RECHARGING OR CONNECTION TRAY FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20110156637A1
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Miller, Thomas A., Thorsell, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 8,624,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/002 of trays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• 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: H02J 7/025 using non-contact coupling, e.g. inductive, capacitive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tray comprising: a) a base panel having two opposite edges adapted for sliding within grooves of a structure; b) a pair of electrical contacts located on the two opposite edges of the base adapted to conduct electricity; c) a battery recharging system adapted to provide one or more electromagnetic fields capable of transferring an electrical charge to a properly equipped electrical device having a rechargeable battery or a connection for a portable electronic device adapted to connect the portable electronic device to the power system of a host and/or other electronic systems of the host; d) means for connecting the pair of electrical contacts to the battery recharging system or to the connection to the portable electronic device; e) one or more display panels providing a surface for resting one or more rechargeable portable electric devices upon, such panels adapted to allow one or more users of portable electronic device to view one or more displays of the portable electronic devices; f) panels for connecting the base panel and one or more display panels and for enclosing the tray. The tray is adapted for use in a host system which supplies power to the tray. In a preferred embodiment, the host system is or is utilized in a vehicle.

Claims

1. A tray comprising:

a) a base panel having two opposite edges adapted for sliding within grooves of a structure;

b) a pair of contacts adapted to conduct electricity and/or data between the host and the portable electric device;

c) a battery recharging system adapted to provide one or more electromagnetic fields capable of transferring an electrical charge to a properly equipped portable electrical device having a rechargeable battery or a connection for a portable electronic device adapted to connect the portable electronic device to the power of a host system, other electronic systems of the host, or both;

d) means for connecting the contacts to the battery recharging system or to the connection to the portable electronic device;

e) one or more display panels providing a surface for resting one or more portable electric devices upon, such panels adapted to allow one or more users of portable electronic device to view one or more displays of the portable electronic devices;

f) panels for connecting the base panel and one or more display panels and for enclosing the tray.

2. A tray according to claim 1 wherein the host is a vehicle.

3. A tray according to claim 2 wherein the one or more display panels are adapted to allow one or more of the occupants of the vehicle to view a display of a rechargeable portable device resting on the display panel.

4. A tray according to claim 1 which further comprises a ledge located at the bottom of the display panel adapted to hold one or more portable electric devices.

5. A tray according to claim 1 which further comprises a means for locating the rechargeable portable electric device in a desired location.

6. A tray according to claim 5 wherein the locating means is a magnet located on or near the non-visible side of the display panel.

7. A tray according to claim 1 wherein the battery recharging system comprises i) a control module connected to the connecting means;

ii) a means for converting electrical energy to an electromagnetic field;

iii) a second connecting means adapted to connect the control module with the means for converting electrical energy to an electromagnetic field;

iv) a shield located between the control module and the means for converting electrical energy to an electromagnetic field; and

v) a securing means for holding the means for converting electrical energy to an electromagnetic field on or near the non-visible side of the display panel.

8. A tray according to claim 7 wherein the control module is located on the base panel and the shield is located on top of the control module between the control module and the means for converting electrical energy to an electromagnetic field.

9. A tray according to claim 7 wherein ii) the means for converting electrical energy to an electromagnetic field comprises a circular coil of conductive wire and a locating means comprising a magnet is within the circular coil of conductive wire.

10. A tray according to claim 1 further comprising a data exchange system adapted to communicate with a portable electronic device and with other information systems of a vehicle.

11. A tray according to claim 10 wherein the data exchange system communicates wirelessly with the portable electronic device.

12. A tray according to claim 10 wherein the data exchange system communicates with the portable electronic device by means of a direct connection to the portable electronic device.

13. A tray according claim 1 wherein the display panel or a portion of the display panel is moveable to allow a display on the portable electronic device to be viewable from different vantage points.

14. A tray according to claim 1 wherein the tray further comprises an information transmission system adapted to transfer information between a portable electronic device and a system in a host that uses or generates information.

15. A tray according to claim 1 wherein the tray is attached by an arm.

16. A tray according to claim 15 wherein the tray includes one or more rotational links.

17. A tray according to claim 15 wherein the tray includes a lock out.

18. An assembly comprising a housing having space defined by at least two substantially parallel panels adapted for receiving a tray wherein the space has two grooves located in each of the substantially parallel panels wherein the grooves are disposed parallel to one another and host contacts capable of conducting electricity and/or transmitting data are located in the assembly such that they can come into contact with contacts on the tray and a means for connecting the host contacts to a power source or an information using or generating system in the host;

and a tray according to claim 1 wherein the base panel is slid into the grooves of the housing in a manner such that the contacts of the tray are in intimate contact with the host contacts of the grooves under conditions such that electrical energy and/or data is capable of being conducted from the host to the battery recharging system or the connection for a portable electronic device.

19. An assembly according to claim 18 wherein the housing is integrated into a vehicle.

20. An assembly according to claim 18 wherein the housing is integrated into a vehicle instrument panel or a vehicle console.