SYSTEM FOR CHARGING AND SECURING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE IN A VEHICLE

• US 20160297383A1
• Filed: 11/18/2014
• Published: 10/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S..R.L.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: PIKE, Mason, Clark, Kenneth M., Hollowood, James C., Laho, Jeffrey D., Milner, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US15/036,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20160297383A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02 the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/101 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• 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: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/14 for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle

Abstract

A charging system for charging a device within a vehicle may include a vehicle component, a securing mechanism, and a wireless charging mechanism. The securing mechanism may be configured to physically secure the device within a user'"'"'s field of view such that the device is usable by the user while the device is being charged. The wireless charging mechanism may be integrated with the vehicle component and configured to charge the device. The securing mechanism may align and orient the device with respect to the charging mechanism.

Claims

1. A charging system for charging a device within a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle component;

a securing mechanism configured to physically secure the device within a user'"'"'s field of view such that the device is usable by the user while the device is being charged; and

a wireless charging mechanism integrated with the vehicle component and configured to charge the device,

wherein the securing mechanism aligns and orients the device with respect to the charging mechanism.

2. The charging system of claim 1, further comprising a charging surface configured to provide an area for the device to be secured and charged.

3. The charging system of claim 2, wherein the charging surface is on a movable platform, and a connection mechanism is connected to the movable platform and is configured to enable the movable platform to be at least one of stowable when the charging system is not in use and adjustable according to a desired viewing angle and reach distance of the user while the device is secured and being charged.

4. The charging system of claim 2, wherein the charging surface is on a movable platform, and a connection mechanism is connected to the movable platform and is configured to cause the movable platform to be at least one of pivotable about the y-axis, pivotable about the x-axis, translatable along the x-axis, and translatable along the z-axis.

5. The charging system of claim 2, wherein the charging surface is within a recessed storage area within the vehicle component.

6. The charging system of claim 2, wherein the securing mechanism includes at least one of a grip surface configured to maintain the device in position against a range of forces exerted during vehicle usage and a retention mechanism configured to prevent the device from moving relative to the charging surface.

7. The charging system of claim 6, wherein the retention mechanism includes a movable stop movable along the charging surface to press the device against at least one of a fixed stop on the charging surface and another movable stop.

8. The charging system of claim 6, wherein the retention mechanism is configured to apply a force against the device in a direction toward the charging surface.

9. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the charging mechanism and the securing mechanism are configured to charge and secure multiple devices simultaneously.

10. The charging system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle component is at least one of an arm rest, a back surface of a head restraint, and a back surface of a seat back.

11. The charging system of claim 1, further comprising a thermal mitigation layer configured to maintain a proper temperature of the charging system.

12. The charging system of claim 1, further comprising a ferrite layer that surrounds all sides of the charging system except a designated charging side in order to provide magnetic shielding.

13. The charging system of claim 12, wherein the ferrite layer is perforated to allow airflow to cool the charging mechanism.

14. The charging system of claim 1, further comprising power outlets within the vehicle component for wired charging of the device.

15. The charging system of claim 1, further comprising at least one indicator configured to signal at least one of whether the device is properly oriented, whether the device is fully charged, and where a charging region of the charging mechanism is located.