POWER TRANSFER

• US 20140028252A1
• Filed: 12/31/2010
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Vuori, Petri, Borngrber, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 9,305,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• 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 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge

Abstract

Apparatus comprises: an induction, coil (40) arrangement, the induction coil arrangement having a first set of at least one coil (41) with a first diameter and a second set of at least one coil (42) with a second diameter, the second diameter being different to the first diameter, a first tap (A) connected at a first end of the first set, a second tap (B) connected at connection common to a second end of the first set and a first end of the second set, and a third tap (C) connected at a second end of the second set; a power transmit arrangement (61) selectively connectable to a first combination of two of the first to third taps; and a power receive arrangement (62) selectively connectable to a second combination of two of the first to third taps, the second combination being different to the first combination.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

an induction coil arrangement, the induction coil arrangement having a first set of at least one coil with a first diameter and a second set of at least one coil with a second diameter, the second diameter being different to the first diameter, a first tap connected at a first end of the first set, a second tap connected at connection common to a second end of the first set and a first end of the second set, and a third tap connected at a second end of the second set;

a power transmit arrangement selectively connectable to a first combination of two of the first to third taps; and

a power receive arrangement selectively connectable to a second combination of two of the first to third taps, the second combination being different to the first combination.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a controller configured to control switches connected between the power transmit arrangement and the power receive arrangement and the taps of the induction coil arrangement.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to respond a user input indicating that power transmission is required to activate the power transmit arrangement and to control the switches so as to connect the power transmit arrangement to the first combination of two of the first to third taps.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the taps of the first combination are electrically adjacent to one another in the induction coil arrangement, and wherein the taps of the second combination are electrically adjacent to one another in the induction coil arrangement.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the induction coil arrangement additionally includes a third set of at least one coil with a third diameter, the third diameter being different to either of the first and second diameters, a first end of the third set being connected to the third tap and a second end of the third set being connected to a fourth tap, and wherein the power transmit arrangement and/or the power receive arrangement is selectively connectable to a third combination of two of the first to fourth taps, the third combination being different to the first and second combinations.

6. A portable communications device comprising apparatus as claimed in claim 1.

7. A method of operating apparatus comprising:

an induction coil arrangement, the induction coil arrangement having a first set of at least one coil with a first diameter and a second set of at least one coil with a second diameter, the second diameter being different to the first diameter, a first tap connected at a first end of the first set, a second tap connected at connection common to a second end of the first set and a first end of the second set, and a third tap connected at a second end of the second set;

a power transmit arrangement; and

a power receive arrangement, the method comprising;

in response to receiving a user input indicating that power transmission is required;

a) connecting the power transmit arrangement to a first combination of two of the first to third taps;

b) operating the power transmit arrangement; and

c) refraining from activating the power receive arrangement.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a user input indicating one or more parameters for power transmission;

monitoring power transmission;

detecting that the parameters for power transmission have been reached; and

in response to the detection, de-activating the power transmit arrangement.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more parameters for power transmission include a target battery charge level.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising indicating charging progress through a user interface.

11. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising, in response to determining that inductive power reception is required:

a) connecting the power receive arrangement to a second combination of two of the first to third taps, the second combination being different to the first combination;

b) operating the power receive arrangement; and

c) refraining from activating the power transmit arrangement.

12. A method as claimed in claim 7, comprising establishing communication between the apparatus and an external device, and using information received from the external device in controlling the power transmit arrangement.