Apple has been granted a patent for “Foldable and Rigid Docking Stations for Charging Multiple Devices.” It sounds a lot like the AirPower product that Apple abandoned.
About the patent
In the patent Apple notes that electronic devices have become ubiquitous and integral to many of our activities. Such devices, of course, have to be charged — and sometimes need to be charged when a user is on-the-go.
Apple notes that when an electronic device is placed on a wireless charger, it can be desirable that charging electronics in the electronic device properly align to electronics in the wireless charger. Proper alignment can increase an efficiency of charging from the wireless charger to the electronic device, thereby saving power and decreasing charge time.
However, once properly aligned, the electronic device can be inadvertently jostled and moved. It’s also desirable that the electronic device be held securely in place relative to the wireless charger.
Apple’s patent involves charging that can take place in various locations — for example, on a bedside table, in a hotel room while traveling, at work, in coffee shops, and other locations. To facilitate this, what’s needed is that wireless chargers fold up or otherwise close into a compact form. It would also be convenient if wireless chargers could charge multiple devices simultaneously.
Apple’s patent is for wireless chargers that can provide power to more than one electronic device, can properly align to and securely hold the electronic devices, and fold into a compact shape. The wireless charger could also include an attachment feature to attach the electronic device (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, etc.) to the wireless charger such that the electronic device is securely held in place relative to the wireless charger. The wireless charger can include a first leaf having first charging components for charging a first electronic device and a second leaf having second charging components for charging a second electronic device. The first leaf and the second leaf can fold together into a compact shape.
About the AirPower
The AirPower (pictured above in an image released by Apple over four years ago) was originally announced in September 2017 alongside the iPhone X. It was supposed to be able to charge a Qi-compatible iPhone, an Apple Watch, and a pair of AirPods (in a special wireless charging case) at the same time regardless of where they were placed on the pad.
However, there were constant rumors of production, engineering, and manufacturing difficulties. Seems those rumors were right, as Apple announced in March 2018 that work on the device was being canceled as, in Apple’s words, “will not achieve our high standards.”
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “Wireless chargers that can properly align and securely hold an electronic device, provide power to more than one electronic device, and fold into a compact shape. One example can provide a wireless charger having an alignment feature to align an electronic device to the wireless charger.”
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