Vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement

• US 7,566,984 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Issued: 07/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Blanchard, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): DeBeradinis; Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US11/224,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20070075153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• 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

Abstract

A vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement that includes a vehicle cabin structure, a primary inductor power transfer unit and a vehicle power source is provided. The vehicle cabin structure has an exposed surface accessible from a vehicle cabin. The primary inductor power transfer unit is disposed in the vehicle cabin structure such that induction current produced by the primary inductor power transfer unit emits through the exposed power transfer surface to create an induction field above exposed surface. The vehicle power source is electrically coupled to the primary inductor power transfer unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement comprising:

a vehicle cabin structure having an accessory receiving recess at least partially defined by a power transfer surface that is accessible from a vehicle cabin and a side wall that at least partially forms an insertion aperture;

a primary inductor power transfer unit disposed in the vehicle cabin structure such that induction current produced by the primary inductor power transfer unit emits through the power transfer surface to create an induction field proximate to the power transfer surface and within the accessory receiving recess;

an accessory including a mating portion with a secondary inductor power transfer unit disposed in the mating portion, the mating portion being releasably received within the accessory receiving recess of the vehicle cabin structure such that the secondary inductor power transfer unit is located within the induction field when in a charging position;

a movement prevention structure positioned on the side wall for engaging the accessory to prevent perpendicular movement of the secondary inductor power transfer unit with respect to the power transfer surface such that the secondary inductor power transfer unit remains within the induction field; and

a vehicle power source electrically coupled to the primary inductor power transfer unit.

2. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the secondary inductor power transfer unit includes a rechargeable power cell.

3. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 2, wherein

the primary inductor power transfer unit includes a switch arranged to selectively electrically couple the vehicle power source to the rechargeable power cell.

4. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 3, wherein

the primary inductor power transfer unit includes an indicating element to indicate whether the vehicle power source is electrically coupled to the rechargeable power cell.

5. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 4, wherein

the indicating element includes an LED.

6. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the power source includes a vehicle battery.

7. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising

an ignition power source switch selectively electrically coupled between the vehicle power source and the primary inductor power transfer unit.

8. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the side wall includes a compartment surface that is spaced apart from and disposed opposite the power transfer surface to prevent perpendicular movement of the secondary inductor power transfer unit away from the induction field.

9. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the movement prevention structure includes a projection extending from the side wall that engages a recess formed on an outer surface of the accessory.

10. A vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement comprising:

a vehicle cabin structure having a cup receiving recess at least partially defined by a power transfer surface accessible from a vehicle cabin and a side wall that extends from the power transfer surface to form an insertion aperture;

a primary inductor power transfer unit disposed in the vehicle cabin structure such that induction current produced by the primary inductor power transfer unit emits through the power transfer surface to create an induction field proximate to the power transfer surface and within the cup receiving recess;

a cup including a secondary inductor power transfer unit and a mating portion that is releasably received within the cup receiving recess of the vehicle cabin structure;

a movement prevention mechanism positioned on the side wall for engaging the cup to prevent perpendicular movement of the secondary inductor power transfer unit with respect to the power transfer surface such that the secondary inductor power transfer unit remains within the induction field; and

a vehicle power source electrically coupled to the primary inductor power transfer unit.

11. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 10, wherein

the cup includes a heater operatively coupled to the secondary inductor power transfer unit.

12. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 10, wherein

the secondary inductor power transfer unit includes a rechargeable power cell.

13. A vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement comprising:

a vehicle cabin structure having a storage compartment that is at least partially defined by an accessory receiving recess having

a first compartment surface including an exposed power transfer surface disposed parallel to an insertion direction, and

a second compartment surface spaced apart from and disposed opposite the first compartment surface to form an insertion aperture;

a primary inductor power transfer unit disposed in the vehicle cabin structure such that induction current produced by the primary inductor power transfer unit emits through the exposed power transfer surface to create an induction field proximate to the exposed power transfer surface;

an accessory including an inductor portion having a secondary inductor power transfer unit, with at least the inductor portion of the accessory being configured to be releasably received within the accessory receiving recess along the insertion direction, the second compartment surface preventing perpendicular movement of the secondary inductor power transfer unit with respect to the exposed power transfer surface such that the secondary inductor power transfer unit is located within the induction field; and

a vehicle power source electrically coupled to the primary inductor power transfer unit.

14. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 13, wherein

the storage compartment is a vehicle door bin.

15. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 13, wherein

the accessory includes an adapter configured to be attached to an electrical device.

16. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 13, wherein

the storage compartment is part of a center console.

17. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 13, wherein

the storage compartment is part of at least partially defined by an overhead vehicle console.

18. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 13, wherein

the storage compartment is a vehicle glove box.

19. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 13, wherein

the storage compartment is a vehicle seat compartment.

20. The vehicle cabin power transfer arrangement according to claim 13, wherein

the secondary inductor power transfer unit includes a rechargeable power cell.