US 8,629,654 B2 · System and method for inductive charging of portable devices

Abstract

A system and method for variable power transfer in an inductive charging or power system. In accordance with an embodiment the system comprises a pad or similar base unit that contains a primary, which creates an alternating magnetic field. A receiver comprises a means for receiving energy from the alternating magnetic field and transferring it to a mobile device, battery, or other device. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be incorporated to provide greater power transfer efficiency, and to allow the system to be easily modified for applications that have different power requirements; such as variations in the material used to manufacture the primary and/or the receiver coils; modified circuit designs to be used on the primary and/or receiver side; and additional circuits and components that perform specialized tasks, such as mobile device or battery identification, and automatic voltage or power-setting for different devices or batteries.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A system for inductive powering and charging of portable devices or batteries, comprising:

a base unit, including one or more primary coils which are capable of generating an inductive field for use in powering or charging one or multiple portable devices or batteries simultaneously, wherein each primary coil is positioned within the base unit so that an electrical current can be passed through the primary coil to generate an inductive field;
a receiver unit, including a receiver coil which is coupled to or incorporated into a portable device or battery, or a skin, case, or battery door associated therewith, wherein the receiver coil receives energy inductively from the one or more primary coils and uses it to charge or power the portable device or battery;
and
components within the base unit for allowing a degree of position independence of the portable device, battery, skin, case, or battery door with respect to the base unit, including selectively activating an appropriate number of the one or more primary coils, including
verifying a presence of the receiver unit placed close to the base unit,
activating the appropriate number of primary coils to be used with the receiver unit and its portable device, battery, skin, case, or battery door, and
communicating information for use in managing power transfer to the portable device or battery.

4 more elements

A system for use with a mobile device or battery for charging or powering the mobile device or battery inductively, comprising:

a base unit, including one or more primary coils which are capable of generating an inductive field for use in powering or charging one or multiple mobile devices or batteries simultaneously, wherein each primary coil is positioned within the base unit so that an electrical current can be passed through the primary coil to generate an inductive field;
components within the base unit for allowing a degree of position independence of a mobile device or battery, or skin, case, or battery door associated therewith, with respect to the base unit, including selectively activating an appropriate number of the one or more primary coils, including
verifying a presence of a receiver unit placed close to the base unit,
activating the appropriate number of primary coils to be used with the receiver unit and its mobile device, battery, skin, case, or battery door, and
communicating information for use in managing power transfer to the mobile device or battery;
and
wherein the inductive field is used to generate a current in receiver unit, to charge or power the mobile device or battery.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for inductive charging of portable devices

Life of this patent

System and method for inductive charging of portable devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33