Cart for wirelessly recharging mobile computing devices

• US 10,110,042 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2015
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Sultenfuss, Andrew T., Reddy, Karunakar P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Paul
• Application Number:
  US14/842,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20170063133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A cart stores a plurality of mobile computing devices. The cart includes a plurality of slots defined by opposed plates. Each of the slots is configured to accept a corresponding mobile computing device. Each of the plates includes a first transmit coil for wirelessly transmitting power to a receive coil in the corresponding mobile computing device.

Claims

1. A cart for storing a plurality of mobile computing devices, the cart comprising:

a plurality of slots defined by opposed and substantially vertical plates, each of the slots configured to accept a corresponding mobile computing device;

wherein each of the plates includes a first transmit coil for wirelessly transmitting power to a receive coil in the corresponding mobile computing device, and at least one of the plates includes a second transmit coil; and

wherein the second transmit coil is oriented to transmit power in a direction generally opposite to the direction in which the first transmit coil transmits power.

2. The cart of claim 1 wherein one of the slots has a bottom that includes a ridge.

3. The cart of claim 2 wherein the ridge is hinged such that it extends to lay generally flat.

4. The cart of claim 2 wherein the ridge is rigid.

5. The cart of claim 1 wherein the plates comprise plastic impregnated with iron.

6. The cart of claim 1 further comprising a management system that determines which of the mobile computing devices are charged.

7. The cart of claim 1 further comprising a local area network connection.

8. The cart of claim 1 further comprising a cellular network connection.

9. The cart of claim 1 further comprising an Ethernet connection that mates with a corresponding mobile computing device.

10. A cart for storing a plurality of mobile computing devices, the cart comprising:

a plurality of slots defined by opposed plates, each of the slots having a bottom that includes a ridge, the ridge being hinged such that it extends to lay generally flat upon insertion of one of the mobile computing devices;

wherein each of the plates includes a first transmit coil for wirelessly transmitting power to a receive coil in the corresponding mobile computing device; and

a second transmit coil embedded in one of the plates, the second transmit coil oriented to transmit power in a direction generally opposite to the direction in which the first transmit coil transmits power.

11. The cart of claim 10 wherein the plates comprise plastic impregnated with iron.

12. The cart of claim 10 further comprising a management system that determines which of the mobile computing devices are charged.

13. The cart of claim 10 further comprising a local area network connection.

14. The cart of claim 10 further comprising a cellular network connection.

15. The cart of claim 10 further comprising an Ethernet connection that mates with a corresponding mobile computing device.

16. A cart for storing a plurality of mobile computing devices, the cart comprising:

a plurality of slots defined by opposed plates, each of the slots having a bottom that includes a rigid ridge;

wherein each of the plates includes a first transmit coil for wirelessly transmitting power to a receive coil in the corresponding mobile computing device; and

a second transmit coil embedded in one of the plates, the second transmit coil oriented to transmit power in a direction generally opposite to the direction in which the first transmit coil transmits power.

17. The cart of claim 16 wherein the plates comprise plastic impregnated with iron.