Wireless charging module positioning device

Abstract

A wireless charging system for charging a mobile device disposed within a passenger compartment area of a motor vehicle includes a wireless charging module providing a wireless charging area having a charging zone. The wireless charging system also includes a charging device positioning system disposed adjacent to the wireless charging module and configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle interior trim components and, more particularly, to a wireless device charging system incorporated into a vehicle interior trim component. Background Art

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the background of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the work of the presently named inventors, as well as aspects of the description that may not qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art with respect to the present disclosure.

[0003] Vehicle interior trim components provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the passenger compartment area of ​​a vehicle. In some cases, the vehicle interior trim components may also provide functionality that a vehicle user may utilize while the vehicle is being driven, or when the vehicle is parked. Additionally, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) continue to seek to improve the experience of passengers residing in the passenger compartment area of ​​a vehicle, which may include, for example, maintaining an adequate amount of energy in one or more mobile devices that consume power. Summary of the invention

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a wireless charging system for charging a mobile device disposed within a passenger compartment area of ​​a motor vehicle. The wireless charging system includes a wireless charging module that provides a wireless charging area having a charging zone. The wireless charging system also includes a charging device positioning system disposed adjacent to the wireless charging module and configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone.

[0005] Aspects of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the wireless charging module is integrated into an interior panel of a passenger compartment area of ​​a motor vehicle. In some examples, the charging device positioning system includes a longitudinal positioning system configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone along a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. In some examples, the system includes a lateral positioning system configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone along a lateral axis of the motor vehicle.

[0006] In some embodiments, at least one of the longitudinal positioning system and the lateral positioning system includes at least one biasing element configured to be retracted within an interior panel of a passenger compartment area of ​​a motor vehicle. In some embodiments, the at least one biasing element may include a pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system and a pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system. In some configurations, the pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system are configured to move relative to the pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system.

[0007] In some examples, each biasing element of a pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system and each biasing element of a pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system can be configured to be biased to the charging zone by a spring. In some embodiments, each biasing element of a pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system and each biasing element of a pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system can be configured to be biased to the charging zone by a motor. In some examples, each biasing element of a pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system and each biasing element of a pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system are configured to be biased to the charging zone by a motor.

[0008] In some embodiments, the motor communicates with a charging system controller, the charging system controller having data processing hardware and memory hardware storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the data processing hardware, causing the data processing hardware to perform operations including: receiving a charging device identifier; determining an optimal configuration of a charging device positioning system based on the charging device identifier; and moving the charging device positioning system to the optimal configuration to maximize a charging rate of the mobile device. In some examples, the motor communicates with a charging system controller, the charging system controller having data processing hardware and memory hardware storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the data processing hardware, causing the data processing hardware to perform operations including: receiving charging rate feedback indicating a current charging rate of charging from a wireless charging module; determining whether the current charging rate satisfies a charging rate threshold; and when the current charging rate does not satisfy the charging rate threshold, instructing the charging device positioning system to move to the optimal configuration to maximize the current charging rate.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a wireless charging system for charging a mobile device arranged in a passenger compartment area of ​​a motor vehicle, the wireless charging system including a wireless charging module providing a wireless charging area having a charging zone, and a charging device positioning system disposed adjacent to the wireless charging module and configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone.

[0010] Aspects of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some configurations, the wireless charging system includes a wireless charging module integrated into an interior panel of a passenger compartment area of ​​a motor vehicle. In some embodiments, the charging device positioning system includes a longitudinal positioning system configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. In these embodiments, the charging device positioning system may include a lateral positioning system configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone along the lateral axis of the motor vehicle. In some examples, at least one of the longitudinal positioning system and the lateral positioning system includes at least one biasing element configured to retract within an interior panel of the passenger compartment area of ​​the motor vehicle. The wireless charging system may include at least one biasing element, and may include a pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system, and / or a pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system.

[0011] In some configurations, a pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system are configured to move relative to a pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system. In some examples, each biasing element of the pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system and each biasing element of the pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system can be configured to be biased to the charging zone by a spring. Each biasing element of the pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system and each biasing element of the pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system can be configured to be biased to the charging zone by a motor.

[0012] The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 1A is a top perspective view of a mobile device arranged adjacent to, but not docked with, an interior trim component having a wireless charging area in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 1B is based on Figure 1A , showing a mobile device docked with an interior trim component in a non-optimized position relative to the wireless charging zone;

[0016] Figure 1C is based on Figure 1B , showing a mobile device docked with an interior trim component in an optimized position relative to the wireless charging area; and

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1ASide view of a mobile device and Figure 1C A schematic side view of a portion of an interior trim component.

[0018] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be implemented in many different forms, and that the specific details and exemplary configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] The terms used herein are only for describing specific exemplary configurations, not for limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a", "an" and "the" may also be intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprise", "include", "contain" and "have" are inclusive, thus specifying the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as an execution order. Additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0021] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element or layer," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0022] The terms first, second, third, etc. can be used here to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish each element, component, region, layer or part. Terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply order or sequence unless the context clearly indicates. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or part, without departing from the teaching of the example configuration.

[0023] In this application, including the definitions below, the term module may be replaced by the term circuit. The term "module" may refer to or be part of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), 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) that executes code; a memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor; other suitable hardware components that provide the functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0024] The term code used above may include software, firmware and / or microcode, and may refer to a program, a routine, a function, a class and / or an object. 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 in combination with an additional processor. The term shared memory includes a single memory that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term group memory includes a memory that stores some or all of the code from one or more modules in combination with an additional memory. The term memory may be a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium does not include transient electrical signals and electromagnetic signals propagated through the medium and can therefore be considered to be tangible non-transitory memory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory memory include tangible computer-readable media, including non-volatile memory, magnetic memory, and optical memory.

[0025] The apparatus and methods described in this application may be implemented in part or in whole by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer program includes processor executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. The computer program may also include and / or rely on stored data.

[0026] Software applications (i.e., software resources) may refer to computer software that enables a computing device to perform tasks. In some examples, software applications may be referred to as "applications," "apps," or "programs." 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.

[0027] Non-transitory memory can be a physical device used to temporarily or permanently store programs (e.g., instruction sequences) or data (e.g., program state information) for use by a computing device. Non-transitory memory can 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) / electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., commonly used for firmware, such as bootloaders). 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.

[0028] These computer programs (also referred to as programs, software, software applications, or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages ​​and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., disk, optical disk, memory, programmable logic device (PLD)) for providing 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 for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0029] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein can be realized in digital electronic and / or optical circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementations in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system comprising at least one programmable processor, which may be special purpose or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from a storage system, and to send data and instructions to the storage system.

[0030] The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors, also known as data processing hardware, executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating outputs. These processes and logic flows can also be performed by dedicated logic circuits, such as FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) or ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). For example, processors suitable for executing computer programs include general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Typically, the processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The basic elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more storage devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include or be operably connected to one or more large-capacity storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, to receive data from the large-capacity storage device or to transmit data to it, or both. However, a computer does not need to have such a device. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and storage devices, including, for 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 incorporated in special purpose logic circuitry.

[0031] To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented on a computer having a display device for displaying information to the user, such as a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or touch screen, and an optional keyboard and pointing device, such as 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 the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input. In addition, the computer may interact with the user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; for example, by sending a web page to a web browser on a user's client device in response to a request received from the web browser.

[0032] The present invention generally relates to vehicle interior trim components, and more specifically, to vehicle interior trim components arranged in the passenger compartment area of ​​a vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle interior trim component is an armrest, an armrest cover, a center console, a floor console, etc. In other embodiments, the vehicle trim component may include other areas of the vehicle cockpit, such as in an instrument panel, on a dashboard, or under a steering wheel. These areas provide one or more storage cavities configured to accommodate one or more items that a vehicle passenger can store or retrieve at any time before, during, or after using the vehicle. In some cases, one or more items may include, for example, power-consuming mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablet computers, etc.). Therefore, the vehicle interior trim component is configured to include a wireless charging system having a wireless charging bed, which defines a wireless charging area including an optimized charging area. The mobile device positioning system is disposed adjacent to the wireless charging bed and is configured to bias the mobile device from a first position that is not in the optimized charging area to a second position in the optimized charging area. Once arranged in the optimized charging area, the mobile device can be electrically coupled to the wireless charging bed to accumulate and store energy, thereby allowing the operation of the mobile device.

[0033] refer to Figures 1A-1C , a vehicle interior trim component 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In some configurations, the vehicle interior trim component 10 is configured as a vehicle passenger compartment panel. In other configurations, the vehicle interior trim component 10 is configured as an armrest, an armrest cover, a center console, a door console, a floor console, etc. The vehicle interior trim component 10 may include any desired material or combination thereof (e.g., plastic, foam, etc.) and may be formed by any desired process (e.g., injection molding, blow molding, vacuum forming, etc.).

[0034] The vehicle interior trim component 10 is disposed within a passenger compartment area 12 of a vehicle 14. Figures 1A-1C As shown, the vehicle interior trim component 10 can be configured as an armrest that can be deployed from a stowed position (not shown) in or near the backrest portion 16a of the bench seat 16 to a deployed position near the seat portion 16b of the bench seat 16. Figures 1A-1C The length L of the vehicle interior decoration component 10 is 10 (See for example Figure 1A ) may be along the longitudinal axis A1-A1 of the vehicle 14 (see, for example, Figure 1A ) arrangement. In addition, Figures 1A-1C As shown, once arranged in Figures 1A-1C In the deployed position, the width W of the vehicle interior trim component 10 10 (See for example Figure 1A ) may be along the transverse axis A2-A2 of the vehicle 14 (see, for example, Figure 1A )arrangement.

[0035] First reference Figure 1A The vehicle interior trim component 10 includes a body portion 18 having a top surface 20a. The body portion 18 also defines a thickness T extending at least partially through the body portion 18. 18 (See for example Figure 2 ) of the channel 22. Thickness T 18 The top surface 20a of the main body portion 18 and the bottom surface 20b of the main body portion 18 (see, for example, Figure 2 )

[0036] The vehicle interior trim component 10 also includes a charging device positioning system 24. The charging device positioning system 24 is aligned with and closes the passage 22 formed by the main body portion 18. Figure 2 , the charging device positioning system 24 is recessed from the top surface 20a of the main body portion 18. Further, the charging device positioning system 24 is indirectly connected to, directly connected to, or supported by the main body portion 18. Although the illustrated example shows that the charging device positioning system 24 is recessed from the top surface 20a, other embodiments may present a charging device positioning system that is flush with the top surface 20a or higher than the top surface 20a.

[0037] like Figures 1A-1C As shown, the charging device positioning system 24 includes a plurality of panels 26-34. A first panel 26 (see also, for example, Figure 1A ) is a charging panel 26 of the charging device positioning system 24. As will be described in the following disclosure, the charging panel 26 is configured to support the rear surface of the mobile device 75. The front surface of the mobile device has a touch screen for interacting with the user (see, for example, Figures 1A-1C ). The rear surface of the mobile device has a wireless charging interface (not shown).

[0038] A second panel 28 of the plurality of panels 26-34 (see, e.g. Figures 1A-1C and 2) is a movable first lateral positioning panel 28 of the charging device positioning system 24. As will be described in the following disclosure, the movable first lateral positioning panel 28 is configured to selectively laterally engage the first lateral edge 75a of the mobile device 75 (see, for example, Figure 1A and Figure 2 ).

[0039] A third panel 30 of the plurality of panels 26-34 (see, e.g. Figures 1A-1C and 2) is a removable second lateral positioning panel 30 of the charging device positioning system 24. As will be described in the following disclosure, the removable second lateral positioning panel 30 is configured to selectively laterally engage the second lateral edge 75b of the mobile device 75 (see, for example, Figure 1A and Figure 2). The movable second transverse positioning panel 30 is arranged opposite to the movable first transverse positioning panel 28. Therefore, the second transverse edge 75b of the mobile device 75 is opposite to the first transverse edge 75a of the mobile device 75.

[0040] A fourth panel 32 of the plurality of panels 26-34 (see, e.g. Figures 1A-1C ) is a movable first longitudinal positioning panel 32 of the charging device positioning system 24. As will be described in the following disclosure, the movable first longitudinal positioning panel 32 is configured to selectively laterally engage the first longitudinal edge 75c of the mobile device 75 (see, for example, Figure 1A ).

[0041] The fifth panel 34 of the plurality of panels 26-34 is a movable second longitudinal positioning panel 34 of the charging device positioning system 24. As will be described in the following disclosure, the movable second longitudinal positioning panel 34 is configured to selectively laterally engage the second longitudinal edge 75d of the mobile device 75 (see, for example, Figure 1A ). The movable second longitudinal positioning panel 34 is arranged opposite to the movable first longitudinal positioning panel 32; therefore, the second longitudinal edge 75d of the mobile device 75 is opposite to the first longitudinal edge 75c of the mobile device 75.

[0042] The movable first lateral positioning panel 28 and the movable second lateral positioning panel 30 cooperate to define a lateral positioning system 36 of the charging device positioning system 24. Figure 1B As described below in the disclosure of the charging device positioning system 24, the lateral positioning system 36 is located along the lateral axis A2-A2 ( Figure 1A ) The lateral orientation of the mobile device 75 on the charging panel 26 of the biasing charging device positioning system 24.

[0043] Similarly, the movable first longitudinal positioning panel 32 and the movable second longitudinal positioning panel 34 cooperate to define the longitudinal positioning system 38 of the charging device positioning system 24. Figure 1C As described in the following disclosure of the charging device positioning system 24, the longitudinal positioning system 38 is located along the longitudinal axis A1-A1 ( Figure 1A ) The longitudinal orientation of the mobile device 75 on the charging panel 26 of the biasing charging device positioning system 24.

[0044] Reference Figure 2, the charging device positioning system 24 also includes one or more lateral guides 40, one or more longitudinal guides 42, one or more springs 44, and optionally one or more motors 46. In some configurations, if the charging device positioning system 24 includes one or more springs 44 but does not include one or more motors 46, the charging device positioning system 24 may be referred to as a mechanical control device. In other configurations, if the charging device positioning system 24 includes one or more motors 46 but does not include one or more springs 44, the charging device positioning system 24 may be referred to as an electronic control device. The springs 44 and / or motors 46 may be collectively referred to as actuators 44, 46.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, each movable positioning panel 28, 30 of the lateral positioning system 36 is supported by and connected to the lateral guide rail 40. Similarly, each movable positioning panel 32, 34 ( Figure 2 4 (not shown) is supported by and connected to the longitudinal guide rail 42.

[0046] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the movable positioning panels 28-34 of the lateral positioning system 36 and the longitudinal positioning system 38 can move in the lateral rail 40 or the longitudinal rail 42 along the first clamping direction X in response to the expansion force applied by one or more springs 44 and / or one or more motors 46. Conversely, the movable positioning panels 28-34 of the lateral positioning system 36 and the longitudinal positioning system 38 can move in the lateral rail 40 or the longitudinal rail 42 along the second loosening direction X′ (opposite to the first clamping direction X) in response to the retraction force applied by one or more springs 44 and / or one or more motors 46.

[0047] Likewise Figure 2 As shown, the charging device positioning system 24 also includes a control system 48. The control system 48 communicates with the motor 46. The control system 48 may include a controller 54 having data processing hardware 56 and associated memory hardware 58, and one or more inputs 60, 60a-60c. Examples of the one or more inputs 60, 60a-60c may include a button or user interface 60a, a presence or proximity sensor 60b, a microphone 60c, etc.

[0048] In some examples, a passenger in the passenger compartment area 12 may interact with the user interface 60a of the control system 48 to cause the movable positioning panel 28-34 to move in the first clamping direction x or the second loosening direction X'. In another example, a passenger in the passenger compartment area 12 may place his / her hand and / or mobile device 75 near the proximity sensor 60b to cause movement of the movable positioning panel 28-34 in the first clamping direction X or the second loosening direction X'. Alternatively, the charging device positioning system 24 may include a sensor for detecting the presence of the mobile device 75 in the charging device positioning system 24 to automatically actuate the positioning panel 28-34. In yet another example, a passenger in the passenger compartment area 12 may issue a voice command, which is received by the microphone 60c and transmitted to the controller 48, which executes a corresponding instruction to translate the movable positioning panel 28-34 in the first clamping direction x or the second loosening direction X'. In some examples, charging device locating system 24 may send a presence signal to controller 48 to generate an alert or notification when mobile device 75 is present in charging device locating system 24 when a passenger exits the vehicle.

[0049] like Figures 1A-1C As shown, the movable lateral positioning panels 28, 30 of the lateral positioning system 36 are arranged in an overlapping or telescopic manner below the movable longitudinal positioning panels 32, 34 of the longitudinal positioning system 38. Therefore, although the movable lateral positioning panels 28, 30 of the lateral positioning system 36 are allowed to move relative to the movable longitudinal positioning panels 32, 34 of the longitudinal positioning system 38, the arrangement of the movable positioning panels 28-34 causes the movable longitudinal positioning panels 32, 34 of the longitudinal positioning system 38 to cover or at least partially obscure the movable lateral positioning panels 28, 30 of the lateral positioning system 36.

[0050] refer to Figure 2 , a wireless charging module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In general, the wireless charging module 100 and the vehicle interior trim component 10 including the charging device positioning system 24 define a wireless charging system 200 .

[0051] The wireless charging module 100 is arranged below the lower surface 50 of the charging panel 26 of the charging device positioning system 24, and is indirectly connected to, directly connected to, or supported by the lower surface 50. The wireless charging module 100 is arranged relative to the charging panel 26 of the charging device positioning system 24 so that when the mobile device 75 is arranged on the upper surface 52 of the charging panel 26 of the charging device positioning system 24 (see also Figure 1A ) allows wireless (e.g., inductive) charging of the mobile device 75 when connected.

[0052] refer to Figure 2 The wireless charging module 100 generally defines a charging area 102 (see also Figures 1A-1C ). The charging area 102 extends through some but not all of the charging panel 26 of the charging device positioning system 24. Figure 1A-1B As shown, after a passenger in the passenger compartment area 12 places the mobile device 75 on the upper surface 52 of the charging panel 26 of the charging device positioning system 24, the mobile device 75 may not be sufficiently positioned within the charging zone 102 to allow the wireless charging module 100 to charge the mobile device 75. The misalignment of the mobile device 75 within the charging zone 102 may alternatively be referred to as the mobile device 75 not being centered in the charging zone 102, or alternatively, the mobile device 75 is not positioned in an optimized position relative to the charging zone 102, such that the mobile device 75 may not be positioned to allow or initiate wireless charging by the wireless charging module 100.

[0053] refer to Figure 1A After a passenger in the passenger compartment area 12 places the mobile device 75 on the upper surface 52 of the charging panel 26 of the charging device positioning system 24, the passenger in the passenger compartment area 12 can then actuate one or more actuators 44, 46. Actuation of the one or more actuators 44, 46 imparts motion X / X′ to the movable lateral positioning panels 28, 30 of the lateral positioning system 36 and the movable longitudinal positioning panels 32, 34 of the longitudinal positioning system 38.

[0054] like Figure 1B As shown, in a first step, in response to actuation of one or more actuators 44, 46, the movable lateral positioning panels 28, 30 of the lateral positioning system 36 engage the first lateral edge 75a of the mobile device 75 and the second lateral edge 75b of the mobile device 75, respectively. As described above, the lateral engagement of the mobile device 75 results in the lateral positioning of the mobile device 75 along the lateral axis A2-A2 of the vehicle 14, whereby the mobile device 75 is laterally aligned relative to the charging area 102.

[0055] Although the mobile device 75 may be aligned laterally relative to the charging area 102, the mobile device 75 may not yet be aligned longitudinally relative to the charging area 102. Figure 1C As shown, in a second step, the movable longitudinal positioning panels 32, 34 of the longitudinal positioning system 38 engage the first longitudinal edge 75c of the mobile device 75 and the second longitudinal edge 75d of the mobile device 75, respectively. The longitudinal engagement of the mobile device 75 as described above results in the longitudinal positioning of the mobile device 75 along the longitudinal axis A1-A1 of the vehicle 14, whereby the mobile device 75 is longitudinally aligned relative to the charging area 102. As described above, after the lateral positioning system 36 and the longitudinal positioning system 38 position the mobile device 75 laterally and longitudinally, respectively, the mobile device 75 is aligned with the charging area 102, as shown. Figure 1CIn this position, the mobile device 75 is centered within the charging zone 102 or positioned for optimal charging, so as to allow or initiate wireless charging of the wireless charging module 100 .

[0056] In some cases, the controller 54 includes a processor 56 connected to one or more motors 46. The processor 56 can be coupled to a memory hardware 58 that stores a program with instructions for the movement X / X′ of the movable positioning panel 28-34, whereby the movable positioning panel 28-34 can be moved in a predetermined manner to accommodate one or more mobile devices 75 of different sizes. Therefore, in some embodiments, the controller 54 can receive an identifier from a passenger or directly from a mobile device 75 associated with a specific mobile device 75 (e.g., via a wired or wireless communication protocol). Thereafter, the one or more motors 46 assign the movement X / X′ to the movable positioning panel 28-34, which causes the mobile device 75 to move to a center or optimized position within the charging area 102, as described above. Then, after the mobile device 75 moves into the charging area 102, the passenger can save the identifier associated with the mobile device 75 and the movement X / X′ assigned to the movable positioning panel 28-34 in the memory hardware 58, which causes the mobile device 75 to move to a center or optimized position within the charging area 102.

[0057] Further, in some examples, the controller 54 can be connected to the wireless charging module 100 and receive charging rate feedback therefrom. The charging rate feedback indicates the current charging rate of the charging session of the mobile device 75. The processor 48 can determine whether the current charging rate meets the threshold charging rate (for example, the mobile device 75 may have been inadvertently moved away from the charging area 102 during the movement of the vehicle 14). The controller 54 can then determine that when the current charging rate does not meet the threshold charging rate, the processor 56 can instruct the user interface 60a or another indicator to generate a signal to the passengers in the passenger compartment area to reposition or return the mobile device 75 to a central or optimized position within the charging area 102 in order to maximize the current charging rate. Alternatively, the processor 56 can instruct the wireless charging module 100 to reposition the mobile device 75 on the charging panel 26.

[0058] Many embodiments have been described. However, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, other embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims.

[0059] The foregoing description has been provided for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but where applicable, they are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration even if not specifically shown or described. This can also be varied in a variety of ways. Such variations should not be considered a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A wireless charging system for charging a mobile device disposed within a passenger compartment area of ​​a motor vehicle, the wireless charging system comprising: A wireless charging module that provides a wireless charging area having a charging zone; as well as A charging device positioning system is disposed adjacent to the wireless charging module and is configured to bias the mobile device into a charging zone.

2. The wireless charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The wireless charging module is integrated into an interior panel of a passenger compartment area of ​​a motor vehicle.

3. The wireless charging system according to claim 2, wherein: The charging device positioning system includes a longitudinal positioning system configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone along a longitudinal axis of a motor vehicle.

4. The wireless charging system according to claim 3, wherein: The charging device positioning system includes a lateral positioning system configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone along a lateral axis of a motor vehicle.

5. The wireless charging system according to claim 4, wherein: At least one of the longitudinal positioning system and the lateral positioning system includes at least one biasing element configured to be retracted within an interior panel of a passenger cabin area of ​​a motor vehicle.

6. The wireless charging system according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one biasing element comprises: a pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system; and A pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system. 7 . The wireless charging system of claim 6 , wherein the pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system are configured to move relative to the pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system.

8. The wireless charging system of claim 7, wherein each biasing element of the pair of longitudinal biasing elements of the longitudinal positioning system and each biasing element of the pair of lateral biasing elements of the lateral positioning system are configured to be biased to the charging area by a spring or a motor.

9. The wireless charging system according to claim 8, wherein: The motor is in communication with a charging system controller having data processing hardware and memory hardware storing instructions that, when executed by the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations including: receiving a charging device identifier; determining an optimal configuration of the charging device positioning system based on the charging device identifier; as well as The charging device positioning system is moved to an optimized configuration to maximize the charging rate of the mobile device.

10. The wireless charging system according to claim 9, wherein: The motor is in communication with a charging system controller having data processing hardware and memory hardware storing instructions that, when executed by the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations including: receiving charging rate feedback from the wireless charging module indicating a current charging rate of charging; determining whether a current charging rate satisfies a charging rate threshold; and When the current charging rate does not meet the charging rate threshold, the charging device positioning system is instructed to move to an optimized configuration to maximize the current charging rate.

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