AUTOMOTIVE FOB SYSTEM

• US 20100244768A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Ousachi, Mark, Ghabra, Riad, Nantz, John
• Application Number:
  US12/415,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20100244768A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/406 Power supply in the remote key
• 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 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

An automotive fob system may include an automotive fob and a fob charging receptacle. The automotive fob may have a loop feature, and include a power storage unit and a first inductive coil electrically connected with the power storage unit. The first coil may form a loop and be disposed in the loop feature. The fob charging receptacle may include a magnetic core configured to be inserted into the loop feature, and a second inductive coil wrapped around the core. The second inductive coil may be adapted to receive electrical current from a remote power source if electrically connected with the remote power source.

Claims

1. An automotive fob system comprising:

an automotive fob having a loop feature and including (i) a power storage unit and (ii) a first inductive coil electrically connected with the power storage unit, the first coil forming a loop and disposed in the loop feature; and

a fob charging receptacle including (i) a magnetic core configured to be inserted into the loop feature and (ii) a second inductive coil wrapped around the core and adapted to receive electrical current from a remote power source if electrically connected with the remote power source.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second coils inductively couple if electrical current from the remote power source is flowing through the second coil and the magnetic core is inserted into the loop feature.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the fob charging receptacle further includes a surface configured to receive the fob, and wherein the magnetic core projects away from the surface.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the loop feature is a key loop.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the magnetic core comprises metal.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the power storage unit is a battery.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the power storage unit is a capacitor.

8. An automotive fob having a loop feature and including (i) a charging coil and (ii) a power storage unit electrically connected with the coil, the coil forming a loop and disposed within the loop feature.

9. The fob of claim 8 further including a display and a radio frequency transceiver.

10. The fob of claim 8 wherein the loop feature is a key loop.

11. The fob of claim 8 wherein the power storage unit is a battery.

12. The fob of claim 8 wherein the power storage unit is a capacitor.

13. An automotive fob including a radio frequency transceiver, a display, a power storage unit, and a coil (i) electrically connected with the power storage unit and (ii) capable of inductively coupling with a charging coil.

14. The fob of claim 13 wherein the fob includes a loop feature and wherein the coil forms a loop and is disposed in the loop feature.

15. The fob of claim 13 wherein the loop feature is a key loop.

16. The fob of claim 13 wherein the power storage unit is a battery.

17. The fob of claim 13 wherein the power storage unit is a capacitor.