Abstract:
A first electronic device connects with an second electronic device. The first electronic device may include a first connection surface and an inductive power transfer receiving coil and a first magnetic element positioned adjacent to the first connection surface. The second electronic device may similarly include a second connection surface and an inductive power transfer transmitting coil and second magnetic element positioned adjacent to the second connection surface. In the aligned position, alignment between the electronic devices may be maintained by magnetic elements and the inductive power coils may be configured to exchange power. The magnetic elements and/or the inductive power coils may include a shield that is configured to minimize or reduce eddy currents caused in the magnetic elements by the inductive power coils.
Abstract:
An inductive charging interface with magnetic retention can be used for charging electronic devices and accessories. For example, a magnetic core of an inductive charging configuration may be divided into two magnetic elements, one element can be housed within a receptacle or receiving connector of housing of an electric device and the other element can be housed within a plug or transmission connector. The poles of the two elements of the magnetic core may create a magnetic field to retain the plug connector in an aligned, mated position with the receptacle connector of the electronic device in addition to directing magnetic flux to flow in a circular path around and between the two elements of the magnetic core, thereby inducing a current for charging the internal battery of a device.
Abstract:
A stackable connector interface with magnetic retention for electronic devices and accessories can allow power and data to be transferred between one or more stacked connectors. Each interconnected stackable connector may include one or more magnetic elements, which magnetic elements may have poles arranged to facilitate mating with other stackable connectors. The magnetic elements may also provide a magnetic retention force that holds mated connectors in contact with each other. The connectors can also include connection detection circuitry for determining whether the connectors are mated with other connectors, thereby allowing the connectors to prevent live contacts from being exposed at an unmated surface of the connectors. In addition to connection detection circuitry, routing circuitry may also be included to determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected stackable connectors and/or corresponding devices.
Abstract:
An electronic device has a housing, an inductive coil and a magnetic field directing material. The inductive coil is located within the housing and operable to transmit or receive power in an inductive power transmission system. The magnetic field directing material is positioned either within or on the housing and the magnetic field directing material blocks magnetic flux of the inductive power transmission system from the housing.
Abstract:
Hybrid connectors that may transfer power and data with a variety of electronic devices having different types of connector interfaces, may consume a minimal amount of surface area, depth, and volume in an electronic device, and may be readily manufactured.
Abstract:
Contact structures that are readily manufactured, where contacts in the contact structures consume a minimal amount of surface area, depth, and volume in an electronic device.
Abstract:
Contact structures that are readily manufactured, where contacts in the contact structures consume a minimal amount of surface area, depth, and volume in an electronic device.
Abstract:
A thermal management system for an electromagnetic induction-power transfer system. The system may include a charging apparatus including a housing that defines an interface surface. An accessory or induction-power consuming apparatus may be positioned proximate to the interface surface. The housing of the charging apparatus may include a power source and a power-transferring coil coupled to the power source and positioned below the interface surface. A thermal mass may be positioned within the housing and spaced apart from the interface surface. The housing may include a thermal path that is configured to conduct heat from the interface surface to the thermal mass.
Abstract:
A transmitter device (202) for an inductive energy transfer system can include a DC-to-AC converter (502) operably connected to a transmitter coil (504), a first capacitor (C P1 ) connected between the transmitter coil (504) and one output terminal (506) of the DC-to-AC converter (502), and a second capacitor (C P2 ) connected between the transmitter coil (504) and another output terminal (508) of the DC-to-AC converter (502). One or more capacitive shields can be positioned between the transmitter coil (504) and an interface surface (214) of the transmitter device (202). A receiver device (204) can include a touch sensing device (516), an AC-to-DC converter (512) operably connected to a receiver coil (510), a first capacitor (C S1 ) connected between the receiver coil (510) and one output terminal of the AC-to-DC converter (512), and a second capacitor (C S2 ) connected between the receiver coil (510) and another output terminal of the AC-to-DC converter (512). One or more capacitive shields can be positioned between the receiver coil (510) and an interface surface (212) of the receiver device (204).
Abstract:
A transmitter device (202) for an inductive energy transfer system can include a DC-to-AC converter (502) operably connected to a transmitter coil (504), a first capacitor (C P1 ) connected between the transmitter coil (504) and one output terminal (506) of the DC-to-AC converter (502), and a second capacitor (C P2 ) connected between the transmitter coil (504) and another output terminal (508) of the DC-to-AC converter (502). One or more capacitive shields can be positioned between the transmitter coil (504) and an interface surface (214) of the transmitter device (202). A receiver device (204) can include a touch sensing device (516), an AC-to-DC converter (512) operably connected to a receiver coil (510), a first capacitor (C S1 ) connected between the receiver coil (510) and one output terminal of the AC-to-DC converter (512), and a second capacitor (C S2 ) connected between the receiver coil (510) and another output terminal of the AC-to-DC converter (512). One or more capacitive shields can be positioned between the receiver coil (510) and an interface surface (212) of the receiver device (204).