Technologies make the life of the modern user of mobile devices more convenient in various aspects. If until recently the main competitive positions were concentrated in the devices themselves, today manufacturers are paying more and more attention to accessories and peripheral components.
One of them is wireless charging. How does this device work and how can it be useful to 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 the hassle of inconvenient connectors. In many ways, this idea was realized, but there were some shortcomings of such devices.
Features of wireless chargers
In the very first years of the distribution of phones for cellular communications, manufacturers had to make reservations when positioning such gadgets as mobile. The fact is that they were and remain mobile only conditionally, since there is a dependence on the charger cable. Wireless charging allowed to remove all the conventions of such designation of mobile phones and smartphones.
How does this device work? All technologies forwhich such charges are based on are based on the principles of transmitting electricity at a distance. It is important to note that the spread of wireless communication and information transmission technologies has not been something new and surprising for a long time. Radio signal modules, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors, network access points - all this, to one degree or another, allows the transmission of information signals.
However, the novelty and fundamental difference between wireless chargers lies precisely in the ability to transfer energy over a distance to power batteries.
Working principle
The most common design of such devices provides for the presence of induction coils in the filling. In fact, they perform the function of receivers, as well as translators of electrical signals. When the charging itself 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 also activated.
How does recharge work? By converting electromagnetic waves that pass into the battery already as electricity. In this case, the target object for power can be not only a phone or smartphone. The developers are guided by the broad standards of batteries and batteries, which also cover some models of tablets, cameras, players and other equipment.
Depending on the model of the device and its characteristics, different conditions are possiblemaintaining charging. 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 capable of replenishing the battery capacity at a distance of 3-5 cm, that is, practically a mobile device should be in contact with the charger.
Wireless Charger Safety
The ability of chargers to transmit energy over distances rightly raises questions about their safety for users who, in any case, will be in the area of \u200b\u200binduction coils. However, manufacturers claim that such devices do not cause any harm to he alth.
As examples, electric shavers and brushes are given that work on the same principle of electromagnetic fields as wireless phone chargers. How does the charging panel work in contact with other equipment and does it harm it? This issue is also raised, but the manufacturers deny that this is a risk.
The fact is that the maximum power at which such devices operate is no more than 5 watts. This is not enough to have a negative impact even on devices sensitive to electromagnetic fields.
Samsung devices
One of the most successful developments in the Korean wireless charging segment is the Wireless Charging Pad. This is an optimized version of the base family that has fixed the common problems of most of these devices.first generation. 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 area.
This version is commercially available as a wireless charger for the Samsung Galaxy S6 that supports the WPC standard. This technology differs in that it is suitable not only for Galaxy smartphones, but also for most other Samsung phones. In addition, according to the manufacturer, charging can replenish energy to half the capacity in just a few minutes.
Apple devices
I must say right away that "apple" products do not support wireless charging technology. However, the manufacturer is looking for alternative ways to provide this feature to its users.
In particular, he recommends using accessories in the form of covers from Duracell. Therefore, the question of whether wireless charging works through a case, in the case of iPhones, will have a positive answer. If this method does not suit you, then you can use the iQi format receiver card. It connects via a special Lightning connector and is also hidden under a standard smartphone case.
Devices from Cota
Interesting offers are also developed by Cota employees. They are not just embracing the concept of dedicated charging pads for mobile devices, but are striving to expand as much as possibletheir scope of action. For example, in addition to phones and tablets, wearable electronics can be filled with energy with such a device. Moreover, for this it is not necessary to bring the device close to the active panel.
A small device the size of a bread box works at a distance of 10 m. The question arises: "How does wireless charging work with such a radius? Is it efficient enough?" And here it is worth returning specifically to wearable technology, among which: smart watches, bracelets and wristbands, since it is in working with these gadgets that the device demonstrates the most impressive performance. Obviously, phone and smartphone batteries take longer to service.
Disadvantages of wireless charging
Like all technologies that radically change 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 fiddle with wires and connectors, but the efficiency of filling the power supply with this method is noticeably reduced.
Most devices provide a charge in a longer period of time compared to the classical method. In addition, there are ergonomic inconveniences that modern wireless charging cannot yet get rid of. How does a wired charging system work? It requires connection to the device, after which it can be used for the very 30-60 minutes required to replenish energy. However, in the case of wireless technologies, not only does the charging time increase, but alsothe possibility of using the device during this period is excluded.
Directions for further development
Actually, all directions in the development of wireless chargers are focused on eliminating the above disadvantages and generally 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 Samsung S6 wireless charging and devices for younger versions of the smartphone from the Charger Kit line work. These are panel charging accessories that are fixed to phones like protective devices and cases. This interface configuration minimizes the size of the charging infrastructure, but is not very efficient either.
Conclusion
This is not to say that the advent of wireless chargers has caused a stir in the market of accessories for mobile devices. Despite the novelty of the concept, the distribution of these products is hampered not only by ergonomic flaws, but also by the cost at which wireless charging for the phone is sold.
You can make a similar device with your own hands at a lower cost. To do this, it is enough to organize a blocking generator with the function of an energy transmitter. As experienced craftsmen note, such a circuit will require only a home-made copper-based coil and onetransistor with accompanying wire infrastructure. Another thing is that in terms of reliability and security, such a device will noticeably lose to the same branded models from Samsung.
