KR20190038437A - Attachment devices for inductive interconnection systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention describe a receiving element which includes a ferromagnetic structure axially symmetrical around a central axis disposed along a length of the ferromagnetic structure. The ferromagnetic structure includes a groove region defining two end regions on opposing sides of the groove region, wherein the groove region has a smaller length than the two end regions. Also, the receiving element also includes an inductor coil wound in the groove region of the ferromagnetic structure and in between the two end regions. Therefore, the present invention describes an inductive interconnection system for a wireless charging system capable of wireless power transmission between a host device and an accessory device.

Description

[0001] ATTACHMENT DEVICES FOR INDUCTIVE INTERCONNECTION SYSTEMS [

Cross reference of related applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 565,460, filed September 29, 2017, and U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 565,471, filed September 29, 2017, Inductive Interconnection Systems, filed on September 10, 2018, entitled " Inductive Interconnection Systems ", filed on September 10, 2018 and entitled " No. 16 / 127,072, entitled " Attachment Devices for Inductive Interconnection Systems ", the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Portable electronic devices such as tablets, smart phones and the like have become popular in modern life. The functions and utilities provided by these portable electronic devices enhance the user's life by simplifying tasks, improving productivity, and providing entertainment. However, some handheld devices are difficult to interact with because some input methods are not readily available. For example, the small form factor of some portable electronic devices leads to devices that do not have a physical keyboard, making typing cumbersome. Portable electronic devices also have a display screen that is not a suitable surface for a user to write with a typical writing tool such as a pen or pencil.

Accordingly, accessory devices have been developed to complement the use of these portable electronic devices to enhance the user experience by filling these gaps in usability. For example, portable keyboards have been developed to provide a physical keyboard that can be associated with these portable electronic devices to allow the user to type by pressing keys. In addition, electronic recording devices such as stylus, smart pencils and the like are designed to act as writing instruments for such portable electronic devices.

In some cases, such accessory devices operate by utilizing power from a host device, such as a portable electronic device. The power from the host device can be provided to the accessory devices at an earlier time during use or when the accessory devices store power in one or more locally stored batteries to be used only at a later time. Often, these accessory devices are coupled to the host device through one or more exposed electrical contacts. However, using the exposed electrical contacts to charge the battery of the accessory device requires that the host device and the accessory device have exposed electrical contacts. The exposed contacts can be formed with a plug-and-socket type connection mechanism that results in one or more openings in both the host and accessory devices. This can provide a passage through which dust and moisture can penetrate and damage the devices. Plug-and-socket type connections also require the host and accessory devices to be physically connected together, limiting the ease with which the accessory device can be charged by the host device.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an inductive interconnect system that enables wireless power transmission between a host device and an accessory device. The inductive interconnect system allows the accessory device to receive power from the host device at various rotational orientations. This facilitates how the accessory device can receive power from the host device.

In some embodiments, the receiving element includes a ferromagnetic structure having a groove region defining two end regions on opposite sides of the groove region, each end region comprising respective interface surfaces, the groove region comprising And has a length less than the two end regions. The receiving element further comprises an inductor coil wound around the groove region and between the two end regions of the ferromagnetic structure and the length of the groove region is a dimension extending along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the inductor coil. The receiving element further includes a shield comprising a plurality of sidewalls and a rear wall defining a cavity in which the ferromagnetic structure and the inductor coil are located and a spacer positioned between the ferromagnetic structure and the shield for attaching the ferromagnetic structure to the shield, . ≪ / RTI >

In some additional embodiments, the inductive interconnect system includes a transmitting element and a receiving element. The transmitting element includes a transmitting ferromagnetic structure having a transmitting groove region defining two transmitting end regions disposed on opposite sides of the transmitting groove region and a transmitting ferromagnetic structure surrounding the transmitting groove region of the transmitting ferromagnetic structure and between the two transmitting end regions And wherein the transmission inductor coil is configured to generate a time varying magnetic flux through the transmission ferromagnetic structure. The receiving element may comprise a ferromagnetic structure having a groove region defining two end regions on opposite sides of the groove region, each end region comprising respective interface surfaces, the groove region comprising two end regions And has a smaller length. The receiving element includes a shield including a plurality of sidewalls and a rear wall forming a cavity around the inductor coil, the ferromagnetic structure and the inductor coil wound around the groove region and between the two end regions of the ferromagnetic structure, And a spacer positioned between the ferromagnetic structure and the shield for attaching the shield to the shield.

In certain embodiments, a stylus for inputting data to a host device includes a housing including a curved portion and a flattened portion, a power receiving circuit disposed within the housing, a receiving element disposed within the housing and coupled to the power receiving circuit, And an operating system coupled to the power receiving circuit and the receiving element and configured to operate the power receiving circuit and the receiving element to receive power from the host device. The receiving element comprises a ferromagnetic structure having a groove region defining two end regions on opposite sides of the groove region, each end region comprising a respective interface surface, the groove region comprising a first region It has a small length. The receiving element may further comprise an inductor coil wound around the groove region and between the two end regions of the ferromagnetic structure and the length of the groove region is a dimension extending along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the inductor coil. The receiving element further includes a shield comprising a plurality of sidewalls and a rear wall defining a cavity in which the ferromagnetic structure and the inductor coil are located and a spacer positioned between the ferromagnetic structure and the shield for attaching the ferromagnetic structure to the shield, . ≪ / RTI >

In some embodiments, the alignment device includes a central magnet having poles arranged in a vertical orientation, first and second stiffening magnets disposed on opposite ends of the center magnet, first and second stiffening magnets having poles arranged in a horizontal orientation, The first reinforcing magnets are disposed between the first ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet, including first and second ferromagnetic magnets, and first and second ferromagnetic structures disposed on outer ends of the corresponding first and second reinforcing magnets, And the second reinforcing magnet is disposed between the second ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet.

In some additional embodiments, the alignment device comprises a central ferromagnetic structure; First and second magnets disposed on opposite ends of the central ferromagnetic structure and having polar ends arranged in a horizontal orientation; And first and second side ferromagnetic structures disposed on ends of the first and second magnets, wherein the first magnet is disposed between the first side ferromagnetic structure and the central ferromagnetic structure, and the second magnet is located between the second And is disposed between the side ferromagnetic structure and the center ferromagnetic structure.

In certain embodiments, a portable electronic device includes a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, a display disposed within the housing and configured to perform user interface functions, a display disposed within the housing and coupled to the display and configured to perform user interface functions, A transmission element disposed within the housing, and a power transmission circuit coupled to the processor and the battery, the power transmission circuit being configured to route power from the battery to the transmission element. The transmitting element comprises a central magnet with poles arranged in a vertical orientation, first and second stiffening magnets disposed on opposite ends of the central magnet, first and second stiffening magnets with poles arranged in a horizontal orientation, And first and second ferromagnetic structures disposed on outer ends of corresponding first and second reinforcing magnets, wherein the first reinforcing magnet is disposed between the first ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet, Is disposed between the second ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the nature and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless charging system having an inductive interconnect system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
2A-2C illustrate different perspective views of an exemplary transmission element in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
3A illustrates a top-down view of an exemplary host device having two transmitting elements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the host device shown in FIG. 3A, wherein the transmitting element is incorporated into the housing and some surfaces of the transmitting element are exposed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
3C illustrates a perspective view of a cross-section of the view shown in FIG. 3B along the illustrated cut line in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
4 illustrates an exemplary receiving element configured to receive power from a transmitting element when the receiving element is located at any point along a limited angular rotation in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
5 illustrates exemplary self-interactions between a transmitting element and a receiving element in an inductive interconnect system during a wireless power transmission in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 6 is a simplified perspective view of an exemplary accessory device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
7A is a simplified cross-sectional view of an accessory device at a point across a receiver coil of a receiving element in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
7B is a simplified cross-sectional view of an accessory device at a point across the interface surface of the receiving element in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
8A is a simplified top-down view of an exemplary wireless charging system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
8B is a simplified cross-sectional view of an exemplary wireless charging system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 9 is an exploded view of an exemplary receiving assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
10 is an exploded view of an exemplary transmission assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
11A illustrates a perspective view of an inductive interconnect system in which a transmitting element is positioned at an angle relative to a receiving element in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11B illustrates a cross-sectional view along a dashed cut line through the inductive interconnect system shown in FIG. 6A in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
11C is a graph illustrating the degree of power transfer efficiency between transmitting and receiving elements in connection with changing both the separation distance and the rotation angle, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
12A is a perspective view illustrating a elongated receiving element in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 12B illustrates an exemplary inductive interconnect system including elongated receive elements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figures 13A-13C illustrate perspective and plan views of an exemplary transmission element capable of receiving power from any position over an angular rotation of 360 degrees, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
14A illustrates a perspective view of an inductive interconnect system having a receiving element being moved to a position for receiving power from a transmitting element in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
14B illustrates an inductive interconnect system in which a receiving element is aligned with a transmitting element to receive power in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
14C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inductive interconnect system illustrating exemplary magnetic interactions between a transmitting element and a receiving element during a wireless power transmission in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 15 is a simplified diagram of an exemplary host alignment device for a host device having a single center magnet in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
16 is a simplified diagram of an exemplary host alignment device having a center magnet and two reinforced magnets in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
17A illustrates an exemplary accessory alignment device that may be pulled into a host alignment device at any point along a complete 360 angle rotation in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 17B illustrates an exemplary perspective view of an alignment system including an accessory alignment device and a host alignment device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 18 is a graph illustrating the force profile between accessories and host alignment devices without chamfered edges.
19 is a graph illustrating a force profile between an accessory having chamfered edges and a host alignment device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 20 illustrates an exemplary host device that is aligned with an exemplary accessory device configured to receive charge at any point along a complete 360 angle rotation in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an inductive interconnect system for a wireless charging system that enables wireless power transmission between a host device and an accessory device. The inductive interconnect system may include a transmitting element and a receiving element configured to receive wireless power from the transmitting element. The sending element may be housed within the host device, and the receiving element may be housed within the accessory device so that the accessory device can receive power from the host device. In some embodiments, each of the transmit and receive elements includes a ferromagnetic structure and an inductor coil wound on at least a portion of the ferromagnetic structure. During wireless power transmission, the transmitting element may generate a time-varying magnetic flux that can induce a corresponding current in the receiving element to charge the accessory device. The configuration of the transmit and receive elements may allow the accessory device to receive power from the host device at various rotational orientations, as will be discussed in greater detail herein. Thus, the inductive interconnect system significantly improves the ease with which the accessory device can receive power from the host device.

I. Wireless charging system

The wireless charging system includes an electronic transmitting device that transmits power and an electronic receiving device that receives power from the electronic transmitting device. According to some aspects of the disclosure, the electronic sending device may be a host, such as a tablet, a smart phone, and any other portable consumer electronic device capable of performing various functions for the user; The electronic receiving device may be an accessory device capable of enhancing the functionality of the host device, such as a portable keyboard, stylus, smart pencil, wireless earphones and any other suitable electronic device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless charging system 100 having an inductive interconnect system 105 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless charging system 100 includes an accessory device 103 that is configured to receive power transmitted from the host device 101 and the host device 101. [ In some embodiments, the host device 101 includes a computing system 102 coupled to a memory bank 104. The computing system 102 may execute instructions stored in the memory bank 104 to perform a plurality of functions for operating the device 101. The computing system 102 may be one or more suitable computing devices such as microprocessors, computer processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)

The computing system 102 may also be coupled to a user interface system 106, a communication system 108, and a sensor system 110 that allow the host device 101 to perform one or more functions. For example, the user interface system 106 may include a display, a speaker, a microphone, an actuator that enables tactile feedback, and a capacitive screen that allows one or more input devices, e.g., buttons, switches, And the like. The communication system 108 includes remote communication components, Bluetooth components and / or wireless fidelity (WiFi) components that allow the device 101 to make telephone calls, interact with wireless accessories, and access the Internet can do. The sensor system 110 may include optical sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, and any other type of sensor capable of measuring parameters of an external entity and / or environment.

The host device 101 may also include a battery 112. Battery 112 may be any suitable energy storage device, such as a lithium ion battery, capable of storing energy and discharging stored energy. The discharged energy may be used to power the electrical components of device 101.

In some embodiments, the battery 112 may also be discharged to transmit power to the accessory device 103. For example, the battery 112 may discharge energy to power the transmit circuitry 114, and then the transmit circuitry 114 may derive the current through the transmit element 116. Deriving the current through the transmitting element 116 may cause it to generate a time varying magnetic flux 128 that may be propagated from the host device 101. Flux 128 may interact with receive element 118 and cause a corresponding current in receive element 118 to be generated. This derived current is then used by power receiving circuitry 120 that is capable of converting received power (e.g., AC power) into usable power (e.g., direct current (DC) power) Lt; / RTI > The available power may then be provided to the battery 122 for storage or provided to the operating system 119 for operating the accessory device 103.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transmitting element 116 and the receiving element 118 may be part of the inductive interconnect system 105 together. As will be discussed further herein, the inductive interconnect system 105 may be configured to receive power from the host device 101 when the accessory device 103 is positioned in various rotational orientations. In some embodiments, the inductive interconnect system 105 may also include a pair of alignment devices, a host alignment device 124 and an accessory alignment device 126. The host alignment device 124 can pull the accessory alignment device 126 such that when they are fully drawn together, the transmission element 116 is aligned with the receiving element 118 to provide efficient power transfer between the two elements . The details of the inductive interconnect system 105 will be further discussed herein.

II. Inductive interconnect system

As described above, an interconnect system for a wireless charging system may include a transmitting element of the host device and a receiving element of the accessory device. The transmitting element may be configured to generate a time varying magnetic flux capable of inducing a corresponding current in the receiving element. The current can be converted to available power and stored as energy in the accessory device or used immediately to operate the accessory device. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the transmit and receive elements includes a ferromagnetic structure and an inductor coil as discussed further herein.

A. Transmitting element

2A-2C illustrate different perspective views of an exemplary transmission element 200 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a transmitting element 200, FIG. 2B illustrates a top-down view of a transmitting element 200, FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of a transmitting element 200, Fig.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the transmitting element 200 may include a coil 202 and a ferromagnetic structure 204. The coil 202 may be a conductive strand of a wire wound around a portion of the ferromagnetic structure 204. When wound, the coil 202 forms an inductor coil that is capable of producing a time-varying magnetic flux when current is driven through the coil 202. The ferromagnetic structure 204 may be a structure capable of redirecting the propagation of the magnetic flux. For example, the ferromagnetic structure 204 may be formed of a magnetic material including ferrite such as MnZn. Because the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic structure 204 can redirect the magnetic flux generated by the coil 202 through its body, the ferromagnetic structure 204 can be configured to orient the magnetic flux in certain directions As shown in FIG. For example, the ferromagnetic structure 204 may include interfacing surfaces 206 and 208 positioned past the side surface of the groove region 212 of the ferromagnetic structure 204 to guide the magnetic flux in a particular direction. A better example of the structural organization of the transmitting element 200 is the top-down view shown in FIG. 2B.

2B, the transmitting element 200 may include a groove region 212 defining two end regions 214 and 216 located on opposite sides of the groove region 212 . The coil 202 may be wound around the groove region 212 and between the end regions 214 and 216 (but not around). As referred to herein, the transmitting element 200 may include two interfacing surfaces 206 and 208. [ The interfacing surfaces 206 and 208 may be respective surfaces of the end regions 214 and 216 located in the same plane. The end regions 214 and 216 are oriented such that the plane on which the end regions 214 and 216 are located is disposed at a distance Y _{1, TX} from the plane in which the surface 210 resides, And can be projected toward the direction D. As can be seen in Figure 2b, the surface 210 is concealed behind the coil 202, but is represented by a dashed line for clarity. In some embodiments, the surface 210 may be connected to the interfacing surfaces 206 and 208 by sidewalls 218a and 218b. Thus, sidewalls 218a and 218b may be disposed between the groove region 212 and the end regions 214 and 216. The sidewalls 218a and 218b can be extended by a distance Y1 _{, TX,} which can be selected to be any suitable distance equal to or greater than the thickness of the coil 202. [ For example, Y _{1, TX} may be 0.5 to 1.5 mm, for example, 1 mm in certain embodiments. As can be seen in FIG. 2B, the overall structure of the transmitting element 200 may be substantially similar to the letter " U " of the English alphabet.

In some embodiments, the transmitting element 200 may have a total width X _TX and an overall length Y _TX . 2B, the width X _TX and the length Y _TX may be the dimensions of the transmitting element 200 extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the coil 202. Additionally, the end regions 214 and 216 may have a width X _{1, TX} . The dimensions X _TX , Y _TX and X _{1, TX} may be selected to achieve a certain degree of inductive coupling between the transmitting element 200 and the receiving element, while fitting within the space constraints of the housing for the host device The total size that can be derived. In some instances, the widths X _TX and X _{1, TX} are selected to be equal to the corresponding widths of the receiving element for efficient power transmission. The width X _TX can range from 10 mm to 20 mm, the width X _{1, TX} can range from 3 mm to 4 mm, and the length Y _TX can range from 3 mm to 4 mm. In some embodiments, the groove area 212 may have a length 220 defined by the length Y _1, the difference between _TX and Y _TX . Thus, the length 220 of the groove area 212 may be shorter than the length Y _TX in certain embodiments. Thus, the groove region 212 may have a shorter length than the end regions 214 and 216.

Also, as shown in the side perspective view of the transmitting element 200 of FIG. 2C, the transmitting element 200 may also have a height Z _TX . In some embodiments, the height Z _TX is also selected to achieve a certain degree of inductive coupling between the transmitting element 200 and the receiving element, while the height Z _TX is selected to achieve a certain degree of inductive coupling between the transmitting element 200 and the receiving element, Derive the size. Z _TX can range from 3 to 4 mm. As further seen in FIG. 2C, the transmitting element 200 may have a cross-sectional profile that is rectangular in shape. It should be appreciated, however, that the rectangular cross-sectional profile of the transmitting element 200 of Figure 2C is merely exemplary and that other embodiments may have different profile shapes. For example, some embodiments may have substantially square, circular, elliptical, triangular, trapezoidal, etc. profiles.

It should be appreciated that the end regions 214 and 216 may project in any desired direction. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 2B illustrates that the end regions 214 and 216 can be projected toward direction D. [ Direction D is directed to the receiving element such that the magnetic fields generated by the coil 202 are redirected towards the receiving element by the ferromagnetic structure 204, as will be further discussed herein with respect to FIG. Direction.

Figures 3A-3C illustrate a transmitting element incorporated in a host device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 3A illustrates a top-down view of an exemplary host device 300 having two transmission elements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The host device 300 may be, among other things, a variety of different electronic devices including, for example, tablet computers, smart phones, laptop computers.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the host device 300 may include one or more transmitting elements disposed within the housing 302 and the housing 302. For example, the host device 300 may include two transmission elements: a first transmission element 304 and a second transmission element 306. [ The first and second transmission elements 304 and 306 are located proximate to the outer surfaces of the housing 302 to contact the outer surface of the housing 302 to receive power from the host device 300 wirelessly. Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > as < / RTI > In some embodiments, the first and second transmission elements 304 and 306 may be located on opposite sides of the housing 302. For example, the first transmission element 304 may be located on the left side 308 of the housing 302 and the second transmission element 306 may be located on the right side 310 of the housing 302 have. Located on the left and right sides 308 and 310 of the housing 302 allows the host device 300 to transmit power to the accessory device on the left and right sides of the housing 302.

3A also illustrates that the host device 300 has two transmission elements 304 and 306, although embodiments are not limited to such configurations. Additional or alternative embodiments may have more or less than two transmission elements. For example, some embodiments may include four transmitting elements, one on each of the four sides of the host device 300, or one on each of the left, right, and top sides of the host device 300, Lt; / RTI > transmission elements. 3A also illustrates two transmitting elements located only on the sides of the housing 302. [ However, the embodiments are not limited thereto. Some embodiments may have a transmitting element located proximate the face of the host device 300 such that the accessory device may receive power from the host device 300 by seating on the face of the host device 300. [

3B illustrates a perspective view of a portion 312 of the host device 300 shown in FIGURE 3A wherein the transmitting element 304 is integrated into the housing 302 and the transmitting element 304 is coupled to the transmitting element 304 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Some of the surfaces of the substrate 304 are exposed. As shown, the transmitting element 304 is located within the housing 302 but is located proximate the outer surface 314 of the housing 302. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the interfacing surfaces 316 and 318 of the transmitting element 304 may be directed outwardly from the outer surface 314 such that the transmitting element 304 (as will be further discussed herein) The magnetic flux generated by the transmitter coil 320 of the antenna 304 may be directed outwardly towards the receiving element.

To better understand how the transmitting element 304 is integrated into the housing 302, FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a cross-section of the view shown in FIG. 3B along the cut line illustrated. The transmitting element 304 may be secured to the housing 302 by means of a bracket 322 secured to the housing 302. The bracket 322 can be any suitable structure formed of a rigid material, such as stainless steel, and can be secured to the housing 302 in any suitable manner, such as an adhesive 324 or a mechanical fastener (not shown). The bracket 322 can press the transmission element 304 against the housing 302 and secure it in place with the aid of the adhesive material 324. [ The bracket 322 may include an opening 323 through which the transmitter coil 320 may be expanded to minimize the amount of space occupied by the entire module. The interfacing surfaces 316 and 318 of the ferromagnetic structure 326 may be outward facing and covered by a radio frequency (RF) window 328. [ The RF window 328 may be formed of a material transparent to the magnetic flux while also providing some degree of protection against physical damage such as ceramic, sapphire, and the like.

A. Receiving element

As discussed herein, the structural design of the ferromagnetic structure of the transmitting element allows power to be directed to the receiving element through the protruding interfacing surfaces of the transmitting element. Similarly, the receiving element may include a ferromagnetic structure specifically designed to receive a time-varying magnetic flux propagating from the interfacing surface of the transmitting element when the receiving element is positioned across the transmitting element.

In some embodiments, the configuration of the receiving element may be substantially similar to the configuration of the transmitting element from which the receiving element receives the wireless power from it. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary receiving element 400 configured to receive power from a transmitting element when the receiving element is located directly across the transmitting element, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the receiving element 400 may be substantially similar to the transmitting element, such as the transmitting element 200 of FIG. 2A. Thus, the receiving element 400 may include a coil 402 wound around the groove region 410 of the ferromagnetic structure 404. The end regions 414 and 416 may be located on opposite sides of the groove region 410 and may project beyond the side surface of the ferromagnetic structure 404. The end regions 414 and 416 also include interfacing surfaces 406 that can enter the magnetic flux and redirect through the ferromagnetic structure 404 to induce a current corresponding to the coil 402 during a wireless power transmission And 408). In some embodiments, the coil 402 is wound on two layers of windings, i.e., the windings of the first layer wound between the interfacing surfaces 406 and 408 and on the top of the first layer and on the interfacing surfaces Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 408 < / RTI >

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary self-interactions between a transmitting element 200 and a receiving element 400 in an inductive interconnect system 500 during a wireless power transmission in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the transmitting element 200 and the receiving element 400 are substantially similar in configuration, as discussed herein with respect to FIG. The transmitting element 200 is also shown housed within the housing 302.

During a wireless power transfer, the coil 202 may produce a number of time-varying magnetic fluxes 502 that can propagate in many different directions. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a substantial majority of the magnetic flux is redirected by the ferromagnetic structure 204 such that the flux escapes or enters through the interfacing surfaces 208 and 206. As referred to herein, the shape of the ferromagnetic structure 204 may direct the flux toward a particular direction through protrusions that in this case are directed toward the receiving element 400. Thus, the concentration of magnetic flux 502 may be in regions 504 between corresponding interfacing surfaces of ferromagnetic structures 204 and 404.

Depending on the direction of the current flowing through the coil 202, a significant amount of magnetic flux 502 generated by the coil 202 may first flow from the interfacing surface 208 to the interfacing surface 408 of the ferromagnetic structure 404 And then propagate through the ferromagnetic structure 404 and out of the interfacing surface 406 so that the magnetic flux 502 can enter the ferromagnetic structure 204 through the interfacing surface 206 . The resulting flow magnetic flux forms a magnetic loop 506 that induces a current in the coil 402 that can be used to power the accessory device in which the receiving element 400 is disposed. Although the magnetic loop 506 is shown clockwise, it should be appreciated that the magnetic loop 506 may also propagate counterclockwise when current flows through the coil 202 in the opposite direction.

5 illustrates transmission element 200 as transmitting power to receiving element 400, but embodiments are not so limited. Other embodiments may reverse the transmission of power such that the transmitting element 200 receives power from the receiving element 400. [ In one example, the current may be driven into the coil 402 of the receiving element 400 such that the coil 402 produces a time-varying magnetic flux. The generated time varying magnetic flux can be redirected by the ferromagnetic structure 404, which can be received by the ferromagnetic structure 204. The received magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic structure 204 may induce a corresponding current in the coil 202 which may be used to provide power to the host device in which the transmitting element 200 is disposed.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the orientation of the receiving element 400 relative to the transmitting element 200 can significantly affect the efficiency with which power is transmitted in the inductive interconnect system 500. In some embodiments, when the transmitting element 200 is aligned with the receiving element 400 and the interfacing surfaces 406 and 408 of the ferromagnetic structure 404 are aligned with the corresponding interfacing surfaces 206 of the ferromagnetic structure 204 0.0 > 208 < / RTI > are oriented. In addition, optimal power transmission can be achieved when the separation distance 426 between the transmitting and receiving elements 200 and 400 is minimized.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the receiving element 400 may be integrated within the accessory device to enable wireless power transmission between the host device, e.g., the host device 300 of Figure 3, and the accessory device . 6 is a simplified perspective view of an exemplary accessory device 600 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the accessory device 600 may be any suitable electronic device having an operating system, a power receiving circuit, and a battery, such as the accessory device 103 of FIG. The accessory device 600 may be operable to input data to the host device. In one example, the accessory device 600 may be a stylus or smart pencil that a user may use to input data into the host device in contact with the host device. Thus, in some embodiments, the accessory device 600 can include a housing 602 having a back end 606 configured to contact the host device and an interface end 604 opposite the back end 606 have. For example, the interfacing end 604 may have a structure that tapers down to the tip to mimic the tip of a conventional writing instrument, such as a pencil or pen.

The housing 602 of the accessory device 600 includes a curved surface portion 608 that extends both between the interfacing end 604 of the housing 602 and at least a portion of the aft end 606. In some embodiments, And a flat portion 610. 7A-7B and 8A, the flat portion 610 may include a receiving surface 611 on which the housing for the host device may be positioned to conduct wireless power transmission . According to some embodiments, the accessory device 600 may include a receiving element 612 disposed adjacent to and within the flat portion 610 of the housing 602. In some embodiments, The receiving element 612 may have the same form and function as the receiving element 400 discussed herein with respect to Figures 4 and 5. The receiving element 612 is thus wound around the interfacing surfaces 614 and 616 and the groove area of the ferromagnetic structure 605 (not shown but similar to the groove area 410 of the receiving element 400 of FIG. 4) Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 608 < / RTI > In some embodiments, the interfacing surfaces 614 and 616 may be formed in the housing (not shown) such that the accessory device 600 can receive power wirelessly by interacting with magnetic fluxes propagating from the transmitting element through the flattened portion 610 602, respectively. The cross-sectional profile of the housing 602 may be similar to the uppercase " D " as illustrated better in Figs. 7A and 7B.

7A and 7B illustrate cross-sectional views of an accessory device 600 at different locations in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, FIG. 7A is a simplified cross-sectional view 700 of an accessory device 600 at a point across the receiver coil 618 of the receiving element 612, and FIG. Is a simplified cross-sectional view of the accessory device 600 at a point across the interface surface 616 of the receiving element 612. FIG.

7A, the housing 602 includes a curved portion 608 and a flat portion 610 extending along the length of the housing 602 (i.e., parallel to the central axis). Curved and flat portions 608 and 610 form a monolithic structure that can enclose one or more of the electrical elements, such as the receiving element 612, as discussed herein with respect to FIG. 6 . In addition to the receiving element 612, the housing 602 also includes a shielding portion 702, a support frame 704, one or more electrical components 715, and a driver board 717 on which the component 715 is mounted. However, it is possible to enclose various other components that are not limited thereto. Shielding portion 702 may be formed of any material suitable for shielding the magnetic flux propagating around receiving element 612 from exposure on electrical component (s) 715 in housing opening 710 of housing 602 . For example, the shield 702 may be formed of copper. The electrical component (s) 715 may be any suitable electronic device for operating the accessory device 600 and / or the receiver coil 618. For example, electrical component (s) 715 may be a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. The electrical component (s) 715 may be coupled to the receiver coil 612 of the receiving element 612 to receive radio power, for example, by receiving a current from a receiver coil 618 that is induced by a magnetic flux generated by the transmitting element. RTI ID = 0.0 > 618 < / RTI >

In some embodiments, the shield 702 is constructed and positioned in a manner that enhances blocking of the magnetic flux. Shielding portion 702 includes an inner bottom surface 714 defining a cavity in which receiving element 612 is disposed such that shielding portion 702 is positioned about five sides of receiving element 612, And may include inner side surfaces 716 and 718. A perspective view of the shield 702 is shown in Fig. 9, which will be discussed further herein. By being positioned about the five sides of the receiving element 612, the shield 702 can improve the ability to block magnetic flux from propagating into the aperture 710 and / or out of the accessory device 600 have. In some embodiments, the shield 702 may include outer side surfaces 720 and 722 and an outer rear surface 724. In some embodiments, The outer side surfaces 720 and 722 may conform to the profile of the support frame 704 and thus have a curved profile while the outer side surface 724 may have components of the accessory device 600, For example, it may be substantially planar to provide a space, e.g., housing opening 710, where electrical component (s) 715 may be located. In some embodiments, the thickness of the shield 702 is greater for the areas between the inner side surfaces 716 and 718 and the respective outer side surfaces 720 and 722, as shown in FIG. 7A . The thicker portions of the shield 702 may provide additional structural protection to the receiving element 612 as well as provide a more structurally shielding shielding component. In certain embodiments, the outer rear surface 724 is positioned along a central vertical line 712 that divides the accessory device into two halves. In these embodiments, the shield 702 is located within the areas of one half of the accessory device.

The support frame 704 may be any suitable structure capable of providing protection against internal components of the accessory device 600 from structural support and mechanical stresses to the housing 602. [ In certain embodiments, the support frame 704 is positioned relative to the inner surface of the housing 602 and is positioned between the receiving element 612 and the flat portion 610 of the housing 602, But extend along the area of the inner surface. The support frame 704 may be formed of any suitable rigid material, such as aluminum, steel, or the like.

Gaps 706 may be present between receiving element 612 and inner side surfaces 716 and 718 and bottom surface 714 of shield 702. In some embodiments, The gap 706 may be an empty space that helps electrically isolate the receiver coil 618 from the shield 702 to ensure optimal operating efficiency of the receiver coil 618. [ If the gap 706 is too small, the receiver coil 618 may be too close to the shield 702 to reduce the efficiency with which the receiver coil 618 can operate. In some embodiments, gap 706 is 0.2 to 0.4 mm, and in particular embodiments 0.3 mm. The receiving element 612 may be physically coupled to the shield 702 to minimize vulnerability to mechanical strain. For example, the receiving element 612 may be coupled to the shield 702 by one or more spacers 726 as shown in FIG. 7B. The spacers 726 may be attached directly to at least a portion of both the inner side surfaces 716 and 718 of the ferromagnetic structure 605 and the inner bottom surface 714 and the shield 702 of the receiving element 612 have. In some embodiments, spacers 726 are located on the surfaces of the ferromagnetic structure 605 opposite the interface surfaces 614 and 616. Thus, the spacers 726 may be located on opposite sides of the receiver coil 618. Any suitable adhesive, such as pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), may be used to attach spacer 726 between ferromagnetic structure 605 and shield 702. Utilizing the spacer 726 can secure the receiving element 612 in space and prevent it from shifting during use. In some embodiments, the spacer 726 may be sized to have a thickness suitable to position the receiving element 612 a certain distance away from the shield 702 to ensure electrical isolation of the receiver coil 618 and the shield 702. In some embodiments, Is designed. For example, the spacer 726 may have a thickness of 0.5 to 0.7 mm, and in some instances, approximately 0.6 mm.

Although Figure 6 and Figures 7a-7b illustrate that the accessory device has a housing that includes only one flat area, it should be appreciated that the embodiments are not so limited. Other embodiments may have more planar regions around the housing, such as two, three, or even six. Further, the accessory device may not have any curved regions in its housing. Instead, the housing may be formed with a plurality of flat areas such that the cross-sectional profile is a geometric shape such as a triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, or the like. It should be appreciated that any suitable cross-sectional profile can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

As discussed herein with respect to FIG. 5, during operation of a wireless charging system, the transmitting element may be positioned near the receiving element to effect wireless power transmission by creating a magnetic flux, And may interact with the receiving element to charge the battery of the accessory device. An example of a wireless charging system that includes an accessory device 600 is shown in Figures 8A-8B.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 8A is a simplified top-down view of an exemplary wireless charging system 800; 8B is a simplified cross-sectional view of an exemplary wireless charging system 800 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. System 800 includes an accessory device, such as accessory device 600 as discussed herein with respect to Figs. 6 and 7A-7B, and an accessory device, such as accessory device 600, Includes host devices, such as the host device 300 discussed herein with respect to Figures 3A-3C. For simplicity, the reference numerals used in Figures 3A-3C, 6 and 7A-7B are used in Figure 8 to indicate their correlation, so that the details of these components are referred to in the respective Figures . Also, for clarity and ease of understanding, housing 602 and shield 702 of accessory device 600 are shown in dashed lines while housing 302 of host device 300 is shown as solid lines , Portions of each of the housings are transparent and can see the internal components of the devices.

As shown, the accessory device 600 is positioned to allow wireless power transmission to the host device 300. The receiving surface 611 of the accessory device 600 may contact or be very close to the outside surface 314 of the host device 300; Both the receive element 612 and the transmit element 304 are arranged so that the interface surfaces 614 and 616 of the receive element 612 face the interface surfaces 316 and 318 of the transmit element 304, , Which is discussed herein with respect to the wireless charging system 500 of FIG. 5. The magnetic flux generated by the transmitter coil 320 can be redirected toward the ferromagnetic structure 605 by the ferromagnetic structure 326 and propagated through the ferromagnetic structure 605 to the receiver coil 618 The corresponding current can be induced.

During wireless power transmission, shield 702 may prevent an off magnetic flux from being exposed to other internal components within accessory device 600 or out of housing 602. [ Similarly, the host device 300 may also include a shield 802 to prevent magnetic fluxes that are off to be exposed to other internal components within the host device 300 or out of the housing 302. Shielding portion 802 may be used to shield a sheet or magnetic flux of copper that extends behind transmission element 304 on the side of the transmission element 304 opposite the side on which transparent window 328 is positioned, Or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the shield 802 may extend beyond the farthest left and right edges of the transmitting element 304 to improve shielding capabilities of the shield 802.

In some embodiments, the flat portion 610 of the housing 602 may be transparent to the magnetic flux so that the magnetic flux can freely pass through the structure while also providing some degree of protection against physical damage. For example, the flat portion 610 may be formed of a material such as ceramic, sapphire, or the like. In some embodiments, the entire flat portion 610 may be transparent to the magnetic flux, or may be transparent to portions of the flat portion 610 covering the interface surfaces 614 and 616 or from the RF window 328 Only portions of the flat portion 610 that are disposed along the magnetic flux propagation path, such as portions of the flat portion 610 directly located across, can be transparent to the magnetic flux. The magnetic flux generated by the transmitting element 304 is transmitted through the RF window 328 and the flat portion 610 of the housing 602 to be received by the receiving element 612 to effect the wireless power transmission You can move freely.

In some embodiments, the relative dimensions of the transmitting element 304 and the receiving element 612 may be used to determine whether the accessory device 600 is correctly aligned with the host device 300, for example, If the respective horizontal axes of the elements 612 do not overlap one another, then the accessory device 600 may still be adjusted to improve the alignment tolerances so that it can receive power from the host device 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, the height Z _TX of the transmitting element 304 may be less than the height Z _RX of the receiving element 612. By having a greater height Z _RX , the receiving element 612 can be shifted up or down a few millimeters and is properly positioned to receive power from the transmitting element 304 without experiencing significant reduction in power transfer efficiency .

9 and 10 are exploded views of receive and transmit assemblies 900 and 1000 for better illustrating different components forming receive and transmit elements. 9 is an exploded view of a receiving assembly 900 including a receiving element 612 and FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an exemplary transmitting assembly 1000 including a transmitting element 304. As shown in FIG.

9, receiving assembly 900 may include a receiving element 612, a shield 702, and a spacer 726. As shown in FIG. The receiving element 612 may include a ferromagnetic structure 605 and a receiver coil 618 as discussed herein with respect to FIG. 6. These components may also include corresponding components 404 and 402 of FIG. Will be discussed in more detail. Shielding portion 702 may block magnetic flux from escaping accessory device 600 as well as propagating magnetic fluxes to other internal components of accessory device 600 and spacer 726 may prevent The receiver element 612 can be held in place and the receiver coil 618 can be prevented from coming too close to the shield 702 as discussed herein. The shield 702 may be a five-sided box formed of four sidewalls and a rear wall forming a cavity 910 in which the receiving element 612 and the spacer 726 may be disposed. The interface surfaces 614 and 616 of the receiving element 612 can be directed outside the cavity 910. [ Shielding portion 702 may include two extensions 912 and 914 to provide more surface area attached to anchor points within housing 602 of accessory device 600. In some instances, The extensions 912 and 914 may extend from the respective side walls of the shield 702 in a direction parallel to the plane in which the rear wall is oriented. The extensions 912 and 914 may be secured to the anchor point to prevent the shield 702 from shifting or loosening. The shield 702 may also include an opening 916 near the rear side of the shield 702. The opening 916 can provide a passage through which the wires can pass. For example, wire 918 forming receiver coil 618 may enter cavity 910 of shield 702 through opening 916 and exit therefrom. In such a manner, the wire 918 may be electrically connected to a driver board (not shown) or any other drive component configured to operate the receiver coil 618 during wireless power transmission.

In some embodiments, the spacer 726 may be formed of two separate portions, a first portion 902 and a second portion 904. Each of the portions 902 and 904 can be attached to and positioned behind each portion of the ferromagnetic structure 605. For example, the first portion 902 may be positioned behind the interface surface 614 and the second portion 904 may be positioned after the interface surface 616. The spacer 726 is comprised of two parts so that the receiver coil 618 can be positioned between the first portion 902 and the second portion 904 of the spacer 726. In some embodiments, each of the portions 902 and 904 may include a retainer that overlaps portions of the ferromagnetic structure 605. In one example, the first portion 902 may include separate retainers 906a through 906c coupled to the rear retainer 907 and the second portion 904 may include separate retainers 906a through 906c coupled to the rear retainer 909, Retainers 908a through 908c. The individual retainers 906a through 906c and the rear retainer 907 can form a monolithic structure and can be the same for the retainers 908a through 908c and the rear retainer 909. [ Each retainer can overlap each of the portions of the top, bottom and side surfaces of the ferromagnetic structure 605 to increase the amount of surface area portions 902 and 904 that contact the ferromagnetic structure 605 have. This increase in the surface area creates a stronger coupling between the spacer 726 and the ferromagnetic structure 605 such that the spacer 726 can better secure the receiving element 612 in place, It is possible to prevent the receiving element from being separated and loosened. Figure 9 illustrates retainers 906a through 906c and 908a through 908c as separate discrete extensions of respective back retainers 908 and 908, although the embodiments are not limited to these embodiments. In some instances, instead of having a plurality of individual retainers, each portion 902 and 904 may have a single retainer surrounding the three successive sides of the ferromagnetic structure 605 in an unobstructed manner .

10, the transmission assembly 1000 may include a transmission element 304, a spacer 1002, and a stiffener 1004. The transmitting element 304 may include a ferromagnetic structure 326 and a transmitter coil 320 as discussed herein with respect to Figures 3A through 3C. 0.0 > 204 < / RTI > The stiffener 1004 may be a rigid component that provides structural support for the transmission element 304 and provides a structure upon which the transmission element 304 may be mounted. In some embodiments, stiffener 1004 is a plate formed of a rigid material, such as but not limited to FR4. The spacer 1002 may be formed of two portions, a first portion 1006 and a second portion 1008, which may be located at either end of the transmitter coil 320. The spacer 1002 can couple the ferromagnetic structure 326 to the stiffener 1004 so that the transmitting element 304 is held in place substantially. In some embodiments, the transmitting element 304 is attached to the stiffener 1004 such that the interface surfaces 316 and 318 face a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the stiffener 1004 is oriented. In such a manner, the interface surfaces 316 and 318 may be positioned to direct the magnetic flux to the receiving element as shown and discussed herein with respect to Figs. 3B-3C and Fig. The wire 1010 used to form the transmitter coil 320 may be coupled to a connector 1007 including contact pads 1008a and 1008b. Each terminus of the transmitter coil 320 is connected to a respective one of the plurality of wires 1010 so that the wire 1010 can be electrically connected to a driver board (not shown) or any other drive component configured to operate the transmitter coil 320 during a wireless power transfer Contact with the contact pad.

The wireless charging systems discussed herein with respect to Figures 5 and 8A have transmit and receive elements whose respective interface surfaces are positioned directly facing each other for wireless power transmission, It is not limited. Rather, some embodiments of the present disclosure enable wireless charging even when the transmitting and receiving elements are not directly facing each other. For example, the receiving element may be specifically designed to receive a time-varying magnetic flux that propagates from the interfacing surface in a variety of rotatable orientations. In one example, the receiving element may be designed to enable power transmission at any point along a limited angular rotation as will be discussed further herein, and to allow power transmission at any point along a complete 360 angle rotation You can have a different design.

One. Receive element enabling limited angular rotation

The transmitting element of the host device may transmit power to the receiving element through the interfacing surfaces of the ferromagnetic structure. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the receiving element includes a time-varying magnetic flux that is propagated from the interfacing surfaces so that the receiving element can still receive power from the transmitting element when positioned at any point along a limited angular rotation May be specifically designed to receive.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the concentration of magnetic flux between the interfacing surfaces of the transmit and receive elements 200 and 400 (discussed herein with respect to FIGS. 2A-2C and 4) Adjustment of the angular orientation of the transmitting element 200 relative to the receiving element 400 allows sufficient power transmission even when the separation distance 426 is increased. 11A illustrates a perspective view of an inductive interconnect system 1100 in which a transmit element 1102 is positioned at an angle relative to a receive element 1104 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The transmit and receive elements 1102 are similar in function and configuration to the transmit and receive elements 200 and 400 discussed herein with respect to Figs. 2A-2C and Fig. Accordingly, the detailed description of such elements can be referenced in such drawings and is not discussed here for brevity.

As shown, the transmitting element 1102 is positioned within the housing 1108 of the host device and is positioned proximate the receiving element 1104 disposed within the housing 1106 of the accessory device. In some instances, the housing 1108 may be rotated to some extent such that the housing 1108 is tilted relative to the housing 1106, as shown in FIG. 11B. This may occur, for example, if the host device is a tablet and the accessory device is a keyboard accessory and the tablet is tilted so that the screen angles upward toward the user ' s face.

FIG. 11B illustrates a cross-sectional view along the dashed cut line through the inductive interconnect system 1100 shown in FIG. 11A in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. When the housing 1108 is rotated at an angle 1109 relative to the housing 1106 about the pivot point 1112, each of the transmitting and receiving elements 1102 and 1104 is rotated do. Thus, the transmitting element 1102 may be disposed at a rotational separation distance 1110 away from the receiving element 1104. [ Rotation causes a larger net separation between the transmit and receive elements 1102 and 1104 than when no rotation is present. Thus, in some cases, even though the distance between the bottom edge of the transmitting element 1102 and the receiving element 1104 may be substantially the same as the distance 508, May be greater than the separation distance 508 discussed in the specification. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11C, the degree of inductive coupling between the transmitting element and the receiving element may depend on at least two factors, the separation distance and the angle of rotation.

11C is a graph 1101 illustrating the degree of power transfer efficiency between the transmitting and receiving elements with respect to changing both the separation distance and the rotation angle. The graph 1101 has a y-axis representing the rate of increase of the power transfer efficiency as a percentage and an x-axis representing the increase of the separation distance to the right in millimeters. Three plots are shown in graph 1101, each representing a different degree of angular rotation such that plot 1120 represents a 0 degree angular rotation, plot 1122 represents a 20 degree angular rotation, 0.0 > 1124 < / RTI >

As shown in graph 1101, the percentage of power transfer efficiency decreases as the isolation distance increases. Graph 1101 also shows that as the angular rotation increases, the power transmission efficiency is further reduced across all separation distances. Thus, the losses of the inductive coupling caused by the angular rotation are added to the losses of the inductive coupling caused by the separation distance. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodiments herein may still allow sufficient power transmission to the extent of angular rotation. For example, if the power transmission efficiency threshold for sufficient radio power transmission between the transmitting element and the receiving element is 20% power transmission efficiency, then by an inductive interconnect system with an isolation distance of less than 5.5 mm and angular rotation of less than 45 [ Successful power transmission can still be achieved. However, these limitations are merely illustrative and may vary depending on the desired power transfer efficiency.

While the foregoing disclosure in this disclosure discusses a single pivot point, e.g., angular rotation about the pivot point 1112 of FIG. 11B; Embodiments are not limited to configurations that can pivot about only one pivot point. Some embodiments may be pivoted over any point along the elongated receiving element, as discussed herein with respect to Figs. 12A and 12B.

12A is a perspective view illustrating a elongated receiving element 1200 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the elongated receive element 1200 may have substantial similarities to the transmit element 200 discussed herein with respect to FIG. 2A. For example, the elongated receiving element 1200 may include a coil 1202 wound around a ferromagnetic structure 1204 and a central portion 1212 of the ferromagnetic structure 1204. The ferromagnetic structure also includes end regions 1214 and 1216 that protrude beyond a side surface (not shown but similar to surface 210 of Figure 2a) and have interfacing surfaces 1206 and 1208 . Thus, when the elongated receiving element 1200 is viewed from direction 1220, the observed structure is substantially similar to the receiving element 400 of FIG. 4, which is substantially similar to the transmitting element 200 of FIG. Do. However, the elongated receiving element 1200 may include a height 1218 that is substantially greater than the height Z _TX of the transmitting element 200 of FIG. 2A. In some embodiments, the height 1218 is greater than the widths of the joined central portion 1212 and the end regions 1214 and 1216. Larger heights allow the receiving element to receive power from any point along height 1218, providing a larger area in which the receiving element can be positioned to receive charge.

For example, FIG. 12B illustrates an exemplary inductive interconnect system 1201 that includes a elongated receive element 1200 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The elongated receive element 1200 can receive a sufficient amount of power from the transmit element 1222 wirelessly when the transmit element 1222 is located along any point over the height 1218. [ In one example, elongated receive element 1200 may receive power from transmit element 1222 when located at any of points 1224, 1226, and 1228.

2. Receive element enabling 360 ° rotation

As discussed above with respect to the figures, the receiving element may be configured to receive power from the transmitting element in a limited angular rotation range. However, as will be further discussed herein with the following figures, the receiving element may be configured to receive power from the transmitting element at any point along a full 360 [deg.] Angle of rotation in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure Lt; / RTI > Thus, the accessory device in which the receiving element is located can receive power from the host device regardless of how the receiving element is rotated along its axis. This allows the accessory device to be easily positioned relative to the host device to receive power, thereby substantially improving the user experience.

13A-13C illustrate perspective and plan views of an exemplary receiving element 1300 capable of receiving power from any position over an angular rotation of 360 DEG, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 13B illustrates a top-down view of a receiving element 1300, and FIG. 13C illustrates a top-down view of a receiving element 1300. In particular, FIG. 13A illustrates a perspective view of a receiving element 1300 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig.

13A, the receiving element 1300 may include a coil 1302 and a ferromagnetic structure 1304. [ The coil 1302 may be a conductive strand of a wire wound around a portion of the ferromagnetic structure 1304. When wound, the coil 1302 forms an inductor coil capable of producing a time-varying magnetic flux when current is driven through the coil 1302. The ferromagnetic structure 1304 may be a structure capable of redirecting the magnetic flux. For example, the ferromagnetic structure 1304 may be formed of a magnetic material including ferrite such as MnZn.

Because the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic structure 1304 can redirect the magnetic flux generated by the coil 1302 through its body, the ferromagnetic structure 1304 can be configured to rotate the magnetic flux in a 360 & And can be configured to guide in all directions. For example, unlike the rectangular block-like structure of the receiving element 400 of FIG. 4A, the receiving element 1300 may be substantially cylindrical. In some embodiments, the receiving element 1300 may be symmetrical about a central axis 209 disposed along the length of the ferromagnetic structure 1304. [ The channel 1311 may be located along the central axis 209 and may provide an empty space through which objects such as wires, cables, etc. may tunnel. Receiving element 1300 may include interfacing surfaces 1306 and 1308 located beyond the outer surface of the groove region of ferromagnetic structure 1304. [ A better example of the structural arrangement of the receiving element 1300 is shown in the top-down view of Fig. 13b.

13B, the receiving element 1300 may include a groove region 1312 that defines two end regions 1314 and 1316 located on opposite sides of the groove region 1312 . Coil 1302 may be wound around groove region 1312 and between (but not around) end regions 1314 and 1316. [ The receiving element 1300 includes two interfacing surfaces 1306 and 1308 that can be the respective surfaces of the end regions 1314 and 1316 located at the same distance away from the central axis 1309. As described above, ). The interfacing surfaces 1306 and 1308 may be axially symmetric about the central axis 1309 and are substantially annular. The end regions 1314 and 1316 may project beyond the surface 1310 of the groove region 1312 such that the interfacing surfaces 1306 and 1308 are disposed at distances Y _{1 and RX} from the surface 1310. As can be seen in Figure 13b, the surface 1310 is hidden behind the coil 1302, but is represented by a dashed line for clarity. In some embodiments, surface 1310 may be connected to interfacing surfaces 1306 and 1308 by sidewalls 1318a and 1318b. Thus, the sidewalls 1318a and 1318b may be disposed between the groove region 1312 and the end regions 1314 and 1316. Sidewalls 1318a and 1318b may be extended by distances Y1 _{, RX} that may be selected to be any suitable distance greater than or equal to the thickness of coil 1302. [ For example, Y _{1, RX} may be 0.5 to 1.5 mm, for example, 1 mm in certain embodiments. In some embodiments, the end regions 1314 and 1316 may be flanged in a manner that flares outwardly from the central axis 1309. As can be seen in FIG. 13B, the overall structure of the receiving element 1300 may have strong similarities with the structure of the bobbin.

In some embodiments, the receiving element 1300 may have a total width X _RX and a total diameter d _RX . Additionally, end regions 1314 and 1316 may have widths X _{1, RX} . The dimensions X _RX , Y _RX and X _{1, RX} can be chosen according to design. For example, the dimensions X _RX , Y _RX and X _{1, RX} may be selected to achieve a certain degree of inductive coupling between the receiving element 1300 and the transmitting element, while the dimensions of the housing for the accessory device And derives the total size that can be fitted into the constraints. In some instances, the widths X _RX and X _{1, RX} are selected to be equal to the corresponding widths of the transmitting element for efficient power transmission. The width X _RX can range from 10 mm to 80 mm, the width X _{1, RX} can range from 3 mm to 4 mm, and the length Y _RX can range from 3 mm to 4 mm.

13C, the receiving element 1300 may also have a length d _RX and a radial thickness y _RX , as shown in a side perspective view of the receiving element 1300 of Fig. 13C. The length d _RX may also be defined as the diameter of the receiving element 1300. In some embodiments, the length d _RX and the radial thickness y _RX are also selected to achieve a certain degree of inductive coupling between the receiving element 1300 and the receiving element, while within the space constraints of the housing for the accessory device Thereby deriving the total size that can be fitted. In certain embodiments, d _RX may range from 7 to 8 mm, and radial thickness y _RX may range from 3 to 4 mm. In some embodiments, the radial thickness y _RX may be equal to the overall length Y _TX of the transmitter coil receiving power, an example of which may be referenced in Fig. 2A. In some additional embodiments, the groove area 1312 of FIG. 13B may have a length 1320 defined by the difference between length Y _{1, RX} and d _RX . Thus, the length 1320 of the groove region 1312 may be shorter than the length d _RX in certain embodiments. Thus, the groove region 1312 may have a shorter length than the end regions 1316 and 1316.

It should be appreciated that the end regions 1314 and 1316 may project in a direction away from and in a direction perpendicular to the central axis 1309 and around the entire circumference of the receiving element 1300. Thus, the end regions 1314 and 1316 can be continuously protruded about the central axis 1309. [ According to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is contemplated that the receiving element 1300 may be arranged in any rotational orientation about the central axis 1309, as will be discussed further herein with respect to Figures 14A- Lt; / RTI >

14A illustrates a perspective view of an inductive interconnect system 1400 having a receive element 1300 moving into position for receiving power from a transmit element 200 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 2A, the transmitting element 200 may include a coil 202 wound around a central portion of the ferromagnetic structure 204 having interfacing surfaces 206 and 208. As shown in FIG. The receiving element 1300 may be configured to receive the power of the receiving element 1300 such that the interfacing surfaces 1306 and 1308 of the receiving element 1300 are positioned close to the respective interfacing surfaces 206 and 208 of the transmitting element 200. [ May be moved to align with the element (200).

14B illustrates an inductive interconnect system 1400 in which receive element 1300 is aligned with transmit element 200 to receive power in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The transmitting element 200 may be housed within a housing 302 that may be the housing of any suitable portable electronic device (e.g., tablet computer, smart phone, laptop computer, etc.) as discussed herein with respect to FIG. Respectively. When aligned, the coils 202 are time-varying, which can induce currents corresponding to the coils 1302 regardless of how the receiving element 1300 rotates about the central axis 1309 along the rotational path 1401 Magnetic flux can be generated. This ensures that the electrical interaction between the receiving element 1300 and the transmitting element 200 can continue without affecting the power transfer even though the receiving element 1300 is rotated about the central axis 1309. [ 1309 are symmetrical in the axial direction. A better example of this concept is shown in Fig. 14C.

14C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inductive interconnect system 1400 illustrating exemplary magnetic interactions between a transmitting element 200 and a receiving element 1300 during a wireless power transmission in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. do. The transmitting element 200 is shown housed within the housing 302. As can be appreciated by the example shown in Fig. 14C, the central axis 1309 divides the receiving element 1300 into two halves, i.e., a first half 1410 and a second half 1412 can do. The first half 1410 located closest to the transmitting element 200 may have a cross section that is substantially similar to the receiving element 400 of FIGS. Thus, the electrical interactions during wireless power transmission are substantially similar. For example, during a wireless power transfer, the coil 202 may generate a number of time-varying magnetic fluxes 1402, a significant portion of which may be redirected by the ferromagnetic structure 204, And 206, and enters or exits the ferromagnetic structure 1304 through the interfacing surfaces 1306 and 1308. As shown in FIG. Thus, the concentration of magnetic flux 1402 may be in regions 1404 between corresponding interfacing surfaces / rings of ferromagnetic structures 204 and 1304. In some embodiments, the surfaces of the interfacing surfaces 1306 and 1308 are parallel to the central axis 1309.

A significant amount of magnetic flux 1402 generated by the coil 202 is first applied from the interfacing surface 208 to the interfacing surface 1308 of the ferromagnetic structure 1304, depending on the direction of the current flowing through the coil 202. [ And then travel through the ferromagnetic structure 1304 and out of the interfacing surface 1306 so that magnetic flux 1402 can enter the ferromagnetic structure 204 again via the interfacing surface 206 have. The resulting flow magnetic flux forms a magnetic loop 1406 that induces a current in the coil 1302 that can be used to power the accessory device in which the receiving element 1300 is disposed. Although the magnetic loop 1406 is shown in a clockwise direction, the magnetic loop 1406 can also propagate counterclockwise if current flows through the coil 202 in the opposite direction. Because the receiving element 1300 is symmetric about the central axis 1309, the second half 1412 may be identical to the first half 1410, but only as a mirror image of the first half 1410 Be aware that they are arranged. Thus, if the receiving element 1300 is rotated about a central axis 1309, the half nearest to the transmitting element 200 will be the same as the first half 1410, as shown in Figure 14C, Will have an interaction. Thus, the receiving element 1300 can receive power irrespective of how it is rotated about the central axis 1309, so that the receiving element 1300 has the ability to receive power from the transmitting element 200 Substantially increase.

14C illustrates transmission element 200 as transmitting power to receiving element 1300, although embodiments are not so limited. Other embodiments may reverse the transmission of power such that the transmitting element 200 receives power from the receiving element 1300. [ In one example, the current may be driven into the coil 1302 of the receiving element 1300 such that the coil 1302 produces a time-varying magnetic flux. The generated time varying magnetic flux can be redirected by the ferromagnetic structure 1304, which can be received by the ferromagnetic structure 1304. The received magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic structure 1304 can induce a corresponding current in the coil 1302 which can be used to provide power to the host device in which the transmitting element 200 is placed.

III. Alignment devices for inductive interconnect systems

Efficient power transmission is achieved when the receiving element of the accessory device is aligned with the transmitting element of the host device, as can be understood from the disclosure herein. In order to achieve alignment between two elements, one or more alignment devices may be implemented. However, it should be understood that the receiving element, e.g., the receiving element 1300 of Figure 13A, is substantially symmetric about its central axis and is also substantially symmetrical about its central axis, such as, for example, a stylus, smart pencil, The alignment device for the accessory device may also need to be able to align the receiving element with the transmitting element to any degree of angular rotation. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more alignment devices may be implemented in the host device and the accessory device to allow the accessory device to align with the host device at any point along a full 360 [deg.] Angular rotation range .

15 is a simplified diagram of an exemplary host alignment device 1500 for a host device having a single center magnet 1502 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The host alignment device 1500 may be housed within the host device to align the accessory device to the host device by aligning the accessory alignment device in the accessory device. The center magnet 1502 may be any suitable permanent magnet, such as a neodymium magnet. The host sorting device 1500 may have an interfacing surface 1504 that is directed toward the accessory aligning device to attract the accessory aligning device, as will be discussed further herein. In some embodiments, the center magnet 1502 may be arranged such that its magnetic pole points are vertically positioned, meaning that its north and south poles are located along the vertical axis. 15, the center magnet 1502 may have N poles located at the interfacing surface 1504 so that the magnetic fluxes 1505 are directed outward to form an accessory alignment device 1502 having a corresponding S pole, .

According to some embodiments, the center magnet 1502 may be positioned between the two ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508. The ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508 are structures formed of a ferromagnetic material that are not permanent magnets but are allowed to propagate magnetic fluxes. In one example, the ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508 may be formed of ferritic stainless steel, iron, nickel, cobalt, or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508 have widths 1510 and 1512 that are greater than the width 1514 of the center magnet 1502. Having wider ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508 allows the magnetic flux to propagate further away from the central magnet 1502 so that the magnetic flux is not concentrated in areas immediately next to the center magnet 1502, The accessory alignment device can smooth the force profile as it is moved into that area, as will be discussed further herein.

15, the host alignment device 1500 also includes chamfered regions 1516 and 1518 located at the interfaces of both the center magnet 1502 and the ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508 can do. In some embodiments, the chamfered regions 1516 and 1518 may be formed in a V-shape (not shown) in which the lowest end of the tapered surfaces is located at the interface between the center magnet 1502 and the ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508 As shown in Fig. The chamfered regions 1516 and 1518 reduce not only the intensity of the magnetic flux in the chamfered regions 1516 and 1518 but also the magnetic flux due to the high concentration of magnetic flux that would have been present in those regions To minimize leakage, the separation distance between the top corners of both the center magnet 1502 and the ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508 can be increased. By reducing the magnetic flux intensity of the chamfered regions 1516 and 1518, the force profile exerted on the accessory alignment device as the accessory alignment device moves into alignment with the host alignment device 1500 is discussed further herein It can be smoothed as it is. Further, by minimizing magnetic flux leakage in the chamfered regions 1516 and 1518, the magnetically sensitive devices can be brought close to the host alignment device 1500 without undergoing negative interaction. For example, minimizing magnetic flux leakage can prevent self-destruction of the credit card if the credit card is carelessly approaching the host sorting device 1500.

In some embodiments, the host alignment device 1500 may include outer chamfered edges 1520 and 1522 for smoothing the force profile applied on the accessory alignment device. For example, the outer chamfered edges 1520 and 1522 are tilted downwardly from the center magnet 1502 such that the attraction on the accessory alignment device gradually increases as the accessory alignment device moves toward the center magnet 1502 can do. Magnetic fluxes that propagate out of the ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508 as the accessory aligning device moves closer to the ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508, You can start pulling extreme. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more reinforcing magnets may be implemented in the host alignment device to enhance the strength of the magnetic attraction with the accessory alignment device as discussed herein with respect to FIG.

16 is a simplified diagram of an exemplary host alignment device 1600 for a host device having a center magnet 1602 and two reinforced magnets 1604 and 1606 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The host alignment device 1500 may be housed within the host device to align the accessory device to the host device by aligning the accessory alignment device in the accessory device. Alignment device 1600 may have an interfacing surface 1608 that is oriented toward an accessory alignment device to attract an accessory alignment device, as will be discussed further herein. Similar to the center magnet 1502, the center magnet 1602 can be arranged such that its magnetic pole points are vertically positioned, meaning that its north and south poles are located along the vertical axis. 16, the center magnet 1602 may have N poles located at the interfacing surface 1608 such that the magnetic fluxes 1605 are directed outward to form an accessory alignment device 1602 having a corresponding S pole, .

However, unlike the host alignment device 1500, the host alignment device 1600 may include two reinforcing magnets 1604 and 1606 on opposite sides of the center magnet 1602. [ The reinforcing magnets 1604 and 1606 can be arranged such that their poles are located along the horizontal axis. In addition, the orientation of the poles of the reinforcing magnets 1604 and 1606 can be arranged such that their magnetic fluxes agglomerate and strengthen the magnetic flux produced by the central magnet 1602. [ For example, when the center magnet is arranged so that its N pole is upward and its S pole is downward, the reinforcing magnet 1604 is arranged such that its N pole is on the right and its S pole is on the left, Is arranged such that its N pole is on the left side and its S pole is on the right side. The magnetic flux from the intensifying magnets 1604 and 1606 first propagates toward the center magnet 1602 and then coalesces with the magnetic flux generated by the center magnet 1602 and propagates upwardly toward the accessory alignment device Gt; 1605 < / RTI > In some embodiments, the reinforcing magnets 1604 and 1606 have polarities such that the magnetic flux from both magnets faces each other so as to face the center magnet 1602 or away from the center magnet 1602. Thus, the poles of the reinforcing magnets located next to the center magnet 1602 may be the same pole as the pole of the center magnet 1602, which is oriented upwardly in the direction of the accessory alignment device.

According to some embodiments, center magnet 1602 and reinforcing magnets 1604 and 1606 are positioned between two ferromagnetic structures 1607 and 1609. For example, a reinforcing magnet 1604 can be positioned between the ferromagnetic structure 1607 and the center magnet 1602 and a reinforcing magnet 1606 can be positioned between the ferromagnetic structure 1609 and the center magnet 1602 have. The ferromagnetic structures 1607 and 1609 may be substantially similar in shape and function to the ferromagnetic structures 1506 and 1508 of FIG. Thus, the ferromagnetic structures 1607 and 1609 are structures formed of a ferromagnetic material that are allowed to propagate magnetic fluxes and have widths 1160 and 1612 that are greater than the width 1614 of the center magnet 1602. Having wider ferromagnetic structures 1607 and 1609 means that the magnetic flux is propagated further away from the reinforcing magnets 1604 and 1606 so that the magnetic flux is not concentrated in areas immediately adjacent the reinforcing magnets 1604 and 1606 To smooth out the force profile when the accessory alignment device is moved to that area, as will be discussed further herein with respect to Figures 18-19.

16, the host alignment device 1600 also includes chamfered regions 1616 and 1618 located at the interfaces of both the center magnet 1502 and the intensifying magnets 1604 and 1606 can do. Similar to the chamfered regions 1516 and 1518, the chamfered regions 1616 and 1618 not only reduce the intensity of the magnetic flux in the chamfered regions 1616 and 1618, It is possible to minimize the magnetic flux leakage due to the high concentration of the magnetic flux that would have existed in the regions. Thus, as the accessory alignment device moves into alignment with the host alignment device 1500, the force profile exerted on the accessory alignment device may be smoothed as discussed further herein. In addition, magnetically sensitive devices can be brought close to the host alignment device 1600 without experiencing negative interaction, as discussed herein with respect to FIG.

15 and 16 illustrate that the center magnets 1502 and 1602 have an upwardly oriented N pole and a downwardly oriented S pole; It should be appreciated that the embodiments are not limited to these configurations. Some embodiments may have center magnets 1502 and 1602 arranged in opposite polarities. In these examples, the reinforcing magnets 1604 and 1606 may also be arranged in opposite polarities.

Although the host alignment device 1600 is not shown as having outer chamfered edges like the outer chamfered edges 1520 and 1522 of FIG. 15, the host alignment device 1600 may have a force It should be appreciated that some embodiments may include outer chamfered edges to further smooth out the profile.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the accessory alignment device may be configured to be pulled into the center magnet of the host alignment device at any point along a complete 360 angle rotation. 17A illustrates an exemplary accessory alignment device 1700 that may be pulled into a host alignment device at any point along a complete 360 angle rotation in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The accessory alignment device 1700 may include a pair of magnets 1702 and 1704 positioned between the central ferromagnetic structure 1706 and the two side ferromagnetic structures 1028 and 1710. For example, a magnet 1702 may be positioned between a center ferromagnetic structure 1706 and a side ferromagnetic structure 1708, and a magnet 1704 may be positioned between the center ferromagnetic structure 1706 and the side ferromagnetic structure 1710 . The magnets 1702 and 1704 may be any suitable permanent magnets, for example neodymium magnets, and the ferromagnetic structures 1706, 1708 and 1710 may be any suitable ferromagnetic material, such as ferritic stainless steel , Iron, nickel, cobalt or any other suitable material.

The poles of the magnets 1702 and 1704 may be horizontally arranged and oriented so that both of their magnetic fluxes propagate toward or away from the central ferromagnetic structure 1706. These magnetic fluxes can therefore be cohered and strengthened in the central ferromagnetic structure 1706 and then propagated outwardly in all radial directions 1714 from their central axis 1712 (or towards it according to the polarity) . For example, magnets 1702 and 1704 may orient their S poles toward the central ferromagnetic structure 1706 such that magnetic flux is propagated from all radial directions 1714 toward the central axis 1712. [ In some embodiments, the accessory alignment device 1700 has a substantially cylindrical shape such that the structure is axially symmetrical about the central axis 1712. Thus, the accessory alignment device 1700 can be attracted to any magnet having an arbitrary rotational degree of N pole about its central axis 1712, as best seen in FIG. 17B.

FIG. 17B illustrates an alignment system (not shown) including an accessory alignment device (e.g., accessory alignment device 1700) and a host alignment device (e.g., host alignment device 1600) in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure 1701). ≪ / RTI > As shown in FIG. 17B, the accessory alignment device 1700 is being pulled into the host alignment device 1600. When the accessory alignment device 1700 approaches the host alignment device 1600, the forces generated by complementary magnetic fluxes pull them to align. For ease of understanding, the stimuli discussed herein with respect to Figures 16 and 17a also apply to Figure 17b. During alignment, the host alignment device 1600 has a strong N polarity at its interface surface 1608 that pulls the S polarity of the center ferromagnetic structure 1706 of the accessory alignment device 1700. [ The substantially axially symmetrical structure of the accessory alignment device 1700 may be attracted to the host alignment device 1600 at any degree of rotation 1716 about its central axis 1712. [ In some embodiments, the channel 1711 may be positioned along the central axis 1712 and provide an empty space through which objects such as wires, cables, etc. may tunnel.

As referred to herein, the accessory alignment device 1700 further includes side ferromagnetic structures 1708 and 1710. The side ferromagnetic structures 1708 and 1710 may disperse the propagation of the magnetic flux so that there is no high concentration of magnetic flux at the interface between the magnets 1702 and 1704. The diffusion of the magnetic flux by the ferromagnetic structures 1708, 1710, 1607 and 1609 along with the chamfered edges 1616 and 1618 causes the user to feel a smooth attraction between the devices 1700 and 1600, Helps smooth out force profile of attraction force.

Figures 18 and 19 are graphs illustrating exemplary force profiles between accessories and host alignment devices. Specifically, FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating force profile 1802 between accessories and host alignment devices without chamfered edges (e.g., chamfered edges 1616 and 1618 in FIG. 17B) , FIG. 19 is a graph illustrating a force profile 1902 between accessories and host alignment devices with chamfered edges in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Both graphs have an x-axis that represents the distance between the center of the accessory alignment device and the center of the host alignment device, where 0 represents the alignment. Both graphs also have a y-axis representing the magnitude of the force, where the positive values represent the repulsive force and the negative values represent the attraction.

As shown in FIG. 18, without chamfered edges, force profile 1802 may include peaks 1804 and 1806 of high repulsive forces experienced by the user. These peaks may be located at interfaces between the center magnet (e.g., 1602 in Figures 16 and 17b) and the reinforcing magnets (e.g., 1604 and 1606 in Figures 16 and 17b). Thus, the user will feel a strong resistance as the accessory aligning device 1700 moves towards the aligned position before the two devices feel a strong attraction when aligned. In contrast, force profile 1902 as shown in FIG. 19 does not have peaks 1804 and 1806, but instead has flat regions 1904 and 1906 where peaks are present if the host alignment device does not have chamfered edges ). Since the chamfered edges reduce the concentration of magnetic flux in the region, there is no strong repulsion force pushing the accessory alignment device at such positions. As a result of having the chamfered areas, the force profile is substantially smoother, resulting in a better user feel.

Figure 20 illustrates an exemplary accessory device 2002 and / or host device 2000 configured to receive charge at any point along a full 360 [deg.] Angular rotation, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. And an exemplary accessory device 2003 having a housing including a flat portion in contact with the accessory device 2000. Host device 2000 may include host alignment devices 2004 through 2007 and transmission elements 2008 through 2009. [ Each of the host sorting devices 2004 to 2007 may be configured as the host sorting device 1600 discussed herein with respect to FIG. In addition, each of the transmission elements 2008 to 2009 can be configured as the transmission element 200 discussed herein with respect to Fig. 2A. The host sorting devices 2004 to 2007 and the sending elements 2008 to 2009 can be housed in the housing 2001 of the host device 2000. [

As shown further in Fig. 20, the accessory device 2002 may include accessory alignment devices 2010 to 2011 and a receiving element 2012. [ Each accessory alignment device 2010 to 2011 can be configured as an accessory alignment device 1700 discussed herein with respect to Fig. 17A. Also, the receiving element 2012 may be configured as the receiving element 1300 discussed herein with respect to FIG. 13A. The accessory aligning devices 2010 to 2011 and the receiving element 2020 can be housed in the housing 2013 of the accessory device 2002. [ According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the housing 2013 may be axially symmetrical (e.g., substantially cylindrical) with respect to the central axis 2014, and the receiving element 2012 is configured to receive the transmitting element 2009, To interact with the time-varying magnetic flux generated by the host device 2000. The time- The accessory device 2002 can achieve alignment with the host device 2000 to receive power by allowing accessory alignment devices 2010 and 2011 to interact with respective host alignment devices 2005 and 2007. [ The ease with which the accessory device 2002 receives power is substantially improved by being able to align with and receive power from the host device 2000 at any degree of angular rotation about the central axis 2014.

The host device 2000 may additionally or alternatively be configured to wirelessly charge the accessory device 2003. The accessory device 2003 may be an accessory device that includes a receiving element 2020 that can receive charge when positioned across the transmitting element as discussed herein with respect to Figures 5 and 8A-8B . Thus, the receiving element 2020 may be comprised of the receiving element 400 of FIG. 4 and the receiving element 612 of FIGS. 6, 7A-7B, 8A-8B and 9. In these embodiments, the accessory device 2003 may include a host device 2000 and a host device 2000 to enable wireless power transmission, as discussed herein with respect to Figures 6, 7A-B, and 8A- And may include a housing having a flat portion in contact therewith. In addition to the receiving element 2020, the accessory device 2003 may also include accessory alignment devices 2022 and 2024. Alignment devices 2022 and 2024 need to be configured in a cylindrical configuration such as alignment devices 2010 and 2011 because accessory device 2003 may not receive charge at any point along a complete 360 ° angular rotation . Instead, the accessory alignment devices 2022 and 2024 may be substantially rectangular and may be configured to extend over the entire housing, as needed for alignment devices 2010 and 2011, Lt; / RTI > However, the accessory alignment devices 2022 and 2024 can still be configured to have the same magnetic structure as the alignment devices 2010 and 2011, which means that the accessory alignment devices 2022 and 2024 can be coupled to the respective host alignment devices 2004 and 2006), as discussed herein with respect to Figs. 17A-17B, to align with and align magnetically with the central ferromagnetic structure and the two side ferromagnetic structures .

The host device 2000 may be any suitable portable electronic device having at least one of a computing system, a communication system, a sensor system, a memory bank, a user interface system, a battery and a power transmission circuit, for example, May be the host device 101 discussed. In some embodiments, the host device 2000 is a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, or any other suitable device. In addition, the accessory device 2002 can be any suitable electronic device having an operating system, a power receiving circuit, and a battery, such as the accessory device 103 of Fig. The accessory device 2002 may be operable to input data to the host device 2000. In one example, the accessory device 2002 may be a stylus or smart pencil that a user may use to enter data into the host device 101 in contact with the host device 101. [ Thus, in some embodiments, the accessory device 2002 may include an interfacing end 2016 configured to contact the housing 2001 of the host device 2000. For example, the interfacing end 2016 may have a structure that tapers down to the tip to mimic the tip of a conventional writing instrument, such as a pencil or pen.

20 illustrates that the host device 2000 has four host sorting devices 2004 to 2007 and two transmitting elements 2008-2009, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Other embodiments may have more or less host alignment devices and transmission elements. Embodiments are also not limited to configurations in which the host sorting devices 2004 to 2007 and the transmitting elements 2008 to 2009 are located on either side of the host device 2000. [ The host sorting devices 2004 to 2007 and the transmitting elements 2008 to 2009 can be any suitable location that enables power transmission with the accessory device 2002, such as the top and / or bottom edges of the host device 2000 As shown in FIG.

In addition to the embodiments discussed above, the following embodiments are also contemplated herein. In certain embodiments, the receiving element may comprise a ferromagnetic structure that is axially symmetric about a central axis disposed along the length of the ferromagnetic structure. The ferromagnetic structure may include a groove region defining two end regions on opposite sides of the groove region, the groove region having a length less than the two end regions. The receiving element may also include an inductor coil wound around the groove region of the ferromagnetic structure and between the two end regions.

The receiving element may further include a channel disposed along the central axis in some cases. The ferromagnetic structure may be cylindrical. The end regions may be configured to direct the propagation of the magnetic flux toward the transmitting element. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic structure further includes sidewalls extending to a distance equal to or greater than the thickness of the inductor coil. The sidewalls may be located between the groove region and the two end regions.

In further embodiments, the inductive interconnect system comprises a transmitting element and a receiving element. The transmitting element may comprise a transmitting ferromagnetic structure having a transmitting groove region defining two transmitting end regions disposed on opposite sides of the transmitting groove region and the transmitting groove region having a length smaller than the two transmitting end regions . The transmitting element may also include a transmitting inductor coil wound around the transmitting groove region of the transmitting ferromagnetic structure and between the two transmitting end regions. The transmitting inductor coil may be configured to generate a time varying magnetic flux through the transmitting ferromagnetic structure. The receiving element may include a receiving ferromagnetic structure that is axially symmetric about a central axis disposed along the length of the receiving ferromagnetic structure. The receiving ferromagnetic structure may include a receiving groove region defining two receiving end regions on opposite sides of the receiving groove region, the receiving groove region having a length less than the two receiving end regions. The receiving element may also include a receiving inductor coil wound around a receiving groove region of the receiving ferromagnetic structure and between two receiving end regions. The receiving inductor coil may be configured to receive the current induced by the time varying magnetic flux.

Each of the transmission end regions may comprise respective transmission interfacing surfaces towards the receiving element, and each receiving end region includes respective receiving interfacing surfaces toward the transmitting element. The transmit interfacing surfaces may face at least a portion of the receive interfacing surfaces. The receive interfacing surfaces may be axially symmetric about the central axis. The receiving ferromagnetic structure may further include a channel disposed along the central axis. The receiving ferromagnetic structure may be cylindrical.

In some further embodiments, a stylus for inputting data to a host device includes a cylindrical housing, a power receiving circuit disposed within the cylindrical housing, a receiving element disposed within the cylindrical housing and coupled to the power receiving circuit, An operating system coupled to the element and configured to operate the power receiving circuit and the receiving element to receive power from the host device. The receiving element being axially symmetric about a central axis disposed along the length of the ferromagnetic structure, the ferromagnetic structure including a groove region defining two end regions on opposite sides of the groove region, Having a length less than the end regions of the ferromagnetic structure, and an inductor coil wound around the groove region and between the two end regions of the ferromagnetic structure.

The ferromagnetic structure may further include a channel disposed along the central axis. The ferromagnetic structure may be cylindrical. The end regions may be configured to direct the propagation of the magnetic flux toward the transmitting element. The ferromagnetic structure may further include sidewalls extending to a distance equal to or greater than the thickness of the inductor coil. The sidewalls may be located between the groove region and the two end regions. The stylus may further include an interfacing end configured to contact the host device and input data to the host device. The interfacing end may have a structure that tapers down to the tip.

In some embodiments, the alignment device includes a central magnet having poles arranged in a vertical orientation, first and second stiffening magnets disposed on opposite ends of the center magnet, first and second stiffening magnets having poles arranged in a horizontal orientation, The first reinforcing magnets are disposed between the first ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet, including first and second ferromagnetic magnets, and first and second ferromagnetic structures disposed on outer ends of the corresponding first and second reinforcing magnets, And the second reinforcing magnet is disposed between the second ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet.

The first and second reinforcing magnets may have opposite polarities. Each of the first and second ferromagnetic structures may have a first width and the center magnet may have a second width less than the first width. The alignment device may further comprise chamfered regions disposed at interfaces between the center magnet and the first and second intensified magnets. The chamfered regions may be formed of inclined surfaces of V-shapes where the lowest ends of the oblique surfaces are located at the interfaces between the center magnet and the first and second reinforced magnets. The alignment device may further include outer chamfered edges located at the outer ends of the alignment device furthest from the center magnet and the outer chamfered edges are formed with sloped surfaces that are inclined downwardly away from the center magnet. In some examples, the center magnet may include an interfacing surface having a first polarity, a first reinforcing magnet having a second polarity oriented toward the right, and a second reinforcing magnet having a third polarity oriented toward the left, Where the first, second and third polarities are of the same polarity.

In some additional embodiments, the alignment device comprises a central ferromagnetic structure; First and second magnets disposed on opposite ends of the central ferromagnetic structure and having polar ends arranged in a horizontal orientation; And first and second side ferromagnetic structures disposed on ends of the first and second magnets, wherein the first magnet is disposed between the first side ferromagnetic structure and the central ferromagnetic structure, and the second magnet is located between the second And is disposed between the side ferromagnetic structure and the center ferromagnetic structure.

The first and second magnets may have opposite polarities. The alignment device may be axially symmetric about a central axis disposed along the length of the alignment device. The alignment device may further comprise a channel disposed along the central axis. The alignment device may be substantially cylindrical.

In some additional embodiments, the portable electronic device includes a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, a display disposed within the housing and configured to perform user interface functions, a display disposed within the housing and coupled to the display, And a power transmitting circuit coupled to the processor and the battery, wherein the power transmitting circuit is configured to route power from the battery to the transmitting element. The transmitting element comprises a central magnet with poles arranged in a vertical orientation, first and second stiffening magnets disposed on opposite ends of the central magnet, first and second stiffening magnets with poles arranged in a horizontal orientation, And first and second ferromagnetic structures disposed on the outer ends of the corresponding first and second intensifying magnets such that the first intensifying magnet is disposed between the first ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet, A reinforcing magnet is disposed between the second ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet.

The first and second reinforcing magnets may have opposite polarities. Each of the first and second ferromagnetic structures may have a first width and the center magnet may have a second width less than the first width. The transmitting element may further comprise chamfered regions disposed at interfaces between the center magnet and the first and second intensified magnets. The chamfered regions may be formed of inclined surfaces of V-shapes where the lowest ends of the oblique surfaces are located at the interfaces between the center magnet and the first and second reinforced magnets. The transmitting element may further comprise outer chamfered edges located at the outer ends of the alignment device furthest from the center magnet and the outer chamfered edges are formed with inclined surfaces that are inclined downwardly away from the center magnet. In some cases, the center magnet may include an interfacing surface having a first polarity, the first intensified magnet may have a second polarity oriented toward the right, and the second intensified magnet may have a left- Polarity, where the first, second, and third polarities are of the same polarity. The portable electronic device may be a tablet.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

As an alignment device,
A center magnet having poles arranged in a vertical orientation;
First and second reinforced magnets disposed on opposite ends of the center magnet, the first and second reinforced magnets having pole points arranged in a horizontal orientation; And
Wherein the first and second ferromagnetic structures are arranged such that the first reinforcing magnet is disposed between the first ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet and the second reinforcing magnet is located between the second ferromagnetic structure and the second ferromagnetic structures, And are disposed on the outer ends of the corresponding first and second reinforcing magnets so as to be disposed between the ferromagnetic structure and the center magnet. The alignment device of claim 1, wherein the first and second reinforcing magnets are opposite in polarity. 2. The alignment device of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second ferromagnetic structures has a first width and the center magnet has a second width less than the first width. The alignment device of claim 1, further comprising chamfered regions disposed at interfaces between the center magnet and the first and second intensified magnets. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the chamfered regions are formed by the lower ends of the oblique surfaces with the oblique surfaces of the V-shapes located at the interfaces between the center magnet and the first and second reinforced magnets Lt; / RTI > 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising outer chamfered edges located at outer ends of the alignment device furthest from the center magnet, wherein the outer chamfered edges are inclined surfaces that are inclined downwardly away from the center magnet ≪ / RTI > 4. The magnetron of claim 1, wherein the center magnet comprises an interfacing surface having a first polarity, the first intensified magnet has a second polarity oriented toward the right, and the second intensified magnet comprises a left- Wherein the first, second, and third polarities have the same polarity. As an alignment device,
A central ferromagnetic structure;
First and second magnets disposed on opposite ends of the central ferromagnetic structure and having polar ends arranged in a horizontal orientation; And
Wherein the first and second side ferromagnetic structures are arranged such that the first magnet is disposed between the first side ferromagnetic structure and the center ferromagnetic structure, The second side being disposed on ends of the first and second magnets to be disposed between the ferromagnetic structure and the center ferromagnetic structure. 9. The alignment device of claim 8, wherein the first and second magnets are opposite in polarity. 9. The alignment device of claim 8, wherein the alignment device is axially symmetric about a central axis disposed along the length of the alignment device. 9. The alignment device of claim 8, further comprising a channel disposed along the central axis. 9. The alignment device of claim 8, wherein the alignment device is substantially cylindrical. As a portable electronic device,
housing;
A battery disposed within the housing;
A display disposed within the housing and configured to perform user interface functions;
A processor disposed within the housing and coupled to the display and configured to instruct the display to perform the user interface functions;
A transmitting element disposed within the housing,
A center magnet having poles arranged in a vertical orientation;
First and second reinforced magnets disposed on opposite ends of the center magnet, the first and second reinforced magnets having pole points arranged in a horizontal orientation; And
First and second ferromagnetic structures, wherein said first and second ferromagnetic structures are arranged such that said first intensified magnet is disposed between said first ferromagnetic structure and said center magnet, and said second intensified magnet is located between said second ferromagnetic structure And disposed on the outer ends of corresponding first and second reinforcing magnets so as to be disposed between said center magnet and said center magnet; And
And a power transmission circuit coupled to the processor and the battery, wherein the power transmission circuit is configured to route power from the battery to the transmission element. 14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first and second reinforcing magnets are opposite in polarity. 14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second ferromagnetic structures has a first width and the center magnet has a second width less than the first width. 14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, further comprising chamfered regions disposed at interfaces between the center magnet and the first and second intensified magnets. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the chamfered regions are formed by inclined surfaces of V-shapes in which the lowest ends of the angled surfaces are located at interfaces between the center magnet and the first and second intensified magnets , A portable electronic device. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising outer chamfered edges located at outer ends of the alignment device furthest from the center magnet, wherein the outer chamfered edges are inclined surfaces that are inclined downwardly away from the center magnet Wherein the electronic device is formed of a conductive material. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the center magnet comprises an interfacing surface having a first polarity, the first intensified magnet has a second polarity oriented toward the right, and the second intensified magnet has a left- Wherein the first, second, and third polarities have the same polarity. 20. The portable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the portable electronic device is a tablet.

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