Claims:We claim:
1. A HVAC Control unit structure (100) with a wireless charger device (102) comprising:
a HVAC control panel (101); and
the wireless charger device (102) defines a compartment where a charging pad (102a) is provided on lower surface to receive a hand held computing device, the charging pad (102a) having a plurality of charging coils;
characterized in that
a tube (104) provided in between an in-cabin temperature sensor (103) and the compartment of the wireless charger device (102) to guide air from cabin on the charging pad (102a).

2. The HVAC Control unit structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless charger device (102) is integrated with the HVAC control unit structure (100).
3. The HVAC Control unit structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless charger device (102) and the HVAC control panel (101) have common power source and communication line through Controller Area Network (CAN).
4. The HVAC Control unit structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an operating switch of the wireless charger device (102) is provided on the HVAC control panel (101).
5. The HVAC Control unit structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compartment of the wireless charger device (102) is a pocket type structure.
6. The HVAC Control unit structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compartment of the wireless charger device (102) is a slider tray type structure that is electrical operated.
7. The HVAC Control unit structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compartment of the wireless charger device (102) is a box type structure where a cover is provided on the box type structure for closing and opening the box type structure.
8. The HVAC Control unit structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging pad (102) is an anti-skid pad.
9. A wireless charger control system (400) for controlling charging power supply, the wireless charger control system (400) comprising:
a charger coil temperature determining unit (412) coupled with a temperature sensors provided in a plurality of charging coils of a charging pad (102a) of a wireless charger device (102) to determine temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils;
a cabin temperature determining unit (414) coupled with an in-cabin temperature sensor (103) to determine temperature of cabin (TA); and
a charging power supply control unit (416) configured to:
supply normal charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is less than a predefine threshold temperature value (Tth); and
supply reduced charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is more than the predefine threshold temperature value (Tth) and less than the determined temperature of cabin (TA).
10. The wireless charger control system (400) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the charging power supply control unit (416) further configure to:
operate a flap to guide cabin air from the in-cabin temperature sensor (103) to the charging pad (102) through a tube (103) when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is more than the determined temperature of cabin (TA); and
supply optimized charging power to the plurality of charging coils.

11. A method (500) for controlling charging power supply in a wireless charger device (102) comprising:
determining temperature (TC) of a plurality of charging coils of a charging pad (102a) of the wireless charger device (102) and temperature of cabin (TA);
supplying (504) normal charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is less than a predefine threshold temperature value (Tth); and
supplying (508) reduced charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is more than the predefine threshold temperature value (Tth) and less than the determined temperature of cabin (TA).

12. The method (500) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the method (500) further comprises:
operating (510) a flap to guide cabin air from the in-cabin temperature sensor (103) to the charging pad (102) through a tube (103) when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is more than the determined temperature of cabin (TA); and
supplying (512) optimized charging power to the plurality of charging coils.

Description:HVAC CONTROL UNITSTRUCTURE WITH WIRELESS CHARGER DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a wireless charger (WC) in a vehicle. In particular, to a wireless charger integrated with Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) control unit structure of vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention.
[0003] With the advancement of technologies, there is demand to provide wireless charger or wireless hand held computing device charger in vehicle cabin. To fulfil the demand, the vehicle manufactures started giving wireless charger on dash panel of the vehicle for easy accessibility.
[0004] In some of the existing technologies, a separate wireless charging provision is provided on the dash panel which is coupled with the vehicle control system via Controller Area Network (CAN) and receives power from the battery of the vehicle.
[0005] In some other existing technologies, wireless charging provision has been provided with HVAC control unit which can be provided in middle of the dash panel. These wireless charging provisions receives power from common source of the HVAC control unit. Chinese patent publication CN204316136U and CN209776327U disclose above structure where wireless charger has been provided with the HVAC control unit.
[0006] Technical problem associated with existing technologies is high temperature of the charging pad which resultantly reduces the charging efficiency of the charger and hamper the battery of the hand held computing device.
[0007] Another technical problem associated with the existing technologies is continuous power supply to wireless charger even when temperature of the charging coils is very high.
[0008] In the view of the above-cited problem(s), there is a need for a structure to cool down or decrease the temperature of charging pad and a system to supply controlled power to the wireless charger based on temperature of the charging coils of the charging pad.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0010] It is a general object of the present disclosure to provide a structure of HVAC control unit to have integrated wireless charging device of wireless charger.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a HVAC control unit structure for decreasing the temperature of charging coils of charging pad of the wireless charger provided in the HVAC control unit.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and a system to monitor temperature state of charging coils and based on the monitored temperature of the charging coils control the charging power of the wireless charger.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure is to use the blower on the Air conditioner Panel required for temperature sensing of the vehicle cabin to maintaining surface temperature or temperature of the charging coils of the charging pad of the wireless charger.
[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure is provided a mechanism which operates to direct the cool air from the vehicle cabin to the surface of the charging pad.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0016] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a structure for HVAC control unit having an integrated wireless charger. 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.
[0017] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a HVAC Control unit structure with a wireless charger device. The HVAC control unit structure comprises a HVAC control panel that comprises plurality of switches or rotary knobs to control HVAC of the vehicle and the wireless charger device that defines a compartment where a charging pad is provided on lower surface to receive a hand held computing device and the charging pad having a plurality of charging coils. The HVAC control unit structure further comprises a tube that is provided in between an in-cabin temperature sensor and the compartment of the wireless charger device to guide sucked air from cabin on the charging pad.
[0018] In an aspect, the wireless charger device is integrated with the HVAC control unit structure.
[0019] In an aspect, the wireless charger device and the HVAC control panel have common power source and communication line through Controller Area Network (CAN).
[0020] In an aspect, an operating switch of the wireless charger device is provided on the HVAC control panel.
[0021] In an aspect, the compartment of the wireless charger device is a pocket type structure.
[0022] In an aspect, the compartment of the wireless charger device is a slider tray type structure that is electrical operated.
[0023] In an aspect, the compartment of the wireless charger device is a box type structure where a cover is provided on the box type structure for closing and opening the box type structure.
[0024] In an aspect, the charging pad is an anti-skid pad.
[0025] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, a wireless charger control system for controlling charging power supply is disclosed. the wireless charger control system comprising a charger coil temperature determining unit that is coupled with a temperature sensor provided in a plurality of charging coils of a charging pad of a wireless charger device to determine temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils and a cabin temperature determining unit coupled with an in-cabin temperature sensor to determine temperature of cabin (TA). The control system further comprises a charging power supply control unit configured to supply normal charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is less than a predefine threshold temperature value (Tth); and supply reduced charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is more than the predefine threshold temperature value (Tth) and less than the determined temperature of cabin (TA).
[0026] In an aspect, the charging power supply control unit further configured to operate a flap to guide cabin air from the in-cabin temperature sensor to the charging pad through a tube when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is more than the determined temperature of cabin (TA); and supply optimized charging power to the plurality of charging coils.
[0027] In another embodiment of the present subject matter a method for controlling charging power supply in a wireless charger device is disclosed. The method comprising determining temperature (TC) of a plurality of charging coils of a charging pad of the wireless charger device and temperature of cabin (TA); supplying normal charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is less than a predefine threshold temperature value (Tth); and supplying reduced charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is more than the predefine threshold temperature value (Tth) and less than the determined temperature of cabin (TA).
[0028] In an aspect, the method further comprises operating a flap to guide cabin air from the in-cabin temperature sensor to the charging pad (102) through a tube when the determined temperature (TC) of the plurality of charging coils is more than the determined temperature of cabin (TA); and supplying optimized charging power to the plurality of charging coils.
[0029] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0031] Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of HVAC control unit structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0032] Fig. 2 illustrates perspective view of the HVAC control unit structure of fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0033] Fig. 3 illustrates a zoom perspective view of the HVAC control unit structure and charging pad of fig. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0034] Fig. 4a and 4b illustrate HVAC control unit structure with slider tray type structure, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0035] Fig. 5 illustrates integrated block diagram of the HVAC control unit and control system of the wireless charger device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0036] Fig. 6 illustrates block diagram of Wireless charger control system of fig. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0037] Fig. 7 illustrates method flow chart of working of the Wireless charger control system of fig. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0038] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in a computer-readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0040] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a", “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0042] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0043] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0044] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0045] Micro-Controller: It is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. A typical microcontroller includes a processor, memory and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip. Generally, microcontrollers are designed to be readily usable without additional computing components because they are designed with sufficient on board memory as well as offering pins for general I/O operations, so they can directly interface with sensors and other components.
[0046] In-cabin temperature Sensor: is a negative temperature coefficient sensor. The sensor is provided inside an aspirator tube to measure temperature of the cabin of vehicle.
Charging Pad: It is mostly a rubber pad placed over the charging coils and over which Receiver device is kept for charging. The pad has anti-skid property which helps in arresting slip of the Receiver device.
Charging coil: The Wireless Charger comprises of single or multiple coils through which current flows thereby generating an induction field and when a Receiver is placed over the Wireless Charger, power is induced in the charging coil of the Receiver.
Coil Temperature Sensor: negative temperature coefficient sensor placed in each of the coils
[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of HVAC control unit structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The HVAC control unit structure 100 comprises HVAC control unit 101, a compartment for a wireless charger device 102 and a vent for in-cabin temperature sensor 103 to measure temperature of the vehicle cabin. The HVAC control unit 101 comprises a plurality of switches, Light Emitting Diode (LED), and rotary knobs for controlling and working indication of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning unit.
[0048] As shown in fig. 2, a tube 104 is provided to connect output of the in-cabin sensor 103 and rear side of the compartment of the wireless charger device 102. The tube 104 is connected with an aspirator tube of the in-cabin sensor 103 to direct/guide sucked cool air from the cabin to bottom surface of the compartment of the wireless charger device 102. The wireless charger device 102 comprises a charging pad 102a which is positioned on the bottom surface of the compartment to receive a hand-held computing device for charging. The tube 104 may be made of metal or plastic material. One end of the tube 104 is connected with the aspirator tube and other end is connected with an opening provided on rear side of the compartment. A flap is provided on the connection between the tube 104 and the aspirator tube. The flap is configured to operate in open and close state to allow passage of cool air from the cabin to the compartment of the wireless charger device 102 and to restrict passage of cool air, respectively. The flap is electrical or electronics operated flap.
[0049] As shown in fig. 3, rear side of the compartment of the wireless charger device 102 has vent or an opening 105 where the tube 104 is connected on rear side to direct cool air from the cabin to the charging pad 102a of the wireless charger device 102. The opening 105 is designed to direct the flow of air from the tube in downward direction towards the charging pad 102a.
[0050] In an embodiment, the charging pad 102a comprises a plurality of charging coils and a temperature sensor is being coupled with the plurality of charging coils to measure temperature of the charging pad 102a or charging coils.
[0051] In an embodiment, the charging pad 102a is made of anti-skid material. The surface of the charging pad 102a may be made in zig-zag shape to avoid slipping of the hand-held computing device while movement of the vehicle.
[0052] Fig. 4a and 4b illustrate another embodiment of the present HVAC control unit structure where the compartment of the wireless charger device 102 is a pocket type structure.
[0053] In another embodiment, the compartment of the wireless charger device 102 is a slider tray type structure that is electrical operated. The slider tray type structure is coupled with an electric motor via a belt or gear mechanism to allow coming out and coming in of the tray type structure from the pocket cavity. A button may be provided on the outer surface of the tray or on the HVAC control unit 101 to operate movement of the slider tray type structure.
[0054] In yet another embodiment, the compartment of the wireless charger device 102 is a box type structure where a cover is provided on the box type structure for closing and opening the box type structure.
[0055] In an embodiment, the compartment of the wireless charger device 102 can be provided at upper position of the HVAC control unit 101 as shown in figures.
[0056] In another embodiment, the compartment of the wireless charger device 102 can be provided at lower position of the HVAC control unit 101.
[0057] In an embodiment, the HVAC control unit 101 may be provided as instructive touch screen to display selection icon and receive users’ input for operation.
[0058] Fig. 5 illustrate block diagram of the HVAC Control unit 200 which comprises wireless charger control system 400. As the present structure is an integrated structure, it is preferable to integrate the operations and control of the wireless charger device 102 with the HVAC Control unit 200. In another embodiment, the present wireless charger control system can be provided as a standalone control system having separate micro-controller or processor to monitor and control the operation of the wireless charger device.
[0059] Both the wireless charger control system 400 and the HVAC control unit 200 are coupled with common CAN bus connection and power connection. In an embodiment, both the wireless charger control system 400 and the HVAC control unit 200 have common circuitry and provided on common Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
[0060] Fig. 5 illustrates block diagram of the system where HVAC Control unit 200 comprises a wireless charger control system 400 to monitor and control operations of the wireless charger device 102. The HVAC Control unit 200 is coupled with a plurality of temperature sensors, such as ambient temperature sensor, in-cabin temperature sensor, solar load sensor. The HVAC Control unit 200 uses the input from theses sensors to adjust cooling load, fan speed, and volume to maintain temperature inside the vehicle cabin.
[0061] The in-cabin temperature sensor 103 is being provided in an aspirator tube to measure temperature of the cabin. The in-cabin temperature sensor 103 provides sense input to the HVAC Control unit 200 for further operations. The wireless charger control system 400 uses the input from the in-cabin temperature sensor 103 or receives directly from the HVAC control unit 200.
[0062] Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the present subject matter provides the wireless charger control system 400 that may be implemented in the HVAC control Unit 200 of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the wireless charger control system 400 may be embedded in the HVAC control Unit 200 or installed in the HVAC control Unit 200. In another embodiment, the wireless charger control system 400 may be provided as a pre-configured micro-controller or as a standalone device/apparatus to monitor and control the operations of the wireless charger device 102. The standalone apparatus is coupled with the HVAC control unit 200 to receive various inputs from the in-cabin temperature sensor speed, etc. The wireless charger control system 400 includes a processor(s) 402, an interface(s) 404, and a memory 406. In an embodiment, the processor(s) 402, the interface(s) 404, and the memory 406 is same as of the HVAC control unit 200.
[0063] The processor(s) 402 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions.
[0064] Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) 402 are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and one or more routines stored in the memory 406. The memory 406 may store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to implement to control supply of charging power based on measure temperature. The memory 406 may include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0065] The interface(s) 404 may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, various sensors, such as charging coil temperature sensor, in-cabin temperature sensor 103, and the like. The interface(s) 404 may facilitate communication of the wireless charger control system 400 with various devices, such as HVAC control unit 200. The interface(s) 404 may also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the wireless charger control system 400. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, processing unit(s) 408 and data 420.
[0066] The processing unit(s) 408 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing unit(s) 408. In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing unit(s) 408 may be processor-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing unit(s) 408 may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, instructions may be stored on the memory of the micro-controller. In such examples, the wireless charger control system 400 may include the micro-controller or other processing circuitry to process instructions stored in the memory upon receipt of inputs from other input devices. In other examples, the processing unit(s) 408 may be implemented by electronic circuitry.
[0067] In an aspect, the processing unit(s) 408 may include a charger coiling temperature determining unit 412, a cabin temperature determining unit 414, a charging power supply control unit 416. The processing unit(s) 408 may include other unit(s) which may implement functionalities that supplement applications or functions performed by the wireless charger control system 400 or the processing unit(s) 408.
[0068] Further, the data 420 may include data that is either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the processing unit(s) 408. In some aspects, the data 420 may be stored in the memory 406 in the form of various data structures. In the present subject matter, various predefined threshold values can be stored in the memory. Additionally, data 420 can be organized using data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The data 420 may store data, including temporary data and temporary files, generated by the processing unit(s) 408 for performing the various functions of the wireless charger control system 400.
[0069] The wireless charger control system 400 may be provided in a micro-controller with processing resource and a memory with predefined instructions to perform the function based on real time inputs from the plurality of sensors.
[0070] In operation, when a hand-held computing device, such as mobile or tablet is placed on the charging pads 102a of the wireless charger device 102 for charging, the wireless charger control system 400 starts monitoring temperature of the plurality of charging coils. The charger coil temperature determining unit 412 is coupled with the temperature sensor provided in the charging coils to measure temperature of the charging coils ‘TC’. After determining the temperature of the charging coils ‘TC’, the charger coil temperature determining unit 412 stores the same into the data 420 for further process by other processing units, such as charging power supply control unit 416. The cabin temperature determining unit 414 is coupled with the in-cabin temperature sensor 103 to measure temperature of the cabin, ‘TA’.
[0071] The charging power supply control unit 416 coupled with the charging coil temperature determining unit 412 and the cabin temperature determining unit 414 to process the determined temperatures, TC, and TA. The charging power supply control unit 416 is configured to supply normal charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature ‘TC’ of the plurality of charging coils is less than a predefine threshold temperature value ‘Tth’. The predefined threshold temperature value ‘Tth’ is pre-stored in the memory 406 of the system.
[0072] The charging power supply control unit 416 is configured to supply reduced charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature ‘TC’ of the plurality of charging coils is more than the predefine threshold temperature value ‘Tth’ and less than the determined temperature of cabin ‘TA’.
[0073] The charging power supply control unit 416 further configure to operate a flap to guide cabin air from the in-cabin temperature sensor 103 to the charging pad 102 through a tube 103 when the determined temperature ‘TC’ of the plurality of charging coils is more than the determined temperature of cabin ‘TA’; and supply optimized charging power to the plurality of charging coils.
[0074] The flap is being operated by the charging power supply control unit 416. The charging power supply control unit 416 opens and close the flap to guide cabin air from the in-cabin temperature sensor 103 to the charging pad 102. The flap may be electrical flap that opens and closes the flow of cabin air to the compartment of the wireless charger device 102.
[0075] Normal charging power: Normal charging means Charger would supply the power as per requirement from the Receiver device
[0076] Reduced charging power: Reduced charging means Charger would supply minimum power so as to put a check on the temperature rise.
[0077] Optimized charging power: Optimized charging means Charger would supply power which would be somewhere in between the minimum power & maximum power [requested by Receiver device]
Based upon the sensors’ input [coil & ambient temp.], the microcontroller varies the input parameters of the power circuits comprising of Buck-Boost converter & H-Bridge Inverter.
[0078] FIG. 7 illustrates a method 500 for monitoring temperature of the charging coils and control supply of charging power to the charging coils. The order in which the method 500 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any appropriate order to carry out the method 500 or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 500 without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.
[0079] At block 502, the method includes comparing the determined temperature of the charging coils ‘TC’ with the predefined threshold temperature value ‘Tth’.
[0080] At block 504, the method includes supplying normal charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature ‘TC’ of the plurality of charging coils is less than a predefine threshold temperature value ‘Tth’. The method proceeds to block 506 when the determined temperature of the charging coils ‘TC’ is more than the predefined threshold temperature value ‘Tth’.
[0081] At block 506, the method includes comparing the determined temperature of the charging coils ‘TC’ with the determined temperature of cabin ‘TA’. The temperature of cabin ‘TA’ is being determined by the in-cabin temperature sensor 103. The method proceeds to block 508 when the determined temperature of the charging coils ‘TC’ is less than the determined temperature of cabin ‘TA’. The method proceeds to block 510 when the determined temperature of the charging coils ‘TC’ is more than the determined temperature of cabin ‘TA’.
[0082] At block 508, the method includes supplying reduced charging power to the plurality of charging coils when the determined temperature ‘TC’ of the plurality of charging coils is more than the predefine threshold temperature value ‘Tth’ and less than the determined temperature of cabin ‘TA’.
[0083] At block 510, the method includes operating a flap to guide cabin air from the in-cabin temperature sensor 103 to the charging pad 102 through a tube 103 when the determined temperature ‘TC’ of the plurality of charging coils is more than the determined temperature of cabin ‘TA’.
[0084] At block 512, the method includes supplying optimized charging power to the plurality of charging coils.
Technical advantages:
[0085] With controlled temperature of the charging pad of the wireless charger device, charging efficiency of wireless charger device increases. With increase in temperature, there are high heat losses which ultimately reduces the efficiency of the device. The rise in temperature of the Charger or Receiver surface results in the heating of the Battery used in the Receivers. The Receiver might reduce the charging power or completely stop the charging so as to avoid overheat of the battery.
[0086] Continuous supply of charging power to charge the hand held computing device.
[0087] Unification of wireless charger device and the HVAC control unit by combing control unit of both.
[0088] 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 can choose suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0089] 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 “determining,” or “retrieving,” or “controlling,” or “comparing,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of an control unit, or similar electronic device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the control unit’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the control unit memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0090] 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.
[0091] 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.