Wireless power transfer device that redirects a magnetic flux

• US 9,590,449 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2015
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Tilvis, Marko, Korkala, Seppo
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US14/854,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20160049827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/108, 320/114, 320/115
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/28 Coils; Windings; Conductive connections
• 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 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/50 using additional energy repeaters between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile

Abstract

A wireless power transfer device includes an input interface configured to receive a primary magnetic flux in a first direction, and an output interface configured to output a secondary magnetic flux in a second direction different from the first direction. The input interface and the output interface form a closed electric circuit.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a casing comprising a surface arranged to receive a wrist device;

a second coil for recharging the wrist device;

a first communication circuitry configured to communicate with the wrist device; and

a second communication circuitry configured to access a network distinct from the wrist device and to communicate data with the network, the first communication circuitry configured to receive data from the wrist device and to transfer the received data to the second communication circuitry, the second communication circuitry configured to transfer the received data to the network.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second coil is configured to charge the wrist device with a second magnetic flux.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a first coil configured to receive a first magnetic flux, wherein the first coil and the second coil form a closed electric circuit.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a supporting structure for supporting the wrist device with respect to an external device providing a first magnetic flux; and

a first coil oriented with respect to the supporting structure so as to receive the first magnetic flux.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the casing supports the surface, the second coil, the first communication circuitry, and the second communication circuitry, wherein the second coil is directed with respect to the casing so as to direct the second magnetic flux to a target area of the wrist device.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the surface is arranged to receive a backside of the wrist device, and wherein the casing further comprises support members for supporting wrist straps of the wrist device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first communication circuitry is configured to receive the data over magnetic fields.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to automatically receive and transfer the data while the wrist device is being recharged.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the data comprises at least one of performance data of a user of the wrist device, cardiovascular data of the user, and motion data of the user.

10. A device comprising:

a casing comprising a surface arranged to receive a wrist device;

a second coil for recharging the wrist device;

a first communication circuitry configured to communicate with the wrist device;

a second communication circuitry configured to access a network and to communicate data with the network, the first communication circuitry configured to receive data from the wrist device and to transfer the received data to the second communication circuitry, the second communication circuitry configured to transfer the received data to the network;

a supporting structure for supporting the wrist device on an external device providing a first magnetic flux; and

a first coil oriented with respect to the supporting structure so as to receive the first magnetic flux from the external device.

11. A device comprising:

a casing comprising a surface arranged to receive a wrist device;

a second coil for recharging the wrist device;

a first communication circuitry configured to communicate with the wrist device; and

a second communication circuitry configured to access a network and to communicate data with the network, the first communication circuitry configured to receive data from the wrist device and to transfer the received data to the second communication circuitry, the second communication circuitry configured to transfer the received data to the network,

wherein the casing supports the surface, the second coil, the first communication circuitry, and the second communication circuitry, wherein the second coil is directed with respect to the casing so as to direct a second magnetic flux to a target area of the wrist device.