FURNITURE WITH WIRELESS POWER

• US 20160157602A1
• Filed: 01/05/2015
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimball International Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimball International Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Inventors: Metcalf, Keith E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,572,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/624 located on side of seat, e.g. on armrest
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/70 of foldable type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/725 for illumination, e.g. lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0012 Furniture hospital beds F21V33/0072
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• 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 50/12 of the resonant type
• 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: H04B 5/24 Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

Furniture components, such as office furniture components, are configured to include electronic components that transfer electrical power to peripheral electronic devices via wireless technologies, including conductive and inductive technologies. The articles of furniture may include grommet devices received within work surfaces, the grommet devices incorporating or housing the electronics of wireless power systems. The articles of furniture may also include the electronics of wireless power systems physically embedded or integrated within work surfaces in a manner in which the continuous surfaces of the work surfaces are maintained, and the work surfaces may optionally further include lighting or other indication features to indicate the locations of the electronics to a user.

Claims

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20. (canceled)

21. A furniture component for use in inductively transferring power to an electronic device that includes a secondary coil of an inductive coupling, the furniture component comprising:

a work surface having an uninterrupted and continuous upper surface, a lower surface disposed opposite and below said upper surface, and an intermediate portion disposed between said upper and lower surfaces;

a primary coil mounted to said lower surface, said primary coil operable to induce a current in the secondary coil when the electronic device is positioned proximate said upper surface and above said primary coil.

22. The furniture component of claim 21, wherein said lower surface includes a cavity extending into said intermediate portion of said work surface without extending through said upper surface, said primary coil positioned within said cavity and disposed proximal to said upper surface.

23. The furniture component of claim 21, wherein said work surface is made at least in part of a translucent material.

24. The furniture component of claim 21, wherein said work surface is made at least in part of a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of an acrylic, polypropylene, and a combination thereof.

25. The furniture component of claim 24, wherein said work surface further comprises a filler material.

26. The furniture component of claim 21, wherein said work surface is made at least in part of acrylic with alumina trihydrate filler.

27. The furniture component of claim 21, further comprising at least one illumination marker disposed beneath said upper surface, said illumination marker illuminating through a portion of said upper surface to indicate a location of said primary coil.

28. The furniture component of claim 27, comprising a plurality of said illumination markers arranged to form an illuminated pattern.

29. The furniture component of claim 27, wherein said at least one illumination marker is spaced from said primary coil.

30. A furniture component for use in inductively transferring power to an electronic device that includes a secondary coil of an inductive coupling, the furniture component comprising:

a work surface formed at least in part of a translucent material and having an uninterrupted and continuous upper surface, a lower surface disposed opposite and below said upper surface, and an intermediate portion disposed between said upper and lower surfaces;

a primary coil mounted to said lower surface and operable to induce a current in the secondary coil when the electronic device is positioned proximate said upper surface and above said primary coil; and

at least one illumination marker disposed beneath said upper surface and spaced from said primary coil, said illumination marker illuminating through said translucent material of said upper surface to indicate a location of said primary coil.

31. The furniture component of claim 30, wherein said translucent material is a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of acrylic, polypropylene, and a combination thereof.

32. The furniture component of claim 31, wherein said translucent material further comprises a filler material.

33. The furniture component of claim 30, comprising a plurality of said illumination markers arranged to form an illuminated pattern.

34. The furniture component of claim 30, wherein said lower surface includes a cavity extending into said intermediate portion of said work surface without extending through said upper surface, said primary coil positioned within said cavity and disposed proximal to said upper surface.

35. A furniture component for use in inductively transferring power to an electronic device that includes a secondary coil of an inductive coupling, the furniture component comprising:

a work surface having an uninterrupted and continuous upper surface, a lower surface disposed opposite and below said upper surface, and an intermediate portion disposed between said upper and lower surfaces;

said lower surface including a cavity extending into said intermediate portion of said work surface without extending through said upper surface;

a primary coil positioned within said cavity and operable to induce a current in the secondary coil when the electronic device is positioned proximate said upper surface and above said primary coil; and

at least one illumination marker disposed beneath said upper surface and spaced from said primary coil, said illumination marker illuminating through a portion of said upper surface to indicate a location of said primary coil.

36. The furniture component of claim 35, wherein said work surface is made at least in part of a translucent material, said at least one illumination marker operable to transmit light through said translucent material.

37. The furniture component of claim 36, wherein said translucent material is a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of an acrylic, polypropylene, and a combination thereof.

38. The furniture component of claim 35, comprising a plurality of said illumination markers arranged to form an illuminated pattern.