Wireless Charging Cabinet

The wireless charging cabinet is a high-capacity, maintenance-friendly charging system for 30 laptops using Power by Contact™ technology. The client wanted a cabinet with wireless, contact-based chargers for use by an entire classroom, because, in today’s tech-enabled classrooms, managing laptop charging is a daily challenge. Traditional charging carts are cluttered with cables, prone to wear and tear, and are often unable to charge more than a few devices at once. In addition, every laptop must be plugged-in manually, leading to tangled cords, power management issues, and instructional time lost to logistics.

To bring this innovation to life, the client needed an engineering team to integrate this patented contact charging technology into a robust, real-world product. They enlisted Device Solutions as a design and engineering partner for Power by Contact™ implementation. 

The Solution 

Together, Device Solutions and their client turned the wireless charging cabinet vision into a certified, field-ready product. This was a perfect application of a customized Power by Contact™ solution. The engineering team worked across hardware, firmware, and certification to build a reliable, safe, user-friendly system. The Device Solutions engineering team: 

• Designed the charge system management hardware and software to intelligently deliver and regulate power to up to 30 Chromebook laptops simultaneously. 

• Developed a custom receiver board and protective sleeve to interface each Chromebook with the surface-based charging system via USB-C. (Device polarity and voltage are automatically negotiated for a seamless user experience.) 

• Adapted the Energysquare Power by Contact™ reference design to create a durable and flexible contact system. 

• Led the product through UL and FCC certification, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and confidence in the final product.  

The Results 

With Device Solutions’ support, the wireless charging cabinet moved from concept to classroom. With manufacturing support from an industry partner, the cabinet charges 30 Chromebook laptops simultaneously, using auto-aligning and surface-based conductive charging technology, making it ideal for classroom use. 

The Summary 

Technologies & Services

• USB-C power negotiation 

• Custom RX board design for interfacing a Chromebook to the charger 

• Embedded software development 

• Tile board design (based on reference designs from Power by Contact™ inventors) 

• Complete UL and FCC certification support 

Results & Highlights

• Dedicated project management team to expedite progress 

• Expert hardware and software engineering guidance for customization 

• Partnership for Power by Contact™ collaboration established 

• Award-winning product (International Society for Technology in Education)