IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,305,303
Granted Patent B2
US 10,305,303 · App. 15/052,079 · Granted May 28, 2019

Wireless charging receptacle

Inventors: Jenifer Hopper (Austin, TX); Mark A. Peloquin (Austin, TX); Steven L. Pratt (Austin, TX); Karl M. Rister (Austin, TX)
Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
H02J7/0044H02J7/0027H02J7/0042H02J7/025H02J7/04H02J50/10H04B5/0037
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,305,303
App. No.
15/052,079
Granted
May 28, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for a wireless charging receptacle is provided in the illustrative embodiments. An enclosure having a shape and a plurality of sides is formed to at least partially enclose a device while charging a rechargeable power source in the device. An opening is formed in the enclosure. the opening is located on a first side from the plurality of sides. The first side has a surface area less than a second surface area of a second side in the plurality of sides, the second surface area being largest of all surface areas of all sides in the plurality of sides. A wireless charging mechanism is configured relative to at least one of (i) the second side and (ii) a third side of the enclosure, wherein the wireless charging mechanism wirelessly supplies energy to a second wireless charging mechanism coupled with the device.

Claims (13)

1. A method for forming a wireless charging receptacle apparatus, the method comprising:

forming an enclosure having a shape and a plurality of sides to at least partially enclose a device while charging a rechargeable power source in the device;

forming an opening in the enclosure, the opening enabling the enclosure to removably receive the device, wherein the opening is located on a first side from the plurality of sides, wherein the first side has a surface area less than a second surface area of a second side in the plurality of sides, the second surface area being a largest of all surface areas of all sides in the plurality of sides;

forming a cooling mechanism comprising a set of vents, wherein the cooling mechanism allows a cooling fluid to flow through the enclosure in a first direction and a second direction, and wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, wherein the set of vents includes a first vent to allow the cooling fluid to flow into the enclosure in the first direction and a second vent to allow the cooling fluid to flow out of the enclosure in the first direction, and a third vent to allow the cooling fluid to flow into the enclosure in the second direction and a fourth vent to allow the cooling fluid to flow out of the enclosure in the second direction, and wherein the set of vents are configured relative to the opening in the enclosure to allow the cooling fluid to enter and exit the enclosure through the opening;

configuring a wireless charging mechanism relative to at least one of (i) the second side and (ii) a third side of the enclosure, wherein the wireless charging mechanism wirelessly supplies energy to a second wireless charging mechanism coupled with the device;

forming a height adjustment mechanism, wherein the height adjustment mechanism holds the device in a position at a certain depth in the enclosure, wherein the position places the second wireless charging mechanism within a threshold distance from the wireless charging mechanism, wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes a first spring configured to apply a first force along a first outer surface of the device; and

forming a restraining mechanism comprising a movable structure associated with a side in the plurality of sides, wherein the restraining mechanism holds the device in a position within the receptacle, wherein the position places the second wireless charging mechanism within a threshold distance from the wireless charging mechanism, wherein the movable structure includes a second spring configured to apply a second force along a second outer surface of the device to hold the device within the threshold distance from the wireless charging mechanism responsive to the device making contact with the height adjustment mechanism, the first force being perpendicular to the second force.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is positioned relative to a surface in a vehicle such that the first side with the opening is positioned on the surface and other sides in the plurality of sides are obscured by the surface.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the surface is a substantially horizontal surface in the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the surface is a substantially vertical surface in the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

forming a guiding mechanism, wherein the guiding mechanism guides the device into a position at least partially within the receptacle, wherein the position places the second wireless charging mechanism within a threshold distance from the wireless charging mechanism.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the guiding mechanism comprises a protrusion from a side in the plurality of sides.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2016
From: HOPPER, JENIFER; PELOQUIN, MARK A.; PRATT, STEVEN L.; RISTER, KARL M.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037814/0643 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 14551817 · Nov 24, 2014
Related Publication 20160172884A1 · Jun 16, 2016