Embedded interface for wireless power transfer to electrical devices

• US 9,960,642 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2015
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Inventors: Ozana, Charlie, Ben Hanoch, Rachel, Sadan Duschack, Einav, Azancot, Yossi, Ben-Shalom, Amir, Greenwald, Oola, Rofe, Arik, Lei-Bovitz, Alfred, Rhodes, Dov, Meyuhas, Noam
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz M
• Application Number:
  US14/706,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20150244182A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/143 for signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/266 Fastening or mounting the core on casing or support on coil H01F27/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/36 Electric or magnetic shields or screens movable for varying inductance H01F21/10
• 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: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• 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 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed for integrating inductive power outlet functionality to provide power transfer to electrical devices, as an in-surface wireless charging system, embedded into a host such as a furniture item. An inductive power outlet may include a body casing for containing a primary inductor a driving unit and a fastening mechanism. The body casing may have dimensions suitable for introduction into a passageway through a plate of the item of furniture. The fastening mechanism may be utilized to secure the body casing to the plate of the item of furniture.

Claims

1. An inductive power outlet system for transferring power to an electric load via an inductive power receiver, said inductive power outlet being embedded into a host, said inductive power outlet comprising:

at least one outlet unit comprising at least one primary inductor unit and at least one driver unit;

at least one outlet-host interface unit comprising a host coupler configured to couple said interface unit to said host, and an outlet coupler configured to couple said interface unit to said at least one outlet unit;

at least one authentication mechanism configured to prevent unauthenticated outlet units from interfacing with said at least one outlet-host interface; and

at least one power supply unit connectable to said driver unit.

2. The inductive power outlet system of claim 1, wherein said at least one authentication mechanism comprises a mechanical element.

3. The inductive power outlet system of claim 1, wherein said at least one authentication mechanism comprises an electrical contact.

4. The inductive power outlet system of claim 1, wherein said authentication mechanism is configured to transmit an authentication signal to allow operability of said driver unit.

5. The inductive power outlet system of claim 1, further comprising an indicator light operable to indicate when said at least one outlet unit is actively transferring power to said electrical load.

6. The inductive power outlet system of claim 5, wherein said indicator light is further capable of indicating outlet location on said host.

7. The inductive power outlet system of claim 1, wherein said host coupler comprises a fastening mechanism for securing said at least one outlet-host interface unit to said host.

8. An outlet-host interface unit for coupling an outlet unit with a host, said outlet unit for enabling inductive power transfer to an electric load via an inductive power receiver, said outlet-host interface unit for embedding said outlet unit into a host, said outlet-host interface unit comprising:

at least a host coupler configured to couple said outlet-host interface unit to said host;

at least an outlet coupler configured to couple said outlet-host interface to said outlet unit; and

at least one authentication mechanism configured to prevent unauthenticated outlet units from interfacing with said outlet-host interface unit.

9. The outlet-host interface unit of claim 8 further comprising at least one indicator light operable to indicate when said inductive power outlet unit is actively transferring power to said electrical load.

10. The outlet-host interface unit of claim 8 further comprising a casing body having dimensions suitable for introduction into a cavity within said host;

and a fastening mechanism for securing said casing body to said host.

11. The outlet-host interface unit of claim 8 further comprising a casing body comprising:

a sleeve having a substantially circular cross-section; and

a first cover, wherein said first cover is configured to lie substantially flush with an outer surface of said host.

12. The outlet-host interface unit of claim 11, further comprising a filler unit configured to attach to an underside of said sleeve thereby closing said casing body.

13. The outlet-host interface unit of claim 8, wherein said casing body is molded into said host.

14. The outlet-host interface unit of claim 8 configured to support a primary inductor of the outlet unit at a minimum distance from an outer surface of said host.

15. The outlet-host interface unit of claim 14 wherein said minimum distance is at least four millimeters.

16. The outlet-host interface unit of claim 8 wherein said authentication mechanism is further configured to communicate an identification code.

17. The outlet-host interface unit of claim 16 wherein said identification code uniquely identifies at least one of the host, a manufacturer of the host, an owner of said host.

18. An outlet unit for transferring power to an electric load via an inductive power receiver, said outlet unit configured to be embedded into a host via an outlet-host interface unit, wherein said outlet unit comprises:

at least one interface coupler configured to couple to said outlet-host interface unit;

at least one primary inductor unit; and

at least one outlet authentication element configured to couple with a corresponding interface authentication element of the outlet-host interface such that said outlet unit is authenticated.

19. The inductive power outlet unit of claim 18, further comprising at least one driver unit inserted connectable to said at least one primary inductor unit.

20. The inductive power outlet unit of claim 19, wherein said at least one driver unit is operable to communicate with said interface authentication element associated with said interface unit.

21. The inductive power outlet unit of claim 18, wherein said at least one driver unit is operable to render at least one indicator light operable to indicate when said inductive power outlet unit is actively transferring power to an electrical load.

22. The inductive power outlet unit of claim 18, wherein said at least one driver unit is connectable to a power supply unit.