Electronic device to be directly charged by a charging device with a protection mechanism

• US 10,432,003 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2017
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Keates, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Application Number:
  US15/854,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20180131212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 320107, 320111, 320114, 320115
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/08 with current supply sources at the substations generating ringing current H04M19/04

Abstract

An electronic system may include a charging device and an electronic device. The charging device may include an input port, a charge circuit, a storage, and a connector device. The charging device may receive a direct current (DC) voltage at the input port. The charge circuit may receive the DC voltage and provide a charged voltage to the storage. The electronic device may include a body, a battery, a first pad directly on the battery and a second pad directly on the battery. The battery may receive the DC charged voltage when the electronic device is coupled to the charging device.

Claims

1. A charging apparatus to charge first and second devices, the charging apparatus comprising:

a first set of a first terminal and a second terminal to be in direct contact with a first battery pad and a second battery pad of the first device, wherein a protection mechanism of the first device covers the first battery pad and the second battery pad of the first device;

a first interface to enable the first terminal and the second terminal to slide underneath the protection mechanism of the first device to make direct physical contact respectively with the first pad and the second pad of the first device, wherein the first interface is to hold the first device at the protection mechanism, and wherein the protection mechanism comprises a sliding surface to at least in part cover the first and second battery pads of the first device; and

a second set of first and second terminals to be in direct contact with first and second battery pads of the second device, wherein a protection mechanism of the second device covers the first battery pad and the second battery pad of the second device; and

a second interface to enable first and second terminals to enable the first terminal and the second terminal to slide underneath the protection mechanism of the second device to make direct physical contact respectively with the first pad and the second pad of the second device, wherein the second interface is to hold the second device at the protection mechanism of the second device, and wherein the protection mechanism of the second device comprises a sliding surface to at least in part cover the first and second battery pads of the second device.

2. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the protection mechanism comprises a latch to at least in part cover the first battery pad and the second battery pad; and

the interface is to enable the latch to open, when the device is to be docked in the charging apparatus.

3. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charging apparatus is to provide Direct Current (DC) power to the first device via the first battery pad and the second battery pad.

4. The charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charging apparatus comprises:

a first battery to store power, and supply the stored power to a second battery of the first device.

5. The charging apparatus of claim 4, wherein the charging apparatus is to supply Direct Current (DC) power to the first device, when the charging apparatus is to receive external power via an input interface and when the charging apparatus is to not receive any external power via the input interface.

6. The charging apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

the input interface is to receive power to charge the first battery and the second battery.

7. A system comprising:

a first battery;

an output port comprising a plurality of output terminals;

a first docking interface to receive a first device comprising a device port and a second battery, the device port including a plurality of device terminals that are covered at least in part by a protection mechanism of the first device; and

a second docking interface to receive a second device comprising a device port and a second battery, the device port including a plurality of device terminals that are covered at least in part by a protection mechanism of the second device;

wherein when the first device is to be docked in the system, a first output terminal of the plurality of output terminals is to slide under the protection mechanism of the first device to make direct physical contact with a corresponding device terminal of the plurality of device terminals of the first device,

wherein when the second device is to be docked in the system, a first output terminal of the plurality of output terminals is to slide under the protection mechanism of the second device to make direct physical contact with a corresponding device terminal of the plurality of device terminals of the second device, and

wherein the first output port is to supply, via the device ports, Direct Current (DC) power from the first battery of the system to the second batteries of the first device and the second device, respectively.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a sliding arrangement to enable the output port of the system to slide underneath the protection mechanism of the device to make direct physical contact with the device port.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the protection mechanism comprises a sliding surface to at least in part cover the device port; and

the sliding arrangement is to enable the sliding surface to slide, when the device is to be docked in the system.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the protection mechanism comprises a latch to at least in part cover the device port; and

the sliding arrangement is to enable the latch to open, when the device is to be docked in the system.

11. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

an input port to receive power for charging the first battery.

12. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

an input port to receive Alternating Current (AC) power for charging the first battery.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a charging circuitry to supply DC power to the output port.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the system is to supply DC power to the device, when the apparatus is to receive an input power and when the apparatus is to not receive any input power.

15. An apparatus comprising:

an output port comprising a plurality of output terminals;

a docking mechanism to;

receive a first device comprising a device port, the device port including a plurality of device terminals that are covered at least in part by a protection mechanism of the first device; and

receive a second device comprising a device port, the device port of the second device including a plurality of device terminals that are covered at least in part by a protection mechanism of the second device; and

an arrangement to enable the output port of the apparatus to slide underneath the protection mechanisms of the first and second devices, respectively, to make direct physical contact with the device ports of the first and second devices, respectively, when the first device is to be docked in the system, and when the second device is to be docked in the system.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

an input port to receive power from another device.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a battery.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the output port is to supply power from one or both of;

power received via the input port, or power stored in the battery.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is a charging station.