Front trunk configured to facilitate wireless charging

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023391272-A1
Application number	US-202217892404-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 22, 2022
Priority date	Jun 1, 2022
Publication date	Dec 7, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a front trunk configured to facilitate wireless charging. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk including a wireless charger configured to wirelessly charge an electronic device adjacent the front trunk.

First claim

1 . A motor vehicle, comprising:
a front trunk including a wireless charger configured to wirelessly charge an electronic device adjacent the front trunk.

2 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the front trunk includes a floor, and wherein the floor includes the wireless charger.

3 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of storage compartments arranged within the front trunk and spaced-apart above the floor.

4 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of electrical outlets arranged above the plurality of storage compartments.

5 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 3 , further comprising a light source arranged above the plurality of storage compartments and configured to illuminate an area below the light source.

6 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a closure assembly configured to move between closed and open positions to selectively cover and uncover the front trunk, and wherein a surface of the closure assembly includes the wireless charger.

7 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 6 , wherein the closure assembly includes a grille panel configured to rotate between a closed position and an open position to selectively cover and uncover the front trunk from a front, and the surface is a surface of the grille panel facing an interior of the front trunk when the grille panel is closed.

8 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 7 , wherein the surface is substantially parallel to a ground surface when the grille panel is open.

9 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 8 , wherein the front trunk includes a floor, and wherein the floor includes another wireless charger.

10 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 8 , further comprising at least one panel configured to slide laterally relative to the grille panel between an expanded and retracted position when the grille panel is open.

11 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 10 , further comprising a tool mounted to the at least one panel.

12 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 10 , wherein the at least one panel is replaceable.

13 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 10 , wherein the at least one panel includes a first panel configured to slide laterally relative to the grille panel in a first direction between an expanded and retracted position and further includes a second panel configured to slide laterally relative to the grille panel in a second direction opposite the first direction between an expanded and retracted position.

14 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 13 , further comprising a light source arranged adjacent a top of the front trunk, wherein, when the grille panel is open and the first and second panels are in respective expanded positions, the light source is configured to illuminate the grille panel, the first panel, and the second panel.

15 . The motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the motor vehicle is an electrified vehicle including a battery pack, and wherein the motor vehicle is configured to provide electricity from the battery pack to the wireless charger.

16 . A method, comprising:
wirelessly charging a portable electronic devices adjacent a front trunk of a motor vehicle.

17 . The method as recited in claim 16 , further comprising:
rotating a grille panel to an open position in which a top surface of the grille panel is substantially parallel to a ground surface, wherein the top surface includes a wireless charger.

18 . The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the front trunk includes a floor, and wherein the floor also includes a wireless charger.

19 . The method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising, when the grille panel is open, sliding at least one panel laterally relative to the grille panel between an expanded and retracted position.

20 . The method as recited in claim 19 , further comprising, when the grille panel is open and the at least one panel is in an expanded position, illuminating the grille panel and the at least one panel by activating a light source mounted adjacent a top of the front trunk.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Harmon Michael John
• Diephuis Jesse Rene
• Warner Ryan Wayne

Classifications

• H02J7/731

  specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60R5/02 Primary

  arranged at front of vehicle {(B60R5/003 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• H02J50/10

  using inductive coupling · CPC title

• H02J50/005

  Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices · CPC title

• B60Q3/30

  for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments · CPC title