Plastic powder iron protection cover over ferrite for an inductively coupled charge probe

• US 5,477,122 A
• Filed: 04/29/1994
• Issued: 12/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Woody, George R., Tanzer, Herbert J., Hall, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US08/237,563
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/21
• US Class Current: 336/90
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/34 Plug-like or socket-like devices specially adapted for contactless inductive charging of electric vehicles positioning means for charging devices using inductive energy transfer B60L53/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 336/02 Separable

Abstract

An inductive charging coupler for use in an inductive charging system comprising a charge port into which the coupler is inserted that minimizes damage to its magnetic core. The charging coupler comprises a housing, and a magnetic core disposed in the housing. A primary winding is disposed around the magnetic core. A current conductor is coupled to the primary winding for coupling current thereto. The magnetic core has plastic-ferrite covers disposed on opposite sides thereof. The plastic-ferrite covers are typically bonded to exterior flat surfaces of the magnetic core. The plastic-ferrite covers protect the ferrite core while preserving the magnetic properties of the coupler when it is inserted in the charge port. The plastic-ferrite material exhibits both plastic and ferrite properties and covers and protects the magnetic core in the coupler.

Claims

1. An inductively charging coupler for use in an inductive charging system that minimizes damage thereto caused by shock, said charging coupler comprising:

a housing;

a magnetic core disposed in the housing;

first and second plastic-ferrite covers disposed on the magnetic core;

a primary winding disposed around the magnetic core; and

current carrying means for coupling current to the primary winding.

2. The charging coupler of claim 1 wherein the magnetic core is comprised of ferrite material.

3. The charging coupler of claim 1 wherein the plastic-ferrite covers are bonded to exterior surfaces of the magnetic core.

4. The charging coupler of claim 1 further comprising a handle.

5. The charging coupler of claim 1 wherein the magnetic core has a round shape.

6. The charging coupler of claim 1 wherein the magnetic core has a square shape.

7. The charging coupler of claim 1 wherein the magnetic core has a rectangular shape.

8. The charging coupler of claim 1 wherein the magnetic core has a hexagonal shape.