Connection Systems

Imagine a student driving back to college after a weekend trip at home. The student is driving down a highway traveling at a fast speed when his smartphone begins to "beep" indicating his battery is ready to expire. Still traveling at high speeds and knowing that "mom and dad" want a phone call as soon as he arrives safely, the student reaches for his smartphone charger, plugs the charger into the consumer port and in the process takes his eyes off the road. Is that an ideal situation? Delphi is working on a solution that couples both safety and convenience in one package.

Delphi is currently developing a Wireless Charging System for Consumer Devices that will automatically transfer power to mobile electronic devices, providing a safe, convenient and integrated wireless energy transfer system, enabling a true wireless experience. It will deliver what consumers demand — safe, smart and seamless connectivity. With Delphi's technology, a driver’s focus can be on driving, without compromising communication or connectivity.

This forward-looking system will be a product differentiator for advanced technology vehicles, eliminating chargers, cords and adaptors within the vehicle. It is being developed in cooperation with a wireless energy transfer technology provider. A magnetic field from a source resonator in the vehicle provides power to the devices, enabling in-vehicle, high efficiency, device charging that is safe for humans — without the hassle and clutter of cords or connections.

• Capture resonator and interface electronics
• Stationary source or sources resonator pad
• Optional repeater coils

Using this technology enables an innovation evolution which allows positional freedom for the devices while charging. The system will fully charge a device at a rate comparable to most residential plug-in chargers. Regardless of the direction the standards take in the future, Delphi engineers are prepared to offer an appropriate solution.

Tomorrow's solution: Automatic and convenient charging of mobile electronic devices with the Delphi Wireless Charging System for Consumer Devices — without any charge cords, plugs and adaptors.

Benefits

• Built-in convenience and simplicity, enabling an enhanced driving experience
  
• Minimal action needed for seamless connectivity
• Will enable easy, automatic charging within the vehicle's interior environment, without plugging in for a "truly" wireless experience
• Intelligent system will activate the moment a device is within the range of the charging pad
• Hands free — no moving or mechanical parts
• Will eliminate distracting charge cords, plugs and adaptors for each device, and the need to locate and remember them before a trip
• Will provide power needed to charge typical devices, from milliwatts to tens of watts
• Helps extend the battery life of a smartphone because keeping a device at a higher level of charge extends the battery life
• Safe and reliable, without compromising communication or connectivity for drivers and passengers
• Engineered to provide a safe, robust, and quick charge
• Non-radiative power transfer uses a magnetic near field
• Minimal heating and energy transfer losses to extraneous or off-resonant objects
• Will charge devices at a rate comparable to most residential plug-in chargers
• Magnetic, non-ionizing system will meet industry safety guidelines and regulations
• ICNIRP (International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection)
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
• FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
• Will help eliminate driver distraction, keeping a driver's focus on the road
• Can assist with meeting local transportation laws regarding device use while driving
• Passive charging will ensure device operation when needed
• Will enable vehicle interior design flexibility, providing seamless integration
• Superior transmit range for design freedom
• Non-contact system will not require precise device positioning

Typical Applications

The Delphi Wireless Charging System for Consumer Devices is being developed to be used with ground transportation vehicles. Examples of mobile electronic devices that can be automatically charged include mobile handsets, portable navigation devices, smart phones, tablet computers, and more.

Availability

The Delphi Wireless Charging System for Consumer Devices is currently under development. Contact Delphi for further information.

Performance Advantages

Delphi can bridge the gap between the laboratory and the highway by providing electrical/electronic systems integration expertise, a global manufacturing and engineering footprint and components and systems specifically engineered for the vehicles of today and tomorrow. Delphi's expertise in global engineering, validation and manufacturing helps position us to make wireless charging within vehicles a reality.

The Delphi Wireless Charging System for Consumer Devices is an example of taking technology developed for the commercial market and designing it to meet ground transportation requirements, as well as having the manufacturing base to supply it to the global ground transportation market.

The Delphi Advantage

Delphi has a thorough understanding of system specifications and requirements, spanning multiple markets and serving a diverse customer base. Global innovation is supported through Delphi's worldwide engineering and development centers. Delphi's sophisticated modeling capabilities allow us to design systems that meet specific customer requirements. Our engineers are experts in materials, products, and processes for conventional, hybrid, and electric vehicle applications and our flexible engineering approach encourages collaboration.

Delphi has involvement with many industry groups, including Consumer Electronics Association, Wireless Power Consortium, Consumer Electronics for Automobiles, SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and USCAR (United States Council for Automotive Research). We are a source for high-value solutions and our systems approach is built into every product in our growing portfolio.