INDUCTION POWERED PANELS

• US 20150298629A1
• Filed: 07/01/2015
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Weigert, Norman J., Hagen, Thomas D., Wisniewski, Chris J. T., Dynes, Paul R., Goeson, Tanner E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,452,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/027 between relatively movable parts of the vehicle, e.g. between steering wheel and column devices for measuring, signalling or controlling tyre pressure or temperature specially adapted for mounting on vehicles B60C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/24 Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A vehicle includes a movable panel having an electronic device; a power source; a data source; and a connector configured to selectively couple the movable panel to the vehicle. The connector is configured to be electrically coupled to the power source and the data source, and is further configured to inductively couple the electronic device of the movable panel to the power source and the data source.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a movable panel comprising an electronic device;

a power source;

a data source; and

a connector configured to selectively couple the movable panel to the vehicle, the connector configured to be electrically coupled to the power source and the data source, and further configured to inductively couple the electronic device of the movable panel to the power source and the data source.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

the movable panel is a removable panel.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein:

the removable panel is pivotally attached to the vehicle via a hinge; and

the connector is disposed at the hinge.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein:

the removable panel comprises a tailgate of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises:

a first connecting element coupled to the vehicle;

a first coil wrapped around the first connecting element;

a first modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the first coil, and disposed to receive power from the power source and data from the data source;

a second connecting element coupled to the moveable panel;

a second coil wrapped around the second connecting element; and

a second modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the second coil, and disposed to provide power and data to the electronic device.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the connector further comprises:

a first amplifier disposed in signal communication with the first modulator-demodulator and the first coil; and

a second amplifier disposed in signal communication with the second modulator-demodulator and the second coil.

7. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element comprises a ferrous material.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

the movable panel is;

a tailgate;

a door;

a roof;

a trunk lid;

or, a hood.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic device comprises;

a camera;

a proximity sensor;

a light;

or, a switch.

10. The vehicle of claim 5, further comprising an interface associated with one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element, the interface comprising a ferrous material, wherein a respective one of the first coil and the second coil is wrapped around the interface.

11. A connector adapted to selectively couple a moveable panel having an electronic device to a vehicle having a power source and a data source, the connector comprising:

a first connecting element adapted to be coupled to the vehicle, the first connecting element comprising a first coil adapted to inductively couple the electronic device to the power source and the data source, and a first modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the first coil and adapted to receive power from the power source and data from the data source;

a second connecting element adapted to be coupled to the moveable panel, the second connecting element comprising a second coil adapted to inductively couple the electronic device to the power source and the data source, and a second modulator-demodulator disposed in signal communication with the second coil and adapted to provide power and data to the electronic device.

12. The connector of claim 11, further comprising:

a first amplifier disposed in signal communication with the first modulator-demodulator and the first coil; and

a second amplifier disposed in signal communication with the second modulator-demodulator and the second coil.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element comprises a ferrous material.

14. The connector of claim 11, further comprising an interface associated with one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element, the interface comprising a ferrous material, wherein a respective one of the first coil and the second coil is wrapped around the interface.