While Apple's attempt at their multi-device AirPower inductive charging mat miserably failed, a new patent application from Apple reveals that Apple is back with a new wireless inductive charger in the form of a single device dock aimed a delivering fast charging. The charger allows a device to be charged in multiple orientations.

Apple notes that wireless charging has become an increasingly popular way to recharge a portable electronic device for many reasons. When the portable electronic device relies entirely upon wireless charging the portable electronic device no longer needs a charging port, which can improve the portable electronic device's resistance to water or particular intrusion. Wireless charging also tends to be easier as a user is no longer required to plug a charging cable into a small plug receptacle on the portable electronic device.

Unfortunately, wireless charging tends to be slower than charging performed with a conventional cable. Thus, ways of improving the speed of wireless charging are desirable.

Apple's invention relates to configurations of an inductive charging dock with active cooling that enable the dock to wireless charge an electronic device at an improved charging speed.

An inductive charging dock will include the following: a charging dock housing defining an interior volume and being configured to support a portable electronic device during a charging operation, the charging dock housing comprising a radio frequency (RF) transparent window; an induction coil disposed within the interior volume and spaced apart from the RF transparent window defining an air gap between the induction coil and RF transparent window, the induction coil configured to generate a magnetic flux that exits the charging dock housing through the RF transparent window; and a cooling fan disposed within the interior volume, the cooling fan being configured to establish a flow of cooling air along a path that extends through the air gap and across the induction coil.

A second inductive charging dock configuration could include: a charging dock housing, comprising: a base; and a support wall protruding vertically from the base, the base and support wall cooperatively defining an interior volume of the charging dock housing. The inductive charging dock also includes an induction coil disposed within a first portion of the interior volume defined by the support wall; and a cooling fan disposed within the interior volume and being configured to establish a flow of cooling air passing through a second portion of the interior volume defined by the base, the first portion of the interior volume defined by the support wall and then exits through an opening positioned at a distal end of the support wall.

A third inductive charging dock configuration could include: a charging dock housing defining an interior volume and being configured to support a portable electronic device during a charging operation; an induction coil disposed within the interior volume and configured to generate a magnetic flux that exits the charging dock housing; and a cooling fan disposed within the interior volume, the cooling fan being configured to establish a flow of cooling air from a second portion of the interior volume defined by the base, through the first portion of the interior volume defined by the support wall and exiting the charging dock housing through an air outlet opening positioned at a distal end of the support wall.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary portable electronic device, an exemplary power supplying apparatus for coupling with the exemplary portable electronic device to charge the exemplary portable electronic device; FIG. 4C shows how the induction coil of portable electronic device #450 can be aligned with upper induction coil #412 when portable electronic device is positioned in a vertical or portrait orientation.

Apple's patent FIG. 3A shows an exploded perspective view of an inductive charging stand suitable for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device; FIG. 4A shows an exploded perspective view of an inductive charging stand suitable for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device in at least two different orientations.

Apple's patent application that was published today by the U.S. Patent Office was filed back in Q3 2019. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.