INDUCTIVE POWER SUPPLY

• US 20130113423A1
• Filed: 12/19/2012
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W., Stoner, William T. Jr., Norconk, Matthew J., Moore, Colin J., Schwannecke, Joshua K., Leppien, Thomas Jay, Weber, Richard J., Schamper, Ryan D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,890,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• 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 50/005 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 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• 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 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a plunger for mechanically interconnecting a remote device with the power supply. The plunger may be extendable/retractable to interfit with the remote device. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply with a movable primary that allows for close alignment between the primary and the secondary when the remote device is disposed within a range of different positions with respect to the charging surface. The movable primary may, for example, be coupled to the remote device by a peg, a plunger or a magnet. Alternatively, the position of the movable primary may be adjusted manually. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a charging bowl having a plurality of charging stations disposed about a common axis. Each charging station may include a movable primary that permits some freedom in positioning of the remote device on the charging surface. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a manually movable primary.

Claims

1. A wireless power supply system for wirelessly supplying power to a remote device comprising:

a power supply circuit;

a primary electrically coupled with said power supply circuit, said primary capable of generating an electromagnetic field in response to power supplied by said power supply circuit;

a wireless power supply surface, said surface disposed within said electromagnetic field and adapted to support a remote device within said electromagnetic field;

a movable carrier mounted adjacent said surface, said primary carried by said carrier; and

a control for manually adjusting the position of said carrier and consequently said primary with respect to said surface, whereby said primary may be selectively moved into improved alignment with a secondary in a remote device placed on said surface to provide improved coupling between said primary and the secondary.

2. The system of claim 1 further including a feedback indicator providing feedback indicative of a degree of alignment between said primary and the secondary in the remote device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said control is further defined as an actuator for linearly moving said movable carrier with respect to said surface.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said control includes a rack and pinion assembly.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said movable carrier is coupled to said rack, and wherein said control includes a knob coupled to said pinion, whereby rotation of said knob results in linear movement of said movable carrier.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein said feedback indicator includes a light.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said surface is further defined as an inclined surface;

and

further including a remote device support disposed toward a bottom of said inclined surface.

8. A wireless power supply for supplying power to one or more remote devices comprising:

a plurality of stations disposed about a common axis, each of said stations including;

an inclined surface for supporting a remote device;

a movable carrier disposed adjacent said inclined surface;

a primary supported on said carrier; and

a coupler for coupling said movable carrier to a remote device, whereby movement of the remote device along the surface results in movement of said carrier and said primary beneath said surface; and

power supply circuitry for supplying power to at least one of said primaries.

9. The wireless power supply of claim 8 wherein said coupler includes a magnet in at least one of said carrier and the remote device.

10. The wireless power supply of claim 8 wherein said coupler includes a protrusion extending from said carrier protruding beyond said surface.

11. The wireless power supply of claim 8 wherein said plurality of stations is further defined as five stations arranged substantially symmetrically about said common axis.

12. The wireless power supply of claim 8 wherein said power supply circuitry includes a separate power supply circuit for each of said stations.

13. The wireless power supply of claim 10 wherein said protrusion is a plunger movable between a retracted position in which said plunger is substantially flush with or recessed below said surface and an extended position in which said plunger extends from said surface.

14. The system of claim 8 further including a linkage arm mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said surface, said carrier mounted on said linkage arm.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said carrier is pivotally mounted to said linkage arm.

16. The system of claim 15 further including a biasing element urging at least one of said linkage arm and said carrier toward a home position.

17. The system of claim 15 further including a first biasing element urging said linkage arm toward a home position and a second biasing element urging said carrier toward a home position.

18. A wireless power supply system comprising:

a charging surface for supporting a remote device with a secondary, the secondary being capable of being located in different positions with respect to said charging surface;

a movable carrier disposed adjacent said charging surface;

a primary supported on said carrier;

power supply circuitry for supplying power to said primary; and

a manual carrier movement mechanism, said carrier movement mechanism providing selective movement of said carrier with respect to said charging surface, wherein said carrier may be manually adjusted to provide optimal alignment between said primary and the secondary of the remote device.

19. The system of claim 18 further including a locking mechanism selectively movable into a locking position to lock said carrier is a fixed position to resist unintended movement of said carrier.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein said movable carrier is capable of movement along a single line of motion, said movement mechanism permitting selective movement of said carrier along said single line of motion.

21. The system of claim 20 further including a feedback for providing an indication of the degree of alignment between said primary and the secondary of the remote device.

22. The system of claim 21 further including a locking mechanism selectively movable into a locking position to lock said carrier in a fixed position to resist unintended movement of said carrier.

23. The system of claim 18 wherein said movable carrier is capable of movement along at least two different degrees of freedom, said movement mechanism permitting selective movement of said carrier along each of said degrees of freedom.