Efficiency and flexibility in inductive charging

• US 8,947,047 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2012
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mojo Mobility, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mojo Mobility, Inc.
• Inventors: Partovi, Afshin, Sears, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US13/708,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20130175983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/108, 320/112, 320/114, 320/115, 320/150, 320/180
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/2804 Printed windings
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/36 Electric or magnetic shields or screens movable for varying inductance H01F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/361 made of combinations of electrically conductive material and ferromagnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/363 made of electrically conductive material
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/366 made of ferromagnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 5/003 Printed circuit coils
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• 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 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• 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 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• 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: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A system and method for improved efficiency and flexibility in inductive charging. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a base unit having one or more primary coils, wherein each primary coil is configured so that when a current is passed through it, a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil; one or more secondary coils or receivers associated with one or more mobile device; and one or more components within the base unit and/or the mobile device, for improving efficiency and/or flexibility in inductive charging. When the one or more mobile device is placed in proximity to the base unit, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the one or more secondary coils or receivers associated therewith, to charge or power the device.

Claims

1. A system for improved efficiency and flexibility in inductive charging, comprising:

a base unit having one or more primary coils, wherein each primary coil is configured so that when a current is passed through it, a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil;

one or more secondary coils or receivers associated with one or more mobile device;

one or more components within the base unit and/or the mobile device, for improving efficiency and/or flexibility in inductive charging; and

wherein when the one or more mobile device is placed in proximity to the base unit, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the one or more secondary coils or receivers associated therewith, to charge or power the device; and

wherein the base unit and/or mobile device includes a microcontroller for use in controlling charging or powering, including monitoring current flow and/or providing communication between the base unit and the mobile device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is a component of, or is attached to, a shell, case, or other cover of the mobile device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit includes a plurality of layers of primary coils and/or a plurality of primary coils arranged as a stack.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit includes a plurality of primary coils, and wherein each primary coil is driven by its own drive circuit to provide power to and selectively activate that coil as appropriate.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit and/or mobile device verify the authenticity, power requirements and/or other characteristics of the mobile device or a battery therein, prior to charging or powering the device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit and/or mobile device periodically verify or handshake the presence of a mobile device proximate the base unit, and thereafter control the operation of the primary coils as appropriate.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a circuitry associated with the base unit and/or mobile device uses zero voltage switching to control the charging or powering of the mobile device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary coil and/or secondary coil have a thermal dissipation layer associated therewith for dissipating heat and/or reducing electromagnetic interference.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein

the base unit is provided within an automobile, for use in charging or powering one or more mobile devices within the automobile.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein

the mobile device is an automobile that can be charged by a base unit.

10. A method of providing improved efficiency and flexibility in inductive charging, comprising the steps of:

providing a base unit having one or more primary coils, wherein each primary coil is configured so that when a current is passed through it, a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil;

providing one or more secondary coils or receivers associated with one or more mobile devices;

providing one or more components within the base unit and/or the mobile devices, for improving efficiency and/or flexibility in inductive charging; and

wherein when the one or more mobile devices are placed in proximity to the base unit, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the one or more secondary coils or receivers associated therewith, to charge or power the device; and

wherein the base unit and/or mobile device includes a microcontroller for use in controlling charging or powering, including monitoring current flow and/or providing communication between the base unit and the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the receiver is a component of, or is attached to, a shell, case, or other cover of the mobile device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the base unit includes a plurality of layers of primary coils and/or a plurality of primary coils arranged as a stack.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the base unit includes a plurality of primary coils, and wherein each primary coil is driven by its own drive circuit to provide power to and selectively activate that coil as appropriate.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the base unit and/or mobile device verify the authenticity, power requirements and/or other characteristics of the mobile device or a battery therein, prior to charging or powering the device.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the base unit and/or mobile device periodically verify or handshake the presence of a mobile device proximate the base unit, and thereafter control the operation of the primary coils as appropriate.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein a circuitry associated with the base unit and/or mobile device uses zero voltage switching to control the charging or powering of the mobile device.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the primary coil and/or secondary coil have a thermal dissipation layer associated therewith for dissipating heat and/or reducing electromagnetic interference.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein

the base unit is provided within an automobile, for use in charging or powering one or more mobile devices within the automobile.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein

the mobile device is an automobile that can be charged by a base unit.

21. A system for improved efficiency and flexibility in inductive charging, comprising:

a base unit having one or more primary coils, wherein each primary coil is configured so that when a current is passed through it, a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil;

one or more secondary coils or receivers associated with one or more mobile device;

one or more components within the base unit and/or the mobile device, for improving efficiency and/or flexibility in inductive charging; and

wherein when the one or more mobile device is placed in proximity to the base unit, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the one or more secondary coils or receivers associated therewith, to charge or power the device; and

wherein the base unit and/or mobile device includes a microcontroller for use in controlling charging or powering, including monitoring voltage and/or providing communication between the base unit and the mobile device.

22. A method of providing improved efficiency and flexibility in inductive charging, comprising the steps of:

providing a base unit having one or more primary coils, wherein each primary coil is configured so that when a current is passed through it, a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil;

providing one or more secondary coils or receivers associated with one or more mobile devices;

providing one or more components within the base unit and/or the mobile devices, for improving efficiency and/or flexibility in inductive charging; and

wherein when the one or more mobile devices are placed in proximity to the base unit, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the one or more secondary coils or receivers associated therewith, to charge or power the device; and

wherein the base unit and/or mobile device includes a microcontroller for use in controlling charging or powering, including monitoring voltage and/or providing communication between the base unit and the mobile device.