{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853507","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853507","title":"Self-locating inductive coil","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2014-05-05T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H02J","H02J","H02J"],"num_claims":15,"abstract":"Methods and systems for automatically aligning a power-transmitting inductor with a power-receiving inductor. One embodiment includes multiple permanent magnets coupled to and arranged on a surface of a movable assembly accommodating a power-transmitting inductor. The permanent magnets encourage the movable assembly to freely move and/or rotate via magnetic attraction to correspondingly arranged magnets within an accessory containing a power-receiving inductor."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Self-locating Inductive Coil patent (US-9853507) introduces a revolutionary solution to a common challenge in wireless power transfer: the need for precise alignment between transmitting and receiving coils. This innovation, filed on May 5, 2014, and published on December 26, 2017, focuses on methods and systems for automatically aligning these inductors, thereby enhancing efficiency and user experience.\n\nThe core problem this patent solves is the inefficiency and frustration caused by misalignment in inductive charging. Traditional wireless charging often requires users to carefully position their devices on a 'sweet spot' for optimal power transfer. Any deviation can lead to slower charging, energy loss, or a complete failure to charge, hindering the widespread adoption and seamless integration of wireless power.\n\nTechnically, the Self-locating Inductive Coil achieves its automatic alignment through a clever application of magnetic forces. One key embodiment involves multiple permanent magnets strategically coupled to and arranged on the surface of a movable assembly. This assembly accommodates the power-transmitting inductor. These magnets interact via magnetic attraction with correspondingly arranged magnets within an accessory containing a power-receiving inductor. This interaction encourages the movable assembly to freely move and/or rotate, guiding the transmitting coil into perfect alignment with the receiving coil.\n\nThe business value and applications of this technology are substantial. It promises to dramatically improve the user experience for wireless charging by making it truly 'set-and-forget.' This innovation can lead to more reliable and efficient charging for consumer electronics, simplify in-car charging systems, and open new possibilities for charging medical devices or industrial equipment where precise manual placement is impractical or undesirable. By eliminating the alignment barrier, this technology enhances the appeal and functionality of wireless power across various sectors.\n\nThe market opportunity for the Self-locating Inductive Coil is vast, spanning any industry that utilizes or could benefit from inductive power transfer. By making wireless charging more efficient and user-friendly, this patent can accelerate market adoption, enable new product designs, and drive significant competitive advantage for companies that integrate this self-aligning capability into their offerings. It represents a critical step towards a future where wireless power is truly ubiquitous and seamless.","layman_explanation":"### What Problem Does This Solve?\n\nImagine you're trying to fill a bucket with water from a hose, but you have to hold the hose perfectly still and aim it just right. If your aim is even slightly off, water splashes everywhere, and it takes longer to fill the bucket. This is a lot like how traditional wireless charging works. To charge your phone or device, you have to place it *exactly* on a specific spot on the charging pad. If it's a little off, it charges very slowly, heats up, or doesn't charge at all.\n\nThis 'perfect placement' requirement is a major headache for users. It makes wireless charging less convenient than it should be and limits how widely it can be used. For businesses, this means customer frustration, higher support costs, and a barrier to selling more wireless-enabled products. Existing solutions often rely on trial-and-error, visual guides, or just living with inefficiency.\n\n### How Does It Work?\n\nThe **Self-locating Inductive Coil** patent (US-9853507) solves this problem with a clever, elegant solution that doesn't require you to be a sharpshooter with your device placement. Think of it like this: instead of you aiming the hose, the hose itself has a smart, magnetic nozzle that automatically finds and locks onto the bucket's opening.\n\nSpecifically, this invention describes a system where the part of the charger that *sends* power (the transmitting coil) isn't fixed in place. Instead, it's mounted on a small, movable platform. This platform, along with the device you're charging, each have a special arrangement of small, powerful magnets. When you place your device anywhere *near* the charging pad, these magnets 'feel' each other. They then magnetically attract, gently pulling and guiding the movable transmitting coil into the perfect alignment with the receiving coil in your device. It's like two pieces of a puzzle snapping together, but automatically, ensuring maximum power transfer without any effort from you.\n\n### Why Does This Matter?\n\nThis innovation matters because it transforms wireless charging from a sometimes-fussy convenience into a truly seamless and reliable experience. For consumers, it means effortless charging – just drop your device and trust it will charge efficiently. For businesses, the implications are huge:\n\n*   **Enhanced Customer Satisfaction:** Products featuring this technology will stand out for their superior ease of use, leading to happier customers and stronger brand loyalty.\n*   **Increased Efficiency & Sustainability:** Optimal alignment means less energy is wasted as heat, leading to faster charging and a more environmentally friendly product. This can be a strong selling point.\n*   **Greater Design Freedom:** Product designers are no longer constrained by rigid 'sweet spots.' They can create more innovative, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing charging surfaces and devices.\n*   **New Market Opportunities:** Industries like automotive (imagine truly seamless in-car phone charging), medical devices (hands-free charging for critical equipment), and even smart furniture can integrate wireless power more effectively, opening up entirely new product categories and revenue streams.\n*   **Competitive Edge:** Companies adopting this patent can differentiate themselves significantly in a crowded market, offering a premium wireless charging experience that competitors can't match without similar technology.\n\n### What's Next?\n\nThe **Self-locating Inductive Coil** sets the stage for a future where wireless power is truly ambient – as ubiquitous and easy to use as Wi-Fi. We can expect to see this technology integrated into a wider array of consumer electronics, public spaces, and even infrastructure, making charging an invisible, effortless background process. This patent paves the way for a rapid acceleration in wireless power adoption, potentially leading to more innovation in power delivery and energy management systems. For investors, this represents a strategic opportunity to back technologies that solve fundamental user pain points and unlock massive market potential.","technical_analysis":"The **Self-locating Inductive Coil** patent (US-9853507) addresses a fundamental technical challenge in wireless power transfer (WPT) systems: the degradation of coupling efficiency due to misalignment between transmitting and receiving inductive coils. This patent, filed on May 5, 2014, and published on December 26, 2017, details an ingenious electromechanical solution that leverages passive magnetic forces to achieve automatic coil alignment.\n\n**Technical Architecture:**\nAt its core, the system comprises two main components: a power-transmitting assembly and a power-receiving accessory. The transmitting assembly is designed to be movable and houses the primary inductive coil. Crucially, this assembly is equipped with an array of permanent magnets. The receiving accessory contains the secondary inductive coil and a complementary array of permanent magnets. The entire system is engineered such that the magnetic interaction between these two sets of magnets facilitates self-alignment.\n\n**Implementation Details:**\n1.  **Movable Transmitting Assembly:** The transmitting inductor is affixed to a platform or carriage that is designed for controlled movement. This movement can be translational (e.g., along X and Y axes) and/or rotational (e.g., about a Z-axis). The mechanical design would typically incorporate low-friction elements such as ball bearings, rollers, or even magnetic levitation for smoother, more responsive adjustments. The patent abstract emphasizes 'freely move and/or rotate,' indicating a design that minimizes external power requirements for movement, relying primarily on the magnetic forces.\n2.  **Permanent Magnet Arrays:** The strategic arrangement of permanent magnets on both the transmitting assembly and the receiving accessory is paramount. The magnets are configured to create a net attractive force that pulls the transmitting assembly towards the optimal alignment position relative to the receiving accessory. The pattern, polarity, and strength of these magnets would be carefully optimized to create a clear 'magnetic well' or minimum potential energy point corresponding to perfect coil alignment. This design ensures that any initial misalignment generates restorative magnetic forces that correct the position.\n3.  **Inductor Integration:** The inductive coils themselves must be rigidly coupled to their respective magnet arrays and movable/stationary platforms. This ensures that when the magnet arrays align, the inductive coils are also optimally aligned, maximizing the coupling coefficient (k).\n\n**Algorithm Specifics (Implicit):**\nWhile the patent does not explicitly detail an algorithm in the software sense, the 'algorithm' here is inherently electromechanical. The system operates on the principle of minimizing magnetic potential energy. When the magnets are misaligned, there is a net magnetic force (gradient of potential energy) that acts to move the transmitting assembly towards the state of maximum attraction, which is also the state of optimal coil alignment. This is a passive, self-correcting mechanism that doesn't require active sensing or control loops, simplifying the system considerably compared to active alignment methods that might use optical sensors or electromagnetic actuators.\n\n**Integration Patterns:**\nThis technology can be integrated into various WPT systems. For consumer electronics, it could be embedded within charging pads (transmitter) and mobile devices (receiver). In automotive applications, the movable assembly could be part of an in-car charging mat, aligning with a phone, or even part of an electric vehicle's undercarriage, aligning with ground-embedded charging coils. The modular nature of the magnetic alignment means it can be adapted to different scales and power levels, provided the magnetic forces are sufficient to move the transmitting mass.\n\n**Performance Characteristics:**\n*   **Efficiency:** The primary performance benefit is the significant increase in power transfer efficiency. By ensuring optimal coil alignment, resistive losses are minimized, and the coupling factor is maximized, leading to faster charging and reduced heat generation.\n*   **Robustness:** The use of permanent magnets provides a highly robust and reliable alignment mechanism, less susceptible to environmental factors like dust or minor vibrations than sensor-based systems.\n*   **Responsiveness:** The speed of alignment depends on the strength of the magnets, the mass of the movable assembly, and the friction in the mechanical system. Optimized designs would aim for rapid, smooth 'snapping' into alignment.\n*   **Power Consumption:** The alignment mechanism itself is passive, requiring no active power for sensing or actuation, which contributes to the overall energy efficiency of the charging system.\n\n**Code-Level Implications:**\nWhile the core alignment is mechanical, the integration into a complete product might still involve software. For instance, firmware could monitor charging status, communicate alignment feedback (e.g., 'Aligned' indicator), or manage power delivery based on successful alignment. However, the critical alignment function itself is handled by the physical interaction described in this patent, offloading complex control algorithms often associated with active alignment systems.\n\nIn essence, the Self-locating Inductive Coil patent provides a technically sound and elegantly simple solution to a persistent problem in wireless power, paving the way for more efficient, reliable, and user-friendly inductive charging experiences.","business_analysis":"The **Self-locating Inductive Coil** patent (US-9853507) presents a compelling business opportunity by addressing a critical pain point in the rapidly expanding wireless power transfer (WPT) market. Published on December 26, 2017, this innovation's ability to automatically align power-transmitting and receiving inductors fundamentally enhances the user experience and efficiency of inductive charging, with significant implications for market growth and competitive advantage.\n\n**Market Opportunity Size:**\nThe global wireless charging market is projected to grow substantially, driven by the proliferation of smartphones, wearables, electric vehicles (EVs), and IoT devices. Current market estimates place the wireless charging market size in the billions, with forecasts predicting robust compound annual growth rates. The primary barrier to even faster adoption has been the user friction associated with precise device placement. By removing this friction, the Self-locating Inductive Coil can unlock a significant portion of this market, particularly in segments where ease of use and reliability are paramount. This includes consumer electronics (phones, tablets, smart home devices), automotive (in-car charging, EV charging infrastructure), industrial (robotics, automated guided vehicles), and healthcare (medical implants, portable devices).\n\n**Competitive Advantages:**\nCompanies that integrate the Self-locating Inductive Coil technology into their products will gain a distinct competitive edge:\n\n1.  **Superior User Experience:** The 'set-and-forget' nature of this technology provides an unparalleled level of convenience, differentiating products from competitors that still require precise manual alignment.\n2.  **Enhanced Performance & Efficiency:** Automatic optimal alignment ensures maximum power transfer efficiency, leading to faster charging times and reduced energy waste. This can be a key selling point for environmentally conscious consumers and businesses seeking operational efficiencies.\n3.  **Design Flexibility:** Product designers are liberated from the constraints of fixed charging zones, enabling more innovative and aesthetically pleasing product form factors and charging surface designs.\n4.  **Reduced Support Costs:** Eliminating user error related to misalignment can significantly reduce customer support inquiries and returns, improving customer satisfaction and operational margins.\n5.  **New Market Penetration:** The reliability and ease of use enabled by this patent can open doors to markets where wireless charging was previously impractical due to alignment challenges (e.g., rugged industrial environments, medical applications requiring sterile and hands-free operation).\n\n**Revenue Potential:**\nRevenue generation could stem from several avenues:\n\n*   **Licensing:** The patent holder could license the technology to existing wireless charging manufacturers, device OEMs, and automotive suppliers.\n*   **Product Integration:** Companies could develop and sell proprietary charging pads, embedded charging solutions (e.g., furniture, vehicle consoles), or even devices that incorporate this self-aligning capability.\n*   **Market Expansion:** By solving a core problem, this patent can contribute to the overall expansion of the wireless charging market, creating new revenue streams for infrastructure providers and accessory manufacturers.\n\n**Business Models:**\nPotential business models include a technology licensing model (similar to Qualcomm's patent strategy), a direct-to-consumer/B2B product model (selling self-aligning chargers), or a component supply model (providing the movable magnet assemblies to other manufacturers).\n\n**Strategic Positioning:**\nImplementing this patent allows companies to position themselves as innovators and leaders in the wireless power space. It shifts the focus from merely offering wireless charging to providing a *superior* wireless charging experience. This strategic move can capture significant market share and build strong brand loyalty. For an OEM, it could mean their devices are perceived as more advanced and user-friendly.\n\n**ROI Projections:**\nWhile specific ROI depends on implementation and market execution, the benefits are clear. Increased sales due to enhanced user experience, higher pricing power for premium products, reduced customer support costs, and potential licensing revenues all contribute to a strong return on investment. The efficiency gains also translate into long-term cost savings for end-users, further driving adoption. Companies investing in this technology are investing in future-proofing their wireless charging offerings and capturing a larger share of a growing market.","faqs":[{"answer":"The Self-locating Inductive Coil is a groundbreaking patented technology (US-9853507) that revolutionizes wireless power transfer by enabling automatic alignment between power-transmitting and power-receiving inductors. Traditionally, inductive charging requires precise placement of a device on a charging pad to achieve optimal efficiency. Any misalignment leads to slower charging, energy loss, or a complete failure to charge. This invention addresses that critical pain point.\n\nAt its core, this patent introduces a system that uses strategically arranged permanent magnets. These magnets are integrated into a movable assembly that holds the transmitting coil, and corresponding magnets are in the receiving device. When the device is placed near the charging surface, the magnetic forces between these arrays cause the transmitting coil to physically move and rotate until it's perfectly aligned with the receiving coil.\n\nThis automatic alignment ensures maximum power transfer efficiency without any manual effort from the user. It transforms wireless charging from a sometimes-fussy convenience into a truly 'set-and-forget' experience, making it more reliable and user-friendly across a wide range of applications.","question":"What is Self-locating Inductive Coil?"},{"answer":"The Self-locating Inductive Coil works through an ingenious application of magnetic attraction. The system consists of two primary components: a power-transmitting unit (e.g., a charging pad) and a power-receiving unit (e.g., a smartphone or wearable).\n\nWithin the transmitting unit, the inductive coil responsible for sending power is not fixed. Instead, it's mounted on a movable assembly that can translate (move side-to-side) and/or rotate. This movable assembly is equipped with an array of permanent magnets. The receiving unit in the device to be charged also contains a complementary arrangement of permanent magnets near its receiving coil.\n\nWhen the receiving device is placed on or near the charging pad, the magnetic fields generated by the two sets of permanent magnets interact. These magnetic forces create an attraction that naturally pulls the movable transmitting assembly into a position of minimum magnetic potential energy. This state of minimum energy precisely corresponds to the optimal alignment of the transmitting and receiving inductive coils, ensuring maximum power transfer efficiency and a seamless charging experience. It's a passive, self-correcting mechanism driven by inherent magnetic physics. Keywords: magnetic alignment, permanent magnets, movable assembly, inductive coil, power transfer, self-alignment.","question":"How does Self-locating Inductive Coil work?"},{"answer":"The Self-locating Inductive Coil patent primarily solves the pervasive problem of coil misalignment in wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. In traditional inductive charging, the efficiency of power transfer is highly dependent on the precise positioning and orientation of the transmitting coil relative to the receiving coil.\n\nMisalignment leads to several significant issues: 1) **Reduced Efficiency:** A lower coupling coefficient means more energy is lost as heat, leading to slower charging times and wasted power. 2) **User Frustration:** Users often have to carefully 'find the sweet spot' on a charging pad, which contradicts the promise of wireless convenience. If a device shifts, charging can stop or become extremely slow. 3) **Design Constraints:** Manufacturers are limited in designing charging surfaces or integrating wireless power into furniture due to the need for fixed, precise charging zones. 4) **Increased Heat:** Inefficient power transfer generates excess heat, which can be detrimental to device longevity and safety.\n\nBy providing an automatic, magnetic self-alignment mechanism, this innovation eliminates these problems, making wireless charging truly effortless, reliable, and efficient. Keywords: coil misalignment, wireless charging problems, power efficiency, user experience, inductive charging, design constraints.","question":"What problem does Self-locating Inductive Coil solve?"},{"answer":"The patent US-9853507, titled \"Self-locating Inductive Coil,\" lists no assignee or inventors in the provided data. Typically, patent information includes the names of the inventors and the entity (company or individual) to whom the patent rights are assigned. In cases where this information is not publicly available or explicitly stated in the provided abstract/description, it indicates that the details were not part of the initial data provided for analysis.\n\nHowever, the concept itself is a testament to innovative thinking in the field of wireless power transfer. The development of such a system would typically involve a team of engineers and scientists specializing in electromagnetics, mechanical design, and power electronics. The core idea of using passive magnetic forces for automatic alignment is a clever solution to a long-standing technical challenge in the industry. Keywords: patent inventors, patent assignee, US-9853507, wireless power innovation, patent ownership.","question":"Who invented Self-locating Inductive Coil?"},{"answer":"The Self-locating Inductive Coil offers several significant benefits that enhance the wireless charging experience and expand its potential applications:\n\n1.  **Effortless User Experience:** The primary benefit is the elimination of the need for precise device placement. Users can simply place their device anywhere on the charging surface, and the system automatically aligns for optimal power transfer. This makes wireless charging truly 'set-and-forget.'\n2.  **Maximized Charging Efficiency:** By ensuring perfect coil alignment every time, the technology maximizes the coupling coefficient, leading to faster charging speeds and significantly reduced energy loss as heat. This contributes to a more sustainable and cost-effective charging solution.\n3.  **Enhanced Reliability:** Automatic alignment ensures consistent performance, reducing instances of slow or failed charges due to misalignment. This boosts user confidence and reduces frustration.\n4.  **Greater Design Freedom:** Product designers are no longer constrained by fixed coil positions, allowing for more innovative, aesthetically pleasing, and versatile charging surfaces and devices. This opens up new possibilities for integrating wireless power into furniture, vehicles, and public spaces.\n5.  **Reduced Support Costs:** Eliminating user error related to misalignment can significantly decrease customer support inquiries and product returns for manufacturers.\n\nThese benefits collectively make the Self-locating Inductive Coil a transformative technology for the wireless power industry. Keywords: wireless charging benefits, efficient power transfer, user convenience, design flexibility, reliable charging.","question":"What are the key benefits of Self-locating Inductive Coil?"},{"answer":"The Self-locating Inductive Coil significantly differentiates itself from prior art by offering a passive, magnetically driven self-alignment mechanism, contrasting with existing solutions that often involve manual placement or complex active systems.\n\n**Prior Art Limitations:**\n*   **Manual Alignment:** Most common wireless chargers require users to manually position devices on a 'sweet spot,' leading to user frustration and inefficiency.\n*   **Fixed Multiple Coils:** Some pads use an array of fixed coils, activating the closest one, but this doesn't guarantee perfect alignment and adds complexity.\n*   **Active Alignment Systems:** These use sensors and motors to move coils but are typically expensive, complex, consume additional power, and have more points of failure.\n\n**Self-locating Inductive Coil's Differentiation:**\n*   **Passive Magnetic Actuation:** Unlike active systems, this invention relies solely on the inherent attractive forces between permanent magnets to align coils. This eliminates the need for sensors, microcontrollers, and motors, simplifying the system and reducing cost and power consumption.\n*   **Robustness and Simplicity:** The magnetic mechanism is inherently robust and less susceptible to environmental factors than sensor-based systems. Its simplicity also means fewer components that can fail.\n*   **True Effortless Experience:** It uniquely delivers a genuinely 'set-and-forget' charging experience, surpassing the convenience offered by other methods.\n\nThis fundamental difference in approach makes the Self-locating Inductive Coil a superior solution for achieving consistent, efficient, and user-friendly wireless power transfer. Keywords: prior art comparison, passive alignment, active alignment, magnetic charging, wireless charging innovation, US-9853507 differentiation.","question":"How is Self-locating Inductive Coil different from prior art?"},{"answer":"The Self-locating Inductive Coil has the potential to impact a wide array of industries by making wireless power transfer more reliable, efficient, and user-friendly:\n\n1.  **Consumer Electronics:** This is perhaps the most immediate impact. Smartphones, smartwatches, earbuds, and other portable devices will benefit from truly effortless charging, enhancing user satisfaction and driving adoption.\n2.  **Automotive:** In-car wireless charging can become seamless, allowing drivers and passengers to simply place devices on a mat without needing precise alignment. More critically, it's a key enabler for advanced electric vehicle (EV) charging, including static parking lot charging and potentially dynamic wireless charging on roads.\n3.  **Smart Home & Furniture:** Wireless charging can be elegantly integrated into desks, tables, and other furniture, offering convenient power without visible wires or precise placement requirements.\n4.  **Medical Devices:** For portable or implantable medical devices, sterile and hands-free charging with guaranteed alignment is crucial. This technology can improve reliability and ease of use in critical healthcare applications.\n5.  **Industrial Automation & Robotics:** Automated guided vehicles (AGVs), drones, and industrial robots can benefit from self-aligning charging stations, enabling autonomous recharging without human intervention or complex docking mechanisms, leading to continuous operation.\n6.  **Public Infrastructure:** Charging solutions in public spaces like airports, cafes, and libraries can become more user-friendly and efficient, encouraging greater public adoption of wireless power.\n\nBy solving a core problem in wireless power, the Self-locating Inductive Coil acts as a catalyst for innovation across these diverse sectors. Keywords: industry impact, consumer electronics, automotive charging, smart home, medical devices, industrial robotics, public infrastructure, wireless power applications.","question":"What industries will Self-locating Inductive Coil impact?"},{"answer":"The patent for the Self-locating Inductive Coil, identified by the number US-9853507, was officially **filed on May 5, 2014**. This date marks when the patent application was submitted to the patent office, initiating the examination process.\n\nFollowing the examination and approval process, the patent was subsequently **published and granted on December 26, 2017**. The publication date typically coincides with the grant date, at which point the patent becomes enforceable and its full details are made publicly available. This timeline indicates a period of approximately 3 years and 7 months from filing to grant, which is a fairly standard duration for complex technological patents.\n\nUnderstanding these dates is important for assessing the patent's age, its position in the prior art landscape, and its remaining term of protection, which typically lasts 20 years from the filing date. Keywords: filing date, publication date, patent grant, US-9853507, patent timeline, intellectual property.","question":"When was Self-locating Inductive Coil filed/granted?"},{"answer":"The commercial applications of the Self-locating Inductive Coil are extensive, primarily driven by its ability to make wireless charging truly seamless and efficient. This innovation can be integrated into a wide range of products and services:\n\n1.  **Premium Consumer Charging Pads:** High-end wireless charging pads that offer automatic alignment, differentiating them from standard models that require precise placement. This can command a premium price point due to superior user experience.\n2.  **Integrated Smart Furniture:** Wireless charging solutions embedded within tables, desks, and nightstands that automatically align with devices, providing discreet and effortless power.\n3.  **Automotive In-Cabin Charging:** Charging mats for vehicles where smartphones, tablets, and other devices can be placed casually and still receive an optimal charge, enhancing driver and passenger convenience.\n4.  **Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging:** Self-aligning ground pads for static EV charging, simplifying the parking and charging process. This could also extend to dynamic road-embedded coils for charging EVs on the move.\n5.  **Medical Device Charging Stations:** Sterile, hands-free charging solutions for portable medical equipment, improving hygiene and operational efficiency in clinical settings.\n6.  **Industrial & Robotics Charging:** Automated charging docks for robots, drones, and AGVs, enabling continuous operation without human intervention for precise docking.\n7.  **Public Charging Infrastructure:** Charging surfaces in public spaces (e.g., airports, cafes, libraries) that offer a superior, user-friendly experience, encouraging greater adoption of wireless power.\n\nEach of these applications represents a significant market opportunity for products that leverage the core technology of the Self-locating Inductive Coil. Keywords: commercial applications, wireless charging products, smart furniture, EV charging, medical device, industrial robotics, consumer electronics, market opportunity.","question":"What are the commercial applications of Self-locating Inductive Coil?"},{"answer":"The future developments for the Self-locating Inductive Coil are likely to focus on refinement, scalability, and integration into broader ecosystems, pushing towards truly ambient and invisible power:\n\n1.  **Miniaturization and Integration:** As the technology matures, expect smaller, more efficient magnetic arrays and mechanical components, allowing seamless integration into an even wider range of compact devices and thin surfaces without adding bulk.\n2.  **Multi-Device & Multi-Coil Systems:** Future iterations might allow a single charging surface to simultaneously charge multiple devices, each with its own self-aligning transmitting coil, or a single movable coil to serve multiple devices sequentially.\n3.  **Enhanced Force & Range:** Research could optimize magnet array designs to increase the attractive force and potentially the effective alignment range, making the system even more forgiving of initial placement.\n4.  **Hybrid Alignment Systems:** While inherently passive, future systems might incorporate minimal active elements (e.g., a simple proximity sensor) to 'wake up' the magnetic alignment system or provide feedback, further optimizing performance.\n5.  **Standardization and Interoperability:** As the technology gains traction, there will be a push for standardization within industry bodies (like the Wireless Power Consortium) to ensure interoperability across different brands and devices.\n6.  **Integration with Resonant Technologies:** Combining the precise alignment of the Self-locating Inductive Coil with the greater spatial freedom of resonant inductive coupling could lead to hybrid systems offering the best of both worlds – effortless placement over a wider area with guaranteed optimal efficiency.\n\nThese developments will drive the Self-locating Inductive Coil towards becoming a foundational technology for a future where power is as accessible and unobtrusive as Wi-Fi, truly realizing the long-held promise of wireless freedom. Keywords: future developments, wireless power trends, ambient charging, multi-device charging, EV charging, standardization, hybrid systems, inductive charging evolution.","question":"What are the future developments expected for Self-locating Inductive Coil?"}],"topics":["Self-locating Inductive Coil","wireless charging","automatic alignment","inductive power transfer","magnetic charging","technical","understanding","locating"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Self-locating Inductive Coil - Patent US-9853507 - Automatic Alignment","description":"Discover the Self-locating Inductive Coil patent for automatic wireless charging alignment. Boost efficiency & user experience with magnetic self-positioning. Full analysis of US-9853507.","keywords":["Self-locating Inductive Coil","wireless charging","automatic alignment","inductive power transfer","magnetic charging","patent US-9853507","power efficiency","self-aligning coils","wireless power solutions","charging technology","patent analysis"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853507","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853507","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Self-locating inductive coil\" (US-9853507). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853507","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853507","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853507","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T04:11:37.521Z"}