SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING INTERFERENCE DURING WIRELESS CHARGING

• US 20140103865A1
• Filed: 10/16/2012
• Published: 04/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Van Wiemeersch, John Robert, Hrecznyj, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,124,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/0031 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/0037 for power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A method is provided for reducing interference in an inductive charging system within a vehicle. The method includes inductively charging a device with an inductive charger. The method also includes detecting at least one mode of operation of a potential interfering device in proximity to the inductive charger. The method further includes adjusting at least one of a frequency band employed by the charger and an amount of power provided to the device by the charger based on at least one detected mode of operation.

Claims

1. A method for reducing interference in an inductive charging system, the method comprising:

inductively charging a chargeable device with an inductive charger;

detecting a mode of operation of a potential interfering device in proximity to the inductive charger; and

adjusting at least one of a frequency band employed by the charger and an amount of power provided to the chargeable device by the charger based on the detected mode of operation.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting the presence of the chargeable device proximate to or on a surface of an inductively powered module.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of identifying at least one characteristic of an object on a surface of an inductively powered module.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said mode of operation includes detecting a frequency of said potentially interfering device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether the chargeable device communicates with at least one inductive charging protocol employed by the inductive charger.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least one inductive charging protocol is considered in adjusting said at least one of a frequency band employed by the charger and said amount of power provided to the chargeable device by the module.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the inductive charging system is in a vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the system comprises a charging region provided in a tray within the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein charging of the chargeable device is suspended for a predetermined time based upon said detected mode of operation.

10. A charging system for reducing interference during inductive charging of a portable device, comprising:

an inductively powered charger; and

a controller that detects a mode of operation of a potential interfering device in proximity to the charger, and adjusts at least one of a frequency band employed by the charger and an amount of power provided to the portable device by the charger based on the detected mode of operation.

11. The charging system of claim 10, wherein the controller detects presence of the portable device proximate to or on a surface of an inductively powered module.

12. The charging system of claim 10, wherein the controller identifies at least one characteristic of an object on a surface of an inductively powered module.

13. The charging system of claim 10, wherein said mode of operation includes detecting a frequency of said potentially interfering device.

14. The charging system of claim 10, wherein the controller further determines whether the portable device communicates with at least one inductive charging protocol employed by the inductively powered charger.

15. The charging system of claim 10, wherein said at least one inductive charging protocol is considered in adjusting said at least one of a frequency band employed by the charger and said amount of power provided to the device by the charger.

16. The charging system of claim 10, wherein the wireless charging system is in a vehicle.

17. The charging system of claim 10, wherein the system comprises a charging region provided in a tray within the vehicle.

18. The charging system of claim 10, wherein charging of the portable device by the charger is suspended for a predetermined time based upon said detected mode of operation.

20. The charging system of claim 10, wherein the controller further determines whether the portable device communicates with at least one inductive charging protocol employed by the inductively powered charger.

19. An in-vehicle system for reducing interference during inductive charging of portable devices, comprising:

a charger region provided in a vehicle;

an inductively powered charger;

a controller in communication with the inductive charger; and

wherein the controller detects a mode of operation of a potential interfering device in proximity to the charger and adjusts at least one of a frequency band employed by the charger and an amount of power provided to the device by the charger based the detected mode of operation.