Temperature management for inductive charging systems

An inductive power-transferring apparatus comprising:

• a housing comprising:
• an upper portion defining an interface surface having a first thermal conductivity;
• a base portion incorporating a thermal mass extending along a bottom wall;
• and
• a thermal path thermally coupling the interface surface and the thermal mass and having a second thermal conductivity greater than the first thermal conductivity;
• a power source positioned within the housing;
• a power-transferring coil coupled to the power source and positioned within the housing below the interface surface;
• and
• an electromagnetic shield positioned adjacent and extending along at least three sides of the power-transferring coil and separated from the thermal mass by a gap such that the electromagnetic shield is between the power-transferring coil and the thermal mass, the electromagnetic shield shields the thermal mass from a time-varying magnetic field generated by the power-transferring coil and directs electrical flux associated with the power-transferring coil toward the interface surface and away from the thermal mass.

A method for managing a temperature of an induction power-transferring apparatus, the method comprising:

• receiving, at an interface surface of the induction power-transferring apparatus, heat from an accessory positioned proximate to the interface surface;
• directing the heat received at the interface surface through at least one thermal path to a thermal mass extending along a bottom wall of the induction power-transferring apparatus;
• directing heat within the thermal mass to a cable for connecting to a power outlet, the cable comprising a thermally conductive layer;
• and
• shielding the thermal mass from a time-varying magnetic field generated by a power-transferring coil with an electromagnetic shield, the electromagnetic shield positioned adjacent and extending along at least three sides of the power-transferring coil and separated from the thermal mass by a gap such that the electromagnetic shield is between the power-transferring coil and the thermal mass, the electromagnetic shield directing electrical flux associated with the power-transferring coil toward the interface surface and away from the thermal mass.