WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEM HAVING SENSE SHUTDOWN AND METHOD THEREFOR
A vehicle wireless charging system is provided that senses an object that prohibits wireless charging when an object is sensed. The system includes a charger region and a wireless charger for generating an electromagnetic field in the charger region to charge a rechargeable device. The system also includes a proximity sensor located proximate the charger region to sense presence of an object. A controller controls the wireless charger to prohibit charging when the object is sensed.
1 . A wireless charging system comprising:
a charger region;
a wireless charger for generating electric charging signals in the charger region to charge a device;
a proximity sensor located proximate the charger region to sense presence of an object; and
a controller for controlling the wireless charger to at least reduce the electric charging signal when an object is sensed.
2 . The charging system of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the wireless charger to prohibit charging when an object is sensed.
3 . The charging system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless charger comprises an inductive charger for generating an electromagnetic field.
4 . The charging system of claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.
5 . The charging system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless charging system is employed in a vehicle.
6 . The charging system of claim 5 , wherein the charging region is provided in a tray within the vehicle.
7 . The charging system of claim 5 , wherein the proximity sensor is located between the charging region and a vehicle seat.
8 . The charging system of claim 5 , wherein the object sensed is one of a driver and passenger of a vehicle.
9 . The charging system of claim 1 , wherein the proximity has a detection field on at least one side of the charger region.
10 . The charging system of claim 9 , wherein the proximity sensor has a detection field surrounding the charger region.
11 . An in-vehicle wireless charging system comprising:
a charger region provided in a vehicle;
a wireless charger for generating an electromagnetic field in the charger region to charge a device;
a proximity sensor located proximate to the charger region to sense presence of an object; and
a controller for controlling the wireless charger to at least reduce the electromagnetic field when an object is sensed.
12 . The charging system of claim 11 , wherein the wireless charger comprises an inductive charger and the controller controls the inductive charger to prohibit charging when an object is sensed via the proximity sensor.
13 . A method of controlling a wireless charging system, comprising:
generating an electric signal with a wireless charger within a charging region to charge a device;
sensing via a proximity sensor a presence of an object in close proximity to the charging region; and
controlling the wireless charger to at least reduce the electric signal when the object is sensed.
14 . The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of increasing the electric signal when the object is no longer sensed.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of controlling comprises prohibiting charging when an object is sensed.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of generating an electrical signal comprises generating an electromagnetic field via induction.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the wireless charging system is in a vehicle.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the proximity sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the proximity sensor is located between the charging region and a vehicle seat.
20 . The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of adjusting a range of the proximity sensor to sense presence of an object.