Kenji Matsuoka
Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
Chief Project Leader, Business Development Project
We learned about a capacitive coupling method, a new wireless power
supply technology, in 2010.
We then proceeded to make a decision to commercialize this excellent technology to meet our customer
demands. Through our collaboration with Murata Manufacturing, we found that Murata has the same kind of
customer dedication we maintain when delivering our products.
We now regard Murata Manufacturing as our trustworthy partner who provides us with commercialization
solutions.
How We Introduced Capacitive Coupling Method In Our Effort to Provide Wireless Power Supplies
Although Murata Manufacturing has been supplying us with components for a long time, this is the first time
we collaborated together in the commercialization of a product. We introduced Qi Standard from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC: a standardization organization for
wireless power supply) when releasing "AIR VOLTAGE for iPhone4" in April 2011.
The Qi Standard is established for electromagnetic induction-based wireless charging. AIR VOLTAGE, a
wireless iPhone4 charger consists of a mat and a sleeve. At that time, we were aware of demands for
wirelessly charging iPad2 and were pressing on with its development. However, Qi Standard did not offer
sufficient recharging output for iPad2. That was when we learned Murata's new "capacitive coupling
technology" developed in 2010. We became very excited after talking to Murata and finding out that this is
indeed a very fine technology.
Not only does it offer enough power output for iPad2, it offers ease of introduction, a wide charging area,
free of interference affecting other devices and generates little heat. We immediately started reviewing
this technology. If we gave it the go-ahead, we would have two different wireless power transmission
approaches, electromagnetic induction method for iPhones and capacitive coupling method for iPads. However,
when we thought of merits for our customers, having two different methods was not an issue any more. We
decided to commercialize this technology and deliver a viable product as soon as possible. Maxell's strong
point is being able to focus aggregated companywide efforts on decisions we have made.
We did have a few obstacles in coming up with an optimal design for the product. For example, due to the
way iPad2 is used in horizontal and vertical orientations, our charger too must allow for both orientations.
The module shape also needed to be readjusted to match the design detail. We kept consulting Murata to
overcome these obstacles.
Unexpected Customer Inquiries From Agitated B2B Demands
The developed model was "AIR VOLTAGE for iPad2" released in November 2011. We received unexpectedly strong
interests especially from corporate customers. For example, it could solve the problem of recharging a large
number of iPads used for displaying information or presentations at an exhibit at the end of each day. Using
AIR VOLTAGE, all iPads can remain charged throughout an exhibition.
It is also useful when showing video presentation clips at the storefront. Salespeople can recharge iPads
as they drive around in their cars after giving customer presentations. Recharging iPads upon returning is
as easy as setting them on their stands. A surprise inquiry came from a conveyer belt sushi restaurant chain
that wanted to keep iPads for their table ordering system charged.
We did anticipate some B2B demands for this technology and did approach some potential customers, but we
never expected this kind of strong interest. Inquiries came from corporate customers we never thought of,
giving us assurance of the strong market potential for this product.
Nonetheless, keeping a wide range of clientele in scope means fulfilling additional specifications such as
water and shock resistance. We are thus blessed with further challenges with our next phase of development.
A Market Anticipated for Expansion Larger Capacity and Quicker Recharging Are
the Hurdles
Wireless power supplies just started becoming visible and markets are anticipated to grow. Potential
markets include game machines, personal computers and eventually EVs. While primary batteries like dry
batteries are still important power sources, wireless power supplies should find acceptance for recharging
relatively expensive equipment costing over 5,000 yen.
It is ecological to use rechargeable batteries in most cases, and wireless recharging has an advantage of
having no terminal connection to wear out. There is, however, much room for improvement. Its capacity should
be made larger to extend its operating time and it should be able to recharge a larger variety of equipment.
Recharging time should also be shorter. Once we can shorten the recharging time to a little over 10 minutes
as opposed to a few hours, there will be much more room in product implementation.
We are now looking into developing AIR VOLTAGE for Android phones. We have great expectations for Murata
Manufacturing's technological innovations.
Wireless Power Supply
Wireless power supply is a technology to transmit electric power wirelessly. It has a wide range of
potential implementations including non-contact recharging for smartphones, tablets and digital cameras,
supplying power to flat panel TVs from behind a wall, recharging EV batteries, wireless power supplies in
plants and buildings and finally transmitting power from a space solar power station to Earth. Already
smartphones are sold with a non-contact recharging feature, and automakers are reviewing the possibility of
wireless power supplies for EVs. Electric/electronic manufacturers globally are actively pursuing this
technology.
Qi
Qi is a wireless power supply standard established by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) . WPC is an
industrial organization established in 2008 to formulate and permeate the Qi standard. The first part of the
Qi interoperability specification was delivered in April 2010. Currently, over 100 companies have joined WPC
globally.
Creating Values to Build "Value Creation" into Concepts
Murata Manufacturing proposed solutions based on their unique technologies keeping the completion of our
product in scope throughout product development. Their innovative and intriguing proposals were well beyond
what's normally expected of module suppliers. As a manufacturer that provides end products to customers, we
at Maxell became very interested in continued collaboration with Murata Manufacturing. In global
manufacturing scenes, we regularly deal with overseas production plants and sales partners, and doing so is
not always without challenges.
Through collaboration between our two companies sharing common heritage and wavelength, we can attempt to
elevate the level of completion in our product development one step further. To us, introducing our products
into the world is not done only in a physical sense. Having marketed recording media like DVDs and CDs,
Maxell knows that what is important to customers are actual recorded images and sounds, not recorded media.
We focus on keeping images and sounds semi-permanently, and our technology is what makes it possible. For
example, the shelf life for Maxell's dry batteries is five years. This is a figure derived from measuring
actual 5 year-old dry batteries. Dry battery performance rides on its use after a long period of storage,
and that's the value customers see.
We believe Maxell is a "Value-Creating" manufacturer. Our key mission include reflecting customer values in
our products, fulfilling features needed in various usage situations, and how much we can satisfy our
customers.
Sharing Technological Dreams, Product Dedication And Common Heritage at the
Base
Collaborating with Murata Manufacturing from the beginning of the product development phase, we found
common elements between our two companies such as technological finesse, enthusiasm and product dedication.
Under our slogan, "A brand with safety and reliability," we at Maxell are proud of product durability and
our dedication to our customers. We are also avowed to keep fulfilling necessary specifications for many
years to come once they are determined.
Although Maxell creating products for end customers and Murata providing module technologies to corporate
customers would naturally have different targets, we have many common elements between us. It was evidenced
by our collaboration to create one product as partners. Murata is a company we want to keep collaborating
with. We very much look forward to the next opportunity of working together.
AIR VOLTAGE for iPad2
AIR VOLTAGE for iPad2 is a wireless recharger released by Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. This is the first
product introducing Murata's wireless power transmission module and realizing wireless power supply
based on a capacitive coupling method. Hitachi Maxell had already released "AIR VOLTAGE for iPhone4"
in a mat/sleeve combination based on Qi standard for electromagnetic induction method, which
spearheaded the wireless recharger market in Japan.
Inspired by the AIR VOLTAGE for iPhone4, interest for iPad2 wireless recharger surged, especially
in business applications. However, wireless recharging under Qi standard did not work for iPad2,
since iPad2 had to be recharged at 10W as opposed to 5W for iPhone4. Maxell then collaborated with
Murata to introduce a capacitive coupling method with larger power transmission to realize wireless
power supply. This recharges iPad2 with a sleeve/stand combination as opposed to using a recharging
cable.
Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. was awarded the "Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun Award, Special Excellence Award, 2011
Nikkei Superior Products and Services Awards" in 2011 Nikkei Superior Products and Services Awards
sponsored by Nikkei Inc. for this product.
(Left) Wireless recharger for iPad2 "AIR VOLTAGE for iPad2"/ (Rignt) Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun Award,
Special Excellence Award, 2011 Nikkei Superior Products and Services Awards
- * iPad and iPhone are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the United States and other countries.
- * Qi is a registered trademark of the Wireless Power Consortium.
- * Android is a trademark or a registered trademark of Google Inc.