WINDSHIELD EMBEDDED POWER COIL FOR WIRELESS CHARGING

• US 20120235474A1
• Filed: 09/14/2011
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Mannino, Joseph, Miller, Thomas A., Thorsell, Roy
• Application Number:
  US13/232,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20120235474A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling

Abstract

A wireless power charging or supply system provides a wireless charging coil mounted on or in a vehicle windshield. The wireless charging coil is positioned so that an electronic device that is mounted to the vehicle windshield will receive power from the wireless charging coil.

Claims

1. A wireless power supply including:

a coil mounted to a vehicle windshield; and

a power source connected to the coil.

2. The wireless power supply of claim 1 wherein the power source is an AC power source, such that the coil provides the ability to wirelessly provide power to an electronic device with a complementary coil.

3. The wireless power supply of claim 2 wherein the coil is mounted inside the vehicle windshield.

4. The wireless power supply of claim 2 in combination with an electronic device mounted to the windshield proximate the coil.

5. The wireless power supply and electronic device of claim 4 wherein the coil is a first coil and wherein the electronic device includes a second coil for receiving power from the first coil.

6. The wireless power supply and electronic device of claim 5 wherein the electronic device includes a suction cup for mounting to the windshield.

7. The wireless power supply and electronic device of claim 6 wherein the second coil is mounted in the suction cup.

8. The wireless power supply and electronic device of claim 6 wherein the electronic device includes a GPS receiver powered by the second coil.

9. The wireless power supply of claim 1 wherein the coil is mounted inside the vehicle windshield.

10. A method for charging an electronic device including the steps of:

a) placing an electronic device proximate a power coil mounted to a vehicle windshield, the electronic device including a receiving coil for receiving power wirelessly from the power coil; and

b) causing the power coil to wirelessly transmit power to the receiving coil to power or charge the electronic device.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step a) includes the step of securing the electronic device to the windshield.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of securing includes the step of securing the electronic device to the windshield with a suction cup.