Description:AN AUTOMOTIVE WIRELESS CHARGER WITH ADAPTIVE COIL MECHANISM AND A METHOD OF WIRELESS CHARGING THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, generally, to an automotive wireless charger for vehicle. The present disclosure, in particular, relates to an automotive wireless charger with adaptive coil mechanism and a method of wireless charging.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Terminals, such as cell phones and smart watches, employ rechargeable batteries that must be recharged when the battery charge is depleted. Usually, chargers are provided in vehicles to facilitate charging of the terminals. To charge the terminals, the terminals are physically connected to the charger via a wire connection.
[0003] Recently, wireless charging devices, such as inductive chargers, have been developed to charge these batteries without any physical wire connection between the terminal and the charging device. The wireless charging devices are provided with power transmitter coils to facilitate charging. To make the terminals wireless charging compatible, power receiving coils are provided in the terminals.
[0004] Various type of wireless chargers for terminals are available in the market. However, the available wireless chargers for terminals are only capable of charging a particular type of terminal model.
[0005] The wireless charger could be used in vehicles to charge the terminal. However, each passenger of the vehicle may have terminals of different models. In particular, the terminals may be magsafe compatible or magsafe non-compatible.
[0006] The terminals which are magsafe compatible are provided with a permanent magnet around the receiving coils of the terminal. To charge the magsafe compatible terminals, the wireless charging device is provided with permanent magnets around the transmitter coils. However, such type of permanent magnets are not required for charging magsafe non-compatible terminals as they are not provided with permanent magnets.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an automotive wireless charger with adaptive coil mechanism and a method of wireless charging which are capable of charging both magsafe compatible terminals and magsafe non-compatible terminals.

SUMMARY
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an automotive wireless charger with adaptive coil mechanism and a method of wireless charging. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0009] The present subject matter relates to an automotive wireless charger with adaptive coil mechanism. The automotive wireless charger comprises a power transmitter, a memory and a controller. The power transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit power to a potential terminal. The power transmitter includes a plurality of transmitter coils with the middle coil having a first electromagnetic coil and a second electromagnetic coil. The memory is configured to store configuration information data for different types of terminals and a Q-factor map. The controller is operatively connected to the memory and the power transmitter. The controller is configured to determine the potential terminal in proximity by sending pings, through the power transmitter, to a power receiving coil of a potential terminal; receives configuration information of the potential terminal and determines whether the potential terminal is magsafe compatible or magsafe non-compatible by communicating with the power receiving coil of the potential terminal through the power transmitter; energizes the first electromagnetic coil when the potential terminal is a magsafe compatible phone; establishes a charging connection between the power transmitter and the power receiving coil of the terminal; determines an initial Q-factor of the established connection between the power transmitter and the power receiving coil of the terminal; aligns the terminal with the first electromagnetic coil when the determined Q-factor is below a predefined threshold; determine a subsequent Q-factor after aligning the terminal with the first electromagnetic coil; and starts charging the terminal based on received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
[0010] In an aspect, the second electromagnetic coil is placed concentrically inside the first electromagnetic coil.
[0011] In an aspect, the controller is further configured to energize the second electromagnetic coil when the potential terminal is a magsafe compatible watch; establishes a charging connection between the power transmitter and the power receiving coils of the terminal; determine an initial Q-factor of the established connection between the power transmitter and the power receiving coil of the terminal; align the terminal with the first electromagnetic coil when the determined Q-factor is below a predefined threshold; determine a subsequent Q-factor after aligning the terminal with the first electromagnetic coil; and start charging the terminal based on received configuration information.
[0012] In an aspect, the controller is further configured to de-energize the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil when the potential terminal is not magsafe compatible; establishes a charging connection between the power transmitter and the power receiving coil of the terminal; and start charging the terminal based on received configuration information.
[0013] In an aspect, the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil are configured to align the terminal for better connection when the terminal is magsafe compatible terminal.
[0014] In an aspect, the controller is configured to transmit current impulse, through the power transmitter, to the power receiving coils of the magsafe compatible terminal and determine the Q-factor by determining the feedback received from the terminal.
[0015] The present subject matter further relates to a wireless charging method. The method comprises determining, by a controller, a potential terminal in proximity, by sending pings to a power receiving coils of the potential terminal through a power transmitter; receiving, by the Controller, configuration information of the potential terminal and determine whether the potential terminal is magsafe compatible or magsafe non-compatible by communicating with the power receiving coils of the potential terminal through the power transmitter; energizing, by the controller, a first electromagnetic coil when the potential terminal is a magsafe compatible phone; establishing, by the controller, a charging connection between the power transmitter and the power receiving coil of the terminal; determining, by the controller, an initial Q-factor of the established connection between the power transmitter of the charger and the power receiving coil of the terminal; aligning, by the controller, the terminal with the first electromagnetic coil when the determined Q-factor is below a predefined threshold; determining, by the controller, a subsequent Q-factor after aligning the terminal with the first electromagnetic coil; and starting, by the controller, charging of the terminal based on received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
[0016] In an aspect, the method further comprises energizing, by the controller, the second electromagnetic coil when the potential terminal is a magsafe compatible watch; establishing, by the controller, a charging connection between the power transmitter and the power receiving coil of the terminal; determining, by the controller, an initial Q-factor of the established connection between the power transmitter and the power receiving coil of the terminal; aligning, by the controller , the terminal with the first electromagnetic coil when the determined Q-factor is below a predefined threshold; determining, by the controller, a subsequent Q-factor after aligning the terminal with the first electromagnetic coil; and starting, by the controller, charging of the terminal based on received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
[0017] In an aspect, the second electromagnetic coil is placed concentrically inside the first electromagnetic coil.
[0018] In an aspect, the method further comprises de-energizing, by the controller, the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil when the potential terminal is not magsafe compatible; establishing, by the Controller, a charging connection between the power transmitter and the power receiving coil of the terminal; and starting, by the Controller, charging of the terminal based on received configuration information.
[0019] In an aspect, alignment of the magsafe compatible terminal is performed by the controller by actuating the first electromagnetic coil or the second electromagnetic coil with a step wise current to align the magsafe compatible terminal towards center of the automotive wireless charger.
[0020] In an aspect, current impulse is transmitted by the power transmitter to the power receiving coils of the magsafe compatible terminal and a feedback received from the terminal is determined to determine the Q-factor.
[0021] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0022] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0023] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of the automotive wireless charger with adaptive coil mechanism that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 1B illustrates the power transmitter that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 2A illustrates flow chart of an exemplary wireless charging method that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 2B illustrates flow chart of an exemplary wireless charging method when the terminal is magsafe compatible smart watch that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 2C illustrates flow chart of an exemplary wireless charging method when the terminal is magsafe non-compatible terminal that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow chart showing working of the automotive wireless charger in accordance with one of the embodiment of present subject matter.
[0030] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0032] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0033] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will be discussed in detail.
[0034] The techniques described below may be implemented using one or more computer programs executed on (or executable by) a programmable computer including any combination of any number of the following: a processor, a sensor, a storage medium readable and/or writable by the processor (including for example volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), plurality of inputs units, plurality of output devices and networking devices.
[0035] Method steps as disclosed by present disclosure may be performed by one or more computer processors executing a program tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium to perform functions of the invention by operating on input and generating output. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, the processor receives (reads) instructions and content from a memory (such as a read only memory and/or random access memory) and writes (stores) instructions and content to the memory. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and content include, for example, all forms of non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices, including EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disk and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROMs. Any of the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, specially-designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits) or FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays).
[0036] Any content disclosed herein may be implemented, for example, in one or more content structures tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Embodiments of the invention may store such content in such content structure(s) and read such content from such content structure(s).
[0037] In the existing art, a wireless charger is provided in the vehicle which is usually only compatible with one kind of terminal model. However, passengers of the vehicle may have terminals of different model or types. Sometimes, the wireless charger can charge terminals of different model but the charging may not always be efficient. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an automotive wireless charger with adaptive coil mechanism and a method of wireless charging which is capable of efficiently charging terminal of different models or types.
[0038] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of the automotive wireless charger with adaptive coil mechanism that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The automotive wireless charger 100 comprises a power transmitter 101, a memory 103 and a controller 102. The automotive wireless charger 100 is connected to a power supply. The power transmitter 101 is configured to wirelessly transmit power to a potential terminal 100A. The potential terminal 100A could be a mobile phone, or a smart watch. The disclosed automotive wireless charger 100 is fabricated to work with different kinds of terminals 100A (mobile phone or smart watch) and terminal models (different kind of mobile phone or different kinds of smart watches). Different kind of terminals 100A include magsafe compatible terminals and magsafe non-compatible terminals. The terminals 100A are usually provided with a power receiving coil 104. The power receiving coil 104 of the terminal 100A is configured to receive power from the power transmitter 101 of the automotive wireless charger 100.
[0039] The power transmitter 101 is configured to adapt as per the potential terminal 100A to efficiently charge the terminal 100A. The power transmitter 101 is disclosed in FIG. 1B.
[0040] FIG. 1B illustrates the power transmitter 101 that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The power transmitter 101 comprises a plurality of transmitter coils 101a, 101b, 101c. In an aspect, the power transmitter 101 comprises a top transmitter coil 101a, a middle transmitter coil 101b and a bottom transmitter coil 101c. The middle transmitter coil 101b is provided with a first electromagnetic coil 105 and a second electromagnetic coil 106. The second electromagnetic coil 106 is concentrically placed inside the first electromagnetic coil 105.
[0041] Referring to both FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the controller 102 is operatively connected to the memory 103. To enable the power transmitter 101 to efficiently charge different terminal models, the controller 102 is operatively connected to the power transmitter 101. The memory 103 is configured to store configuration information data for different types of terminals and a Q-factor map.
[0042] The controller 102 is configured to determine a potential terminal 100A in the proximity of the automotive wireless charger 100 by sending pings through the power transmitter 101. The controller 102 is configured to work in accordance with Qi standard. In an aspect, the power transmitter 101 uses “analog pings” to detect the presence of any potential terminal 100A. Analog pings are periodic test pulses transmitted by the power transmitter 101. When a potential terminal 100A is close to the power transmitter 101, the voltage/current impulse send across the transmitter coils 101a, 101b, 101c will be received by the receiver coil, the feedback of the impulse voltage/current will be used by the controller 102 to determine the presence of the object (metal object, phone, smartwatch, etc.).. Hence, the voltage that appears across the middle coil 101b during analog pinging can be used to detect the presence of a potential terminal 100A.
[0043] Further, the controller 102 is configured to receive configuration information of the potential terminal 100A and determine whether the potential terminal 100A is magsafe compatible or magsafe non-compatible. The controller 102 receives configuration information of the terminal 100A by communicating with the power receiving coil 104 of the potential terminal 100A through the power transmitter 101. The configuration information includes Qi version of the terminal 100A, the maximum required output power etc.
[0044] The controller 102 is further configured to work according to the received configuration information. The controller 102 is configured to energize the first electromagnetic coil 105 when the potential terminal is a magsafe compatible phone. Also, a charging connection is formed between the power transmitter 101 of the automotive wireless charger 100 and the power receiving coil 104 of the terminal 100A.
[0045] To check if the charging connection formed between the power transmitter 101 of the automotive wireless charger 100 and the power receiving coil 104 of the mag-safe compatible terminal 100A is efficient, an initial Q-factor is determined. To determine the Q-factor, the controller 102 is configured to transmit current impulse, through the power transmitter 101, to the mag-safe compatible terminal 100A, and determine the Q-factor by determining the feedback received from the mag-safe compatible terminal 100A. The controller 102 then compared the determined Q-factor with the pre-stored Q-factor map in the memory 103 and align the mag-safe compatible terminal 100A with the power transmitter 101 when the determined Q-factor is below a predefined threshold. The first electromagnetic coil 105 and the second electromagnetic coil 106 are configured to align the terminal 100A for better connection when the terminal 100A is magsafe compatible. After alignment, the controller 102 determines subsequent Q-factor and start charging the mag-safe compatible terminal 100A based on received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
[0046] If the terminal 100A is a magsafe compatible smart watch, the controller 102 energizes the second electromagnetic coil 106 and establish a charging connection between the power transmitter 101 of the automotive wireless charger 100 and the power receiving coil 104 of the terminal 100A. The controller 102 then start charging the terminal 100A based on the received configuration information
[0047] If the terminal 100A is a magsafe non-compatible terminal, the controller de-energize the first electromagnetic coil 105 and the second electromagnetic coil 106, and establish a charging connection between the power transmitter 101 of the automotive wireless charger 100 and the power receiving coil 104 of the terminal 100A. The controller 102 then start charging the terminal 100A based on the received configuration information.
[0048] FIG. 2A illustrates flow chart of an exemplary wireless charging method 200 that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0049] At step 202, the method 200 includes determining a potential terminal 100A in proximity of the wireless charger 100. The controller 102 is configured to determine the potential terminal 100A. The controller 102 is configured to work in accordance with Qi standard. The process is already discussed while discussing the automotive wireless charger.
[0050] At step 204, the method 200 includes receiving configuration information of the potential terminal 100A. The controller 102 is configured to receive configuration information of the potential terminal 100A and determine whether the potential terminal is magsafe compatible or magsafe non-compatible. The controller 102 receives configuration information of the terminal 100A by communicating with the power receiving coil 104 of the potential terminal 100A through the power transmitter 101. The configuration information includes Qi version of the terminal 100A, the maximum required output power etc.
[0051] At step 206A, the method 200 includes energizing the first electromagnetic coil 105 when the potential terminal 100A is magsafe compatible phone. By energizing the first electromagnetic coil 105, the automotive wireless charger 100 is made compatible to the magsafe compatible phone.
[0052] At step 208, the method 200 includes establishing a charging connection between the power transmitter 101 and the terminal 100A. The controller 102 establishes a charging connection between the power transmitter 101 of the wireless charger 100 and the power receiving coils 104 of the terminal 100A.
[0053] At step 210, the method 200 includes determining a potential Q-factor of the established connection between the power transmitter 101 and the magsafe compatible terminal 100A. To determine the Q-factor, the controller 102 is configured to transmit current impulse, through the power transmitter 101, to the magsafe compatible terminal 100A and determine the Q-factor by determining the feedback received from the magsafe compatible terminal 100A.
[0054] At step 212, the method 200 includes aligning the magsafe compatible terminal 100A with the first electromagnetic coil 105 when Q-factor is below a predefined threshold. The step is performed to establish a better charging connection between the power transmitter 101 and the magsafe compatible terminal 100A to charge the magsafe compatible terminal 100A efficiently. The first electromagnetic coil 105 is configured to align the terminal 100A by increasing the current in the coil based on Q-factor to increase the magnetic effect, which will pull the magsafe compatible terminal 100A at center of the wireless charger for better connection. The increase in electromagnetic coil will be a step wise AC current.
[0055] At step 214, the method 200 includes determining a subsequent Q-factor after alignment. The subsequent Q-factor is determined in the same way as the initial Q-factor in the step 210.
[0056] At step 216, the method 200 includes starting to charge the terminal 100A. The controller 102 controls the power transmitter 101 to start charging the terminal 100A based on received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
[0057] FIG. 2B illustrates flow chart of an exemplary wireless charging method 200 when the terminal is magsafe compatible smart watch that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. When the controller 102 determines that the terminal 100A is a magsafe compatible smart watch, the method 200 slightly changes. The step 206A changes and other method steps remain the same. Accordingly, when the terminal is magsafe compatible smartwatch, steps 202 and 204 remain the same.
[0058] At step 206B, the method 200 includes energizing the second electromagnetic coil 106 when the potential terminal 100A is magsafe compatible smart watch. The second electromagnetic coil 106 is placed concentrically inside the first electromagnetic coil 105. When the terminal 100A is a magsafe compatible smart watch, the first electromagnetic coil is de-energized. After step 206B, the method steps 208, 210, 212, 214 and 216 remain the same.
[0059] FIG. 2C illustrates flow chart of an exemplary wireless charging method 200 when the terminal 100A is a magsafe non-compatible terminal that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. When the controller 102 determines that the terminal 100A is a magsafe non-compatible terminal, the method 200 slightly change. There is no need of the first electromagnetic coil 105 and the second magnetic coil 106 as the terminal 100A does not have permanent magnet around power receiving coil 104.
[0060] At step 206C, the method 200 includes de-energizing the first electromagnetic coil 105 and the second electromagnetic coil 106 when the potential terminal 100A is magsafe non-compatible terminal. After step 206C, there is no need to determine Q-factor and alignment steps because of the terminal 100A is magsafe non-compatible. The method 200 directly goes to step 208 i.e. establishing connection between the power transmitter 101 and the terminal 100A and step 216 i.e. starting to charge the terminal 100A based on received configuration information.
WORKING OF THE DISCUSSED METHOD AND SYSTEM
[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow chart showing working of the automotive wireless charger in accordance with one of the embodiment of present subject matter. Working of the automotive wireless charger 100 with adaptive coil mechanism starts by providing power supply to the automotive wireless charger 100. The automotive wireless charger 100 starts determining if there is a potential terminal 100A present in the proximity. When the terminal 100A is detected in the proximity of the automotive wireless charger 100, the controller 102 receives configuration information of the potential terminal 100A and determine whether the potential terminal is magsafe compatible terminal or a magsafe non-compatible terminal. Based on this three possibility may arise:
Case-I: The terminal is a magsafe compatible phone
Case-II: The terminal is a magsafe compatible smart watch
Case-III: The terminal is a magsafe non-compatible phone
CASE-I: The terminal is a magsafe compatible phone
[0062] When the terminal 100A is a magsafe compatible phone, the controller 102 energizes the first electromagnetic coil 105 and establish a charging connection between the power transmitter 101 of the automotive wireless charger 100 and the power receiving coil 104 of the terminal 100A. After establishing a connection between the terminal 100A and the charger 100, the controller 102 determines an initial Q-factor of the established connection. The controller 102 then compares the determined Q-factor with the Q-factor map pre-stored in the memory 103 and aligns the terminal 100A with the first electromagnetic coil 105 when the determined Q-factor is below threshold. After alignment, the controller 102 again determines a subsequent Q-factor and start charging the terminal 100A based on the received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
CASE-II: The terminal is a magsafe compatible smart watch
[0063] When the terminal 100A is a magsafe compatible smart watch, the controller 102 energizes the second electromagnetic coil 106 and establish a charging connection between the power transmitter 101 of the automotive wireless charger 100 and the power receiving coil 104 of the terminal 100A. After establishing a connection between the terminal 100A and the charger 100, the controller 102 determines an initial Q-factor of the established connection. The controller 102 then compares the determined Q-factor with the Q-factor map pre-stored in the memory 103 and aligns the terminal 100A with the second electromagnetic coil 106 when the determined Q-factor is below threshold. After alignment, the controller 102 again determines a subsequent Q-factor and start charging the terminal 100A based on the received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
CASE-III: The terminal is a magsafe non-compatible terminal
[0064] When the terminal 100A is a magsafe non-compatible terminal, the controller 102 de-energizes the first electromagnetic coil 105 and the second electromagnetic coil 106 and establishes a charging connection between the power transmitter 101 of the automotive wireless charger 100 and the power receiving coil 104 of the terminal 100A. After establishing a connection between the terminal 100A and the charger 100, the controller 102 starts charging the terminal 100A based on received configuration information.
ADVANTAGES
[0065] The present disclosure provides an automotive wireless charger with adaptive coil mechanism and a method of wireless charging. The proposed subject matter is used to charge all types of terminals including magsafe compatible and magsafe non-compatible terminals. Further, the present subject matter is capable of efficiently charging the terminals as the automotive wireless charger is adaptable based on the type of terminals.
[0066] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0067] It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the discussion herein, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving,” or “retrieving,” or “comparing,” or “generating,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0068] The exemplary embodiment also relates to a system for performing the operations discussed herein. This system may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, solid state drives, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus.
[0069] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0070] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0071] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. An automotive wireless charger (100) with adaptive coil mechanism, the automotive wireless charger (100) comprises:
a power transmitter (101) configured to wirelessly transmit power to a potential terminal (100A), wherein the power transmitter (101) includes a plurality of transmitter coils (101a, 101b, 101c) with a middle coil (101b) having a first electromagnetic coil (105) and a second electromagnetic coil (106);
a memory (103) configured to store configuration information data for different types of terminals and a Q-factor map;
a controller (102) operatively connected to the memory (103) and the power transmitter (101), wherein the controller (102) is configured to:
determine the potential terminal (100A) in proximity, by sending pings, through the power transmitter (101), to a power receiving coil (104) of the potential terminal (100A);
receive configuration information of the potential terminal (100A) and determine whether the potential terminal (100A) is magsafe compatible or magsafe non-compatible by communicating with the power receiving coil (104) of the potential terminal (100A) through the power transmitter (101);
energize the first electromagnetic coil (105) when the potential terminal (100A) is a magsafe compatible phone;
establishing a charging connection between the power transmitter (101) and the power receiving coil (104) of the terminal (100A);
determine an initial Q-factor of the established connection between the power transmitter (101) and the power receiving coil (104) of the terminal (100A);
align the terminal (100A) with the first electromagnetic coil (105) when the determined Q-factor is below a predefined threshold;
determine a subsequent Q-factor after aligning the terminal (100A) with the first electromagnetic coil (105); and
start charging the terminal (100A) based on received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
2. The automotive wireless charger (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second electromagnetic coil (106) is placed concentrically inside the first electromagnetic coil (105).
3. The automotive wireless charger (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (102) is further configured to:
energize the second electromagnetic coil (106) when the potential terminal (100A) is a magsafe compatible watch;
establish a charging connection between the power transmitter (101) and the power receiving coils (104) of the terminal (100A);
determine an initial Q-factor of the established connection between the power transmitter (101) and the power receiving coil (104) of the terminal (100A);
align the terminal (100A) with the first electromagnetic coil (105) when the determined Q-factor is below a predefined threshold;
determine a subsequent Q-factor after aligning the terminal (100A) with the first electromagnetic coil (105); and
start charging the terminal (100A) based on received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
4. The automotive wireless charger (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (102) is further configured to:
de-energize the first electromagnetic coil (105) and the second electromagnetic coil (106) when the potential terminal (100A) is not magsafe compatible phone;
establish a charging connection between the power transmitter (101) and the power receiving coil (104) of the terminal (100A); and
start charging the terminal (100A) based on received configuration information.
5. The automotive wireless charger (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first electromagnetic coil (105) and the second electromagnetic coil (106) are configured to align the terminal (100A) for better connection when the terminal (100A) is magsafe compatible terminal.
6. The automotive wireless charger (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (102) is configured to transmit current impulse, through the power transmitter (101), to the power receiving coils (104) of the magsafe compatible terminal (100A) and determine the Q-factor by determining the feedback received from the terminal (100A).
7. A wireless charging method (200), the method (200) comprises:
determining (202), by a controller (102), a potential terminal (100A) in proximity, by sending pings to a power receiving coil (104) of the potential terminal (100A) through a power transmitter (101);
receiving (204), by the Controller (102), configuration information of the potential terminal (100A) and determine whether the potential terminal (100A) is magsafe compatible or magsafe non-compatible by communicating with the power receiving coils (104) of the potential terminal (100A) through the power transmitter (101);
energizing (206A), by the controller (102), a first electromagnetic coil (105) when the potential terminal (100A) is a magsafe compatible phone;
establishing (208), by the controller (102), a charging connection between the power transmitter (101) of the charger (100) and the power receiving coil (104) of the terminal (100A);
determining (210), by the controller (102), an initial Q-factor of the established connection between the power transmitter (101) and the power receiving coil (104) of the terminal (100A);
aligning (212), by the controller (102), the terminal (100A) with the first electromagnetic coil (105) when the determined Q-factor is below a predefined threshold;
determining (214), by the controller (102), a subsequent Q-factor after aligning the terminal (100A) with the first electromagnetic coil (105); and
starting (216), by the Controller (102), charging of the terminal (100A) based on received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method (200) further comprises:
energizing (206B), by the Controller (102), the second electromagnetic coil (106) when the potential terminal (100A) is a magsafe compatible watch;
establishing (208), by the controller (102), a charging connection between the power transmitter (101) and the power receiving coil (104) of the terminal (100A);
determining (210), by the controller (102), an initial Q-factor of the established connection between the power transmitter (101) and the power receiving coil (104) of the terminal (100A);
aligning (212), by the controller (102), the terminal (100A) with the first electromagnetic coil (105) when the determined Q-factor is below a predefined threshold;
determining (214), by the controller (102), a subsequent Q-factor after aligning the terminal (100A) with the first electromagnetic coil (105); and
starting (216), by the controller (102), charging of the terminal (100A) based on received configuration information when the determined Q-factor is above the predefined threshold.
9. The method (200) as claimed in claims 7 and 8, wherein the second electromagnetic coil (106) is placed concentrically inside the first electromagnetic coil (105).
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method (200) further comprises:
de-energizing (206C), by the controller (102), the first electromagnetic coil (105) and the second electromagnetic coil (106) when the potential terminal (100A) is not mag-safe compatible phone;
establishing (208), by the controller (102), a charging connection between the power transmitter (101) and the power receiving coil (104) of the terminal (100); and
starting, by the controller (102), charging of the terminal (100A) based on received configuration information.
11. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein alignment of the magsafe compatible terminal (100A) is performed by the controller (102) by actuating the first electromagnetic coil (105) or the second electromagnetic coil with a step wise current to align the magsafe compatible terminal (100A) towards center of the automotive wireless charger (100)..
12. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein current impulse is transmitted by the power transmitter (101) to the power receiving coils (104) of the magsafe compatible terminal (100A) and a feedback received from the terminal (100A) is determined to determine the Q-factor.