Omni-Directional Inductive Wireless Power Transfer with 3D MID inductors

Omni-directional inductive wireless power transfer to a movable target inside a half-meter cubic emitter box is studied. The innovative point is to use 3D Molded Interconnect Device (3D-MID) coils at the surface of the target with a 3D shape. Transmission of energy at 6.78 MHz is performed experimentally and characterized in terms of power and efficiency. The 3D design of the coils allows maintaining power when the receiver target is translated and rotated inside the emitter box (that is to say allows compensating to a certain extent the misalignment between the emitters and the receivers). A comparison with a simplified model is performed. Lastly, the potential of this technology is discussed.