Automotive vehicle interior plastic part having a support surface capable of wirelessly supplying electrical power

• US 9,190,865 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2012
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Global IP Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Winget, Larry J., Preisler, Darius J., Heikkila, Christopher A., Murar, Jason T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Evans, James P
• Application Number:
  US13/438,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20130260610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 439/626
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/006 to power outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

An automotive vehicle interior plastic part having a vibration and shock damping support surface capable of wirelessly supplying electrical power to a supported electronic device during vehicle motion is provided. A part of the surface includes first and second sets of conductive, anti-vibration and anti-shock thermoplastic pads. Another part of the surface includes a non-conductive or insulating, unitary, anti-vibration and anti-shock plastic substrate bonded to the different sets of pads. The substrate electrically insulates the first set of pads from the second set of pads. A power source coupling includes first and second conductive power traces. The first trace is electrically coupled to each of the first set of pads and the second trace is electrically coupled to each of the second set of pads. The first and second traces form separate conductive pathways and are operable for biasing the different sets of pads at different voltage levels.

Claims

1. An automotive vehicle interior plastic part having an anti-vibration and anti-shock support surface capable of wirelessly supplying electrical power to an electrically-powered electronic device supported on the surface, the part comprising:

first and second sets of conductive, anti-vibration and anti-shock thermoplastic pads that comprise a first part of the support surface;

a non-conductive or insulating unitary anti-vibration and anti-shock plastic substrate bonded to the first and second sets of pads and comprising a second part of the support surface, the substrate electrically insulating the first set of pads from the second set of pads and wherein the pads and substrate dampen vibration and shock at the support surface and allow power transfer during vehicle motion; and

a power source coupling including first and second conductive power traces, the first trace being electrically coupled to each of the first set of pads and the second trace being electrically coupled to each of the second set of pads, the first and second traces forming separate conductive pathways and being operable for biasing the first and second sets of pads at first and second voltage levels, respectively.

2. The part as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second sets of pads are sized, shaped and arranged laterally adjacent to each other in a pattern at the support surface in relation to a predetermined distribution of contacts of the device to achieve conductive power transfer to the device at various positions and orientations of the device when supported on the support surface.

3. The part as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first common conductive pad for coupling the first set of pads together.

4. The part as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a second common conductive pad for coupling the second set of pads together.

5. The part as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first common conductive pad and the first set of pads form a first integral, unitary, conductive structure.

6. The part as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first common conductive pad and the first set of pads form a first integral, unitary, conductive structure and the second common conductive pad and the second set of pads form a second integral, unitary, conductive structure.

7. The part as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second conductive structures are substantially identical.

8. The part as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first set of pads are interdigitated with the second set of pads.

9. The part as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second conductive power traces are substantially identical.

10. The part as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first conductive power trace includes a first set of finger portions, and wherein the second conductive power trace includes a second set of finger portions and wherein the first and second finger portions are interdigitated.

11. An automotive interior plastic part having an anti-vibration and anti-shock support surface capable of wirelessly supplying electrical power to an electrically-powered electronic device supported on the surface, the part comprising:

first and second sets of conductive, thermoplastic elastomer pads that comprise a first part of the support surface;

a non-conductive or insulating unitary thermoplastic elastomer substrate chemically bonded to the first and second sets of pads and comprising a second part of the support surface, the substrate electrically insulating the first set of pads from the second set of pads and wherein the pads and the substrate dampen vibration and shock at the support surface and allow power transfer during vehicle motion; and

a power source coupling including first and second conductive power traces, the first trace being electrically coupled to each of the first set of pads and the second trace being electrically coupled to each of the second set of pads, the first and second traces forming separate conductive pathways and being operable for biasing the first and second sets of pads at first and second voltage levels, respectively.

12. The part as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second sets of pads are sized, shaped and arranged laterally adjacent to each other in a pattern at the support surface in relation to a predetermined distribution of contacts of the device to achieve conductive power transfer to the device at various positions and orientations of the device when supported on the support surface.

13. The part as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a first common conductive pad for coupling the first set of pads together.

14. The part as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a second common conductive pad for coupling the second set of pads together.

15. The part as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first common conductive pad and the first set of pads form a first integral, unitary, conductive structure.

16. The part as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first common conductive pad and the first set of pads form a first integral, unitary, conductive structure and the second common conductive pad and the second set of pads form a second integral, unitary, conductive structure.

17. The part as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first and second conductive structures are substantially identical.

18. The part as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first set of pads are interdigitated with the second set of pads.

19. The part as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first and second conductive power traces are substantially identical.

20. The part as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first conductive power trace includes a first set of finger portions, and wherein the second conductive power trace includes a second set of finger portions and wherein the first and second finger portions are interdigitated.