Charging device for powering a portable electronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging device for powering a portable electronic device, in particular for wirelessly charging a battery of the portable electronic device by wireless inductive power transmission. The charging device comprises a charging body having a support surface for placing the electronic device on it during the charging process. The charging device comprises at least one transmitting coil disposed within the charging body and arranged to emit alternating magnetic fields through the support surface for the inductive power transmission to the electronic device. Figure for the abstract: [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Charging device for supplying power to a portable electronic device

[0001] The invention relates to a charging device for supplying energy to a portable electronic device, in particular for charging an accumulator of the portable electronic device, by wireless inductive transmission of energy, the charging device comprising a charging body having a support surface for placing the electronic device thereon during the charging process, the charging device comprising at least one transmitter coil arranged in the area of ​​the charging body and arranged to emit magnetic alternating fields through the support surface for the inductive transmission of energy to the electronic device.

[0002] The method for wirelessly charging a device, in particular a mobile phone, is known in principle. In particular, in recent years, the Qi standard has become established worldwide, ensuring compatibility between the different manufacturers of charging transmitters and receivers. In this case, the transmission of energy from the transmitter to the receiver is done by the magnetic field, the transmitter having a transmitting coil crossed by an alternating current allowing it to produce an alternating magnetic field. The receiver has a receiving coil in which an alternating voltage is produced when the alternating magnetic field which is produced by the transmitter coil also penetrates the receiving coil. The induced voltage causes a flow of current which, after rectification, supplies energy to a connected load. The load can in particular be a rechargeable battery (accumulator).

[0003] If no other coil is located near the transmitter coil, the magnetic field produced by the transmitter coil again induces in the transmitter coil a voltage which is opposite to the active voltage, and the power capable of being delivered by the magnetic field is reintegrated. In this case, the transmitter coil behaves like an inductor which receives only an apparent power. Only when a second coil (receiver coil) is traversed by the same magnetic field and the voltage induced in the second coil causes a flow of current, a load being for example connected to the second coil, does the flow of current in the second coil produce a magnetic field opposite to the magnetic field produced by the transmitter coil and attenuates the latter.This induces a lower opposing voltage in the transmitter coil, which results in a lower power reintegration with, as a result, the delivery of a power. effective through the magnetic field. This effect, also used for communication from the receiver to the transmitter, is called load modulation. In this case, the receiver connects and disconnects a load at the rate of a bit transmission, which can be measured and analyzed in the transmitter as a change in bits of the effective power delivered. In the Qi standard mentioned above, this communication protocol is defined and governs the transfer of energy between transmitter and receiver, thus ensuring compatibility between transmitters and receivers from different manufacturers.

[0004] In order that, during the energy transfer, the maximum amount of energy is transmitted and the minimum amount of energy reintegrated into the transmitter, the magnetic field produced by the transmitting coil must penetrate the receiving coil as completely as possible. For this purpose, it is necessary that not only do the two coils overlap horizontally as exactly as possible, but that they also lie vertically at the smallest possible distance from each other.

[0005] The charging surface of a transmitter, particularly a transmitter integrated into a car, typically has dimensions allowing charging of major large telephones.

[0006] For this purpose, positioning aids have been designed. For example, the optimal positioning of the receiver, i.e. the portable electronic device, relative to the transmitter, i.e. the charging device, can be achieved using an optical or acoustic signal delivered by the transmitter as soon as the delivery of a certain effective amount of power is recognized. The light intensity of a light-emitting diode can also be used to indicate the effective amount of power and thus the quality of the coupling. On the receiver side, it is also possible to measure the received power, and information on the achievement of a satisfactory coupling can, for example, be displayed on the screen of the telephone to be charged.In both cases, the user places the device on the transmitter's charging surface and slowly moves it in various directions until the transmitter or receiver indicates satisfactory coupling.

[0007] In another method, the transmitter has several transmitter coils distributed under the loading surface. In this case, the user places the device in any position on the loading surface, and the transmitter electronics, for example, scans all the transmitter coils to find the one with which the greatest energy transmission takes place. This coil will then be used to continue the energy transmission. The disadvantage of this method is the expensive configuration of the transmitter electronics requiring several transmitter coils that must be controlled.

[0008] The present invention aims to simplify at low cost for the user the correct positioning of an electronic device on the support surface of the charging device.

[0009] This task is solved, in a charging device of the type mentioned in the introduction, by the fact that the charging device comprises at least one movably mounted stop, removable from the support surface in the direction of the electronic device and by which the mobility of the electronic device placed on the support surface is limited in at least one direction when the stop is removed from the support surface. In this way, the user can install the electronic device quickly and intuitively on the support surface so as to ensure good inductive energy transmission. The at least one removable stop can here be implemented with simple and inexpensive mechanical components. It is not necessary to provide an expensive configuration of the charging device with several transmitter coils.

[0010] Within the scope of the invention, a positioning method is thus presented which requires only a single transmitting coil and with which electronic devices of different sizes can be placed in such a way that in all cases, the single transmitting coil and the receiving coil of the electronic device overlap so as to allow efficient charging. The charging device thus offers additional positioning assistance, which is simple to operate, and a possibility of wedging the electronic device for optimal positioning for charging.

[0011] The electronic device may be, for example, a computer, or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or other mobile phone or a tablet.

[0012] In its extracted position, the at least one stop may protrude above the support surface so as to prevent movement of the electronic device on the support surface, more precisely movement parallel to the support surface. The at least one stop may, in its retracted position, be completely retracted so that it no longer protrudes from the support surface, or be partially retracted so that it protrudes less than in the extracted position. In an advantageous configuration of the invention, the at least one stop does not, in the fully or partially retracted position, constitute a sufficient obstacle to limit the mobility of the electronic device on the support surface.

[0013] The charging body may have a perfectly smooth and flat charging surface for placing the electronic device during the charging process. In this case, this smooth and flat charging surface also constitutes the support surface referred to. The charging body may also have a structured charging surface, for example provided with studs, edges or other similar structural elements. Such a structured charging surface, however, provides a kind of plane for supporting the electronic device, for example a plane defined by the tips of the structural elements, this plane then constituting the support surface mentioned.

[0014] The electronic device placed on the support surface does not need, in this case, to rest directly on the support surface, and it can also be removed from it by a certain distance which will not hinder efficient induction charging of the accumulator or other method of supplying energy to the electronic device. An electronic device of sufficient size can, for example, rest on the stops present. If these stops, in the retracted state, are not exactly level with the support surface but still protrude slightly therefrom, the electronic device placed there is nevertheless arranged on the support surface within the meaning of the present invention.

[0015] The movable stop between the retracted position and the extracted position is, in this case, at least in the entirety, mounted movable in a direction perpendicular to the support surface. By way of example, the movable stop between the retracted position and the extracted position can be moved from one position to the other by a linear movement or by a slight pivoting movement, the pivot axis extending in the entirety parallel to the support surface.

[0016] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the at least one extractable stop is prestressed by means of at least one elastic element in the direction of the extracted position. This has the advantage that the at least one extractable stop is always automatically in the extracted position, at least as long as no electronic device of a suitable size for pressing the stop against the elastic force is placed on it. The user can be guided intuitively by the at least one extractable stop to correctly position the electronic device on the support surface. The elastic element can be in the form of a compression or tension spring, for example if the elastic force is returned by a suitable device. The elastic element can be in the form of, for example, a helical spring or a spring washer or any other object with elastic properties.

[0017] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the at least one extractable stop can be completely or at least partially retracted when an electronic device is placed on the extractable stop. This has the advantage that the user can simply place his electronic device on the support surface without having to make any particular gesture to place an electronic device of suitable size which will cover the extractable stop. The stop then sinks automatically under the effect of the weight of the electronic device. If the extractable stop is prestressed by means of at least one elastic element in the direction of the extracted position, the elastic element is then advantageously configured such that it can sink under the sole effect of the weight of commercial electronic devices.

[0018] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the at least one removable stop is arranged on a pivoting support element of the loading device, this element being connected by means of a first pivot bearing to the loading body. In this way, a simple to produce and robust mechanism can be provided for folding and extracting the removable stop. The pivoting support element can for example be configured in the form of a rocker as described below or in the form of a pivoting flap at the free end of which the removable stop is arranged. The removable stop can, depending on the configuration of the pivoting support element, be produced in one piece with the latter, for example as an injection-molded component made of synthetic material, or as a separate component fixed thereon.

[0019] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the pivoting support element is connected on one side to the first pivot bearing and has on an opposite side the removable stop. This allows a particularly simple and inexpensive production of the pivoting support element having the removable stop. The removable stop can, for example, be rigidly connected, in other words fixed, to the pivoting support element.

[0020] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the extractable stop is arranged behind the first pivot bearing, seen from the transmitter coil. This also promotes the simple and intuitive operation of the extractable stop when the user uses electronic devices of different sizes.

[0021] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the pivoting support element is configured in the manner of a rocker which has a first rocker arm extending from the first pivot bearing in a first direction and a second rocker arm extending from the first pivot bearing in a second direction, the second direction being distinct from the first direction, the extractable stop being arranged on the first rocker arm. This makes it possible to further optimize the functionality of the extractable stop, i.e. of the pivoting support element. In particular, an extraction of the stop can also be carried out without the elastic element mentioned above, for example by placing the electronic device on the support surface in the region of the second rocker arm. Then, under the effect of the weight of the electronic device, the rocker pivots and the extractable stop is brought into the extracted position.

[0022] The first rocker arm may have the same length as the second rocker arm. The first rocker arm may also be longer than the second rocker arm.

[0023] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that a protrusion is arranged on the second rocker arm which projects from the support surface at least when the The removable stop is in the retracted position. This further improves the functionality of the rocker. For example, the eminence may be similar in shape to the removable stop.

[0024] The at least one protrusion can be pivotally connected to the second rocker arm by a second pivot bearing. The at least one stop can be pivotally connected to the first rocker arm by a third pivot bearing.

[0025] According to an advantageous configuration, provision is made for at least two protrusions placed at a distance from each other to be arranged on the second rocker arm, in particular two protrusions extending parallel to each other. This makes it possible to further optimize the positioning assistance of the loading device for other, even smaller types of electronic devices. In particular in the case of relatively small electronic devices, this feature still makes it possible to ensure sufficient movement of the rocker to cause the extractable stop to come out.

[0026] The rocker can be prestressed by means of at least one elastic element so that the at least one extractable stop is in the extracted position under the effect of the elastic force when no electronic device is placed on the extractable stop.

[0027] The rocker can also be prestressed by means of at least one elastic element so that the at least one extractable stop is in the retracted position under the effect of the elastic force of the elastic element. Due to the rocker function, this has the consequence that the at least one protrusion on the second rocker arm is, under the effect of the elastic force, in the extracted position and can, in this way, constitute an additional extractable stop at another location on the support surface. Thus, by configuring such a rocker having on one of its sides an extractable stop and on the other side a protrusion, stops are available that are suitable for electronic devices of various sizes, which the user can use as appropriate.If an electronic device of the corresponding size is placed on the protrusion which is in the extracted position, it sinks under the weight of the electronic device against the force of the elastic element, which, due to the rocking function, automatically moves the extractable stop of the first rocker arm into the extracted position.

[0028] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the loading device comprises at least one pair of extractable stops associated with each other, between which the transmitting coil is arranged, the mobility of the electronic device placed on the support surface between the extractable stops associated with each other being limited in opposite directions when the stops are in the extracted position. The distance between two extractable stops associated with each other in pairs can consequently be greater than the distance between the first pi bearings voting of the pivoting support elements. Such removable stops associated with each other in pairs make it possible to further optimize the positioning of the electronic device on the support surface for the user because they limit its mobility in opposite directions, for example in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction of the support surface.

[0029] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the pivoting support elements of the extractable stops associated with each other in pairs are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to each other.

[0030] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the loading device comprises at least a first pair of extractable stops associated with each other, by which the mobility of the electronic device placed on the support surface between the extractable stops associated with each other is limited in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction of the support surface when the stops are in the extracted position. By longitudinal direction of the support surface is meant the direction of the largest dimension between length and width of the support surface.

[0031] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the loading device comprises at least a second pair of extractable stops associated with each other, by which the mobility of the electronic device placed on the support surface between the extractable stops associated with each other is limited in opposite directions in the transverse direction of the support surface when the stops are in the extracted position. By transverse direction of the support surface is meant the direction of the smallest dimension between length and width of the support surface.

[0032] According to an advantageous configuration, it is provided that the support surface comprises at least one fixed stop projecting from the support surface and arranged behind the at least one removable stop, seen from the transmitter coil. Such a fixed stop may be in the form, for example, of an outer edge of the support surface, extending without interruption or with one or more interruptions all around the support surface. This makes it possible to provide a positioning aid for relatively large electronic devices which, due to their size, cover the areas of the support surface comprising removable stops.

[0033] The at least one fixed stop may protrude further from the support surface than the at least one extractable stop in the extracted position, for example by at least 1.5 times or by at least double.

[0034] For the configuration of the support surface comprising the removable stops and, where appropriate, the fixed stops, it is possible, for example, to proceed as follows.

[0035] First of all, the various electronic devices on the market are divided into two groups according to their size. In the larger group, electronic devices of a length such that they fit between the fixed stops forming the edge are classified. on the upper and lower edges of the support surface and their mobility on the support surface is limited by the fixed edge stops, which results in at least partial overlap of the transmitter and receiver coils regardless of the position of the electronic device. It is assumed here that the transmitter coil is located in the middle of the support surface and the receiver coil in the middle of the electronic device, which is generally the case. For electronic devices in the smaller group, on the other hand, the electronic device can be moved up to the fixed, upper or lower edge stop, to the point where sufficient overlap of the coils is no longer formed and the charging process is interrupted.According to the invention, an additional upper and / or lower edge-forming stop can then be implemented in the form of at least one removable stop, in order to limit the electronic devices from the group of small devices and so that for the latter too, it is established that when they are moved over the now reduced loading surface, the two coils sufficiently overlap regardless of the position. The actuation, in other words the extraction of the additional edge-forming stops, occurs automatically when an electronic device from the group of small devices is placed on the support surface.

[0036] The invention will now be described further with the aid of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

[0037] They show:

[0038] [Fig. 1][Fig. 1] a loading device in perspective,

[0039] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] a partial side sectional view of the loading device of the [Fig.l],

[0040] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] the area shown in section in [Fig.2], in perspective, with a small electronic device,

[0041] [Fig.4][Fig.4] the area shown in section in [Fig.2], in perspective, with a larger electronic device,

[0042] [Fig.l] shows a charging device 1 which comprises a charging body 2. The charging body 2 has a support surface 3 allowing an electronic device to be placed thereon. In the charging body 2 there is at least one transmitter coil 14, not identifiable in itself in [Fig.l] but assumed to be symbolized by the central area delimited by an oval. In the charging body 2 there may be other components of the charging device, for example electronic components controlling the transmitter coil 14. The coil 14 makes it possible to emit magnetic alternating fields through the support surface 3 in order to charge a portable electronic device placed on the support surface by inductive transmission of energy or other mode of supplying electrical energy.

[0043] The loading device 1 comprises at least one or, as in the present case, two removable stops 4, 5 associated with each other in pairs. Between the removable stops 4, 5 is the transmitter coil 14. One of the removable stops 4 is associated with two protrusions 6, 7 which can also come out of the support surface 3 and return thereto. The other of the removable stops 5 is associated with two protrusions 8, 9 which can also come in and out.

[0044] The support surface 3 is surrounded on its outer edge by fixed stops 10, 11, 12, 13, which constitute a kind of peripheral border of the support surface 3 and rise vertically above the latter. This limitation by the border has the effect that the electronic device can only be placed and moved within a limited area of ​​the support surface 3. For large electronic devices, the mobility space is so restricted that the transmitting and receiving coils always overlap at least partially, thus always ensuring charging of the electronic device. Two further vertically movable stops are seen which, depending on the size of the telephone, are raised or lowered.

[0045] Also seen just before the limitations of the support surface 3 in the longitudinal direction, constituted here by the fixed stops 10, 13, is a permanent eminence thanks to which an electronic device from the group of larger devices is ensured to rest horizontally on the support surface 3, at a short distance from it.

[0046] In the sectional representation of [Fig. 2], the presence of a transmitter coil 14 can be seen in the loading body 2. In addition, the extractable stop 4 as well as eminences 6, 7 participate in an advantageous mechanism for the folding and extraction of these elements from the support surface 3.

[0047] A pivotable support element 17 is provided in the form of a rocker, which is pivotally mounted on a first pivot bearing 20. The rocker 17 has a first rocker arm 18 and a second rocker arm 19 which rises in an opposite direction. A support body 15 is pivotally fixed to the first rocker arm 18 on a third pivot bearing 22, on which the removable stop 4 is arranged. A further support body 16 is pivotally fixed to the second rocker arm 19 on a second pivot bearing 21, on which the protrusions 6, 7 are arranged spaced apart from each other.

[0048] In [Fig. 2] the function of a vertically movable stop can be seen, which will also be referred to here as a stop rocker. The stop rocker comprises a rocker 17 rotatably mounted in its middle and comprising, seen from the point of rotation, rocker arms 18, 19 extending on both sides substantially obliquely upwards. At the end of the first rocker arm 18 there is a stop 4, at the end of the second rocker arm 19 a double protrusion 6, 7, all movable vertically with the rocker 17. The arrangement is such that, seen from the center of the support surface 3 of the electronic device, the side closest to the rocker 17 comprises the double protrusion 6, 7, and the side furthest from the rocker 17, considered from the center of the support surface 3, comprises the stop 4. When the rocker 17 is in a horizontal position, the stop 4 and the double protrusion 6, 7 are at the same height by their upper edges, the latter projecting for example by approximately 1 mm above the support surface 3. When the double protrusion 6, 7 is subjected to the pressure of an object, for example a telephone, this side of the rocker 17 lowers until the protrusions 6, 7 no longer protrude from the support surface 3, which has the consequence of raising, by the rocking effect, the stop 4, which then overhangs the support surface 3 by 2 mm for example.

[0049] In [Fig. 2], only one half of the support surface 3 is shown. The mechanism comprising the extractable stop 5 and the eminences 8, 9, not shown in [Fig. 2], can be configured in the same way, i.e. like the rocking mechanism described for the extractable stop 4 and the eminences 6, 7.

[0050] If a force directed towards the support surface 3 is applied to one or both of the protrusions 8, 9, these recede into the support surface 3. Under the effect of the pivoting of the rocker 17, the extractable stop 5 above the first rocker arm 18 is then extracted. This can occur, for example, when depositing a relatively small electronic device 2, as shown in [Fig. 3]. The electronic device 2 can thus only be moved in the area between the two raised stops 4, 5, and it is always in a suitable position for loading.

[0051] If, on the other hand, a larger electronic device 22 is placed, as shown in [Fig. 4], it then rests both on the protrusions 6, 7 and on the removable stop 4, thus exerting bearing forces on the two rocker arms 18, 19, so that the rocker 17 is in a middle position in which both the removable stop and the protrusions 6, 7 only slightly protrude above the support surface 3. This applies to both stop mechanisms, both the one in the upper and the one in the lower region of the support surface 3. The electronic device then rests approximately 1 mm above the loading surface, at a uniform distance therefrom throughout. At a distance of 1 mm, loading is guaranteed as recommended, for example, by the Qi specification.Finally, the electronic device can also be moved between the upper and lower edges of the loading surface without any of the stops 4, 5 being released. In this case, the protrusions 6, 7 as well as the removable stop 4 are overhung in height by the fixed stops 10, 11, 12, 13, so that the user also has, with these stops, a positioning aid for the relatively large electronic device 22.

[0052] In principle, it is possible to always keep the rocker 17 in the last used position. But it can also be pre-stressed in a certain position by a spring. It may be advantageous to pre-stress it in the position where the stop is extracted, so that an electronic device of the small category can be placed just in front of the stop 4, 5 when it is deposited. When depositing a large electronic device, the rocker 17 would in any case be pressed into a horizontal position under the weight of the device, so that the pre-stressing is not a disadvantage here.

[0053] In another embodiment of the invention, not shown in the attached figures, not one but several rockers can be arranged from the center of the support surface 3 in the direction of the edge edge. It is thus possible to divide the electronic devices not into two size groups, but into many more. For each of these size groups, the different rockers define a space limiting the mobility suitable for maintaining the electronic device in a suitable loading position.

[0054] In another configuration of the invention, the rockers forming stops are placed not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the transverse direction. Thus it is possible to center the electronic device in the transverse direction as well.

Claims

Claims

1. Charging device (1) for supplying energy to a portable electronic device, in particular for wirelessly charging an accumulator of the portable electronic device (22), by means of wireless inductive energy transmission, the charging device (1) comprising a charging body (2) having a support surface (3) for placing the electronic device (22) thereon during the charging process, the charging device (1) comprising at least one transmitter coil (14) arranged in the area of ​​the charging body (2) and arranged to emit magnetic alternating fields through the support surface (3) for the inductive transmission of energy to the electronic device (22), characterized in that the charging device (1) comprises at least one stop (4, 5) mounted movably,removable from the support surface (3) in the direction of the electronic device (22) and by which the mobility of the electronic device (22) placed on the support surface (3) is limited in at least one direction when the stop (4, 5) is removed from the support surface (3), the at least one removable stop (4, 5) being arranged on a pivotable support element (17) of the loading device (1), this element being connected by means of a first pivot bearing (20) to the loading body (2), the pivotable support element (17) being configured in the manner of a rocker which has a first rocker arm (18) extending from the first pivot bearing (20) in a first direction and a second rocker arm (19) extending from the first pivot bearing (20) in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, the removable stop (4, 5) being arranged on the first rocker arm (18),on the second rocker arm (19) being arranged a protrusion (6, 7, 8, 9) which projects from the support surface (3) at least when the extractable stop (4, 5) is in the retracted position, and / or on the second rocker arm (19) being arranged at least two protrusions (6, 7, 8, 9) placed at a distance from each other, in particular two protrusions (6, 7, 8, 9) extending parallel to each other.,

2. Loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one extractable stop (4, 5) is prestressed by means of at least one elastic element in the direction of the extracted position.

3. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one removable stop (4, 5) can be completely or at least partially retracted when the electronic device (22) is placed on the removable stop (4, 5).

4. Loading device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pivoting support element (17) is connected on one side to the first pivot bearing (20) and has on an opposite side the extractable stop (4, 5).

5. Loading device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the extractable stop (4, 5) is arranged behind the first pivot bearing (20), seen from the transmitter coil (14).

6. Charging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging device (1) comprises at least one pair of extractable stops (4, 5) associated with each other, between which the transmitter coil (14) is arranged, the mobility of the electronic device (22) placed on the support surface (3) between the extractable stops (4, 5) associated with each other being limited in opposite directions when the stops (4, 5) are in the extracted position.

7. Loading device according to claim 6, characterized in that the pivoting support elements (17) of the extractable stops (4, 5) associated with each other in pairs are arranged in mirror symmetry with respect to each other.

8. Charging device according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the charging device (1) comprises at least a first pair of extractable stops (4, 5) associated with each other, by which the mobility of the electronic device (22) placed on the support surface (3) between the extractable stops (4, 5) associated with each other is limited in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction of the support surface (3) when the stops (4, 5) are in the extracted position.

9. Charging device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the charging device (1) comprises at least one second pair of extractable stops (4, 5) associated with one another, by which the mobility of the electronic device (22) placed on the support surface (3) between the extractable stops (4, 5) associated with one another is limited in opposite directions in the transverse direction of the support surface (3) when the stops are in the extracted position.

10. Loading device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support surface (3) comprises at least one fixed stop (10, 11, 12, 13) projecting from the support surface (3) and arranged behind the at least one extractable stop (4, 5), seen from the transmitter coil (14).

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