Inductive charging device for a vehicle charging system

Abstract

The invention relates to an inductive charging device (1) for a vehicle charging system (8), comprising an energy transmission winding (4) and at least one magnetic flux guiding element (5). The inductive charging device according to the invention has a short-range positioning transmission device (NAH-POS), which is suitable for generating at least one short-range positioning signal (NAH-SIG), and a long-range positioning transmission device (FERN-POS), which is suitable for generating at least one long-range positioning signal (FERN-SIG).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an inductive charging device for a vehicle charging system according to the generic nature of the independent patent claims and to a vehicle charging system. Background Art

[0002] DE 10 2014 202 747 A1 discloses a dual winding system for determining an orientation deviation between a primary coil and a secondary coil of an inductive charging system. The two windings of the dual winding system are offset from one another by a certain angle and are wound around a common ferrite element. The magnetic field of the primary coil induces a voltage in the two windings. The two voltages are evaluated by an evaluation unit and the orientation deviation between the primary coil and the secondary coil is calculated. The dual winding system shown as a sensor is used for only one method of detecting an orientation deviation. Such a method may become inaccurate or no longer function adequately in the case of minimal spacing. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention is based on the object of specifying an improved or at least alternative embodiment for an inductive charging device of the type mentioned in the introduction, in particular an embodiment which allows a localization method to be implemented over the greatest possible distance.

[0004] Compared with the conventional conductive charging process, the ability to charge a vehicle inductively has many advantages. First of all, it is worth mentioning that the comfort level is increased, because this saves the use of sometimes very heavy charging cables and plugs. However, it is important for the inductive charging process to position the inductive charging device of the vehicle as accurately as possible relative to the fixed, for example, bottom-side inductive charging device. It is difficult to position the vehicle above the fixed inductive charging device purely manually, and the driver either needs the support of an auxiliary system, which provides the driver with information about the position deviation between the mobile inductive charging device in the vehicle and the fixed inductive charging device, or needs the support of an automated positioning system, which directly and automatically takes over the parking process. A sensor device that can detect the corresponding position deviation is necessary. It is advantageous that no initial calibration is required between the fixed inductive charging device and the mobile inductive charging device in the vehicle. In addition, the largest possible range of action is advantageous for the positioning system. That is to say, the positioning system should not only be able to accurately determine the position deviation at the largest possible distance between the fixed inductive charging device and the mobile inductive charging device in the vehicle, but should also work normally until sufficiently accurate positioning.

[0005] In the present case, an inductive charging device for a vehicle charging system is proposed, which has an energy transmission winding and at least one flux guiding element and has a short-range locating transmitting device and a long-range locating transmitting device, wherein the short-range locating transmitting device is suitable for generating at least one short-range locating signal and the long-range locating transmitting device is suitable for generating at least one long-range locating signal.

[0006] During inductive charging, energy is transferred in the form of a magnetic field between two inductive charging devices, primarily between a stationary inductive charging device and a mobile inductive charging device.

[0007] The term "inductive charging device" therefore refers here only to one of the at least two parts which is necessary for the inductive energy transfer process. During the inductive charging process, the energy transfer winding generates an alternating magnetic field in the inductive charging device. This alternating magnetic field induces a voltage in the further energy transfer winding of the further inductive charging device. Thus, for this specific charging process, the further inductive charging device serves as a counterpart. The energy is transmitted wirelessly and is received by inducing a voltage.

[0008] The inductive charging device can be used for inductive charging of vehicles. In principle, the inductive charging device according to the invention can be used for any type of land vehicle, water vehicle or aircraft with an electric drive or a hybrid drive. In particular, passenger cars, buses and trucks are mentioned here.

[0009] The vehicle charging system includes at least one mobile inductive charging device and a further, usually stationary, inductive charging device. The mobile inductive charging device can be mounted on and / or in the vehicle, for example.

[0010] An inductive charging device on and / or in a vehicle is therefore suitable for receiving a magnetic field and supplying electrical energy to an energy store of the vehicle, for example a battery or accumulator in the vehicle.

[0011] In principle, the vehicle charging system can also be used for bidirectional charging. Here, the vehicle can also temporarily feed energy from the energy storage device into the power grid via the vehicle charging system.

[0012] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0013] The inductive charging device has an energy transmission winding that can efficiently receive a magnetic field from another energy transmission winding and / or can emit a magnetic field during the charging process. Preferably, a power of 3 kW to 500 kW can be transmitted, particularly preferably a power of 3 kW to 50 kW can be transmitted.

[0014] In general, a coil is defined here as a component for generating or receiving a magnetic field. A coil can consist of a winding and optionally further elements, such as a magnetic core and a coil carrier. A winding is a wound arrangement of a current conductor. A winding can consist of one or more windings, wherein one winding represents a complete revolution of the conductor. However, in general, a winding can also consist of only less than one winding, such as 0.5 windings. Of course, a non-integer number of windings, such as 2.5 windings, is also possible.

[0015] The energy transmission winding can be designed in various forms and can be composed, for example, of a high-frequency litz wire having a diameter of between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, which is preferably composed of copper.

[0016] The flux guiding element is suitable for guiding a magnetic field in a predetermined form. The flux guiding element has a high magnetic permeability, wherein μ r >1, preferably μ r >50, particularly preferably μ r >100. The flux guiding element is a magnetic core for the energy transmission winding. In particular, the magnetic field is influenced by the high magnetic permeability in such a way that the largest possible magnetic flux is transmitted to the energy transmission winding. With parameters that are otherwise the same, the energy transmission winding receives a larger magnetic flux with the flux guiding element than without the flux guiding element. The flux guiding element can be made of a ferromagnetic material, or preferably of a ferrimagnetic material, particularly preferably of a ferrite. The flux guiding element can preferably be implemented in a plate-shaped manner - in the form of a planar core - and can be arranged in the inductive charging device on the side of the energy transmission winding that faces away from the mating side, i.e., away from the other inductive charging device.

[0017] The positioning transmission device is a device that can emit at least one positioning signal. The positioning transmission device can be composed of multiple elements, which can also be separated from each other in space. It is also possible that the positioning transmission device can emit multiple positioning signals. The positioning transmission device is used to generate a positioning signal for a positioning method.

[0018] For an optimal positioning process, it is important, on the one hand, to achieve the largest possible range, i.e. to be able to perform positioning at the largest possible distance between the two inductive charging devices. On the other hand, it is important to still be able to perform positioning even at a small distance between the two inductive charging devices, to be precise until sufficiently accurate positioning is achieved.

[0019] Here, the distance always refers to the distance for optimal positioning. In the case of a stationary inductive charging device arranged on or in the ground, the optimal positioning can be achieved when the two center points of the inductive charging device are vertically superimposed on each other in a plane parallel to the ground. In this case, the distance is always determined with reference to these center points. Therefore, here, the distance between two inductive charging devices refers to the distance between the two center points of the two inductive charging devices with respect to a plane parallel to the ground. Different positioning methods can be optimal for different ranges of the distance between the two inductive charging devices. For example, in the case of a small distance, a positioning method that achieves the largest possible range, that is, the largest possible distance between the two inductive charging devices, may not be sufficient. A positioning method that provides an exact value in the case of a small distance may have a too small range. Therefore, it is advantageous to combine two positioning methods that provide sufficient or optimal values ​​for different ranges of the distance between the two inductive charging devices. In addition, it may be advantageous to use different positioning transmitters for the two positioning methods.

[0020] The expressions “close-range positioning” or “near” and “long-range positioning” or “far” relate here to two different distance ranges between two inductive charging devices or between two center points thereof. The distance ranges may overlap. The expressions “close-range positioning” and “long-range positioning” do not explicitly relate to the near-field properties or the far-field properties of the electromagnetic waves.

[0021] A short-range locating transmitter is a locating transmitter that can emit a locating signal that is sufficient or optimal for locating at a relatively small distance between two inductive charging devices. The short-range locating transmitter is suitable for emitting a short-range locating signal during a locating process. In particular, the short-range locating transmitter can emit a short-range locating signal that is suitable for locating, even sufficiently accurate locating.

[0022] Close-range positioning can cover the range up to the maximum distance for close-range positioning. The maximum distance refers to the distance between two inductive chargers. The maximum distance refers to the distance for optimal positioning. In the case of stationary inductive chargers arranged on or in the ground, the optimal positioning is when the two center points of the inductive chargers are one above the other. The maximum distance therefore refers to the distance between the two center points in the driving plane of the two inductive chargers.

[0023] The maximum distance of close-range positioning can be less than two meters. Preferably, the maximum distance can be one meter. Therefore, preferably, close-range positioning covers a range of from a few centimeters to one meter of the distance between the center points of two inductive charging devices.

[0024] A long-range locating transmitter is a locating transmitter that can emit one or more locating signals that are sufficient or optimal for locating at a relatively large distance between two inductive charging devices. The long-range locating transmitter is suitable for emitting long-range locating signals during a locating process. In particular, the long-range locating transmitter can emit long-range locating signals that are sufficiently accurate for locating up to a maximum range. The maximum range is the maximum distance between two inductive charging devices, which can be achieved by a combination of a short-range locating method and a long-range locating method.

[0025] Long-distance positioning can cover a range between a minimum distance and a maximum distance for long-distance positioning. The maximum distance for long-distance positioning should be at least the same as the distance from which the driver can no longer see the stationary inductive charging device through the windshield when driving straight toward the stationary inductive charging device. The maximum distance for long-distance positioning can be several meters. Preferably, the maximum distance for long-distance positioning can be between 5 and 15m, particularly preferably 10m. Long-distance positioning can have a minimum distance, below which positioning can no longer be performed with the aid of the method. Advantageously, the minimum distance for long-distance positioning is at least the same as the maximum distance for short-distance positioning. However, it is also possible that the minimum distance for long-distance positioning is smaller than the maximum distance for short-distance positioning. In this case, a short transition area occurs, in which positioning with the aid of a positioning method is not required. For example, here, positioning can be performed simply in the corresponding direction after the last signal of the long-distance positioning that has been analyzed, until the short-distance positioning provides a signal that can be analyzed. Alternatively, it is also possible that the minimum distance for long-distance positioning is greater than the maximum distance for short-distance positioning. In this case, there is an overlap of the two positioning methods.

[0026] The minimum distance for long-range positioning may be between 20 cm and 1 m. Preferably, the minimum distance for long-range positioning may be about 0.5 m.

[0027] Thus, preferably, the term "far" refers to a distance range between 0.5m and 10m. Thus, preferably, the term "near" refers to a distance range of less than 1m.

[0028] It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively stated combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Preferably, the inductive charging device is a mobile inductive charging device arranged on and / or in a vehicle, or the inductive charging device is a stationary inductive charging device.

[0030] A stationary inductive charger is the non-mobile part of a vehicle's charging system, ie the part that does not move with the vehicle.

[0031] Preferably, the stationary inductive charging device can be located on, at or in a base surface. This can be an inductive charging device applied to the ground or an inductive charging device sunk into the ground or in a base surface. The base surface can be a driveway, a parking lot surface, a garage floor, a floor in a parking garage or other building. Alternatively, however, the stationary inductive charging device can also be located on a wall or the like.

[0032] It is also possible that this is a stationary inductive charging device for a dynamic inductive charging process. In the case of a dynamic inductive charging process, the energy storage device of the vehicle can be charged while the vehicle is moving. In this case, for example, the stationary inductive charging device can extend along the roadway below, in or on the roadway surface.

[0033] The mobile inductive charging device can be arranged on and / or in the vehicle. Quite generally speaking, this is to be understood as the part of the vehicle charging system that moves with the vehicle.

[0034] Advantageously, the short-distance transmission device has a plurality of short-distance transmission windings, preferably at least four short-distance transmission windings, which are arranged at a distance from one another.

[0035] The short-distance transmission winding is a transmission coil or a part of a transmission coil, which can generate a short-distance positioning signal. Here, the short-distance positioning signal can be an alternating magnetic field and has a certain frequency or a certain frequency band. The frequency of the short-distance positioning signal can be in the range of 5kHz to 150kHz, preferably in the range of 110kHz to 148.5kHz, and particularly preferably in the range of 120kHz to 145kHz. For example, the frequency used can be a plurality of the following frequencies: 111.483kHz and 111.982kHz and 112.994kHz and 113.507kHz and 116.009kHz. The transmission coil can be implemented to be significantly smaller than the energy transmission winding, and can also be implemented to be smaller than the sensor winding. For example, the short-distance transmission winding can be implemented in the form of a flat coil. The short-distance transmission winding can be spaced apart from the energy transmission winding and arranged spaced apart from one or more magnetic flux guiding elements. Alternatively, the short-distance transmission winding can also be arranged in the area of ​​the energy transmission winding and / or in the area of ​​the magnetic flux guiding element. In principle, the short-distance transmission winding can be arranged in any plane of the inductive charging device. In the case of an inductive charging device arranged parallel to the driving plane, this corresponds to an arrangement at different heights. The short-distance transmission winding can be arranged between at least one magnetic flux guiding element and the energy transmission winding. Alternatively, the short-distance transmission winding can also be located in a plane with the energy transmission winding. In another alternative embodiment, the short-distance transmission winding can be closer to another inductive charging device than the energy transmission winding and the magnetic flux guiding element, and the other inductive charging device forms a matching piece during the inductive charging process. In other words, the short-distance transmission winding can be arranged on the side of the energy transmission winding facing away from the magnetic flux guiding element. It is also possible that the short-distance transmission winding is arranged spatially spaced apart from the inductive charging device and is only functionally assigned to the inductive charging device. By using multiple short-distance transmission windings, a simpler method for positioning can be achieved.

[0036] If the received signal can be assigned to each positioning signal of the close-range transmission winding, the relative distance or absolute distance to the corresponding close-range transmission winding can be determined and positioning can be achieved thereby. For example, the relative distances to two adjacent close-range transmission windings can be compared with each other.

[0037] It is advantageous to use at least four close-range transmission windings. For example, the close-range transmission windings can be arranged in a rectangular form around the target area. By simply comparing the strengths of the corresponding different positioning signals, positioning can be performed not only in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, but also perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Another advantage is that there is redundancy in this way, because two proportional relationships are formed along each spatial direction. This is particularly important for the proposed system, because in the case of a very small distance between the close-range transmission winding and the sensor winding, parasitic effects will have an impact, so that the signal no longer has its maximum value directly at the close-range transmission winding in a spatially distributed manner, but there is a clear "dip" there. Here, the "dip" refers to the local minimum between two local maxima. That is, the position-related signal has a characteristic curve with a "double hump". Such a curve leads to distortion of the identified position. Since the effect of the obvious "dip" in the spatial distribution only occurs in the case of a very short distance, the redundancy proposed here is advantageous, because the signal of the close-range transmission winding with a larger distance can always be analyzed and processed here.

[0038] Particularly advantageously, the short-range transmission winding is designed with a winding axis perpendicular to the ground.

[0039] The short-distance transmission winding can be implemented as a flat coil. The flat coil can be a spiral flat coil, especially a circular spiral flat coil or a rectangular spiral flat coil. The spiral flat coil can be wound in the form of an Archimedean spiral. Here, the winding shape can be circular (circular spiral flat coil), but other shapes, such as square-like or rectangular-like or rectangular-like with rounded corners, are also possible (rectangular spiral flat coil). Here, the spiral is located in a plane. In the case of application in a vehicle, the flat coil is particularly suitable, because in this case, the structural space is particularly limited along the height of the vehicle. The flat coil is advantageous because the flat coil has the smallest possible extension dimension along this direction. The extension dimension along the two dimensions parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the height of the vehicle is advantageous because the tolerance range for positioning is thereby the largest, and within this tolerance range, the coupling between the energy transmission windings is still sufficient for energy transmission.

[0040] Alternatively, the short-distance transmission winding can also be implemented as a cylindrical coil. Here, the cylindrical coil can be implemented quite flat. The corresponding cylindrical coil can be arranged in a manner wound around the winding body and has a height between 5mm and 15mm along the winding axis.

[0041] The short-distance transmission winding may be made of copper. The short-distance transmission winding may have between 10 and 50 windings. Preferably, the short-distance transmission winding has between 20 and 40 windings. Particularly preferably, the short-distance transmission winding has 28 windings. The short-distance transmission winding may have a diameter between 50 and 100 mm. For example, the diameter of the short-distance transmission winding is 72 mm.

[0042] Preferably, the short-distance transmission winding is suitable for generating short-distance positioning signals respectively. As a part of the short-distance transmission winding of the electric coil, an alternating magnetic field can be generated by applying an alternating current. For example, the alternating magnetic field can induce a voltage in another winding arranged far away. As a result, the same physical basic principle as the physical basic principle for energy transmission, i.e. induction, can also be used to transmit positioning signals. This provides multiple advantages. First and foremost, certain components, such as electronic device components and magnetic flux guiding elements, can be used not only for energy transmission, but also for positioning signal transmission. Here, an alternating current with an effective value between 500mA and 1A can flow through the short-distance transmission winding. Preferably, the effective value of the alternating current is 700mA.

[0043] The short-range positioning signal can be an alternating magnetic field with different frequencies, or an alternating magnetic field with the same frequency but different pulse widths.

[0044] In the short-range positioning method, different short-range positioning signals sent and received can be compared, and thus the deviation from the optimal position can be determined. To this end, it is necessary to generate a plurality of short-range positioning signals that can be distinguished from each other. These short-range positioning signals need to be different from each other in terms of the distinguishing criteria. One possible distinguishing criterion is frequency. The spacing between two frequencies can be between 0.1 and 1 kHz. For example, the frequencies used can be four or more of the following frequencies: 111.483kHz and 111.982kHz and 112.994kHz and 113.507kHz and 116.009kHz.

[0045] Another possibility is to select only one frequency for all short-range locating signals, but to use different pulse widths for different short-range locating signals as a differentiation criterion.

[0046] Preferably, the remote locating transmitting device comprises a remote locating signal winding, wherein the remote locating signal winding is implemented as a solenoid having a winding axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or in the desired longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the flux guiding element is suitable for guiding the magnetic field during the energy transfer process occurring between the further inductive charging device and the energy transfer winding, the remote locating signal winding surrounds at least one of the at least one flux guiding element, and the remote locating signal winding is suitable for generating a remote locating signal.

[0047] The long-distance positioning signal winding can send out a positioning signal during the positioning process.

[0048] The remote locating signal winding can have a plurality of windings, preferably between 10 and 15 windings, particularly preferably 13 windings. For example, the remote locating signal winding can generate an alternating magnetic field with a certain frequency based on an alternating current. The effective current of the alternating current in the remote locating signal winding can be between 100 and 500 mA. Preferably, the effective current of the alternating current is 260 mA.

[0049] In principle, the energy transmission winding can also emit a locating signal, but it is advantageous to use a separate long-distance locating signal winding for generating the locating signal, as proposed here. In particular, the long-distance locating signal winding can generate a magnetic field, which is more suitable for locating and can achieve a larger range, especially with the same power. The energy transmission winding is designed in such a way that it couples as well as possible to the corresponding matching part. Therefore, in general, the energy transmission winding does not have a large range with respect to sending or receiving magnetic fields in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or the desired longitudinal direction of the vehicle. However, this is crucial for the locating process.

[0050] During positioning, the maximum possible power of the positioning signal or the maximum possible magnetic field is strongly limited. The maximum possible power or the maximum possible magnetic field is significantly smaller than during energy transmission. During the positioning process, no vehicle is located on the stationary inductive charging device. It is therefore possible, for example, that a person stands on the stationary inductive charging device. In order to keep the magnetic field harmless for people, the magnetic field must not exceed a magnetic flux density of 27 μT or 6.25 μT, depending on the frequency range.

[0051] With the proposed long-distance locating signal winding, a locating signal can be generated which contains limit values ​​or reference values ​​and nevertheless enables a large range.

[0052] Solenoids are also called cylindrical coils or solenoid coils. Solenoids can be wound in the form of a spiral or cylindrical helix. However, the winding shape does not have to be circular, but can also have other shapes, such as square-like or rectangular-like or also rectangular-like with rounded corners. An important difference from a flat coil is that the winding is not located in one plane, but extends along the axis. However, two or more windings can also extend in parallel and therefore be located in the same plane perpendicular to the axis.

[0053] The stationary inductive charging device has a desired vehicle longitudinal direction, which is the direction in which the vehicle longitudinal direction should lie after a successful positioning process.

[0054] If the telelocation signal winding is located in a mobile inductive charging device of the vehicle, the winding axis of the telelocation signal winding is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. If the telelocation signal winding is located in a stationary inductive charging device, the winding axis of the telelocation signal winding is oriented in the desired longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0055] The remote locating signal winding may have an extension along the winding axis of between 10 mm and 60 mm. Preferably, the extension of the remote locating signal winding along the winding axis is 40 mm.

[0056] In the proposed arrangement, the flux guidance element takes over the guidance of the magnetic field for energy transmission during the energy transmission process and takes over the guidance of the magnetic field for positioning during the positioning process. The flux guidance element thus takes over a dual function here, which is particularly advantageous because material and installation space can be used efficiently.

[0057] Particularly preferably, the remote locating signal winding can be arranged around the entire width of the inductive charging device, so that the largest possible area is covered in this way and a magnetic field that is as homogeneous as possible can thus be generated.

[0058] In a variant, the remote locating signal winding is arranged around at least one of the at least one flux guiding element and around the energy transmission winding. This is advantageous because the remote locating signal winding can be arranged around an otherwise preassembled inductive charging device. In addition, when the remote locating signal winding is arranged around at least one of the at least one flux guiding element and around the energy transmission winding, a larger area is opened up by the remote locating signal winding than when the remote locating signal winding is arranged only around one or more flux guiding elements. Therefore, with the same power, the local maximum of the magnetic flux density is further reduced, or in other words, while complying with the magnetic flux density reference value or the magnetic flux density limit value, a higher power can be used and thus a larger range of action can be achieved.

[0059] The long-distance locating signal can be an alternating magnetic field. It is advantageous to use the same basic physical principles for energy transmission for the long-distance locating method, since certain components, such as flux guiding elements or electronic device components, can be shared. It can be particularly advantageous if not only the short-distance locating signal but also one or more long-distance locating signals are alternating magnetic fields. Here, further components can also be shared again. For example, both signal types - long-distance locating signal and short-distance locating signal - can be received by means of the same sensor.

[0060] For example, the alternating magnetic field can be generated by means of a coil or by means of a winding of a coil through which current flows. The frequency of the alternating magnetic field can be between 100 and 150 kHz. Preferably, the frequency can be between 110 and 148.5 kHz. For example, the frequency used can be one of the following frequencies: 145.560 kHz, 145.985 kHz, 146.843 kHz, and 147.275 kHz.

[0061] The present invention further relates to a vehicle charging system having a mobile inductive charging device and a stationary inductive charging device, wherein the mobile inductive charging device is designed according to the present invention and the stationary inductive charging device has a position detection device, or the stationary inductive charging device is designed according to the present invention and the mobile inductive charging device has a position detection device.

[0062] It is advantageous if the sending and receiving of the locating signals (both long-range locating signals and short-range locating signals) takes place in the corresponding inductive charging device, since the most accurate information about the exact position deviation or position deviation can be obtained here. In this case, one of the two inductive charging devices can be configured according to the invention and can have a long-range locating transmitting device and a short-range locating transmitting device. In this case, the other inductive charging device can have a locating receiving device. The locating receiving device is suitable for receiving short-range locating signals and / or long-range locating signals.

[0063] Advantageously, the inductive charging device having the position receiving device has at least one flux conducting element and at least one sensor device having at least one first sensor winding and at least one second sensor winding.

[0064] In this case, the sensor device serves to receive short-range locating signals and / or long-range locating signals and thus forms a central element of the locating signal receiving device.

[0065] The sensor winding according to the invention can be implemented in different forms and can have half a winding, one winding or preferably a plurality of windings. Of course, a non-integer number of windings, for example 2.5 windings, is also possible. In this case, for example, the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor of such a sensor winding can be between 0.01 and 2 mm. 2 In this case, the conductor can be implemented as a stranded wire, a single conductor or in another form, for example in the form of a printed circuit board. In the case of a conductor structure implemented on a printed circuit board, the cross section of the conductor track can be, for example, in the order of magnitude of 0.8 mm to 35 μm.

[0066] Preferably, at least one flux guiding element is suitable for guiding a magnetic field during an energy transfer process taking place between the mobile inductive charging device and the stationary inductive charging device, and the first sensor winding and the second sensor winding are arranged around at least one of the at least one flux guiding element.

[0067] By arranging the first sensor winding and the second sensor winding around at least one of the at least one flux guiding element, at least one of the at least one flux guiding element assumes a dual function. The flux guiding element serves not only as a magnetic core for the first sensor winding and / or the second sensor winding, but also as a magnetic core or flux guiding element for the energy transmission winding. Thus, no separate flux guiding element for the sensor winding is required, which leads to simplified production.

[0068] Arranging the sensor winding around the flux guiding element means that at least a portion of the flux guiding element is surrounded by the sensor winding. The first sensor winding and the second sensor winding can be arranged around the same flux guiding element or around two different flux guiding elements or also around a plurality of flux guiding elements respectively.

[0069] The two sensor windings can be arranged either only around one or more flux conducting elements or also around further elements, for example around the energy transmission winding and / or around a cooling device and / or around a shielding device.

[0070] In an advantageous specific embodiment, the first sensor winding has a first radial longitudinal direction and the second sensor winding has a second radial longitudinal direction, the first radial longitudinal direction and the second radial longitudinal direction being arranged at least approximately perpendicular to one another.

[0071] In general, a winding extends around an axis in at least two dimensions. The main extension direction perpendicular to the winding axis is referred to herein as the radial longitudinal direction. That is, in the case of a winding with a rectangular, rather than a square, cross section, the main extension direction extends along or parallel to the longer sides of the rectangle. In the case of a winding with an elliptical cross section, the radial longitudinal direction extends along or parallel to the main axis of the ellipse. Preferably, the radial longitudinal direction of the sensor winding according to the invention can lie in a plane extending parallel to the ground.

[0072] A corresponding arrangement of the angles of the radial longitudinal direction is advantageous for the highest possible sensitivity during detection and for the simplest possible calculation of the positional deviation between the vehicle and the stationary inductive charging device.

[0073] The extension of the first sensor winding and the second sensor winding along the winding axis may be between 10 mm and 60 mm. Preferably, the extension of the first sensor winding and the second sensor winding along the winding axis is 40 mm.

[0074] Preferably, the first sensor winding and the second sensor winding can each have between 10 and 20 windings. Particularly preferably, the first sensor winding and the second sensor winding each have 15 windings.

[0075] Particularly preferably, the first sensor winding has a first radial longitudinal direction and the second sensor winding has a second radial longitudinal direction, the first radial longitudinal direction and the second radial longitudinal direction being arranged at least approximately axisymmetrically with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction or with respect to the expected vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0076] If the two angles between the respective radial longitudinal directions of the sensor windings and the vehicle longitudinal direction or the desired vehicle longitudinal direction are of approximately the same size, this means that the sensor windings are arranged symmetrically with respect to the direction of travel.

[0077] This is particularly advantageous because the function of the sensor winding is also to detect a left-right position deviation between the inductive charging device in the vehicle and the stationary inductive charging device. Due to the symmetrical arrangement of the sensor winding with respect to the direction of travel, in the case of position deviations to the right or to the left of equal magnitude, the voltages induced in the sensor winding are also symmetrical, and the position deviation can therefore be calculated relatively easily from the induced voltage.

[0078] If the two angles are 45°, the two sensor windings are at an angle of 90° relative to one another, which is ideal for optimal evaluation of the sensor signals.

[0079] Preferably, the first sensor winding has a first radial longitudinal direction, the second sensor winding has a second radial longitudinal direction, the first radial longitudinal direction and the second radial longitudinal direction are respectively arranged at an angle of 45°+ / -10°, preferably at an angle of 45°, relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the first radial longitudinal direction and the second radial longitudinal direction intersect at an angle of 70° to 110°, preferably perpendicularly.

[0080] Preferably, the first sensor winding has a first radial longitudinal direction and the second sensor winding has a second radial longitudinal direction, the first radial longitudinal direction and the second radial longitudinal direction intersecting in the region of the area spanned by the energy transmission windings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or components having the same function.

[0082] The accompanying drawings schematically show:

[0083] Figure 1 shows a greatly simplified schematic diagram of a vehicle with an inductive charging device,

[0084] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view showing an inductive charging device for a vehicle charging system,

[0085] Figure 3 A top view of an inductive charging device according to the present invention is shown, wherein the inductive charging device has a short-distance positioning transmitter and a long-distance positioning transmitter.

[0086] Figure 4A top view of an alternative inductive charging device according to the invention is shown, which has a short-range position transmitter and a long-range position transmitter,

[0087] Figure 5 A flat coil is shown as a short-distance positioning transmitter for a short-distance positioning transmitting device,

[0088] Figure 6 An inductive charging device for a vehicle charging system according to the present invention is shown, the inductive charging device having a positioning receiving device,

[0089] Figure 7 An inductive charging device for a vehicle charging system according to the present invention is shown, the inductive charging device having a positioning receiving device,

[0090] Figure 8 The vehicle is shown during a positioning process with the vehicle charging system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0091] Figure 1 The figure shows a mobile inductive charging device 1a, which is arranged on vehicle 2 with energy storage device 3 and is positioned above a stationary inductive charging device 1b. During operation, energy can be transferred from stationary inductive charging device 1b to mobile inductive charging device 1a, and the energy storage device of vehicle 3 can be charged thereby.

[0092] Mobile inductive charging device 1a and stationary inductive charging device 1b together form vehicle charging system 8 or are part of vehicle charging system 8. In principle, it is also possible to operate vehicle charging system 8 bidirectionally. In this case, energy can be temporarily transferred from mobile inductive charging device 1a to stationary inductive charging device 1b. Alternatively, in Figure 1 Stationary inductive charging device 1b arranged on ground 35 in the example can also be arranged sunken into the roadway (not shown here). In the case of a sunken arrangement, inductive charging device 1b can be covered by a certain layer of the roadway or can be flush with the roadway surface.

[0093] Figure 2 The lateral section shows an inductive charging device 1 , 1 a which contains a plurality of flux conducting elements 5 and energy transmitting windings 4 , 10 and is mounted on a vehicle 2 .

[0094] A corresponding arrangement exists for stationary inductive charging device 1 b , except that it is not arranged on vehicle 2 , but on the ground (not shown).

[0095] Figure 3The inductive charging device according to the invention is shown in a top view, which has a short-range positioning transmitter NAH-POS and a long-range positioning transmitter FERN-POS. The short-range positioning transmitter NAH-POS is implemented in the form of four short-range transmission windings 13. The long-range positioning transmitter FERN-POS is implemented in the form of a solenoid 42. During the positioning process, the long-range positioning transmitter FERN-POS sends a long-range positioning signal FERN-SIG in the form of an alternating magnetic field. During the positioning process, the short-range positioning transmitter NAH-POS sends a plurality of short-range positioning signals NAH-SIG in the form of an alternating magnetic field, which differ, for example, in frequency.

[0096] Figure 4 The top view of an alternative inductive charging device according to the invention is shown, which has a short-distance positioning transmitter NAH-POS and a long-distance positioning transmitter FERN-POS. Here, the short-distance positioning transmitter NAH-POS is also implemented as four short-distance transmission windings 13, and the long-distance positioning transmitter FERN-POS is also implemented as a solenoid 42. This embodiment shows an alternative arrangement of the flux guide element 5, in addition, the long-distance positioning signal winding 41 does not extend centrally through the center of the inductive charging device 1, but is displaced toward the edge.

[0097] Figure 5 A short-distance transmission winding 13 is shown, which is designed as a flat coil 10 .

[0098] Figure 6 A further inductive charging device is shown, which has a position receiving device 17, which has two sensor windings 9a and 9b, which are part of the sensor device. This can be a mobile inductive charging device 1a or a stationary inductive charging device 1b. In the present embodiment, eight flux guiding elements 5 are shown, which are arranged in a plane radially around the center 7 of the energy transmission winding 4. There are narrow gaps 32 between the flux guiding elements 5. The gaps also extend radially around the center 7, so that they extend approximately in the main direction of the magnetic field lines (three magnetic field lines 14 are symbolically indicated here), which occur when energy is transmitted into the flux guiding elements 5. The energy transmission winding 4, which is covered by the flux guiding elements 5 in the top view, is marked with a dotted line. The energy transmission winding 4 is a flat coil 10 here.

[0099] In this case, the sensor winding is designed as a solenoid, also called a cylindrical coil.

[0100] In this case, the first sensor winding 9a extends around two flux guidance elements 5 which are arranged diagonally opposite one another with respect to the center 7 of the energy transmission coil 4. Correspondingly, the second sensor winding 9b is wound around two further flux guidance elements 5 which are likewise arranged diagonally opposite one another with respect to the center 7. The first sensor winding 9a is arranged axisymmetrically with respect to the second sensor winding 9b with respect to the longitudinal direction 6 of the vehicle. The first sensor winding 9a and the second sensor winding 9b cross at least approximately in the center 7 of the energy transmission coil 4.

[0101] The first sensor winding 9a has a first radial longitudinal direction 11a and the second sensor winding 9b has a second radial longitudinal direction 11b. An angle 15 between the first radial longitudinal direction 11a and the vehicle longitudinal direction 6 is at least approximately the same as an angle 16 between the second radial longitudinal direction 11b and the vehicle longitudinal direction 6.

[0102] During the charging process, the vehicle 2 is positioned above the stationary inductive charging device 1b and energy is transferred to the inductive charging device 1a. In this case, the flux guiding element assumes the function of the flux guiding. In the charging state, the field lines of the magnetic field extend in the flux guiding element approximately in the radial direction. Since the first radial longitudinal direction 11a and the second radial longitudinal direction 11b are also oriented radially and therefore at least approximately parallel to the magnetic field lines, only relatively small voltages or even no voltages are induced in the first sensor winding 9a and the second sensor winding 9b. This is important because otherwise damage to the sensor windings could easily occur in the case of high powers and therefore high magnetic flux densities of the energy transmission. Therefore, additional expenditure for preventing damage to the arrangement is also not necessary.

[0103] Figure 7 A further exemplary embodiment of an inductive charging device 1 according to the invention is shown in a top view. Here, there are four sensor windings 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, which have four radial longitudinal directions 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. Each sensor winding is arranged around a different flux guidance element 5. Two of the flux guidance elements are arranged diagonally opposite one another with respect to the center 7 of the energy transmission coil 4. The four sensor windings 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d also together form a cross-shaped arrangement. Figure 6 The advantage compared to the arrangement in is that here the region is implemented around the center 7 of the energy transmission coil 4 without the sensor winding 9. Thus, mechanically required support elements (not shown) can be additionally arranged here.

[0104] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The inductive charging device according to the present invention and Figure 6and Figure 7 The additional inductive charging device in the vehicle charging system 8 can be part of the vehicle charging system 8 according to the invention. In this case, a positioning receiving device 17 can receive signals not only from the short-range positioning transmitter NAH-POS but also from the long-range positioning transmitter FERN-POS. This is advantageous because two different positioning methods can be operated with the help of a positioning receiving device 17, which work optimally in two different distance ranges.

[0105] Figure 8 a) shows a vehicle 2 during a positioning process above a stationary inductive charging device 1b, the vehicle having a vehicle longitudinal direction 6 and having a mobile inductive charging device 1a, the stationary inductive charging device having a desired vehicle longitudinal direction 6a. The vehicle 2 is traveling directly toward the stationary inductive charging device 1b, so that the desired vehicle longitudinal direction 6a is identical to the vehicle longitudinal direction 6. In addition to the energy transmission winding (not shown), a long-distance positioning signal winding 41 and four short-distance transmission windings 13 are also located in the mobile inductive charging device 1a. The long-distance positioning signal winding 41 has a winding axis 34 and a radial longitudinal direction 11. The four short-distance transmission windings 13 have winding axes perpendicular to the ground. In addition to the energy transmission winding (not shown), the stationary inductive charging device 1b also has two sensor windings 9a and 9b. The two sensor windings 9a and 9b each have a radial longitudinal direction 11a and 11b. The two sensor windings 9a and 9b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the desired vehicle longitudinal direction 6a. This arrangement of the windings is particularly advantageous for positioning. The long-distance locating signal winding 41 generates a relatively uniform magnetic field. In the sensor windings 9a and 9b, a voltage is induced by the magnetic field of the long-distance locating signal winding 41. If the vehicle is traveling exactly vertically toward the stationary inductive charging device 1b as shown in the left figure, during the long-distance locating method, the same voltage is induced in the two sensor windings 9a and 9b. Starting from a certain distance, the short-distance locating method is used, and the short-distance locating signal NAH-SIG emitted by the short-distance transmitting winding 13 is analyzed and processed.

[0106] Figure 8b) shows the following embodiment: In this embodiment, the long-distance locating signal winding 41 and the four short-distance transmitting windings 13 are arranged in the stationary inductive charging device 1b, and the sensor windings 9a and 9b are arranged in the mobile inductive charging device 1a. In other respects, the working principle of this embodiment is exactly the same. Here, the following situation is shown: In this case, the vehicle 2 does not travel perpendicularly to the stationary inductive charging device 1b, but deviates from it at an angle of approximately 45°. Therefore, the longitudinal direction 6 of the vehicle and the connecting line between the stationary inductive charging device 1b and the mobile inductive charging device 1a are at a 45° direction deviation angle with respect to each other. In this case, the long-distance locating signal winding 41 generates a magnetic field perpendicular to the first sensor winding 9a. Here, during the long-distance locating method, the maximum voltage is induced in the first sensor winding 9a. In addition, the magnetic field generated by the long-distance locating signal winding 41 is approximately parallel to the second sensor winding 9b. Here, during the long-distance locating method, a minimum voltage or no voltage is induced. Here, starting from a certain distance, the short-distance locating method can also take over.

[0107] Reference numerals list

[0108] 1 Inductive charging device

[0109] 1a Mobile inductive charging device

[0110] 1b Fixed inductive charging device

[0111] 2 Vehicles

[0112] 3. Vehicle energy storage

[0113] 4 Energy transfer winding

[0114] 5 Magnetic flux guiding elements

[0115] 6 Vehicle longitudinal direction

[0116] 6a Expected vehicle longitudinal direction

[0117] 7 Center of the energy transfer winding

[0118] 8 Vehicle Charging System

[0119] 9 Sensor winding

[0120] 9a First sensor winding

[0121] 9b Second sensor winding

[0122] 9c Third sensor winding

[0123] 9d Fourth sensor winding

[0124] 10 Flat Coil

[0125] 11 Radial longitudinal direction

[0126] 11a First radial longitudinal direction

[0127] 11b Second radial longitudinal direction

[0128] 11c The third radial longitudinal direction

[0129] 11d Fourth radial longitudinal direction

[0130] 12 Positioning signal

[0131] 12a First positioning signal

[0132] 12b Second positioning signal

[0133] 12c Third positioning signal

[0134] 12d Fourth positioning signal

[0135] 13 Short distance transmission winding

[0136] 13a First short distance transmission winding

[0137] 13b Second short distance transmission winding

[0138] 13c Third short distance transmission winding

[0139] 13d Fourth short distance transmission winding

[0140] 14 Main directions of magnetic field lines

[0141] 15 First Angle

[0142] 16 Second Angle

[0143] 17 Positioning signal receiving device

[0144] 32 Gap between flux guiding elements

[0145] 33 Reference Points

[0146] 34 Winding axis

[0147] 35 Ground

[0148] 41 Long distance positioning signal winding

[0149] 42 Solenoid

[0150] NAH-POS short-distance positioning transmitter

[0151] FERN-POS long-distance positioning transmitter

[0152] NAH-SIG short-range positioning signal

[0153] FERN-SIG long-range locating signal.

Claims

1. An inductive charging device (1) for a vehicle charging system (8), the inductive charging device having an energy transmission winding (4) and at least one magnetic flux conducting element (5), the inductive charging device having: a short-range positioning transmitting device (NAH-POS), the short-range positioning transmitting device being adapted to generate at least one short-range positioning signal (NAH-SIG), and A long-range positioning transmitting device (FERN-POS) is suitable for generating at least one long-range positioning signal (FERN-SIG).

2. The inductive charging device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inductive charging device (1) is a mobile inductive charging device (1a) arranged on and / or in a vehicle (2), or The inductive charging device (1) is a fixed inductive charging device (1b).

3. The inductive charging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The short-distance positioning transmission device (NAH-POS) has a plurality of short-distance transmission windings (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) arranged at a distance from one another, preferably at least four short-distance transmission windings (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d).

4. The inductive charging device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The short-distance transmission winding (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) is implemented with a winding axis (34) perpendicular to the ground (35).

5. The inductive charging device (1) according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that: The short-range transmission windings (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) are suitable for generating short-range positioning signals (NAH-SIG) respectively.

6. The inductive charging device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The short-range positioning signal (NAH-SIG) is an alternating magnetic field with a different frequency, or an alternating magnetic field with the same frequency but a different pulse width.

7. The inductive charging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The long-distance positioning transmitting device (FERN-POS) has a long-distance positioning signal winding (41), wherein: The remote positioning signal winding (41) is implemented as a solenoid (42) having a winding axis (34) in the longitudinal direction (6) of the vehicle or in the desired longitudinal direction (6a) of the vehicle, and The flux guiding element (5) is suitable for guiding a magnetic field during an energy transfer process taking place between the further inductive charging device (1) and the energy transfer winding (4), and The remote positioning signal winding (41) surrounds at least one of the at least one flux guiding elements (5), and The long-distance positioning signal winding (41) is suitable for generating the long-distance positioning signal (FERN-SIG).

8. The inductive charging device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The long-range locating signal (FERN-SIG) is an alternating magnetic field.

9. A vehicle charging system (8), comprising a mobile inductive charging device (1a) and a stationary inductive charging device (1b), wherein: The mobile inductive charging device (1a) is an inductive charging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the stationary inductive charging device (1b) has a positioning receiving device (17), or The stationary inductive charging device (1b) is an inductive charging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the mobile inductive charging device (1a) has a positioning receiving device (17).

10. The vehicle charging system (8) according to claim 9, wherein: The inductive charging device having the position receiving device (17) has at least one magnetic flux conducting element (5) and at least one sensor device having at least one first sensor winding (9a) and at least one second sensor winding (9b).

11. The vehicle charging system (8) according to claim 10, characterized in that The at least one flux guiding element (5) is suitable for guiding a magnetic field during an energy transfer process taking place between the mobile inductive charging device (1a) and the stationary inductive charging device (1b), and The first sensor winding (9a) and the second sensor winding (9b) are arranged around at least one of the at least one flux guiding element (5).

12. The vehicle charging system (8) according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterized in that: The first sensor winding (9a) has a first radial longitudinal direction (11a), and the second sensor winding (9b) has a second radial longitudinal direction (11b), and The first radial longitudinal direction (11a) and the second radial longitudinal direction (11b) are arranged at least approximately perpendicular to each other.

13. The vehicle charging system (8) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The first sensor winding (9a) has a first radial longitudinal direction (11a), and the second sensor winding (9b) has a second radial longitudinal direction (11b), and The first radial longitudinal direction (11a) and the second radial longitudinal direction (11b) are arranged at least approximately axisymmetrically with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction (6) or with respect to the desired vehicle longitudinal direction (6a).

Images