Storage tray with charging

• US 8,981,714 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2011
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Miller, Thomas A., Thorsell, Roy
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US13/234,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20120062175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A wireless charging system includes a charging pad including a base having a coil. The charging pad includes an electrical connector connected to the coil for supplying power to the coil. The charging pad can be connected by an AC cord to a household AC outlet via the electrical connector. The charging pad can also be connected to a vehicle connector for connecting the charging pad to a vehicle electrical supply. In this manner, the wireless charging pad can be used for both home and vehicle charging.

Claims

1. A wireless charging system including:

a charging pad including a base having a coil, the charging pad including an electrical connector connected to the coil for supplying power to the coil;

an AC cord for connecting the charging pad to a household AC outlet via the electrical connector; and

a vehicle console including a vehicle connector for connecting the charging pad to a vehicle electrical supply, wherein the vehicle console includes a storage bin, and wherein the charging pad can be connected to the vehicle connector inside the storage bin.

2. The wireless charging system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle console includes at least one shelf into which the charging pad can be slid.

3. The wireless charging system of claim 2 wherein the charging pad connects with the vehicle connector as it is slid into the shelf.

4. The wireless charging system of claim 1 further including an electronic device having a receiving coil complementary to coil on the charging pad, the electronic device positioned on the charging pad such that the receiving coil is receiving power from the coil on the charging pad to send power to the electronic device.

5. A wireless charging system including:

a charging pad including a base having a coil, the charging pad including an electrical connector connected to the coil for supplying power to the coil;

an AC cord for connecting the charging pad to a household AC outlet via the electrical connector; and

a vehicle console including a vehicle connector for connecting the charging pad to a vehicle electrical supply, wherein the vehicle console includes shelves for supporting the charging pad at opposite edges of the charging pad.

6. The wireless charging system of claim 5 wherein the charging pad is in the form of a tray with a base wall and a perimeter wall extending upward from at least a portion of the base wall and a lip extending outward from the perimeter wall, wherein the lip is supported on the shelves.

7. The wireless charging system of claim 6 wherein contacts on the exterior of the perimeter wall connect with power supply contacts in the console.

8. A method for charging an electronic device including the steps of:

a) connecting a wireless charging pad to a household electrical outlet;

b) placing the electronic device on the wireless charging pad after said step a);

c) moving the wireless charging pad to a vehicle after said steps a) and b);

d) connecting the wireless charging pad to a vehicle power source after said step c);

e) placing the electronic device on the wireless charging pad after said step b); and

f) sliding the wireless charging pad into a shelf in the vehicle between said steps c) and e).

9. The method of claim 8 further including the step of placing the wireless charging pad in a storage bin of a vehicle console between said steps c and e).