Systems and methods for thermoelectrically cooling inductive charging stations
First Claim
1. A cooling system for an induction charging module, the cooling system comprising:
- a dock configured to connect to an induction charging module on a first side, the dock comprising;
walls defining a cavity;
a first opening at a first end of the dock;
a second opening at a second end opposite the first end, the cavity configured to receive a portable electronic device; and
a protrusion extending from one of the walls on the first side for spacing the portable electronic device away from the one of the walls and promoting fluid flow along the portable electronic device; and
a thermal conditioning module comprising an air moving device and a duct fluidly connecting the air moving device and the dock via at least one of the first or second opening, the duct separating the air moving device from the dock,wherein the thermal conditioning module is configured to supply a flow of air into the dock between the first opening and the second opening for cooling the portable electronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, a cooling system for an induction charger includes a thermal conditioning module in fluid communication with an induction charging assembly, which includes a dock and an induction charging module. The dock can be configured to receive a portable electronic device, such as a cell phone, that is configured to accept inductive charging from the induction charging module. The thermal conditioning module can include a fan or other fluid encouraging assembly, ducting, and a thermoelectric device (e.g., a Peltier device). A fluid, such as air, can flow from the fan and across and/or through the thermoelectric device, thereby conditioning the fluid. The conditioned fluid can be provided to the dock to at least partially offset the heat generated by the inductive charging and/or the portable electronic device.
328 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A cooling system for an induction charging module, the cooling system comprising:
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a dock configured to connect to an induction charging module on a first side, the dock comprising; walls defining a cavity; a first opening at a first end of the dock; a second opening at a second end opposite the first end, the cavity configured to receive a portable electronic device; and a protrusion extending from one of the walls on the first side for spacing the portable electronic device away from the one of the walls and promoting fluid flow along the portable electronic device; and a thermal conditioning module comprising an air moving device and a duct fluidly connecting the air moving device and the dock via at least one of the first or second opening, the duct separating the air moving device from the dock, wherein the thermal conditioning module is configured to supply a flow of air into the dock between the first opening and the second opening for cooling the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cooling system for an induction charging module, the cooling system comprising:
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a pad configured to connect to an induction charging module on a first side, the pad comprising; a wall at least partially defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive all of a longitudinal length of a portable electronic device; a first end of the cavity; a second end opposite the first end; and a protrusion extending from the wall on the first side for spacing the portable electronic device away from the wall and promoting fluid flow along the portable electronic device; and a thermal conditioning module comprising an air moving device and a duct fluidly connecting the air moving device and the pad, wherein the thermal conditioning module is configured to supply a flow of air into the pad between the first end and the second end for cooling the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of cooling for an inductive charging module, the method comprising:
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directing an airflow through a thermal conditioning module comprising a duct; directing the airflow through the duct toward a first end of a pad; directing the airflow along a protrusion in the pad, the protrusion extending from a wall of the pad, the wall at least partially defining the pad, and the wall connected to an inductive charging module configured to charge a portable electronic device; and directing of the airflow toward a second end of the pad, the second end opposite the first end, wherein the protrusion is configured to space the portable electronic device from the wall of the pad for the airflow to flow at least along a portion of the portable electronic device to cool the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification