Automobile center console wireless charging system

Abstract

A wireless charging system integrated into a vehicle console includes an antenna having a continuous conductor with a thickness of approximately 10 μm or greater without interruptions or radio frequency discontinuities. The antenna is disposed within or partially within one or more contours of the vehicle console. The wireless charging system also includes an amplifier configured to drive a signal to the antenna and one or more capacitors configured to excite the antenna to resonance. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a conductor electrodeposited directly onto a mechanical component of the vehicle console.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Related Application) This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 986,491, filed on March 6, 2020, entitled "AUTOMOTIVE CENTER CONSOLE WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEM", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background Art

[0002] With the spread of car-sharing services, for example, it is necessary to incorporate an efficient wireless charging system that can fit into the center console of an automobile.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] Various designs of the wireless charging system are described. This design can be incorporated into the vehicle console.

[0004] In one exemplary aspect, the disclosed technology provides a system and method for fabricating or retrofitting a wireless charging system within a vehicle console, the wireless charging system being configured to wirelessly charge a plurality of electronic devices located near the console (e.g., within a cup holder or package tray area) simultaneously, and to provide additional degrees of freedom and flexibility in the installation, orientation, and positioning of the electronic devices with respect to the console.

[0005] In another exemplary aspect, a wireless charging system is described. The system can include an antenna integrated into a vehicle console and having a continuous conductor without breaks or radio frequency discontinuities. The continuous conductor can have a thickness approximately equal to or greater than 10 μm (micrometers), and the antenna is disposed within or partially within one or more contours of the vehicle console. The system also includes an amplifier configured to drive a signal to the antenna and one or more capacitors configured to excite the antenna into resonance.

[0006] In another exemplary aspect, a method of fabricating a wireless charging system is described. The wireless charging system can be embedded within a vehicle console (e.g., a vehicle center console). The method includes attaching an amplifier printed circuit board (PCB) to a first area of an electrically non-conductive support structure of the vehicle console, attaching a filter PCB to a second area of the support structure, the filter PCB being electrically coupled to the amplifier PCB and configured to receive an amplified signal from the amplifier PCB, and attaching a resonant capacitor PCB to a third area of the support structure. The resonant capacitor PCB is electrically coupled to the filter PCB and one or more antennas, configured to receive a filtered signal from the filter PCB, and drive the filtered signal onto the one or more antennas. The first area, second area, and third area of the support structure are selected to maintain physical separation between the amplifier PCB, resonant capacitor PCB, filter PCB, and one or more antennas, and the distance of physical separation between the filter PCB and the amplifier PCB and the distance of physical separation between the filter PCB and the resonant capacitor PCB are at least 10 mm.

[0007] These and other aspects are disclosed throughout this document. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) A wireless charging system integrated into a vehicle console, the wireless charging system comprising: An antenna having a continuous conductor without interruption or radio frequency discontinuity, The continuous conductor having a thickness of approximately 10 μm or more, The antenna being disposed within or partially within one or more contours of the vehicle console, An amplifier configured to drive a signal to the antenna, One or more capacitors configured to excite the antenna into resonance A wireless charging system comprising. (Item 2) The antenna comprises a three-dimensional antenna having a conductor, the conductor being wound around a dielectric material at an angle to reduce proximity effects at the operating frequency of the wireless charging system, thereby maintaining a high quality factor (Q) of the three-dimensional antenna. The wireless charging system according to Item 1. (Item 3) The antenna comprises a conductor electrodeposited directly onto a mechanical component of the vehicle console. The wireless charging system according to Item 1. (Item 4) The signal has a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the antenna. The wireless charging system according to Item 1. (Item 5) The wireless charging system according to Item 1, further comprising a parallel resonance class E switching amplifier coupled to the antenna. (Item 6) The wireless charging system according to Item 4, further comprising one or more filters configured to receive the signal driven by the amplifier and provide a filtered signal to the one or more capacitors. (Item 7) Two or more of the amplifier, the antenna, the one or more filters, or the one or more capacitors are physically separated from each other by a distance of at least one inch, thereby reducing cross-coupling losses. The wireless charging system according to Item 6. (Item 8) The antenna is disposed within the vehicle console at least one inch or more from one or more conductive structures in the vehicle console, thereby improving the quality factor (Q) of the antenna. The wireless charging system according to Item 1. (Item 9) The wireless charging system according to item 1, wherein the antenna is configured to transmit a wireless charging signal to one or more electronic devices installed in or around at least one of the cup holder of the vehicle console or the package tray area of the vehicle console. (Item 10) A method of manufacturing a wireless charging system embedded in a vehicle console, the method comprising: attaching an amplifier printed circuit board (PCB) to a first area of an electrically non-conductive support structure of the vehicle console; attaching a filter PCB to a second area of the support structure, the filter PCB being electrically coupled to the amplifier PCB and configured to receive an amplified signal from the amplifier PCB; attaching a resonant capacitor PCB to a third area of the support structure; and the resonant capacitor PCB is electrically coupled to the filter PCB and one or more antennas, configured to receive a filtered signal from the filter PCB, and drive the filtered signal onto the one or more antennas; the first area, the second area, and the third area of the support structure are selected to maintain physical separation between the amplifier PCB, the resonant capacitor PCB, the filter PCB, and the one or more antennas; the method, wherein a distance of the physical separation between the filter PCB and the amplifier PCB and a distance of the physical separation between the filter PCB and the resonant capacitor PCB are at least 10 mm. (Item 11) The method according to item 10, wherein each of the one or more antennas comprises a three-dimensional antenna with a conductor, the conductor being wound around a dielectric material at an angle to reduce proximity effects at the operating frequency of the wireless charging system, thereby maintaining a high quality factor (Q) of the three-dimensional antenna. (Item 12) The method according to item 10, wherein each of the one or more antennas comprises at least one of a planar antenna or an electrodeposited antenna, the electrodeposited antenna comprising a conductor directly electrodeposited on a part of the vehicle console. (Item 13) The method according to item 10, wherein the physical separation distance between the filter PCB and the amplifier PCB and the physical separation distance between the filter PCB and the resonant capacitor PCB are selected to reduce at least one of cross-coupling loss, switching loss, or hysteresis loss. (Item 14) The method according to item 10, further comprising attaching a second filter PCB to a fourth area of the support structure, wherein the filter in the second filter PCB is differentially coupled to the amplifier in the amplifier PCB. (Item 15) The method according to item 10, wherein each one of the one or more antennas is disposed within the vehicle console at least one inch or more from one or more conductive structures in the vehicle console, thereby improving the quality factor (Q) of the antenna. (Item 16) The method according to item 10, wherein each one of the one or more antennas is configured to transmit a wireless charging signal to one or more electronic devices installed in or around at least one of a cup holder of the vehicle console or a package tray area of the vehicle console.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] The disclosed technology provides a system and method for additionally introducing a wireless charging system into a vehicle center console, where the wireless charging system can wirelessly charge a plurality of electronic devices located near the center console (e.g., within a cup holder). The wireless charging system can simultaneously charge a plurality of electronic devices in a plurality of orientations and positions relative to the center console. The disclosed technology can be used by vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) considering incorporating an efficient wireless charging system into a vehicle console or vehicle center console (e.g., personal automobiles, commercial automobiles, airplanes, trains, boats, and other vessels, and other modes of transportation or mobility such as motorcycles, bicycles, wagons, agricultural equipment such as tractors, industrial equipment such as forklifts, etc.). The vehicle console can be any panel or unit in a vehicle that houses the disclosed technology (including, but not limited to, a support between the seats of the vehicle having recesses for holding items).

[0016] Various embodiments will be described herein. The following description provides specific details for a complete understanding and effective description of these embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments can be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the associated description of the various embodiments. The terminology used in the description presented below is intended to be interpreted in a broad, reasonable manner even when used in conjunction with a detailed description of a particular embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 1A is a first view 100A of a representative three-dimensional antenna inside a vehicle center console. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional antenna can be introduced into the outer shape 110A of the vehicle center console by having a length, width, and height of the antenna that is embedded (or at least partially embedded) within the contour of the center console portion (e.g., in a passenger vehicle center console). That is, the three-dimensional antenna is adapted to fit within the contour of the target device while optimizing the magnetic flux of the antenna within the target device (e.g., optimizing the magnetic flux within the cup holder area of the vehicle center console).

[0018] In one embodiment, the three-dimensional antenna can be a surface spiral coil consisting of a continuous conductor without breaks or radio frequency discontinuities. The conductor can be wound around the dielectric material at an angle to reduce the proximity effect at the operating frequency of the wireless charging transmitter device and to maintain a high quality factor (''Q'') of the surface spiral coil at the operating frequency. The continuous conductor can have a thickness of about 10 μm (micrometers) or more (e.g., 40 μm). U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 759,473 (U.S. Publication No. 2018 / 0262050), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes exemplary embodiments of three-dimensional antennas that can be used in combination with the disclosed technology. For example, the Q factor can be higher than 200, or higher than 400, or about 700 or higher. One exemplary operating range can include a surface spiral coil having a Q factor of 700 - 800.

[0019] The disclosed technology provides an efficient and convenient means for charging a passenger device near a center console unit within a vehicle. The wireless charging transmitter consists of an amplifier connected to a power supply of the vehicle and driving a three-dimensional antenna inside the center console unit (or, in the case of multiple antennas, driving one or more antennas inside the center console). The wireless charging system also includes one or more capacitors configured to excite the three-dimensional antenna into resonance, and the driven signal is at an operating frequency approximately equal to the resonance frequency of the three-dimensional antenna. That is, in some embodiments, the wireless charging system includes an amplifier (e.g., on an amplifier PCB) driving a signal to one or more filters (e.g., on a filter PCB), and the filtered output is coupled to a resonance capacitor (e.g., on a resonance capacitor PCB). The resonance capacitor is coupled to the antenna as described above. In some embodiments, one or more of the amplifier, filter, resonance capacitor, or antenna are physically separated from each other (e.g., by one inch or more) to minimize, or reduce, among other losses, cross-coupling loss, switching loss, and hysteresis loss.

[0020] In some embodiments, a wireless charging system embedded in a vehicle center console is fabricated to utilize an isolated switched amplifier system topology, in which the wireless charging amplifier system components are sufficiently isolated to improve overall system performance. For example, the amplifier in the amplifier printed circuit board (PCB) is attached to a first area of an electrically non-conductive support structure of the vehicle center console. The filter in the filter PCB is attached to a second area of the support structure, and the filter in the filter PCB is electrically coupled to the amplifier in the amplifier PCB. The filter receives the amplified signal from the amplifier. In different configurations, there may be two or more filters. One or more capacitors in the resonant capacitor PCB are attached to a third area of the support structure. The resonant capacitor in the resonant capacitor PCB is electrically coupled to the filter and one or more antennas. The resonant capacitor receives the filtered signal from the filter and drives the filtered signal to one or more antennas. To improve performance (e.g., reduce coupling loss, hysteresis loss, switching loss, etc.), the first area, the second area, and the third area of the support structure are selected to maintain a physical separation (e.g., 10 mm or more) between the amplifier PCB, the resonant capacitor PCB, the filter PCB, and one or more antennas. The antenna can be a three-dimensional antenna, a planar antenna, or an electrodeposited antenna as described above, and in the electrodeposited antenna, the antenna conductor is directly electrodeposited on the support structure or other mechanical parts of the vehicle center console. Further, the resonant capacitor PCB can be installed in a separate second structure, while the amplifier PCB and the filter PCB are installed in the first structure to reduce the distance between the resonant capacitor PCB and the antenna, thereby reducing the resistance between the antenna and its resonant capacitor. Maintaining the physical separation as described above minimizes or reduces cross-coupling loss, switching loss, hysteresis loss, etc., thereby improving the overall performance of the wireless charging system.In some embodiments, the components of the isolated switching amplifier system are included within a modular structure embedded within the vehicle center console rather than being attached to a support structure of the vehicle console.

[0021] The center console antenna is reshaped for either the outer shape of the center console or the outer shape of a section of the center console (e.g., a specific molding location in the center console to meet the packaging requirements of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the counterparty trademarked product, etc.). A single device or multiple devices near or adjacent to the vehicle center console can be simultaneously charged by the vehicle center console regardless of the orientation of the device or multiple devices. That is, the devices can be at various distances and different angles relative to the center console and still be reliably charged by the wireless charging system integrated in the center console. For example, the device can be within a cup holder or held by a passenger or the like. In some embodiments, the wireless charging system can provide more than 10 watts of power to a device located within a cup holder and more than 5 watts of power to a device located more than about 8 inches away from the charging system embedded in the vehicle center console.

[0022] The transmitter emits a safe magnetic field that can be captured by a receiver device or multiple receiver devices (e.g., one or more smartphones). These receiver devices can be installed in various locations around the center console, such as within a cup holder or on top of the center console unit. This provides the passenger with greater freedom to wirelessly charge their device and enables multiple devices to be charged simultaneously.

[0023] The disclosed technology provides greater freedom in the placement of passenger devices and the ability to charge multiple passenger devices simultaneously. This is in contrast to prior art charging pads, which are typically sensitive to the alignment or orientation of electronic devices (e.g., smartphones) on the charging pad. That is, the disclosed technology (e.g., 3D antennas and corresponding amplifiers and other electronics) is designed to reduce the sensitivity of the wireless charging system to changes in the orientation of the wireless device relative to the vehicle center console, i.e., to provide better freedom of movement for the electronic device being charged during charging. For example, the position or orientation of a smartphone on the charging pad can be affected when the vehicle turns, which can affect the charging rate of the device (or, in some cases, prevent the smartphone from charging at all). Additionally, due to the space limitations of the charging pad, it can be difficult to charge multiple devices simultaneously in a prior art system. The space constraint occurs because the charging pad typically requires physical close contact with the receiver (e.g., smartphone) for effective operation.

[0024] In one embodiment, an aftermarket vehicle product includes a 3D antenna installed inside the center console, such as an open compartment, rather than being directly added to the contour of the center console (i.e., disposed within or at least partially within the center console contour of the center console vehicle portion). In this embodiment, the transmitter can be connected to a separate rechargeable battery or to the vehicle's battery as its power source via an available charging port in the vehicle.

[0025] In one embodiment, the 3D antenna can be replaced by a planar antenna, or due to size constraints for production, the electrodeposition process can be used to construct the antenna directly on the interior within the center console unit. In this embodiment, the transmitter consists of an antenna and an amplifier unit connected to a supply line within the vehicle. Further, in this embodiment, the transmitter can consist of a filter for harmonic reduction and a separate board for applying the voltages (such as logic, amplifier, and fan voltages, etc.) required for the DC supply PCB or the amplifier.

[0026] In one embodiment, the transmitter can include a switched parallel or series resonant or non-resonant power amplifier (e.g., class D or E amplifier) coupled to the antenna in a single-ended or differential manner (e.g., the amplifier on the amplifier PCB can be differentially coupled to two filters on one or two filter PCBs and also differentially coupled to the resonant capacitor on the resonant capacitor PCB). In a parallel-tuned power amplifier, the load network and the matching network are adjusted such that the transmitter antenna is in parallel rather than in series with the resonant capacitor, and the load network of the amplifier is also adjusted at the same resonant frequency. That is, the entire power amplifier network operates resonantly and fully rather than using a non-resonant load network. In this way, the voltage across the transmitter is maximized, and the harmonics are reduced. By maximizing the voltage, a higher oscillating current flowing through the transmitter antenna or a stronger magnetic field to be coupled to the receiver exists, particularly in a loosely coupled resonant inductive system, such as when the transmitter and the receiver are physically far apart. In some embodiments, a transformer can also be included to further increase the oscillating voltage across the transmitter antenna, thereby further improving the magnetic flux linkage and the power delivery between the transmitter and the receiver. Additionally, the parallel resonant power amplifier is better protected from receiver or capacitor movement or position changes and inductive reflections from the surrounding environment, which can cause significant changes in the efficiency of the power amplifier.

[0027] In another embodiment, the transmission system is configured using an insulated subsystem to reduce the thermal stress on the switching components, thereby providing better operating stability and improved performance.

[0028] FIG. 1B is a second view 100B of a representative three-dimensional antenna inside a vehicle center console (showing a bottom view of the vehicle center console of FIG. 1A). The second view 100B shows a three-dimensional antenna 120B consisting of one or more three-dimensional coils (only one coil is depicted in FIG. 1B).

[0029] FIG. 2 is a representative illustration of an internal view 200 of a vehicle center console with an embedded wireless charging system. The internal view 200 shows an antenna 210 that occupies a portion of the center console, rather than depicting the overall outer shape of the entire automotive center console as in FIG. 1B. The antenna 210 can be a three-dimensional antenna, as described in relation to FIG. 1A. Arrow 212 indicates an exemplary orientation of the antenna 210 selected to focus the magnetic field of the antenna onto the cup holder of the center console. Vehicle occupants often use the cup holder to hold an electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone) to be charged by the wireless charging system. In other embodiments, the size, installation, and orientation of the antenna 210 are selected to focus the wireless charging magnetic field on a different area where the electronic device to be charged is most likely to be stored or contained. In some embodiments, the antenna 210 can be a planar antenna or an electrodeposited antenna using copper windings of the antenna directly electrodeposited on an internal mechanical part of the center console. Planar and electrodeposited antennas comprise a continuous conductor without interruptions or radio frequency discontinuities and can have a thickness of about 10 μm or more.

[0030] Internal view 200 also shows an electronic housing 220 that holds an electronic device for a wireless charging system. In the representative embodiment of FIG. 2, the electronic housing 220 is disposed below a conductive structure (e.g., iron casting portion 240) of a vehicle center console directly under the armrest 230. The placement of the electronic housing 220 is selected to minimize cross-coupling between the antenna 210 and the electronic components within the electronic housing 220. For example, the electronic housing 220 is placed physically distant from the antenna 210 or in an area where an intervening structure would prevent the magnetic field of the antenna 210 from significantly coupling to the electronic components.

[0031] FIG. 3A is a representative view 300A of an exemplary fully assembled vehicle center console with an embedded wireless charging system. For example, the antenna 210 and the electronic housing 220 of FIG. 2 can be embedded within the fully assembled vehicle console of FIG. 3A. FIG. 300A shows a fully assembled center console that includes a front cup holder 310, a rear cup holder 312, and a package tray area 316. The antenna is configured (e.g., designed, positioned, and oriented) to transmit a wireless charging signal to efficiently charge one or more electronic devices installed within or around the front or rear cup holders or the package tray area of the vehicle center console.

[0032] FIG. 3B is a representative view 300B of the fully assembled vehicle center console of FIG. 3A showing additional details, including the outer profile of the embedded antenna 320 after being fully assembled and an approximation of the wireless charging field 330 of the embedded antenna 320 in this exemplary embodiment. In the wireless charging field 330, the field section 331 is depicted as having a higher signal strength than the field section 333, the field section 333 has a higher signal strength than the section 335, and the field section 335 has a higher strength than the section 337. That is, in some embodiments, the wireless charging field 330 will be such that the signal attenuates as it moves further away from the embedded antenna 320. However, the length, position / installation, and orientation of the embedded antenna 320 affect the strength of the wireless charging field and the propagation characteristics of the charging field, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, in addition to the presence of adjacent conductive structures. In some embodiments, the embedded antenna 320 can be a stand-alone antenna module such as a three-dimensional (3D) antenna, a planar antenna, or an electroplated antenna. In other embodiments, the embedded antenna 320 can be an integrated antenna that is constructed within (e.g., together with a portion of) the center console.

[0033] The size, shape, and location of the antenna are selected based on the packaging requirements of a particular center console design and further based on the desired charging area focus by the OEM customer. For example, in some embodiments, the length and location of the antenna can be selected such that the wireless charging field 330 is focused over the rear cup holder 312 and the package tray area 316. Generally, electronic devices embedded in the center console are physically separated from the embedded antenna 320 (e.g., by 3 inches or more) to reduce cross-coupling with the antenna, thereby improving the performance of the antenna. Additionally, to further improve the performance of the embedded antenna 320, it may also be desirable to shape the contour of the antenna to not only meet the packaging requirements within the center console but also to maximize the gap between the antenna and metal parts in the center console (e.g., the iron casting part 210 in FIG. 2). The closer more conductive structures such as metal are to the antenna, the more antennas are de-Q'd or have their inherent performance reduced. Thus, it is also desirable to have a contour of the embedded antenna 320 developed such that the physical separation between the conductive part in the center console and the antenna is maximized (e.g., separating the antenna from the conductive / metal structure by a gap of about 1 inch or more to improve the antenna's inherent quality factor). Additionally, radio frequency (RF) shields and absorption sheets (not shown in FIG. 3B) can be installed on or around the proximity conductive structures in the center console (such as shown for the wireless charging field 330) to further improve the inherent "Q" of the embedded antenna 320 and / or to better shape the direction of the magnetic field. The higher the antenna Q, the better the wireless charging range, and thus, an absorption sheet with good permeability (e.g., 100 μ or higher) and good loss rate can help improve the antenna's inherent "Q" (or be very helpful in not de-Q'ing the antenna due to the presence in close proximity to the conductive mechanical parts of the center console).

[0034] Figure 4 is a representative illustration showing a vehicle center console 410 with an embedded wireless charging system that simultaneously charges multiple electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices 420 and 422). The wireless charging system of FIG. 4 can be the system described in FIGS. 2 and 3 above. As described above with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a wireless charging system (e.g., the embedded antenna 320 in FIG. 3B) is positioned to provide a strong wireless charging signal to electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, etc.) placed on or around the vehicle center console. The wireless charging system embedded in the vehicle center console 410 can be used to charge other electronic devices (particularly including wireless charging receivers in areas of the vehicle where wiring for power delivery is difficult to handle, costly, or may prevent the inclusion of new features or functionality). For example, the wireless charging system can be used to charge or power vehicle proximity electronic components (e.g., components around the center console) and other electronic handheld devices.

[0035] For example, FIG. 5 is a representative illustration showing a vehicle center console 410 where an embedded wireless charging system is charging a handheld electronic device 424 placed below the partition 415 without contact.

[0036] A list of solutions, preferably implemented by some embodiments, can be described using the following appendices.

[0037] Appendix 1. A wireless charging system integrated into a vehicle console, the wireless charging system comprising an antenna with a continuous conductor without interruption or radio frequency discontinuity, the continuous conductor having a thickness of approximately 10 μm or more, the antenna being disposed within or partially within one or more contours of the vehicle console, an amplifier configured to drive a signal to the antenna, and one or more capacitors configured to excite the antenna into resonance.

[0038] Supplementary Note 2. The wireless charging system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the antenna comprises a three-dimensional antenna having a conductor, and the conductor is wound around the dielectric material at an angle in order to reduce the proximity effect at the operating frequency of the wireless charging system, thereby maintaining a high quality factor (Q) of the three-dimensional antenna.

[0039] Supplementary Note 3. The wireless charging system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the antenna comprises a conductor electrodeposited directly on a mechanical part of a vehicle console.

[0040] Supplementary Note 4. The wireless charging system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the signal has a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the antenna.

[0041] Supplementary Note 5. The wireless charging system according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a parallel resonance class E switching amplifier coupled to the antenna.

[0042] Supplementary Note 6. The wireless charging system according to Supplementary Note 4, further comprising one or more filters configured to receive a signal driven by an amplifier and provide a filtered signal to one or more capacitors.

[0043] Supplementary Note 7. The wireless charging system according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein two or more of the amplifier, the antenna, the one or more filters, or the one or more capacitors are physically separated from each other by a distance equal to at least 1 inch, thereby reducing cross-coupling loss.

[0044] Supplementary Note 8. The wireless charging system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the antenna is disposed within the vehicle console at least 1 inch or more from one or more conductive structures in the vehicle console, thereby improving the quality factor (Q) of the antenna.

[0045] Appendix 9. The wireless charging system according to Appendix 1, wherein the antenna is configured to transmit a wireless charging signal to one or more electronic devices installed in or around at least one of the cup holder of the vehicle console or the package tray area of the vehicle console.

[0046] Appendix 10. A method of manufacturing a wireless charging system embedded in a vehicle console, the method comprising attaching an amplifier printed circuit board (PCB) to a first area of an electrically non-conductive support structure of the vehicle console, and attaching a filter PCB to a second area of the support structure, the filter PCB being electrically coupled to the amplifier PCB and configured to receive an amplified signal from the amplifier PCB, and attaching a resonant capacitor PCB to a third area of the support structure, the resonant capacitor PCB being electrically coupled to the filter PCB and one or more antennas, configured to receive a filtered signal from the filter PCB and drive the filtered signal on the one or more antennas, wherein the first area, the second area, and the third area of the support structure are selected to maintain physical separation between the amplifier PCB, the resonant capacitor PCB, the filter PCB, and the one or more antennas, and the distance of physical separation between the filter PCB and the amplifier PCB and the distance of physical separation between the filter PCB and the resonant capacitor PCB are at least 10 mm.

[0047] Appendix 11. Each of the one or more antennas comprises a three-dimensional antenna with a conductor, the conductor being wound around the dielectric material at an angle to reduce the proximity effect at the operating frequency of the wireless charging system, thereby maintaining a high quality factor (Q) of the three-dimensional antenna, according to the method of Appendix 10.

[0048] Appendix 12. Each of the one or more antennas comprises at least one of a planar antenna or an electrodeposited antenna with a conductor electrodeposited directly on a part of the vehicle console, according to the method of Appendix 10.

[0049] Appendix 13. The method according to Appendix 10, wherein the physical separation distance between the filter PCB and the amplifier PCB and the physical separation distance between the filter PCB and the resonant capacitor PCB are selected to reduce at least one of the cross-coupling loss, switching loss, or hysteresis loss.

[0050] Appendix 14. The method according to Appendix 10, further comprising attaching a second filter PCB to a fourth area of the support structure, wherein the filter on the second filter PCB is differentially coupled to the amplifier on the amplifier PCB.

[0051] Appendix 15. The method according to Appendix 10, wherein each of the one or more antennas is disposed within the vehicle console at least one inch or more from one or more conductive structures in the vehicle console, thereby improving the quality factor (Q) of the antenna.

[0052] Appendix 16. The method according to Appendix 10, wherein each of the one or more antennas is configured to transmit a wireless charging signal to one or more electronic devices installed within or around at least one of the cup holder of the vehicle console or the package tray area of the vehicle console. (Remarks)

[0053] The figures and the foregoing description provide a brief general description of a suitable environment in which embodiments may be implemented. The foregoing detailed description of example embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed above. Specific examples of the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, but various equivalent modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. For example, although a process or block is shown in a given order, alternative implementations can perform routines having steps / blocks or employ systems having blocks in a different order, and some processes or blocks can be deleted, moved, added, further divided, combined, or modified to provide alternative or sub - ordinate combinations. Each of these processes or blocks can be implemented in a variety of different ways. Although a process or block is shown as being performed continuously at any time, these processes or blocks can instead be performed or implemented in parallel or at different times. Further, any specific numbers referred to herein are merely examples. Alternative implementations can adopt different values or ranges according to practical tolerances. For example, the term "about" can mean that actual implementations can have a practical tolerance in design (e.g., 1 - 5 percent).

[0054] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments described in light of the above - detailed description. The above description explains an exemplary embodiment and the best mode contemplated, but however detailed the above appears in the text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system can vary significantly in its specific implementation while still being encompassed by the claimed invention disclosed herein. As noted above, the terminology used when describing a particular feature or aspect should not be construed as implying that the terminology is re - defined herein to be limited to any specific property, feature, or aspect of the invention with which the terminology is associated.

Claims

1. A wireless charging system integrated into a vehicle center console (410), the wireless charging system comprising: A wireless charging transmitter coupled to a power supply of the vehicle, the wireless charging transmitter comprising an amplifier coupled to a three-dimensional antenna (210; 320), the wireless charging transmitter; The three-dimensional antenna, the three-dimensional antenna comprising a surface spiral coil including a continuous conductor; The continuous conductor having a thickness of approximately 10 μm or more; The three-dimensional antenna (210; 320) is disposed within one or more contours of the vehicle center console (410) or partially within one or more contours of the vehicle center console (410); The three-dimensional antenna is designed for a high quality factor of 200 or more to maintain efficient wireless power transmission, the three-dimensional antenna; One or more receiver devices configured to wirelessly receive power from the three-dimensional antenna (210; 320); One or more capacitors configured to excite the three-dimensional antenna (210; 320) into resonance; Comprising; The amplifier is configured to drive a signal at an operating frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the three-dimensional antenna, the wireless charging system.

2. The three-dimensional antenna (210; 320) comprises a conductor electrodeposited directly on a mechanical component of the vehicle center console (410), the wireless charging system according to claim 1.

3. Further comprising one or more filters, the one or more filters being configured to receive the signal driven by the amplifier and provide a filtered signal to the one or more capacitors, the wireless charging system according to claim 1.

4. Two or more of the amplifier, the three-dimensional antenna (210; 320), the one or more filters, or the one or more capacitors are physically separated from each other by a distance equal to at least 1 inch, thereby reducing cross-coupling losses, the wireless charging system according to claim 3.

5. The three-dimensional antenna (210; 320) is disposed within the vehicle center console (410) at least one inch or more from one or more conductive structures in the vehicle center console (410), thereby improving the quality factor (Q) of the three-dimensional antenna (210; 320). The wireless charging system according to claim 1.

6. The three-dimensional antenna (210; 320) is configured to transmit a wireless charging signal to one or more electronic devices installed in or around at least one of the cup holders (310, 312) of the vehicle center console (410) or the package tray area (316) of the vehicle center console (410). The wireless charging system according to claim 1.

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