CONNECTOR-FREE MAGNETIC CHARGER/WINDER

• US 20150311741A1
• Filed: 04/28/2014
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Baker, John J., Rothkopf, Fletcher R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,450,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/00 Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means synchronisation G04C11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/08 wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork , e.g. electrostatically
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 5/005 Magnetic or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 49/108 with an axial air gap
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for charging an electronic device include rotating a magnetically attractable element, or element, within the electronic device. Rotating a magnet external to the electronic device simultaneously rotates the element. Rotating the element causes an electrically generating device, such as a generator, to create an electric charge in the electronic device. The electric charge may be used to power the electrically generating device, or the electric charge may be transmitted to an internal power supply in order to charge another component or components. In another embodiment, the external magnet may wind a spring inside a device.

Claims

1. A non-contact method for providing power to a component disposed in an electronic device having a housing at least a portion of the housing is formed of a non-magnetic material, comprising:

magnetically coupling a rotating magnetic field and a charge generator positioned within the housing, wherein at least some of the rotating magnetic field passes through the non-magnetic portion of the housing;

generating an amount of charge by the charge generator in accordance with the coupled rotating magnetic field; and

passing at least some of the amount of charge to the component.

2. The non-contact method as recited in claim 1, wherein the charge generator is coupled to an internal drive mechanism.

3. The non-contact method as recited in claim 2, wherein the rotating magnetic field is provided by a rotating magnetic element.

4. The non-contact method as recited in claim 3, wherein the rotating magnetic element comprises a magnetic array comprising a first magnet having a first magnetic polarity and a second magnet having a second magnetic polarity.

5. The non-contact method as recited in claim 2, wherein the rotating magnetic field is associated with an external drive mechanism.

6. The non-contact method as recited in claim 5, wherein the internal drive mechanism remains magnetically coupled to the external drive mechanism during rotation of the external drive mechanism.

7. The non-contact method as recited in claim 5, wherein the internal drive mechanism comprises a ferrous material that is magnetically attracted to the external drive mechanism.

8. The non-contact method as recited in claim 7, wherein the internal drive mechanism is capable of an oscillatory rotation, the oscillatory rotation comprising a first rotation and a second rotation opposite the first rotation.

10. The non-contact method as recited in claim 2, wherein the internal drive mechanism includes a clutch assembly.

11. The non-contact method as recited in claim 1, wherein the component is a battery.

12. The non-contact method as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing is free of apertures.

9. The non-contact method as recited in 8, wherein the charge generator creates a first charge and a second charge, the second charge opposite the first charge.

13. A portable electronic device having an enclosure, comprising:

a charge generator disposed within the enclosure; and

a magnetically attractable member rotabably coupled to the charge generator, the magnetically attractable member rotating in response to an externally applied rotating magnetic field,

wherein the charge generator creates electrical energy when the magnetically attractable member rotates.

14. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 13, wherein the magnetically attractable member is a vibrational head of a vibrational motor within the portable electronic device.

15. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 13, wherein the rotating member mirrors rotation of the magnetically attractable member.

16. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 13, wherein the element is a magnet.

17. The portable electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the electrical energy created within the charge generator is proportional to a rotational speed of the externally applied rotating magnetic field.

18. A method of winding a coil element within an enclosure, the coil element magnetically attracted to a magnet outside the enclosure, comprising:

rotating the magnet, the rotating the magnet causes the coil element to wind from a first configuration having a first length to a second configuration having a second length, the second length less than the first length.

19. The method of winding a coil element as recited in claim 18, wherein the coil element comprises a ferrous material.

20. The method of winding a coil element as recited in claim 18, wherein the coil element is free of direct contact with the enclosure.