Providing a movable charging coil

Embodiments for providing a movable charging coil are provided. One embodiment includes a console that includes a device receptacle. Embodiments also include a first biased retention finger and a second biased retention finger disposed on the device receptacle, where the first biased retention finger and the second biased retention finger removably secure any of a plurality of differently sized mobile devices. Embodiments may also include a movable charging coil that is disposed within the console, as well as a computing device. The computing device may include logic that, when executed by a processor causes the computing device to determine a type of mobile device received in the device receptacle, and adjust a position of the movable charging coil.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to providing a movable charging coil and, more specifically, to providing a device receptacle with a charging coil that moves based on a type of mobile device received.

BACKGROUND

Current wireless charging systems for mobile devices in vehicles include a charging surface upon which the mobile device is placed. However, as the charging efficiency is related to the alignment and position of the movable charging coil within the mobile device, incorrect placement or movement of the mobile phone during travel decreases the charging efficiency.

SUMMARY

Embodiments for providing a movable charging coil are described. One embodiment of a vehicle includes a console that includes a device receptacle for receiving any of a plurality of differently sized mobile devices. The vehicle may also include a first biased retention finger and a second biased retention finger disposed on the device receptacle, where the first biased retention finger and the second biased retention finger removably secure a mobile device that is received by the device receptacle. In these embodiments, the mobile device that is received by the device receptacle may include a battery and an induction coil for receiving wireless charging for the battery. The vehicle may also include a movable charging coil and a computing device. The computing device may include logic that, when executed by a processor, causes the computing device to determine a type of mobile device received by the device receptacle and adjust a position of the movable charging coil, based on the type of mobile device received.

In another embodiment, a console includes a device receptacle. These embodiments also include a first biased retention finger and a second biased retention finger disposed on the device receptacle, where the first biased retention finger and the second biased retention finger removably secure any of a plurality of differently sized mobile devices. Embodiments of the system may also include a movable charging coil that is disposed within the console, as well as a computing device. The computing device may include logic that, when executed by a processor, causes the computing device to determine a type of mobile device received by the device receptacle, and adjust a position of the movable charging coil.

In yet another embodiment, a system includes a console with a device receptacle. The system may also include a first biased retention finger and a second biased retention finger to removably secure any of a plurality of differently sized mobile devices, where the first biased retention finger and the second biased retention finger are disposed proximate the device receptacle. Additionally, a mobile device that is received by the device receptacle may include a battery and an induction coil for receiving wireless charging for the battery. The system may also include a movable charging coil that is disposed within the console, a movable charging coil arm that is coupled to the movable charging coil, and a computing device. The computing device may include logic that, when executed by a processor, causes the computing device to determine a type of mobile device received in the device receptacle and adjust a position of the movable charging coil, based on the type of mobile device received.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein include embodiments for providing a movable charging coil. Some embodiments relate to a wireless charging system that includes a vertically oriented receptacle having spring loaded retention fingers to maintain a position of the mobile device. An actuator or motor is attached to the moveable wireless charging coil. The actuator moves the moveable wireless charging coil to an optimal position for charging the wireless phone based on (i) charging feedback to locate optimal charging position, (ii) camera identification of phone type and pre-stored phone coil location, and/or (iii) a device coil location stored in memory and corresponding to a smart key.

The moveable wireless charging coil allows for the proper alignment of the mobile device's induction coil where the coils of various different makes and models of mobile phones (e.g., iPhone 6s, iPhone 7s, Samsung Galaxies or Samsung Notes) differ in position. In some embodiments, a vehicle computing device and/or motor move the moveable wireless charging coil based on charging feedback to locate optimal charging position.

The vehicle computing device includes a database of the location of the wireless charging coils on various mobile device makes and models. An image capture device captures an image of the mobile device either prior to or when inserted into the device receptacle. The vehicle computing device may perform image analysis of the captured image to determine the make and model of the mobile device and then control the motor to move the moveable wireless charging coil to the pre-stored location of the wireless induction coil on the mobile device. The embodiments for providing a movable charging coil incorporating the same will be described in more detail, below.

Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1depicts a vehicle interior100for providing a movable charging coil, according to embodiments described herein. As illustrated, the vehicle interior100may include a dashboard console102, a center console104, and side consoles106a,106b(collectively referred to as “console102” and “consoles102”). Each of the consoles102may include one or more surfaces that are substantially horizontal (relative to ground). As such, one or more of the consoles102may include a device receptacle for receiving a mobile device, as described in more detail below.

Also provided inFIG. 1are an image capture device108and a vehicle computing device130. The image capture device108may be configured for capturing one or more images of a mobile device, such as a smart phone, tablet, earpiece, or other mobile electronic device that is capable of wireless charging. As described in more detail below, the vehicle computing device130may receive an image of the mobile device and identify the device type based on the received image. As such, while the image capture device108is depicted as being embedded in the dashboard console102, this is merely one example.

It should be understood that while an image capture device108may be utilized for identifying the type of mobile device, this is also just one embodiment. In some embodiments, the vehicle computing device130may engage in a near field communication with the mobile device to determine a device type. In some embodiments, a user may manually identify the device type of the mobile device. In still some embodiments, the vehicle computing device130may infer a device type via a weight sensor, proximity sensor, and/or other sensor in or around the device receptacle.

Also provided inFIG. 1is the vehicle computing device130, which includes a memory component140. The memory component140may store recognition logic144aand charge logic144b. The recognition logic144amay cause the vehicle computing device130to capture image data, near-field communication data, and/or other sensor data and determine the type of mobile device that is received. The charge logic144bmay be configured for causing the vehicle computing device130to determine a voltage, amperage, and/or electrical charging requirement of the received mobile device. The charge logic144bmay also cause the vehicle computing device130to determine where the movable charging coil should be positioned, based on the type of mobile device received.

FIG. 2depicts a front view of a device receptacle206for providing a movable charging coil, according to embodiments described herein. As illustrated, the device receptacle206may be disposed in a console102and may be substantially vertically disposed (relative to ground) for receiving a mobile device210. As illustrated, a first biased retention finger212aand a second biased retention finger212bare disposed on opposing surfaces of the device receptacle206. The first biased retention finger212aand the second biased retention finger212bmay be biased via a spring, a hinge, and/or other force causing mechanism, such that a force is applied to the mobile device210to removably secure the position of the mobile device210in the device receptacle206. The force should be great enough to secure the mobile device210under normal driving conditions, but allow the mobile device210to be removed by the user.

It will be understood that, in some embodiments, the first biased retention finger212aand the second biased retention finger212bmay be configured be substantially coplanar when the mobile device210is not residing in the device receptacle206. As such, the lengths of the first biased retention finger212aand the second biased retention finger212bmay be such that when the mobile device210is not present, the device receptacle206is relatively hidden by the first biased retention finger212aand the second biased retention finger212b.

Also depicted inFIG. 2is a charging area214for the mobile device210. Specifically, the charging area214may identify an area that is proximate an internal induction coil of the mobile device210. The induction coil may be utilized to receive inductive charging for a battery of the mobile device210. As such, the charging area214may indicate a desired location of a charging coil for optimal charging of the mobile device210.

FIG. 3depicts another front view of a device receptacle206for providing a movable charging coil, according to embodiments described herein. WhileFIG. 2depicts the first biased retention finger212aand the second biased retention finger212bin a hinged configuration, this is merely one embodiment.FIG. 3depicts a first biased retention finger312aand a second biased retention finger312bthat are each configured as a movable surface of the device receptacle206. Specifically, the first biased retention finger312aand the second biased retention finger312binFIG. 3are provided in a manner that is substantially vertically disposed and thus substantially coplanar (or parallel) with the respective surfaces of the device receptacle206. While in some embodiments, the first biased retention finger312aand the second biased retention finger312bare spring-biased, this is one embodiment. Some embodiments may be coupled to one or more motors or actuators that will actuate to a predetermined location, based on the type of device being received.

It should be understood that in some embodiments the first biased retention finger312aand the second biased retention finger312bmay actually be integrated into and/or part of the surface of the device receptacle206. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the surfaces of the device receptacle206may move to accommodate different device types.

It should also be understood that while the first biased retention finger212a(FIG. 2), the first biased retention finger312a(FIG. 3), the second biased retention finger212b(FIG. 2), and the second biased retention finger312b(FIG. 3) may be configured to return to a resting position when the mobile device210is removed. However, some embodiments may be configured such that a release switch is provided on the console102for returning the biased retention fingers to resting position. The release switch may be embodied as a switch, manual button, virtual button, etc.

FIG. 4depicts a side view of a device receptacle206for providing a movable charging coil412, according to embodiments described herein. As illustrated, the console102may receive a mobile device210in the device receptacle206. Once received, the vehicle computing device130may receive signals from the image capture device108(FIG. 1) and may determine a type of mobile device that has been received. In some embodiments, the device receptacle206may include a weight sensor and/or proximity sensor for detecting the weight and/or dimensions of the received mobile device210. Based on this data, the vehicle computing device130may determine the type of mobile device that has been received.

Depending on the type of mobile device that has been received, the vehicle computing device130may determine a location of an induction coil410of the mobile device210. Knowing the position of the mobile device210and the induction coil410, the vehicle computing device130may actuate a motor414that is coupled to a movable charging coil arm413to substantially align a movable charging coil412with the induction coil410. Once aligned, a power supply316may provide charging energy to the induction coil410. This adjustment may include an adjustment to the vertical position of the movable charging coil412and/or an adjustment to the horizontal position of the movable charging coil412. Additional adjustments may be made to the distance between the movable charging coil412and the induction coil410to further improve the charging connection.

Some embodiments may be configured such that the vehicle computing device130receives a signal related to a strength of charging connection between the movable charging coil412and the induction coil410. Based on the strength of charging connection, a movement of the movable charging coil412may be determined to improve the strength of charging connection. Additionally, the movable charging coil412and/or the movable charging coil arm413may be repositioned in one to three dimensions to improve the charging connection.

FIG. 5depicts a vehicle computing device130for providing a movable charging coil412, according to embodiments described herein. The vehicle computing device130includes a processor530, input/output hardware532, a network interface hardware534, a data storage component536(which stores device data538aand/or other data538b), and the memory component140. The memory component140may be configured as volatile and/or nonvolatile memory and as such, may include random access memory (including SRAM, DRAM, and/or other types of RAM), flash memory, secure digital (SD) memory, registers, compact discs (CD), digital versatile discs (DVD), and/or other types of non-transitory computer-readable mediums. Depending on the particular embodiment, these non-transitory computer-readable mediums may reside within the vehicle computing device130and/or external to the vehicle computing device130.

The memory component140may store operating logic542, the recognition logic144aand the charge logic144b. The recognition logic144aand the charge logic144bmay each include a plurality of different pieces of logic, each of which may be embodied as a computer program, firmware, and/or hardware, as an example. A local communications interface546is also included inFIG. 5and may be implemented as a bus or other communication interface to facilitate communication among the components of the vehicle computing device130. The processor132may include any processing component operable to receive and execute instructions (such as from a data storage component536and/or the memory component140).

The network interface hardware534may include and/or be configured for communicating with any wired or wireless networking hardware, including an antenna, a modem, LAN port, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) card, WiMax card, Bluetooth chip, USB card, mobile communications hardware, and/or other hardware for communicating with other networks and/or devices. From this connection, communication may be facilitated between the vehicle computing device130and other computing devices (such as the mobile device210).

The operating logic542may include an operating system and/or other software for managing components of the vehicle computing device130. As also discussed above, the recognition logic144amay reside in the memory component140and may be configured to cause the processor530to recognize a type of mobile device received at a device receptacle206. Similarly, the charge logic144bmay be utilized to provide a desired position for a charging coil and a proper charging energy.

It should be understood that while the components inFIG. 5are illustrated as residing within the vehicle computing device130, this is merely an example. In some embodiments, one or more of the components may reside external to the vehicle computing device130. It should also be understood that, while the vehicle computing device130is illustrated as a single device, this is also merely an example. In some embodiments, the recognition logic144aand the charge logic144bmay reside on different computing devices. As an example, one or more of the functionalities and/or components described herein may be provided by a remote computing device, which may be coupled to the vehicle computing device130via a network, such as a local network and/or a wide area network.

Additionally, while the vehicle computing device130is illustrated with the recognition logic144aand the charge logic144bas separate logical components, this is also an example. In some embodiments, a single piece of logic may cause the vehicle computing device130to provide the described functionality.

As illustrated above, various embodiments for providing a movable charging coil are disclosed. These embodiments allow for the changing of device size as a user upgrades devices, changes devices, etc., while still being able to charge the inserted device.

While particular embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, although various aspects have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. Accordingly, it is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the embodiments shown and described herein.

It should now be understood that embodiments disclosed herein include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable mediums for providing a movable charging coil. It should also be understood that these embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.