WIRELESS CHARGING ARRANGEMENT FOR VEHICLE DOOR ARMREST

Abstract

A charging system for an occupant door includes an armrest, a receptacle located in the armrest and defining a pocket containing a charging pad configured to provide wireless charging for an electronic device, a charging system actuator configured to selectively preload the electronic device against the charging pad and containing a sensor for the presence of an electronic device, and a charging system controller communicating with the sensor for the presence of an electronic device.The charging system controller is configured to perform operations that include receiving a signal for the presence of an electronic device from the electronic device presence sensor, determining whether the electronic device is positioned in the receptacle based on the electronic device presence signal, and instructing the charging system to generate a notification signal when the electronic device is positioned in the receptacle.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information provided in this section serves to generally illustrate the context of the disclosure. Work by the inventors identified herein, to the extent described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that cannot otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither explicitly nor implicitly acknowledged as prior art to the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a wireless charging device contained in the armrest of an interior door panel of a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a charging device mounted in a vertical orientation that is contained in a pocket of an armrest of the door panel and enables a portable electronic device to receive a charge while placed in the pocket.

[0003] Current wireless charging devices available in vehicles take the form of a charging pad or cradle, generally located somewhere near the center console between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat. A smartphone or other electronic device can be placed on the cradle in a horizontal orientation, and the electronic device begins charging wirelessly. However, this feature is typically offered in the front row of seats of a vehicle, leaving rear passengers without this convenience of wireless charging. Furthermore, horizontal charging solutions may require space within the vehicle's passenger compartment that could otherwise be used for passenger occupancy or other functions.Furthermore, the pockets in the armrests of interior door panels serve no other important purpose than to provide a handle for an occupant during the opening or closing of the door, or as a common place for occupants to place small items such as coins, receipts, or pieces of trash. SUMMARY

[0004] One aspect of the disclosure provides a charging system for a passenger door of a motor vehicle. The charging system includes an armrest, a receptacle disposed in the armrest that defines a pocket containing a charging pad configured to provide wireless charging for an electronic device, a charging system actuator configured to selectively bias the electronic device against the charging pad and including an electronic device presence sensor, and a charging system controller in communication with the electronic device presence sensor. The charging system controller includes computing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the computing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions that, when executed in the computing hardware, cause the computing hardware to perform operations.These operations include receiving an electronic device presence signal from the electronic device presence sensor, determining whether the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle based on the electronic device presence signal, and instructing the charging system to generate a notification signal when the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle.

[0005] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. According to some examples, the charging system actuator includes a biasing element adjacent to the charging pad and configured to move between a first position for receiving an electronic device between the charging system actuator and the charging pad and a second position for biasing the electronic device against the charging pad.

[0006] According to some implementations, the operations include receiving a door state signal associated with a vehicle passenger door containing the charging system, determining whether the vehicle passenger door is open, and instructing the charging system to generate the notification signal when the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle and the passenger door is open.

[0007] According to some configurations, the electronic device presence sensor includes a base plate in communication with the charging system controller, wherein a circuit of the base plate is closed when the electronic device is in the receptacle, and wherein the circuit of the base plate is open when the electronic device is removed from the receptacle.

[0008] According to some further implementations, the charging system includes a vehicle passenger door condition sensor configured to measure a condition of the vehicle passenger door. According to some examples, the vehicle passenger door condition sensor includes a reed sensor in communication with the charging system controller, the reed sensor positioned outside the receptacle and configured to move to a closed state when the vehicle passenger door is in a closed state.

[0009] According to some examples, the operations of the charging system include instructing the charging system to generate the notification signal when the state of the base plate and the reed sensor changes from the state in which both circuits are in the closed state to the state in which the reed sensor circuit is in an open state while the base plate circuit remains in the closed state.

[0010] According to some implementations, the charging system includes a wired charging port positioned adjacent to the pocket.

[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a door panel for a motor vehicle. The door panel includes an armrest and a charging system. The charging system includes a receptacle disposed within the armrest and defining a pocket containing a charging pad configured to provide wireless charging for an electronic device, and a charging system actuator configured to selectively bias the electronic device against the charging pad and including an electronic device presence sensor.

[0012] Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the charging system actuator includes a biasing member adjacent to the charging panel and configured to move between a first position for receiving an electronic device between the charging system actuator and the charging panel and a second position for biasing the electronic device against the charging panel. In some configurations, the door panel includes an electronic device presence sensor configured to detect the presence of the electronic device in the receptacle.

[0013] According to some implementations, the door panel includes a charging system controller in communication with the electronic device presence sensor. The charging system controller includes computing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the computing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions that, when executed in the computing hardware, cause the computing hardware to perform operations. These operations include receiving an electronic device presence signal from the electronic device presence sensor, determining whether the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle based on the electronic device presence signal, and instructing the charging system to generate a notification signal when the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle.

[0014] According to some examples, the operations of the door panel further include determining whether a vehicle passenger door associated with the armrest is open and instructing the charging system to generate a notification signal when the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle and the vehicle passenger door is open.

[0015] According to some configurations, the electronic device presence sensor includes a base plate in communication with the charging system controller and positioned to bias the electronic device disposed in the receptacle, wherein a circuit of the base plate is closed when the electronic device is in the pocket and the circuit of the base plate is open when the pocket is empty.

[0016] According to implementations, the door panel includes a vehicle passenger door condition sensor configured to measure a condition of the vehicle passenger door. According to some examples, the door panel includes a wired charging port positioned adjacent to the pocket.

[0017] An additional aspect of the disclosure provides a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes an armrest and a charging system. The charging system includes a receptacle disposed in the armrest and defining a pocket containing a charging pad configured to provide wireless charging for an electronic device, a charging system actuator configured to selectively bias the electronic device against the charging pad and including an electronic device presence sensor, and a charging system controller in communication with the electronic device presence sensor.The charging system controller includes computing hardware and storage hardware in communication with the computing hardware, the storage hardware storing instructions that, when executed in the computing hardware, cause the computing hardware to perform operations. These operations include receiving an electronic device presence signal from the electronic device presence sensor, determining whether the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle based on the electronic device presence signal, and instructing the charging system to generate a notification signal when the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle.

[0018] Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. According to some examples, the charging system actuator includes a biasing element adjacent to the charging pad and configured to move between a first position for receiving an electronic device between the charging system actuator and the charging pad and a second position for biasing the electronic device against the charging pad.

[0019] According to some implementations, the operations of the motor vehicle include determining whether a vehicle passenger door associated with the armrest is open and instructing the charging system to transmit the notification signal when the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle and the vehicle passenger door is open.

[0020] According to some configurations, the motor vehicle includes a wired charging port positioned adjacent to the pocket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure; they show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an interior portion of a motor vehicle passenger door incorporating an example of a charging system according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 an enlarged perspective partial view of a recording of the charging system from Fig. 1, showing an electronic device placed in the receptacle; Fig. 3 a perspective side view of one side of the receptacle of the charging system Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a top view of the charging system holder Fig. 1, showing a section of a charging system controller; Fig. 5 a perspective rear view of the charging system Fig. 1, showing a charging system controller installed on a side of a door panel opposite the receptacle; Fig. 6A is an enlarged perspective partial view of the charging system Fig. 1, if an electronic device is not present in the recording; Fig. 6B is a schematic view of a sensor for the presence of an electronic device of the charging system of Fig. 6A, if an electronic device is not present in the receptacle; Fig. 7A an enlarged perspective detail view of the charging system Fig. 1, if an electronic device is present in the recording; Fig. 7B is a schematic view of a sensor for the presence of an electronic device of the charging system of Fig. 7A, if an electronic device is present in the receptacle; Fig. 8A is a fragmentary perspective view of a vehicle passenger door assembly and a vehicle frame associated with the cargo system of the present disclosure, showing the motor vehicle passenger door in a closed condition with a body lock shackle engaged with a door latch; Fig. 8B is a schematic view of a door status sensor of the charging system of Fig. 1 in the closed state when the vehicle passenger door is closed; Fig. 9A is a fragmentary perspective view of the vehicle occupant door condition sensor of the charging system Fig. 1, showing the motor vehicle passenger door in the open state, with the body lock shackle disengaged from a door lock; Fig. 9B is a schematic view of the charging system sensor Fig. 1 in the open position when the vehicle passenger door is open; and Fig. 10 a schematic view of the charging system Fig. 1.

[0022] Corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. To provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure, specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and example configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0024] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific example configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular articles "a," "an," and "the," as used herein, are intended to include the plural forms as well. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "containing," and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless an order of performance is specifically stated, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated.Additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0025] When an element or layer is described as being "on," "engaging," "connected," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaging, connected, attached to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is described as being "directly on," "directly engaging," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent to" versus "directly adjacent to," etc.) should be interpreted in the same way.As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0026] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections are not intended to be limited by these terms. These terms may be used solely to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Unless clearly indicated by the context, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order.Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or portion discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or portion without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0027] In this application, including in the definitions below, the term "module" may be replaced with the term "circuit." The term "module" may refer to, be a part of, or include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field-programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) executing code; memory (shared, dedicated, or group) storing code executed by a processor; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0028] The term "code" as used above may include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and / or objects. The term "shared processor" includes a single processor that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group processor" includes a processor that executes some or all of the code from one or more modules together with additional processors. The term "shared memory" includes a single memory that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group memory" includes memory that stores some or all of the code from one or more modules together with additional memories. The term "memory" may be a subset of the term "computer-readable medium."The term "computer-readable medium" does not encompass transitory electrical and electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium and can thus be considered a tangible and non-transitory storage medium. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory storage include tangible computer-readable medium including non-volatile memory, magnetic storage, and optical storage.

[0029] The devices and methods described in this application may be implemented partially or entirely by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer programs include processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. Furthermore, the computer programs may include and / or rely on stored data.

[0030] A software application (i.e., a software resource) may refer to computer software that causes a computing device to perform a task. According to some examples, a software application may be referred to as an "application," an "app," or a "program." Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications.

[0031] Non-transitory memory may be physical devices used to store programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) on a temporary or permanent basis for use by a computing device. Non-transitory memory may be volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., which is commonly used for firmware such as boot programs).Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM), and disk or tape.

[0032] These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, or code) contain machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming language and / or assembly / machine language. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, any non-transitory computer-readable medium, any device and / or apparatus (e.g., magnetic disks, optical disks, memory, programmable logic devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0033] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein may be realized in digital electronic and / or optical circuitry, in integrated circuitry, in specially designed ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), in computer hardware, in computer firmware, in computer software, and / or in combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementations in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable in a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be a special-purpose or general-purpose processor, coupled to receive data and instructions from and send data and instructions to a memory system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0034] The processes and logic sequences described in this specification may be performed by one or more programmable processors, also referred to as data processing hardware, executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by manipulating input data and generating output. Additionally, the processes and logic sequences may be performed by special-purpose logic circuitry, such as an FPGA (field programmable logic array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Processors suitable for executing a computer program include, by way of example, both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors and any or all processors of any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor receives instructions and data from read-only memory or random access memory, or both.The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also includes, or is operatively coupled to, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, or to receive data from them or send data to them, or both. However, a computer need not include such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and storage devices, including, by way of example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.The processor and memory may be supplemented by or integrated with special logic circuitry.

[0035] To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor, an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or a touch screen, for displaying information to the user, and optionally, a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or trackball, through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with a user; e.g., feedback provided to the user may include some form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and may receive input from the user in any form, including auditory input, voice input, or tactile input. Furthermore, a computer may interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; e.g., by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's client device in response to requests received from the web browser.

[0036] The option for wireless charging in vehicles is generally reserved for the front console area, between the driver and passenger seats. This allows either the driver or the front seat passenger to conveniently utilize this feature, while passengers in the rear seat of the vehicle do not have convenient access to wirelessly charge their electronic devices. Furthermore, the lack of additional wireless charging cradles prevents multiple electronic devices from being wirelessly charged simultaneously. By incorporating an additional wireless charging cradle into the vehicle's interior door panel, all passengers in a vehicle have a convenient way to charge their electronic devices.

[0037] In Fig. 1 shows an interior environment of a motor vehicle 10. In particular, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of an interior of motor vehicle 10 and includes an example of a passenger door 12 that would be included as part of vehicle 10. Passenger door 12 includes an interior door panel 14 with an armrest 16. Included within interior door panel 14 is a charging system 100 used to wirelessly charge an electronic device 18. As described in more detail below, charging system 100 includes a receptacle 102 configured to receive an electronic device 18 that can be placed by the user within receptacle 102 to receive a charge.

[0038] Based on Fig. 2-5 are enlarged views of elements of the charging system 100. In the illustrated example, the charging system 100 is shown separated from the armrest 16 for clarity. The charging system 100 includes the receptacle 102 mounted to an interior portion (i.e., one facing the passenger compartment) of the door panel 14 of the door 12. The receptacle 102 generally defines a pocket 104 configured to receive the electronic device 18. As shown, the receptacle includes an exterior wall 106, an interior wall 108 spaced from the exterior wall 106 by the pocket 104, a pair of end walls 110, 112 disposed at opposite ends of the pocket 104, and a bottom wall 114 closing a lower portion of the pocket 104 and defining a support surface for receiving the electronic device 18.According to the illustrated example, the inner wall 108 of the receptacle 102 is oriented at an acute angle relative to the outer wall 106, whereby a width of the pocket 104 (ie, the distance from the outer wall 106 to the inner wall 108) increases along a direction from the bottom wall 114 to a top opening of the pocket 104.

[0039] The outer wall 108 of the receptacle 102 contains or defines a charging pad 116 configured to provide a wireless charging interface for the electronic device 18. The wireless charging pad 116 may, for example, be contained in a vertical orientation, allowing the electronic device 18 to be placed near the wireless charging pad 116 for the electronic device 18 to receive a wireless charge. In other words, when a wireless charging zone of the electronic device 18 is placed adjacent to the wireless charging pad 116, the electronic device 18 is wirelessly charged. To keep the electronic device 18 biased relative to the wireless charging pad 116, a charging system actuator 200 is provided on the receptacle 102.

[0040] The charging system 100 further includes a charging system controller 118 associated with the wireless charging pad 116 on the exterior wall 106 of the receptacle 102. If the charging system 100 is contained in a door panel 12 of the vehicle 10, the charging system controller 118 may be contained on a side of the door panel 14 opposite the receptacle 102, thereby concealing the charging system controller 118 from the user within the door 12. The charging system controller 118 includes or communicates with computing hardware 120 and memory hardware 122 for storing and executing instructions for operating the charging system 100. The charging system controller 118 further receives power (e.g., voltage) from a power supply system of the vehicle 10 and optionally controls the provision of power to the wireless charging pad 116.When the charging system controller 118 receives power, it is configured to selectively provide the power to the wireless charging pad 116 to charge an electronic device 18 when the electronic device 18 is placed against the wireless charging pad 116.

[0041] Additionally, the charging system controller 118 can optionally send power to a wired charging port 130 (e.g., a USB connection) located adjacent to the pocket 104 of the receptacle 102. According to the illustrated example, the wireless charging port is integrated into the front bulkhead 110 of the receptacle 102 adjacent to the pocket 104. Thus, the wired charging port 130 of the illustrated example is positioned in such a way that it is accessible even when an electronic device 18 is contained within the receptacle 102 and being charged. Thus, two electronic devices could be charged simultaneously using the charging system 100.

[0042] The wireless charging pad 116 is configured to charge an electronic device 18 regardless of whether the electronic device 18 is placed in a horizontal or vertical orientation, as long as the charging zone, which is typically integrated into a back wall of the electronic device 18, is placed adjacent to the wireless charging pad 116. According to some examples, the wireless charging pad 116 is configured to charge the electronic device 18 in any orientation when the electronic device 18 is positioned between the wireless charging pad 116 and the charging system actuator 200. This flexibility in the orientation of the electronic device 18 allows the charging system 100 to accommodate a wider variety of electronic devices 18, such as smartphones and tablets.

[0043] Based on Fig. 6A-9B, the charging system actuator 200 and an occupant door condition sensor 300 are shown in detail. The charging system actuator 200 includes a biasing member 202 configured to bias the electronic device 18 against the wireless charging pad 116 to maintain the electronic device 18 in a charging position. When the user places an electronic device 18 in the pocket 104 of the receptacle 102, the electronic device 18 is captured between the biasing member 202 and the wireless charging pad 116. According to the illustrated example, the biasing member 202 includes one or more springs that bias the electronic device 18 against the wireless charging pad 116.Since the electronic device 18 is oriented in an upright orientation within the pocket 104 when receiving a charge, the biasing element 202 provides the benefit of maintaining a force against the electronic device 18 to hold the electronic device 18 against the wireless charging pad 116, which maintains the electronic device 18 in a charging state.

[0044] Furthermore, the charging system actuator 200 includes an electronic device presence sensor 204 that monitors the status of the receptacle 102 to determine whether an electronic device 18 is present in the receptacle 102. According to the illustrated example, the electronic device presence sensor 204 includes a base plate assembly 206. If an electronic device 18 is not present in the pocket 204, which in Fig. 6A, the base plate 206 of the electronic device presence sensor 204 is separated, creating an open circuit 208 ( Fig. 6B). If, however, an electronic device 18 is present in the receptacle 102, which is Fig. 7A, the base plate 206 of the sensor 204 is connected to an electronic device presence, which completes the circuit 210 ( Fig. 7B) in the electronic device presence sensor 204. The electronic device presence sensor 204 is configured to send an electronic device presence signal 205 ( Fig. 10) to indicate whether an electronic device 18 is present in the pocket 104. If the electronic device presence signal 205 indicates that an electronic device 18 is present in the pocket 104, the charging system controller 118 sends a charging signal 117 to the charging pad 116 to provide wireless charging. Although the present disclosure illustrates the electronic device presence sensor 204 as a base plate, other types of presence sensors may be included in the charging system 100 to detect the presence of the electronic device 18. For example, vision sensors or capacitive sensors may be integrated into the receptacle 102 to determine when an electronic device is contained in the pocket 104.

[0045] Optionally, the electronic device presence sensor 204 may cooperate with a vehicle passenger door condition sensor 300 and with the charging system controller 118 to provide notification to an occupant when an electronic device 18 is contained in the receptacle 102 and the vehicle passenger door 12 is open. Fig. 8A-9B, according to one example of a door condition sensor 204, the vehicle passenger door 12 includes a body lock shackle 302 associated with a vehicle passenger door frame 20 and a corresponding door latch 304 associated with the vehicle passenger door 12. The door condition sensor 300 may be included in the door latch 304 or in the body lock shackle 302 and is generally configured to measure a condition of the door 12 and to transmit a door condition signal 301 ( Fig. 10) to the charging system controller 118 and / or to a central vehicle controller (not shown). When the body lock shackle 302 is engaged with the door latch 304 of a vehicle passenger door, the door status sensor 300 (in Fig. 8B and Fig. 9B as a reed sensor) provides a closed circuit 308 indicating that the door 12 is closed. Alternatively, the door latch 304 is empty because the door lock shackle 302 is not present, meaning that the door condition sensor 300 provides an open circuit 310 when the vehicle passenger door 12 is open. In use, the charging system actuator 200 and the door condition sensor 300 cooperate with the charging system controller 118 and / or with a central vehicle controller to indicate to the user whether an electronic device 18 is present in the receptacle 102 when the user opens the door 12 to exit the vehicle 10.

[0046] With regard to the Fig. 6A-10, the exemplary operation of the vehicle charging system 100 and the sensors 204, 300 for providing the notification will now be described. Before a user enters a vehicle 10, the door 12 of the vehicle 10 is closed, i.e., the reed sensor 306 in the door latch 304 is closed and connected because the door latch 304 is in contact with the body lock shackle 302. Additionally, no electronic device 18 is present in the receptacle 102, i.e., the circuit of the base plate 206 in the electronic device presence sensor 204 is disconnected and open. When the user opens the door to enter the vehicle 10, the reed sensor 306 moves to the open state, and the door status sensor 300 sends a corresponding door status signal 301 to the charging system controller 318.When the user is in the vehicle 10 and the door 12 is closed, the circuit of the reed sensor 306 is closed again when the door latch 304 engages the body lock shackle 302. If the user wishes to use the charging system 100 on the door panel 12 to wirelessly charge an electronic device 18, the electronic device 18 is placed in the receptacle 102. This connects the base plate 206 of the electronic device presence sensor 204, completing and closing the circuit, and the electronic device presence sensor 204 sends a corresponding electronic device presence sensor signal 205 to the charging system controller 218. Thus, in the first step, both the circuit of the reed sensor 306 is closed and the circuit in the electronic device presence sensor 204 is closed.If the user wishes to exit the vehicle, e.g., after driving is complete, the audible notification occurs if the user opens the door 12 while leaving the electronic device 18 in the receptacle 102. This causes the reed sensor 306 in the door latch 304 to open and disconnect, while the electronic device presence sensor 204 circuit remains closed, since the electronic device 18 was never removed from the receptacle 102.

[0047] In Fig.10 schematically shows the communication that takes place between the electronic device presence sensor 204, the door sensor 300, and the charging system controller 118. When the charging system controller 118 determines that the door 12 is in an open state (i.e., that the circuit of the door condition sensor 300 is open) and that the electronic device 18 is present in the receptacle 102 (i.e., that the circuit of the electronic device presence sensor 204 is closed), the charging system controller 118 sends a notification signal 313 to a notification device 312 of the vehicle 10. The notification device 312 may, for example, be a speaker that generates an audible notification and / or a display that generates a visual notification.This notification occurs until the status of the reed sensor 306 circuit or the status of the electronic device presence sensor 204 has changed. In other words, when the user removes the electronic device 18 from the receptacle 102 or closes the door 12, the notification ends. This notification reminds the user to remove the electronic device 18 from the receptacle 102 if the vehicle passenger door 12 is opened. This is intended not only to prevent scenarios in which the user forgets to retrieve the electronic device 18 from the receptacle 102 when exiting the vehicle 10, but also to prevent the vehicle passenger door 12 from being closed while an electronic device 18 remains contained in the receptacle 102, thereby protecting the electronic device 18 from the impact of a closing vehicle passenger door 12.

[0048] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0049] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but are, where applicable, interchangeable and may be used in a selected configuration even if not specifically shown or described. Furthermore, the configuration may be modified in many ways. Such changes are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

[1] A charging system for a passenger door of a motor vehicle, the charging system comprising: an armrest; a receptacle disposed in the armrest and defining a pocket containing a charging panel configured to provide wireless charging for an electronic device; a charging system actuator configured to selectively bias the electronic device against the charging field and including a sensor for the presence of an electronic device; and a charging system controller in communication with the electronic device presence sensor, the charging system controller including computing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the computing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that, when executed in the computing hardware, cause the computing hardware to perform operations that include: Receiving an electronic device presence signal from the electronic device presence sensor; Determining whether the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle based on the electronic device presence signal; and Instructing the charging system to generate a notification signal when the electronic device is placed in the receptacle. [2] The charging system of claim 1, wherein the charging system actuator includes a biasing member adjacent to the charging pad and configured to move between a first position for receiving an electronic device between the charging system actuator and the charging pad and a second position for biasing the electronic device against the charging pad. [3] The charging system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: Receiving a door status signal associated with a vehicle passenger door containing the charging system, Determine whether the vehicle passenger door is open; and Instructing the charging system to generate the notification signal when the electronic device is located in the receptacle and the passenger door is opened. [4] The charging system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device presence sensor includes a base plate in communication with the charging system controller, wherein a circuit of the base plate is closed when the electronic device is in the receptacle, and wherein the circuit of the base plate is open when the electronic device is removed from the receptacle. [5] The charging system of claim 4, further comprising a vehicle passenger door condition sensor configured to measure a condition of the vehicle passenger door. [6] The charging system of claim 5, wherein the vehicle passenger door condition sensor includes a reed sensor in communication with the charging system controller, the reed sensor positioned outside the receptacle and configured to move to a closed state when the vehicle passenger door is in a closed state. [7] The charging system of claim 6, wherein the operations further comprise instructing the charging system to generate the notification signal when the state of the base plate and the reed sensor changes from the state in which both circuits are in the closed state to the state in which the circuit of the reed sensor is in an open state while the circuit of the base plate remains in the closed state. [8] The charging system of claim 1, further comprising a wired charging port positioned adjacent to the pocket. [9] Door panel for a motor vehicle, the door panel comprising: an armrest; a charging system that includes: a receptacle disposed in the armrest and defining a pocket containing a charging panel configured to provide wireless charging for an electronic device; and a charging system actuator configured to selectively bias the electronic device against the charging field and including an electronic device presence sensor. [10] Motor vehicle comprising: an armrest; and a charging system that has: a receptacle disposed in the armrest and defining a pocket containing a charging panel configured to provide wireless charging for an electronic device; a charging system actuator configured to selectively bias the electronic device against the charging field and including a sensor for the presence of an electronic device; and a charging system controller in communication with the electronic device presence sensor, the charging system controller including computing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the computing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that, when executed in the computing hardware, cause the computing hardware to perform operations that include: Receiving an electronic device presence signal from the electronic device presence sensor; Determining whether the electronic device is disposed in the receptacle based on the electronic device presence signal; and Instructing the charging system to generate a notification when the electronic device is placed in the receptacle.

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