Induction charging apparatus and an electronic device

• US 5,952,814 A
• Filed: 11/14/1997
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Van Lerberghe, Steven J. W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Toatley, Gregory J.
• Application Number:
  US08/970,884
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/112, 320/113, 320/106, 320/DIG. 12, 320/108, 320/115
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/21 State of charge of battery

Abstract

Known is an induction charging apparatus for charging battery means in an electronic device when inductively coupled to the charging apparatus, the charging apparatus comprising a first casing having a charging receptacle for receiving the electronic device and an alternating current power source coupled to a primary coil provided in the first casing, and the electronic device comprising a second casing provided with a secondary coil electronically coupled to the battery means, whereby the primary and the secondary coil are magnetically coupled for inductively conveying energy from the primary coil to the secondary coil when the electronic device is put in the receptacle. So as to prevent heating metallic objects that might enter the receptacle when the phone is not being charged but used, the induction charging apparatus comprises electric power blocking means for blocking power to be conveyed from the alternating current power source to the primary coil when the electronic device is absent from the charging receptacle, and the electronic device comprising unblocking means for unblocking the power to be conveyed, whereby the blocking and unblocking means are paired. Herewith, a cheap and reliable means for preventing such undesired heating are provided.

Claims

1. An induction charging device for charging a rechargeable battery means in an electronic device, said induction charging device comprising:

a first casing having a charging receptacle for receiving said electronic device, said electronic device having a second casing of an external shape at least partly matching an internal shape of said charging receptacle;

a primary coil for magnetic coupling to a secondary coil comprised in said electronic device so as to inductively convey energy for charging said rechargeable battery means;

an alternating current power source for coupling to said primary coil;

said charging receptacle comprising a first mechanical presence indication means of a first shape for cooperating with a second mechanical presence indication means of a second shape matching said first shape, said second mechanical presence indication means being a part of said second casing, said alternating current power source being de-coupled from said primary coil if said electronic device is not introduced into said charging receptacle, and said first mechanical presence indication means being arranged for controlling said alternating current power source to be coupled to said primary coil if said electronic device is introduced into said charging receptacle.

2. An induction charging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first mechanical presence indication means comprises a first electrical switching means, and said second mechanical presence indication means comprises a second electrical switching means matching said first electrical switching means, said second electrical switching means causing said first electrical switching means to couple said alternating current power source to said primary coil.

3. An induction charging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first mechanical presence indication means is a protrusion outwardly extending from a wall of said charging receptacle, and said second mechanical presence indication means is a recess an outer part of said second casing, said protrusion and said recess being located such that said protrusion and said recess engage when said electronic device is introduced into said charging receptacle.

4. An induction charging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second mechanical presence indication means is a protrusion outwardly extending from a wall of said charging receptacle, and said first mechanical presence indication means is a recess an outer part of said second casing, said protrusion and said recess being located such that said protrusion and said recess engage when said electronic device is introduced into said charging receptacle.

5. An electronic device comprising:

a rechargeable battery means;

a first casing of an external shape at least partly matching an internal shape of a charging receptacle comprised in a second casing of an induction charging device;

a first coil for magnetic coupling to a second coil comprised in said induction charging device so as to inductively convey power from said second coil to said first coil, said first coil being coupled to said rechargeable battery means, and said induction charging device comprising an alternating current power source for coupling to said second coil;

said first casing having a first mechanical presence indication means of a first shape for cooperating with a second mechanical presence indication means of a second shape matching said first shape, said second presence indication means being part of said second casing, said induction charging device comprising an alternating current source which is de-coupled from said second coil if said electronic device is not introduced into said charging receptacle, and said first mechanical presence indication means causing said second mechanical presence indication means for controlling said alternating current power source to be coupled to said first coil if said electronic device is introduced into said charging receptacle.