Abstract:
A wireless door lock power system includes a power transmitter configured to be coupled to a building power supply having a transmit face at or near a door jamb and a power receiver configured to be coupled to a door closably received in the doorjamb. The power receiver has a receive face at or near an edge of the door. The power receiver receives a wireless power transmission from the power transmitter. A chargeable battery is received in the door. The battery is electrically coupled to the power receiver. The battery receives power from the power receiver to recharge the battery. An electronic door lock is operably coupled to the battery. The electronic door lock has a lock electronically actuated to lock the door to the doorjamb.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter herein relates generally to wireless power systems for a closure member in a closable opening. 
         [0002]    Closable openings have closure members associated therewith that open and close the closable opening. For example, a door may be received in a doorway, which opens and closes the opening to the building or structure. Other examples may include a window received in a window opening, which opens and closes the opening to the building or structure. 
         [0003]    Some applications have a need for powering electrical components associated with the closure member. For example, some applications have an electronic lock for locking and unlocking the closure member. An electronic keypad is provided that unlocks the electronic lock. The electronic lock may or may not include a radio system for communicating with a home automation system or other controlling device. The electronic lock requires power to actuate the electronic lock. Typically, a battery is provided in the electronic lock assembly. The battery needs to be replaced often, which may be tedious. The housing of the electronic lock must be large enough to hold the battery. To avoid the use of a battery, and thus eliminate the need for replacing batteries, some applications have been proposed that hard wire the electronic lock to building power. For example, a power wire spans from the door frame to the door at the hinged side of the door. The wire is routed through the door to the latching and locking side of the door. It is difficult and expensive to route wires to provide power to the lock assembly. 
         [0004]    A need remains for a wireless system for a closure member in a closable opening that may transfer power and/or data to a closure member. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one embodiment, a wireless door lock power system is provided including a power transmitter configured to be coupled to a building power supply having a transmit face at or near a door jamb and a power receiver configured to be coupled to a door closably received in the door jamb. The power receiver has a receive face at or near an edge of the door. The power receiver receives a wireless power transmission from the power transmitter. A chargeable battery is received in the door. The battery is electrically coupled to the power receiver. The battery receives power from the power receiver to recharge and maintain the charge of the battery. An electronic door lock is operably coupled to the battery. The electronic door lock has a lock electronically actuated to lock the door to the doorjamb. 
         [0006]    In a further embodiment, a closure member wireless power system for a closable opening is provided including a power transmitter configured to be coupled to a power supply. The power transmitter has a transmit face at or near an edge of a frame of the closable opening. The wireless power system also includes a power receiver configured to be coupled to a closure member closably received in the frame of the closable opening. The power receiver has a receive face at or near an edge of the closure member. The power receiver receives a wireless power transmission from the power transmitter. The wireless power system includes a powered electrical component mounted to or housed in the closure member. The powered electrical component is electrically connected to and powered by the power receiver and/or the battery it is connectect to. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a wireless power system for a closure member within a closeable opening of a structure or building in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a wireless power system for a door within a doorway of a structure or building in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a schematic circuit diagram of the wireless power system shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates the wireless power system using a wireless power system formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a wireless power system for a window within a window opening in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a wireless power system  100  for a closure member  102  within a closeable opening  104  of a structure or building. The wireless power system  100  is used to provide power to one or more powered electrical components  110  mounted to or housed in the closure member  102 . The closure member  102  is received in a frame  106  of the closeable opening  104 . The closure member  102  may close the opening  104 . 
         [0013]    The closure member  102  is moveably coupled to the frame  106  to open and close the opening  104 . For example, the closure member  102  may be a door or a window and the closeable opening  104  may be a doorway or window opening in the structure or building. The frame  106  may be a door jamb or window jamb around the door or window. The closure member  102  may be rotatably coupled to the frame  106 . The closure member  102  may be slidably coupled to the frame  106  to open and close the opening  104 . 
         [0014]    The wireless power system  100  wirelessly provides power across the threshold or interface between the closure member  102  and the frame  106  of the closeable opening  104  for powering the powered electrical component  110 , such as when the closure member  102  is closed. The wireless power system  100  may be an inductive system that creates a magnetic field to wirelessly transmit power. Other types of wireless power systems may be provided in alternative embodiments, such as a capacitive transfer system, an optical power system using a high power, focused light source that may be used to wirelessly power a photocell or other component, or another type of power transfer system. 
         [0015]    The wireless power system  100  includes a power supply  112 , which may be tied into the building power supply. For example, the power supply  112  may be connected to line AC power or low voltage DC power. The wireless power system  100  includes a power transmitter  114  coupled to the power supply  112  as part of a power transmitting circuit  116 . The power transmitter  114  is configured to transmit or wirelessly supply power within the wireless power system  100 . The power transmitter  114  is coupled to the frame  106  and is held in position relative to the closeable opening  104  for interfacing with the closure member  102  when the closure member  102  is in the closed position. 
         [0016]    Optionally, a controller  118  may be associated with the power transmitting circuit  116  for controlling the power transmitting circuit  116 . For example, the controller  118  may turn the power transmitter  114  on and off The controller  118  may disconnect power to the power transmitter  114  from the power supply  112 , such as when the closure member  102  is open and/or when the wireless powered electrical component  110  does not need power. 
         [0017]    The wireless power system  100  includes a power receiver  120  configured to receive a wireless power transmission from the power transmitter  114 . The power receiver  120  is coupled to the closure member  102  and is moveable with the closure member  102  within the closeable opening  104 . The power receiver  120  is electrically connected to the powered electrical component  110 . The power receiver  120  and the powered electrical component  110  are part of a power receiving circuit  122 . The power receiving circuit  122  may include a controller  124  for controlling the power receiving circuit  122 . The controller  124  may control a supply of power from the power receiver  120  to the power receiving circuit  122 . 
         [0018]    The powered electrical component  110  may be any type of powered electrical component  110  usable with the closure member  102 . Optionally, multiple powered electrical components  110  may be provided. The powered electrical component  110  may be a battery configured to receive power from the power supply  112  through the wireless power link between the power transmitter  114  and the power receiver  120 . The battery may store power for other powered electrical components  110 . The battery may be rechargeable using the power supply to the power receiver  120 . 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment, the powered electrical component  110  is an electronic lock for locking and unlocking the closure member  102 . For example, the closure member  102  may be a door and the powered electrical component  110  may be an electronic door lock operably coupled to the power transmitter  114  and/or the battery. The electronic lock may include a lock element that is electronically actuated to lock the closure member  102  to the frame  106 . Other types of powered electrical components  110  may be provided in alternative embodiments. For example, the powered electrical component  110  may be a window lock used to lock and unlock the window (closure member  102 ) within the window frame. 
         [0020]    In other various embodiments, the powered electrical component  110  may be an LED or LED array, which may be used to identify a status of the closure member  102 , such as if the closure member is locked, if the closure member is unlocked, if the closure member is open, if the closure member is closed and/or other information regarding the closure member  102  or other components of the wireless power system  100 , such as a status of the battery. 
         [0021]    The powered electrical component  110  may be a display screen or user interface on the closure member  102 . For example, the powered electrical component  110  may be an electronic key pad powered by the wireless power system  100 . The powered electrical component  110  may be a camera in other various embodiments which may be powered by the wireless power system  100 . The powered electrical component  110  may be a wireless data transmitter or a wireless data receiver in various embodiments. Electrical component  110  may also be any combination of wireless data devices and other powered electrical components. 
         [0022]    The powered electrical component may be a sensor associated with the closure member  102 , such as a sensor configured to determine if the door is open, if the door is closed, if the door is locked, if the door is unlocked or other information relating to the closure member  102 . The sensor may be a light sensor configured to determine how much light the closure member  102  is receiving, such as when the closure member is a window. The sensor may be a counter configured to count a number of people passing through the closable opening  104 . Other types of powered electrical components  110  may be provided in alternative embodiments, which are powered by the wireless power system  100 . For example, the powered electrical component  110  may be a wireless radio for communication with a home automation system or other remote control device. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a wireless power system  200  for a closure member  202  within a closeable opening  204  of a structure or building. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure member  202  is a door and may be referred to hereinafter as door  202 . The closable opening  204  is a doorway and may be referred to hereinafter as doorway  204 . The wireless power system  200  is used to provide power to one or more powered electrical components  210  mounted to or housed in the door  202 . The door  202  is received in a frame  206  of the doorway  204 . The door  202  may close the doorway  204 . 
         [0024]    The door  202  is moveably coupled to the frame  206  to open and close the doorway  204 . The frame  206  may be a door jamb around the door  202 . The door  202  may be rotatably coupled to the frame  206  to open and close the doorway  204 . The door  202  may be slidably coupled to the frame  206  to open and close the doorway  204 . 
         [0025]    The wireless power system  200  wirelessly provides power across the threshold or interface between the door  202  and the frame  206  of the doorway  204  for powering the powered electrical component  210 , such as when the door  202  is closed. The wireless power system  200  may be an inductive system that creates a magnetic field to wirelessly transmit power. Other types of wireless power systems may be provided in alternative embodiments, such as a capacitive transfer system, an optical power system using a high power, focused light source that may be used to wirelessly power a photocell or other component, or another type of wireless power system. 
         [0026]    The wireless power system  200  includes a power supply  212 , which may be tied into the building power supply. For example, the power supply  212  may be connected to line AC power or low voltage DC power. The wireless power system  200  includes a power transmitter  214  coupled to the power supply  212  as part of a power transmitting circuit  216  ( FIG. 3 ). The power transmitter  214  is configured to transmit or wirelessly supply power within the wireless power system  200 . The power transmitter  214  is coupled to the frame  206  and is held in position relative to the doorway  204  for interfacing with the door  202  when the door  202  is in the closed position. Optionally, the power transmitter  214  may be flush with the frame  206 . Alternatively, the power transmitter  214  may be recessed or may protrude from the frame  206 . Optionally, the location of the power transmitter  214 , such as the spacing from the door  202 , may control an amount of wireless power transfer from the power transmitter  214 . The power transmitter  214  includes a transmit face  215 . The transmit face  215  may be flat. The transmit face  215  may have any shape and in the illustrated embodiment is circular. Optionally, the size of the transmit face  215  may control an amount of wireless power transfer from the power transmitter  214 . 
         [0027]    The wireless power system  200  includes a power receiver  220  configured to receive a wireless power transmission from the power transmitter  214 . The power receiver  220  is coupled to the door  202  and is moveable with the door  202  within the doorway  204 . The power receiver  220  is electrically connected to the powered electrical component  210 . The power receiver  220  and the powered electrical component  210  are part of a power receiving circuit  222  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0028]    The power receiver  220  is coupled to the door  202  and is held in position relative to the doorway  204  for interfacing with the power transmitter  214  when the door  202  is in the closed position. Optionally, the power receiver  220  may be flush with the frame  206 . Alternatively, the power receiver  220  may be recessed or may protrude from the frame  206 . Optionally, the location of the power receiver  220 , such as the spacing from the power transmitter  214 , may control an amount of wireless power transfer from the power transmitter  214 . The power receiver  220  includes a receive face  221 . The receive face  221  may be flat. The receive face  221  may have any shape and in the illustrated embodiment is circular. Optionally, the size of the receive face  221  may control an amount of wireless power transfer received from the power transmitter  214 . 
         [0029]    The powered electrical component  210  may be any type of powered electrical component  210  usable with the door  202 . Optionally, multiple powered electrical components  210  may be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the powered electrical components  210  include an electronic door lock  230  for locking and unlocking the door  202 . The electronic door lock  230  includes a user interface  232 , such as a keypad, for operating the electronic door lock  230 . The electronic door lock  230  includes a lock element  234  that is electronically actuated by an electronic actuator  236  to lock the door  202  to the frame  206 . The electronic actuator  236  may be housed within a housing  238  of the electronic door lock  230 , which is mounted to the door  202  and may be at least partially received in the door  202 . 
         [0030]    The powered electrical components  210  include a battery  240  configured to receive power from the power supply  212  through the wireless power link between the power transmitter  214  and the power receiver  220 . The battery  240  may store power for other powered electrical components  210 , such as for the electronic door lock  230 . For example, the battery  240  may be electrically connected to the electronic actuator  236 . The battery  240  may be rechargeable using the power supply to the power receiver  220 . The battery  240  may be housed within the housing  238 . The battery  240  may be housed within the door  202 . Because the battery  240  is rechargeable by the power received through the power receiver  220 , the battery  240  may be smaller than a battery that is not rechargeable, such as those used in conventional electronic door lock systems. As such, the housing  238  holding the battery  240  may be smaller or the battery  240  may be housed in another area of the door  202 , such as an area that is less accessible because the battery  240  does not need to be accessed by the user to change the battery  240  because the battery  240  is rechargeable by the power receiver  220 . Additionally, the battery  240  does not need to have a directly power line routed thereto (e.g., through the hinged side of the door  202  because the battery  240  receives power wirelessly across the wireless power link. 
         [0031]    In other various embodiments, the powered electrical component  210  may be an LED or LED array  242 , which may be used to identify a status of the door  202 , such as if the door  202  is locked, if the door  202  is unlocked, if the door  202  is open, if the door  202  is closed and/or other information regarding the door  202  or other components of the wireless power system  200 , such as a status of the battery. The powered electrical component  210  may be a sensor  244  associated with the door  202 , such as a sensor configured to determine if the door  202  is open, if the door  202  is closed, if the door  202  is locked, if the door  202  is unlocked or other information relating to the door  202 . 
         [0032]    Other types of powered electrical components  210  may be provided in alternative embodiments, which are powered by the wireless power system  200 . For example, the powered electrical component  210  may be a display screen on the door  202 . The powered electrical component  210  may be a camera in other various embodiments which may be powered by the wireless power system  200 . The powered electrical component  210  may be a wireless data transmitter or a wireless data receiver in various embodiments. For example, the powered electrical component  110  may be a wireless radio for communication with a home automation system or other remote control device. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a schematic circuit diagram of the wireless power system  200 . The power supply  212  (e.g., line AC power or low voltage DC power) is coupled to the power transmitter  214 . In the illustrated embodiment, the power transmitter  214  includes a transmit coil  250  configured coupled to the power supply  212  as part of the power transmitting circuit  216 . The transmit coil  250  generates a magnetic field when powered, which emanates from the transmit coil  250 . 
         [0034]    In an exemplary embodiment, the power transmitting circuit  216  includes a controller  252  may be associated with the power transmitting circuit  216  for controlling the power transmitting circuit  216 . The controller  252  may turn the power transmitter  214  on and off For example, the controller  252  may connect and disconnect power to and from the power supply  212 , such as when the door  202  is open and/or when the wireless powered electrical component  210  does not need power. The controller  252  may include conditioning circuitry for conditioning the power supplied to the power transmitter  214 . 
         [0035]    The power receiver  220  receives the wireless power transmission from the power transmitter  214 . In an exemplary embodiment, the power receiver  220  includes a receive coil  260 . The receive coil  260  is inductively coupled to the transmit coil  250  when in the proximity of the receive coil  260 , such as when the door  202  ( FIG. 2 ) is closed. The power receiver  220  is electrically connected to the powered electrical component  210 , such as via a wired connection and/or an electrical connection through a circuit board. The receive coil  260  is part of the power receiving circuit  222 . One or more of the powered electrical components  210  may be part of the power receiving circuit  222 . 
         [0036]    The power receiving circuit  222  includes a controller  262  for controlling the power receiving circuit  222 . The controller  262  may control the supply of power from the power receiver  220  to the powered electrical components  210 . For example, the controller  262  may control the supply of power to the battery  240 . The controller  262  may control the supply of power from the battery  240  to the other powered electrical components  210 , such as the electronic door lock  230 . The controller  262  may turn the power receiver  220  on and off. For example, the controller  262  may connect and disconnect power between the power receiver  220  and the battery  240 , such as when the door  202  is open and/or when the battery  240  is fully charged and/or the various powered electrical components do not need power. The controller  262  may include conditioning circuitry for conditioning the power supplied from the power receiver  220  to the battery  240  and/or from the battery  240  to the other powered electrical components  210 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates the wireless power system  200  using an optical power system  300  for wireless power transfer. The optical power system  300  includes a high power, focused light source  314  as a power transmitter and a photocell  320  or other component as a power receiver. The light source  314  is used to wirelessly power the powered electrical components  210 . For example, the photocell  320  converts the light from the light source  314  into power, which is used to power the powered electrical components  210 . For example, the power generated by the photocell  320  may be used to charge the battery  240 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  illustrates a wireless power system  400  for a closure member  402  within a closeable opening  404  of a structure or building. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure member  402  is a window and may be referred to hereinafter as window  402 . The wireless power system  400  is used to provide power to one or more powered electrical components  410  mounted to or housed in the window  402 . The window  402  is received in a frame  406  of the opening  404 . The window  402  may close the opening  404 . 
         [0039]    The window  402  is moveably coupled to the frame  406  to open and close the opening  404 . The window  402  may be rotatably coupled to the frame  406  to open and close the opening  404 . The window  402  may be slidably coupled to the frame  406  to open and close the opening  404 . 
         [0040]    The wireless power system  400  wirelessly provides power across the threshold or interface between the window  402  and the frame  406  of the opening  404  for powering the powered electrical component  410 , such as when the window  402  is closed. The wireless power system  400  may be an inductive system that creates a magnetic field to wirelessly transmit power. Other types of wireless power systems may be provided in alternative embodiments, such as an optical power system using a high power, focused light source that may be used to wirelessly power a photocell or other component. 
         [0041]    The wireless power system  400  includes a power supply  412 , which may be tied into the building power supply. The wireless power system  400  includes a power transmitter  414  coupled to the power supply  412  as part of a power transmitting circuit. The power transmitter  414  is configured to transmit or wirelessly supply power within the wireless power system  400 . The power transmitter  414  is coupled to the frame  406  and is held in position relative to the opening  404  for interfacing with the window  402  when the window  402  is in the closed position. 
         [0042]    The wireless power system  400  includes a power receiver  420  configured to receive a wireless power transmission from the power transmitter  414 . The power receiver  420  is coupled to the window  402  and is moveable with the window  402  within the opening  404 . The power receiver  420  is electrically connected to the powered electrical component  410 . The power receiver  420  and the powered electrical component  410  are part of a power receiving circuit. 
         [0043]    The powered electrical component  410  may be any type of powered electrical component  410  usable with the window  402 . Optionally, multiple powered electrical components  410  may be provided. The powered electrical components  410  include a battery  440  configured to receive power from the power supply  412  through the wireless power link between the power transmitter  414  and the power receiver  420 . The battery  440  may store power for other powered electrical components  410 . The battery  440  may be rechargeable using the power supply to the power receiver  420 . 
         [0044]    In other various embodiments, the powered electrical component  410  may be an LED or LED array  442 , which may be used to identify a status of the window  402 , such as if the window  402  is locked, if the window  402  is unlocked, if the window  402  is open, if the window  402  is closed and/or other information regarding the window  402  or other components of the wireless power system  400 , such as a status of the battery. The powered electrical component  410  may be a sensor  444  associated with the window  402 , such as a sensor configured to determine if the window  402  is open, if the window  402  is closed, if the window  402  is locked, if the window  402  is unlocked or other information relating to the window  402 . The sensor  444  may be a light sensor configured to detect sunlight. The sensor  444  may be an environmental sensor configured to measure at least one of temperature and humidity exterior of the window  402 . 
         [0045]    Other types of powered electrical components  410  may be provided in alternative embodiments, which are powered by the wireless power system  400 . For example, the powered electrical components  410  include an electronic window lock for locking and unlocking the window  402 . The powered electrical component  410  may be a display screen on the window  402 . The powered electrical component  410  may be a camera in other various embodiments which may be powered by the wireless power system  400 . The powered electrical component  410  may be a wireless data transmitter or a wireless data receiver in various embodiments or in combination with other electrical or electronic components. For example, the powered electrical component  110  may be a wireless radio for communication with a home automation system or other remote control device. 
         [0046]    It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.