Wireless power transmission device and wireless charging method

• US 10,110,043 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2016
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Moon, Jung Nam
• Primary Examiner(s): Memula, Suresh
• Application Number:
  US15/052,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20160254693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/04 Regulation of charging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

A wireless power transmission device includes a holder including a charger disposed therein and charging the electronic device, a supporter supporting the holder, and a connector connecting the holder to the supporter and applying an external force to the holder such that an upper surface of the holder forms a predetermined angle with a lower surface of the supporter.

Claims

1. A wireless power transmission device comprising:

a holder comprising a charger disposed therein, the charger configured to charge an electronic device;

a supporter configured to support the holder; and

a connector configured to connect the holder to the supporter and apply an external force to the holder such that an upper surface of the holder forms a predetermined angle with a lower surface of the supporter, the lower surface disposed on a bottom of the supporter,

wherein the connector comprises;

a first coupling plate fixed to the holder;

a second coupling plate spaced apart from the first coupling plate and fixed to the supporter; and

a first rotating pivot penetrating through the first coupling plate and the second coupling plate, at least one of the first coupling plate and the second coupling plate configured to be rotated with respect to the first rotating pivot that is disposed to form a predetermined angle with the lower surface of the supporter.

2. The wireless power transmission device of claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to connect the holder to the supporter, such that the holder is rotatable.

3. The wireless power transmission device of claim 2, wherein the connector comprises an upper portion coupled with the holder and a lower portion from which a protrusion is protruded outwardly along an outer circumferential surface thereof, the supporter comprising an insertion recess formed along an inner circumferential surface of the supporter, and the protrusion is inserted into the insertion recess such that the connector is rotated without being separated.

4. The wireless power transmission device of claim 3, wherein the insertion recess is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the supporter to form a predetermined angle with the lower surface of the supporter and a longitudinal direction of the connector forms a predetermined angle with the upper surface of the holder.

5. The wireless power transmission device of claim 4, wherein the connector comprises:

a first connector comprising an upper portion coupled with the holder and a lower portion, on which a protrusion is formed, to form a predetermined angle with the upper surface of the holder; and

a second connector coupled with the supporter and comprising an upper surface disposed adjacent to a lower surface of the first connector, the lower surface of the first connector and the upper surface of the second connector being disposed to form a predetermined angle with the lower surface of the supporter.

6. The wireless power transmission device of claim 5, wherein the supporter further comprises a guide protrusion protruded from an upper portion of the supporter toward the holder comprising a guide recess with a circular shape, into which the guide protrusion is inserted, to restrict a rotation angle of the holder when the holder is rotated.

7. The wireless power transmission device of claim 1, wherein the first coupling plate and the second coupling plate are connected to the first rotating pivot to be substantially parallel to each other.

8. The wireless power transmission device of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a first cam disposed on the first rotating pivot to maintain a rotation angle of the holder after the holder is rotated.

9. The wireless power transmission device of claim 8, wherein the first cam comprises a stopper configured to allow the holder to be rotated in a predetermined angle range.

10. The wireless power transmission device of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises:

a second rotating pivot provided with a second cam coupled therewith;

a third connector comprising an upper surface coupled with the holder and a side surface coupled with the second rotating pivot; and

a fourth connector comprising a lower surface coupled with the supporter and a side surface coupled with the second rotating pivot.

11. The wireless power transmission device of claim 10, wherein the supporter comprises a hollow formed by inwardly recessing a portion thereof to avoid the lower surface of the holder from being interfered with the upper surface of the supporter when the holder is rotated with respect to the second rotating pivot.

12. The wireless power transmission device of claim 1, wherein the holder further comprises a display unit disposed on an inner or outer portion of the holder to indicate a state of the electronic device placed on the holder or the charger.

13. The wireless power transmission device of claim 1, wherein the holder or the supporter further comprises an external power input terminal such that an external power is provided.

14. The wireless power transmission device of claim 1, wherein the charger comprises:

a first coil part configured to apply a power due to an electromagnetic induction; and

a wireless charging driver configured to control the first coil part.

15. The wireless power transmission device of claim 14, wherein the wireless charging driver comprises:

a converter configured to convert the power provided through an external power input terminal to a power appropriate to the electronic device placed on the upper surface of the holder;

a monitor configured to sense a state of the converted power by the converter or sensing a signal provided from the electronic device placed on the upper surface of the holder; and

a controller configured to analyze the signal sensed by the monitor to control the external power input terminal or the converter.

16. The wireless power transmission device of any one of claim 1, wherein at least one of the charger, the supporter, and the holder comprise at least one of an input device configured to receive a user input, a sound device, an antenna, and a sensor.

17. The wireless power transmission device of any one of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the supporter further comprises a non-slip member to avoid slippage.

18. A wireless charging method comprising:

varying a position of a holder of a charging device on which an electronic device is placed on an upper surface of the holder;

connecting, by a connector, the holder to a supporter and applying an external force to the holder surface such that an upper surface of the holder forms a predetermined angle with a surface of the supporter;

recognizing, by the charging device, an access of the electronic device; and

supplying a power to the electronic device,

wherein the connector comprises;

a first coupling plate fixed to the holder;

a second coupling plate spaced apart from the first coupling plate and fixed to the supporter; and

a first rotating pivot penetrating through the first coupling plate and the second coupling plate, at least one of the first coupling plate and the second coupling plate configured to be rotated with respect to the first rotating pivot that is disposed to form a predetermined angle with the second surface of the supporter.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising controlling a power provided to a wireless power receiving device after the supplying of the power to the electronic device.