Contactless power supply for a mobile device

Abstract

Primary power supply device (3), comprising at least one primary winding (10) extending along a line (1), the primary power supply device being arranged to electrically power a mobile device (4) comprising at least one secondary winding (30), regardless of the position of the mobile device on a predefined path extending parallel to said line (1), by means of electrical energy (E) transmitted by the primary device (3) to the mobile device (4) via contactless transmission between at least one particular winding (lOp) among the at least one primary winding, and the at least one secondary winding.

Description

[0001] CONTACTLESS POWERING OF A MOBILE DEVICE

[0002] The invention relates to the field of power supply systems for powering mobile devices, and for example mobile devices incorporating an electrical plug.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Most electrical equipment in homes, factories, hospitals, etc., is connected to an electrical outlet via a power cable. The electrical outlet connects the equipment to the electrical grid for power. The location of electrical outlets is fixed, which creates a number of constraints.

[0005] A primary constraint concerns the installation of electrical outlets during the construction or renovation of a building. At the time of installation, neither the installer nor the future user necessarily knows the exact purpose of each outlet, forcing them to be placed in predetermined positions that are not always optimal. Any change in the position of an outlet requires potentially costly work.

[0006] A second constraint concerns the use of outlets. Electrical equipment powered by an outlet must be positioned near that outlet, which is not always very practical. Alternatively, it is possible to use an extension cord and / or a long cable to connect the electrical equipment to a distant outlet, but this extension cord or cable can then be bulky and inconvenient. A power supply system exists that allows an electrical outlet to be moved by positioning it in different locations on a support. The support includes an external casing inside which power buses run, and integrated connectors are linked to these power buses. The electrical outlet can be positioned at different predefined locations on the support by connecting it to one of these connectors.However, changing the position of the electrical outlet requires at least partially disassembling the outer casing of the support to connect the outlet to one of the connectors integrated into the outer casing. This presents several problems. The required procedure is often too complex for most people, especially individuals. The removable outer casing also poses safety issues because there is a risk that some unwary individuals could accidentally come into contact with the power buses.

[0007] OBJECT

[0008] The invention aims to be able to power a mobile device in a simple, fast and safe manner.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] To achieve this goal, a primary power supply device is proposed, comprising at least one primary winding extending along a line, the primary power supply device being arranged to electrically supply a moving device comprising at least one secondary winding, regardless of the position of the moving device on a predefined path extending parallel to said line, by electrical energy transmitted by the primary power supply device to the moving device via a contactless transmission between at least one particular winding among the at least one primary winding, and the at least one secondary winding.

[0011] The mobile device can therefore be powered regardless of its position along the predefined path. If the mobile device includes a power outlet, this outlet can itself, regardless of its position along the path, power another electrical device connected to it. Because the outlet is powered by a contactless connection between the primary and secondary windings, changing the outlet's position requires neither disconnecting and reconnecting, nor disassembling and reassembling. The outlet can therefore be moved simply, quickly, and safely.

[0012] We also propose a primary power supply device as previously described, comprising a plurality of primary windings arranged successively along the line.

[0013] We also propose a primary power supply device as previously described, comprising:

[0014] - means of detecting the position of the mobile device on the predefined path;

[0015] - at least one primary electrical unit connected to the detection means and arranged to control the supply only to at least one particular winding selected according to the position of the moving device.

[0016] We also propose a primary power supply device as previously described, in which the detection means are arranged to:

[0017] - continuously apply a detection current in all primary windings;

[0018] - detect the presence of the mobile device in the vicinity of a particular primary winding from an evolution of a detection voltage across the terminals of said particular primary winding.

[0019] We also propose a primary power supply device as previously described, in which the detection means include proximity sensors.

[0020] We also propose a primary power supply device as previously described, in which the primary winding(s) are integrated into a support on which the predefined path is defined and on which the moving device can be positioned and moved.

[0021] We further propose a primary feeding device as previously described, in which the support includes primary positioning means disposed along the predefined path and arranged to cooperate with secondary positioning means of the mobile device to correctly position and maintain the mobile device on the path.

[0022] We further propose a primary power supply device as previously described, in which the primary positioning means include at least one primary magnetized device.

[0023] We also propose a primary power supply device as previously described, the support being arranged so that the mobile device can slide on the support.

[0024] We also propose a primary power supply device as previously described, the support further integrating at least one light source powered by the primary power supply device and arranged to illuminate an environment of the primary power supply device.

[0025] We also propose a primary power supply device as previously described, the support being a plinth or an electrical supply rail or a headboard conduit.

[0026] We also propose a power supply system comprising the primary power supply device as previously described and the mobile device.

[0027] We also propose a power supply system as previously described, in which the mobile device includes an electrical outlet intended to power electrical equipment.

[0028] We also propose a power supply system as previously described, in which the electrical outlet provides an alternating output voltage.

[0029] We also propose a power supply system as previously described, in which the electrical outlet provides a continuous output voltage.

[0030] We also propose a power supply system as previously described, in which the length of each secondary winding is between two and five times the length of a primary winding.

[0031] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description of particular, non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

[0032] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, among which:

[0034] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 represents the power supply system and electrical equipment, with the mobile device positioned on the plinth;

[0035] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 represents the power supply system, with the moving device away from the plinth; [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, partially exploded, showing the primary windings and the secondary winding;

[0036] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is an electrical diagram of a transmitting device and the moving device.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] With reference to the figures, the power supply system 1 is intended to be installed in any room of any building (house, factory, hospital, etc.), and to electrically supply one or more electrical devices 2 present in that room.

[0039] The power supply system 1 includes a primary power supply device 3 and (at least) a mobile device 4.

[0040] The primary supply device 3 includes firstly a support. The support here is a plinth 5 which is intended to be positioned at the bottom of a wall of the room, against the wall.

[0041] When the primary power supply device 3 is installed, the baseboard 5 extends longitudinally along an axis X parallel to the wall. The baseboard 5, when viewed in cross-section along a transverse plane perpendicular to the axis X, has an "L" shape. The baseboard 5 thus has an upper face 6 which, when the baseboard 5 is installed, extends perpendicularly to the wall, and a front face 7 which is perpendicular to the upper face 6 and parallel to the wall. The free end of the upper face 6 of the baseboard 5 is positioned against the wall, and the free end of the front face 7 of the baseboard 5 is positioned on the floor.

[0042] The baseboard 5 is here made of a non-conductive material (or at least a very low conductor), such as plastic or wood. The primary power supply device 3 includes at least one, in this case a plurality of transmitting devices 9 which are integrated into the baseboard 5 and which each include a primary winding 10 and a housing 11 integrating a transmitting circuit 12. The primary windings 10 are therefore integrated into the baseboard 5, that is to say, they extend within a volume delimited by the baseboard 5.

[0043] The at least one primary winding 10 extends along a line 1.

[0044] Here, more precisely, the transmitting devices 9, and therefore the primary windings 10, are arranged successively along line 1. This line 1 is here an axis, parallel to the X-axis. Note that line 1 is not necessarily straight and that it could be curved along at least one of its portions (where the wall curves, for example). Note also that, in the case where the primary feed device 3 comprises a single primary winding 10, by "the (single) primary winding 10 extends along line 1," we mean that the primary winding 10 has an elongated shape along this line 1.

[0045] The primary winding 10 of each transmitting device 9, when viewed in cross-section along a transverse plane perpendicular to the central axis Y1 of said transmitting device 9 (and of said primary winding 10), has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Here, each primary winding 10 comprises a conductive wire, for example copper, which is wound to form a certain number of turns. Note that the primary windings 10 could be formed differently. For example, each primary winding 10 could be formed by one or more traces of a printed circuit board. The housing 11 of each transmitting device 9 also has a rectangular shape with rounded corners when viewed in cross-section along a transverse plane perpendicular to the central axis Y1. The primary winding 10 of the transmitting device 9 is positioned against the housing 11 such that the edges of the primary winding 10 run along the edges of the housing 11.

[0046] Each emitting device 9 has a substantially flat shape. When the primary supply device 3 is installed against the wall, the emitting devices 9 and the windings 10 extend parallel to the wall and the front face 7 of the plinth 5.

[0047] In each transmitting device 9, the transmitting circuit 12 includes a power module 14 comprising an amplifier 15, and one or more capacitive components 16 connected to the associated primary winding 10. The capacitive component(s) 16 and the primary winding 10 form a primary resonant circuit having a primary resonant frequency, which acts as a primary antenna. The capacitive component(s) 16 and the primary winding 10 are connected in series here, but they could be connected in parallel.

[0048] All the emitter circuits 12 are connected to a single power supply unit 18, which is itself connected to the building's electrical network. The power supply unit 18 can, for example, be located in a specific place (at one end of the baseboard 5, for example), and all the emitter circuits 12 are connected to said power supply unit 18 by wires. Alternatively, the emitter circuits 12 could be connected to power buses running within the baseboard 5. The power supply unit 18 provides each emitter circuit 12 with an input voltage Ve and an input current le.

[0049] We now describe mobile device 4.

[0050] The mobile device 4 is intended to be positioned and moved on the plinth 5. The mobile device 4 is removable, that is to say that the user can manually place the mobile device 4 on the plinth 5, move it on the plinth 5, or remove it from the plinth 5.

[0051] The mobile device 4 includes a housing 21 which, when viewed in cross-section along a transverse plane perpendicular to its length, has an "L" shape.

[0052] The housing 21 thus comprises an upper part 22 and a front part 23.

[0053] When the mobile device 4 is positioned on the plinth 5, the inner surface 24 of the upper part 22 of the housing 21 rests on the upper face 6 of the plinth 5, and the inner surface 25 of the front part 23 of the housing 21 is pressed against the front face 7 of the plinth 5. The width of the upper face 27 of the housing 21 of the mobile device 4 is less than the width of the upper face 6 of the plinth 5, so that the upper part 22 of the housing 21 of the mobile device 4 does not touch the wall when the mobile device 4 is placed on the plinth 5. Similarly, the front part 23 of the housing 21 of the mobile device 4 does not touch the floor.

[0054] The mobile device 4 includes a secondary winding 30, a receiving circuit 31 and an electrical socket 32, which are integrated into the housing 21 of the mobile device 4.

[0055] The secondary winding 30, when viewed in cross-section along a transverse plane perpendicular to the central axis Y2 of said winding 30, has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Here, the secondary winding 30 comprises a conductive wire, copper for example, which is wound to form a certain number of turns. Note that the secondary winding 30 could be formed differently, for example by one or more traces of a printed circuit board.

[0056] The secondary winding 30 therefore has the same shape as a primary winding 10, except that the length L2 of the secondary winding 30 is greater than the length L1 of a primary winding 10. The length L2 of the secondary winding 30 is advantageously between two and five times the length L1 of a primary winding 10. Here, we have:

[0057] L2 ~ 3. L1

[0058] The height hl of a primary winding 10 is here slightly less than the height h2 of the secondary winding 30.

[0059] When the mobile device 4 is positioned on the plinth 5, the secondary winding 30 extends parallel to the wall and the primary windings 10.

[0060] The receiver circuit 31 comprises one or more capacitive components 35 connected to the secondary winding 30, and a power module 36. The capacitive component(s) 35 and the secondary winding 30 form a secondary resonant circuit having a secondary resonant frequency, which acts as a secondary antenna. The capacitive component(s) 35 and the secondary winding 30 are connected in parallel here, but they could be connected in series.

[0061] The electrical socket 32 ​​is connected to the power module 36 of the receiver circuit 31. The electrical socket 32 ​​is here a female socket which includes three connection elements (phase, neutral, earth), and which delivers an output voltage Vs and an output current Is to power the electrical equipment 2.

[0062] The electrical socket 32 ​​has an outer casing 40 which includes an upper face 41, a front face 42 and a lower face 43. The outer casing 40 extends over a straight part of the housing 21 of the mobile device 4 (when viewed from the front) such that the upper face 41, the front face 42 and the lower face 43 of the outer casing 40 of the socket 32 ​​respectively cover a part of the upper face 27, a part of the front face 45 and a part of the lower face 46 of the housing 21 of the mobile device 4. The electrical socket 32 ​​is "embedded" inside the housing 21, i.e. the connection elements are located inside the housing 21.

[0063] We now describe in more detail how the power supply system 1 works.

[0064] The plinth 5 includes a predefined path 50. The predefined path 50 extends parallel to the line 1 along which the primary windings 10 are successively arranged. The predefined path 50 therefore extends along the length of the plinth 5.

[0065] The mobile device 4 can therefore be positioned on the plinth 5 and moved along the path 50. Here, the user moves the mobile device 4 by sliding the internal surface 24 of the upper part 22 of the housing 21 of the mobile device 4 onto the upper face 6 of the plinth 5, and the internal surface 25 of the front part 23 of the housing 21 of the mobile device 4 onto the front face 7 of the plinth 5, according to the length of the plinth 5.

[0066] The primary power supply device 3 is arranged to electrically supply the mobile device 4 regardless of the position of the mobile device 4 on the predefined path 50, by an electrical energy E transmitted by the primary device 3 to the mobile device 4 via a contactless transmission between at least one particular winding lOp ​​among the primary winding(s) 10, and the secondary winding 30.

[0067] Thus, as the primary windings 10 are positioned all along the path 50, the moving device 4 can be moved along the path 50 so that the moving device 4, and therefore the electrical socket 32, can be electrically supplied, regardless of the position of the moving device 4 on the path 50, by the electrical energy E, thanks to the coupling between the particular winding(s) lOp and the secondary winding 30. The secondary winding 30 is permanently in radio communication with at least one of the primary windings 10. Here, as the length L2 of the secondary winding 30 is greater than the length L1 of a primary winding 10, the secondary winding 30 can be permanently in radio communication with several particular primary windings 10p.

[0068] The secondary winding 30 extends parallel to these primary windings 10, is at a reduced distance from the primary windings 10 (typically between 3mm and 3cm), and is separated from the primary windings 10 only by one or more non-conductive elements (in particular the front face 7 of the plinth 5), so that the coupling is excellent between the primary windings 10 and the secondary winding 30.

[0069] When the mobile device 4 is in the vicinity of a particular primary winding lOp, the transmitter circuit 12 of the transmitting device 9 incorporating said particular primary winding lOp ​​generates, from the input voltage Ve and the input supply current le, a primary voltage Vp applied across the terminals of the particular primary winding lOp ​​and a primary current Ip which flows in the particular primary winding 10p.

[0070] The coupling between the primary winding(s) lOp and the secondary winding 30 induces an induced current li flowing in the secondary winding 30, and an induced voltage Vi across the terminals of the secondary winding 30. The coupling of the primary and secondary resonant circuits forms a resonant circuit having a combined resonant frequency. The combined resonant frequency is defined as a function of the frequency of the primary voltage Vp to optimize power transmission to the moving device 4 and thus the induced current li.

[0071] Here, the energy E is therefore transmitted by several particular primary windings lOp to the secondary winding 30. Alternatively, one could foresee that only one particular primary winding lOp ​​at a time transmits energy to the moving device 4.

[0072] The power module 36 of the receiver circuit 31 of the mobile device generates from the induced voltage Vi and the induced current li the output voltage Vs, which is applied between the connection elements of the electrical socket 32. The electrical socket 32 ​​can thus deliver the output current Is, under said output voltage Vs, to power the electrical equipment 2.

[0073] Electrical equipment 2, connected to the electrical socket 32 ​​by cable 51, can thus be powered by electrical socket 32 ​​regardless of the position of the socket on the path 50.

[0074] The output voltage Vs is here an alternating voltage (e.g. 110 or 230VAC), but it could be a direct voltage (in which case the power module 36 incorporates a rectifier to rectify the induced voltage Vi).

[0075] Advantageously, the primary power supply device 3 comprises:

[0076] - means of detecting the position of the mobile device 4 on the path 50;

[0077] - at least one processing unit 52 connected to the detection means and arranged to control the supply only of at least one particular primary winding lOp ​​selected according to the position of the mobile device 4.

[0078] The processing unit 52 is an electronic and software unit. The processing unit 52 includes at least one processing component 64, and for example any processor or microprocessor, general-purpose or specialized (for example a DSP, for Digital Signal Processor, or a GPU, for Graphics Processing Unit, or an NPU, for Neural Processing Unit), a microcontroller, or a programmable logic circuit such as an FPGA (for Field Programmable Gate Arrays) or an AS IC (for Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0079] The processing unit 52 also includes one or more memories 65 (and in particular one or more non-volatile memories), connected to or integrated into the processing component(s) 64. At least one of these memories 65 forms a computer-readable recording medium, on which is recorded at least one computer program comprising instructions which lead the processing unit 52 to execute the steps of the detection process.

[0080] The primary power supply device 3 may for example include a single processing unit 52 which is then a centralized unit connected to the detection means and which activates one or more particular emission devices 9 depending on the position of the mobile device 4. The processing unit 52 and the power supply unit 18 may be integrated in the same housing 63.

[0081] Alternatively, each transmitting device 9 could include a primary electrical unit which controls the supply of the associated primary winding 10 only when the moving device 4 is positioned in close proximity to said primary winding 10.

[0082] The detection means are arranged for example to: - continuously apply a detection current Id in all primary windings 10;

[0083] - detect the presence of the mobile device 4 near a particular primary winding lOp ​​from an evolution of a detection voltage Vd across the terminals of said particular primary winding 10.

[0084] For each primary winding 10, the detection current Id can be a very small current generated continuously at a certain frequency. It is known that when the secondary winding 30 of the moving device 4 is brought close to a primary winding 10, it will shift the resonant frequency of the primary resonant circuit, which will modify the detection voltage Vd across said primary winding 10. This makes it possible to detect the presence of the moving device 4 in the vicinity of said primary winding 10.

[0085] Alternatively, each transmitting device 9 could include a proximity sensor 53 which detects the presence of the moving device 4 in the vicinity of the primary winding 10 of said transmitting device 9.

[0086] Advantageously, the plinth 5 includes primary positioning means arranged along the path 50 and arranged to cooperate with secondary positioning means of the mobile device 4 to correctly position and maintain the mobile device 4 on the path 50.

[0087] Here, the primary positioning means include at least one primary magnetic device, and the secondary positioning means include at least one secondary magnetic device.

[0088] Here, the baseboard 5 includes a first magnetic strip 54 positioned on the upper face 6 of the baseboard 5 (or possibly in the thickness of the upper face 6 of the baseboard 5), and a second magnetic strip 55 positioned on the front face 7 of the baseboard 5 (or possibly in the thickness of the front face 7 of the baseboard 5), at the bottom of it.

[0089] Similarly, the internal surface 24 of the upper part 22 of the housing 21 of the mobile device 4 has a first magnet 56 (possibly integrated into the thickness of the housing 21) and the internal surface 25 of the front part 23 of the housing 21 has a second magnet 57 (possibly integrated into the thickness of the housing 21).

[0090] When the mobile device 4 is mounted on the plinth 5, the first magnetic strip 54 and the second magnetic strip 55 attract respectively the first magnet 56 and the second magnet 57, which not only allows the mobile device 4 to be correctly positioned but also keeps it in position on the plinth 5. This ensures that the secondary winding 30 is permanently positioned at the shortest distance and parallel to the primary windings 10, which optimizes the coupling.

[0091] In a particular embodiment, the plinth 5 incorporates at least one light source powered by the primary power supply device 3 and arranged to illuminate an environment of the primary power supply device.

[0092] Here, the plinth 5 incorporates a plurality of light-emitting diodes 70 (LEDs) which are connected by wires to the housing 63.

[0093] The operation of the LEDs 70 can optionally be synchronized with the power supply of the mobile device 4. For example, when the latter is powered by a particular primary winding lOp, the LEDs 70 in the vicinity of said particular primary winding lOp ​​are lit.

[0094] The 70 LEDs can also more simply contribute to lighting the room and be turned on all together when the user wishes.

[0095] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0096] The mobile device could be moved not manually but automatically on the support.

[0097] The mobile device does not necessarily slide on the surface. The mobile device could, for example, roll on the surface.

[0098] The windings, and more generally all the components of the primary power supply and the moving device, could have different shapes from those described here. The windings could, for example, be circular.

[0099] The mobile device could include several secondary windings.

[0100] The positioning means could be different from those described here. For example, the primary positioning means could include a rib on the upper face of the baseboard, and the secondary positioning means could include a groove on the internal surface of the upper part of the mobile device housing (or vice versa).

[0101] The application in which the power supply system is implemented could be different from the one described here. For example, the support for the primary power supply device could be an electrical supply rail or a headboard conduit.

[0102] The support for the primary power supply device is not necessarily arranged horizontally; it could, for example, be arranged vertically – and the path along which the mobile device can be moved is then also vertical.

[0103] The mobile device does not necessarily include a power outlet itself intended to power other equipment. The mobile device can be any mobile device that incorporates a secondary winding through which it can be powered by one or more specific primary windings of the primary power supply. Examples of mobile devices include smartphones, tablets, etc. The mobile device is not necessarily placed on a support of the primary power supply. The mobile device could be positioned in the immediate vicinity of the primary windings to ensure sufficient coupling between one or more specific windings and the secondary winding. In the case of a baseboard, for example, a mobile device to be powered could be placed against the baseboard or even placed on the floor near it. The predefined path thus extends along the floor, along the baseboard.

[0104] The architecture of the primary power supply could be different. For example, the primary power supply could comprise a single emitter circuit, including one or more amplifiers, connected to all the primary windings. The single emitter circuit is, for example, integrated into the housing 63 and itself powered by the power supply unit 18.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Primary power supply device (3), comprising at least one primary winding (10) extending along a line (1), the primary power supply device being arranged to electrically supply a moving device (4) comprising at least one secondary winding (30), regardless of the position of the moving device on a predefined path extending parallel to said line (1), by electrical energy (E) transmitted by the primary power supply device (3) to the moving device (4) via a contactless transmission between at least one particular winding (1Op) among the at least one primary winding, and the at least one secondary winding.

2. Primary power supply device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of primary windings (10) arranged successively along the line (1).

3. Primary power supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - means of detecting the position of the mobile device (4) on the predefined path (50); - at least one primary electrical unit (52) connected to the detection means and arranged to control the supply only to at least one particular winding (1Op) selected according to the position of the moving device (4).

4. Primary power supply device according to claim 3, in which the detection means are arranged to: - continuously apply a detection current (Id) in all primary windings (10); - detect the presence of the mobile device (4) near a particular primary winding (lOp) from an evolution of a detection voltage (Vd) across the terminals of said particular primary winding.

5. Primary power supply device according to claim 3, wherein the sensing means comprise proximity sensors (53).

6. Primary power supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary winding(s) (10) are integrated into a support (5) on which the predefined path (50) is defined and on which the movable device can be positioned and moved.

7. Primary feeding device according to claim 6, wherein the support (5) includes primary positioning means disposed along the predefined path (50) and arranged to cooperate with secondary positioning means of the mobile device (4) to correctly position and maintain the mobile device (4) on the path.

8. Primary power supply device according to claim 7, wherein the primary positioning means comprise at least one primary magnetic device (54, 55).

9. Primary power supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the support (5) being arranged so that the mobile device (4) can slide on the support.

10. Primary power supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, the support (5) further integrating at least one light source (70) supplied by the primary power supply device and arranged to illuminate an environment of the primary power supply device.

11. Primary power supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, the support being a plinth or an electrical supply rail or a headboard conduit.

12. Power supply system (1) comprising the primary power supply device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims and the mobile device (4).

13. Power supply system according to claim 12, wherein the mobile device (4) includes an electrical socket (32) for supplying electrical equipment (2).

14. Power supply system according to claim 13, wherein the electrical outlet (32) provides an alternating output voltage (Vs).

15. Power supply system according to claim 13, wherein the electrical socket (32) provides a continuous output voltage (Vs).

16. Power supply system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the length (L2) of each secondary winding (30) is between two and five times the length (L1) of a primary winding (10).

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