Charging coil system for a drop-in target device such as a toothbrush
First Claim
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1. A system for charging one or more target devices with a receptacle charger, comprising:
- a receptacle charger for receiving one or more target devices, the receptacle having a primary coil therein connectable to a source of electrical power;
at least one target device positionable in the receptacle, the target device having a secondary coil such that in operation energy is transferred between the primary coil and secondary coil to charge a battery in the target device;
a plurality of steering coils arranged around the primary coil; and
a control system for controlling the magnetic field phase of the steering coils relative to the magnetic field of the primary coil so as to focus the magnetic field lines of the primary coil to optimize power transfer between the primary coil in the receptacle charger and the secondary coil of the target device.
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Abstract
A system for efficiently charging a target device such as a power toothbrush, when placed in a charging receptacle such as a cup connected to a source of electrical power. A plurality of steering coils are arranged around the primary charging coil in the charging receptacle. A control circuit changes the magnetic field phase pattern of the steering coils relative to the phase of magnetic field of the primary coil until the maximum power transfer between the charging receptacle and the target device is determined. Charging of the target device occurs at the maximum power transfer rate.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for charging one or more target devices with a receptacle charger, comprising:
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a receptacle charger for receiving one or more target devices, the receptacle having a primary coil therein connectable to a source of electrical power; at least one target device positionable in the receptacle, the target device having a secondary coil such that in operation energy is transferred between the primary coil and secondary coil to charge a battery in the target device; a plurality of steering coils arranged around the primary coil; and a control system for controlling the magnetic field phase of the steering coils relative to the magnetic field of the primary coil so as to focus the magnetic field lines of the primary coil to optimize power transfer between the primary coil in the receptacle charger and the secondary coil of the target device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling charging of at least one target device positioned in a charging receptacle, the target device having a secondary coil and the charging receptacle having a primary coil, wherein a plurality of steering coils are arranged around the primary coil, the method comprising the steps of:
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establishing an initial phase condition pattern of magnetic fields of the steering coils relative to the phase of the magnetic field of the primary coil; activating the target device; determining power transfer between the primary coil and the secondary coil in the target device when the steering coils are in their initial phase condition pattern; altering the magnetic field phase condition pattern of the steering coils repeatedly until a coil phase pattern is determined which produces a maximum power transfer between the primary coil and the secondary coil; and charging the secondary coil with the maximum power transfer phase pattern of the steering coils. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification