Apple has been granted a patent for “Foldable And Rigid Docking Stations For Charging Multiple Devices”
About the patent
In the patent Apple says 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. But once properly aligned, the electronic device can be inadvertently jostled and moved.
Apple says it’s desirable that the electronic device be held securely in place relative to the wireless charger. What’s more, the tech giant says that it would be great if the wireless chargers fold up or otherwise close into a compact form.
These electronic devices are so popular that it is often desirable to be able to charge more than one device at a time. This means that wireless chargers should be able to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
Apple says that what’s needed are 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.
About AirPower
The patent sounds very much like it’s describing Apple’s abandoned AirPower product. The AirPower (pictured in an image released by Apple almost 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 was 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. Perhaps Apple has overcome the issues.
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. The wireless charger can include a first leaf having first charging components for charging a first electronic device and a second leaf having a charging puck that includes second charging components for charging a second electronic device.
“The charging puck can move between a down position and an up position. The charging puck can be moved away from the second leaf while in the up position. The charging puck can retract when moved to the down position. The first leaf and the second leaf can fold together into a compact shape.”
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