WIRELESS CHARGING STRUCTURE FOR MOBILE INFORMATION TERMINAL IN VEHICLE

• US 20130307470A1
• Filed: 04/01/2013
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: MAEDA, Tetsuaki, WATANABE, Tsuguo, MATSUI, Yasumasa, KURIKI, Daisuke, YUZA, Yoshihide
• Granted Patent: US 9,368,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted
• 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 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A wireless charging structure to wirelessly charge a mobile information terminal in a vehicle includes a mobile information terminal case, a support, a receiving coil, a reception controller, a transmitting coil, and a transmission controller. The transmitting coil is provided on a vehicle side and provided on an inner side of a facing portion of the support. The transmission controller is provided on the vehicle side and electrically connected to the transmitting coil. The transmission controller includes an inverter configured to convert direct current supplied from a battery provided on the vehicle side to alternating current and to supply the alternating current to the transmitting coil. The reception controller includes a converter configured to convert alternating current flowing through the receiving coil due to the magnetic flux generated by the transmitting coil to direct current.

Claims

1. A wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle, comprising:

a mobile information terminal case to cover the mobile information terminal;

a support provided on a vehicle side to support the mobile information terminal case;

a receiving coil through which current is to flow along with a passage of magnetic flux, the receiving coil being provided inside an outer wall of the mobile information terminal case;

a reception controller provided inside the outer wall of the mobile information terminal case and electrically connected to the receiving coil;

a transmitting coil through which current is to flow to generate magnetic flux, the support including a facing portion provided to face the receiving coil in a state where the mobile information terminal case is supported by the support, the transmitting coil being provided on the vehicle side and provided on an inner side of the facing portion of the support; and

a transmission controller provided on the vehicle side and electrically connected to the transmitting coil, the transmission controller including an inverter configured to convert direct current supplied from a battery provided on the vehicle side to alternating current and to supply the alternating current to the transmitting coil, the reception controller including a converter configured to convert alternating current flowing through the receiving coil due to the magnetic flux generated by the transmitting coil to direct current.

2. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the support includes a first locking portion and a second locking portion which are provided to lock the mobile information terminal case, and

the transmitting coil is provided between the first locking portion and the second locking portion.

3. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein

the first locking portion is fixed, and

the second locking portion is movable against a biasing force of an elastic member while being biased by the elastic member.

4. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein

the support includes a mounting portion on which the transmitting coil is mounted,

one end of the elastic member comes in contact with a portion extending from an end portion of the mounting portion, and

another end of the elastic member biases the second locking portion.

5. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the wireless charging structure is installed in a saddle ride vehicle including a steering system in which a steering shaft connected to a front fork rotatably supporting a front wheel is steerably supported by a vehicle body frame, and in which a handle pipe is fixed to a handle holder provided on an upper portion of the steering shaft, and

the support is disposed on top of a center position of the handle pipe in a vehicle width direction.

6. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein

a cover member is disposed close to the handle holder and covers a portion below the handle holder in the steering system from above, the cover member being fixed to the steering shaft, and

the transmission controller is disposed on the cover member.

7. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein

the handle holder includes a left holder and a right holder which are disposed respectively on left and right sides of the steering shaft,

at least part of the transmission controller is located between the left holder and the right holder in a view in an axial direction of the steering shaft, and

at least part of the transmission controller is located behind a straight line connecting a front end of the left holder and a front end of the right holder when viewed from the axial direction of the steering shaft.

8. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein an eaves member covering the transmission controller from above is fixed to the handle holder.

9. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein a cord connecting the transmission controller and the battery to each other is routed in front of the steering shaft.

10. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein

an attachment member protruding outside from the handle holder is fixed to the handle holder, and

the transmission controller is fixed to a lower surface of the attachment member.

11. The wireless charging structure for a mobile information terminal in a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the support supports the mobile information terminal case turnably in upward, downward, rightward, and leftward directions.