A connecting device with wireless charging for a portable electronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device (3) comprising a first magnetic fastening device (301) for fastening a portable electronic device (1) to the connecting device, on a first side (311) of the connecting device, wherein the connecting device (3) comprises a second magnetic fastening device (303) for fastening an auxiliary device (2) to the connecting device, on a second side (312) of the connecting device, wherein the second magnetic fastening device is made of a ferromagnetic material and does not comprise any permanent magnets.

Description

[0001] A CONNECTING DEVICE WITH WIRELESS CHARGING FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a connecting device comprising a first magnetic fastening device for fastening a portable electronic device to the connecting device, to an assembly comprising such a connecting device, and to a use of such an assembly.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Portable electronic devices may be portable communication and / or computation devices, e.g. in the form of computer tablets, or mobile phones such as smartphones, or other devices such as GPS devices. A smartphone may be defined as a portable computer device that combines mobile telephone functions and computing functions into one unit. For portable electronic devices accessories are available, such as devices for wireless charging or phone holders which can be mounted in vehicles. To fasten a portable electronic device to such an accessory, a fastening arrangement may be provided, which may be arranged for mechanical or magnetic fastening. A problem arises when fastening arrangement parts of the portable electronic device are not compatible with fastening arrangement parts of the accessory, e.g. because they are of different technical standards. In such situations, it may not be possible to fasten the portable electronic device to the accessory.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] An object of the invention is to facilitate the fastening of portable electronic devices to accessories therefore.

[0008] The object is achieved by a connecting device comprising a first magnetic fastening device for fastening a portable electronic device to the connecting device, on a first side of the connecting device, wherein the connecting device comprises a second magnetic fastening device for fastening an auxiliary device to the connecting device, on a second side of the connecting device, wherein the second magnetic fastening device is made of a ferromagnetic material and does not comprise any permanent magnets.

[0009] The second side may be opposite to the first side. Thereby, the first and second sides may face in opposite directions. Alternatively, the second side may face in a direction which is in and angle, larger than zero degrees and smaller than 180 degrees, to the direction in which the first side faces. For example, such an angle may be 90 degrees. Thereby the communication device may be L- shaped.

[0010] The auxiliary device may be an accessory for portable electronic devices, such as a mobile phone holder, which may be e.g. adapted to be mounted in a vehicle. In further example, the auxiliary device may be a holder to be placed on a table, or mounted to a fridge.

[0011] The first and second magnetic fastening devices are preferably made as items or assemblies which are separate from each other, and which are included in an assembly forming the connecting device.

[0012] The first magnetic fastening device of the connecting device may form, with a third magnetic fastening device of the portable electronic device, a first magnetic fastening arrangement. In the first magnetic fastening arrangement the first magnetic fastening device is adapted to be magnetically attracted to the third magnetic fastening device of the portable electronic device. The second magnetic fastening device of the connecting device may form, with a fourth magnetic fastening device of the auxiliary device, a second magnetic fastening arrangement. In the second magnetic fastening arrangement the second magnetic fastening device is adapted to be magnetically attracted to the fourth magnetic fastening device of the auxiliary device.

[0013] The third magnetic fastening device of the portable electronic device may be incompatible with the fourth magnetic fastening device of the auxiliary device. For example, these fastening devices may have different spatial configurations, such as different dimensions. The first magnetic fastening device may be configured according to a first technical standard, such as the Qi2 standard for wireless charging. For example, the first magnetic fastening device may comprise a plurality of permanent magnets forming a circle or a part of a circle. Thereby, the third magnetic fastening device of the portable electronic device may also comprise a plurality of permanent magnets forming a circle or a part of a circle, adapted to magnetically attract the magnets of the first magnetic fastening device of the connecting device. Preferably, the first magnetic fastening device may have its largest extensions in parallel to a plane formed by the first side of the connecting device.

[0014] It should be noted that the portable electronic device may comprise a portable electronic unit and a protective case for the portable electronic unit. Thereby, the third magnetic fastening device may be arranged in the portable electronic unit and / or in the protective case.

[0015] It should also be noted that any of the first and third magnetic fastening devices may comprise one or more permanent magnets, while the other of the first and third magnetic fastening devices may be made of a ferromagnetic material which is not permanently magnetized.

[0016] The second magnetic fastening device is preferably compatible with the fourth magnetic fastening device of the auxiliary device. This compatibility is facilitated by the flexibility of the second magnetic fastening device to different arrangements the fourth magnetic fastening device, as suggested above. The fourth magnetic fastening device of the auxiliary device may be configured according to a second technical standard. For example, the fourth magnetic fastening device of the auxiliary device may comprise a configuration of one or more permanent magnets, with extensions which are smaller or larger those of the third magnetic fastening device of the portable electronic device.

[0017] The first and second magnetic fastening devices may have different shapes and / or dimensions as seen in a direction in which the first and second sides are aligned, in particular where the second side is opposite to the first side. In embodiments of the invention, the connecting device may be placed between the portable electronic device and the auxiliary device, and be fastened to both of these, so that the portable electronic device and the auxiliary device are fastened to each other via the connecting device. Preferably, the material of the second magnetic fastening device is a magnetically soft material. A magnetically soft material can be magnetized by a magnetic field, but does not tend to stay magnetized once the field is removed. If the second magnetic fastening device had comprised permanent magnets, the shape, position, and orientation of the magnets have to be adapted to the shape, position, and orientation of the magnets of the auxiliary device. Since the second magnetic fastening device is made of a ferromagnetic material and does not comprise any permanent magnets, the second magnetic fastening device can be magnetically attracted by one or more permanent magnets of the auxiliary device, regardless of how the magnets in the auxiliary device are arranged. Thereby, the connecting device can be connected to any of a plurality of auxiliary devices having mutually different shapes, number, positions, and / or orientations of magnets. Thereby, a flexible connection device is provided. Thereby, the fastening of portable electronic devices to accessories therefore is facilitated. As suggested, the first and second magnetic fastening devices may be placed on opposite sides of the connecting device.

[0018] The connecting device may comprise a charging device for wireless charging of an electric energy storage device of the portable electronic device by electromagnetic induction when fastened to the portable electronic device by means of the first magnetic fastening device. For this the charging device may receive alternating current (AC) from a mains supply. The charging device may comprise a rectifier to rectify the AC, and a DC-DC converter to down-convert the rectified AC. The charging device may further comprise an inverter which generates AC which is applied to a primary coil of the charging device. The portable electronic device may comprise a secondary coil which is coupled to the primary coil, thereby producing a voltage. This voltage may be rectified by a rectifier, down-converted with a DC / DC converter, and supplied to the electric energy storage device. However, in some embodiments, the connecting device does not comprise a charging device. Thereby, the connecting device may merely provide the function of fastening the portable electronic device to the auxiliary device.

[0019] Preferably, the second magnetic fastening device is made of iron. Thereby, the second magnetic fastening device can be magnetically attracted by a magnetic fastening device of the auxiliary device, without comprising any permanent magnets. More generally, the material of the second magnetic fastening device comprises one or more of iron, nickel, and cobalt. For example, the second magnetic fastening device may comprise steel, i.e. an alloy of iron and carbon. The steel may be of any suitable kind, such as a mild steel.

[0020] Thus, embodiments of the invention involve a connecting device comprising a first magnetic fastening device for fastening a portable electronic device to the connecting device, on a first side of the connecting device, wherein the connecting device comprises a second magnetic fastening device for fastening an auxiliary device to the connecting device, on a second side of the connecting device, wherein the second magnetic fastening device is made of iron.

[0021] The connecting device may have extensions in two orthogonal main directions which are larger than a transverse extension of the connecting device in a direction which is transverse to said two main directions. Similarly, the second magnetic fastening device may have extensions in two orthogonal main directions, herein also referred to as main extensions, which are larger than a transverse extension of the second magnetic fastening device in a direction which is transverse to the two main directions of the second magnetic fastening device. The second magnetic fastening device is preferably plate shaped, e.g. in the form of a disk with two major surfaces. Thereby, the second magnetic fastening device may be flat, with an extension in a thickness direction that is relatively small compared to extensions of the second magnetic fastening device in directions which are orthogonal to the thickness direction. The second magnetic fastening device may be shaped as a sheet, with any suitable shape as seen in the thickness direction, e.g. circular, or rectangular. For example, the second magnetic fastening device may be coin- shaped. Preferably, the major surfaces of the second magnetic fastening device, are parallel to a plane formed by the second side of the connecting device, i.e. to a plane formed by the main directions of the second magnetic fastening device. Thereby, the main directions of the second magnetic fastening device form a plane that is parallel to a plane formed by the main directions of the connecting device. Preferably the second magnetic fastening device is between the second side and the first magnetic fastening device.

[0022] The second magnetic fastening device may be provided as a single piece of material. Preferably, the second magnetic fastening device extends in any of the main directions thereof through most of the extension of the connecting device in any of the main directions thereof. Preferably, the second magnetic fastening device covers, in a plane formed by the main directions thereof, most of an area covered by the connecting device in a plane formed by the main directions thereof.

[0023] Preferably, the area covered by the second magnetic fastening device in the plane formed by the main directions thereof is larger than an area covered by the first magnetic fastening device in a plane that is parallel to the plane formed by the main directions of the second magnetic fastening device.

[0024] Preferably, the second magnetic fastening device is adapted by size, shape (including thickness), and / or position, such that a magnetic force between the second magnetic fastening device and a magnetic fastening device of the auxiliary device is higher than a magnetic force between the first magnetic fastening device and a magnetic fastening device of the portable electronic device. For example, the thickness of the second magnetic fastening device may be adapted for this purpose. Thereby, the connecting device may stay fastened to the auxiliary device when the portable electronic device is removed.

[0025] A particular advantage of a plate shaped second magnetic fastening device in a ferromagnetic material that is not permanently magnetized is that, where the first magnetic fastening device comprises a plurality of permanent magnets forming a circle or a part of a circle, and the third magnetic fastening device of the portable electronic device also comprises a plurality of permanent magnets forming a circle or a part of a circle, depending on how the portable electronic device is removed, the connecting device may or may not stay fastened to the auxiliary device. In particular, if the portable electronic device is removed by lifting it in a direction which is transverse to the main extensions of the plate shaped second magnetic fastening device, the connecting device may stay fastened to the auxiliary device. Similarly, if the portable electronic device is removed by moving it in parallel with the main extensions of the plate shaped second magnetic fastening device, e.g. by sliding the portable electronic device in relation to the auxiliary device, the connecting device may stay fastened to the auxiliary device.

[0026] However, and if the portable electronic device is removed by lifting an edge of it in a direction which is transverse to the main extensions of the plate shaped second magnetic fastening device, while not lifting an opposite edge of the portable electronic device, so that the portable electronic device is rotated to move into an angle to the auxiliary device, and if a contact area of the auxiliary device, for contacting the connecting device, has an extension perpendicularly to the axis of the rotation of the portable electronic device which is smaller than the extension of connecting device in the same direction, the connecting device may stay fastened to the portable electronic device. This is due to a lever effect occurring during the rotation.

[0027] In some embodiments, the connecting device comprises first and second parts which are attachable to each other, wherein the first part comprises the first magnetic fastening device, and the second part comprises the second magnetic fastening device. The first part may also comprise a charging device for wireless charging of an electric energy storage device of the portable electronic device.

[0028] Thereby, the first and second parts may be provided separately, and attached to each other by an end user. The first and second parts may be attached to each other in any suitable manner, e.g. by fastening devices, such as bolts, screws or snap-on connections. More generally, the first and second parts may be removably attachable to each other. In some embodiments, the first and second parts may be attachable to each other by an adhesive. The object is also reached with an assembly according to any one of claims 9 or 10, and with a use of an assembly, according to claim 11.

[0029] Further advantages and advantageous features of embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following description.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Below, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: fig. 1 shows an assembly with components according to an embodiment of the invention, with a hidden part indicated with broken lines, fig. 2 shows an exploded view of one of the components in fig. 1, fig. 3 shows an exploded view of another of the components in fig. 1, fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the component in fig. 3, fig. 5 shows the components in fig. 1 fastened to each other, and fig. 6 shows a connecting device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Fig. 1 shows an assembly comprising a portable electronic device in the form of a smartphone 1. The assembly further comprises an auxiliary device in the form of a holder 2 for a smart phone, adapted to be mounted in a vehicle. The assembly further also comprises a connecting device 3 for fastening the portable electronic device 1 to the holder 1.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the portable electronic device 1, in the form of a smartphone. Certain details of the portable electronic device are not shown. The portable electronic device comprises a magnetic fastening device 101 and a secondary coil 102 for wireless charging. The magnetic fastening device 101 comprises a plurality of permanent magnets forming a part of a circle. Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the connecting device 3. The connecting device 3 comprises a first magnetic fastening device 301 and a primary coil 302 for wireless charging. The primary coil 302 may form a part of a charging device for wireless charging of an electric energy storage device of the portable electronic device by electromagnetic induction interaction with the secondary coil 102 (fig. 2) of the portable electronic device 1.

[0035] The first magnetic fastening device 301 comprises a plurality of permanent magnets forming a part of a circle. The first magnetic fastening device 301 is adapted to magnetically attract the magnets of the portable electronic device 1.

[0036] The connecting device 3 comprises a second magnetic fastening device 303 described closer below.

[0037] Fig. 4 shows a sectioned view of the connecting device 3. The connecting device 3 presents a first side 311 and a second side 312 which are spaced apart. The first side 311 and the second side 312 are formed by a first major surface and a second major surface, respectively. The first and second surfaces 311, 312 are substantially planar. The first and second surfaces face in opposite directions. As understood from fig. 1, fig. 3, and fig. 4, the connecting device 3 has extensions in two orthogonal main directions which are larger than a transverse extension in a direction which is transverse to said two main directions. The main directions are parallel to the first and second surfaces 311, 312.

[0038] Main extensions of the first magnetic fastening device 301 are parallel to a plane formed by the first side 311 of the connecting device. The first magnetic fastening device 301 of the connecting device forms, with the magnetic fastening device 101 (fig. 2) of the portable electronic device 1, a first magnetic fastening arrangement. The magnetic fastening device 101 of the portable electronic device 1 is herein also referred to as a third magnetic fastening device 101. The second magnetic fastening device 303 is provided for fastening an auxiliary device, in this example the holder 2 (fig. 1) to the connecting device, on the second side 312 of the connecting device. The auxiliary device 2 comprises a magnetic fastening device 201 (fig. 1) forming with the second magnetic fastening device 303 a second magnetic fastening arrangement. The magnetic fastening device of the auxiliary device is herein also referred to as a fourth magnetic fastening device 201.

[0039] The second magnetic fastening device 303 is plate shaped and made of a ferromagnetic material, e.g. iron, that is not permanently magnetized. Main extensions of the second magnetic fastening device are parallel to the plane formed by the second surface 312 of the connecting device. The plate is located between the second surface 312 and the first magnetic fastening device 301.

[0040] It is understood that the first and second magnetic fastening devices 301, 303 have different shapes as seen in a direction which is perpendicular to the first and second surfaces 311, 312. The fourth magnetic fastening device 201 (fig. 1) of the auxiliary device 2 comprises a configuration of one or more permanent magnets, with extensions which are smaller or larger those of the third magnetic fastening device 101 (fig. 2) of the portable electronic device 1, and therefore not compatible with it. However, by virtue of its shape and size, the plate shaped second magnetic fastening device 303 allows the connecting device to be fastened to the fourth magnetic fastening device 201 of the auxiliary device 2, even if the fourth magnetic fastening device 201 of the auxiliary device 2 is offset in relation to a center of the plate shaped second magnetic fastening device 303.

[0041] As illustrated in fig. 5, as the first and second magnetic fastening devices 301, 303 are at opposite sides of the connecting device, the connecting device 3 may be placed between the portable electronic device 1 and the auxiliary device 2, and be fastened to both of these, so that the portable electronic device and the auxiliary device are fastened to each other via the connecting device.

[0042] Reference is made to fig. 6, showing a connecting device 3 in an alternative embodiment of the invention. The connecting device comprises first and second parts 321, 322 which are attachable to each other by means of an attachment device 323, in this example a patch with adhesive of both sides, similarly to a double-sided tape. The first part 321 comprises a first magnetic fastening device similar to the one in the embodiment described above with reference to fig. 1 - fig. 5. The second part comprises a second magnetic fastening device similar to the one in the embodiment described above with reference to fig. 1 - fig. 5. The first part 321 also comprises a charging device for wireless charging of an electric energy storage device of the portable electronic device.

[0043] Thereby, the first and second parts 321, 322 may be provided separately, and attached to each other by an end user. As an alternative to adhesive, the first and second parts 321, 322 may be attached to each other in any suitable manner, e.g. by fastening devices, such as bolts, screws or snap-on connections.

[0044] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connecting device (3) comprising a first magnetic fastening device (301) for fastening a portable electronic device (1) to the connecting device, on a first side (311) of the connecting device, wherein the connecting device (3) comprises a second magnetic fastening device (303) for fastening an auxiliary device (2) to the connecting device, on a second side (312) of the connecting device, wherein the second magnetic fastening device is made of a ferromagnetic material and does not comprise any permanent magnets.

2. A connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the second side (312) is opposite to the first side (311).

3. A connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second magnetic fastening devices (301, 303) have different shapes and / or dimensions as seen in a direction in which the first and second sides (311, 312) are aligned.

4. A connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a charging device (302) for wireless charging of an electric energy storage device of the portable electronic device (1) by electromagnetic induction when fastened to the portable electronic device by means of the first magnetic fastening device (301).

5. A connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second magnetic fastening device (303) comprises iron.

6. A connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second magnetic fastening device (303) is plate shaped.

7. A connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second magnetic fastening device (303) is adapted by size, shape, and / or position, such that a magnetic force between the second magnetic fastening device and afourth magnetic fastening device (201) of the auxiliary device (2) is higher than a magnetic force between the first magnetic fastening device (301) and a third magnetic fastening device (101) of the portable electronic device (1).

8. A connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising first and second parts which are attachable to each other, wherein the first part (321) comprises the first magnetic fastening device (301), and the second part (322) comprises the second magnetic fastening device (303).

9. An assembly comprising a connecting device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, the assembly further comprising a portable electronic device (1) comprising a third magnetic fastening device (101) forming with the first magnetic fastening device (301) a first magnetic fastening arrangement, and an auxiliary device (2) comprising a fourth magnetic fastening device (201) forming with the second magnetic fastening device (303) a second magnetic fastening arrangement.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first and second magnetic fastening arrangements are adapted so that when the connecting device (3) is fastened to the portable electronic device (1) and to the auxiliary device (2), the magnetic force in the second magnetic fastening arrangement is higher than the magnetic force in the first magnetic fastening arrangement.

11. Use of an assembly according to any one of claims 9-10, comprising fastening the portable electronic device (1) to the connecting device (3) by means of the first magnetic fastening arrangement, and fastening the auxiliary device (2) to the connecting device by means of the second magnetic fastening arrangement.

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