Wireless charging dock with auto-positioning

• US 9,401,621 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Amano, Masayuki, Tsukamoto, Yasumichi, Nakamura, Yoshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Siek, Vuthe
• Application Number:
  US14/213,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20150263565A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• 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 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A wireless charging system may auto-position an electronic device for charging. A docking station may include a transmission source providing wireless charging to the electronic device when the device is moved into charging range by motion elements configured to move the electronic device along one or more docking surfaces of the docking station. In some embodiments, position sensors may detect the presence and location of the electronic device. A control unit may operate the motion elements to move the electronic device toward the charging area.

Claims

1. A docking station for charging up an electronic device, comprising:

a position sensor configured to detect a position of the electronic device;

a charger configured to wirelessly charge the electronic device when the electronic device is positioned within a charging range of the charger;

a motion element responsive to the sensor, the motion element configured to move the electronic device towards the charging range of the charger, upon an activating indication, the activating indication triggered in response to a determination that movement of the electronic device is needed based on the detected position of the electronic device;

wherein the position sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor;

wherein the motion element is configured to move the electronic device in response to a trigger signal received from the first sensor or the second sensor; and

wherein the motion element is configured to stop moving the electronic device in response to a trigger signal received simultaneously from the first sensor and the second sensor.

2. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a charging area, wherein the motion element is responsive to move the electronic device into the charging area.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the motion element is in the electronic device.

4. The docking station of claim 3, wherein the motion element is configured to vibrate.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the motion element is coupled to a docking surface of the docking station.

6. The docking station of claim 5, wherein the motion element includes:

a first vibration motor configured to move the electronic device in a first direction; and

a second vibration motor configured to move the electronic device in a second direction.

7. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

8. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

9. A charging system, comprising:

an electronic device;

a motion element; and

a docking station, having;

a transmission source configured to emit a charging signal to the electronic device when the electronic device is within a charging area of the transmission source;

a position sensor;

a control unit;

wherein the position sensor is configured to detect a position of the electronic device and relay to the control unit an indication associated with the detected position,

wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether movement of the electronic device is needed based on the indication associated with the detected position,

wherein the control unit is configured to activate the motion element upon determining that movement of the electronic device is needed, the motion element capable of moving the electronic device towards the charging area of the transmission source upon activation; and

two docking surfaces arranged to provide a ridge between the two docking surfaces, wherein the ridge is configured to hold the electronic device and the control unit is configured to move the electronic device along the ridge.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the control unit controls a vibration motor of the motion element coupled to the electronic device or to the docking station.