Power switchable wireless charging module and control method thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to a wireless charging module with power switching and its control method. The wireless charging module includes a charging base and a wireless charging pad. The charging base includes a base body and a first connector. The base body has a placement area, and the first connector is exposed in the placement area. The wireless charging pad is detachably disposed in the placement area. The wireless charging pad includes a controller unit and a second connector. The controller unit is electrically connected to the second connector. The first connector and the second connector can be mated or detached. When the controller unit detects that the first connector and the second connector are detached, it controls the wireless charging pad to output a first charging power. When the controller unit detects that the first connector and the second connector are mated, it controls the wireless charging pad to output a second charging power. The second charging power is greater than or equal to the first charging power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wireless charger, and more particularly to a wireless charging module with power switching and its control method. Prior Technology

[0002] Wireless chargers are mainly used to wirelessly charge various mobile phones and watches such as iPhones and Apple Watches. Wireless chargers on the market are mainly divided into wireless charging pads and wireless charging stands. Wireless charging pads are convenient to carry, while wireless charging stands can charge quickly, allowing users to choose according to their needs.

[0003] However, wireless charging pads have drawbacks such as the inability to actively dissipate heat, leading to overheating and the inability to maintain maximum power output, resulting in longer charging times. Wireless charging docks, on the other hand, are bulky and not easily portable. Therefore, creating a wireless charger that overcomes these shortcomings and combines the advantages of both wireless charging pads and docks is a key research and development focus for charger manufacturers.

[0004] In view of this, the inventor has devoted himself to researching and applying theoretical principles to address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, which is the goal of the inventor's development. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a wireless charging module with power switching and its control method. When the wireless charging pad is used alone or when the wireless charging pad is used with a charging base, the wireless charging coil 22 can output different charging powers to improve the ease of use of the wireless charging module.

[0006] In this embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a wireless charging module with power switching for use with an external power source. The wireless charging module includes: a charging base comprising a body, a fan and a first connector mounted on the body, the body having a placement area, the fan being configured corresponding to the placement area, and the first connector being exposed in the placement area; and a wireless charging pad detachably disposed in the placement area, the wireless charging pad comprising a pad body, a wireless charging coil and a controller unit mounted inside the pad body, and a second connector and a third connector mounted outside the pad body. The controller unit is electrically connected to the wireless charging coil, the second connector and the third connector. The first connector and the second connector can be docked or detached, and the third connector can be docked or detached from the external power source. When the controller unit detects that the first connector and the second connector are detached, it controls the wireless charging coil to output a first charging power; when the controller unit detects that the first connector and the second connector are docked, it controls the wireless charging coil to output a second charging power, the second charging power being greater than or equal to the first charging power.

[0007] In this embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a control method for a wireless charging module with power switching, applied to an external power source, a charging dock including a placement area and a first connector, and a wireless charging pad including a wireless charging coil, a controller unit and a second connector, wherein the first connector is exposed in the placement area, comprising: step a) electrically connecting the wireless charging pad to the external power source and detachably placing it in the placement area; and step b) when the controller unit detects that the first connector and the second connector are separated, controlling the wireless charging coil to output a first charging power, and when the controller unit detects that the first connector and the second connector are mated, controlling the wireless charging coil to output a second charging power, wherein the second charging power is greater than or equal to the first charging power.

[0008] Based on the above, the wireless charging module of the present invention can automatically switch the charging power according to the operational needs of using the wireless charging pad alone or using the wireless charging pad with the charging base. At the same time, under the operation of higher charging power, the active heat dissipation components such as the fan of the charging base will also be activated to dissipate heat from the wireless charging pad. Thus, the wireless charging module has the functions of automatically switching the charging power according to the operational needs, convenient portability, fast charging and high heat dissipation efficiency. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the wireless charging module of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the wireless charging module of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the wireless charging module of the present invention in use.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of another usage state of the wireless charging module of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the wireless charging pad of the present invention in use.

[0014] Figure 6 is a block diagram of the wireless charging module of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the control of the wireless charging module of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 is a circuit diagram of the wireless charging module of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 9 is a flowchart of the control method of the wireless charging module of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the wireless charging module of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the wireless charging module of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the wireless charging module of the present invention in use.

[0021] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the wireless charging module of the present invention in use.

[0022] Figure 14 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the wireless charging module of the present invention. Implementation

[0023] The detailed description and technical content of this invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 1 to 9. The present invention provides a wireless charging module with power switching and its control method, which is applied to an external power source 100 and mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets 200. The wireless charging module 10 mainly includes a charging base 1 and a wireless charging pad 2.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the charging base 1 includes a body 11 and a fan 12, a first connector 13, a cooling chip 14, a buck circuit 15, and a heat sink 16 installed on the body 11. The fan 12, the cooling chip 14, and the buck circuit 15 are installed inside the body 11. The body 11 has a mounting area 111. The fan 12 is configured corresponding to the mounting area 111. The first connector 13 is exposed in the mounting area 111. The cooling chip 14 is attached to the mounting area 111. The buck circuit 15 is electrically connected to the fan 12 and the cooling chip 14. The buck circuit 15 is composed of a circuit board and circuits disposed on the circuit board. The heat sink 16 is installed inside the body 11, thermally attached to the cooling chip 14, and surrounds the fan 12. The heat sink 16 is used to absorb the heat of the cooling chip 14 and dissipate the heat to the environment.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the wireless charging pad 2 is detachably installed in the placement area 111. The wireless charging pad 2 includes a pad body 21, a wireless charging coil 22 installed inside the pad body 21, a controller unit 23, and a second connector 24 and a third connector 25 installed outside the pad body 21. The controller unit 23 is electrically connected to the wireless charging coil 22, the second connector 24, and the third connector 25.

[0027] In addition, the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 can be connected or disconnected, and the third connector 25 can be connected or disconnected from the external power supply 100. In this embodiment, the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 are the male and female ends of the spring connector, respectively, and the third connector 25 is a type C connector, but this is not a limitation.

[0028] When the controller unit 23 detects that the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 are separated, it controls the wireless charging coil 22 to output a first charging power. When the controller unit 23 detects that the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 are connected, it controls the wireless charging coil 22 to output a second charging power. The second charging power is greater than or equal to the first charging power.

[0029] The following is a detailed description: In this embodiment, the base 11 is provided with a recessed groove 112. The wireless charging pad 2 can be assembled or disassembled in the recessed groove 112 through a structure such as shape matching, interlocking, or magnetic attraction, so that the wireless charging pad 2 can be detachably embedded in the recessed groove 112. The placement area 111 is formed on the inner bottom wall of the recessed groove 112.

[0030] In addition, the recessed groove 112 in this embodiment includes a disc body receiving groove 113 whose shape matches the disc body 21 and a connector receiving groove 114 whose shape matches the third connector 25, but this is not a limitation. The recessed groove 112 may also include only the disc body receiving groove 113 and not the connector receiving groove 114.

[0031] Furthermore, the base 11 in this embodiment is a trapezoidal base 3, but this is not a limitation. The outer periphery of the trapezoidal base 3 has a vertical inclined wall 31 and a ventilation opening 32 at the bottom. The recessed groove 112 is opened from the outer side of the vertical inclined wall 31. The fan 12 and the heat dissipation fins 16 are fixed to the inner side of the vertical inclined wall 31. The cooling chip 14 is sandwiched between the vertical inclined wall 31, the fan 12 and the heat dissipation fins 16 and is exposed in the placement area 111.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the fan 12 in this embodiment is an axial fan, which generates airflow indicated by the dashed line segment with arrows in the figure. The airflow enters the axial fan through the air vent 32 and then blows towards the placement area 111 to dissipate heat from the cooling chip 14 and the heat sink 16.

[0033] Figure 9 shows the steps of the control method of the wireless charging module 10 of the present invention. First, as shown in step S1 of Figure 9 and Figures 1 to 5, the wireless charging pad 2 is electrically connected to the external power supply 100 and is detachably disposed in the placement area 111. Further explanation is as follows: Figures 1 and 5 show the reference state in which the wireless charging pad 2 is detached from the placement area 111; Figures 2 to 4 show the reference state in which the wireless charging pad 2 is assembled in the placement area 111; and Figures 3 and 5 show the reference state in which the third connector 25 is connected to the external power supply 100.

[0034] Second, as shown in step S2 of Figure 9 and Figures 1 to 8, when the controller unit 23 detects that the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 are separated through the first sensor, it controls the wireless charging coil 22 to output a first charging power to the mobile device 200. When the controller unit 23 detects that the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 are connected through the first sensor, it controls the wireless charging coil 22 to output a second charging power to the mobile device 200. The second charging power is greater than or equal to the first charging power.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first sensor can be a current / voltage sensor installed on the corresponding first connector 13. The current / voltage sensor detects changes in current / voltage to determine whether the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 are connected. However, the first sensor is not limited to the above.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first charging power is less than 25W and the second charging power is 25W; or, the first charging power is 25W and the second charging power is greater than 25W. However, the values ​​of the first charging power and the second charging power mentioned above are for reference only and are not intended to limit the user.

[0037] In addition, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the wireless charging pad 2 is not set in the placement area 111 and is used alone without being paired with the charging base 1, that is, the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 are separated. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the wireless charging pad 2 is set in the placement area 111 and is used with the charging base 1, that is, the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 are connected.

[0038] Third, as shown in step S3 of Figure 9 and Figures 2 to 4 and 6 to 8, after the first connector 13 and the second connector 24 are connected, when the controller unit 23 detects through the second sensor that the mobile device 200 is not placed on the wireless charging pad 2, it will turn off the cooling chip 14 and the fan 12. When the controller unit 23 detects through the second sensor that the mobile device 200 has been placed on the wireless charging pad 2, it will turn on the cooling chip 14 and the fan 12.

[0039] In this embodiment, the second sensor may be a current / voltage sensor installed on the corresponding wireless charging coil 22, which detects changes in current / voltage to determine whether the mobile device 200 is placed on the wireless charging pad 2; or, the second sensor may be a weight sensor installed on the corresponding placement area 111, which detects changes in weight to determine whether the mobile device 200 is placed on the wireless charging pad 2, but the second sensor is not limited to the above.

[0040] Additionally, as shown in Figures 1, 6, and 8, the first connector 13 in this embodiment is electrically connected to the step-down circuit 15. In step S3, when the controller unit 23 detects that the mobile device 200 has been placed on the wireless charging pad 2, the wireless charging pad 2 provides voltage to the step-down circuit 15 through the first connector 13 and the second connector 24. The step-down circuit 15 then provides a reduced voltage to the cooling chip 14 and the fan 12.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in the circuit diagram of the wireless charging module 10 in Figure 8, the wireless charging pad 2 has a voltage converter that can convert voltage to supply the wireless charging coil 22 and the controller unit 23. The mobile device 200 has a wireless charging receiver and a step-down converter that receives the voltage of the wireless charging receiver and steps it down to supply the battery and the controller.

[0042] Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the wireless charging pad 2 of the present invention can be used independently without the charging base 1, so as to achieve the advantage of the wireless charging module 10 being easy to carry. When the wireless charging pad 2 is used alone, the wireless charging pad 2 will output a first charging power that is the same as or less than the second charging power to the mobile device 200.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the wireless charging pad 2 can also be used with the charging base 1. When the wireless charging pad 2 is used with the charging base 1, the wireless charging pad 2 will output a larger second charging power to the mobile device 200, allowing the wireless charging pad 2 to start the fast charging mode. Since the charging base 1 is equipped with active heat dissipation components such as the fan 12 and the cooling chip 14, the heat generated by the high charging power output of the wireless charging pad 2 can be dissipated through the active heat dissipation components of the charging base 1, so as to achieve the advantages of fast charging and high heat dissipation efficiency of the wireless charging module 10.

[0044] Therefore, the wireless charging module 10 of the present invention can automatically switch the charging power according to the operational needs of using the wireless charging pad 2 alone and using the wireless charging pad 2 with the charging base 1. At the same time, under the operation of higher charging power, the active heat dissipation component of the charging base 1 will also be activated to dissipate heat from the wireless charging pad 2, so that the wireless charging module 10 has the functions of automatically switching the charging power according to the operational needs, convenient portability, fast charging and high heat dissipation efficiency.

[0045] As shown in Figures 10 to 13, this is another embodiment of the wireless charging module 10 of the present invention. The embodiments of Figures 10 to 13 are largely the same as the embodiments of Figures 1 to 9. The difference between the embodiments of Figures 10 to 13 and the embodiments of Figures 1 to 9 is that the structure of the charging base 1 is different.

[0046] The detailed description is as follows: In this embodiment, the base 11 is a rectangular base 4, but this is not a limitation. The heat dissipation fins 16 are installed inside the base 11 and thermally attached to the cooling chip 14. The heat dissipation fins 16 are used to absorb the heat of the cooling chip 14 and dissipate the heat to the environment. The outer periphery of the rectangular base 4 is provided with an air inlet 41 and an air outlet 42. The recessed groove 112 is opened from the top of the rectangular base 4. The heat dissipation fins 16 are arranged between the air inlet 41 and the air outlet 42. The fan 12 is arranged between the air inlet 41 and the heat dissipation fins 16.

[0047] As shown in Figure 13, the fan 12 in this embodiment is an axial fan, which generates airflow as indicated by the dashed line segment with arrows. The airflow enters the axial fan through the air inlet 41, dissipates heat from the heat sink fins 16 and the cooling chip 14, and then blows out from the air outlet 42 to the outside of the rectangular base 4. In this way, the same effect as the embodiments in Figures 1 to 9 is achieved.

[0048] As shown in Figure 14, this is another embodiment of the wireless charging module 10 of the present invention. The embodiment in Figure 14 is largely the same as the embodiment in Figure 6. The difference between the embodiment in Figure 14 and the embodiment in Figure 6 is that the wireless charging module 10 is further applied to an automotive system 300, and the charging base 1 is integrated into the automotive system 300.

[0049] In this embodiment, the charging dock 1 further includes a processor unit 17. The vehicle system 300 is electrically connected to the step-down circuit 15. Referring to step S3 in FIG9, when the controller unit 23 detects that the mobile device 200 has been placed on the wireless charging pad 2, the controller unit 23 first sends a signal to the processor unit 17, and the processor unit 17 then sends a signal to the vehicle system 300. The vehicle system 300 provides voltage to the step-down circuit 15, and the step-down circuit 15 then provides a reduced voltage to the cooling chip 14 and the fan 12. In this way, the same effect as the embodiments of FIG1 to FIG9 is achieved.

[0050] In summary, the wireless charging module with power switching and its control method of the present invention have not been seen in similar products or publicly used, and have industrial applicability, novelty and progress, fully meeting the requirements for patent application. Therefore, this application is filed in accordance with the Patent Law to protect the rights of the inventor.

[0051] 10: Wireless charging module 1: Charging dock 11: base body 111: Resettlement Area 112: Depression groove 113: Disk body cavity 114: Connector Receiving Slot 12: Fan 13: First Connector 14: Cooling wafer 15: Step-down circuit 16: Heat dissipation fins 17: Processor Unit 2: Wireless charging pad 21: Disc Body 22: Wireless charging coil 23: Controller Unit 24: Second connector 25: Third Connector 3: Trapezoidal base 31: Vertical sloping wall 32: Ventilation opening 4: Rectangular base 41: Air Inlet 42: Air vent 100: External power supply 200: Mobile Device 300: Car System Steps S1 to S3

Claims

1. A wireless charging module with power switching for use with an external power source, the wireless charging module comprising: A charging dock includes a body, a fan and a first connector mounted on the body, the body having a placement area, the fan being configured corresponding to the placement area, and the first connector being exposed in the placement area; and a wireless charging pad detachably disposed in the placement area, the wireless charging pad including a pad body, a wireless charging coil and a controller unit mounted inside the pad body, and a second connector and a third connector mounted outside the pad body, the controller unit being electrically connected to the wireless charging coil, the second connector and the third connector, the first connector and the second connector being detachable, and the third connector being detachable from the external power source; wherein, when the controller unit detects that the first connector and the second connector are detached, it controls the wireless charging coil to output a first charging power; when the controller unit detects that the first connector and the second connector are detached, it controls the wireless charging coil to output a second charging power, the second charging power being greater than or equal to the first charging power.

2. The wireless charging module with power switching as described in claim 1, wherein the charging base further includes a cooling chip and a step-down circuit, the fan, the cooling chip and the step-down circuit are installed inside the base, the cooling chip is attached to the mounting area, and the step-down circuit is electrically connected to the fan and the cooling chip.

3. The wireless charging module with power switching as described in claim 2, wherein the base is provided with a recessed groove, the wireless charging pad is detachably embedded in the recessed groove, and the placement area is formed on the inner bottom wall of the recessed groove.

4. The wireless charging module with power switching as described in claim 3, wherein the base is a trapezoidal base, one side of the outer periphery of the trapezoidal base has a vertical inclined wall and a vent at the bottom, the recessed groove is opened from the outer side of the vertical inclined wall, the charging base further includes a heat dissipation fin, the fan and the heat dissipation fin are fixed to the inner side of the vertical inclined wall, the heat dissipation fin is thermally bonded to the cooling chip and is arranged around the fan, the cooling chip is sandwiched between the vertical inclined wall, the fan and the heat dissipation fin and exposed in the placement area.

5. The wireless charging module with power switching as described in claim 3, wherein the base is a rectangular base, the charging base further includes a heat sink fin, the heat sink fin is installed inside the base and thermally bonded to the cooling chip, the outer periphery of the rectangular base is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, the recessed groove is opened from the top of the rectangular base, the heat sink fin is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet, and the fan is disposed between the air inlet and the heat sink fin.

6. The wireless charging module with power switching as described in claim 3, wherein the recess includes a disc housing with a shape matching the disc body and a connector housing with a shape matching the third connector.

7. A control method for a wireless charging module with power switching, applied to an external power supply, a charging dock including a placement area and a first connector, and a wireless charging pad including a wireless charging coil, a controller unit, and a second connector, wherein the first connector is exposed in the placement area, comprising: Step a) Electrically connect the wireless charging pad to the external power source and detachably install it in the placement area; And in step b), when the controller unit detects that the first connector is separated from the second connector, it will control the wireless charging coil to output a first charging power. When the controller unit detects that the first connector is connected to the second connector, it will control the wireless charging coil to output a second charging power, the second charging power being greater than or equal to the first charging power.

8. The control method for a wireless charging module with power switching as described in claim 7, further applied to a mobile device, the charging dock further comprising a fan and a uniform cooling chip, and further comprising, after step b): Step c) After the first connector mates with the second connector, when the controller unit detects that the mobile device is not placed on the wireless charging pad, it will turn off the cooling chip and the fan. When the controller unit detects that the mobile device is placed on the wireless charging pad, it will turn on the cooling chip and the fan.

9. The control method of the wireless charging module with power switching as described in claim 8, wherein the charging dock further includes a step-down circuit, in step c), when the controller unit detects that the mobile device has been placed on the wireless charging pad, the wireless charging pad provides voltage to the step-down circuit through the first connector and the second connector, and the step-down circuit then provides a reduced voltage to the cooling chip and the fan.

10. The control method for a wireless charging module with power switching as described in claim 8, further applied to an automotive system, wherein the charging dock further includes a step-down circuit and a processor unit, wherein in step c), when the controller unit detects that the mobile device has been placed on the wireless charging pad, the controller unit first sends a signal to the processor unit, the processor unit then sends a signal to the automotive system, the automotive system provides voltage to the step-down circuit, and the step-down circuit then provides a reduced voltage to the cooling chip and the fan.

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