Wireless charging will set us free!

As the Internet of Things (IoT) advances, we have become increasingly reliant on technology. Chances are, you too have gotten your charging cables in a tangle. Or, you’ve damaged a charging port from plugging in your device over and over again.

Thankfully, there is now wireless charging. Wireless charging transfers electromagnetic energy from the charging pad to the battery of a device, providing it with all the power it needs to run.

Obviously, wireless chargers are extremely convenient. You can place them on your work desk or on your bedside table, or clip them onto the air vent in your car. A wireless charger allows you to continue charging electronic devices such as your smart phone, smart watch, wearable devices and e-cigarettes, while on the go. In particular, wireless charging technology for electric vehicles has advanced significantly in recent years.

What is wireless charging?

Wireless charging is a cable-free method of charging a device. Most wireless chargers are shaped like flat pads or plates. A compatible device can begin charging once it is placed on the wireless charger. The charging pad is connected to a power source, and transfers the power it receives to the device it is charging.

A typical wireless charging system includes a transmitter and receiver. Every part includes flat, spiraled coils. According to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, when a conductive material passes through a magnetic field, it will generate an electric current. Through electromagnetic induction, energy is transferred between two objects using a magnetic field to charge the battery. At the same time, through signal modulation, the transmitter and receiver can communicate with each other, which allows the charging pad to adjust the output power according to the charging progress.

Currently, there are two main standards for wireless charging: the Qi standard and the PMA standard. Both of these standards are based on the principle of electromagnetic induction for device charging. Their key difference lies in the wavelengths they use.

• PMA wireless charging: An abbreviation of Power Matters Alliance, the PMA wireless charging standard uses wavelengths between 277-357 kHz.
• Qi wireless charging: Pronounced "chee," the Qi wireless charging standard was created by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) and has a working frequency band of 100-205 kHz.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let’s look at three typical wireless charging applications: wireless charging for electric vehicles, wireless charging in cockpits, and wireless charging for e-cigarettes. As you’ll see, from the largest to the smallest, each has its advantages, disadvantages, and roadmap for future development.

Wireless vehicle charging

As its name suggests, wireless vehicle charging allows for electric vehicles (EV) to charge without making a physical connection with an EV charge point or charging station. The vehicle undergoes charging wirelessly via a magnetic field instead of through a cable.

Wireless vehicle charging typically involves two steps. A charging pad is installed on the ground and a receiver is placed on the bottom of the car. The receiver detects the magnetic field as soon as the car stops over the charging pad and converts the magnetic field into electricity for the battery.

Wireless vehicle charging is extremely convenient. It eliminates the need for manually inserting charging cables, which is particularly important in space-limited environments. It also reduces wear on the charging port. Another benefit of wireless vehicle charging is safety. Because there is no physical connection between the car and the charging station, there is no risk of electric shock or tripping over cables. The wireless charging pad can be embedded in the ground so it doesn't protrude. This minimizes the risks of the charging pad being damaged due to weathering or foot traffic.

However, wireless vehicle charging is not yet very efficient. Compared to traditional cable charging, it takes longer to charge vehicles’ batteries. Furthermore, it requires specialized equipment that is more costly to install and maintain.

Cockpit wireless charging

Cockpit wireless charging refers to the use of wireless charging technology in vehicle cockpits to charge mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. As more and more people are using mobile devices on the road, in-cockpit wireless charging has become increasingly popular.

Wireless charging stations in cockpits are usually located in vehicles’ center console or dashboard. Like wireless vehicle charging, it uses electromagnetic fields to deliver power to the device’s battery, eliminating the need for cables. The driver and passengers can charge their devices on the go.

In recent years, many car manufacturers have started offering wireless charging as a standard or optional feature. In fact, many new models from BMW, Audi and Mercedes are equipped with wireless charging pads as part of their infotainment systems.

Obviously, cockpit wireless charging has many advantages. By eliminating the need for cables, it helps keep the cockpit area clutter-free. It is also safer than traditional charging because it eliminates the risk of getting tangled in power cables and distracting or impeding the driver.

However, as with other forms of wireless charging, there are some downsides to wireless charging in cockpits. For a start, not all devices and charging pads are compatible with each other. Furthermore, wireless charging in cockpits may not be as fast as traditional charging, which can pose problems to those who need their devices charged quickly.

Wireless charging for e-cigarettes

E-cigarettes are have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to help people quit smoking traditional cigarettes. They work by heating a liquid containing nicotine and other chemicals, creating a vapor that is inhaled by the user.

Most e-cigarettes include a rechargeable battery that needs to be frequently charged. Previously, e-cigarettes could be charged with a USB cable plugged into a computer or wall socket, but nowadays more and more e-cigarettes have wireless charging features.

Wireless charging for e-cigarettes requires a charging box. The box contains a wireless charging pad that uses electromagnetic fields to charge the battery of the e-cigarette. The e-cigarette will automatically start charging as soon as it is placed in the charging box. The charging box can be charged when connected to a source of electricity via USB or wirelessly.

Wireless charging for e-cigarettes is convenient and discreet. It also extends the battery life for e-cigarettes, and reduces wear and tear on the charging port.

As technology continues to advance and consumers demand more convenient and efficient charging solutions, wireless charging will become an integral part of our daily lives. As development efforts intensify, all minor obstacles will no doubt be overcome.

Wireless charging has the potential to empower us with unlimited freedom of movement. Let us embrace it!