Juvenile Product Inductive Power Transfer

• US 20080211314A1
• Filed: 02/29/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Swan, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,786,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• 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 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence

Abstract

A juvenile product includes a power adapter comprising a first AC-to-DC converter to generate a DC transmission voltage from a line power source, and a power cable coupled to the power adapter and configured to carry the DC transmission voltage. A power transmitter coupled to the power cable includes a transmitter coil and a DC-to-AC converter coupled to the transmitter coil such that an AC current flows through the transmitter coil based on the DC transmission voltage. A power supply includes a receiver coil configured for generation of induced current in the receiver coil via inductive coupling with the transmitter coil, and further includes a second AC-to-DC converter coupled to the receiver coil to generate DC power based on the induced current. An electrical load coupled to the power supply is configured for operation via the DC power.

Claims

1. A juvenile product comprising:

a power adapter comprising a first AC-to-DC converter to generate a DC transmission voltage from a line power source;

a power cable coupled to the power adapter and configured to carry the DC transmission voltage;

a power transmitter coupled to the power cable and comprising a transmitter coil and a DC-to-AC converter coupled to the transmitter coil such that an AC current flows through the transmitter coil based on the DC transmission voltage;

a power supply comprising a receiver coil configured for generation of induced current in the receiver coil via inductive coupling with the transmitter coil, and further comprising a second AC-to-DC converter coupled to the receiver coil to generate DC power based on the induced current; and

an electrical load coupled to the power supply and configured for operation via the DC power.

2. The juvenile product of claim 1, further comprising a cover to obstruct the power cable.

3. The juvenile product of claim 1, wherein the power transmitter comprises a pad.

4. The juvenile product of claim 1, further comprising a structural frame, and wherein the receiver coil is disposed in a component of the structural frame.

5. The juvenile product of claim 4, wherein the component comprises a leg of the structural frame.

6. The juvenile product of claim 4, further comprising a further receiver coil mounted on the structural frame at a height spaced from the first-named receiver coil.

7. A juvenile product comprising:

a structural assembly to support the juvenile product relative to a rest surface;

a power receiver coupled to the structural assembly to space the power receiver from the rest surface; and

a power transmitter comprising a housing and a plug mounted on the housing such that the plug projects from the housing for engagement with a receptacle of a line power outlet spaced from the rest surface;

wherein the power receiver comprises a receiver coil and the power transmitter comprises a transmitter coil configured for inductive coupling with the receiver coil to generate current in the receiver coil.

8. The juvenile product of claim 7, wherein the structural assembly comprises a frame, and wherein the power receiver comprises a housing mounted to the frame.

9. The juvenile product of claim 7, wherein the structural assembly comprises a housing, and wherein the power receiver is integrated within the housing of the structural assembly.

10. The juvenile product of claim 9, wherein the housing of the structural assembly encloses an electric motor drive mechanism.

11. The juvenile product of claim 7, wherein the power receiver comprises an adjustable housing.

12. The juvenile product of claim 11, wherein the adjustable housing is mounted on the structural assembly at a pivot joint.

13. The juvenile product of claim 7, farther comprising a further receiver coil disposed in the structural frame at a height spaced from the first-named receiver coil.

14. A method of powering a juvenile product, the method comprising the steps of:

converting a power line voltage to generate a DC transmission voltage;

delivering the DC transmission voltage via a power cable to a transmitter;

developing an AC current based on the DC transmission voltage for a transmitter coil of the transmitter;

positioning the transmitter coil relative to a receiver coil to induce current in the receiver coil based on the AC current in the transmitter coil via inductive coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils; and

generating DC power for an electrical load of the juvenile product based on the current induced in the receiver coil.