WIRELESS CHARGING ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20150380970A1
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: JOHNSON, Randall, CAT, Quan, VU, Long Ngoc, ADAMS, Aaron, GALLER, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,819,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A wireless charging assembly for a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a vehicle component, a wireless charger and a connection structure. The wireless charger includes a charger housing and at least one primary induction coil disposed in the charger housing. A support structure is connected to the charger housing for securing the portable electronic device to the charger housing. The connection structure movably connects the charger housing to the vehicle component such that the charger housing is movable between a stowed position and an in-use position.

Claims

1. A wireless charging assembly for a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle component;

a wireless charger including

a charger housing;

at least one primary induction coil disposed in the charger housing; and

a support structure connected to the charger housing for securing the portable electronic device to the charger housing; and

a connection structure for movably connecting the charger housing to the vehicle component such that the charger housing is movable between a stowed position and an in-use position.

2. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the vehicle component is selected from the group consisting of a rear-view mirror, an overhead console, a roof structure, a dashboard, and a visor.

3. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the support structure includes a pair of arms movable relative to a charging surface of the charger housing.

4. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 3, wherein

the pair of arms are linearly movable via a worm rack assembly.

5. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 3, wherein

the pair of arms are biased toward each other.

6. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the support structure includes a pair of flexible members, each of the flexible members including a pair of ends pivotably coupled to the charger housing and a body portion extending between the pair of ends, the body portions being movable relative to a charging surface of the charger housing.

7. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 6, wherein

the pair of flexible members are arcuately shaped such the body members bow towards each other, and the body members flex apart from each other when the support structure receives the portable electronic device.

9. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the support structure includes a flange extending from the charger housing, the flange including a lip extending substantially parallel with the charger housing, with the charger housing, the flange and the lip defining a channel configured to receive the portable electronic device therein.

10. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the connection structure is a friction hinge configured to rotate the charger housing about an axis to adjust a position of the charger housing relative to the vehicle component.

11. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 10, wherein

the friction hinge includes a locking detent to secure the position of the charger housing at a desired angle.

12. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the connection structure includes a ball joint to facilitate multi-directional movement of the charger housing with respect to the vehicle component.

13. The wireless charging assembly according to claim 1, wherein

the connection structure includes a telescoping arm to facilitate adjustment of a distance of the charger housing from the vehicle component along an axis of the telescoping arm.

14. A vehicle configured for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the vehicle comprising:

a vehicle power system;

a vehicle component positioned in the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

a wireless charging assembly including

a charger housing;

at least one primary induction coil disposed in the charger housing;

a support structure connected to the charger housing for securing the portable electronic device to the charger housing; and

a controller disposed in the vehicle component, the controller positioned proximate to the charger housing and being electrically coupled to the vehicle power system and to the at least one primary induction coil; and

a connection structure for movably connecting the charger housing to the vehicle component such that the charger housing is movable between a stowed position and an in-use position.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein

the vehicle component is selected from the group consisting of a rear-view mirror, an overhead console, a dashboard and a visor.

16. The vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising

a driver seat and a windshield, the charger housing being positioned between the driver seat and the windshield such that the portable electronic device, when positioned in the charger housing, is visible from the driver seat when the charger housing is in the in-use position.

17. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein

the connection structure is selected from the group consisting of a friction hinge and a ball joint.

18. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein

the support structure includes a pair of arms movable relative to a charging surface of the charger housing.

19. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein

the support structure includes a pair of flexible members, each of the flexible members including a pair of ends pivotably coupled to the charger housing, and a body portion extending between the pair of ends, the body portions being movable relative to a charging surface of the charger housing.

20. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein

the support structure includes a flange extending from the charger housing, the flange including a lip extending substantially parallel with the charger housing, with the charger housing, the flange and the lip defining a channel configured to receive the portable electronic device therein.

21. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein

the connection structure includes a telescoping arm to facilitate adjustment of a distance of the charger housing from the vehicle component along an axis of the telescoping arm.

22. A vehicle configured for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the vehicle comprising:

a vehicle power system;

a driver seat;

a windshield positioned forward of the driver seat;

a rear-view mirror mounted to the windshield and facing the driver seat, the rear-view mirror having a mirror housing;

a wireless charging assembly including

a charger housing having a charging surface;

at least one primary induction coil disposed in the charger housing;

a support structure connected to the charger housing for securing the portable electronic device to the charger housing, the support structure including

a pair of support members movable relative to the charging surface of the charger housing; and

a flange extending from the charger housing, the flange including a lip extending from the flange substantially parallel with the charger housing, the charger housing, the flange and the lip defining a channel configured to receive the portable electronic device; and

a controller disposed in the mirror housing, the controller being positioned proximate to the charger housing and being electrically coupled to the vehicle power system and to the at least one primary induction coil; and

a connection structure for movably connecting the charger housing to the mirror housing such that the charger housing is movable between a stowed position and an in-use position.