place to start your research. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_oscillator

hello anorlunda,
thanks much for your reply,
i am planning to transfer a power of 2W over a distance of 10cm
so, can you suggest me any technique to make it as a high power oscillator?
 
I'm very rusty but that circuit looks like some sort of "transformer oscillator". Oscillators need positive feedback and a gain > unity. The transistor provides the gain and the transformer provides positive feedback from the output/collector back to the input/base. The receiver will form a third winding on the transformer. To get any kind of efficiency I think the diameter of the coil needs to be larger than the separation.

Google found that IDT have a development kit..
http://www.idt.com/products/power-management/wireless-power/wireless-power-reference-kits
 
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srinaath said:
can you suggest me any technique to make it as a high power oscillator?
The circuit in your post uses the transistor to produce an oscillation. It's very cheap and cheerful, though and the frequency of oscillation is anybody's guess. It was probably, originally posted (by someone) to show the principle. If you are experimenting, it would be very useful (essential?) to be able to vary the frequency of the system to optimise any power transfer you manage to get.
The IDT device is clearly quite complicated; it has an integrated circuit on board which is an indication for you that a reliable system needs more than what's in that diagram in the OP. The downside of this approach is that you don't end up learning much about electronics (not a problem is you just want to plug and play, of course.)
If you do go for one, let us know if you made it work easily and how much money you spent.
We're clearly not far from having all our mobile devices charged this way (internal circuitry) and the price will soon drop. It would be good for you to get in on the ground floor - rosy glow when you're the first of your mates to have one.
 
May I make a suggestion? The more difficult part of your project is not the oscillator, but rather the wireless transfer. I think it will be immensely more difficult to transmit across 10 cm than 0.5 cm. Testing that distance relationship is exactly what a DIY experimenter may determine for himself.

Therefore, why not experiment first using an AC source rather than DC? Be safe. Don't use 120V or 230V AC. Find a transformer that will step down the voltage to 10V or less, and use that for experiments.

If the wireless power transfer is successful, then you can discard the AC power and add a DC powered oscillator as the second step. Using an oscillator, you can control one more important parameter -- the frequency.
 

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