Unit for charging a battery of a portable electric device

UNITE FOR LOADING A DEVICE BATTERY

PORTABLE ELECTRIC

p0003The present invention relates to a unit adapted to charge the battery of portable electrical devices, such as mobile phones, MP3 players or other electrical device using a battery.

p0004Such devices include a battery charging level directly determines the autonomy of the same device. If the use of the device is prolonged, it becomes necessary to charge the battery. Conventionally, there is used a battery charger comprising a connecting member directly adaptable to one of the outputs of the electrical device. The user must also be near an electrical outlet so that you can directly plug the charger into this jack.

p0005However, any electrical device brand generally allows the use of only one type of battery charger. This compatibility is sometimes limited to one model of electric device of the same brand. Recharging electric current from a battery of the device is then binding for the user.

p0006GB-A-2,440,007 includes various wired connection elements to charge different electrical devices. However, there are electric devices including wired connectors are inconsistent with GB-A-unit

p00072440 007. Furthermore, a wired loading can be relatively long to accomplish.

p0008The object of the present invention is to provide a unit for charging an electrical battery device allowing the user to instruct the electrical device in an easy manner, preferably rapidly, especially in public places.

p0009To this end, the invention relates to a unit for charging a battery of portable electric device, comprising: - a unit for supplying electrical energy,

p0010- At least one loading zone, equipped with at least two coupling interfaces that are each adapted to allow a connection or coupling between a portable electric device and the supply unit, - A selection means adapted to allow selection by a user of at least one of the coupling interfaces, and

p0011- A control unit adapted for controlling the unit for supplying electrical energy according to the user selection. A coupling interface comprises a first module disposed in at least one loading zone and adapted to transmit to a second module disposed in at least one portable electrical device, the electrical energy by electromagnetic coupling.

p0012Thanks to the unit for charging according to the invention, the user can load the electrical device in an easy, convenient and secure.

p0013According to other advantageous but optional features of the unit for charging a battery electric device according to the invention, pri its isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

p0014- At least a loading zone is arranged in an associated bin to a door;

p0015- The control unit is adapted to control means for locking and / or unlocking of the door or at least one of the doors;

p0016- The door or at least one of the doors is partially transparent;

p0017- At least one loading zone comprises at least two coupling interfaces each comprising a connecting element to a mobile phone;

p0018- At least a coupling interface includes a USB socket type connecting member;

p0019- At least one of the coupling interface comprises a connecting element adapted to connect to one type of media device

p0020IPHONE or IPOD;

p0021- The selection means comprises a control screen;

p0022- The unit further includes means of payment, the control unit being adapted to enable the provision of an amount of energy equal to the amount paid by the user or to pay the user the amount of money corresponding to the amount of electrical energy supplied to charge the battery of its electrical device. The invention will be better understood from reading the description which follows, given by way of example and with reference to the drawings:

p0023- Figure 1 represents a schematic perspective view of a unit for charging a portable electric battery device according to the present invention;

p0024- Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the unit for loading an electrical device of battery in use;

p0025- Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an isolated rack unit, the locker door being open; and

p0026- Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the bin in use.

p0027Figures 1 and 2 show a unit 1 for loading an electrical device battery. The unit 1 comprises a housing 2 substantially shaped like a parallelepiped. Figures 1 and 2 are shown a front face 21, a side wall 22 adjacent the front face and an upper face 23.

p0028On the front face 21 is disposed a selection means 4 placed above a printer receipts tickets 10, a keypad 8 and a reader 6 of magnetic payment card and / or chip. The keypad 8 is disposed between the reader 6 and the printer 10. The selecting means 4 is a touch control screen. Alternatively, the selection means may include buttons, knobs or control barrels.

p0029On the central part of the front face 21 are arranged racks 12, twelve in number, distributed substantially evenly over four rows and three columns.

p0030The casing 2 also comprises an outlet 24 for supply power to the unit 1. The socket is adapted to operate with a voltage that can be, for example, 220 volts. The outlet 24 is connected to a supply unit of electrical energy 17. The unit 17 is controlled by a control unit 19 in connection with the instructions given by the user through the screen 4.

p0031Furthermore, the housing 2 can be mounted on moving means not shown, so as to facilitate its positioning in strategic places public. By way of non-limiting example, the displacement means may be four rollers respectively arranged at the four corners of the bottom of the housing 2.

p0032A tablet 14 is disposed integrally and perpendicular to the side face 22. As an example, the shelf 14 can be fixed by means of screws or by gluing. Advantageously, the tablet 14 is placed at a height that allows a medium user to put his elbows on the tablet when it is called standing in front of the unit 1. The part of the side wall 22 located above the shelf 14 is arranged a base 16 with three openings 16i, I 62 and 163. the three openings let in three son I8 respectively connection₁, 18₂ and 18₃ qualified external to the ends of which are fixed three connecting elements 20i, 2O₂ and 2O₃ also called external.

p0033It will be noted that the connection length of the son allows connecting elements rest on the shelf 14. Provision may also be the absence of the tablet 14. In this case, the connecting elements hang in a vacuum. It may also be envisaged that a tablet on the rear face and / or on the second side wall disposed opposite the wall 22 relative to the front face 21. In figure 2 is represented the unit 1 being 'use. The connecting element 2O₃ is attached to an electrical device 25, the device being supported on the shelf 14. Thus, it is defined a so-called external loading area or open, equipped with three interfaces couplings comprising three son connection and three connecting elements . Figure 3 shows an enlargement of one of the bins 12 of the unit 1.

p0034The locker 12 includes a gate 29 which is in open position in Figure 3 while it is in the closed position in Figs 1 and 2 for each of the twelve bins. The locker further comprises a floor 26 and a bottom 28 disposed both perpendicularly to the floor 26 and parallel to the door 29 when the door is in said closed position. The floor 26 further includes a flange 27 adjacent the door 24 when the door is closed. The floor 26 may be formed of a silicone coated tray. The tray can be removable or integral with the rack 12. Alternatively, a means for receiving a electronic device can be a support fixed on an inner face of the door

p003529. The support may have the flexible structure of a pouch. One can also consider a rigid frame. By way of nonlimiting example, each of the racks may have a height of about 20 cm, a depth of about 15 cm and a width of about 15 cm.

p0036Advantageously, the gate 29 is partly transparent. On funds 28 is fixed a base 30 with nine holes 32, uniformly distributed on the base. These holes 32 are formed substantially adjacent to the other nine holes in the bottom 28. It should be noted that one can dispense with the presence of a base 30. Each of the holes allows the passage of a wire connecting 34 qualified interior. Each of these connecting son comprises at one of its ends a connecting element 36 inside. The second end of each son 34 is, for example, secured to a not shown electrical terminal, to ensure the power supply of son 34 and connecting elements 36. In fact, the terminal power is connected to the unit 17 for supplying electrical energy. The housing 2 may include a plurality of terminals, these terminals, which may be provided with several electrical terminals. Son of the connecting length 34 is such that the connecting elements 36 are supported on the floor 26.

p0037Thus, in each of the compartments is provided a qualified loading area of ​​internal or secure, equipped with nine coupling interfaces, each defined by the connecting wire 34 and the connecting member 36.

p0038Each of the connection elements 36 is adapted to be attached to a particular electrical device. It should be noted that the number of connecting elements 36 is not necessarily limited to nine. Indeed, one can provide a number of connecting elements adapted to enable to cover, for example, 80% of the mobile market and 80% of the MP3 type of digital readers market. The operator of the unit 1 can continually adapt to the trend of the market of electronic devices by simply replacing the connecting element obsolete by a new connection element. Similarly, the number of external connection elements

p003920i, 2O₂, 2O₃ is not necessarily limited to three.

p0040Advantageously, the connection 18i son, 18₂, 18₃ and 34 are each connected by a jack to a terminal block comprising jack corresponding records. Thus, the son arranged in the locker 12 or on the outer side face 22 are easily exchangeable or interchangeable.

p0041Advantageously, the connecting element 36 of at least two coupling interfaces may simply be a pin. Thus, the two pins can be attached directly to the battery. This system is particularly suitable for charging battery used by older models of mobile phones.

p0042Each of the bins 12 may conten ir an unillustrated locking means in FIGS. The locking means may be, by way of nonlimiting example, a tongue disposed on one edge of the door 29. The movable tab may be adjacent to an opening formed in the housing 2 adjacent the frame of the rack. When the tongue is received by the aperture, the bin 12 is in a so-called locked configuration. The movement of the tongue can be controlled by the control unit 19. As an alternative, we can predict the magnetic locking means whose management is also ensured by the control unit 19. Thus, the records of closure taking place without key avoids any risk of loss of such a key user of unit 1.

p0043Moreover, alternatively to the said swing door 29, it may be planned to use a sliding door for each of said lockers 12. The component constituting the door is then adapted to slide along the frame of the rack 12.

p00444 shows the bin 12 prior to the impending use of the unit 1. An electronic device 38 is secured to a connecting member 36. Note that the presence of the rim 27 avoids a fall of the device 38. the coupling interfaces may include connecting elements adapted to attach to mobile phones. Furthermore, this type of interface may also include a type of connecting element USB or adapted to connect to one type of media device

p0045IPHONE or IPOD.

p0046When a user sees its electrical device has insufficient autonomy, it is placed before the unit 1 and selects the selection means 4 function to allow it to charge the battery for the disposition. He then inserts his payment card into the reader 6 and pat his confidential code to four digits. At this time, the imprint of the card is taken. These various operations are managed by the control unit 19 through the selection means 4. The user then selects either a 12 lockers available either open loading area arranged on the shelf 14. If he chooses one of the lockers 12 , the door 29 is unlocked by the control unit 19 and the user can proceed with its aperture manually. The user can then connect his electrical device to the connection element 36 directly adaptable to his device. Once this is done, the record of the closing occurs and the load electric current device can begin. Distribution of electric energy by the supply unit 17 is then authorized by the control unit 19.

p0047In order to improve safety, it may be asked the user to enter a four-digit code in addition to the credit card. Thus, a malicious third party, the procuring of the user payment card may be able to recover the electrical device being loaded into the unit 1.

p0048If the user selects the external loading area arranged on the lateral face 22, the distribution of electric energy is handled in the same way as previously. Charging the battery can thus be performed while the user uses his phone.

p0049The control unit 19, by operating the selection means 4, control the arrival of electricity and manages its distribution so as to charge the battery of the electric device.

p0050When the user wants to get his electrical device, it starts by selecting the selection means 4 proper function. The user inserts his payment card and PIN indicates four figures. It is now identified. The control unit 19 stops the distribution of electrical current through the supply unit 17. Thereafter, the swinging door of the locker 29 12 unlocks used and the user can open the door. It can recover its device by disconnecting it from its connection element. The workflow is substantially similar if the user has selected the external loading area.

p0051Note that the steps of the method of use of the unit 1 and their sequence were strictly for illustrative and not restrictive.

p0052It can be expected that the user selects a predefined amount of money which is then debited from his account and is converted into the amount of electrical energy delivered during the charging step, including the fixed cost of service by control unit 19. This thus enables the user to control its budget.

p0053the selecting means 4 it is noted that is common to all loading zones, namely secure loading areas arranged in the racks 12 and the open loading zone arranged along the side wall 22.

p0054In addition, the unit 1 comprises at least one non-wired coupling interface. In other words, the wireless coupling interface comprises a first module disposed in a loading areas. The electronic device is equipped with a second module. The control unit 19 may then allow the charging of the battery of the electronic device by electromagnetic coupling between the two modules. It is thus possible to implement by any suitable means a power transfer system that does not require direct electrical contact between the battery of the portable device and the loading area. This technology can also help to achieve a total battery charging in fifteen minutes. This is put into perspective compared to a standard wired charging for about two hours. Advantageously, it may be provided to simultaneously load several electrical devices in the same rack 12. Moreover, we can provide means of payment using a credit card. To this end, the housing 2 may include a device for inserting coins or banknotes.

p0055For guidance, the unit 1 may have a height of 1, 50 and 2 meters, a width between 50 cm and 1 m and a depth of between 50 cm and 1 meter.

p0056Furthermore, the housing 2 includes conventional electrical components necessary for operation of the unit 1, namely in particular an electrical box power, a power transformer, safety breakers, power supplies drive 6, the keyboard 8 , the printer 10 and the selection means 4.