Vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement

• US 20070075153A1
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Blanchard, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,566,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 237/12.30A
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling

Abstract

A vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement that includes a vehicle cabin structure, a primary inductor power transfer unit and a vehicle power source is provided. The vehicle cabin structure has an exposed surface accessible from a vehicle cabin. The primary inductor power transfer unit is disposed in the vehicle cabin structure such that induction current produced by the primary inductor power transfer unit emits through the exposed power transfer surface to create an induction field above exposed surface. The vehicle power source is electrically coupled to the primary inductor power transfer unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement comprising:

a vehicle cabin structure having an exposed power transfer surface accessible from a vehicle cabin;

a primary inductor power transfer unit disposed in the vehicle cabin structure such that induction current produced by the primary inductor power transfer unit emits through the exposed power transfer surface to create an induction field above the exposed power transfer surface; and

a vehicle power source electrically coupled to the primary inductor power transfer unit.

2. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising

an accessory including a secondary inductor power transfer unit and a mating portion configured to be releasably coupled to a mating base portion of the vehicle cabin structure.

3. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 2, wherein

the secondary inductor power transfer unit includes a rechargeable power cell.

4. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 3, wherein

the mating base portion of the vehicle cabin structure includes a lock structure configured to receive a lock portion of the mating portion of the accessory to securely couple the accessory to the vehicle cabin structure.

5. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 3, wherein

the primary inductor power transfer unit includes a switch arranged to selectively electrically couple the vehicle power source to the rechargeable power cell.

6. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 5, wherein

the primary inductor power transfer unit includes an indicating element to indicate whether the vehicle power source is electrically coupled to the rechargeable power cell.

7. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 6, wherein

the indicating element includes an LED.

8. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 2, wherein

the accessory includes a cup.

9. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 8, wherein

the cup includes a heater operatively coupled to the rechargeable power cell.

10. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle cabin structure includes a vehicle door bin with the exposed power transfer surface being formed by the vehicle door bin.

11. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 2, wherein

the accessory includes an adapter configured to be attached to an electrical device.

12. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle cabin structure includes a center console with the exposed power transfer surface being formed by the center console.

13. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle cabin structure includes an overhead vehicle console with the exposed power transfer surface being formed by the overhead vehicle console.

14. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle cabin structure includes a vehicle glove box with the exposed power transfer surface being formed by the vehicle glove box.

15. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle cabin structure includes a vehicle seat having a storage compartment with the exposed power transfer surface being formed by the storage compartment.

16. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the power source includes a vehicle battery.

17. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising

an ignition power source switch selectively electrically coupled between the vehicle power source and the primary inductor power transfer unit.