WIRELESS CHARGER FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
A wireless charger includes a base having a base opening and an interior cavity defined by upper and lower shells and an inner sidewall extending between the upper and lower shells to define the base opening. An aperture is formed through the inner sidewall between the interior cavity and the base opening and a hinge is connected to the base within the interior cavity and extends through the aperture. The charger further includes a wireless charging assembly pivotably attached to the base by the hinge and moveable between a down position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed within the base opening and an up position in which the wireless charging assembly extends outside the base. The charging assembly is configured to wirelessly transmit power across the charging surface to a power receiving unit of a portable electronic device.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/215,659 filed Sep. 8, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. This application is related to concurrently filed U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. ______, (Attorney Docket No. 090911-P28911US2-0957940), which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to wirelessly charging electronic devices, and more particularly, to systems and methods that enable an electronic device to be wirelessly charged in more than one position.
BACKGROUNDMany portable electronic devices include one or more rechargeable batteries that require external power to recharge from time to time. These devices may include cell phones, smart telephones, wearable devices, navigation devices, sports devices, health devices, accessory devices, and so on.
Some portable electronic devices with rechargeable batteries, including some wrist-worn wearable electronic devices include an inductive charging system or other type of wireless charging system. In an inductive charging system, a user may place the electronic device on an inductive charging surface to replenish the internal battery without the need for plugging the device into a charging cable. The inductive charging surface, and the associated electrical components that enable inductive charging, may be incorporated into a docking station or similar charging device that can be placed in a location (e.g. on night stand, an office desk, or similar location) where a user will regularly charge the portable electronic device. Accordingly, aesthetically pleasing, well-designed docking stations and wireless charging devices are desirable.
SUMMARYSome embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a system for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device. The system can be a docking station or similar device upon which the portable electronic device to be charged can be placed. The system can include a power transmitting component that can be wirelessly connected to charging circuitry of the portable electronic device to wirelessly transmit power to the charging circuitry and charge the portable electronic device's battery. In some embodiments the power transmitting component is housed in an assembly attached to a base of the system with a hinge. The hinge enables the wireless charging assembly to be positioned at more than one angle with respect to the base enabling the user to change the viewing angle of the portable electronic device being charged by the power transmitting component. For example, the wireless charging assembly can be placed in a first substantially flat position in which the portable electronic device can be placed directly over the wireless charging assembly as well as a second angled position that enables the portable electronic device to be positioned at an angle against the wireless charging assembly. The first substantially flat position may enable a user to easily view information presented, for example, on a display screen of the portable electronic device the display, when looking down towards the device, while the second, angled position may better enable the user to view information presented on the display screen from other perspectives.
According to some embodiments, a wireless charger for an electronic device is provided. The wireless charger can include a base having a base opening and an interior cavity defined by an upper shell, a lower shell and an inner sidewall extending between the upper and lower shells to define the base opening. An aperture can be formed through the inner sidewall between the interior cavity and the base opening. The wireless charger can further include a wireless charging assembly and a hinge that connects the base to the wireless charging assembly. The hinge can be pivotably attached to the base within the interior cavity so that it is generally hidden from view and can be moveable between a first position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed within the base opening and a second position in which the wireless charging assembly extends outside the base opening. The charging assembly may include a charging surface and a power transmitting unit disposed adjacent to the charging surface that is configured to wirelessly transmit power across the charging surface to a power receiving unit of a portable electronic device.
In some embodiments the hinge can have a u-shaped stem that extends through the aperture where the stem includes a first end connected to a structure within the interior cavity of the base, a second end connected to the wireless charging assembly and a u-shaped portion between the first and second ends. The stem can also include a covered groove extending through the u-shaped portion and open at the second end of the stem to route one or more wires in a hidden manner through the stem.
According to some embodiments, a wireless charger for an electronic device is provided that includes a donut-shaped base having an upper surface, a planar bottom surface and an inner sidewall extending between the upper surface and the bottom surface that defines a central base opening through the base. The base can further include an interior cavity defined at least in part by the upper surface, the bottom surface and the inner sidewall, and an aperture can be formed through the inner sidewall between the interior cavity and the central base opening. The wireless charger can further include a wireless charging assembly and a hinge that connects the base to the wireless charging assembly. The hinge can be pivotably attached to the base within the interior cavity so that it is generally hidden from view and can be moveable between a first position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed within the base opening and a second position in which the wireless charging assembly extends outside the base opening. The charging assembly can have a housing, a charging surface, and a power transmitting unit disposed within the housing and adjacent to the charging surface and configured to wirelessly transmit power across the charging surface to a power receiving unit of a portable electronic device.
In some embodiments the wireless charging assembly can further include one or more features that assist with alignment of the power transmitting unit to the power receiving unit of a portable electronic device including a charging surface having a concave shape and/or at least one magnet to assist with alignment of the power transmitting unit to the power receiving unit of a portable electronic device. Additionally, in some embodiments the power transmitting unit can be moveable within housing to further improve alignment of the power transmitting unit to the power receiving unit of a portable electronic device.
According to some embodiments, a wireless charger for an electronic device is provided where the charger includes a circular base having an interior cavity defined by an upper shell, a lower shell and a ring extending between the upper and lower shells. The upper shell can include a first central circular opening, a first rim formed around a perimeter of the upper shell and a continuously curved surface extending from the first rim to the first central circular opening. The lower shell can include a second central circular opening, a second rim spaced adjacent to and attached to the first rim and formed around a perimeter of the lower shell, a substantially planer surface surrounding the second central circular opening and a curved surface extending between the substantially planer surface and the second rim. The ring can include an interior sidewall surface that defines a base opening through the base concentric with the first and second central circular openings. An aperture can be formed through the interior sidewall of the ring between the interior cavity and the opening through the base, and a hinge that extends through the aperture can be connected to the base within the interior cavity. The wireless charging assembly can be pivotably attached to the base by the hinge and moveable between a first position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed within the base opening parallel with the upper annular surface of the ring and a second position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed outside the base opening. The charging assembly can include a housing, a concave charging surface, and a power transmitting unit disposed within the housing and adjacent to the concave charging surface, the power transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit power across the concave charging surface to a power receiving unit of a portable electronic device.
In some embodiments of the disclosure, in the first position the charging assembly is aligned with and parallel to a top of the opening and in the second position, the charging assembly is inclined at a 90 degree angle or less with respect to the base. As examples of the second position, the charging assembly can be angled at any desired angle and in some instances can be inclined at a near vertical angle of between 80 and 89 degrees with respect to the bottom surface. As other examples of the second position, the charging assembly can be angled between 85 and 89 degrees or between 87 and 88 degrees. In some embodiments, the charging assembly may also be placed at intermediate angles in between the first and second positions.
According to some embodiments, a hinge assembly is provided that can pivot between first and second positions. The hinge assembly can include a pin block having a pin receiving groove formed at an upper surface and a footing including a shelf and a seat elevated with respect to the shelf; a friction beam attached to the seat of the footing and extending over the shelf of the footing; a rotatable pin disposed within the pin receiving groove, the rotatable pin including a section extending between the shelf and the friction; a tensioner operatively coupled between the friction beam and the shelf of the footing to press the friction beam against the section the rotatable pin; and a stem coupled to the rotatable pin such that the stem rotates with the rotatable pin.
According to some embodiments, a hinge assembly includes a pin block having a pin receiving groove formed at an upper surface and first and second opposing footings, each footing including a shelf and a seat elevated with respect to the shelf; a first friction beam attached to the seat of the first footing and extending over the shelf of the first footing; a second friction beam attached to the seat of the second footing and extending over the shelf of the second footing; a rotatable pin disposed within the pin receiving groove, the rotatable pin having first and second opposing ends with the first end extending between the shelf of the first footing and the first friction beam and the second end extending between the shelf of the second footing and the second friction beam; a first tensioner operatively coupled between the first friction beam and the shelf of the first footing to press the first friction beam against the first end of the rotatable pin; a second tensioner operatively coupled between the second friction beam and the shelf of the second footing to press the second friction beam against the second end of the rotatable pin; and a stem coupled to the rotatable pin between the first and second supports such that the stem rotates with the rotatable pin.
In some embodiments the pin block can further include one or more of: a cutout between the first and second footings that allows stem to rotate within the cutout; and first and second supports spaced apart from each other, where the first support is positioned adjacent to the first footing, the second support is positioned adjacent to the second footing and the pin receiving groove includes a first portion in the first support and a second portion in second support. In some embodiments the stem includes a first end attached to the rotatable pin, a second end and a u-shaped portion between the first and second ends and a channel extending along a length of the stem through the u-shaped section and a u-shaped cap covering the channel.
In some embodiments each of the first and second tensioners are configured to adjust the level of friction applied by its respective friction beam to the rotatable pin, and in some instances each of the first and second tensioners can be a screw threadably coupled to a through hole formed in the first and second shelves, respectively.
According to some embodiments, a hinge assembly is provided that includes a pin block having: first and second opposing footings, each footing including a shelf and a seat elevated with respect to the shelf; first and second opposing supports between the first and second footings, the first support adjacent to the first footing and the second support adjacent to the second footing; a first pin receiving groove at an upper surface of the first support; a second pin receiving groove at an upper surface of the second support aligned with the first pin receiving groove; and a bridge extending between the first and second supports. The hinge assembly can further include a first clip attached to the first support and having a first aperture opening aligned with the first pin receiving groove; a second clip attached to the second support and having a second aperture aligned with the second pin receiving groove; a rotatable pin extending across the first and second supports within the first and second pin receiving grooves, the rotatable pin having first and second opposing ends and a central section between the opposing ends, wherein the rotatable pin is positioned so that the first end extends through the first aperture of the first clip over the first shelf and the second end extends through the second aperture over the second shelf; a first friction beam attached to the seat of the first footing and extending over the first shelf between the first shelf and the first end of the rotatable pin; a second friction beam attached to the seat of the second footing and extending over the second shelf between the second shelf and the second end of the rotatable pin; a first tensioner operatively coupled between the first friction beam and the first shelf to force the first friction beam against the first end of the rotatable pin; a second tensioner operatively coupled between the second friction beam and the second shelf to force the second friction beam against the second end of the rotatable pin; and a stem coupled to the rotatable pin between the first and second supports such that the stem rotates with the rotatable pin.
The following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numerals are sometimes used in multiple figures to designate similar or identical structural elements, provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure.
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to any particular preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the accompanying claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONSome embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a system for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device. The system can be a docking station or similar device upon which the portable electronic device to be charged can be placed. The system can include a power transmitting component that can be wirelessly connected to charging circuitry of the portable electronic device to wirelessly transmit power to the charging circuitry and charge the portable electronic device's battery.
User's often receive messages and other information via portable electronic devices that the user may want to readily view even while the portable electronic device is charging. A charging system according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes a wireless charging assembly attached to a base with a hinge. The wireless charging assembly includes a power transmitting component and the hinge enables the wireless charging assembly to be positioned at more than one angle with respect to the base enabling the user to change the viewing angle of the portable electronic device being charged by the power transmitting component. For example, the wireless charging assembly can be placed in a first substantially flat position in which the portable electronic device can be placed directly over the wireless charging assembly and a second angled position that enables the portable electronic device to be positioned at an angle against the wireless charging assembly that may provide a better viewing angle for the user of received messages and other information.
As illustrated, portable electronic device 110 includes a first connection surface 112 that is operable to contact a charging surface 122 of wireless charger 120. In some cases, the first connection surface 112 and charging surface 122 form a sliding interface between the portable electronic device 110 and the wireless charger 120. As such, the two devices may be positionable with respect to each other in one or more directions.
Wireless charger 120 includes a power transmitting component (not shown) within its housing that is positioned adjacent to charging surface 122. The power transmitting component can wirelessly transmit power across charging surface 122 to portable electronic device 110 to charge one or more batteries or other power sources within the portable electronic device. In order to provide power to the power transmitting component, wireless charger 120 can receive power from an external source through a cable 124 or other connection or can include its own power source, such as a battery (not shown).
Portable electronic device 110 can include a display 114 or other medium through which information, such as the date and time, phone calls, text messages, emails and other alerts may be displayed. As illustrated in
As shown in
Power conditioning circuitry 216 can be configured to convert alternating current received by the receive coil 214 into direct current power for use by other components of portable electronic device 210. Also within device 210, a processing unit 220 may direct the power, via one or more routing circuits and under the execution of an appropriate program residing in a memory 222, to perform or coordinate one or more functions of the portable electronic device typically powered by battery 213.
Within wireless charger 230, power transmitting component 232 includes a power source 234 operatively coupled to transmit coil 236 to transmit power to portable electronic device 210 via electromagnetic induction or magnetic resonance. Transmit coil 236 can be an electromagnetic coil that produces a time-varying electromagnetic flux to induce a current within an electromagnetic coil within the portable electronic device (e.g., coil 214). The transmit coil may transmit power at a selected frequency or band of frequencies. In one example the transmit frequency is substantially fixed, although this is not required. For example, the transmit frequency may be adjusted to improve power transfer efficiency for particular operational conditions. More particularly, a high transmit frequency may be selected if more power is required by the accessory and a low transmit frequency may be selected if less power is required by the accessory. In other examples, transmit coil 236 may produce a static electromagnetic field and may physically move, shift, or otherwise change its position to produce a spatially-varying electromagnetic flux to induce a current within the receive coil.
When portable electronic device 210 is operatively attached to wireless charger 230 (e.g., by aligning connection surface 215 of device 210 with charging surface 235 of wireless charger 120), the portable electronic device may use the received current to replenish the charge of its rechargeable battery or to provide power to operating components associated with the electronic device. Thus, when portable electronic device 210 is operatively attached to wireless charger 230, the charger may wirelessly transmit power at a particular frequency via transmit coil 236 to receive coil 214 of the portable electronic device.
Transmit coil 236 can be positioned within the housing of wireless charger such that it aligns with receive coil 214 in the portable electronic device along a mutual axis when the charger is operatively attached to portable electronic device. If misaligned, the power transfer efficiency between the transmit coil and the receive coil may decrease as misalignment increases. The housing of the portable electronic device and the wireless charger can be designed to facilitate proper alignment between connection surface 215 and charging surface 235 to ensure high charging efficiency. In some embodiments of the disclosure, transmit coil 236 is moveable within the housing such that it can be accurately positioned to align with receive coil 214 of different sized portable electronic devices 210 as described in more detail below in conjunction with
As also discussed below, in some embodiments, one or more alignment assistance features can be incorporated into the devices to facilitate alignment of the transmit and receive coils along the mutual axis can be employed. As one example, an alignment magnet 238 can be included in wireless charger 230 that magnetically mates with an alignment magnet 218 of portable electronic device 210 to facilitate proper alignment of the portable electronic device and wireless charger. Additionally, the connection and charging surfaces 215, 235 of portable electronic device 210 and wireless charger 230, respectively, may cooperate to further facilitate alignment. For example, in one embodiment connection surface 215 of portable electronic device 210 has a convex shape while charging surface 235 of wireless charger 230 has a concave shape (e.g., see charging surface 344 shown in
Wireless chargers, such as chargers 120 and 230, may be regularly used to charge one or more portable electronic devices, such as devices 110 and 210. The wireless charger may be placed in prominent location within a user's home or office and used on a daily basis. Thus, the user experience associated with the charger along with the aesthetic appearance of the charger can be important.
An interior sidewall surface 308 of the base (see
A wireless charging assembly 340, which is connected to base 302 by a hinge, is positioned within opening 320. Except for a stem that connects the wireless charging assembly to the base, the hinge is positioned entirely within the interior of base 302 and is thus hidden from view. Charging assembly 340 includes a housing 342 and an charging surface 344. In the embodiment shown, charging surface 344 can have a concave shape that matches a convex shape of a connection surface of a portable electronic device that the wireless charger is designed to charge, such as wearable electronic device 1000 that is worn on a user's wrist and described with respect to
In the up position, illustrated in
In some embodiments, the hinge (not shown in
When inner sidewall 308 is part of an annular ring, the ring can be made out of a hard metal such as stainless steel and annular surface 305, which can be an upper surface of the metal ring, can be slightly recessed to provide protection against scratches or similar abrasions. In some embodiments surface 305 can be a highly polished surface for aesthetic and other purposes. To reduce a visual presence of a seam where surface 305 joins inner sidewall 308, the inner sidewall can be lightly blasted using a bead blasting or other appropriate technique. Roughening inner surface 308 has the added benefit for some embodiments of reducing reflections along the surface the sidewall thus making it more difficult to see through the gap between inner sidewall 308 and the outer edge of housing 342 when the charging assembly is in the down position to a table or other surface that the charger is positioned on. In some embodiments, the ring can have an annular step (not shown) formed along inner sidewall 308 that reduces the diameter of opening 320 in the stepped region. The step can extend under wireless charging assembly 340 providing a stop for the wireless charging assembly in the down position and eliminating the ability to see through opening 320 when the charging assembly is down. In some other embodiments inner sidewall 308 of the ring can have a slight inward angle such that opening 320 has a larger diameter at upper surface 304 than at lower surface 306. Depending on the angle this design feature can reduce the ability to see through the gap formed between the edge of the ring and the wireless charging assembly in opening 320 when the charging assembly is in the down position (i.e., reduce the difference between the diameter of housing 342 and the portion of inner sidewall 308 near bottom 306) or eliminate it altogether.
Wireless charger 300 can further include a receptacle connector 330. In some embodiments connector 300 can be compatible with a reversible lightning connector manufactured by Apple, Inc., the assignee of the present disclosure. The lightning connector includes both power and data contacts along with circuitry that can participate in a handshaking algorithm with circuitry associated with connector 330 to authenticate the cable that is mated with connector 330 to ensure it was designed to operate with charger 300. In other embodiments, connector 330 can be any connector that delivers power to charger 300.
A variety of different hinges can be incorporated into wireless charger 300 to enable charging assembly 340 to rotate between down and up positions and/or be set at various intermediate positions therebetween. One such hinge mechanism that can connect charging assembly 340 to base 302 in a manner in which the hinge is generally hidden from a user's view is described below with respect to
Referring to
In some embodiments, hinge 400 fits within cutouts formed within the base of a wireless charger, such as charger 300, align and secure the hinge to the base. Additionally, in some embodiments, hinge 400 can be attached to the base by one or more through holes in the footings 404a, 404b. For example, an alignment post (not shown) can extend from the base into through holes 416 in each of the footings 404a, 404b to secure and align the pin block to the base. In some embodiments, the pin block can be attached to the base by fasteners, such as screws, that extend through holes 416.
Support 406a is adjacent to footing 404a and support 406b is adjacent to footing 404b. While supports 406a, 406b are positioned inside of footings 404a, 404b in the embodiment shown in
Pin 432 has first and second end portions 434a, 434b and a central section 434c that can be wider than ends 434a, 434b. Grooves 430a, 430b are sized to accommodate central section 434c of the pin. Opposing upper edges of the grooves (see edges 510, 512 in
A stem 460 is attached at a first end 462 to central portion 434c of pin 432 enabling the stem to rotate with pin 432 at a location within the internal cavity of the wireless charger base (e.g., base 302) around an axis 325. In some embodiments, the stem includes one or more locking teeth that can extend into or through corresponding bores formed in pin 432. To further strengthen the connection between the stem and the pin, the stem can also be welded to pin 432 at multiple weld locations on opposing sides of the pin. As one example, stem 460 can be welded to central section 434c in four locations as shown in
In some embodiments, hinge 400 is designed to provide a smooth and constant force movement of charging assembly 340 between the up and down positions. That is, hinge 400 can provide a substantially constant force profile against torque applied to charging assembly 340 as the charging assembly is moved from the down position to the up position or from the up position to the down position.
As shown in
In some embodiments, each of the footings 404a, 404b includes a threaded through hole 418 and each tensioners 425 can be a set screw that is threadably coupled to its respective through hole 418. In this manner, each tensioner can be screwed towards its overlying friction beam to increase the friction between the beam and pin 432 or screwed away from the friction beam to decrease friction the beam and pin. If tensioners 425 are adjusted to provide sufficient friction, charging assembly 320 can be placed at almost any intermediate angle between the up and down positions for a charging operation.
As shown in
Power can be provided through stem 460 to the wireless power transmitter components within housing 342 via a wire (e.g., wire 712 shown in
Stem 460 can rotate between first and second positions that correspond to the down and up positions, respectively, of charging assembly 340 previously mentioned. In the first position, stem 460 has a first stop in which a first outer surface 466 of stem 460 rests on an inner ledge 604 at the bottom of aperture 502. In the second position, a second outer surface 468, opposite surface 466, comes into contact with an interior surface of a portion 606 of ring 460 that extends above aperture 502. As previously discussed, in various embodiments the stem and inner surface of portion 606 cooperate to ensure that the second stop results in charging assembly 340 positioned in a near vertical alignment in which the charging assembly is positioned at an angle with respect to the base of between 80 and 89 degrees, between 85 and 89 degrees or between 87 and 88 degrees.
The above-described components of hinge 400 can be made out of a variety of different suitable materials. In some embodiments pin block 402, pin 432, stem 460 and stem cap 456 are made from stainless steel or a similarly hard metal. Friction beams 420a, 420b and clips 436a, 436b can also be made from a hard metal, such as stainless steel.
In some embodiments it is beneficial to align charging assembly 340 so that it is parallel with body 302 and positioned at a desired height with respect to upper surface 304. For example, in some embodiments it desirable for the charging assembly to not be raised above surface 304 and instead be recessed from surface 304 by a nominal amount (e.g. less than a couple of millimeters). The charging assembly is attached to the body by hinge 400. Any slight misalignment of charging assembly 340 and body 302 or unintended height discrepancy may detract from the charging capabilities of wireless charger 300 and/or the aesthetic appearance of the wireless charger.
Ring 460 includes a ledge 610 (see
A ballast shield 706 can be positioned between top and bottom shells 702 and 704 to provide a desired weight and heft to charger 300. Shield 706 can also be grounded and act as an electromagnetic shield reducing noise that may be generated by the wire that delivers power to the charging assembly coupling to the inductive field of the power transmitting coil. For example, as discussed below a wire 712 can be routed adjacent to the surface of ballast shield 706 to reduce undesirable noise from the wire. Wire 712 can further be wrapped in an absorber material to further reduce noise.
Ballast shield 706 includes a cutout 740 that is sized and shaped to allow the ballast shield to extend around hinge 400 and ring 460. Ballast shield 706 can be made from a metal, such as stainless steel, or another appropriately heavy and electrically conductive metal. Ring 460 can be attached to the ballast shield by aligning a ledge 610 of the ring (see
Wireless charging assembly 340 can be positioned within ring 460 and properly aligned with the base of the wireless charger as discussed above. Wire 712 electrically connects the circuitry within wireless charging assembly 340, including the power transmitting circuitry, to connector 722. Wire 712 can actually include multiple, separate insulated wires surrounded by a protective casing or absorber material. For example, in some embodiments, wire 712 includes ground and power wires and in some other embodiments, wire 712 includes separate ground and power wires along with at least two other wires that can be used for data or other signals, such as signals that enable the charger to control power generation. While not shown in the figures, a routing channel can be formed in the interior surface of top shell 702 to secure a portion of wire 712 that extends between connector 722 and the wireless charging assembly.
A connector trim piece 720 can be attached to an outer portion of bottom shell 704, and positioned so that an opening of trim piece 720 is aligned with the opening of the receptacle connector. Trim piece 720 can be made from a conductive metal and can be electrically connected to ground to help, during a mating event, dissipate static electricity that may have built up at the plug connector. A conductive wing 724, which can be made from stainless steel or another conductive material, provides a ground path from trim piece 720 and receptacle connector 722 to ballast shield 706.
Referring now to
The power transmitting components, some of which are included in electronic components 709 and some of which are not shown in
Wireless charging assembly 340 is attached to hinge 340 by stem 430. The stem can be welded to housing 340 at welding locations 446, and as shown in
Reference is now made to
As shown in
In block 804, bottom shell assembly 904 can be formed by adhering bottom shell 704 to an outer microfiber layer 732 by an adhesive 908. As shown in
Wireless charging assembly can be assembled (block 806) by first assembling hinge 400 (block 808). To assemble hinge 400, wire 712 can be routed through channel 452 of stem 430 and cap 456 can be secured to the stem to cover the wire so that one end of the wire extends through the u-section portion of stem 430 and out of channel 450 near first end 462 and at second end 464. Stem 430 can then be attached to pin 432, by for example, inserting interlocking teeth 454 into corresponding bores in center section 434c of pin 432 and laser welded the stem to the pin.
With stem 430 attached to it, pin 432 can be threaded into grooves 430a, 430b on pin block 402 and clips 436a, 436b can be laser welded or otherwise attached to the pin block to secure pin 432 within the groove. Friction beams 420a, 420b can then be attached to footings 404a, 404b by fasteners 422, 424 and tensioners 425 can be set and adjusted to exert a desired force on the friction beams to, in turn, impart a desired level of friction to pin 432 as the pin rotates within groove 430a, 430b.
Once the hinge is assembled (block 808), it can be connected to housing 342 via stem 430. The stem can be inserted through aperture 502 of ring 460 and housing 340 can be positioned within the opening defined by the ring. Next, stem 430 can be attached to housing 342 while it is positioned within the ring as described above (block 810) and as illustrated in
In block 812, the hinge/wireless charging module 930 can be completed by attaching printed circuit board 708 having electronic components 709 coupled thereto, to housing 432, assembling the remaining portions of the power transmitting unit, including the coil, within the housing, and attaching cap 710 to housing 342 (
Referring to
The receptacle connector assembly 940 (connector 720, trim ring 722 and ground wing 724) can also be placed in an appropriate position within top shell assembly 902 and ballast 706 can then be adhered to the top shell assembly 902 with a PSA or other adhesive layer (not shown) while electrically connecting ground wing 724 to ballast shield 706. Bottom shell assembly 904 can then be attached by adhering assembly 904 to the ballast shield with a PSA or other adhesive layer (not shown) and adhering the rim of assembly 902 to the rim of assembly 904 and the skirt of layer 732 to the skirt of layer 730. The excess skirts can be trimmed to the edge of the rim to complete the formation of a wireless charger according to some embodiments of the disclosure (block 816).
Reference is now made to
Device 1000 may be worn on a user's wrist and secured thereto by a band 1010. Band 1010 includes lugs 1012 at opposing ends of the band that fit within respective recesses or apertures 1014 of the casing and allow band 1010 to be removeably attached to casing 1002. Lugs 1012 may be part of band 1010 or may be separable (and/or separate) from the band. Generally, the lugs may lock into recesses 1014 and thereby maintain connection between the band and casing 1002. The user may release a locking mechanism (not shown) to permit the lugs to slide or otherwise move out of the recesses. In some wearable devices, the recesses may be formed in the band and the lugs may be affixed or incorporated into the casing.
Casing 1002 also houses electronic circuitry (not shown in
A battery (not shown in
Wireless chargers according to some embodiments of the disclosure can be used to charge several different portable electronic devices that may vary in size. For example, wrist-work electronic device 1000 may be available in two or more sizes where the casings of the different size devices differ in width and length. Some embodiments of wireless chargers according to the disclosure have an alignment magnet that generates a magnetic field that attracts a portable electronic device to a center of the charging surface.
Wireless charging assembly 1200 includes a concave charging surface 1210 surrounded by an annular surface 1212. A power transmitting coil 1214 is positioned under charging surface 1210 and an alignment magnet 1216 is centered within the charging surface and concentric with coil 1214 as indicated by center point 1218. When a portable electronic device is positioned against charging surface 1210, alignment magnet 1216, which can be in a fixed position within assembly 1200, can help center the device to power transmitting coil 1214 thus increasing the efficiency of any charging operation.
When the charging assembly is in the up position, however, it may be desirable for a side surface of the portable electronic device to rest upon an upper surface of the charging station (e.g., upon upper surface 304 in wireless charger 300). Towards this end, and if wireless charging station 1200 is part of an ecosystem that includes multiple sized portable electronic devices, a larger sized portable electronic device may rest against an upper surface of the charging station in the up position. A smaller portable electronic device magnetically attached to wireless charging assembly 1200, however, may have its edge raised slightly above the surface of the charging station as shown in
Some embodiments of the disclosure invention include an alignment magnet that is slightly off-center to prevent such a situation. For example, as shown in
Referring to
To maximize charging efficiency of a portable electronic device, the wireless power receiver of the device should be aligned with the wireless power transmitter of the charger as discussed above with respect to
In
When portable electronic device 1450 is placed against charging surface 1405, alignment magnet 1414 is attracted to and aligns with an alignment magnet 1456 in device 1450. Since magnet 1414 is attached to moveable support 1410, the moveable support moves within housing 1402 with the magnet down towards the base of the charger in direction 1430. Since coil 1412 is also attached to support 1410, the coil also moves down to better align to the power receiving coil in portable electronic device 1450 that is centered around magnet 1456.
In
While the embodiments of a moveable wireless power transmitter discussed with respect to
Each of
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. For example, while several specific embodiments of the invention described above use inductive coupling to wireless transmit power to a wearable electronic device, the invention is not limited to any particular wireless power transfer technique and other near-field or non-radiative wireless power transfer techniques as well as radiative wireless power transfer techniques can be used in some embodiments. Also, while wireless charger 300 was described as having a circular base 302 with a central circular opening 320, the shape of the base and the opening can vary in embodiments. For example, in some embodiments base 302 may have an oval, rectangular, square or other shape. Similarly, opening 320 may have a shape that matches that of base 302 or a different shape altogether. Also, while opening 320 is centered in the embodiments of
Claims
1. A wireless charger for an electronic device, the wireless charger comprising:
- a base having a base opening and an interior cavity defined by an upper shell, a lower shell and an inner sidewall extending between the base opening and interior cavity and between the upper and lower shells to define the base opening;
- an aperture formed through the inner sidewall between the interior cavity and the base opening;
- a hinge having a rotational axis within the interior cavity, the hinge extending from the interior cavity through the aperture into the base opening;
- a wireless charging assembly pivotably attached to the base by the hinge and moveable between a down position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed within the base opening and an up position in which the wireless charging assembly extends outside the base, the charging assembly having a charging surface and a power transmitting unit disposed adjacent to the charging surface, the power transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit power across the charging surface to a power receiving unit of a portable electronic device.
2. The wireless charger set forth in claim 1 wherein the hinge includes a u-shaped stem that extends through the aperture, the stem having a first end connected to a structure within the interior cavity of the base, a second end connected to the wireless charging assembly and a u-shaped portion between the first and second ends.
3. The wireless charger set forth in claim 2 wherein the stem includes a covered groove extending through the u-shaped portion, the groove including a groove opening at the second end.
4. The wireless charger set forth in claim 3 further comprising a wire that passes through the covered groove and electrically couples the power transmitting unit with circuitry within the base, and wherein the housing of the wireless charging assembly includes a housing opening aligned with the groove opening enabling the wire to pass directly from the stem into the housing.
5. The wireless charger set forth in claim 4 wherein the upper and lower shells are formed from a nonconductive material and the charger further comprises:
- a conductive shield disposed between the upper and lower shells;
- a connector having a connector opening at an exterior surface of the base to mate with a corresponding plug connector;
- a metal bracket having an opening aligned with the connector, wherein the metal bracket is electrically connected to the conductive shield.
6. The wireless charger set forth in claim 2 wherein:
- the hinge includes a pin block positioned within the interior cavity of the base, the pin block having a groove formed therein and a rotatable pin rotatably positioned within the groove; and
- the first end of the stem is attached to the rotatable pin enabling the wireless charging assembly to pivot around a longitudinal axis that bisects the center of the rotatable pin.
7. The wireless charger set forth in claim 1 wherein when the charging assembly is in the down position, the charging surface is parallel to the bottom surface of the base and when the charging assembly is in the up position, the charging surface is inclined with respect to the bottom surface.
8. The wireless charger set forth in claim 1 wherein the base has a circular shape and the base opening is a circular opening.
9. The wireless charger set forth in claim 1 wherein the base includes a top shell and a bottom shell connected together at a rim along an outer perimeter of the wireless charger, the top shell including an upper surface that has a continuous contour from of the opening to the rim.
10. A wireless charger for an electronic device, the wireless charger comprising:
- a donut-shaped base having an upper surface, a planar bottom surface and an inner sidewall extending between the upper surface and the bottom surface that defines a central base opening through the base, the base further including an interior cavity defined at least in part by the upper surface, the bottom surface and the inner sidewall positioned between the interior cavity and the base opening;
- an aperture formed through the inner sidewall between the interior cavity and the central base opening;
- a hinge having a rotational axis within the interior cavity and extending from the interior cavity through the aperture into the base opening;
- a wireless charging assembly pivotably attached to the base by the hinge and moveable between a down position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed within the central base opening and an up position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed outside the central base opening, the charging assembly having:
- a housing;
- a charging surface; and
- a power transmitting unit disposed within the housing and adjacent to the charging surface, the power transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit power across the charging surface to a power receiving unit of a portable electronic device.
11. The wireless charger set forth in claim 10 wherein the charging surface has a concave shape.
12. The wireless charger set forth in claim 10 wherein the wireless charging assembly includes at least one magnet to assist with alignment of the power transmitting unit to the power receiving unit of a portable electronic device.
13. The wireless charger set forth in claim 10 wherein the power transmitting unit is moveable within housing.
14. The wireless charger set forth in claim 10 wherein the when the wireless charging assembly is in the up position, the charging surface is angled between 80-89 degrees with respect to the bottom surface.
15. The wireless charger set forth in claim 10 wherein the hinge includes a u-shaped stem that extends through the aperture, the stem having a first end connected to a structure within the interior cavity of the base, a second end connected to the wireless charging assembly and a u-shaped portion between the first and second ends.
16. The wireless charger set forth in claim 10 wherein the hinge includes:
- a pin block positioned within the interior cavity of the base, the pin block having a groove formed therein and a rotatable pin rotatably positioned within the groove; and
- a stem that extends through the aperture, the stem having a first end connected to the rotatable pin within the interior cavity of the base and a second end connected to the wireless charging assembly enabling the wireless charging assembly to pivot around a longitudinal axis that bisects the center of the rotatable pin.
17. The wireless charger set forth in claim 10 further comprising a receptacle connector attached to the base and a wire that electrically couples one or more contacts in the receptacle connector to the power transmitting unit.
18. A wireless charger for an electronic device, the wireless charger comprising:
- a circular base having an interior cavity defined by an upper shell, a lower shell and a ring extending between the upper and lower shells to define a base opening through the circular base, wherein: the upper shell includes a first central circular opening, a first rim formed around a perimeter of the upper shell and a continuously curved surface extending from the first rim to the first central circular opening; the lower shell includes a second central circular opening, a second rim spaced adjacent to and attached to the first rim and formed around a perimeter of the lower shell, a substantially planar surface surrounding the second central circular opening and a curved surface extending between the substantially planer surface and the second rim; and the ring includes an interior sidewall surface positioned between the interior cavity and the base opening, and wherein the base opening is concentric with the first and second central circular openings and an upper annular surface adjacent to the upper shell;
- an aperture formed through the interior sidewall of the ring between the interior cavity and the opening through the base;
- a hinge having a rotational axis within the interior cavity and extending from the interior cavity through the aperture into the base opening;
- a wireless charging assembly pivotably attached to the base by the hinge and moveable between a down position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed within the base opening parallel with the upper annular surface of the ring and an up position in which the wireless charging assembly is disposed outside the base opening, the charging assembly having:
- a housing;
- a concave charging surface; and
- a power transmitting unit disposed within the housing and adjacent to the concave charging surface, the power transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit power across the concave charging surface to a power receiving unit of a portable electronic device.
19. The wireless charger set forth in claim 18 wherein the wireless charging assembly includes a plurality of alignment features to facilitate proper alignment between the power transmitting unit of the wireless charger and the power receiving unit of a portable electronic device, the plurality of alignment features including a concave shaped charging surface and at least one alignment magnet positioned within the housing.
20. The wireless charger set forth in claim 19 wherein the power transmitting unit is moveable within housing.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 19, 2015
Publication Date: Mar 9, 2017
Applicant: APPLE INC. (Cupertino, CA)
Inventors: Demetrios B. Karanikos (San Francisco, CA), Paul J. Thompson (San Francisco, CA)
Application Number: 14/946,602