Inductive power supply
First Claim
1. A wireless power supply system for wirelessly supplying power to a remote device comprising:
- a power supply circuit;
a primary electrically coupled with said power supply circuit, said primary capable of generating an electromagnetic field in response to power supplied by said power supply circuit;
a wireless power supply surface, said surface disposed within said electromagnetic field and adapted to support a remote device within said electromagnetic field;
a hidden movable carrier mounted adjacent said surface, said primary carried by said carrier, wherein said movable carrier is selectively movable along only one axis;
an indicator located on or adjacent said wireless power supply surface readily visible to a user; and
a control located on or adjacent said wireless power supply surface for manually adjusting the position of said carrier along said one axis and consequently said primary with respect to said surface, whereby said primary may be selectively moved into improved alignment with a secondary in a remote device placed on said surface to provide improved coupling between said primary and the secondary, wherein in response to selective movement of said primary into alignment with said the secondary, said indicator indicates alignment of said primary and said secondary.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a plunger for mechanically interconnecting a remote device with the power supply. The plunger may be extendable/retractable to interfit with the remote device. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply with a movable primary that allows for close alignment between the primary and the secondary when the remote device is disposed within a range of different positions with respect to the charging surface. The movable primary may, for example, be coupled to the remote device by a peg, a plunger or a magnet. Alternatively, the position of the movable primary may be adjusted manually. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a charging bowl having a plurality of charging stations disposed about a common axis. Each charging station may include a movable primary that permits some freedom in positioning of the remote device on the charging surface. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a manually movable primary.
38 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A wireless power supply system for wirelessly supplying power to a remote device comprising:
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a power supply circuit; a primary electrically coupled with said power supply circuit, said primary capable of generating an electromagnetic field in response to power supplied by said power supply circuit; a wireless power supply surface, said surface disposed within said electromagnetic field and adapted to support a remote device within said electromagnetic field; a hidden movable carrier mounted adjacent said surface, said primary carried by said carrier, wherein said movable carrier is selectively movable along only one axis; an indicator located on or adjacent said wireless power supply surface readily visible to a user; and a control located on or adjacent said wireless power supply surface for manually adjusting the position of said carrier along said one axis and consequently said primary with respect to said surface, whereby said primary may be selectively moved into improved alignment with a secondary in a remote device placed on said surface to provide improved coupling between said primary and the secondary, wherein in response to selective movement of said primary into alignment with said the secondary, said indicator indicates alignment of said primary and said secondary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A wireless power supply system comprising:
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a charging surface for supporting a remote device with a secondary, the secondary being capable of being located in different positions with respect to said charging surface; a hidden movable carrier disposed adjacent said charging surface, wherein said movable carrier is selectively movable along only one axis; a primary supported on said carrier; power supply circuitry for supplying power to said primary; an indicator located on or adjacent said charging surface visible to a user; and a manual carrier movement mechanism located on or adjacent said charging surface, said carrier movement mechanism providing selective movement of said carrier along said one axis with respect to said charging surface, wherein said carrier may be manually adjusted to provide optimal alignment between said primary and the secondary of the remote device, wherein in response to selective movement of said primary into improved alignment with said the secondary, said indicator indicates charging to a user. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification