Juvenile product inductive power transfer

• US 7,786,622 B2
• Filed: 02/29/2008
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Swan, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson; Stephen W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amrany; Adi
• Application Number:
  US12/040,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20080211314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 307/104
• 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 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence

Abstract

A juvenile product includes a power adapter comprising a first AC-to-DC converter to generate a DC transmission voltage from a line power source, and a power cable coupled to the power adapter and configured to carry the DC transmission voltage. A power transmitter coupled to the power cable includes a transmitter coil and a DC-to-AC converter coupled to the transmitter coil such that an AC current flows through the transmitter coil based on the DC transmission voltage. A power supply includes a receiver coil configured for generation of induced current in the receiver coil via inductive coupling with the transmitter coil, and further includes a second AC-to-DC converter coupled to the receiver coil to generate DC power based on the induced current. An electrical load coupled to the power supply is configured for operation via the DC power.

Claims

1. A juvenile product comprising:

a structural assembly having a foot that supports a child occupant area above a rest surface;

a power adapter comprising a first AC-to-DC converter to generate a DC transmission voltage from a line power source;

a power cable coupled to the power adapter and configured to carry the DC transmission voltage;

a power transmitter coupled to the power cable and comprising a transmitter coil and a DC-to-AC converter coupled to the transmitter coil such that an AC current flows through the transmitter coil based on the DC transmission voltage;

a power supply comprising a receiver coil disposed in the foot and configured for generation of induced current in the receiver coil via inductive coupling with the transmitter coil when the foot rests upon the power transmitter, and further comprising a second AC-to-DC converter coupled to the receiver coil to generate DC power based on the induced current; and

an electrical load coupled to the power supply and configured for operation via the DC power.

2. The juvenile product of claim 1, further comprising a cover to obstruct the power cable.

3. The juvenile product of claim 1, wherein the power transmitter comprises a pad configured to be disposed along the rest surface.

4. The juvenile product of claim 1, wherein the structural assembly includes a frame, and wherein the foot is one of a plurality of feet that act as a base for the frame.

5. The juvenile product of claim 4, wherein the frame comprises a pair of legs and a cross member coupled to the pair of legs via first and second feet of the plurality of feet.

6. The juvenile product of claim 4, further comprising a further receiver coil mounted on the frame at a height above the first-named receiver coil.

7. A juvenile product comprising:

a structural assembly to support a child occupant area relative to a rest surface;

a power receiver supported by the structural assembly at a height above the rest surface; and

a power transmitter comprising a housing and a plug mounted on the housing such that the plug projects from the housing for engagement with a receptacle of a line power outlet disposed at a height above the rest surface;

wherein the power receiver comprises a receiver coil and the power transmitter comprises a transmitter coil, and wherein the height of the power receiver is matched to the height of the line power outlet for inductive coupling of the transmitter coil and the receiver coil to generate current in the receiver coil when the structural assembly is positioned with the power receiver in proximity to the power transmitter and the line power outlet.

8. The juvenile product of claim 7, wherein the structural assembly comprises a frame, and wherein the power receiver comprises a housing mounted to the frame.

9. The juvenile product of claim 7, wherein the structural assembly comprises a housing, and wherein the power receiver is integrated within the housing of the structural assembly.

10. The juvenile product of claim 9, wherein the housing of the structural assembly encloses an electric motor drive mechanism.

11. The juvenile product of claim 7, wherein the power receiver is adjustably mounted to the structural assembly such that the height of the power receiver is adjustable.

12. The juvenile product of claim 11, wherein the power receiver includes a housing adjustably mounted on the structural assembly at a pivot joint.

13. The juvenile product of claim 7, further comprising a further receiver coil disposed in a foot of the structural frame.