Retention of rechargeable devices

Abstract

There is disclosed a system and method for retaining portable rechargeable devices to recharging stations wherein one or other or both of the recharging station and the portable device are provided with connecting means adapted for temporary releasable connection of the two. This is particularly advantageous when used with recharging stations which permit the device to be recharged in multiple places on the recharging station, providing a positive means of retaining the device. This is particularly advantageous if the recharging station is to be used in a mobile environment such as a car, or on a wall or ceiling.

1 . A wireless power system comprising:
 a primary unit including a power transfer surface and a wireless power supply;   a portable electrical device adapted to receive power wirelessly from said primary unit, said portable electrical device being separable from said primary unit and having a wireless power receiver adapted to receive power from said wireless power supply when said portable electrical device is placed on or in proximity to said power transfer surface; and   an attaching element comprising suckers, or a self-adhesive or rubbery surface, disposed on said power transfer surface that temporarily releasably attaches said portable electrical device to said primary unit.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless power system of  claim 1  said attaching element providing a non-gravitational force, acting to resist movement of said portable electrical device away from said power transfer surface in a direction substantially orthogonal to said power transfer surface. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless power system of  claim 1  whereby said wireless power system is adapted for use in a vehicle in order to retain the portable electrical device during charging in a mobile environment. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless power system of  claim 1  wherein said attaching element has one or more aesthetic or visual qualities to indicate to a user that said primary unit is capable of transmitting power wirelessly. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless power system of  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of classes of portable electrical devices, and said attaching element has one or more aesthetic or visual qualities to inform a user that said primary unit is capable of charging a particular class of device. 
     
     
         6 . The wireless power system of  claim 1  wherein said attaching element is adapted to enable the primary unit and portable electrical device to be attached in one or more positions relative to each other and one or more orientations relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . A charging station adapted to transfer power to a portable electrical device, the charging station comprising:
 a power transfer surface having an area for the portable electrical device to receive power wirelessly;   a wireless power transmitter adapted to transmit power when said portable electrical device is placed on or in proximity to the power transfer surface;   an attaching element, separate from said power transfer surface, said attaching element comprising suckers, or a self-adhesive or rubbery surface, disposed on said power transfer surface for temporarily releasably attaching the portable electrical device to said charging station such that the portable electrical device is held on or in proximity to said power transfer surface.   
     
     
         8 . The charging station of  claim 7  wherein said charging station is adapted for use in a vehicle in order to retain the portable electrical device during charging in a mobile environment. 
     
     
         9 . The charging station of  claim 7  wherein said attaching element provides a non-gravitational force acting to resist movement of the portable electrical device away from said attaching element in a direction substantially orthogonal to said power transfer surface. 
     
     
         10 . The charging station of  claim 7  wherein said attaching element has one or more aesthetic or visual qualities to indicate to a user that said charging station is capable of transmitting power wirelessly. 
     
     
         11 . The charging station of  claim 7  wherein there are a plurality of classes of portable electrical devices, and said attaching element has one or more aesthetic or visual qualities to inform a user that said charging station is capable of charging a particular class of portable electrical device. 
     
     
         12 . The charging station of  claim 7  wherein said attaching element is adapted to enable said charging station and the portable electrical device to be attached in one or more positions relative to each other and one or more orientations relative to each other. 
     
     
         13 . A method of retaining a portable electrical device on or in proximity to a power transfer surface of a primary unit that is adapted to transfer power wirelessly to a portable electrical device, the method comprising:
 providing an attachment element having a first, rubbery or self-adhesive, surface for holding the portable electrical device in place and a second surface, opposite said first surface, for disposing the attaching element on the power transfer surface of the primary unit;   disposing the second surface of the attachment element on the power transfer surface of the primary unit;   temporarily and releasably connecting the portable electrical device to the first, rubbery or self-adhesive, surface of the attachment element such that the portable electrical device is held on or in proximity to the power transfer surface; and   whereby separation of said temporary releasable connection requires a predetermined degree of force.   
     
     
         14 . The method of retaining a portable electrical device of  claim 13  wherein said attachment element is adapted for use in a vehicle in order to retain the portable electrical device during charging in a mobile environment. 
     
     
         15 . The method of retaining a portable electrical device of  claim 13  wherein the attaching element provides a non-gravitational force acting to resist movement of the portable electrical device away from the attaching element in a direction substantially orthogonal to the power transfer surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of retaining a portable electrical device of  claim 13  wherein the attaching element has one or more aesthetic or visual qualities to indicate to a user that the primary unit is capable of transmitting power wirelessly. 
     
     
         17 . The method of retaining a portable electrical device of  claim 13  wherein there are a plurality of classes of portable electrical devices, and said attaching element has one or more aesthetic or visual qualities to inform a user that the primary unit is capable of charging a particular class of device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of retaining a portable electrical device of  claim 13  wherein said attaching element is adapted to enable the primary unit and the portable electrical device to be attached in one or more positions relative to each other and one or more orientations relative to each other. 
     
     
         19 . An attaching element for use with a power transfer surface of a primary unit adapted to transfer power to a portable electrical device, said attaching element comprising:
 a first, rubbery or self-adhesive, surface forming an area for holding the portable electrical device in place;   a second surface, opposite said first surface, for disposing said attaching element on the power transfer surface of the primary unit; and   whereby the portable electrical device is temporarily and releasably attachable to the attaching element in a position proximate to the power transfer surface such that the portable electrical device receives power inductively from the primary unit.   
     
     
         20 . The attaching element of  claim 19  wherein said attaching element is adapted for use in a vehicle in order to retain the portable electrical device during charging in a mobile environment. 
     
     
         21 . The attaching element of  claim 19  wherein said attaching element provides a non-gravitational force acting to resist movement of the portable electrical device away from the first surface in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first surface. 
     
     
         22 . The attaching element of  claim 19  wherein said attaching element has one or more aesthetic or visual qualities to indicate to a user that the primary unit is capable of transmitting power inductively. 
     
     
         23 . The attaching element of  claim 19  wherein there are a plurality of classes of portable electrical devices, and said attaching element has one or more aesthetic or visual qualities to inform a user that the primary unit is capable of charging a particular class of device. 
     
     
         24 . The attaching element of  claim 19  wherein said attaching element is adapted to enable the primary unit and the portable electrical device to be attached in one or more positions or relative to each other and one or more orientations relative to each other.