Wireless charging devices

Example implementations relate to wireless charging devices. In an example, a wireless charging device includes a housing and circuitry including a power transmitting coil, where the wireless charging device does not include a power amplifier or a power converter.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices such as mobile phones, headphones, tablets, and/or laptops, etc. may utilize rechargeable batteries to provide power to the electronic device. A battery of an electronic device may be wirelessly charged. For example, a wireless charging pad may wirelessly charge a rechargeable battery of an electronic device positioned on and/or near the wireless charging pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A battery of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a set of headphones, a table, and/or a laptop, among other types of electronic device include a battery which may be wirelessly charged. As used herein, wireless charging devices refer to electronic devices that can wirelessly charge a rechargeable battery of another electronic device. Wirelessly charging (i.e., wireless charging, wirelessly charge), as used herein, refers to charging a battery of an electronic device in the absence of a wired connection between the electronic device and a source of power external to the electronic device that provide power to charge the rechargeable battery.

For example, a wireless charging mat may wirelessly charge a battery of an electronic device positioned on and/or near the wireless charging mat. Such a wireless charging mat (i.e. a power transfer unit) may include a power transmitting coil and wireless charging support circuitry. The power transmitting coil may transmit power (e.g., inductively) to a battery of an electronic device, while the wireless charging support circuitry may provide functions to the wireless charging mat but itself is not directly utilized for the transmission of power from the wireless charging mat to the battery of the electronic device. Examples of wireless charging support circuitry includes power converters (e.g., direct current to alternating current power converters), power amplifiers, wireless communication modules, processors, and/or memory, along with other potential wireless charging support circuitry.

However, due to the presence of the wireless charging support circuitry, the wireless charging mat may have an undesirably thick profile and/or include a ‘bump’ (i.e., a thicker portion of profile) in which at least a portion of the wireless charging support circuitry is disposed. That is, some or all of the wireless charging support circuitry (e.g., a power converter and/or a power amplifier) may have a thicker profile than a comparatively less thick profile of a power transmitting coil included in the wireless charging mat.

Examples of the disclosure include wireless charging devices, wireless charging support devices, and wireless charging systems including wireless charging devices and wireless charging support devices. Notably, the wireless charging devices of the disclosure have thinner profiles than other wireless charging devices and/or are without a ‘bump’ due to an absence of some (e.g., without a power amplifier and/or a power converter, etc.) and/or all wireless charging support circuitry from the wireless charging devices. Additionally, a wireless charging device of the disclosure can include a connector (e.g., a universal serial bus type C connector) to readily couple to a corresponding connector in a wireless charging support device, as described herein.

FIG. 1illustrates a view of an example of a wireless charging device100according to the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the wireless charging device100can include a housing102, a power transmitting coil104, and a connector106.

The housing102can form an exterior surface of the charging device100. In various examples, the housing102can form a cavity (not shown) within which the power transmitting coil can be disposed. For instance, in various examples, the power transmitting coil104can be entirely disposed within the housing102. That is, while the power transmitting coil104is illustrated as visible inFIG. 1, it is understood that, in various examples, the power transmitting coil104is disposed within the housing102and not visible to an end user of the wireless charging device100(unless the housing were formed of a material that is transparent/semi-transparent).

The housing102can be formed of fabric and/or plastic, among other suitable material to promote wireless charging and/or wireless charging devices as described herein. For example, the housing102can be formed of a plastic and/or fabric mat including the power transmitting coil104, among other possibilities.

In various examples, the power transmitting coil104can be a resonator coil. As used herein, a resonator coil refers to equipment that can wireless transmit power. Examples of resonator coils include a wire coil and/or a printed circuit board coil. However, the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, the power transmitting coil104can include a solenoidal wire, among other suitable types of power transmitting coils to wireless transmit power to an electronic device. For instance, in some examples, the power transmitting coil104can be formed of two or more types of devices/power transmitting coils (e.g., a resonator coil and a solenoidal wire), among other possibilities.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the housing102can include the connector106. The connector106can be a wired connector to couple the wireless charging device100to a wireless charging support device via a wire. In various examples, the connector106can be a universal serial bus connector (USB) such as USB type C connector or other suitable type of wired connector to promote wireless charging via the wireless charging device100.

For example, the connector106can provide a wired connection whereby power can be delivered to the wireless charging device (e.g., to the power transmitting coil104) and then the power transmitting coil104can wireless charge an electronic device. WhileFIG. 1illustrates a total of one connector it is understood that a total number of the connectors can be varied to include fewer or more connectors.

The connector106can be a male type connector and/or a female type connector. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the connector106can be a female type connector to receive a corresponding male connector. However, in some examples, the connector106can be male connector (not shown). For example, the connector106can be a male connector that is insertable into a corresponding female connector (not shown). The corresponding female connector can be included in a wireless charging support device (e.g., included in a universal dock), as described herein with respect toFIG. 2.

In some examples, the connector106can be retractable with the housing102. That is, some or all of the connector106can be disposed within the housing when the connector106is in a retracted position, while at least some of the connector106is exposed and extends outwardly from an internal volume of the housing102when the connector is in an extended position.

For instance, in some examples the connector106can be entirely disposed within the housing102when in a retracted position. In this manner, the connector106can be selectively moved between a retracted position and an extended position. For example, depending upon the connector106can remain at least partially disposed within the housing102to protect the connector106such as when not in use or the connector102can be moved to an extended position when connector106is to couple to a corresponding connector, among other possibilities.

Notably, the wireless charging device100is illustrated as being absent of wireless charging support circuitry. That is, in some examples, the wireless charging device100can include the power transmitting coil104but does not include any wireless charging support circuitry. Stated differently, the wireless charging device100can including circuitry consisting essentially of the power transmitting coil104. In some examples, the wireless charging device100can include circuitry consisting essentially of the power transmitting coil104along with the connector106and/or circuitry to supply power from the connector106to the power transmitting coil104, but again does not include additional wireless charging support circuitry.

However, the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, in some examples, the wireless charging device100can include some wireless charging support circuitry. For example, the wireless charging device100can include some, but not all of a power converter (e.g., a direct current to alternating current power converter), a power amplifier, a wireless communication module, a processor, and a memory. In various examples, the wireless charging device100does not include a power amplifier and/or a power converter. In some examples, the wireless charging device100without both of a power amplifier and a power converter.

Notably, the wireless charging device100has a thinner profile and/or is without a ‘bump’ as compared to other wireless charging devices due to at least some of the wireless charging support circuitry being absent from the wireless charging device100. As used herein, the thickness110refers to a distance (i.e., profile) between a ‘top’ surface108and a ‘bottom’ surface (not shown) that is positioned on an opposite side of the wireless charging device100from the ‘top’ surface taken along a plane that is orthogonal to the lop′ surface and the ‘bottom’ surface, as shown inFIG. 1. It is noted that the thickness110can be taken at any point along the ‘top’ surface and/or the ‘bottom’ surface as the wireless charging device100does not include a ‘bump’.

For instance, a thickness110of the housing102of the wireless charging device100can be from 3 millimeters to 1 millimeter. All subranges and individual values from 3 millimeters to 1 millimeter are included. For example, the thickness110of the housing102of the wireless charging device100can be from an upper limit of 3 millimeters or 2.5 millimeters to a lower limit of 1.5 millimeters or 1.0 millimeters, among other possible values.

In some examples, a thickness110of the housing102of the wireless charging device100can be from 1 millimeter to 0.2 millimeters. All subranges and individual values from 1.0 millimeter to 0.2 millimeters are included. For example, the thickness110of the housing102of the wireless charging device100can be from an upper limit of 1.0 millimeters or 0.7 millimeters to a lower limit of 0.4 millimeters or 0.2 millimeters, among other possible values.

Additionally, while the wireless charging device is described above as having a housing with a particular thickness, it is understood that in some examples, a power transmitting coil104can be without any housing, or can be used with just a partial housing (bottom housing, but not a top housing such the power transmitting coil is partially but not completely encompassed by such as housing). For example, a partial housing covering a bottom but not a top of the power transmitting coil104could be utilized when the power transmitting coil104is used under a table and/or desk, among other possibilities. In some examples, it is therefore possible that the thickness110equal to and/or not greater than a thickness of the power transmitting coil104itself.

FIG. 2illustrates a view of an example of a wireless charging support device220as a power supply according to the disclosure. As used herein, a power supply refers to a hardware component that supplies power to an electrical device. The power may be supplied in a wired manner, among other possibilities. For instance, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the wireless charging support device220can include a housing222and a connector224.

As detailed herein with respect toFIG. 4, it is noted that the wireless charging support device220includes at least some wireless charging support circuitry to facilitate wireless charging devices having a reduced amount and/or no wireless charging support circuitry, as described herein. That is, when coupled to a wireless charging device (e.g., the wireless charging device100as illustrated inFIG. 1) the wireless charging support device220is to provide power and/or various functions to the wireless charging device. For example, the wireless charging support device220can provide various functions of wireless charging support circuitry (e.g., a power amplifier, a power converter, and/or power management circuitry etc.) included in the wireless charging support device220to the wireless charging device, among other functions.

The housing222can be formed of plastic or other suitable material to form a body of the wireless charging support device220, promote wireless charging, and promote wireless charging devices, as described herein. The connector224can be a wired connector, as illustrated inFIG. 2. For example, the connector224can be a USB type connector such as a USB type C connector among other possible types of wired connectors. The connector224is to couple to a corresponding connector (e.g., connector106as describe with respect toFIG. 1) in a wireless charging device.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the wireless charging support device220can be a power supply. The power supply can include an alternative current/direct current power converter.

While the wireless charging support device is described in various examples as comprising a power supply, the wireless charging support device is not so limited. Rather, the wireless charging support device can be a universal dock, among other possibilities. It should also be noted that the inclusion of wireless charging support circuitry within220, does not preclude the wireless charging support device220from being used for other functions. For example, the wireless charging support device220can, when used in conjunction with a wireless charging device, supply power to an electronic device; however, the wireless charging support device220can also have some detection and switching mechanism that allows it to be used for another function such as a standard notebook charging or USB type C charging. For example, upon detection, switching can be performed by simply bypassing the wireless charging support circuitry and/or functionality related thereto, among other possibilities.

FIG. 3illustrates a view of another example of a wireless charging support device330as a universal dock according to the disclosure. As used herein, a universal dock refers to a hardware device that includes a plurality of connectors to permit various types of connections between the universal dock and other types of electronic devices. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the wireless charging support device330can include a housing332and a plurality of wired connectors334-1,334-2, . . . ,334-P. WhileFIG. 3illustrates a total of three wired connectors the total number of wire connectors can be varied to include more or less wired connectors.

In various examples, the wired connectors334-1,334-2, . . . ,334-P include at least two different types of wired connectors. For example, the wired connectors334-1,334-2, . . . ,334-P can include a USB connector and a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI wired connector, among other possible types of wired connectors to couple with various types of connectors included in electrical devices such as laptop, mobile phones, etc.

The wired connectors334-1,334-2, . . . ,334-P can include male and/or female connectors. However, regardless of a total number and/or type of the wired connectors334-1,334-2, . . . ,334-P it is understood that the wireless charging support device includes at least some wireless charging support device analogous and/or similar to wireless charging support circuitry included in the wireless charging support device220and as detailed herein with respect toFIG. 4.

In such examples, the wireless charging support device330can allow for a wireless charging device (e.g., wireless charging device100as illustrated inFIG. 1) to be plugged into a wired connector of the wired connectors, such as334-P, which can provide power to the wireless charging device. When the wired connector334-P is not coupled to a wireless charging device, it is understood that the connector334-P could provide various other functions such as acting as a USB or other function.

FIG. 4illustrates a view of an example of a wireless charging system440according to the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the wireless charging system440can include a wireless charging support device442and a wireless charging device400.

The wireless charging device400is analogous to the wireless charging device100as described herein with respect toFIG. 1. In various examples, the wireless charging device400does not include a power amplifier or a power converter, as is illustrated inFIG. 4. However, it is noted that in some examples, the wireless charging device400can include some wireless charging support circuitry such as the matching circuit464and/or the electromagnetic protection462, but not all wireless charging support circuitry445.

However, it is noted that in some examples, the wireless charging device400does not include any of the wireless charging support circuitry445as is illustrated inFIG. 4. As mentioned, the wireless charging device400can include a wired connector (not shown) to couple to a corresponding wired connector in the wireless charging support device442(not shown), as described herein.

The wireless charging support device442can be analogous or similar to the wireless charging support device220and/or the wireless charging support device330as described with respect toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, respectively. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the wireless charging support device442can include various wireless charging support circuitry445such as an alternating current (AC)/direct current (DC) power supply446, a power converter448, a power amplifier450, a processor458, a wireless communication module460, electromagnetic shielding (i.e., power transmitting coil protection)462, and/or a matching circuit464.

As such, the wireless charging support device442, when coupled to the wireless charging device400, can desirably provide various functions of the wireless charging support circuitry445to the wireless charging device400without such wireless charging circuitry being physically present in the wireless charging device400. Namely, the wireless charging system400can wirelessly charge an electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone, etc.) in proximity of the wireless charging system via the wireless charging support circuitry445of the wireless charging support device and the power transmitting coil466of the wireless charging device400.

The AC/DC power supply446can convert AC power to DC power. The power converter448can convert a voltage and/or amperage of DC power provided from the power supply446to at least a different voltage and/or a different amperage. As mentioned, in some examples, the wireless charging support device442includes the power converter448while the wireless charging device400does not include a power converter. As mentioned, the wireless charging support device442can, in some examples, itself supply power (e.g., to a notebook, etc.) by bypassing all of the wireless charging support circuitry445.

The power amplifying subsystem450can include a gate drive452, a power amplifier454, and/or a low pass filter456. In some examples, the wireless charging support device442includes the power amplifying subsystem450while the wireless charging device400does not include a power amplifying subsystem.

The processor458can be a central processing unit and/or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), among other possible types of processors to promote wireless charging and/or wireless charging devices. In some examples, the wireless charging support device442includes the processor458while the wireless charging device400does not include a processor.

The wireless communication module460. The wireless communication module460can include circuitry to communicate a BLUETOOTH™ signal, a Wi-Fi signal, a ZIGBEE™ signal, a FM signal, or combinations thereof, among other possible types of wireless signals. For instance, the wireless communication module460can be a BLUETOOTH™ wireless communication module to communicate BLUETOOTH signals.

In some examples, the wireless charging support device442includes the wireless communication module460while the wireless charging device400does not include a wireless communication module. As used herein, the matching circuit464refers to a circuit or combination of circuits that ensures the power transmitting coil466has a proper load impedance (e.g., to ensure for desired rate and/or efficiency of power transfer to and/or from the power transmitting coil466).

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “coupled with” another element, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is “directly coupled to” or “directly coupled with” another element it is understood that are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, other elements) etc.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. For example, reference numeral100may refer to element100inFIG. 1and an analogous element may be identified by reference numeral400inFIG. 4.

Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional examples of the disclosure. The proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

As used herein, “a number of” an element and/or feature can refer to one or more of such elements and/or features. Further still, while some elements are designated as a “top” or a “bottom” those in the art will recognize that such elements may correspond to other relative terms or possible orientations in some applications in order to practice the examples of this disclosure