JP5735805B2 - Inductive coupling work surface - Google Patents

Description

  One of the problems associated with electronic devices that are common in today's world is the need for cords and cables associated with various electronic devices. Rechargeable cordless devices are also generally an option. However, these devices still need to be charged, and an associated cord or cable is required for the charging.

  To address these constraints, techniques have been developed to provide inductively coupled power circuits. This circuit dynamically searches for resonance points and optimizes the power supply from the primary coil to the secondary device with the secondary coil. This power supply can be generated under various complex load conditions. By using this circuit, the primary supply circuit adjusts its operation to match the requirements of the secondary equipment to which it should supply power. The circuit also allows the primary supply circuit to supply power to a plurality of secondary devices simultaneously.

  Intelligent inductively coupled power circuits have been developed to transfer power from a power source to equipment without the need for wiring connections. The primary coil inductively couples power to a secondary coil incorporated in devices such as laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones, and power tools. Embodiments of the present invention apply this technology to home and industrial work surfaces.

  A primary coil incorporated in the work surface inductively couples power to a secondary coil incorporated in devices such as laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones, and power tools. The work surface is a work surface in a home such as a table or a work table. The primary coil can also be incorporated into an industrial work surface such as an industrial ergonomic workbench. The inductively coupled work surface can also be mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle work surface could be mounted inside the vehicle, or could be a work surface that could be stored so that it could be accessed from outside the vehicle.

  The low, medium, and high power primary coils can be incorporated anywhere on the work surface, in any number, and in any combination. An indicator, such as an LED, on the work surface indicates where the device with the secondary coil should be placed for charging.

  This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or underlying features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. .

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ergonomic workbench. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a low power primary coil. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a medium power primary coil. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a primary coil having an adjustment housing. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a work table on which low power and medium power primary coils are mounted. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the inductive coupling work surface mounted in the vehicle. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view in which a part of the inductive coupling work surface mounted in the vehicle is broken. 8 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a tool including a secondary coil that is charged on the inductive coupling work surface of FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inductively coupled work surface charging device including a secondary coil. FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view in which a part of the inductive coupling work surface mounted in the vehicle is broken. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a retractable induction coupling work surface mounted in the vehicle. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a retractable induction coupling work surface mounted in the vehicle.

  Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below while satisfying legal requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors contemplate that claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways.

  As noted in the background section, techniques for providing intelligent inductively coupled power circuits have been developed. This circuit dynamically searches for resonance points and optimizes the power supply from the primary coil to the secondary device with the secondary coil. With this circuit, the primary coil can determine and supply the power requirements of the secondary equipment. By using this circuit, the primary supply circuit adjusts its operation to match the requirements of the secondary equipment to which it should supply power. The circuit also allows the primary supply circuit to supply power to a plurality of secondary devices simultaneously. Examples of such circuits and their operation are contained in the following US patents, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. That is: 6,436,299; 6,673,250; 6,731,071; 6,806,649; 6,812,645; 6,831,417; 6,917,163; 6,975,198; 7,116,200; 7,118,240; 7,126,450;

  Inductively coupled power circuits are used to power and recharge cordless devices such as cell phones, PDAs, flashlights, laptop computers, and power tools. Each cordless device has a secondary coil. The primary coil required to create an inductively coupled power circuit is embedded in an industrial or home work surface. Examples of such surfaces with built-in primary coils include tables, home worktables, industrial worktables, ergonomic worktables, industrial ergonomic worktables, movable work surfaces in vehicles, and stowable And a work surface that can be stored in the vehicle.

  FIG. 1 shows an ergonomic workbench 100. The work surface 102 of the work table 100 includes a central work surface 104, work surface side wing portions 106 and 108, and work surface front and rear wing portions 110 and 112. Some embodiments include only the work surface side wing 106, the work surface side wing 108, the work surface front wing 110, or the work surface rear wing 112 in addition to the central work surface 104. . Additional embodiments include all wings or any combination of wings.

  With continued reference to FIG. 1, the work surface side wings 106 and 108 and the work surface front and rear wings 110 and 112 are curved to form an ergonomic work surface when attached to the central work surface 104. It has a shape. The work surface side wings 106 and 108 and the work surface front and back wings 110 and 112 are attached to the central work surface 104 by screws, bolts, or other connection mechanisms. In one embodiment, the work surface side wings 106 and 108 and the work surface front and back wings 110 and 112 are thinner than the central work surface 104 but extend substantially the same thickness as the central work surface 104. It has an end. As a result, the wing portion is fixed or bolted to the side surface of the central work surface 104 via its extended end. Other connection means can also be envisaged, for example a support beam extending below the central work surface 104 and the work surface side wings 106 and 108 and the work surface front and rear wings 110 and 112.

  With continued reference to FIG. 1, the work surface 102 is supported by a support structure 114. Support structure 114 comprises support members 116, 118, 120 and 122. In some embodiments, the support member has wheels attached thereto. In other embodiments, the support member terminates in a substantially flat bottom. A storage tray 124 is mounted in the space defined by the support members 116, 118, 120 and 122. In some embodiments, the storage tray 124 is mounted or placed on a horizontal support member that runs between the support members 116, 118, 120 and 122. A work station shield 126 is attached to the work surface rear wing 112, the central work surface 104, or the support structure 114. A storage tray 128 is attached to the work station shield 126. The work station shield 126 and the storage tray 128 are bent in substantially the same manner as the work surface rear wing 112, thereby forming an ergonomic work space. The bent depression provides the farthest part of the workbench 100 that is closer to the user than when the depression is straight.

  The inductively coupled power circuit is incorporated into a workbench such as the workbench 100 of FIG. Built-in primary coils for such power circuits are indicated by coil position indicators 130, 132, 134 and 136. The coil position indicators 130, 132, 134 and 136 do not necessarily indicate the coil size or charging area, which may be low, medium or high power for a particular primary coil. Depends on whether there is.

  FIGS. 2-4 illustrate embodiments of primary coils that can be incorporated into a workbench. The primary coil is designed to supply low quality, medium quality or high quality power. The low power primary coil 200 is designed to provide up to approximately 20 watts of power that is routed through the primary coil 200 to the secondary equipment coil. The low power primary coil 200 is connected to an electrical outlet via a power cord 202 and a plug 203. Tabs 204, 206, and 208 provide holes 210, 212, and 214, whereby primary coil 200 is attached to the underside of the workbench by screws, bolts, or other connection methods. In other embodiments, the low power primary coil 200 is connected to a battery or other power source via a power cord 202.

  In one embodiment, a cylindrical hole is drilled in a work surface such as the central work surface 104 or wing 106 or 108 of FIG. 1, and the upper end of the low power primary coil 200 is flush with the work surface. The The low power primary coil 200 may include a charging indicator. The charge indicator is an LED or other light source. The charge indicator can also be a ring of LEDs or light sources that substantially follow the outer edge of the low power primary coil 200. When the secondary coil in the secondary device attracts power from the primary coil, its charging indicator shines. Thus, when the secondary device is placed on the low power primary coil 200 and charged, its charging indicator will shine. In other embodiments, a light pipe or electrical connection is used so that the charging indicator can be placed anywhere on the workbench. In a further embodiment, the charging indicator is such that the secondary device is placed and the approximate area that can be charged via inductive coupling with a particular primary coil is drawn.

  With continued reference to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, the low power primary coil 200 is inserted and mounted in a depression below the work surface. In such an embodiment, the low power primary coil 200 will not be visible from its work surface. In yet another embodiment, the low power primary coil 200 and any indicator light is covered with Plexiglas or other transparent material that is embedded below the work surface and is flush with the work surface. The low power primary coil 200 can be mounted anywhere on the work surface. For example, referring additionally to FIG. 1, the low power primary coil 200 can be mounted below the central work surface 104, the work surface side wings 106 and 108, or the work surface forward or rear wings 110 and 112. Any number of low-power primary coils 200 can be mounted on a specific work surface.

  FIG. 3 depicts a medium power primary coil 300. The medium power primary coil 300 is designed to provide approximately 20 to 100 watts of power delivered from the primary coil 200 to the secondary equipment coil, although more or less power can be provided. The medium power primary coil 300 is connected to an electrical outlet via a power cord 302 and a plug 304. In an alternative alternative embodiment, the low power primary coil 300 is connected to a battery or other power source via a power cord 302. The medium power primary coil 300 provides the same tab and hole connection as the low power primary coil 200.

  FIG. 4 shows the primary coil 400 over the adjustment housing 402. The bottom portion 404 of the housing 402 is threaded and screwed into the upper end portion 406 of the housing 402. The upper end 406 can be tightened or loosened to increase or decrease the distance between the lip 408 and the mounting tabs 410, 412 and 414. The adjustment housing 402 allows the primary coil 400 to be mounted on work surfaces of various thicknesses. The primary coil 400 can be mounted in a cylindrical hole formed on the work surface by a drill or formed by another method. The edge 408 of the upper end 406 is wider than the cylindrical hole, and is placed on the upper end of the work surface, and is slightly higher than that. Alternatively, the work surface has a recess with a depth substantially the same as the height of the edge 408 around the cylindrical hole so that the edge 408 fits into the recess and the primary coil 400 is at the upper end of the work surface. It can be made to be the same.

  FIG. 5 shows an ergonomic workbench 500 on which low power and medium power primary coils are mounted. Medium power and low power primary coils are mounted under the central work surface 502. The medium power primary coil is mounted under the laptop computer 504 so that the coil is not visible from above the central work surface 502. The laptop computer 504 is charged when placed on the medium power primary coil. The low power primary coil is mounted under the PDA 506. The PDA 506 is charged when placed on its low power primary coil. The cordless drill 508 is placed on the second medium power primary coil mounted under the work surface side wing portion 510. Cordless drill 508 is charged when placed on its second medium power primary coil. The flashlight 512 is placed on a second low power primary coil mounted under the work surface side wing 514. Flashlight 512 is charged when placed on its second low power primary coil. At each position where the primary coil is mounted, a recharge zone is formed at the upper end of the work surface. It should be understood that any number of primary coils can be mounted anywhere, depending on the recharge zone to be formed. Also, the recharge equipment shown is merely an example, and as long as a suitable secondary coil is provided, a theoretically unlimited number of different equipment can be attached to the primary coil mounted on the workbench. It should be understood that it can be charged via

  In addition to the inductively coupled power circuit included in the newly fabricated workbench, existing worktables with inductively coupled power circuits and kits for improving other industrial work surfaces have been devised. The kit includes, for example, one or more primary coils, such as the low power primary coil 200 of FIG. 2 or the medium power primary coil 400 of FIG. 4, means for attaching the coils to the work surface, and a mounting instruction manual. It consists of.

  FIG. 6 shows an inductive coupling work surface mounted on the vehicle. Low, medium and high power primary coils are incorporated in the work surface 600. Any combination of these primary coils can be used. The primary coil can be powered by a battery, vehicle engine, or other means. A recharge flashlight 602 and a cordless drill 604 are shown on the primary coil incorporated in the work surface 600. The work surface 600 may be suspended from the wall or ceiling of the vehicle, may be supported from the floor of the vehicle, or may be attached to the side surface of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the support structure that supports work surface 600 includes a storage compartment 606. The shelf 608 may also be mounted on the work surface 600. Another appearance of the inductive coupling work surface mounted on the vehicle is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a detailed view of recharge flashlight 602, work surface 600, and storage compartment 606.

  FIG. 9 depicts an inductive coupling work surface showing the charging area. Work surface 900 is divided into charging areas 902, 904 and 906. A medium power primary coil is positioned below the charging area 902 to charge a cordless drill 908 having a secondary coil. A position indicator 910 may also be included in the work surface 900. The position indicator 910 may be an LED or other light source, or a non-luminous indicator that indicates where the device including the secondary coil should be placed for sufficient charging. Charging area 902 indicates a physical range in which a device including a secondary coil can be charged by a primary coil incorporated under charging area 902 of work surface 900. In order to charge the recharge flashlight 912 and the PDA 914, a low power primary coil is positioned below the charging areas 906 and 904.

  FIG. 10 further shows an inductive coupling work surface mounted on the vehicle. A laptop computer 1002 and PDA 1004 are charged on a primary coil built into the work surface 600.

  The primary coil can be mounted on a retractable inductive coupling work surface attached to the structure. The structure includes, but is not limited to, a vehicle, an office or building interior or exterior wall, a desk, a podium, or a table. FIGS. 11 and 12 show an embodiment in which a retractable inductive coupling work surface is attached to a vehicle and is accessible from the outside of the vehicle. More specifically, the vehicle includes a folding shelf 1102. The shelf 1102 is hinged to the vehicle at the lower end. A stopper is provided so that the shelf is kept in the horizontal direction when fully opened. Accordingly, the shelf 1102 can operate from a storage position flush with the side surface of the vehicle to a use position that provides a horizontal work surface. The shelf has a locking mechanism that holds it in the retracted position. The shelf 1102 has a charging station 1104 installed. Station 1104 has several primary coils within cover 1106. Station 1104 also has a charging template 1108 placed directly on cover 1106. Template 1108 preferably has a charge area and charge indicator similar to that for work surface 900 shown in FIG. Similar to the internal work surface 900, the station 1104 is provided with an indicator light adjacent to the charging area that shines when equipment including the secondary coil is placed and charged. Thus, station 1104 provides a recharging station with multiple recharging areas in close proximity to an external work surface outside the vehicle. This allows the user to charge cordless devices (eg, cordless drills, laptops, cell phones, and flashlights as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) without entering the interior of the vehicle.

In the embodiment with a plurality of primary coils described herein, a single circuit can control all of the plurality of primary coils.
The primary coil mounted on the above-mentioned surface can be mounted as a new product in which one or more primary coils are mounted before being sold, or as a kit in which one or more primary coils are mounted after sales. ,Conceivable.

  Although the present invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, they are by way of example, and not limitation, in all respects. Alternative and other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs without departing from the scope thereof.

  From the above, the present invention is well tuned to achieve all the above goals and objectives, is obvious in its system and method, and has other advantages inherent in them. You will understand. Certain features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is expected and within the scope of the claims.

Claims (19)

An ergonomically formed working surface having an upper surface, the hole penetrating into the working surface through a lower surface opposite the upper surface;
A primary coil having a housing and an expansion member extending substantially perpendicularly to the housing and extending radially from the housing, wherein the housing is disposed in the hole below the upper surface and attachment means is the expansion A member is attached to the lower surface of the work surface, and the primary coil is capable of inductively powering a device including a secondary coil disposed on the upper surface;
One or more indicators disposed below the upper surface to indicate that the primary coil is charging the device ;
Wherein the one or more indicators are covered by a transparent material disposed flush with the upper surface and the one or more indicators can be seen through the transparent material. .   A transparent material is disposed in the hole to cover the primary coil, the transparent material being flush with the upper surface and through which the one or more indicators can be seen. The inductively coupled work surface according to claim 1.   The inductive coupling work surface according to claim 1, wherein the primary coil is flush with the upper surface.   The inductively coupled work surface of claim 1, wherein the primary coil comprises a high power primary coil.   The inductively coupled work surface according to claim 1, wherein the work surface is mounted on a vehicle.   The inductively coupled work surface according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of primary coils are attached to the work surface, and the plurality of primary coils are controlled by a single circuit.   A work station shield extending upwardly from the work surface, wherein a storage tray is attached to the work station shield, the work station shield being formed along a curved periphery of the work surface; The inductively coupled industrial work surface of claim 1.   The inductively coupled industrial work surface of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an adjustable housing whose height can be adjusted to fit the work surface having various thicknesses. A stowable work surface having a first surface, wherein a hole penetrates the work surface through a second surface opposite the first surface, the work surface being a vehicle The work surface hingedly connected along an outer surface of the vehicle and forming a part of the outer surface of the vehicle when in a closed position;
A primary coil having a housing and a tab extending radially from the housing substantially perpendicular to the housing, wherein the housing is disposed in the hole below the first surface, and attachment means is the A tab is attached to the second surface of the work surface, and the primary coil can inductively power equipment including a secondary coil and can individually meet the power needs of the equipment. And the primary coil,
One or more indicators disposed below the first surface to indicate that the primary coil is charging the device ;
Wherein the one or more indicator is covered by a transparent material disposed on said first surface flush, can be stored, characterized in that it is possible to see the one or more indicators through the transparent material Inductive coupling work surface.   10. The stowable inductively coupled industrial work surface of claim 9, further comprising an indicator that indicates a charging area for the primary coil. 10. The retractable inductively coupled work surface according to claim 9 , wherein the work surface is stored in a hinged manner in a storage compartment of the vehicle. A kit for improving the work surface,
A side extension configured to be attached to a side of an existing central work surface, the side extension having a first surface and a hole opposite the first surface. The lateral extension passing through the second surface on the side to the lateral extension;
A primary coil having a housing and a tab extending radially from the housing substantially perpendicular to the housing, wherein the housing is disposed in the hole below the first surface, and attachment means is the A tab attached to the second surface of the lateral extension, the primary coil capable of inductively powering a device including a secondary coil; and
One or more indicators disposed below the first surface to indicate that the primary coil is charging the device ;
And wherein the one or more indicators are covered by a transparent material that is flush with the first surface so that the one or more indicators can be seen through the transparent material.   13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the housing comprises an adjustable housing that can be adjusted in height to accommodate lateral extensions having various thicknesses.   13. The kit according to claim 12, wherein the existing central work surface is attached to an interior surface of the vehicle. A front extension ergonomically configured to be attached to a front edge of the existing central work surface, the front extension being a peripheral portion curved inwardly toward the central work surface The front extension when flush with the central work surface when attached to the central work surface;
A rear extension ergonomically configured to be attached to a rear edge of the existing central work surface, the rear extension from the central work surface in the same arc as the front extension; The rear extension, comprising a peripheral portion curved outward and being flush with the central work surface when attached to the central work surface;
The kit according to claim 12, comprising:   And further comprising a work station shield extending upwardly from a periphery of the rear extension, wherein a storage tray is attached to the work station shield, the work station shield being along a curved periphery of the rear extension. 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the kit is formed such that the storage tray is toward the center of the front extension.   The kit according to claim 12, further comprising an indicator indicating a charging area for each primary coil.   A transparent material is disposed in the hole to cover the primary coil, the transparent material being flush with the first surface and the indicator being visible through the transparent material. The kit according to 17.   The kit according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of primary coils are incorporated in the central work surface, and the plurality of primary coils are controlled by a single circuit.

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