Systems, apparatus and devices for wireless charging of electronic devices

• US 8,242,741 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Phelps, William C III
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US12/337,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20100156345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108
• 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 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

Disclosed are systems, apparatus and devices for wireless charging of electronic devices that include magnets in close proximity to primary and secondary inductive charging coils to move the coils within close proximity and within axial alignment to one another. The system includes a charging apparatus including a first coil having within close proximity a first magnet, the primary coil and magnet together capable of moving within the charging apparatus in accordance with magnetic attraction. A battery charging device includes a secondary coil having within close proximity a second magnet. The magnets can attract so that the coils are moved close together. In this way the respective coils are coupled so that inductive charging may be provided. An engagement structure of the charging apparatus can help to maintain the first coil in a particular orientation within the charging apparatus so that the alignment of the coils is optimized.

Claims

1. A system for charging a battery of an electronic device, comprising:

a charging apparatus including a first coil having within close proximity a first magnet, the first coil and the first magnet together capable of moving within the charging apparatus in response to mutual magnetic attraction between the first magnet and a second magnet corresponding to a battery charging device; and

the battery charging device including a second coil having within close proximity the second magnet, the battery charging device configured for coupling a battery to the second coil.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the charging apparatus further comprises:

a plurality of coils capable of moving within the charging apparatus, each of the coils having within close proximity a magnet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first coil includes a center region and the first magnet is disposed within the center region.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second coil includes a center region and the second magnet is disposed within the center region.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the charging apparatus further comprises:

a housing cavity configured to allow the first coil to move therein.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the first coil is supported by a housing including protrusions thereon.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the first coil is circular.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first coil is rectangular.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the charging apparatus further comprises an engagement structure to maintain the first coil in a particular orientation within the charging apparatus.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the first magnet and second magnet have attracting polarity.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a mobile communication device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery charging device includes a circuitry with which to couple a battery to the first coil.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the first coil includes a center region and the first magnet is disposed within the center region.

14. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

a support assembly configured to arrange the device for use with the electronic device.

15. A charging apparatus, comprising

a coil having within close proximity a first magnet, the coil and the first magnet together capable of moving within the charging apparatus in response to mutual magnetic attraction between the first magnet and a second magnet corresponding to a battery charging device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the charging apparatus further comprises:

a plurality of coils capable of moving within the charging apparatus, each of the coils having within close proximity a magnet.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the coil includes a center region and the magnet is disposed within the center region.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the coil is supported by a housing including protrusions thereon.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the charging apparatus further comprises an engagement structure to maintain the coil in a particular orientation within the charging apparatus.