Wireless-power-transfer (WPT) technology using near-field magnetic coupling (NFMC) has been gaining a lot of attention, primarily in the area of wireless charging for applications like smartphone applications. However, there exists another class of products commonly referred to as “wireless connectors” (WiCo), or “wireless couplers,” that utilize the same physical principles.
Wireless connectors are important for applications where conventional mechanical connectors may not be reliable, or in some cases not even possible to use. Examples of the issues that connectors may face include intrusion from liquid, dirt, and/or corrosive environments. In addition, physical electrical connections become challenging when a situation demands freedom of movement between two or more systems.
Common applications that must deal with these challenges can be found in a wide range of industrial automation environments, where power and/or data must transfer through fluids or walls. Another area well-suited for wireless connectors is in the medical-device field, which demands a high level of reliability, even if exposed to fluids and mechanical bending stresses. Surgical instruments and other such devices fall into this category.
Other applications that could benefit from wireless connectors include robotics, automotive, and some consumer products. It’s fair to say that wireless connectors, and the technology that enables it, will play an ever-increasing role in relieving the “pain points” of conventional mechanical connectors.