Wireless charging device for an electronic device, charging kit including such a device, and trim element including such a kit

Abstract

Wireless charging device for an electronic device, charging assembly comprising such a device, and packing element comprising such an assembly. The present invention relates to a wireless charging device (26) for an electronic device (13), the charging device (26) having a plate shape extending between a first face (38) and a second face (40), the charging device (26) comprising a charging unit (41) comprising: - a support (42) made of a ferromagnetic material, the support (42) defining an inner face (50) and an outer face (52), and - at least one charging coil (44) arranged opposite at least a portion of the outer face (52) of the support (42). The charging device (26) includes a housing (46) enclosing the charging unit (41), the housing (46) defining the plate shape of the charging device (26). Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Wireless charging device for an electronic device, charging assembly comprising such a device, and trim element comprising such an assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless charging device for an electronic device, a charging assembly comprising such a device and a trim element comprising such an assembly.

[0002] To facilitate the charging of the electric battery of a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone or smartphone, it is known to equip this electronic device with a receiving coil for the purpose of charging its battery using a wireless charging set comprising an energy-emitting coil for the non-contact transfer of electrical energy from the energy-emitting coil to the receiving coil by inductive coupling.

[0003] Such a charging assembly generally comprises a rigid case inside which the charging coil is arranged, the electronic device to be charged being placed on the top face of the case in order to allow the latter to be charged.

[0004] However, such a charging system is not entirely satisfactory, particularly with regard to charging performance characterized for example by charging efficiency and / or speed.

[0005] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a wireless charging device for an electronic device with improved charging performance.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a wireless charging device for an electronic device, the charging device having a plate shape extending between a first face and a second face, the second face being spaced from the first face in an upward direction, the charging device comprising a charging unit including:

[0007] - a support made of a ferromagnetic material, in particular ferrite, the support defining an inner face and an outer face spaced from the inner face along the direction of elevation, and

[0008] - at least one charging coil arranged opposite at least a part of the face external to the support.

[0009] The charging device includes a coating surrounding the charging unit, the coating defining the plate shape of the charging device.

[0010] The arrangement of the charging unit, and in particular the charging coil, directly within the charging device positions said coil as close as possible to that of the electronic device. The magnetic coupling between the charging coil and the receiving coil of the electronic device is thus improved, which makes it possible to improve charging efficiency and charging speed.

[0011] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the charging device includes one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0012] - The coating is made of a flexible material having a lower Young's modulus at 5 GPa.

[0013] - The flexible material is chosen from a thermoplastic elastomer or a rubber.

[0014] - The charging unit includes a magnetic element extending around the refill coil and coated in the coating.

[0015] - The charging unit comprises at least two charging coils, of which at least a first charging coil compatible with a first charging protocol and at least a second charging coil compatible with a second charging protocol, the first protocol being different from the second protocol.

[0016] - The support is made of flexible ferrite having a Young's modulus of less than 150 GPa, and preferably between 80 GPa and 150 GPa.

[0017] The invention also relates to a wireless charging assembly comprising

[0018] - a charging device as described above, and

[0019] - an electrical box adapted to supply electricity to at least one coil of charging, the charging device being adapted to be fixed to the electrical box.

[0020] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the charging assembly comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0021] - The electrical box includes an electrical generator electrically connected to the less one charging coil of the device and configured to supply at least one charging coil with electricity.

[0022] - The charging device is fixed by a removable fastener on the electrical box.

[0023] The invention also relates to a vehicle trim element comprising at least one charging assembly as described above.

[0024] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective view of a trim element comprising a charging assembly according to the invention, on which an electronic device to be recharged is placed;

[0026] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the charging assembly of [Fig.1].

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a trim element 10 of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle.

[0028] The trim element 10 includes a wireless charging assembly 12 for an electronic device 13.

[0029] The trim element 10 is, for example, a central console located at the front of the passenger compartment between a driver's seat and a passenger seat.

[0030] Alternatively, the trim element 10 is, for example, a dashboard, a door panel, a seat back or other.

[0031] The trim element 10 includes, for example, an external face 16, in particular oriented towards a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0032] The electronic device 13 is portable or mobile. This is, for example, a mobile terminal, in particular a mobile phone, a smartphone or a digital tablet, or another portable electronic device, in particular a smartwatch or wireless headphones.

[0033] The electronic device 13 includes a battery 18, for the storage of electrical energy, and an inductive coupling receiving coil 20, the battery 18 being connected to the receiving coil 20, for wireless charging of the battery 18 via the receiving coil 20.

[0034] The electronic device 13 is in particular an electronic device compatible or made compatible with a particular charging protocol.

[0035] By charging protocol, we mean a set of charging conditions, for example defining the charging power and / or the charging method.

[0036] The charging protocol is for example the EPP protocol (from the English "Extended Power Profile" meaning Extended Power Profile) defined according to the Qi 1.2 standard - October 2015 version defined by the Wireless Power Consortium or the MPP protocol (from the English "Magnetic Power Profile" meaning Magnetic Power Profile) defined according to the Qi 2.0 standard - April 2023 version defined by the Wireless Power Consortium.

[0037] For example, the electronic device 13 includes in particular a magnetic element 22, for example a magnetic ring centered around the receiving coil 20 of inductive coupling, in particular in the case where the electronic device 13 is compatible with the MPP protocol.

[0038] Alternatively, in a variant not shown, the electronic device 13 includes a shell comprising such a magnetic element 22, the shell being for example separable from the rest of the electronic device 13.

[0039] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the charging assembly 12 includes an electrical box 24 and a wireless charging device 26.

[0040] In particular, the charging assembly 12 is adapted for wirelessly charging the electronic device 13, in particular when placed on a charging surface 28 of the charging assembly 12. The charging surface 28 extends substantially perpendicularly to an elevation direction Z.

[0041] By "wireless", it is understood that the charging unit 12 and the electronic device 13 to be charged are not connected by one or more electrical cables and more generally that the electronic device 13 does not need to be connected to the charging unit 12 or to the vehicle receiving this charging unit 12 in order for its receiving coil 20 to be supplied with electrical energy.

[0042] More specifically, the charging assembly 12 is configured to transfer electrical energy to the battery 18 of the electronic device 13 via a magnetic field, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0043] The electrical box 24 comprises, for example, a plurality of walls defining between them an internal volume 34.

[0044] In the particular embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the electrical box 24 comprises six walls 32 forming a rectangular prism.

[0045] The electrical box 24 defines in particular a charging face 30, corresponding for example to the upper face of the upper wall 32 of said electrical box 24 and extending substantially perpendicularly to the elevation direction Z.

[0046] The charging face 30 extends, for example, parallel to the charging surface 28.

[0047] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the electrical box 24 is, for example, attached to the outer face 16 of the packing element 10, in particular so that the reloading face 30 extends parallel to the outer face 16.

[0048] Alternatively, the charging face 30 is coincident with the external face 16 of the packing element 10.

[0049] Alternatively, the electrical box 24 is integrated into a receiving housing defined in the trim element 10.

[0050] The electrical box 24 is, for example, a rigid box, notably made of plastic material.

[0051] The electrical box 24 is adapted to supply electricity to at least one charging coil 44 of the wireless charging device 26, described in more detail later.

[0052] More specifically, the electrical box 24 includes an electricity generator 36, in particular arranged inside the internal volume 34 of the electrical box 24.

[0053] The electricity generator 36 is in particular an electronic board connected by electrical cables (not shown in the Figures) to a power source of the vehicle and to at least one charging coil 44, in particular to control the charging of coil(s).

[0054] The charging device 26 has a plate shape extending between a first face 38 and a second face 40, the second face 40 being spaced from the first face 38 along the elevation direction Z.

[0055] More specifically, the first face 38 and the second face 40 define the two main faces of said plate.

[0056] For example, the charging device 26 has a substantially rectangular plate shape.

[0057] More specifically, the charging device 26 is a charging mat.

[0058] The charging device 26 has in particular a thickness, measured between the first face 38 and the second face 40 along the elevation direction Z, of between 1.0 mm and 5.0 mm.

[0059] The charging device 26 is adapted to be fixed to the electrical box 24.

[0060] As can be seen in the Figures, the first face 38 of the charging device 26 is for example applied against at least part of the charging face 30 of the electrical box 24.

[0061] More specifically, the first face 38 of the charging device 26 is fixed to the charging face 30 of the electrical box 24.

[0062] Advantageously, the charging device 26, in particular its first face 38, is fixed by a removable fixing on the charging face 30 of the electrical housing 24, so as to allow in particular easy replacement of the charging device 26.

[0063] For this purpose, the first face 38 of the charging device 26 is for example snapped or glued by a non-permanent glue onto the charging face 30 of the electrical housing 24.

[0064] The second face 40 of the charging device 26 is intended to carry the electronic device 13 to be charged, as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0065] More specifically, the second face 40 of the charging device 26 defines the charging surface 28 of the charging assembly 12.

[0066] Advantageously, the second face 40 of the charging device 26 is covered with a rough coating to prevent the electronic device 13 from slipping when it is placed on said second face 40.

[0067] The charging device 26 includes a charging unit 41 and a coating 46 encasing the charging unit 41 and defining the plate shape extending between the first face 38 and the second face 40.

[0068] The charging unit 41 includes a support 42 and at least one charging coil 44.

[0069] The charging unit 41 illustrated in [Fig.2] comprises a single charging coil 44.

[0070] Optionally, the charging unit 41 embedded in the encapsulation 46 also includes a magnetic element 48.

[0071] The support 42 defines an internal face 50 and an external face 52 spaced from the internal face 50 along the elevation direction Z.

[0072] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the inner face 50 of the support 42 extends for example parallel to at least part of the first face 38.

[0073] For example, the outer face 52 of the support 42 is oriented towards the charging surface 28.

[0074] The support 42, for example, has a substantially rectangular plate shape.

[0075] The support 42 has, in particular, a thickness, measured between the inner face 50 and the external face 52 along the Z elevation direction, between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm.

[0076] The support 42 is advantageously made of a ferromagnetic material, in particular ferrite.

[0077] Preferably, the support 42 is made of flexible ferrite, for example having a Young's modulus of less than 150 GPa, and preferably between 80 GPa and 150 GPa.

[0078] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the charging coil 44 is arranged opposite, and in particular against, at least a part of the outer face 52 of the support 42.

[0079] The charging coil 44 is in particular compatible with the same charging protocol as that of the electronic device 13.

[0080] In particular, the charging coil 44 is an energy-emitting coil with inductive coupling and suitable for being coupled with the receiving coil 20 of the electronic device 13, for the transfer of electrical energy from said charging coil 44 to the receiving coil 20 by inductive coupling between the coils, and the charging of the battery 18 of the electronic device 13 according to the particular charging protocol.

[0081] Preferably, in order to ensure its power supply, the charging coil 44 of the charging device 26 is electrically connected to the power generator 36 of the electrical box 24, for example by an electrical cable.

[0082] In particular, the charging coil 44 has a shape of revolution around a center of symmetry CL

[0083] For example, the charging coil 44 has a circular shape centered on said center of symmetry CL

[0084] Alternatively, the charging coil 44 has an ellipsoidal shape centered on said center of symmetry CL

[0085] The optional magnetic element 48 extends for example around the charging coil 44.

[0086] The magnetic element 48 is in particular arranged against the outer face 52 of the support 42.

[0087] In particular, the magnetic element 48 is able to cooperate with the magnetic element 22 of the electronic device 13, or of the shell as appropriate, so as to align the receiving coil 20 of the electronic device 13 with the charging coil 44 and thus reduce magnetic losses during charging.

[0088] In the particular embodiment in which the charging coil 44 is circular, the magnetic element 48 is advantageously a ring centered on the center of symmetry Cl and encircling the charging coil 44, so as to center the receiving coil 20 of the electronic device 13 on said center of symmetry Cl.

[0089] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the coating 46 encases the charging unit 41.

[0090] In other words, the elements of the charging unit 41, i.e. the support 42, the charging coil 44, and optionally the magnetic element 48, are completely covered by the coating 46. Thus, the support 42, the charging coil 44, and optionally the magnetic element 48, are advantageously encapsulated in the coating 46.

[0091] Preferably, the coating 46 only coats the charging unit 41 and in particular does not coat any other elements than said charging unit 41.

[0092] More specifically, the encapsulation 46 does not encase any means of powering the charging coil 44, such as an electric generator capable of supplying the charging coil with electricity.

[0093] Furthermore, as can be seen in [Fig.2], the coating 46 defines the plate shape of the charging device 26, and in particular extends between the first 38 and the second face 40 along the elevation direction Z.

[0094] The casing 46 is made for example of a flexible material, and in particular one which is more flexible than that of the electrical housing 24.

[0095] The flexible material of the coating 46 has a greater flexibility than that of the support 42.

[0096] By flexible, we mean that the flexible material is able to deform and conform to the shape of the element on which it is applied.

[0097] Flexibility is understood to mean the ability to deform without breaking.

[0098] Thus, the flexible material has, for example, a Young's modulus of less than 5 GPa, and preferably less than 1.0 GPa.

[0099] The flexible material is for example chosen from a thermoplastic elastomer or a rubber.

[0100] Alternatively, the encapsulation 46 is not made of a flexible material, and is for example made of polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or a mixture of these materials.

[0101] A method for manufacturing a charging device 26 as described above will now be described.

[0102] In a first step, the charging unit 41 is supplied.

[0103] In particular, the support 42 and the charging coil 44 arranged against at least a part of the external face 52 of the support 42 are provided.

[0104] For example, the charging coil 44 has been previously glued to the outer face 52 of the support 42.

[0105] Optionally, the magnetic element 48 is also provided in the first step. Said magnetic element 48 is, for example, glued to the outer face 52 of the support 42 so as to surround the charging coil 44.

[0106] In a second step, the coating 46 is overmolded onto the charging unit 41, and in particular onto the support 42, the charging coil 44, and where applicable the magnetic element 48.

[0107] The overmolded coating 46 defines the plate shape of the charging device 26 extending between the first face 38 and the second face 40 along the elevation direction Z.

[0108] For example, the refill unit 41 supplied in the first step is arranged in a mold, in particular in the form of a plate, into which the material, for example the flexible material, is poured in liquid form to form the coating 46 and thus define the refill device 26 after solidification, for example by cooling.

[0109] To form the charging assembly 12, said charging device 26 is then fixed, preferably in a removable manner, onto the electrical housing 24, and in particular onto the charging face 30 of the electrical housing 24.

[0110] A method of using such a recharging assembly 12 will now be described.

[0111] The electronic device 13 is first placed on the charging surface 28 of the 12 charging kit.

[0112] In the particular embodiment illustrated, the magnetic element 22 of the electronic device 13 cooperates with the magnetic element 48 of the charging device 26 so as to align the receiving coil 20 of the electronic device 13 with the charging coil 44 of the charging device 26.

[0113] The charging coil 44 then couples with the receiving coil 20 of the electronic device 13, thus forming a magnetic field.

[0114] There is thus a transfer of electrical energy from the charging coil 44 to the receiving coil 20 by inductive coupling between the two coils, for example with a transmission power of 15 Watts maximum in the case where the charging protocol is an EPP or MPP protocol.

[0115] The battery 18 of the electronic device 13 is thus recharged by the charging coil 44.

[0116] Such a charging assembly 12 comprising a charging device 26 is particularly advantageous, especially with regard to charging performance.

[0117] The arrangement of the charging coil 44 directly in the charging device 26 positions said charging coil as close as possible to that of the electronic device 13.

[0118] The magnetic coupling between the charging coil 44 and the receiving coil 20 of the electronic device 13 is thus improved, which makes it possible to improve the charging efficiency and / or the charging speed.

[0119] Furthermore, the removable attachment of the charging device 26 to the electrical housing 24 allows for easy replacement. For example, in order to switch from one charging protocol to another, it is particularly easy to replace only one charging device 26 with another charging device 26 comprising a different type of charging coil 44 compatible with a different charging protocol.

[0120] In another embodiment not shown, the charging unit 41 comprises at least two charging coils 44 of which at least one first charging coil is compatible with a first charging protocol, at least one second charging coil is compatible with a second charging protocol.

[0121] The first protocol is different from the second protocol.

[0122] The first charging protocol is for example the EPP protocol (from the English "Extended Power Profile") defined according to the Qi 1.2 standard - October 2015 version defined by the Wireless Power Consortium.

[0123] The second charging protocol is for example the MPP protocol (from the English “Magnetic Power Profile” meaning Magnetic Power Profile) defined according to the Qi 2.0 standard - April 2023 version defined by the Wireless Power Consortium.

Claims

Demands

1. Wireless charging device (26) for an electronic device (13), the charging device (26) having a plate shape extending between a first face (38) and a second face (40), the second face (40) being spaced from the first face (38) along an elevation direction (Z), the charging device (26) comprising a charging unit (41) comprising: - a support (42) made of a ferromagnetic material, in particular ferrite, the support (42) defining an inner face (50) and an outer face (52) spaced from the inner face (50) along the elevation direction (Z), and - at least one charging coil (44) arranged opposite at least a portion of the outer face (52) of the support (42), characterized in that the charging device (26) comprises a casing (46) enclosing the charging unit (41), the casing (46) defining the plate shape of the charging device (26).

2. Recharging device (26) according to claim 1, wherein the coating (46) is made of a flexible material having a Young's modulus of less than 5 GPa.

3. Recharging device (26) according to claim 2, wherein the flexible material is selected from a thermoplastic elastomer or a rubber.

4. Recharging device (26) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recharging unit (41) comprises a magnetic element (48) extending around the recharging coil (44) and embedded in the coating (46).

5. Charging device (26) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging unit (41) comprises at least two charging coils (44) of which at least a first charging coil is compatible with a first charging protocol and at least a second charging coil is compatible with a second charging protocol, the first protocol being different from the second protocol.

6. Charging device (26) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (42) is made in flexible ferrite having a Young's modulus less than 150 GPa, and preferably between 80 GPa and 150 GPa.

7. Wireless charging assembly (12) comprising: - a charging device (26) according to any one of the preceding claims, and - an electrical box (24) adapted to supply electricity to at least one charging coil (44), the charging device (26) being adapted to be fixed on the electrical box (24).

8. Charging assembly (12) according to claim 7, wherein the electrical housing (24) includes an electrical generator (36) electrically connected to at least one charging coil (44) of the device (26) and configured to supply at least one charging coil (44) with electricity.

9. Charging assembly (12) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the charging device (26) is fixed by a removable fastener on the electrical housing (24).

10. Vehicle trim element (10) comprising at least one charging assembly (12) according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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