FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to wireless charging systems and more particularly, relates to a protective mat unit for a wireless charging module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that many automotive modules and electronic control units are protected with a top cover mat. It is further fixed with some snaps for locating and serviceability purposes. Many automotive modules and the electronic control units protected with a top cover mat is not sufficient to protect the modules from the liquids and the dust particles. As is generally known, the existing structures are complex and inefficient. The method of ingress protection against liquid and dust particles is not effective as well. This can lead to damage to the automotive module systems and the electronic control units. Further, the liquids and the dust particles falling on the top mat also poses risk to electrical and non-electrical components within the modules.

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional mat 100 for wireless charging systems. Parts (a), (b) and (c) of Figure 1 depict the seepage of liquids or dust into the mat 100. Whenever the liquid droplets or dust fall on the mat 100 accidentally, the liquids or dust particles slip through the gap between the touch surface of the mat 100 and trim. Hence, these particles go under the mat 100 and eventually reach the part hidden below the mat 100. Due to this, it is impossible to protect the mat 100 and the module (below the mat 100) from the liquids and dust particles. Also, since the nature of mat 100 is serviceable, therefore, the gap present between the mat and the trim area is also unavoidable.

Thus, there lies an unaddressed need of a protective mat unit for a wireless charging module and other electronic control modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a protective mat unit for a wireless charging module. The protective mat unit includes a trim having a first side and a second side. A groove is formed at the first side of the trim. A trim wedge is disposed in the groove and adapted to form a slot between an inner wall of the groove and an outer wall of the trim wedge. The protective mat unit includes a mat having a surface facing the trim and a seal protruding from the surface. The seal is adapted to insert into the slot to prevent seepage therethrough.

The the trim wedge, the trim, and the slot works in unison to avoid the seepage of the liquid and dust particles into the part covered by the mat. The liquid droplets or the dust particles on the mat are restricted due to the seal geometry and the slot in which the seal is inserted. Further, the sealing surface in the trim protects the mat from the liquid and dust particles due to the dovetail slot in the trim. Also, with the present structure, the serviceability of the mat can be achieved along with the liquid and dust protection.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional mat for wireless charging systems;
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of an assembled charging assembly having a protective mat unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the protective mat unit showing the wireless charging module, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates sectional views of the protective mat unit for the wireless charging systems cut along the section 1-1’ and 2-2’ as depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 3 respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram depicting a manner by which the protective mat unit inhibits the flow of liquids and dust, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

The present disclosure relates to a protective mat unit for a wireless charging module. The present invention has been devised to avoid the seepage of the liquid and dust particles into the part covered by the mat. This is particularly achieved by providing an integrated rope sealing structure on the mat. Also, the mat is serviceable.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 shows different views of a charging assembly 300 having a protective mat unit and a wireless charging module 208. Specifically, Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of assembled charging assembly 300 having the protective mat unit 200 while Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the protective mat unit 200 showing the wireless charging module 208. Further, Figure 4 illustrates sectional views of the protective mat unit 200 for the wireless charging systems cut along the section 1-1’ and 2-2’ as depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 3 respectively. In order to avoid duplicity of information, the description of Figure 3 and Figure 4 are explained in conjunction with each other. The charging assembly 300 includes the wireless charging module and the protective mat unit 200 which includes a mat 202, a trim 206, a trim wedge 204. The trim 206 is the middle component which connects all the other components together. In one embodiment, the mat 202 is connected to the trim 206 on an upper side of the trim 206. The trim wedge 204 is disposed between the mat 202 and the trim 206. The wireless charging module 208 is connected to the trim 206 from a bottom side of the trim 206. The wireless charging module 208 is the part that needs to be protected from the liquids and the dust particles. The trim 206 includes an opening 216 to receive the wireless charging module 208. In one embodiment, the wireless charging module 208 may be made up of plastic, or any other material as per requirement and application. Details of constructional features of the assembled charging assembly 300 have been discussed in detail in the upcoming paragraphs.

In one example, the trim 206 includes a first side 206A and a second side 206B. The trim 206 includes a groove 212 formed at the first side 206A of the trim 206. The trim wedge 204 is disposed in the groove 212 and adapted to form a slot 214 between an inner wall of the groove 212 and an outer wall of the trim wedge 204. The groove 212 includes a first set of holes 212A. On the other hand, the trim wedge 204 includes a plurality of first snap locks 204-1 (shown in Figure 3), such that each first snap lock 204-1 is adapted to be inserted into one of the first set of holes 212A. The mat 202 has a surface facing the trim 206 and the seal 210 protruding from the surface. The seal is adapted to insert into the slot to prevent seepage therethrough. Hence, the present protective mat unit 200 helps in increasing the overall life of the parts along with achieving the serviceability of the mat 202.

In one example, the mat 202 is the topmost layer of the protective mat unit 200. In one embodiment, the mat 202 may be made of rubber to have an anti-skid surface. In another embodiment, the mat 202 may be made of any polymer material which provides anti-skid and water resistance properties. The mat 202 is provided with an integrated seal 210 in the front side 202A of the mat 202 from where the chances of the liquids and the dust particles entering the wireless charging module 208 are maximum due to some accidental usage by the user. The mat 202 provided is also serviceable. Further, the mat 202 includes a stepped profile at a front side 202A of the mat 202. On the other hand, the trim 206 also has a complementing step profile at the first side 206A of the trim 206, such that the complementing step engaged with the stepped profile of the mat 202 to cover the slot 214 with the seal 210 of the mat 202. The trim wedge 204 is assembled over the groove 212 of the trim 206. In one example, the trim 206 may be made up of plastic, or any other polymer as per requirement and application. The trim 206 may be assembled over the groove 212 either by the heat stacking or ultrasound welding or with the help of first snap locks 202A (shown in Figure 3) or with the help of combination of the first snap locks 202A & adhesives. Each first snap lock 202A is adapted to be inserted into one of a first set of holes 206-1 provided on the trim 206. The trim wedge 204 is added due to the limitations involved in the manufacturing of the slot 214 (shown in Figure 4) in the trim 206. The groove 212 has a dovetail slot formed after adding the trim wedge 204.

The protective mat unit 200 provides an integrated airtight sealing structure which protects the wireless charging module 208 from the liquids and the dust particles. The protective mat unit 200 has a seal 210 between the mat 202 and the trim 206 which helps in protecting the wireless charging module 208. In one embodiment, the seal 210 can be called a rope seal between the mat 202 and the trim 206 which may help in protecting the wireless charging module 208.

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram depicting a manner by which the protective mat unit 200 inhibits the flow of liquids and dust, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, 5(a) shows a perspective view of the protective mat unit 200, 5(b) shows a cut section of the protective mat unit 200 and 5(c) shows a zoom in view of a portion of the protective mat unit 200. The stepped profile provides a first level of blockade, the seal 210 provides a second level of blockade. Further, a third blockade is provided by the trim wedge 204. The slot 214 and seal 210 are adapted to be press fit with each other, which results in zero gap available for the seepage of liquids and dust from the slot 214. Moreover, the bottom surface of the trim wedge 204 is pressed against the inner surface of the groove 212 to provide a redundant blockade for seepage of liquids and dust. The liquid droplets or the dust particles on the mat 202 are restricted due to the rope seal geometry. Further, the sealing surface in the trim 206 protects the mat 202 from the liquid and dust particles due to the dovetail slot 214 in the trim 206.

The structure and construction of the protective mat unit 200 is simple in nature in order to achieve proper sealing. There are no complicated assembly requirements such as adhesives in order to mount the mat 202 in the protective mat unit 200. The protective mat unit 200 disclosed herein is integrated with the seal 210 which is secured to the wireless charging module 208 or trim 206 through the trim wedge 204 to provide resistance to liquids and dust. Therefore, it provides complete protection from liquids and dust. The whole structure is easy to assemble and disassemble to make it serviceable. Hence, the serviceability of the protective mat unit 200 is possible.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. ,CLAIMS:1. A protective mat unit (200) for a wireless charging module (208), comprising:
a trim (206) having a first side (206A) and a second side (206B);
a groove (212) formed at the first side (206A) of the trim (206);
a trim wedge (204) disposed in the groove (212) and adapted to form a slot (214) between an inner wall of the groove (212) and an outer wall of the trim wedge (204); and
a mat (202) having a surface facing the trim (206) and a seal (210) protruding from the surface and adapted to insert into the slot (214) to prevent seepage therethrough.

2. The protective mat unit (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
the groove (212) having a first set of holes (212A); and
the trim wedge (204) having a plurality of first snap locks (204-1), wherein each first snap lock (204-1) is adapted to be inserted into one of the first set of holes (212A).

3. The protective mat unit (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trim (206) includes an opening (216) to receive the wireless charging module (208).

4. The protective mat unit (200) as claimed in claim 2, comprising:
the trim (206) having a second set of holes (206-1); and
the mat (202) having a plurality of second snap locks (202A) protruding from the surface of the mat (202), wherein each second snap lock (202A) is adapted to be inserted into one of the second set of holes (206-1).

5. The protective mat unit (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
the mat (202) having a stepped profile at a front side (202A) of the mat; and
the trim (206) having a complementing step profile at the first side (206A) of the trim (206),
wherein the complementing step is adapted to mate to the stepped profile of the mat (202) to cover the slot (214) with the seal (210) of the mat (202).

6. The protective mat unit (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mat (202) has a top surface having an anti-skid material to prevent a device placed thereon from skidding.

7. The protective mat unit (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anti-skid material includes rubber or a polymer material.

8. A charging assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a wireless charging module (208); and
a protective mat unit (200) for the wireless charging module (208), comprising:
a trim (206) having a first side (206A) and a second side (206B); and
a groove (212) formed at the first side (206A) of the trim (206);
a trim wedge (204) disposed in the groove (212) and adapted to form a slot (214) between an inner wall of the groove (212) and an outer wall of the trim wedge (204); and
a mat (202) having a surface facing the trim (206) and a seal (210) protruding from the surface and adapted to insert into the slot (214) to prevent seepage therethrough.

9. The charging assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mat (202) has a stepped profile at a front side of the mat (202) and the trim (206) has a complementing step profile at the first side of the trim (206), wherein the complementing step is adapted to mate to the stepped profile of the mat (202) to cover the slot (214) with the seal (210) of the mat (202).

10. The charging assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein trim (206) includes an opening to receive the wireless charging module (208).