INDUCTIVE COUPLING ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20160094078A1
• Filed: 09/22/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Graham, Christopher S., Kamei, Ibuki, Rasmussen, Timothy J.
• Application Number:
  US14/861,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20160094078A1
• 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: 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 50/50 using additional energy repeaters 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 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/04 Regulation of charging current or voltage

Abstract

An inductive coupling assembly for an electronic device is disclosed. The system may include an electronic device having an enclosure, and an internal inductive charging assembly positioned within the enclosure. The internal inductive charging assembly may include a receive inductive coil positioned within the enclosure. The system may also include a charger in electrical communication with the internal inductive charging assembly of the electronic device. The charger may include a transmit inductive coil aligned with the receive inductive coil. The transmit inductive coil may be configured to be in electrical communication with the receive inductive coil. Additionally, the system can include an inductive coupling assembly positioned between the electronic device and the charger. The inductive coupling assembly may include a field-directing component configured to be in electrical communication with the transmit inductive coil, and/or the receive inductive coil of the internal inductive charging assembly of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an electronic device comprising;

an enclosure; and

an internal inductive charging assembly positioned within the enclosure, and comprising a receive inductive coil;

a charger comprising a transmit inductive coil configured to be aligned with and in electrical communication with the receive inductive coil; and

an inductive coupling assembly positioned between the receive inductive coil and the transmit inductive coil, the inductive coupling assembly comprising;

a field-directing component configured to be in electrical communication with at least one of;

the transmit inductive coil of the charger, or the receive inductive coil of the internal inductive charging assembly of the electronic device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a protective case surrounding the electronic device and positioned between the enclosure and the charger.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the inductive coupling assembly is disposed within the protective case; and

the inductive coupling assembly is aligned with the internal inductive charging assembly of the electronic device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the field-directing component of the inductive coupling assembly comprises one of:

a repeater inductive coil;

or a flux-transfer component.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the inductive coupling assembly further comprises an alignment component positioned within a center of the field-directing component; and

the alignment component is magnetically attracted to and aligned with both a magnet of the charger, and a magnet of the internal inductive charging assembly.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the transmit inductive coil of the charger is configured to produce an inductive field; and

the field-directing component of the inductive coupling assembly is configured to redirect an inductive field from the transmit inductive coil to the receive inductive coil of the internal inductive charging assembly.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the inductive coupling assembly is embedded within a wall of the enclosure of the electronic device; and

the inductive coupling assembly is positioned adjacent to the internal inductive charging assembly of the electronic device.

8. A protective case coupled to an electronic device having a receive inductive coil, the protective case comprising:

a body; and

an inductive coupling assembly positioned at least partially within the body, the inductive coupling assembly comprising;

an alignment component; and

a field-directing component surrounding the alignment component and configured to be aligned with and in electrical communication with the receive inductive coil of the electronic device.

9. The protective case of claim 8, wherein:

the field-directing component is configured to be in electrical communication with the receive inductive coil; and

the field-directing component is configured to redirect an inductive field supplied from an external charger to the receive inductive coil.

10. The protective case of claim 9, wherein:

the body comprises a recess formed adjacent to the inductive coupling assembly; and

the recess is configured to receive the external charger for the electronic device and align a transmit inductive coil of the charger with the field-directing component of the inductive coupling assembly.

11. The protective case of claim 8, further comprising a battery positioned within the body.

12. The protective case of claim 11, wherein the field-directing component is in electrical communication with the battery and configured to charge the battery.

13. The protective case of claim 11, wherein the battery is in electrical communication with the electronic device.

14. The protective case of claim 8, wherein the inductive coupling assembly is positioned within in a back portion of the body.

15. A system comprising:

an electronic device comprising;

an enclosure; and

an internal inductive charging assembly positioned within the enclosure, and comprising a receive inductive coil; and

a case at least partially surrounding the enclosure and having an inductive coupling assembly embedded within a body of the case and aligned with the receive inductive coil.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the inductive coupling assembly is molded within a wall of the body.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the internal inductive charging assembly is configured to electrically communicate with an external charger positioned adjacent the body of the case.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the charger is configured to be in electrical communication with the field-directing component of the inductive coupling assembly.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the electronic device includes a battery positioned within the enclosure;

the battery is in electrical communication with the receive inductive coil.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the case includes a case battery operatively coupled to the battery of the electronic device.