This wireless charging system supports the charging of smart garments in a drawer or on a hanger equipped with a wireless power transmitter. Wearable technology is everywhere in modern life, offering health monitoring services, such as heart rate and blood oxygen level, and connections to secondary devices. The integration of electronic components into clothing promises better access to sensing distributed around the body. For instance, Levi’s and Google have developed a smart jacket that allows users to control their mobile phones without removing the device from their pockets. Current electronic components in clothing must be detached for charging and washing, requiring additional user intervention. In addition, folding creates a critical problem with folds intersecting coils within the garment, impacting their ability to charge and receive power.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a wireless charging system that can be printed or embroidered on clothing. The system supports different methods for charging, like in a drawer or on a hanger equipped with a wireless power transmitter. This enables receivers in the smart garments to power sensors connected to health monitoring, environmental readings, GPS, and LEDs.
Wireless charging system with an asymmetrical three-coil receiver arrangement that can be printed or embroidered on clothing
This wireless charging system is equipped with an asymmetric three-coil receiver arrangement that charges smart garments. The positioning of the three-planar wireless power receiver coils with centroids are not collinear. By having the receiver coils not line up, it ensures that regardless of the folding direction, at least one coil in the garment is available for charging. The power from the coils is combined with rectifiers or diodes to prevent cancellation of AC induced voltage.