WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEM WITH AUTO-POSITIONING

• US 20150263565A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Amano, Masayuki, Tsukamoto, Yasumichi, Nakamura, Yoshio
• Granted Patent: US 9,401,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A wireless charging system may auto-position an electronic device for charging. A docking station may include a transmission source providing wireless charging to the electronic device when the device is moved into charging range by motion elements configured to move the electronic device along one or more docking surfaces of the docking station. In some embodiments, position sensors may detect the presence and location of the electronic device. A control unit may operate the motion elements to move the electronic device toward the charging area.

Claims

1. A docking station for charging an electronic device, comprising:

a docking surface configured to receive the electronic device;

a power source;

a transmission source, coupled to the power source; and

a control unit configured to control a vibration element that moves the electronic device on the docking surface into a charging position.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the vibration element is in the electronic device.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the vibration element is coupled to the docking station.

4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the vibration element is an eccentric weighted motor.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the vibration element is a piezo-electric motor.

6. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a position of the electronic device on the docking surface.

7. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to adjust vibration control of the vibration element in response to a detected distance of the electronic device to the sensor.

8. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the vibration element is configured to move the electronic device laterally along the docking surface.

9. A docking station for charging up an electronic device, comprising:

a sensor disposed to detect the position of the electronic device;

a charger; and

a motion element responsive to the sensor to move the electronic device within a charging range of the charger .

10. The docking station of claim 9, further comprising a charging area, wherein the motion element is responsive to move the electronic device into the charging area.

11. The docking station of claim 9, wherein:

the sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor;

the motion element is configured to move the electronic device in response to a trigger signal received from the first sensor or the second sensor; and

the motion element is configured to stop moving the electronic device in response to a trigger signal received simultaneously from the first sensor and the second sensor.

12. The docking station of claim 9, wherein the motion element is in the electronic device.

13. The docking station of claim 12, wherein the motion element is configured to vibrate.

14. The docking station of claim 9, wherein the motion element is coupled to a docking surface of the docking station.

15. The docking station of claim 14, wherein the motion element includes:

a first vibration motor configured to move the electronic device in a first direction; and

a second vibration motor configured to move the electronic device in a second direction.

16. The docking station of claim 15, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

17. The docking station of claim 15, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

18. A charging system, comprising:

an electronic device; and

a docking station, having;

a power source;

a transmission source coupled to the power source and configured to emit a charging signal to the electronic device; and

a control unit configured to control a motion of the electronic device on the docking station.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising two docking surfaces arranged to provide a ridge between the two docking surfaces, wherein the ridge is configured to hold the electronic device and the control unit is configured to move the electronic device along the ridge.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the control unit controls a vibration motor coupled to the electronic device or to the docking station.