WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEM HAVING SENSE SHUTDOWN AND METHOD THEREFOR

• US 20130106346A1
• Filed: 10/27/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Kautz, Richard William, Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Van Wiemeersch, John Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/282,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20130106346A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A vehicle wireless charging system is provided that senses an object that prohibits wireless charging when an object is sensed. The system includes a charger region and a wireless charger for generating an electromagnetic field in the charger region to charge a rechargeable device. The system also includes a proximity sensor located proximate the charger region to sense presence of an object. A controller controls the wireless charger to prohibit charging when the object is sensed.

Claims

1. A wireless charging system comprising:

a charger region;

a wireless charger for generating electric charging signals in the charger region to charge a device;

a proximity sensor located proximate the charger region to sense presence of an object; and

a controller for controlling the wireless charger to at least reduce the electric charging signal when an object is sensed.

2. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the wireless charger to prohibit charging when an object is sensed.

3. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the wireless charger comprises an inductive charger for generating an electromagnetic field.

4. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.

5. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the wireless charging system is employed in a vehicle.

6. The charging system of claim 5, wherein the charging region is provided in a tray within the vehicle.

7. The charging system of claim 5, wherein the proximity sensor is located between the charging region and a vehicle seat.

8. The charging system of claim 5, wherein the object sensed is one of a driver and passenger of a vehicle.

9. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the proximity has a detection field on at least one side of the charger region.

10. The charging system of claim 9, wherein the proximity sensor has a detection field surrounding the charger region.

11. An in-vehicle wireless charging system comprising:

a charger region provided in a vehicle;

a wireless charger for generating an electromagnetic field in the charger region to charge a device;

a proximity sensor located proximate to the charger region to sense presence of an object; and

a controller for controlling the wireless charger to at least reduce the electromagnetic field when an object is sensed.

12. The charging system of claim 11, wherein the wireless charger comprises an inductive charger and the controller controls the inductive charger to prohibit charging when an object is sensed via the proximity sensor.

13. A method of controlling a wireless charging system, comprising:

generating an electric signal with a wireless charger within a charging region to charge a device;

sensing via a proximity sensor a presence of an object in close proximity to the charging region; and

controlling the wireless charger to at least reduce the electric signal when the object is sensed.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of increasing the electric signal when the object is no longer sensed.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of controlling comprises prohibiting charging when an object is sensed.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of generating an electrical signal comprises generating an electromagnetic field via induction.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the wireless charging system is in a vehicle.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the proximity sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the proximity sensor is located between the charging region and a vehicle seat.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of adjusting a range of the proximity sensor to sense presence of an object.