SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS CHARGING

• US 20130335020A1
• Filed: 06/13/2012
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Moore, Douglas Alan
• Granted Patent: US 9,490,649 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• 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 system and method to integrate a wireless charging apparatus and system into an existing or a standard wall electrical receptacle housing is disclosed. The system may utilize a transmitter that includes an antenna coupled with a controller that operates with a power converter for the wireless transmittal of an electrical signal to a receiver associated with an electrical device to be charged. An indicator may be illuminated or otherwise notify a user of the charging capability or status of the wireless charging apparatus of system. The wireless charging apparatus or system may also include a standard electrical socket for providing a wired electrical connection. A standard wall plate coupled with the wall electrical receptacle housing accommodates the transmitter and the electrical socket.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a wireless charge transmitter configured to be housed internal to a standard wall electrical receptacle housing in place of a standard wall electric socket, the wireless charge transmitter including a socket for wired electricity delivery, the wireless charge transmitter in electrical communication with a power source; and

a receiver in electrical communication with an electronic device and configured to receive a charge wirelessly from the wireless charge transmitter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a standard wall plate of the wall electrical receptacle housing is configured to be mounted to the wall electrical receptacle housing when the wireless charge transmitter is housed internally within the wall electrical receptacle housing.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the wall plate includes a logo configured to indicate a capability of the system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless charge transmitter is configured to transmit the charge using at least one of induction, resonant magnetic induction, electromagnetic radiation, microwave or laser.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless charge transmitter is configured to transmit a beacon.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an indicator configured to communicate a state of readiness of the system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a resonance frequency of the wireless charge transmitter is configured to be dynamically adjusted.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a resonance frequency of the receiver is configured to be dynamically adjusted.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein transmission of the charge from the wireless charge transmitter is suspended in response to the system indirectly self-detecting a lack of the receiver to receive the charge.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising mechanical properties designed to orient the charge away from a wall coupled with the wall electrical receptacle housing.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless charge transmitter is configured to transmit the charge to the receiver in response to the receiver providing access data to the system.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system allocates transmission of the charge based on a factor.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the factor is at least one of tenure, status, subscription level, need of charge, or timing of request.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the wall socket is removed from the wall electrical receptacle housing prior to installation of the wireless charge transmitter.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source of the wireless charge transmitter is received, via a power converter, directly from a wire entering the wall electrical receptacle housing without electrically traversing a plug and socket.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless charge transmitter is configured to operate in response to signals from a timer.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a controller or a power converter, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the system and the power converter is configured to adjust power from the power source to a form specified for use by the wireless charge transmitter.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless charge transmitter conforms to a wireless charge transmission standard.

19. A method of wireless charge transmission comprising:

receiving an electrical signal from a power source by a wireless charge transmitter, via a power converter, directly from a wire entering an electrical receptacle housing without electrically traversing a plug and socket;

converting the electrical signal to a power level specified for use by the wireless charge transmitter; and

transmitting a wireless charge signal via the wireless charge transmitter to a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to convert the received wireless charge signal to a charge for a power storage device of an electrical device.

20. A method of wireless charge receiving comprising:

receiving, by a receiver coupled to an electrical device, a wireless electrical charging signal from a wireless charge transmitter, wherein a power converter of the wireless charge transmitter is configured to receive an electrical power signal directly from a wire entering the electrical receptacle housing without electrically traversing a plug and socket; and

converting the wireless electrical charging signal to a charge for a power storage device of an electrical device power source.