ELECTRICAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF CHARGING

• US 20070127184A1
• Filed: 12/05/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
• Original Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
• Inventors: Wong, Hon
• Granted Patent: US 8,836,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/143
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling

Abstract

An electrical device of the type having a rechargeable battery and which has a body having at least a portion formed with a circumference extending about an axis, is provided with a secondary winding adapted to receive magnetic flux from a planar charging surface that is arranged around the circumference in a plane perpendicular to the axis. Such a device may be charged by placmg the device on a planar charging surface such that the body portion contacts the planar charging surface with the axis perpendicular to the charging surface and the secondary winding parallel to the charging surface.

Claims

1. An electrical device having a rechargeable battery, said device comprising a body having at least a portion formed with a circumference extending about an axis, and a secondary winding adapted to receive magnetic flux from a planar charging surface, the secondary winding arranged around said circumference in a plane perpendicular to said axis, and wherein said electrical device is charged by placing said device on a planar charging surface such that said body portion contacts the planar charging surface with the axis perpendicular to said planar charging surface and the secondary winding parallel to said planar charging surface.

2. The electric device of claim 1, wherein the body portion and the secondary winding each have a generally circular cross-section.

3. The electric device of claim 1, wherein the secondary winding is formed integrally with the body portion of the device.

4. The electric device of claim 1, wherein the secondary winding is formed integrally with a cap or other protective device that is adapted to fit over the body portion.

5. The electric device of claim 1, further comprising magnetic shielding between the secondary winding and the remainder of the body of the electrical device.