Movable magnetically resonant antenna for wireless charging

• US 8,541,974 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2010
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Farahani, Shahin
• Primary Examiner(s): Muralidar, Richard V
• Application Number:
  US12/856,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20110062916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 4553431-3436, 455/573, 355/538.16, 355/854.6, 355/854.8, 355/870.31, 320/108
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/12 using mechanical relative movement between primary active elements and secondary devices of antennas or antenna systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/502 the energy repeater being integrated together with the emitter or the receiver
• 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 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/22 Capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power. A method may include reorienting at least one transmit antenna to reduce orthogonality with a receive antenna of at least one chargeable electronic device in response to receiving the at least one electronic device in a holder. The method may further include wirelessly transferring power from the at least one transmit antenna to the receive antenna.

Claims

1. A wireless power charger, comprising:

a retention device having a fixed base and configured to retain a chargeable device, the chargeable device comprising a receive antenna; and

a deflection plate supported by the retention device and configured to support a transmit antenna, the deflection plate adjustable from a first position to a second position to reduce orthogonality between the transmit and the receive antenna.

2. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein the deflection plate is configured to mechanically deflect to change position.

3. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein the deflection plate pivots about an axis.

4. The wireless power charger of claim 3, wherein the deflection plate is configured to pivot to receive the chargeable device on a first side of the deflection plate and to receive a second chargeable device on a second side of the deflection plate.

5. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein the retention device is configured to impede movement of the deflection plate.

6. The wireless power charger of claim 3, wherein the axis is substantially symmetric within the container, and wherein the deflection plate substantially equally divides the retention device when the deflection plate is deflected.

7. The wireless power charger of claim 3, wherein the wireless power charger further comprises a second transmit antenna.

8. The wireless power charger of claim 3, wherein the axis is offset from a center of the deflection plate, and wherein the deflection plate is retained in a non-deflected position based on gravity.

9. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein the transmit antenna comprises a repeater antenna.

10. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein the retention device is configured to be placed within a passive container.

11. The wireless power charger of claim 10, wherein the passive container comprises a cup holder.

12. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein wireless power is transferred from the transmit antenna to the receive antenna.

13. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein a transmit power level of power to the transmit antenna is adjustable based upon a sensed load value.

14. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein the wireless power charger further comprises a container characterized by a first volume, and wherein the deflection plate is located within the container, and wherein the wireless power charger is configured to receive an object characterized by a second volume that is greater than or equal to the first volume.

15. The wireless power charger of claim 1, further comprising a cup holder, wherein the cup holder comprises the retention device.

16. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein the retention device is configured to enable movement of the deflection plate.

17. The wireless power charger of claim 1, wherein the wireless power is transferred using induction, and wherein the transmit antenna is configured to resonate at a frequency.

18. A method for wireless power charging using a wireless power charger, comprising:

adjusting a position of a deflection plate configured to support a transmit antenna, the deflection plate supported by a retention device, the retention device having a fixed base and configured to retain a chargeable device, from a first position to a second position to reduce orthogonality with a receive antenna of at least one chargeable electronic device; and

wirelessly transferring power from the transmit antenna to the receive antenna.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein adjusting the deflection plate comprises pivoting the deflection plate about an axis.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising impeding movement of the deflection plate using the retention device.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving the chargeable device on a first side of the deflection plate and receiving a second chargeable device on a second side of the deflection plate.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the wireless power charger comprises a second transmit antenna, the method further comprising wirelessly transferring power using the second transmit antenna.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the transmit antenna comprises a repeater antenna.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising inserting the retention device into a passive container.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein wirelessly transferring power comprises wirelessly transferring power using induction at a resonant frequency of the transmit antenna.

26. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving an object in a container characterized by a first volume, the container comprising the transmit antenna and the object characterized by a second volume that is greater than or equal to the first volume.

27. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sensing a load amount defined by a load of a wireless power charger; and

adjusting a power level based upon the load amount.

28. A wireless power charger, comprising:

means for adjusting a position of a deflection plate configured to support a transmit antenna, the deflection plate supported by a retention device, the retention device having a fixed base and configured to retain a chargeable device, from a first position to a second position to reduce orthogonality with a receive antenna of at least one chargeable electronic device; and

means for wirelessly transferring power from the at least one transmit antenna to the receive antenna.

29. The wireless power charger of claim 28, further comprising means for impeding movement of the deflection plate.

30. The wireless power charger of claim 28, further comprising means for receiving the chargeable device on a first side of the deflection plate and means for receiving a second chargeable device on a second side of the deflection plate.

31. The wireless power charger of claim 28, wherein the wireless power charger comprises a second transmit antenna, the wireless power charger further comprising means for wirelessly transferring power using the second transmit antenna.

32. The wireless power charger of claim 28, wherein the transmit antenna comprises a repeater antenna.

33. The wireless power charger of claim 28, further comprising means for inserting the retention device into a passive container.

34. The wireless power charger of claim 28, wherein wirelessly transferring power comprises means for wirelessly transferring power using induction at a resonant frequency of the transmit antenna.

35. The wireless power charger of claim 28, further comprising means for receiving an object in a container characterized by a first volume, wherein the deflection plate is located within the container, and wherein the object is characterized by a second volume that is greater than or equal to the first volume.

36. The wireless power charger of claim 28, further comprising:

means for sensing a load amount defined by a load of a wireless power charger; and

means for adjusting a power level based upon the load amount.