Technology is developing day by day and this development is now considered normal by people. Wireless charging technology has taken its place in our lives long ago in terms of the convenience and practicality it provides. Phone technology, one of the biggest markets to which technology companies give great importance, provides energy with batteries. As indispensable parts of our lives, the cell-phones need to work longer in order to stay active. Powerful batteries solve this time problem, that’s true, still it is necessary to find a way to charge these batteries at some point. Before examining the wireless charging technology in detail, let’s take a look at the development of the broader concept of wireless energy transfer from the past to the present: At a time when the discovery of wireless energy is almost impossible, Nikola Tesla, a scientist who was able to think beyond the age we live in, found the energy transfer while working on the magnetic resonance theory. Within a few years he prototyped this technology and demonstrated the wireless transmission of electrical energy using magnetic fields and electromagnetic energy. In the very same year, Tesla also demonstrated wireless energy transmission at Chicago World’s Fair.
Let’s get back to wireless charging, our main topic. Wireless charging is possible thanks to the magnetic fields created by a bobbin inside the mobile device. These magnetic fields are detected by another bobbin inside the mobile device, and electrical signals are transferred to the mobile device through it. These electrical signals are used to charge the mobile device’s battery. Wireless chargers mostly use a specific wireless charging standard like Qi standard. These standards ensure compatibility between devices. In this way, wireless chargers can be designed for use on different devices. The efficiency of wireless charging depends on the strength of the wireless charger, the severity of magnetic fields and the capacity of the mobile device’s battery. Efficiency can also be increased by placing the mobile device in the correct position. One of the most important issues that we need to address is the health of our phone. Along with phone technology, everyone agrees on the importance of the soundness of our phone and data. Due to an irreversible error, all the data unsaved to the cloud system can be eliminated since the phone is broken. For the solution of this problem, the Qi standard emerges. Qi is the wireless charging technology standard. Qi is derived from the Chinese word “qi” meaning “natural energy”. The Qi standard was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium and ensures compatibility between wireless chargers. Apple, Asus, HTC, Huawei, LG Electronics, Motorola Mobility, Nokia, Samsung, BlackBerry and Sony are among the mobile device manufacturers working with the Qi standard.
Some important requirements in the Qi specification are as follows:
- Magnetic resonance or magnetic induction technology must be used.
- The wireless charger must provide at least 5W of power to properly charge a Qi standard device.
- The wireless charger should charge a Qi standard device every 2 hours at its utmost to reach 80% charge capacity.
- The wireless charger must use the correct frequency band and magnetic field strength to work with Qi standard devices.
- The wireless charger must have magnetic attraction to ensure proper placement of Qi standard devices.
- The wireless charger must have a temperature sensor to prevent Qi-standard devices from overheating.
- The wireless charger should have safety precautions such as overcurrent, overvoltage and short circuit to prevent damage to Qi standard devices.
These requirements make the Qi standard a safe, efficient and compliant standard for wireless chargers. Thus, devices with Qi standards are adopted and widely used by many manufacturers mentioned above.
Today, wireless charging technology is widely used not only in phones, but also in many electronic devices. Smart watches, headphones, tablets and even electric vehicles have wireless charging capability. This allows users to easily charge their devices anytime and anywhere. At the same time, wireless charging technology eliminates cable clutter, making desktops, offices and homes tidier. With this rapid progress of technology, it is predicted that wireless charging will become more common in the future and will further improve the user experience with new developments. Wireless charging technology not only provides ease of use, but also stands out as an environmentally friendly option. While the manufacture and disposal of cables and adapters used in conventional charging methods can cause environmental impacts, the use of wireless charging reduces this waste. Additionally, as the energy efficiency of wireless chargers increases, energy savings are also achieved. This not only saves users but also reduces energy consumption, making a positive contribution to a sustainable future. With both its practicality and environmental benefits, wireless charging technology is becoming more common day by day. As Özdisan Elektronik, we keep offering the best and the most reliable products to our customers with our R&D activities and stocks in wireless charging technologies just the same way we play in every field wherever the technology is uttered.
