Laptop and portable electronic device wireless power supply systems

• US 8,164,222 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2008
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz M
• Application Number:
  US12/252,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20090106567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104, 361/679.41, 206/320, 455/557, 312/223.3, 190/100, 190/102
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, 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: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

The present invention provides wireless power supply systems intended primarily for use in powering and charging laptops and other portable electronic devices. In one embodiment, the power supply system includes a laptop cradle that can be used in upright or reclined positions. The cradle may be generally J-shaped and may house the wireless power supply circuit with the channel defined in the cradle. The cradle may includes a plurality of primaries to provide the ability to supply power to more than one device and/or to permit flexibility in placement of devices on or in the cradle. The present invention may also provide handheld cradles sized to power handheld devices that can be separate, standalone power supply stations or they can receive power from the laptop cradle. In an alternative embodiment, the power supply station may be incorporated into an adjustable height desktop pedestal. In yet another embodiment, the power supply station may be incorporated into a flexible desktop mat. The power supply station may be incorporated into a power block having one or more magnets that draw the power block into alignment. In another alternative embodiment, the power supply station is incorporated directly into items of luggage.

Claims

1. A wireless power supply system for inductively transferring power to a removable remote device, comprising:

an inductive power supply for generating an electromagnetic field;

a cradle movable between a first position for supporting the remote device in a first orientation on a first power transfer surface and a second position for supporting the remote device in a second orientation on a second power transfer surface, each of said power transfer surfaces supporting said remote device within said electromagnetic field;

a first primary disposed on or within said cradle, said primary being operatively coupled to said inductive power supply to generate said electromagnetic field, said primary positioned to inductively couple with the remote device when placed in either said first orientation or said second orientation;

wherein said cradle is generally “

J”

-shaped and defines a channel of sufficient width to receive the remote device; and

wherein said channel is of sufficient length to define a first region to receive a first remote device and a second region to receive a second remote device, said cradle including a first primary disposed adjacent to said first region to generate a first electromagnetic field to provide power to the first remote device and a second primary disposed adjacent to said second region to generate a second electromagnetic field to provide power to the second remote device.

2. The wireless power supply system of claim 1 wherein said channel corresponds in width with the remote device, whereby the remote device is closely received within said channel.

3. The wireless power supply system of claim 1 wherein the cradle includes an inductive power supply disposed within said channel.

4. The wireless power supply system of claim 1 wherein said cradle includes a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall, said first wall being substantially longer than said second wall, said primary being disposed in or on said first wall.

5. The wireless power supply system of claim 1 wherein said first power transfer surface supports the remote device in a substantially reclined position when said cradle is in said first orientation;

and

wherein said second power transfer surface supports the remote device in a substantially upright position when said cradle is in said second orientation.

6. The wireless power supply system of claim 5 wherein said cradle includes a movable leg, said leg being movable between an opened position to support said cradle in said upright position and a closed position in which said leg is out of the way when said cradle is in said reclined position.

7. A wireless power supply system for inductively transferring power to a removable remote device, comprising:

an inductive power supply for generating an electromagnetic field;

a cradle movable between a first position for supporting the remote device in a first orientation on a first power transfer surface and a second position for supporting the remote device in a second orientation on a second power transfer surface, each of said power transfer surfaces supporting said remote device within said electromagnetic field;

a first primary disposed on or within said cradle, said primary being operatively coupled to said inductive power supply to generate said electromagnetic field, said primary positioned to inductively couple with the remote device when placed in either said first orientation or said second orientation; and

wherein said system includes a plurality of cradles, each of said cradles including at least one primary for generating an electromagnetic field to transfer power to a remote device positioned in said cradle, at least one of said cradles receiving power from another of said cradles.

8. A wireless power supply system for inductively transferring power to a removable remote device, comprising:

an inductive power supply for generating an electromagnetic field;

a cradle movable between a first position for supporting the remote device in a first orientation on a first power transfer surface and a second position for supporting the remote device in a second orientation on a second power transfer surface, each of said power transfer surfaces supporting said remote device within said electromagnetic field;

a first primary disposed on or within said cradle, said primary being operatively coupled to said inductive power supply to generate said electromagnetic field, said primary positioned to inductively couple with the remote device when placed in either said first orientation or said second orientation; and

a second primary disposed on or within said cradle in a location different than said first primary, said second primary being operatively coupled to said inductive power supply to generate a second electromagnetic field, whereby said first primary and said second primary provide an ability for said system to supply power to more than one remote device and to permit flexibility in placement of the remote devices.

9. The wireless power supply system of claim 8 wherein said cradle is generally “

J”

-shaped.

10. The wireless power supply system of claim 9 wherein said cradle defines a channel of sufficient width to receive the remote device.

11. A wireless power supply system for inductively transferring power to one or more removable remote devices, comprising:

an inductive power supply for generating a multiphase electromagnetic field;

a cradle movable between a first position for supporting the remote device in a first orientation on a first power transfer surface and a second position for supporting the remote device in a second orientation on a second power transfer surface, each of said power transfer surfaces supporting the remote device within said multiphase electromagnetic field; and

a plurality of primaries disposed on or within said cradle, each of said primaries being operatively coupled to said inductive power supply to generate one phase of said multiphase electromagnetic field, said primaries positioned to collectively generate said multiphase electromagnetic field to inductively couple with the remote device.

12. The wireless power supply system of claim 11 wherein said plurality of primaries are arranged symmetrically about an axis, whereby the remote device may inductively couple with the primaries in at least two distinct orientations.

13. A wireless power supply system for inductively transferring power to a remote device, comprising:

a rigid housing including an inductive power supply, said housing defining a cylindrical shape;

a primary for generating an electromagnetic field, said primary being electrically coupled to said inductive power supply; and

a power transfer mat upon which a remote device may be removably positioned, said power transfer mat including a flexible substrate, said primary disposed on or within said substrate and being flexible, whereby said power transfer mat may be rolled up and wrapped around said housing when not in use.

14. The wireless power supply system of claim 13 further comprising an electrical plug, said housing being separate from and electrically coupled to said plug wherein said rigid housing is electrically coupled between said electrical plug and said inductive primary.

15. Luggage for carrying and powering a remote device, comprising:

an item of luggage including a compartment shaped to receive the remote device, said item of luggage adapted to be opened into a flexible mat upon which the device can be placed;

an inductive power supply housed within said item of luggage, said inductive power supply including a power cord, said power cord being extendible from said item of luggage; and

a primary disposed within said item of luggage in a position adjacent to said compartment, said primary operatively coupled to said inductive power supply to generate an electromagnetic field in response to electrical power received from said inductive power supply.

16. The luggage of claim 15 wherein said power cord is further defined as a retractable cord.

17. The luggage of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of compartments, said primary extending along said plurality of compartments to generate an electromagnetic field of sufficient dimension to provide power to remote devices located in any of said plurality of compartments.

18. The luggage of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of compartments and a plurality of primaries, each of said primaries being uniquely paired with one of said compartments, each of said plurality of compartments generating an electromagnetic field to provide power to a remote device located within said paired compartment.

19. The luggage of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of integral handles to change configuration of the luggage from the flexible mat into the item of luggage.