Foreign matter cleaning device for wireless charging equipment

Abstract

The present application discloses a foreign matter cleaning device for a wireless charging device, comprising: a covering unit and a driving unit; a power transmission unit is arranged on a fixed surface; the covering unit has an outer frame, and a plurality of adjacently arranged rotating surfaces, one side of the rotating surface is a free end, and the other side is a connecting end, and the connecting end is rotatably connected to the outer frame; among two adjacent rotating surfaces, the free end of one rotating surface faces the connecting end of the other rotating surface; the driving unit is located on the bottom side of the covering unit, and drives the rotating surfaces to rotate in sequence. The foreign matter cleaning device for a wireless charging device of the present invention can realize the cleaning of foreign matter by rotating the rotating surfaces in sequence. The rotating surfaces have multiple groups, which rotate in sequence when working, and do not require too much space to realize the cleaning of foreign matter. In some embodiments, power can also be directly obtained through the power transmission unit to drive the work, saving additional wiring and power supply costs, and avoiding the influence of additional equipment on the electromagnetic field.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to charging technology, and in particular to a foreign matter cleaning device for wireless charging equipment. Background Art

[0002] With the strengthening of environmental awareness and the implementation of relevant policies, the acceptance and popularity of electric vehicles are getting better and better. The number of electric vehicles is growing rapidly, and the problems that come with it are also increasing day by day. Problems that occur when charging vehicles are one of them.

[0003] At present, there are two ways to charge electric vehicles: wired charging and wireless charging. Wired charging requires the charging plug to be inserted into the charging cavity of the vehicle. In this way, the charging plug is bulky and inconvenient to operate. The cables used for power transmission further affect flexibility. At the same time, the cables may have safety issues such as leakage.

[0004] Wireless charging technology can solve this problem very well, but the current wireless charging still faces problems that need to be solved. One of the most important is that there may be foreign matter interference between the power transmission unit and the power receiving unit of the wireless charging device.

[0005] As is known to all, during wireless charging, there are a power transmission unit and a power receiving unit that are relatively arranged. For example, the power transmission unit is arranged on the ground of a parking lot, and a vehicle is driven above the power transmission unit so that the power receiving unit is aligned with the power transmission unit to achieve charging.

[0006] However, if there is foreign matter between the two cells, the charging efficiency will be reduced. If it is a metal foreign matter, it will be affected by the magnetic field and cause heating, thus causing safety hazards. Especially during the vehicle charging process, the entry of metal foreign matter will bring huge hidden dangers to charging safety.

[0007] In the existing technology, there is the ability to detect foreign objects (such as image detection, power detection and other methods). If there is a foreign object entering, the charging operation will be stopped to avoid safety accidents. However, this means that the vehicle can no longer be charged, which seriously affects the use of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, it is desired to provide a foreign object cleaning device for a wireless charging device, which can clean foreign objects and avoid safety accidents, and in particular can charge the vehicle uninterruptedly.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a foreign matter cleaning device for a wireless charging device, comprising: a covering unit and a driving unit; the covering unit covers the power transmission unit of the wireless charging device; wherein the covering unit has an outer frame, and a plurality of adjacently arranged rotating surfaces, one side of the rotating surface is a free end, and the other side is a connecting end, and the connecting end is rotatably connected to the outer frame; among two adjacent rotating surfaces, the free end of one rotating surface faces the connecting end of the other rotating surface; the driving unit is located on the bottom side of the covering unit, and drives the rotating surfaces to rotate in turn.

[0010] Preferably, the driving unit includes a power receiving unit, and the power receiving unit is powered by the power transmitting unit.

[0011] Preferably, the driving unit has a curved slide rail and a top block; wherein, the curved slide rail is arranged on the bottom side of the covering unit, and the curved slide rail has a plurality of crests and a plurality of troughs; the top block is slidably mounted outside the curved slide rail, and when the top block slides to one of the crests, it abuts against a corresponding rotating surface and rotates.

[0012] Preferably, one of the wave crests is located between the free end and the connecting end of one of the rotating surfaces.

[0013] Preferably, the driving unit further has a guide rail, a guide block, a traction rope and an electromagnet; wherein the extension direction of the guide rail is the same as the extension direction of the curved slide rail; the guide block is slidably arranged on the guide rail; the traction rope connects the guide block and the top block; the electromagnet is arranged at one end or both ends of the guide rail to drive the guide block to slide on the guide rail.

[0014] Preferably, the electromagnet is arranged at both ends of the guide rail, the top block is a magnet, and the electromagnet drives the guide block to slide on the guide rail through the change of magnetic poles.

[0015] Preferably, the driving unit has a plurality of cams, each cam is located below one of the rotating surfaces, and of two adjacent cams, the angle of the latter cam lags behind the angle of the former cam, and the rotation speed of each cam is the same.

[0016] Preferably, each of the cams is formed with a driving tooth; the driving unit further comprises a chain, and the chain is meshed with the driving teeth.

[0017] The foreign matter cleaning device of the wireless charging device of the present invention can realize the cleaning of foreign matters by rotating the rotating surface in sequence. The rotating surface has multiple groups, which rotate in sequence when working, and can realize the cleaning of foreign matters without too much space. Cleaning foreign matters can avoid safety hazards on the one hand, and will not cause charging to stop on the other hand, thus ensuring the charging efficiency and normal charging and use of the vehicle. In some embodiments, it is also possible to directly obtain electricity through the power transmission unit to drive the work, saving additional wiring and power supply costs, and also avoiding additional equipment from being affected by the electromagnetic field or affecting the charging work. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent by reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 A reference diagram of the use status of the foreign matter cleaning device of the wireless charging device of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of the driving unit and the rotating surface in the foreign matter cleaning device of the wireless charging device of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a rotating surface in a foreign matter cleaning device for a wireless charging device of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4A A schematic diagram of a case where a driving unit in a foreign matter cleaning device for a wireless charging device of the present invention adopts a top block;

[0023] Figure 4B Another schematic diagram of the foreign matter cleaning device for wireless charging equipment of the present invention when the driving unit adopts a top block;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a case where a driving unit in the foreign matter cleaning device of the wireless charging device of the present invention adopts a cam;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a covering film and a collecting box in a foreign matter cleaning device of a wireless charging device of the present invention.

[0026] Description of reference numerals:

[0027] Power transmission unit 1, covering unit 2, rotating surface 3, power receiving unit 4, curved slide rail 5, top block 6, guide rail 7, lead block 8, traction rope 9, electromagnet 10, cam 11, collection box 12, free end 31, connection end 32. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the relevant invention, rather than to limit the invention. It is also necessary to explain that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The present invention discloses a foreign matter cleaning device for wireless charging equipment, see Figure 1 , the device includes a covering unit 2 and a driving unit.

[0030] The covering unit 2 covers the power transmission unit 1 to clean foreign objects. The covering unit 2 is powered by the driving unit to achieve the above-mentioned cleaning function.

[0031] The power transmission unit 1 is a device for wireless charging of a car, and is generally installed on a fixed surface. For example, a parking space in a parking lot (garage). The working mode and setting mode of the power transmission unit 1 are known to those skilled in the art. For the convenience of explanation, this article takes the ground as a choice of fixed surface for explanation.

[0032] The power transmission unit 1 is installed on the ground. Generally, in order not to affect the driving of the vehicle, a pit for installing the power transmission unit 1 can be dug on the ground so that the working surface of the power transmission unit 1 is basically level with the ground. Other related structures of the power transmission unit 1, such as lines, fixed structures, etc., can be arranged in the pit. The specific arrangement is not described in detail in this application.

[0033] When in use, a vehicle-mounted power receiving unit is installed on the vehicle chassis or other positions, and when the vehicle drives to the corresponding position, the vehicle-mounted power receiving unit obtains power from the power transmission unit 1 to charge the vehicle. Generally speaking, there is a certain gap between the vehicle chassis and the power transmission unit 1.

[0034] The covering unit 2 of the present invention covers the power transmission unit 1. The thickness of the covering unit 2 is relatively thin, less than 10 cm, and more preferably less than 1 cm. The specific thickness can be selected according to actual conditions, such as strength requirements, weight requirements or cost requirements. The covering unit 2 plays a protective role for the power transmission unit 1, such as waterproofing and anti-collision. At the same time, the covering unit 2, with the cooperation of the driving unit, can also realize the function of cleaning foreign matter on the surface. The specific implementation method will be described below. The covering unit 2 can be directly installed and used on the existing power transmission unit 1.

[0035] The above-mentioned covering unit 2 has an outer frame and a plurality of rotating surfaces 3, see Figure 1 and Figure 2The rotating surface 3 has multiple parts, all of which are rotatably connected to the outer frame of the covering unit 2. The outer frame can be fixedly connected to the power transmission unit 1, or it can be directly fixed on the ground. In addition, the outer frame can be a complete frame-type structure, or it can be a plurality of independent units arranged corresponding to each rotating surface 3. Whether it is a complete structure or an independent unit, as long as the connection to the rotating surface 3 can be achieved, it can be applied to the present invention.

[0036] Generally, the entire covering unit 2, that is, including the outer frame and the rotating surface 3, does not use metal materials to avoid affecting the efficiency of wireless charging. In addition, as may be mentioned below, the components arranged above the covering unit 2 or above the power transmission unit 1, except for necessary workpieces (such as the power receiving unit 4), are basically non-metallic materials. These non-metallic materials can use plastics, such as phenolic plastics, which is bakelite. Of course, other non-metallic materials can also be selected and used as needed, and the requirement is to avoid affecting the charging process.

[0037] The structure and connection method of the rotating surface 3 are described in detail below.

[0038] The two sides of the rotating surface 3 are respectively a free end 31 and a connection end 32. Generally, the projection of the rotating surface is a rectangular structure, such as Figure 3 As shown, the free end 31 and the connecting end 32 are located at two opposite longer sides of the rectangular structure.

[0039] The connection end 32 is rotatably connected to the outer frame, for example, the connection can be realized by using a rotating shaft. Among the adjacent rotating surfaces 3, the free end 31 of one rotating surface 3 faces the connection end 32 of another rotating surface. That is, the rotating surfaces 3 are arranged in parallel with the longer sides as adjacent sides. Figure 3 For the convenience of explanation, the free end 31 is filled with particle noise, and the connection end 32 is not filled, so as to more clearly show the two positions.

[0040] The above arrangement ensures that when the rotating surface 3 rotates in sequence, foreign matter can be moved step by step and finally removed. That is, after the first rotating surface 3 rotates, the foreign matter on the upper part is dumped onto the second rotating surface 3, and so on until the last rotating surface 3 removes the foreign matter from the working area of ​​the power transmission unit 1. Of course, in order to realize the removal of foreign matter from the working area, the area of ​​the covering unit 2 or the area covered by the rotating surface 3 set therein must exceed the working area.

[0041] The rotation of the rotating surface 3 is powered by the driving unit. The power required by the driving unit can be taken from an external power source. In a more preferred embodiment, the power can be directly taken from the power transmission unit 1, that is, the driving unit has a power receiving unit 4, and the power receiving unit 4 is directly powered by the power transmission unit 1. This can reduce or avoid the use of additional power sources, which can save costs and avoid interference between external power sources and wireless charging devices. Figure 4A and Figure 4B The power receiving unit 4 is shown in the figure, which cooperates with other structures to supply power.

[0042] It should be understood that the power receiving unit 4 here is the power source of the driving unit and does not affect the use of the vehicle-mounted power receiving unit. In other words, the power transmission unit 1 can charge the vehicle and supply power to the driving unit, and the two do not conflict and have no impact (or the impact is small).

[0043] In a specific implementation, the power transmission unit 1 can be a whole unit that supplies power to the power receiving unit 4 and the vehicle-mounted power receiving unit at the same time, or it can be an additional independent auxiliary area that supplies power to the power receiving unit 4 alone.

[0044] An optional implementation of the drive unit is described below.

[0045] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The driving unit has a curved slide rail 5 and a top block 6. The top block 6 is slidably mounted on the curved slide rail 5, realizes a curved motion along the curved slide rail 5, and rotates against the rotating surface through the curved motion.

[0046] The curved slide rail 5 is arranged at the bottom side of the covering unit 2, and the curved slide rail 5 has a plurality of crests and a plurality of troughs; and when the top block 6 slides to a crest, it abuts against a corresponding rotating surface 3 and rotates.

[0047] Generally, a wave crest is located between the free end 31 and the connection end 32 of a rotating surface 3. That is to say, each rotating surface 3 has a unique corresponding wave crest. In the process of the top block 6 sliding from the wave trough to the wave crest, the rotating surface 3 is gradually pushed to move, and the push on the rotating surface 3 is disengaged when sliding from the wave crest to the wave trough. Due to the influence of the position of the curved slide rail 5 and the shape of the top block 6, the process of sliding from the wave crest to the wave trough can also be a process of pushing the rotating surface 3 to rotate, but at least when the top block 6 reaches the wave trough, it is disengaged from the contact with the rotating surface 3.

[0048] It can be known from the above-mentioned mechanism that no matter in which direction the top block 6 slides along the curved slide rail 5 , a fixed rotation sequence of the rotating surface 3 can be achieved.

[0049] How to drive the top block 6 is described below.

[0050] The first method, such as Figure 4A As shown, electromagnets 10 are respectively arranged on both sides of the curved slide rail 5, and a magnet is arranged on the top block 6, or the top block 6 itself is a magnet. The position driving of the top block 6 is realized by the change of the magnetic field of the electromagnet 10.

[0051] The second method is to set an electromagnet 10 on one side of the curved slide 5, set a magnet on the top block 6, or the top block 6 is a material that can be adsorbed by a magnet, and the top block 6 is connected to the other side of the curved slide 5 through an elastic structure. The top block 6 is driven by the magnetic field change of the electromagnet 10 and the elastic restoring force of the elastic structure.

[0052] For the third method, see Figure 4B , the driving of the top block 6 is realized by forming a guiding mechanism. The guiding structure is composed of the guide rail 7, the guide block 8, the traction rope 9 and the electromagnet 10. Specifically, the extension direction of the guide rail 7 is the same as the extension direction of the curved slide rail 5; the guide block 8 is slidably arranged on the guide rail 7; the traction rope 9 connects the guide block 8 and the top block 6; the electromagnet 10 is arranged at one end or both ends of the guide rail 7. Similar to the settings mentioned in the first method and the second method above, for example, the electromagnet 10 is arranged at both ends of the guide rail 7, the top block 6 is a magnet, and the electromagnet 10 drives the guide block 8 to slide on the guide rail 7 by changing the magnetic pole. Of course, the electromagnet 10 can also be arranged at one end of the guide rail 7. The principle is similar to the above and will not be described in detail.

[0053] During operation, the electromagnet 10 drives the lead block 8 through electromagnetic force, and the lead block 8 drives the top block 6 to move through the traction rope 9.

[0054] The guide structure can be one group or multiple groups. Figure 4B The structure shown uses two sets of guiding mechanisms to drive the top block 6.

[0055] The guide rail 7, the guide block 8 and the traction rope 9 are generally made of non-metallic materials, and the guide rail 7 and the guide block 8 can be made of plastic and other materials to reduce the impact of the surface on the charging process. The traction rope 9 can be made of nylon and other materials.

[0056] In the above three methods, the electromagnet 10 used is connected to the power receiving unit 4, and the power is supplied through the power receiving unit 4. Of course, there will also be corresponding processing modules, such as current stabilizers, processors, etc. These can be set as needed by those skilled in the art, and this application will not go into details. Generally, the wireless charging device has a foreign object detection function, and the cleaning of foreign objects is started when the presence of foreign objects is detected.

[0057] During the cleaning process, the working performance of the electromagnet 10 can be adjusted according to the actual cleaning situation. For example, the weight can be estimated according to the different sizes of the foreign matter, or the weight of the foreign matter can be directly measured, and the working intensity can be adjusted according to the weight, so that the foreign matter can be removed and the energy consumption can be reduced, especially when the power is taken from the power transmission unit 1, unnecessary energy loss can be reduced. The above-mentioned weight is used as an example and is not used to limit the possibility of other implementations.

[0058] The above three methods are all implemented through the top block 6, which is an optional implementation of the driving unit. Next, another implementation of the driving unit is described.

[0059] In this embodiment, see Figure 5 The drive unit has multiple cams 11, each of which is located below a rotating surface 3, and the angle of the latter cam 11 of two adjacent cams 11 lags behind the angle of the former cam 11, and the rotation speed of each cam 11 is the same. There may be cams with the same angle among the multiple cams 11, but these two cams with the same angle will not be adjacent. This is also to prevent the two adjacent rotating surfaces 3 from rotating at the same time, and foreign matter may fall under the rotating surface 3, making it impossible to clean it.

[0060] The specific setting of the angle can be adjusted according to actual size and other requirements. What needs to be satisfied is that, among the two adjacent rotating surfaces 3, the second rotating surface 3 can only start to rotate after the first rotating surface 3 has at least reached the maximum stroke. This is also to prevent foreign objects from falling under the rotating surface 3.

[0061] Furthermore, each cam 11 is formed with a driving tooth, and the driving unit further comprises a chain, and the chain is meshed with the driving tooth, so that the chain can ensure the synchronous rotation of each cam 11 .

[0062] Here too, it is preferred to use a cam 11 and a chain made of plastic.

[0063] It should be noted that the use of plastic instead of metal is mentioned in many places above in order to prevent metal from affecting the electromagnetic field during the charging process. Plastic is only a preferred material and is not intended to limit the present application.

[0064] In both the embodiment using the top block 6 and the embodiment using the cam 11, it is necessary to ensure that two adjacent rotating surfaces 3 are not opened at the same time, or at least the next rotating surface can start to move after the previous rotating surface 3 reaches the maximum stroke. The reason is as mentioned above, to prevent foreign matter from falling under the rotating surface 3.

[0065] In order to better solve the problem of foreign objects falling and reduce the accuracy requirements for the opening time of the rotating surface 3, both embodiments can add a covering film, which is arranged above the covering unit 2, or at a free end 31 of a rotating surface 3 connected to the connecting end 32 of the previous rotating surface 3.

[0066] See also Figure 6 A collecting box 12 is provided at the top of the free end 31, preferably at the bottom side, and the collecting box 12 has a winding shaft. One end of the covering film is fixed in the winding shaft, and the other end is connected to the adjacent rotating surface 3 (close to the free end 31), and is in the middle of the adjacent rotating surface 3, that is, between the free end 31 and the connecting end 32.

[0067] The winding shaft has an elastic structure inside, so that it can collect the covering film into the collecting box 12, and when the rotating surface 3 rotates, the covering film can be released from the collecting box 12.

[0068] In this way, even if the rotation time of adjacent rotating surfaces 3 overlaps, foreign matter will be blocked by the covering film. On the other hand, it also avoids the situation where foreign matter falls under the rotating surface 3 from other positions after the rotating surface 3 rotates (for example, a rolling stone just rolls under the rotating surface 3 after the rotating surface 3 rotates).

[0069] In summary, the foreign matter cleaning device of the wireless charging device of the present invention can realize the function of cleaning foreign matter. After cleaning the foreign matter, the occurrence of safety problems is avoided, and the normal charging work will not be affected. During the cleaning process, the rotating surface 3 that rotates in sequence requires less space, which can meet the gap requirement between the vehicle chassis and the ground when the vehicle is charging.

[0070] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and an explanation of the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in the present application is not limited to the technical solution formed by a specific combination of the above technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the above features are replaced with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in the present application.

Claims

1. A wireless charging device, characterized in that: include: A power transmission unit (1), a covering unit (2) and a driving unit; the power transmission unit (1) is arranged on a fixed surface; the covering unit covers the power transmission unit (1); wherein: The covering unit (2) comprises an outer frame, and a plurality of adjacently arranged rotating surfaces (3), one side of the rotating surface (3) being a free end (31), and the other side being a connecting end (32), the connecting end (32) being rotatably connected to the outer frame; of two adjacent rotating surfaces (3), the free end (31) of one rotating surface (3) faces the connecting end (32) of the other rotating surface; The driving unit is located on the bottom side of the covering unit (2), and drives the rotating surface (3) to rotate in turn; The driving unit comprises a curved slide rail (5) and a top block (6); wherein: The curved slide rail (5) is arranged on the bottom side of the cover unit (2), and the curved slide rail (5) has a plurality of wave crests and a plurality of wave troughs; the top block (6) is slidably mounted outside the curved slide rail (5), and when the top block (6) slides to one of the wave crests, it abuts against a corresponding rotating surface (3) and rotates.

2. The wireless charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving unit comprises a power receiving unit (4), and the power receiving unit (4) is powered by the power transmitting unit (1).

3. The wireless charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the wave peaks is located between the free end (31) and the connection end (32) of one of the rotating surfaces (3).

4. The wireless charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving unit further comprises a guide rail (7), a guide block (8), a traction rope (9) and an electromagnet (10); wherein: The extension direction of the guide rail (7) is the same as the extension direction of the curved slide rail (5); The guide block (8) is slidably arranged on the guide rail (7); The traction rope (9) connects the lead block (8) and the top block (6); The electromagnet (10) is arranged at one end or both ends of the guide rail (7) to drive the guide block (8) to slide on the guide rail (7).

5. The wireless charging device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The electromagnet (10) is arranged at both ends of the guide rail (7), the top block (6) is a magnet, and the electromagnet (10) drives the guide block (8) to slide on the guide rail (7) by changing its magnetic pole.

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