Self-locating inductive coil
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsEric S. Jol, Ibuki Kamei, Warren Z. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems for automatically aligning a power-transmitting inductor with a power-receiving inductor. One embodiment includes multiple permanent magnets coupled to and arranged on a surface of a movable assembly accommodating a power-transmitting inductor. The permanent magnets encourage the movable assembly to freely move and/or rotate via magnetic attraction to correspondingly arranged magnets within an accessory containing a power-receiving inductor.
Claims15
A wireless power transfer apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining an interface surface for receiving a power receiving apparatus;
- a power supply;
- and
- a wireless power-transmitting structure coupled to the power supply and disposed within the housing below the interface surface, wherein the wireless power-transmitting structure comprises:
- a structural member;
- an inductive coil coupled to the structural member;
- and
- a plurality of magnets coupled to the structural member, wherein the plurality of magnets are positioned at each corner of the structural member and do not overlap with the inductive coil;
- wherein the power-transmitting structure is movable within the housing in at least a first direction in response to a magnetic force exerted against the plurality of magnets.
A method of positioning a coil within a wireless inductive power transmitter, comprising:
- placing a wireless inductive power receiver at a location on an interface surface comprising:
- a movable structural member positioned below the interface surface;
- an inductive coil affixed to the structural member;
- and
- a plurality of magnets coupled to the structural member, wherein the plurality of magnets are positioned at each corner of the structural member and do not overlap with the inductive coil;
- and
- translating the structural member below the interface surface to the location in response to a magnetic force exerted against the plurality of magnets.
A wireless power transfer system comprising:
- a wireless power receiving apparatus comprising:
- a first housing;
- a rechargeable battery;
- and
- a wireless power-receiving structure coupled to the rechargeable battery and disposed within the first housing;
- and
- a wireless power transmitting device comprising:
- a second housing defining an interface surface for receiving a portion of the first housing;
- a power supply;
- and
- a wireless power-transmitting structure coupled to the power supply and disposed within the second housing below the interface surface, wherein the wireless power-transmitting structure comprises:
- a structural member;
- an inductive coil coupled to the structural member;
- and
- a plurality of magnets coupled to the structural member, wherein the plurality of magnets are positioned at each corner of the structural member and do not overlap with the inductive coil;
- wherein the power-transmitting structure is movable within the second housing in at least a first direction in response to magnetic forces between the power-receiving apparatus and the power transmitting apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.