Housing unit for a mobile terminal device and system for charging an energy accumulator of a mobile terminal device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing unit (10) for a mobile terminal device (12), wherein the mobile terminal device has a charging coil (14) for contactless charging of an energy storage device (26), wherein the housing unit (10) includes a power supply input terminal (16) and a transmitting unit (18) for generating a coupling with the charging coil (14) through resonant induction, characterized in that the housing unit (10) includes a switching unit (20) and a receiving unit (22) for generating a coupling with an external charging station (24) for contactless charging of the mobile terminal device (12); wherein the switching unit (20) is electrically connected to the power supply input terminal (16); wherein the switching unit (20) electrically connects the transmitting unit (18) to the power supply input terminal (16) in a first switching state, and electrically connects the transmitting unit (18) to the receiving unit (22) in a second switching state. The present invention provides a housing unit (10) that avoids shielding against external magnetic fields and enables charging of a mobile terminal device (12) arranged in the housing unit (10) by means of an external contactless charging device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing unit for a mobile terminal device and a system for charging an energy storage device for a mobile terminal device. Background Technology

[0002] To charge the battery of a mobile terminal device, such as a smartphone, a wireless charging method can be used, where energy is transferred via resonant inductive coupling. The mobile terminal device can have a receiver along with a coil, which allows it to be wirelessly charged from an external charging device. The external charging device includes a transmitter along with a coil and is powered by a voltage source, typically connected to a USB port. The required coil of the receiver (which receives the magnetic field for transmitting energy) installed in the mobile terminal device is typically located on the rear side of the mobile terminal device. It is crucial for user-friendliness that the mobile terminal device inserted into its housing can also be wirelessly charged from the external charging device without significantly increasing charging time due to the housing. This requirement is met if the magnetic field emitted from the external charging device is not significantly interfered with by the housing. This is achieved when the housing is made of plastic and does not contain materials that weaken the magnetic field, covering the parallel arrangement of the coil of the receiver installed in the mobile terminal device.

[0003] However, there are applications where the plastic housing unit itself contains a transmitter along with a coil. The transmitter and coil are mounted in the housing unit to wirelessly charge a mobile terminal device inserted into the housing unit during bicycle riding. For this purpose, a specially designed housing unit is provided for the mobile terminal device, which receives operating voltage from an external device via electrical contacts for the transmitter mounted in the housing unit. Here, the power input terminal of the housing unit is connected to the power output terminal of the external device.

[0004] Here, the coil has a magnetic shield that shields the external magnetic field from the coil of the receiver of the mobile terminal device, which is not emitted by the coil of the transmitter in the receiving unit. Therefore, in the case of the known receiving unit, contactless charging of the mobile terminal device arranged in the receiving unit is slowed down in the absence of an external device with a power output terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a housing unit that avoids shielding from external magnetic fields and enables charging of mobile terminal devices arranged in the housing unit by means of an external contactless charging device.

[0006] The main features of this invention are presented in the following technical solutions. The following content describes the design solutions.

[0007] This invention relates to a housing unit for a mobile terminal device having a charging coil for contactless charging of an energy storage device. The housing unit includes a power supply input terminal and a transmitting unit for generating resonant inductive coupling with the charging coil. The housing unit further includes a switching unit and a receiving unit for generating resonant inductive coupling with an external charging station for contactless charging of the mobile terminal device. The switching unit is electrically connected to the power supply input terminal. In a first switching state, the switching unit electrically connects the transmitting unit to the power supply input terminal, and in a second switching state, it electrically connects the transmitting unit to the receiving unit.

[0008] This invention establishes a resonant coupling with an external charging station via a receiving unit. A connection is established with a transmitting unit by a switching unit in the presence of voltage on the receiving unit, which in turn establishes a resonant coupling with the charging coil of the mobile terminal device. Shielding can thus be overcome or avoided by the receiving unit, enabling contactless charging via the transmitting coil of the external charging station. If an external charging device provides voltage via electrical contacts through a power supply output terminal, the switching unit can establish a connection between the power supply input terminal and the transmitting unit. The transmitting unit is then supplied with voltage through the power supply input terminal. This provides a receiving unit that avoids shielding against external magnetic fields and enables charging of a mobile terminal device disposed within the receiving unit by means of an external contactless charging device.

[0009] According to a further configuration, the switching unit transitions to a first switching state when a voltage higher than a first predetermined threshold exists at the power supply input terminal.

[0010] The first predetermined threshold value can be, for example, between 2 volts and 12 volts, preferably between 3 volts and 10 volts, and more preferably 5 volts. This avoids the switching unit transitioning to the first switching state due to extremely low voltage. Furthermore, this enables the switching unit to transition to the first switching state if sufficient supply voltage is available at the power input terminal, in order to charge the mobile terminal device in the housing unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the switching unit can transition to a second switching state when there is a voltage on the receiving unit that is higher than a second predetermined threshold.

[0012] The second predetermined threshold can also be, for example, between 2 volts and 12 volts, preferably between 3 volts and 10 volts, and more preferably 5 volts. This avoids the switching unit transitioning to the second switching state due to extremely low voltage. Furthermore, this enables the switching unit to transition to the second switching state to charge the mobile terminal device in the housing unit if the receiving unit provides sufficient voltage, i.e., obtains sufficient energy from an external contactless charging device.

[0013] In addition, in one embodiment, the receiving unit is provided with a transmitting coil, a receiving coil, and a magnetic shielding element connected to the transmitting coil, the magnetic shielding element being arranged between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil, wherein the transmitting coil is electrically connected to the transmitting unit, and the receiving coil is electrically connected to the receiving unit.

[0014] Here, the transmitting coil is positioned between the magnetic shielding element and the mobile terminal device. The magnetic shielding element concentrates the magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil. This improves the efficiency of energy transfer to the mobile terminal device. Furthermore, the magnetic field or electromagnetic rays emitted by the transmitting coil are shielded from the orientation of the mobile terminal device by the magnetic shielding element. The receiving coil is positioned on the side of the magnetic shielding element away from the orientation of the mobile terminal device. Thus, the receiving coil can obtain energy from the magnetic field generated by an external contactless charging device. The magnetic shielding element is thus overcome or bypassed through the connection between the receiving and transmitting coils generated by the switching unit.

[0015] Here, the receiving coil can be connected to a magnetically shielded element.

[0016] The receiving coil and the transmitting coil thus utilize the same magnetic shielding element. The magnetic shielding element causes a concentration of the magnetic field received by the receiving coil and improves the efficiency of energy transfer between the external contactless charging device and the receiving coil.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the housing unit may have a second magnetic shielding element between the receiving coil and the magnetic shielding element, wherein the second magnetic shielding element is connected to the receiving coil.

[0018] This avoids the situation where, in the case of a very thin magnetic shielding element, a strong magnetic field exists not only on the receiving coil but also on the transmitting coil, causing a magnetic short circuit through the magnetic shielding element.

[0019] Here, at least one spacer with low magnetic permeability can be arranged between the magnetic shielding element and the second magnetic shielding element.

[0020] This creates an air gap between the two magnetically shielded elements, which reduces the probability of a magnetic short circuit. Furthermore, the spacer element with low magnetic permeability contributes to this reduction in probability.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system for charging an energy storage device for a mobile terminal device, wherein the system has a housing unit as described above and a charging bracket for the housing unit, wherein the charging bracket has a power output terminal, wherein the housing unit is arranged in the charging bracket and the power input terminal is electrically connected to the power output terminal.

[0022] The advantages, effects, and expansion methods of the system are derived from the advantages, effects, and expansion methods of the accommodating unit described above. Therefore, please refer to the above description in this regard.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a switching unit of the aforementioned receiving unit for a mobile terminal device, wherein the method comprises the following steps: if the receiving unit is resonantly coupled to an external charging station, then connecting the transmitting unit of the receiving unit to the receiving unit of the receiving unit; and if a power supply voltage is present at the power supply input terminal, then connecting the transmitting unit to the power supply input terminal of the receiving unit.

[0024] The advantages, effects, and extensions of the method are derived from the advantages, effects, and extensions of the accommodating unit described above. Therefore, please refer to the above description in this regard.

[0025] Furthermore, the method may include the following steps: if the receiving unit is not resonantly coupled to the external charging station, the transmitting unit is separated from the receiving unit; and if there is no power supply voltage at the power supply input terminal, the transmitting unit is separated from the power supply input terminal. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Further features, details, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0027] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram of the housing unit;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an exemplary switching circuit for a switching unit;

[0029] Figure 3a b: Schematic diagram of a different view of another embodiment;

[0030] Figure 4a b: Schematic diagram of the system and housing unit; and

[0031] Figure 5 : Flowchart of the method. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1A housing unit 10 is shown arranged between a mobile terminal device 12 and an external contactless charging device. The mobile terminal device 12 may be, for example, a smartphone or tablet with Qi charging functionality for an energy storage device 26 and a charging coil 14 including a shielding element 38. The external contactless charging device may be, for example, a Qi charging device with a shielding element 44 and a transmitting coil 42.

[0033] The housing unit 10 may be made of plastic and has a power input terminal 16 and a transmitting unit 18, which is used to generate resonant inductive coupling with the charging coil 14 of the mobile terminal device 12. In addition, the housing unit 10 has a switching unit 20 and a receiving unit 22, which is used to generate resonant inductive coupling with an external charging station 24 for contactless charging of the mobile terminal device 12.

[0034] Furthermore, the housing unit 10 includes a transmitting coil 28, a receiving coil 30, and a magnetic shielding element 32 connected to the transmitting coil 28, which is arranged between the transmitting coil 28 and the receiving coil 30. Here, the transmitting coil 28 is electrically connected to the transmitting unit 18, while the receiving coil 30 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 22. In this embodiment, both the transmitting coil 28 and the receiving coil 30 are connected to the magnetic shielding element 32.

[0035] The magnetic shielding element 32 may be made of ferrite.

[0036] The switching unit 20 is connected to grounding terminals 46, 50, and 54, and DC voltage terminals 48, 52, and 56. Grounding terminal 50 and DC voltage terminal 52 connect the switching unit 20 to the transmitting unit 18. Grounding terminal 54 and DC voltage terminal 56 connect the switching unit 20 to the power supply input terminal 16. Grounding terminal 46 and DC voltage terminal 48 connect the switching unit 20 to the receiving unit 22.

[0037] Here, if the power input terminal 16 is connected to the power output terminal of an effective external charging device, the DC voltage connection terminal 56 can have a positive DC voltage, such as 5V, relative to the ground connection terminal 54.

[0038] Here, in the first switching state, the switching unit 20 electrically connects the transmitting unit 18 to the power supply input terminal 16, while in the second switching state, the switching unit 20 electrically connects the transmitting unit 18 to the receiving unit 22.

[0039] The switching unit 20 is capable of having its two connection terminals 50 and 52 (which provide the operating voltage for the transmitting unit to be installed) connected or unconnected to connection terminal 54 or 56, and / or connected or unconnected to connection terminal 46 or 48 respectively, wherein ground connection terminals 46, 50, and 54 are always interconnected. If the voltage at DC voltage connection terminal 48 or 56 exceeds a first or second predetermined threshold, DC voltage connection terminal 52 is always connected to DC voltage connection terminal 48 or 56.

[0040] In principle, both DC voltage connection terminals 48 and 56 can also be connected to DC voltage connection terminal 52 simultaneously. However, this requires simultaneously providing a connection between the power supply input terminal 16 and the power supply output terminal of the external charging device, as well as a transmitting coil on the receiving coil 30. However, in practice, this does not happen simultaneously because the external charging device with the power supply output terminal and the external contactless charging device are mutually exclusive for space reasons.

[0041] The switching logic defined in the switching unit 20 enables the transmitting unit 18 embedded in the receiving unit 10 to operate either with a voltage supplied by an external charging device having a power output terminal via connection terminals 54 and 56, or with a voltage supplied by a receiving unit 22 installed in the receiving unit via connection terminals 46 and 48, wherein the voltage at connection terminals 46 and 48 is generated by a magnetic field emitted by an external contactless charging device. In this implementation, the mobile terminal device 12 always performs wireless charging via the installed transmitting unit 18 together with its transmitting coil 28 connected to the magnetic shielding element 32, regardless of whether the original charging energy originates from an external charging device having a power output terminal or from an external contactless charging device.

[0042] exist Figure 2The example illustrates a switching unit 20 implemented as an electronic switch with two identical complementary Darlington circuits. Elements 62 and 68 are two identical NPN transistors, and elements 60 and 66 are two identical PNP transistors. Transistors 62 and 60, or transistors 68 and 66, are connected according to the complementary Darlington circuits. Resistors 58 or 64 ensure that transistor 60 or 66 is always turned on if an operating voltage for the corresponding complementary Darlington circuit is applied to DC voltage connection 56 or 48. If no operating voltage is applied to DC voltage connection 56 or 48, i.e., DC voltage connection 56 or 48 is suspended in air without voltage, transistor 60 or 66 is turned off. The on or off state of transistor 60 or 66 causes transistor 62 or 68 to be turned on or off in the same way. Assume the amplification factor of the two NPN transistors is B1, and the amplification factor of the two PNP transistors is B2. If resistors 58 or 64 are chosen such that current Ib2 flows through the base of transistor 60 or transistor 66, and if transistor 60 or transistor 66 is conducting, then approximately current Ib2 × B1 × B2 flows through the load connected to terminals 52 and 50, meaning the current flowing through the load at terminals 52 and 50 is B1 × B2 times greater than Ib2. Since, according to Figure 3, this load is precisely the transmitting unit 18 along with the transmitting coil 28 mounted in housing unit 10, the complementary Darlington circuit ensures a sufficiently large charging current for the transmitting unit 18 mounted in housing unit 10. If, for example, a voltage of 5V is applied to DC voltage terminal 56, assuming resistor 58 is 10kΩ and B1 = B2 = 50, then approximately (5V - 0.65V) / 10kΩ = 0.435mA of current flows through resistor 58. After amplification by transistors 60 and 62, a current of 1.0875A flows through the load connected to terminals 52 and 50. This current falls within the typical input current range of the transmitting unit 18, which is configured, for example, as a Qi transmitter. The maximum power consumption of the transmitting unit 18, installed in the housing unit 10, will be approximately (5V - 0.2V) × 1.0875A = 5.22W.

[0043] If no operating voltage is applied to DC voltage connection terminals 48 or 56, the voltage relative to ground is zero. In this case, the associated complementary Darlington circuit has no effect on other complementary Darlington circuits because transistor 68 or transistor 62 is blocking. If an operating voltage is applied not only to DC voltage connection terminal 48 but also to DC voltage connection terminal 56 (these two operating voltages are not necessarily the same), then not only transistor 68 but also transistor 62 is conducting. The sum of the collector-emitter currents of transistors 62 and 68 flows through the load connected to terminals 52 and 50. The two collector-emitter currents automatically arise such that any possible voltage difference between DC voltage connections 56 and 48 is compensated by the different collector-emitter voltages of transistors 62 and 68. It always applies that the voltage at DC voltage connection terminal 56 minus the collector-emitter voltage of transistor 62 equals the voltage at DC voltage connection terminal 48 minus the collector-emitter voltage of transistor 68.

[0044] Figure 3a and 3b An alternative embodiment of the components for transmitting coil 28, magnetic shielding element 32, and receiving coil 30 is shown.

[0045] Instead of the magnetic shielding element 32 used for the two coils 28 and 30, the receiving coil 30 is connected to the second magnetic shielding element 34. Here, the two magnetic shielding elements 32 and 34 can be circular ferrites with high permeability. An air gap is created between the two magnetic shielding elements 32 and 34 by means of at least one spacer 36. Because air has a permeability of approximately 1, it is significantly less permeable than the two magnetic shielding elements 32 and 34; if the two magnetic shielding elements 32 and 34 are made of ferrite, their permeability is between 300 and 300,000. Thus, the magnetic current for the transmitting unit 18 and the receiving unit 22 is limited only by the magnetic shielding element 32 or the second magnetic shielding element 34. The air gap can be achieved by separating the two magnetic shielding elements 32 and 34 in the middle, for example, by three spacers 36, as shown in... Figure 3b As shown in the diagram. The spacer retainer 36 can be made of a plastic material with low magnetic permeability.

[0046] exist Figure 4a The diagram illustrates a system for charging an energy storage device 26 of a mobile terminal device 12. The system includes a housing unit 10 and a charging bracket 70 for housing the unit 10. The charging bracket 70 has a power output terminal 76, wherein the housing unit 10 is arranged in the charging bracket 70 and a power input terminal 16 is electrically connected to the power output terminal 76.

[0047] The charging bracket 70 can be connected, for example, to the handlebars 74 of an electric bicycle and to which the mobile terminal device 12 is fixed. The power output terminal 76 can be supplied with voltage by the control unit of the electric bicycle for powering the mobile terminal device 12 within the housing unit 10. A cover 72 can be provided here to protect the mobile terminal device 12 from weather conditions.

[0048] Through Figure 4b The power input terminal 16, further shown, can connect the housing unit 10 to the power output terminal 76 of the charging bracket 70, which requires a conductive connection for transmitting energy to the housing unit 10. Here, the switching unit 20 is switched to a first switching state.

[0049] Figure 5 A flowchart is shown for a method 100 for controlling a switching unit of a receiving unit for a mobile terminal device as described above. Steps 102 to 108 shown can be performed in any logically meaningful order or simultaneously.

[0050] In step 102, if the receiving unit is resonantly coupled to the external charging station, the transmitting unit of the receiving unit is connected to the receiving unit of the receiving unit.

[0051] In step 104, if the receiving unit is not resonantly coupled to the external charging station, the transmitting unit is separated from the receiving unit.

[0052] In step 106, if a power supply voltage is present at the power supply input terminal, the transmitting unit is connected to the power supply input terminal of the receiving unit.

[0053] In step 108, if there is no power supply voltage at the power supply input terminal, the transmitting unit is disconnected from the power supply input terminal.

Claims

1. A receiving unit for a mobile terminal device (12), wherein, The mobile terminal device (12) has a charging coil (14) for contactless charging of an energy storage device (26), wherein the housing unit (10) includes a power supply input terminal (16) and a transmitting unit (18), the transmitting unit being used to generate a resonant induction coupling with the charging coil (14), characterized in that the housing unit (10) has a switching unit (20) and a receiving unit (22), the receiving unit being used to generate a resonant induction coupling with an external charging station (24) for contactless charging of the mobile terminal device (12), wherein the switching unit (20) is electrically connected to the power supply input terminal (16), wherein the switching unit (20) in In a first switching state, the unit is configured to establish an electrical connection between the transmitting unit (18) and the power input terminal (16), and in a second switching state, it is configured to establish an electrical connection between the transmitting unit (18) and the receiving unit (22). The receiving unit (10) has a transmitting coil (28), a receiving coil (30), and a magnetic shielding element (32) connected to the transmitting coil (28). The magnetic shielding element is arranged between the transmitting coil (28) and the receiving coil (30). The transmitting coil (28) is electrically connected to the transmitting unit (18), and the receiving coil (30) is electrically connected to the receiving unit (22).

2. The accommodating unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching unit (20) is configured to transition to the first switching state when there is a voltage higher than a first predetermined threshold at the power supply input terminal (16).

3. The receiving unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The switching unit (20) is configured to transition to the second switching state when there is a voltage higher than the second predetermined threshold on the receiving unit (22).

4. The receiving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The receiving coil (30) is directly connected to the magnetic shielding element (32).

5. The receiving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The receiving unit (10) has a second magnetic shielding element (34) between the receiving coil (30) and the magnetic shielding element (32), wherein the second magnetic shielding element (34) is directly connected to the receiving coil (30).

6. The receiving unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least one spacer (36) with low magnetic permeability is arranged between the magnetic shielding element (32) and the second magnetic shielding element (34).

7. A system for charging an energy storage device (26) of a mobile terminal device (12), wherein, The system has a housing unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and a charging bracket (70) for the housing unit (10), wherein the charging bracket (70) has a power output terminal (76), wherein the housing unit (10) is arranged in the charging bracket (70) and the power input terminal (16) is electrically connected to the power output terminal (76).

8. A method for controlling a switching unit of a receiving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the receiving unit being used in a mobile terminal device, wherein, The method (100) has the following steps: -If the receiving unit is resonantly coupled to the external charging station, then the transmitting unit of the receiving unit is connected to the receiving unit of the receiving unit (102); and - If a power supply voltage is present at the power supply input terminal, the transmitting unit is connected to the power supply input terminal of the receiving unit (106).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The method (100) further comprises the following steps: - If the receiving unit is not resonantly coupled to the external charging station, then the transmitting unit is separated from the receiving unit (104); and - If there is no power supply voltage at the power supply input terminal, the transmitting unit is disconnected from the power supply input terminal (108).

Images