DIY IKEA Wireless Qi Charging for the Hexiwear

Summary of DIY IKEA Wireless Qi Charging for the Hexiwear


The article discusses creating a DIY wireless charging system for the Mikroelektronika Hexiwear, addressing its limited charging port durability and lack of native wireless charging. The author explored Qi wireless charging technology, discovering IKEA offers affordable Qi charging receivers originally for phones. After purchasing these, the author disassembled the receiver, revealing a charging coil beneath a Flux Field Directional Material (FFDM) that enhances power transfer. By removing the FFDM and carefully detaching the coil, the components can be repurposed to build a wireless charger for the Hexiwear device.

Parts used in the DIY IKEA Wireless Qi Charging for the Hexiwear:

  • IKEA VITAHULT Qi wireless charging receiver (phone cover)
  • Charging coil (extracted from the cover)
  • Flux Field Directional Material (FFDM) layer
  • Battery connector
  • Double sided adhesive tape
  • Toothpick (for disassembly)

The Achilles Heel of the Mikroelektronika Hexiwear is its charging: the charging and USB connector are only designed for a limited number of plug-unplug cycles, and it does not have a wireless charging capability like the Apple iWatch. Until now! I have built a DIY wireless charging system for the Hexiwear ? :

DIY IKEA Wireless Qi Charging for the Hexiwear

Wireless Qi Charging? IKEA!!!!

I have been experimenting with wireless charing for a few weeks, including building a Qi charging station using a kit from Adafruit (see “Qi Wireless Charging Transmitter with 3D Printed Enclosure“). The problem is that getting Qi charging receivers seems not to be that simple. With my research I have found that the Apple iWatch is using Qi technology, but they tweaked it in a way that it only works with the Apple chargers/receivers (see “Apple tweaked the Qi charging standard so that Apple Watch only works with its own chargers“). Interestingly, the furniture company IKEA is selling Qi transmitters and receivers (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/wireless_charging/). To my surprise, when I visited a nearby IKEA store yesterday, the older iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S4 (VITAHULT) Qi receivers were on sale for CHF 0.95 (about US$1): what could be wrong with buying a few of them? At this point, I should probably mention the ‘rolling eyes’ of my wife ;-).

Opening

The question is: can I use these for my projects? So I decided to open up the wireless phone cover. The cover has to plastic parts, and with a bit tweaking I was able to separate them. Insider there is the battery connector, the receiver circuit and the charging coil under a black FFDM (Flux Field Directional Material):

The FFDM is a high magnetic permeability and low energy loss material which enhances the power transfer efficiency. The FFDM can be easily removed. Under the FFDM there is the receiver coil:

Removing Coil

The coil is glued to the plastic cover with a double side adhesive tape. I used a tooth pick to carefully lift it up:

Read more: DIY IKEA Wireless Qi Charging for the Hexiwear


About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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