Wireless charging transmission device and method

Abstract

A wireless power transmission device is described herein, configured to enable wireless charging of a portable electronic device from a wireless charger across a gap. The device includes a coil configuration comprising a receiver coil, a transmitter coil, and a bridge electrically coupling the receiver and transmitter coils across the gap. The coil configuration can be received within a housing that can provide storage space or incorporate an expandable handle attachment.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 62 / 959,471, filed January 10, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The disclosure relates generally to chargers for electronic devices, and more particularly to a wireless charger for portable electronic devices. Background Art

[0004] Wireless charging for portable electronic devices (e.g., smartphones) has become increasingly popular. In use, the electronic device is placed on a charging station, and an electromagnetic field transfers energy from the charging station to the electronic device through electromagnetic induction or resonance. The electronic device then uses this energy to charge its battery. Many factors can affect the effectiveness of energy transfer, including the materials and spacing between the charging station's coil and the electronic device.

[0005] Portable electronic devices can also be housed in protective covers or housings to protect the device from damage, provide a handle for operating the device, and / or provide a stand for supporting the device on a surface. This increases the effective size of the device. Furthermore, expandable devices and accessories that can be directly attached to the device or its protective housing serve a variety of functions, including supporting the device on a surface and providing an expandable handle for operating the device. Expandable devices can have decorative buttons that display logos, decals, symbols, or other artistic expressions. However, all of these covers, housings, devices, and accessories can increase the material and space between the charging station's coil and the electronic device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A wireless power transfer device is described herein that is configured to transfer power from a charging transmitter coil to a receiving coil in a portable electronic device. The device includes a receiver coil, a transmitter coil, a bridge member extending across a gap between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil and electrically coupling the receiver coil and the transmitter coil to transfer power received at the receiver coil to the transmitter coil. The housing has an upper portion for receiving the receiver coil and a lower portion for receiving the transmitter coil.

[0007] According to one or more aspects, the bridge may be an electrical path extending between edges of the receiver coil and the transmitter coil, and / or the housing may include a connection compartment extending between the upper and lower portions to receive the bridge therethrough, and a storage area disposed between the upper and lower portions, wherein the storage area has an opening for access thereto. In one or more aspects, the wireless power transmission device may include a retaining member extending within the storage area to retain contents inserted into the storage area; the wireless power transmission device may include a shield extending along the upper and lower portions and / or the connection compartment to shield the storage area; and / or the storage area may include side walls extending between the upper and lower portions, such that the opening is a lateral opening.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, the bridge member may be a connector coil having a spiral configuration that is selectively expandable in an axial direction. In one or more embodiments, the connector coil may be electrically coupled to the transmitter coil at its radially outer portion and to the receiver coil at its substantially central portion, and / or the housing may include an expandable sidewall extending between the upper and lower housing portions, wherein the connector coil is disposed within the interior of the expandable sidewall. The expandable sidewall may also have a frustoconical configuration, and / or the upper portion of the housing may be a button mounted to the end of the expandable sidewall.

[0009] According to any of the above forms, the receiver coil may be embedded in the upper portion of the housing and the transmitter coil may be embedded in the lower portion of the housing; and / or the lower portion of the housing may include one or more walls configured to engage the portable computing device and couple the housing to the portable computing device.

[0010] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method for transferring charging power from a transmitting coil of a wireless power supply device to a receiving coil of a portable electronic device using a wireless power transmission device is described. The method includes receiving power from the transmitting coil at a receiver coil of the wireless power transmission device, transferring the power to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transmission device via a bridge extending across a gap between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil, and transmitting the power to the receiving coil of the portable electronic device using the transmitter coil of the wireless power transmission device. In this form, the receiver coil is disposed within an upper portion of a housing for the wireless power transmission device, and the transmitter coil is disposed within a lower portion of the housing.

[0011] According to one or more aspects, transferring power to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transmission device via a bridge extending across a gap between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil may include transferring power to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transmission device via an electrical path extending between edges of the receiver coil and the transmitter coil. In one or more aspects, the method may include receiving the item in a storage area of ​​the housing disposed between an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the storage area has an opening for access thereto. In yet another aspect, the method may include shielding the storage area with a shielding member extending along the upper portion and the lower portion.

[0012] According to one or more aspects, transmitting power to a transmitter coil of a wireless power transmission device via a bridge extending across a gap between a receiver coil and a transmitter coil may include transmitting power to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transmission device via a connector coil having opposite ends electrically coupled to the transmitter coil and the receiver coil, wherein the connector coil has a helical configuration that is selectively expandable in an axial direction. In one or more aspects, the method may include expanding a sidewall of a housing extending between an upper portion and a lower portion of the housing, wherein the connector coil is disposed within the expandable sidewall, such that expansion of the sidewall causes expansion of the connector coil in the axial direction.

[0013] According to any of the above forms, the method may include coupling a lower portion of the housing to the portable computing device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of a portable electronic device and a wireless charger;

[0015] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a wireless power transmission device configured to charge a portable electronic device from a wireless charger across a gap according to the principles of the disclosure;

[0016] Figure 3 It is configured according to the principles of the open text for Figure 2 A perspective view of a coil structure of a wireless charging transmission device;

[0017] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wireless power transmission device configured according to the principles of the disclosure, the wireless power transmission device being configured to charge a portable electronic device from a wireless charger across a gap when the expandable handle attachment is in a folded state;

[0018] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wireless charging transmission device with the expandable handle attachment in an expanded state;

[0019] Figure 6 It is configured according to the principles of the open text for Figure 5 A perspective view of a coil structure of a wireless charging transmission device;

[0020] Figure 7 It is configured according to the principles of the open text for Figure 5 A perspective view of a coil structure of a wireless charging transmission device;

[0021] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a wireless charging device; and

[0022] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An expanded perspective of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Generally speaking, according to various embodiments, a wireless charging apparatus and method are provided that advantageously provide stable and efficient portable charging of a portable electronic device around or through a gap. The apparatus utilizes an intermediate receiver coil and a transmitter coil to act as a bridge to transfer power from a transmitter coil in, for example, a charging station to a receiver coil in a portable electronic device.

[0024] The intermediate receiver coil and transmitter coil can be received within the housing, defining a gap that can be advantageously used for storage, including credit or debit cards or other typical wallet contents, such that the contents can be easily inserted and removed. In some versions, the housing can include a cover on one side thereof to retain and protect the electronic device. In other versions, the gap can be due to an outwardly extending accessory mounted to the portable electronic device, such as a handle accessory. In some versions, the handle accessory can be an expandable device comprising a base and an expansion mechanism movable relative to the base between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable device can also include a button coupled to the expansion mechanism.

[0025] like Figure 1As shown, the wireless charging device and method described herein are configured to charge a suitable portable electronic device 10, such as a smartphone, tablet, e-reader, or the like. Portable electronic device 10 includes electronic components powered by a battery or other suitable energy storage device 12, and a receiver coil 14 electrically coupled to power source 12. Receiver coil 14 has a disc-shaped configuration with a major surface 16 extending generally parallel to major surface 18 of device 10. This configuration allows portable electronic device 10 to receive charging power from a wireless charger 20 having a transmitter coil 22 and electrically coupled to power source 24. With this configuration, a user can align receiver coil 14 of portable electronic device 10 with transmitter coil 22 of wireless charger 20, thereby charging power source 12 via inductive power supplied by transmitter coil 22 and received at receiver coil 14. However, as described above, coils 14 and 22 must be aligned and within relatively close proximity of each other. Consequently, when portable electronic device 10 is separated from wireless charger 20 by a gap 26, portable electronic device 10 may not be fully charged.

[0026] Figures 2 to 7A wireless power transmission device 100 is shown, adapted to provide wireless charging power to a portable electronic device 10 across a gap 26. The device 100 described herein includes a receiver coil 102 and a transmitter coil 104, electrically connected together via a bridge 106 extending therebetween. The receiver coil 102, transmitter coil 104, and bridge 106 are received within a housing 108 of the device 100. In the illustrated form, the housing 108 includes a lower portion 110 sized to receive the receiver coil 102; an upper portion 112 sized to receive the transmitter coil 104; and a connecting portion 114 extending between the lower portion 110 and the upper portion 112. The connecting portion 114 spans the gap 26 and receives the bridge 106 therein, allowing the bridge 106 to electrically connect the coils 102, 104 together. The lower portion 110 and the upper portion 112 may have the coils 102, 104 embedded therein, or may include cavities sized to receive the coils 102, 104. By means of intermediate coils 102, 104 and bridge 106, the device 100 described herein allows the power source 12 of a portable computing device 10 to be charged by a wireless charger 20, regardless of the gap 26 therebetween. Accordingly, the lower housing portion 110 is configured to rest on the wireless charger 20 to align the receiver coil 102 with the transmitter coil 22 of the wireless charger 20. Similarly, the upper housing portion 112 is configured to receive or couple with the portable electronic device 10 thereon to align the transmitter coil 104 with the receiver coil 14 of the device 10. For example, the coils described herein may be configured to operate under the Qi standard. Alternatively, other suitable standards may be utilized. In the illustrated form, the lower housing portion 110 includes a generally planar outer surface portion 111 that allows the housing 108 to rest stably on the wireless charger 20, and the upper housing portion 112 may include a similarly planar outer surface portion 113 to receive the device 10 thereon.

[0027] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the bridge 106 can be an electrical path 116 that connects radial edges 118, 120 of the receiver coil 102 and the transmitter coil 104, respectively. With this configuration, the gap 26 at least partially defines a storage area 122 disposed between the lower portion 110 and the upper portion 112 of the housing 108. In the illustrated form, the storage area 122 is surrounded by top and bottom walls 124, 126, and a rear wall 128, and is accessible through an opening 130. As shown, the top and bottom walls 124, 126 are part of the upper and lower portions 112, 110 of the housing 108, and the rear wall 130 is part of the connecting portion 114 of the housing 108. The storage area 122 advantageously allows a user to insert cards, additional handle accessories, table tops, battery modules, circuit boards, housings, brackets, or other materials into the housing 108 through the opening 130. If desired, housing 108 may further include a shield 131 that shields reservoir 122 from electromagnetic fields generated by receiver coil and / or transmitter coils 102, 104. Thus, shield 131 may extend along or within lower portion 110, upper portion 112, and / or connecting portion 114. Shield 131 may be a separate or attached component. In one example, shield 131 may include ferrite and may have a rigid or flexible configuration as desired.

[0028] In some embodiments, portions of the housing 108 may be made of a flexible material. For example, the connecting portion 108 may be flexible, allowing the lower portion 110 and upper portion 112 to pivot relative to each other. With this configuration, the housing 108 can provide a storage area 122 that functions similarly to a bifold wallet. Accordingly, the top wall 124 and / or bottom wall 126 may have one or more pockets 132 formed therein or coupled thereto to provide convenient storage locations within the storage area 122. Alternatively, the connecting portion 108 may be made of a rigid material, allowing the lower portion 110 and upper portion 112 to be fixed in position relative to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower portion 110 and upper portion 112 extend generally parallel to each other. In these embodiments, the storage area 122 may be further defined by side walls 134 extending between the lower portion 110 and upper portion 112 and connected to the rear wall 128. In this configuration, the opening 130 is a lateral opening that provides access to the storage area 122. Furthermore, shield 131 may also extend along or within side wall 134 such that, in some versions, storage area 122 is completely enclosed by shield 131 rather than opening 130. If desired, top wall 124 and / or bottom wall 126 may include inwardly extending retaining members 135 configured to grip contents inserted into storage area 122. For example, retaining members 135 may be made of a rubber or adhesive plastic material.

[0029] As discussed above, the coils 102, 104 can be embedded within the lower portion 110 and the upper portion 112, or received within the cavity formed thereby. Alternatively, in this form, the coils 102, 104 can be arranged on an exterior or interior surface relative to the storage area 122 of the lower portion 110 and the upper portion 112. For example, the coils 102, 104 can be adhered to or otherwise coupled to a surface. Suitable materials for the housing 108 include polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) rubber, and other suitable polymers.

[0030] Advantageously, the lower portion 110 of the housing 108 may include one or more walls 136 sized and configured to engage the portable computing device 10 to couple the housing 108 to the device 10. For example, the walls 136 may be configured to engage the side surfaces and / or front surface of the device 10 to secure the housing 108 thereto. For example, the walls 136 may be angled inwardly and / or configured with a lip to engage the device 10, and may have a resilient and / or flexible configuration for mounting the housing 108 to the device 10, as is generally understood. While the housing 108 is shown as a single-piece construction, the walls defining the storage area 122 may be removably attached to the walls coupling the housing 108 to the portable electronic device 10. This would allow a user to remove the storage area 122 from the portable electronic device 10, which may facilitate access to the storage area 122, for example, with a wallet.

[0031] With this configuration, upper portion 112 extends along and above device 10 to align the transmitter coil 104 of device 10 with the receiver coil 14. Housing 108 can be used to protect portable electronic device 10 from physical damage. Thus configured, housing 108 can function as a protective outer shell for portable computing device 10, as well as a wallet or other storage device. Furthermore, due to coils 102, 104, and bridge 106, when device 10 and housing 108 are positioned on wireless charger 20, portable computing device 10 can be charged similarly to if device 10 were placed directly on wireless charger 20.

[0032] like Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the bridge 106 can be a coil member 150 having a helical shape so as to have a generally planar configuration in the first state. With this configuration, the helical coil can be moved in the axial direction to an expanded state. For example, Figure 5 As shown, the member 150 has a conical shape in the expanded state with the central end 152 of the member 150 moved in the axial direction relative to the radial ends 154 of the coil member 150. The expansion of the coil member 150 allows the receiver coil 102 and the transmitter coil 104 to be moved axially away from each other while maintaining electrical connection therebetween. In one version, as shown Figure 7As shown, the central end 152 can be electrically coupled to the center 156 of the receiver coil 102, and the radial end 154 can be electrically coupled to the radial edge 158 of the transmitter coil 104. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the connector 160 may electrically couple the center end 152 to a radial edge 162 of the receiver coil 102 .

[0033] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the housing 108 includes a handle attachment 164 having an expandable side wall 166 as a connecting portion 114, extending between a button 168 forming the upper portion 112 and the lower portion 110. The side wall 166 is movable between an expanded use configuration and a folded storage configuration having an accordion-like structure. The side wall 166 can be made of a flexible material, such as a polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, which can be formed by injection molding, thermoforming or compression molding, or can be any equivalent functional material suitable for its intended purpose. As shown, the bridge member 106 is received in the interior of the side wall 166 so that when the user expands the side wall 166, the coil member 150 expands. The expandable side wall 166 can have a frustoconical configuration in the expanded state, such as Figure 5 Of course, other shapes may be utilized, such as cylindrical, box-shaped, or other polygonal cross-sections.

[0034] In some versions, lower portion 110 may be a platform 170 coupled to sidewall 166, suitable for mounting to portable electronic device 10 or to a housing or other structure mounted to device 10. Platform 170 may be secured using, for example, a suitable adhesive. With this configuration, a user may secure platform 170 to portable electronic device 10 or the housing so that transmitter coil 104 is aligned with receiver coil 14 within the device.

[0035] In other versions, lower portion 110 may be a housing 172 comprising a main wall 174 and one or more side walls 176 extending outward from edges of main wall 174. Side walls 176 are configured to engage side surfaces and / or a front surface of device 10 to secure housing 172 thereto. For example, side walls 176 may be angled inward and / or provided with a lip to engage device 10, and may have a resilient and / or flexible configuration for attaching housing 108 to device 10, as is generally understood. With this configuration, main wall 174 extends along and over device 10 to align receiver coil 14 of device 10 with transmitter coil 104. Housing 164 may also serve to protect portable electronic device 10 from physical damage.

[0036] The various components of this form of housing 108 can be removably attached to one another. For example, the button 168 and the platform 170 or housing 172 can include contacts, and the sidewall 166 can include corresponding contacts, such that when the sidewall 166 is attached to the button 168 and the platform 170 or housing 172, the coil member 150 is electrically coupled to the transmitter coil 104 and the receiver coil 102, respectively.

[0037] By using the apparatus provided herein, the wireless power transmission device 100 is arranged between the wireless charger 20 and the portable electronic device 10 , so that the charging device 100 places the coil 14 of the electronic device 10 within the charging area of ​​the transmission coil 124 .

[0038] Figure 8 Depicts Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a wireless charging device, and Figure 9 Depicts Figure 8 An expanded perspective of the device. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The direct charging wallet 200 includes a wallet housing 202 that forms a content area 204 (e.g., for accommodating a credit card with magnetic / RFID, etc.). The coils 206, 208 on the flexible circuit can be configured with ferrite or a suitable signal protection backing and can be connected via connection traces 210 on the flexible circuit. According to this apparatus, a mobile electronic device 214 with or without an optional mobile electronic device housing 212 can be charged by a wireless charging pad coil 218 of a wireless charging pad 216 (e.g., by induction or resonance), even when the wallet is attached to the mobile electronic device 214, as shown. Figure 8 shown.

[0039] In some cases, the expandable handle attachment of the disclosure may be in the form of a commercially available handle and bracket product, such as those manufactured and sold by Bob Scott, Inc. For example, U.S. Patent No. 8,560,031, filed February 23, 2012; U.S. Patent No. 9,970,589, filed November 9, 2017; U.S. Patent No. 10,019,034, filed December 31, 2014; U.S. Patent No. 10,054,259, filed June 7, 2017; U.S. Patent No. 10,030,807, filed March 15, 2018; U.S. Application No. 15 / 679,934, filed August 17, 2017; U.S. Application No. 15 / 729,260, filed October 10, 2017; U.S. Application No. 11 / 12,2017; U.S. Application No. 11 / 12,2017 U.S. application No. 15 / 803,410, filed on March 3, 2018; U.S. application No. 15 / 808,076, filed on November 9, 2017; U.S. application No. 15 / 906,920, filed on February 27, 2018; U.S. application No. 15 / 952,025, filed on April 12, 2018; U.S. application No. 15 / 993,458, filed on May 30, 2018; and U.S. application No. 16 / 001,723, filed on June 6, 2018, each describe suitable expandable handle and stand products that also include a foldable mechanism, and the entire contents of each patent are incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] It will be understood that the elements in the drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the size and / or relative position of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, common but well-known elements that are useful or necessary in commercially viable embodiments are generally not depicted so as to less obstruct viewing of these various embodiments. The same figure numbers may be used to describe the same or similar parts. In addition, although several examples have been disclosed herein, any features from any example may be combined with other features from other examples or replaced by other features from other examples. In addition, although several examples have been disclosed herein, the disclosed examples may be changed without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, changes and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes and combinations will be deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wireless power transmission device for transmitting power from a charging transmitter coil to a receiving coil in a portable electronic device, the wireless power transmission device comprising: receiver coil; transmitter coil; a bridge extending across a gap between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil and electrically coupling the receiver coil and the transmitter coil to transfer electrical energy received at the receiver coil to the transmitter coil; and a housing having an upper portion receiving the receiver coil and a lower portion receiving the transmitter coil, wherein the housing comprises: a connecting portion extending between the upper portion and the lower portion to receive the bridge member therethrough; and A storage area is disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion, the storage area having an opening for accessing the storage area. 2 . The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bridge comprises an electrical path extending between an edge of the receiver coil and an edge of the transmitter coil. 3 . The wireless power transmission device according to claim 1 , further comprising a holding member extending inside the storage area to hold contents inserted into the storage area. 4 . The wireless power transmission device of claim 1 , further comprising a shield extending along the upper portion and the lower portion and the connecting compartment to shield the storage area. 5 . The wireless power transmission device of claim 1 , wherein the storage area further comprises a side wall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, and the opening comprises a lateral opening. 6 . The wireless power transmission device of claim 1 , wherein the bridge comprises a connector coil having a helical configuration, the connector coil being selectively expandable in an axial direction. 7 . The wireless power transmission device of claim 6 , wherein the connector coil is electrically coupled to the transmitter coil at a radially outer portion of the transmitter coil, and is electrically coupled to the receiver coil at a substantially central portion of the receiver coil. 8 . The wireless power transmission device of claim 7 , wherein the housing further comprises an expandable sidewall extending between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion, the connector coil being disposed inside the expandable sidewall.

9. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 8, wherein the expandable sidewall has a frusto-conical configuration. 10 . The wireless power transmission device of claim 8 , wherein the upper portion of the housing includes a button mounted to an end of the expandable sidewall.

11. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the housing further comprises one or more walls configured to engage a portable computing device and couple the housing to the portable computing device. 12 . The wireless power transmission device of claim 1 , wherein the receiver coil is embedded in an upper portion of the housing, and the transmitter coil is embedded in a lower portion of the housing.

13. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the wireless power transfer device comprises an inductive power transfer device.

14. A method for transferring charging power from a transmitting coil of a power source to a receiving coil of a portable electronic device, the method comprising: receiving electrical energy from the transmitting coil at a receiver coil of a wireless power transmission device, the receiver coil being arranged in an upper portion of a housing of the wireless power transmission device; transmitting electrical energy to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transmission device via a bridge extending across a gap between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil, the transmitter coil being disposed within a lower portion of the housing; Using the transmitter coil of the wireless power transmission device, the power is transmitted to the receiving coil of the portable electronic device; and Items are received in a storage area of ​​the housing disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion, the storage area having an opening for accessing the storage area.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein transmitting power to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transmission device via the bridge extending across the gap between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil comprises: Power is transferred to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transfer device via an electrical path extending between an edge of the receiver coil and an edge of the transmitter coil.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising shielding the storage area with a shielding member extending along the upper portion and the lower portion.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein transmitting power to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transmission device via the bridge extending across the gap between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil comprises: Power is transferred to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transfer device through a connector coil having opposite ends electrically coupled to the transmitter coil and the receiver coil, the connector coil having a helical configuration selectively expandable in an axial direction.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising expanding a side wall of the housing extending between an upper portion and a lower portion of the housing, the connector coil being disposed within the expandable side wall such that the side wall expansion causes the connector coil to expand in the axial direction.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising coupling the lower portion of the housing to a portable computing device.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the wireless power transfer device comprises an inductive power transfer device.

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