Apple has devised a new method of bringing inductive charging to the iPhone without installing additional hardware. The technology makes use of existing electrical coils already baked into components like speakers, microphones, and haptic engines.
Apple’s patent, entitled “Inductive power transfer using acoustic or haptic devices,” outlines a common two-coil conductive charging system in which a transmitter coil passes power to a receiver coil connected to the iPhone’s battery.
This is the same system used by rival smartphones like Samsung’s new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5, except Apple’s method cleverly utilizes existing coils found inside the iPhone, rather than adding a new one dedicated to wireless charging.
Apple describes how it could transmit power to coils in speakers, microphones, and haptic engines like the Taptic Engine found in iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.
“In some implementations, the device-side coil operates in two modes, one being the operation for which it’s designed and another for inductive power transfer,” explains AppleInsider. The charging coil may also have two modes.
Apple also describes how currents can be applied to coils in different frequencies to avoid inadvertent operations. In the case of a speaker, for example, different frequencies could be used to prevent the internal membrane from moving and producing sound.
Apple’s patent also describes a docking solution with multiple contact points, which would allow current to be passed to different internal components.
It should be noted that Apple wouldn’t be able to integrate this technology into future iPhones without making some changes. The size of the coils inside existing iPhone components would almost certainly make them unfit for charging an iPhone battery.
However, this patent proves that Apple is exploring ways to introduce inductive charging without making drastic changes to the iPhone’s design to squeeze in additional components — like dedicated charging coils.
The iPhone’s lack of wireless charging is still seen as a big weakness by some, especially as the feature is becoming so common in Android-powered rivals. And while it may seem somewhat trivial to those who have never used it, it is sorely missed by those who switch to iPhone from a device that had wireless charging capabilities.
For instance, I just finished reviewing a Galaxy Note 5 with wireless charging, and after switching back to iPhone 6s, I miss being able to drop it on a pad at night and not have to worry about fumbling around with cables in the dark.
Inductive charging seems like a logical step forward for future iPhones, then, but exactly how Apple will implement that remains to be seen. As always, patents like these are never a guarantee of things to come, so we’ll have to wait and see what Apple has up its sleeve.
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