Inductive chargers and inductive charging systems for portable electronic devices

• US 8,310,200 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2009
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Matouka, Michael F., Boozer, Shawn L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pelton, Nathaniel
• Application Number:
  US12/424,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20100264871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108
• US Class Current: 320/108
• 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 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00304 Overcurrent protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device. An embodiment of the apparatus includes an inductive charger with a housing having an internal compartment, wherein the internal compartment has a first lateral dimension, and a primary coil disposed within the internal compartment. The primary coil has a second lateral dimension that is less than the first lateral dimension, and the primary coil is slidably engaged within the internal compartment.

Claims

1. A vehicular inductive charger for use in a vehicle having an interior, comprising:

a first compartment within the interior;

a housing within the first compartment and having an internal compartment, wherein the internal compartment has a first lateral dimension;

a primary coil disposed within the internal compartment, wherein the primary coil has a second lateral dimension that is less than the first lateral dimension, and the primary coil is slidably engaged within the internal compartment;

a power input coupled to the housing and adapted to receive an electrical current from an external power source; and

a means for providing the electrical current to the primary coil, wherein the means for providing the electrical current is coupled between the power input and the primary coil, wherein the means for providing comprises;

a first conductive surface electrically coupled to the power input and disposed within the internal compartment;

a second conductive surface electrically coupled to the power input and disposed within the internal compartment;

a first contact electrically coupled to the primary coil and adapted to slidably engage with the first conductive surface; and

a second contact electrically coupled to the primary coil and adapted to slidably engage with the second conductive surface.

2. The inductive charger of claim 1, further comprising:

a magnet attached to the primary coil, wherein the magnet is adapted to exert a force to the primary coil sufficient to cause the primary coil to slide within the internal compartment when the magnet is acted upon by an external magnetic field.

3. The inductive charger of claim 2, wherein the magnet is attached to the primary coil within a central opening of the primary coil.

4. The inductive charger of claim 1, further comprising:

a coil bobbin disposed within the internal compartment, wherein the primary coil is disposed on the coil bobbin.

5. The inductive charger of claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one additional internal compartment, and

the inductive charger further comprises:

at least one additional primary coil disposed within the at least one additional internal compartment.

6. The inductive charger of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises:

a top member, a bottom member, and a sidewall, which define the internal compartment; and

a ledge disposed between the sidewall and the bottom member within the internal compartment,

wherein the ledge is comprised of a noise-dampening material.

7. The inductive charger of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises:

a top member, a bottom member, and a sidewall, which define the internal compartment,

wherein the sidewall includes a noise-dampening material disposed within the internal compartment.

8. The inductive charger of claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible cable electrically coupled to the primary coil, and

wherein the internal compartment includes;

a substantially circular coil compartment for receiving the primary coil; and

a substantially elliptical cable compartment extending from the substantially circular coil compartment for receiving the flexible cable.

9. The inductive charger of claim 8, wherein the flexible cable comprises a flexible, flat ribbon cable.