Inductive coil assemblies for electronic devices and accessories
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsDaniel J. Hiemstra, Zaki Moustafa, Zelin Xu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Inductive coil assemblies for wireless power transfer can be provided for an electronic device having a slot to receive an accessory and an accessory having an attachment region that is insertable into the slot. The inductive coil assembly of the device can extend along a sidewall of the slot. The inductive coil assembly of the accessory can extend along one side surface of the attachment region of the accessory. The opposite sidewall of the slot and side surface of the attachment region of the accessory can provide mechanical retention features.
Claims17
An electronic device comprising:
- a housing having a wall, the wall having a slot formed therein to receive at least a portion of an accessory, the slot having first and second opposing sidewalls that extend along a lateral direction;
- an inductive coil assembly positioned in a recess in the first sidewall, wherein the inductive coil assembly includes:
- a ferrite core;
- and
- a wire wrapped helically around at least a portion of the ferrite core;
- and
- a magnetically permeable cap that forms a portion of the first sidewall of the slot and that covers the ferrite core;
- and
- an active electronic component disposed within the housing and coupled to the inductive coil assembly.
An accessory for an electronic device, the accessory including:
- a body having an attachment region insertable into a slot of an electronic device, the attachment region having a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface;
- an inductive coil assembly positioned in the attachment region and oriented toward the first side surface, the inductive coil assembly including:
- a ferrite core;
- a coil of wire wrapped helically around at least a portion of the ferrite core;
- and
- a protective cap made of a magnetically permeable material that forms a portion of the first side surface and that covers the ferrite core;
- and
- a retention feature positioned in the attachment region and oriented toward the second side surface.
An electronic device comprising:
- a housing having a wall, the wall having a slot formed therein to receive at least a portion of an accessory, the slot having first and second opposing sidewalls that extend along a lateral direction;
- an inductive coil assembly positioned in a recess in the first sidewall;
- and
- an active electronic component disposed within the housing and coupled to the inductive coil assembly,
- wherein the second sidewall of the slot has an opening extending through to a rear surface of the housing and wherein a plug is sealed into the opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.