SELF-LOCATING INDUCTIVE COIL

• US 20150318709A1
• Filed: 05/05/2014
• Published: 11/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Jol, Eric S., Kamei, Ibuki, Jones, Warren Z.
• Granted Patent: US 9,853,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformers; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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: Y10T 29/49021 Magnetic recording reproducing transducer [e.g., tape head, core, etc.]

Abstract

Methods and systems for automatically aligning a power-transmitting inductor with a power-receiving inductor. One embodiment includes multiple permanent magnets coupled to and arranged on a surface of a movable assembly accommodating a power-transmitting inductor. The permanent magnets encourage the movable assembly to freely move and/or rotate via magnetic attraction to correspondingly arranged magnets within an accessory containing a power-receiving inductor.

Claims

1. A power transfer apparatus comprising:

a housing defining an interface surface for receiving a power receiving apparatus;

a power supply; and

a power-transmitting structure coupled to the power supply and disposed within the housing below the interface surface;

wherein the power-transmitting structure is movable in at least a first direction.

2. The power transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein motion of the power-transmitting structure is controlled by a centering component, coupled to the power-transmitting structure.

3. The power transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the centering component is coupled to the housing.

4. The power transfer apparatus of claim 3, wherein the centering component comprises a linear bearing along which the power-transmitting structure moves.

5. The power transfer apparatus of claim 3, wherein the centering component comprises a spring.

6. The power transfer apparatus of claim 3, wherein the centering component comprises an elastomer.

7. The power transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the centering component further comprises a fluid and disposed below the interface surface; and

the power-transmitting structure is disposed above the fluid.

8. The power transfer apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a structural member below the interface surface and within the housing.

9. The power transfer apparatus of claim 8, wherein the power-transmitting structure is coupled to the structural member and translatable with the structural member.

10. The power transfer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic field source coupled to the power-transmitting structure and moves with the magnetic field source.

11. The power transfer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to translate the power-transmitting structure in at least the first direction.

12. The power transfer apparatus of claim 11, the controller further configured to:

receive a first signal to translate the power-transmitting structure; and

in response to receiving the first signal, to translate the power-transmitting structure in the at least first direction.

13. The power transfer apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller further configured to:

receive a second signal to translate the power-transmitting inductor; and

in response to receiving the second signal, to translate the power-transmitting structure in at least a second direction.

14. A method of positioning a coil within an inductive power transmitter, comprising:

placing an inductive power receiver at a location on an interface surface comprising;

a movable structural member positioned below the interface surface; and

an inductive coil affixed to the structural member; and

translating the structural member below the interface surface to the location.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a first signal to translate the structural member below the interface surface in a first direction; and

in response to receiving the first signal, translating the structural member in the first direction.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a second signal to translate the structural member below the interface surface in a second direction; and

in response to receiving the second signal, translating the structural member in the second direction.

17. The method of claim 15, the structural member further configured for translation within a plane substantially perpendicular to the interface surface.

18. A power transfer system comprising:

a power receiving apparatus comprising;

a first housing;

a rechargeable battery; and

a power-receiving structure coupled to the rechargeable battery and disposed within the housing; and

a power transmitting device comprising;

a second housing defining an interface surface for receiving a portion of the first housing;

a power supply; and

a power-transmitting structure coupled to the power supply and disposed within the housing below the interface surface, the power-transmitting structure movable in at least a first direction in response to a motive force generated by the power-receiving apparatus.

19. The power transfer system of claim 18, wherein motion of the power-transmitting structure is controlled by a centering component coupled between the power-transmitting structure and the second housing.

20. The power transfer apparatus of claim 19, wherein the centering component comprises one of the group consisting of a linear bearing, a spring, and an elastomer.