Apple Continues Work on Inductive Charging Stations, Reveals Patent

In the past, Apple has downplayed the possibility of an inductive charging station for iPhones and iPads in the works, although many inductive charging patents have been spotted in the last 3-4 years. Today, a new Apple patent has been published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), that focuses on tools designed specifically for the creation of an inductive charging station device, Patently Apple is reporting.

Apple notes that the inductive charging station may include a support surface that receives an electronic device (not shown) to be charged via induction charging free of a wired connection between the inductive charging station and the electronic device to be charged. In some embodiments, the support surface (#1202 in figure above) is formed from a polymeric material, such as plastic.

The filing adds that the support surface may however be formed from any electromagnetically or radio frequency (RF) transparent material that allows for an inductive coupling between the inductive charging station and an electronic device.

The support surface may combine with the enclosure feature #1100 to enclose an inductive coil (not shown) wrapped around a metal core (not shown). In this manner, when the inductive charging station #1200 is inductively coupled with an electronic device, the support surface allows an electrical current to flow from the inductive coil and the metal core in the inductive charging station through the support surface, and to an inductive coil (not shown) in the electronic device designed to provide the electrical current to a battery in an electronic device.

Apple’s patent application was filed in Q3 2015.