JP5562872B2 - Inductively coupled shelves and storage containers - 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 inductive coupling technique to shelf units, storage containers, and systems for charging and storing equipment.

  In one embodiment, the primary coil is incorporated into the storage container. The low, medium and high power primary coils can be incorporated anywhere in the containment container, in any number, and in any combination. The shelf unit is mounted on the vehicle.

  In other embodiments, the primary coil is incorporated into the storage container. The low, medium and high power primary coils can be incorporated anywhere in the containment container, in any number, and in any combination. The storage container is a tool box configured to receive and hold equipment including a secondary coil. The containment container also includes a built-in secondary coil that is configured to receive inductively coupled power from the external primary coil.

  In yet another embodiment, a system for storing and charging a tool is provided. A shelf unit that incorporates a plurality of primary coils on a plurality of shelves is configured to receive an inductively coupled storage container. The containment containers include built-in secondary coils configured to receive inductively coupled power from a single primary coil built into their shelves. The electric power inductively coupled to the storage container is inductively coupled from the primary coil incorporated in the storage container to the secondary coil in the device. The system can be mounted on a vehicle.

  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 partial perspective view of the inductively coupled shelf unit. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inductively coupled storage container. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the state where the outer case at the bottom of the inductively coupled storage container of FIG. 2 is removed. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the inductively coupled storage container of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inductively coupled tool holster. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the inductive coupling tool holster of FIG.

  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;

  The primary coils necessary to form the inductively coupled power circuit as described above are incorporated in the shelf unit. A shelf unit with a built-in primary coil is a traditional shelf unit in a room or office, or the shelf unit is mounted on a vehicle.

  FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the shelf unit. The shelf unit 10 includes shelves 12, 14, 16 and 18. Although four shelves are shown in FIG. 1, the inductively coupled shelf unit may include any number of shelves. A docking area 26 is attached to the shelf 16 and a primary coil is provided. The primary coil is attached to the surface of the docking region portion 26, attached to the lower side of the docking region portion 26, or embedded in the docking region portion 26. Alternatively, the primary coil can be incorporated into the shelf 16 instead of the docking area portion 26. In such an embodiment, the primary coil is attached from below the shelf so that the cylindrical hole is opened in the shelf and the upper end of the primary coil is flush with the surface of the shelf. The primary coil is also mounted from under the shelf and attached by screws, bolts, support brackets, or some other means. In other embodiments, the primary coil is embedded in the shelf, and the power cord extends from the end of the shelf or runs through the hardware that supports the shelf unit.

  With continued reference to FIG. 1, when the shelf unit 10 is mounted on a vehicle, the primary coil incorporated in the docking area 26 draws power from the vehicle battery or electrical circuit. A shelf unit in the building supplies power to the primary coil via a connection to an electrical outlet. The docking region portion 26 is formed so as to frictionally fit with the tool case 28. Although a tool case is shown in FIG. 1, the shelf unit can be configured to receive and hold any inductively coupled storage container. A clasp, locking mechanism, or other means is conceivable for securing the tool case 28 to the docking area 26. The fitting allows the tool case 28 to be removed when used, while maintaining it in place during storage. When mounted in a vehicle, the above-described frictional fitting ensures that the case 28 can be held in place during transport.

  The inductively coupled storage container can be left on the inductively coupled shelf unit without using the docking area portion 26. In such embodiments, the primary coil will be incorporated into the shelf 16. Also, even when the docking area portion 26 is used, the primary coil can be incorporated into the shelf 16 rather than the docking area portion 26. In other embodiments, a plurality of primary coils are embedded or built into the shelf 16 or docking area 26. In embodiments where there are multiple primary coils, the multiple primary coils may be controlled by a single control circuit.

  With continued reference to FIG. 1, the docking area portion 26 includes a small indicator light 30 that lights when the case 28 is in place and charged. Case 28 preferably houses a row of cordless power tools. These power tools are either provided with a common secondary coil and battery pack unit, or each is provided with an individual battery and secondary coil unit. Other devices including secondary coils, such as portable computers and other portable electronic devices, can be stored in an inductively coupled storage container that fits into the docking area portion 26. The case 28 is configured to distribute power that is inductively coupled from the primary coil in the docking region portion 26 to the various secondary coils in the case 28. More specifically, as further described below, the primary coil in the docking region portion 26 distributes power to the secondary coil incorporated in the case 28. The secondary coil incorporated in the case 28 distributes power to some primary coils incorporated in the case. These built-in primary coils inductively couple power to the secondary coils in the battery pack unit. According to this embodiment, the tool can be charged when not in use. In the case of a shelf mounted on a vehicle, the service vehicle can charge the tool while moving from workplace to workplace, so that workers can arrive at any workplace with the charged tool. . In other embodiments, the primary coil in the docking area portion 26 can inductively couple power directly to the secondary coil included in the battery pack unit of the device.

  A detailed view of case 28 is shown in FIGS. 2-4. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, case 28 is designed to accommodate one or more power tools. The power tool is cordless and includes an associated battery pack 34. Case 28 is designed to orient the power tool and hold it in place. More specifically, the case 28 forms a docking area at the bottom for each of several tools. These docking areas are designed to direct the battery pack 34 of the tool directly on the primary coil in the case 28. FIG. 2 shows the case 28 with the tool removed.

  FIG. 3 shows the inside of the bottom of the case 28, where several circuits and primary coils are provided. As mentioned above, the primary coil is adapted to distribute power to the tool's battery pack. The primary coil incorporated in the case 28 receives power from the secondary coil incorporated in the case 28, and the secondary coil receives inductively coupled power from the primary coil incorporated in the docking region portion 26. receive. The primary coil incorporated in case 28 is controlled by individual circuits or by a single circuit control mechanism. In embodiments with multiple primary coils, a single circuit may control all of the multiple primary coils.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment where the inductively coupled storage container is a tool holster 500. Holster body 502 includes a cast compartment configured to receive and hold a cordless drill 506. The cordless drill 506 can be easily removed during use and is charged when stored in the tool holster 500. Casting compartment 504 is best shown in FIG. In other embodiments, the holster body 502 can include one or more cast compartments for receiving and holding other equipment including secondary coils. A primary coil is embedded or mounted in the holster body 502 proximate to each cast compartment so that power is inductively coupled from each primary coil to each secondary coil in the instrument. In FIG. 5, when the cordless drill 506 is placed in the casting compartment, the secondary coil in the cordless drill 506 is in close proximity to the primary coil in the holster body 502 and power is transferred from the primary coil to the secondary coil. The primary coil is embedded or mounted in the holster body 502 so that it is inductively coupled to the holster body 502.

  With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, in some embodiments, the holster body 502 also includes a cast compartment 508 configured to receive and hold a special battery 510 that includes a secondary coil. The primary coil is embedded or mounted in the holster body 502 proximate to the casting compartment 508 so that the special battery 510 can be charged while stored in the casting compartment 508. Still other embodiments include a plurality of primary coils capable of charging a plurality of devices including a plurality of secondary coils.

  Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the holster body 502 is tapered so that the top is wider than the bottom. One side of the holster body 502 is substantially flat. Referring now to FIG. 6, the side panel 512 has a substantially flat side. The tool holster 500 is mounted on a side surface such as a vehicle inner wall or a building wall. When mounted against the side, the side panel 512 is screwed, bolted, placed on the blanket, or otherwise mounted against the side. When the tool holster 500 is mounted on a vehicle, the embedded primary coil is supplied with power from the vehicle battery or the engine. When the tool holster is mounted on a building wall, the primary coil receives power from an outlet or a battery.

  The primary coil is low, medium or high power. The low power primary coil provides power up to approximately 20 watts. The medium power primary coil provides approximately 20 to 100 watts of power. A high power primary coil provides power in excess of approximately 100 watts. Any number of primary coils and combinations thereof may be incorporated into the docking area 26 and shelves 12, 14, 16 and 18 of FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 1, for embodiments in which the primary coil is integrated directly into the shelf 12, 14, 16 or 18 and no docking surface is used, an indicator is preferably provided for proper positioning of the inductively coupled storage container. used. Specifically, an outline of the region with a logo, picture or other indicia is preferably provided on the shelf 12, 14, 16 or 18. An indicator light may be provided for each primary coil incorporated in the shelf 12, 14, 16 or 18. More specifically, the indicator light is embedded under the shelf surface and covered with a light-transmitting material such as Plexiglas. When the device is placed on the corresponding primary coil and being charged, its indicator light is lit. Other indicators, such as dark lines, can also represent the contour of the charging area for each primary coil. The contouring of the charging area can also be accomplished with LEDs or other light emitting indicators.

In embodiments described with multiple primary coils, a single circuit can control all of the multiple primary coils.
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 (18)

A shelf unit having one or more shelves;
One or more primary coils incorporated into the one or more shelves;
An inductively coupled shelf unit comprising:
Each primary coil is connected to a power source, and each primary coil can inductively couple power to equipment that includes a secondary coil ,
A docking area portion configured to receive and hold an inductively coupled storage container is attached to the shelf unit, and the one or more primary coils incorporated in the one or more shelves include the docking area portion. An inductively coupled shelf unit characterized by being incorporated in The inductively coupled shelf unit according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator indicating a charging area for each primary coil. The inductive coupling according to claim 1, wherein the one or more primary coils are a combination of primary coils selected from the group consisting of a low power primary coil, a medium power primary coil, and a high power primary coil. Shelf unit. The inductively coupled shelf unit according to claim 1 , wherein the inductively coupled storage container is a tool box. The inductively coupled shelf unit according to claim 1, wherein the shelf unit is mounted on a vehicle. The inductively coupled shelf unit according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of primary coils are incorporated into the one or more shelves, and the plurality of primary coils are controlled by a single circuit. A storage container capable of storing one or more devices including one or more secondary coils;
One or more primary coils incorporated into the storage container;
An inductively coupled storage container comprising:
Each primary coil is connected to a power source, and each primary coil can inductively couple power to equipment that includes a secondary coil,
An inductively coupled storage container further comprising a docking area configured to receive and hold the inductively coupled storage container. 8. The inductive coupling of claim 7 , wherein the one or more primary coils are a combination of primary coils selected from the group consisting of a low power primary coil, a medium power primary coil, and a high power primary coil. Storage container. The inductively coupled storage container of claim 7 , wherein a plurality of primary coils are incorporated in the storage container, and the plurality of primary coils are controlled by a single circuit. 8. Inductive coupling according to claim 7 , wherein the storage container is a tool box including a compartment designed to receive and hold one or more tools including one or more secondary coils. Storage container. The inductively coupled storage container according to claim 7 , wherein the storage container is a tool holster mounted on a side surface. Further comprising one or more secondary coils incorporated in the storage container;
A secondary coil incorporated in the containment container can receive inductively coupled power from one or more external primary coils, and the inductively coupled power to the secondary coil incorporated in the containment container is The inductively coupled storage container of claim 7 , wherein the inductively coupled storage container is routed to one or more primary coils incorporated within the storage container. The inductively coupled storage container of claim 12 , wherein the storage container is designed to receive inductively coupled power from a plane that includes one or more primary coils. A system for storing and dielectrically charging equipment,
One or more surfaces;
One or more primary coils incorporated in the one or more planes, each of the one or more primary coils being connected to a power source, and each of the one or more primary coils being a secondary One or more primary coils capable of inductively coupling power to the coil;
A storage container capable of storing one or more devices including a secondary coil;
With
A docking area configured to receive and hold the storage container is attached to the one or more surfaces, and the one or more primary coils incorporated in the one or more surfaces include the docking A system characterized by being incorporated in an area part . One or more secondary coils incorporated in the containment container and capable of receiving inductively coupled power from one or more primary coils incorporated in the one or more planes;
The power received by the secondary coil incorporated in the containment container is incorporated in the containment container that can be inductively coupled to the one or more devices that include one or more secondary coils. One or more primary coils;
15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising: The system of claim 14 , wherein the one or more surfaces are shelves of a shelf unit. The system of claim 14 , wherein the storage container is a tool box. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the system is mounted on a vehicle.

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