Adapter device for an inductive charging arrangement comprising at least two coils and method.

Abstract

Adapter device (13) for an inductive charging arrangement comprising two coils (2, 3) or two coil arrays, wherein the adapter device (13) is configured as an intermediate element for arrangement between the coils (2, 3) or coil arrays of the charging arrangement (1) and is configured to receive a time-varying first magnetic flux (5) from a first of the coils (2, 3) or coil arrays and to emit a time-varying second magnetic flux (22) to the second of the coils (2, 3) or coil arrays by means of the received first magnetic flux (5), wherein the adapter device (13) has a total area (19) for receiving the first magnetic flux (5) and a total area (21) for emitting the second magnetic flux (22) of different sizes, wherein the adapter device (13) has at least one magnetic core element (14) having the shape of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid.such that the first magnetic flux (5) is concentrated onto the second magnetic flux (22) by means of a standard volume, or wherein the magnetic material core element (14) has a shape tapering from a base surface (18) to a top surface (20), wherein the adapter device (13) has a magnetic material return element (15) for returning a return magnetic flux (23), characterized in that the magnetic material return element (15) is a magnetic material shell core / a magnetic material shell.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an adapter device for an inductive charging arrangement comprising at least two coils and a method for operating the adapter device.

[0002] Wireless charging of devices is generally based on electromagnetic induction, also known as inductive coupling. A time-varying magnetic flux is generated by a coil or an array of coils (also known as a "coil array") in a charging device. This flux penetrates a coil or array of coils in a receiver device, thereby inducing an electric current. For the sake of simplicity, the description focuses on single coils, but the same principles apply to coil arrays. The arrangement of charging device and receiver device is referred to here as the charging setup. Maximum power transfer between the charging device and the receiver device is achieved when the inductive coupling between the charging device's coil and the receiver device's coil is at its maximum.Maximum inductive coupling between the two coils occurs when a magnetic flux generated by the first coil passes completely through the second coil, meaning there is no magnetic leakage flux in the arrangement. The inductive coupling depends particularly on the relative sizes and positioning of the coils' surfaces. If their sizes differ or if the two coils are not perfectly aligned, the magnetic leakage flux increases and the charging power decreases.

[0003] This problem occurs when a receiver device, due to its dimensions, has a coil with a smaller surface area than the charging device's coil. This can happen when small radio transmitters, electronic pendants, or wristwatches are charged with a mobile phone charger. As a result, maximum charging power cannot be achieved during the charging process. Furthermore, some charging technologies require a minimum coupling between the charger and the receiver device to initiate charging.

[0004] WO 2016 / 144 193 A1 states that an adapter can be inserted between an inductive charger and a smartwatch to prevent stray losses of the inductive charger's alternating magnetic field. The adapter consists of two electrically coupled coils, one of which receives the inductive charger's alternating magnetic field and converts it into an alternating current, while the other uses this alternating current to generate an alternating magnetic field on the back of the smartwatch. The two coils can be connected by a cable. To improve the reception of the alternating magnetic field from the inductive charger, a soft magnetic plate can be attached to one of the coils. However, within the adapter, a soft magnetic material ensures that the two coils are magnetically decoupled.

[0005] From US patent 2013 / 0300204A1, it is known to guide and concentrate a magnetic flux using electrical coils. A soft magnetic material can be arranged in one of the coils, which is used to guide the flux.

[0006] From WO 2017 / 155 693 A1, it is known to inductively couple an inductive charger to a load via an additional circuit. The additional circuit modifies the temporal profile of the signals by means of a filter and an amplifier.

[0007] DE 10 2014 015 192 A1 describes a device for inductively charging an electrical energy storage device of a motor vehicle with a vehicle-side energy receiving device which can be inductively coupled to an energy transmission device via an air gap, wherein a magnetic flux generated in the energy transmission device can be transferred via the air gap to the vehicle-side energy receiving device, wherein the device comprises a coupling amplification device which has a magnetic material and which can be positioned in the air gap between the energy receiving device and the energy transmission device such that the magnetic flux generated by the energy transmission device penetrates the magnetic material of the coupling amplification device.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a means which makes it possible to combine a receiver device and a charging device of different induction systems.

[0009] According to the invention, an adapter device is provided for an inductive charging arrangement comprising two coils or two coil arrays. For the sake of simplicity, only the case of single coils is described below, although this applies analogously to said coil arrays. In this case, each coil of the charging arrangement represents a coil array. One of the coils can belong to a charging device, the other to a receiving device. The adapter device is designed as an intermediate element for placement between the coils of the charging arrangement. It is configured to receive a first time-varying magnetic flux from a first coil of the charging arrangement and to transmit a second time-varying magnetic flux to the second coil of the charging arrangement by means of the received first magnetic flux.In the adapter device, a first total area for receiving the first magnetic flux and a second total area for emitting the second magnetic flux are of different sizes.

[0010] In other words, the adapter device is a device designed to be placed between a first coil and a second coil. The adapter device is configured to receive the time-varying first magnetic flux of the first coil of the charging arrangement and to transmit the second time-varying magnetic flux to a second coil of the charging arrangement, the second time-varying magnetic flux being generated by means of the first time-varying magnetic flux. The total area of ​​the adapter device through which the first magnetic flux flows has a different size than the total area of ​​the adapter device through which the second magnetic flux flows.

[0011] The adapter device offers the advantage of reducing magnetic stray flux between two coils.

[0012] For example, the adapter device can be configured to be positioned in a charging arrangement between a charging device and a receiver device. The charging device generates a time-varying first magnetic flux by means of a first coil, which is focused through an area enclosed by the first coil. The receiver device can comprise the second coil, which encloses an area smaller than that enclosed by the first coil. This means that if the two coils of the charging arrangement were placed on top of each other, not the entire first magnetic flux would pass through the second coil. Thus, the inductive coupling between the two coils would be reduced.By arranging the adapter device between the first coil and the second coil, the first magnetic flux can be received by the adapter device through the first receiving area. The first receiving area can be sized to be identical to, or differ from, the area enclosed by the first coil or coil array by no more than 30%. Using the received first magnetic flux, the adapter device can generate the second magnetic flux, which passes through the second output area. The output area can be sized to be identical to, or differ from, the area enclosed by the second coil or coil array by no more than 30%.In summary, the adapter device can receive the first magnetic flux over the first total area, which is designed in its dimensions with respect to the first coil, and output the second magnetic flux over the second total area, which is designed in its dimensions with respect to a second coil, thereby reducing magnetic leakage flux between the first and the second coil.

[0013] The invention provides that the magnetic core element has the shape of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid. This refers to both the rotationally symmetric and the sheared variants. In other words, the base and top surfaces of the magnetic core element have a circular, rounded, or polygonal shape. This offers the advantage that the first magnetic flux is concentrated onto the second magnetic flux by means of a standard volume. It is possible for both the base and top surfaces to be circular or polygonal.

[0014] A further development of the invention provides that the first total area for receiving the first magnetic flux is larger by a factor F than the second total area for emitting the second magnetic flux, where the factor F is at least 1.5. In other words, the first base area for receiving the first magnetic flux is at least 1.5 times larger than the second total area for emitting the second magnetic flux. This offers the advantage that the first magnetic flux can be concentrated on an area that is significantly smaller than the first total area. For example, it is possible for the first total area to have ten times the area of ​​the second total area of ​​the adapter device.

[0015] One aspect of the invention provides that the adapter device comprises at least one magnetic core element, wherein the magnetic core element has a shape tapering from a base to a top surface. The base of the magnetic core element preferably coincides with one of the two overall surfaces or differs from it by at most 30%. The top surface of the magnetic core element preferably coincides with the other of the two overall surfaces or differs from it by at most 30%. The magnetic material can be selected as having a relative magnetic permeability above 100 µ₀ and a magnetic coercive field strength below 1000 A / m, in particular below 100 A / m, and preferably avoiding eddy current losses due to an electrical conductivity below a predetermined value. This value is in particular less than 10 6 S / m, preferably smaller than 105S / m. This can be, for example, a ferrite such as nickel-zinc ferrite (NiZn) or manganese-zinc ferrite (MnZn). The term also includes materials that exhibit the aforementioned properties due to their phase, microstructure, or structure. Thus, the term "magnetic material" also encompasses a powder or a lamellar structure. In other words, the adapter device comprises a magnetic core element whose volume is limited at one end by the base and at the other end by the top surface. The base and top surfaces coincide. The volume of the magnetic core element tapers between the base and top surfaces. This offers the advantage that the received magnetic flux can be concentrated on a single area, or the magnetic flux density can be increased.The base area of ​​the magnetic core element may coincide with the area of ​​the first total surface, and the top surface with the area of ​​the second total surface, with the cross-sectional area decreasing from the base to the top surface. This embodiment requires no separate circuitry. The magnetic core element acts as a flux lens.

[0016] According to the invention, the adapter device includes a magnetic material return element configured to return the magnetic flux from the second coil to the first coil. In other words, the adapter device comprises a magnetic material return element which focuses the flux after it has passed through the second coil and returns it to the first coil. This offers the advantage of reducing the stray magnetic flux. By reducing the air gap for the return path, the coupling and the strength of the magnetic flux are increased. The magnetic material return element can be arranged such that a magnetic flux is focused across the respective magnetic material plates and the magnetic material return element.

[0017] The invention provides that the magnetic material return element is designed as a magnetic material shell. In other words, the magnetic material return element is designed as a shell, cylindrical shell, or generally as a volume, which is arranged at the edge surfaces of the adapter device between the base surfaces. This has the advantage that the interior of the adapter device is shielded from the reverse flux.

[0018] A further development of the invention provides that the adapter device comprises at least one receiving coil and at least one transmitting coil, wherein the at least one receiving coil defines or provides the first total area for receiving the first magnetic flux, and the at least one transmitting coil defines or provides the second total area for emitting the second magnetic flux. In other words, the adapter device includes at least one receiving coil which covers the first total area for receiving the first magnetic flux. The adapter device also includes a transmitting coil which covers the second total area for emitting the second magnetic flux. This offers the advantage that an electric current can be induced in the at least one receiving coil, making it possible to provide energy to the adapter device and / or to generate the second magnetic flux by means of the at least one transmitting coil.For example, the receiving coil of the adapter device may be optimized or adapted to the first coil of the charging arrangement with respect to its number of turns and its area, thus creating an inductive coupling between the two coils whose efficiency exceeds a predetermined threshold. The current induced in the receiving coil of the adapter device by the first magnetic flux can be supplied to the transmitting coil of the adapter device, which in turn generates the second magnetic flux for the second coil of the charging arrangement. The transmitting coil can be dimensioned to enable efficient inductive coupling with the second coil of the charging arrangement.

[0019] A further development of the invention provides that a magnetic material plate is arranged on each of the transmitting and receiving coils, the magnetic material plate being arranged such that each coil is only subjected to one of the two magnetic fluxes. In other words, a magnetic material plate is arranged on each of the receiving and transmitting coils. The magnetic material plates are preferably arranged between the coils of the adapter device. The arrangement of each magnetic material plate is chosen such that it is located on the side facing away from the nearest of the two coils of the charging arrangement. Thus, the respective magnetic flux is guided in such a way that it does not penetrate the other coil. This has the advantage of preventing parasitic inductions.For example, the front of the receiving coil may be oriented towards the first coil of the charging arrangement, allowing the initial magnetic flux to pass through the coil, while the back of the receiving coil is covered by a magnetic material plate. This concentrates the initial magnetic flux on the back of the coil and guides it laterally back through the magnetic material plate. This prevents the initial magnetic flux from passing through the transmitting coil and inducing current in it.

[0020] A further development of the invention provides that the adapter device includes adapter electronics configured to use different communication protocols on the two surfaces to coordinate a transmission process for the respective magnetic flux. In other words, the adapter device includes adapter electronics that can communicate with charging electronics and / or receiver electronics via different communication protocols concerning the magnetic fluxes. This allows the adapter electronics to coordinate a transmission process for the respective magnetic flux. This offers the advantage that the adapter device enables coordination between different communication protocols.The adapter electronics can, for example, be configured to capture and decode data transmitted by the first coil via modulation of the first magnetic flux. The adapter electronics can include, for example, a capacitor for temporary electrical energy storage, a transistor for switching, and a chip for encoding and decoding the data. The data can be encoded by the adapter electronics according to a different communication protocol and transmitted to the second coil via the second magnetic flux.

[0021] A further development of the invention provides that the adapter electronics are configured to temporarily store electrical energy from the received magnetic flux and to use this stored electrical energy to generate a second magnetic flux with a different frequency than the first magnetic flux by switching an electric current. In other words, the adapter electronics are configured to generate the second magnetic flux to be emitted using the electrical energy received from the first magnetic flux. This is achieved by switching an electric current such that the frequency of the emitted second magnetic flux differs from the frequency of the received first magnetic flux. This offers the advantage of enabling charging between systems that use different operating frequencies.The adapter electronics can, for example, be designed as an inverter. Using the received first magnetic flux, an electric current can be induced in the receiving coil, which can then be supplied to the adapter electronics. The electrical energy of the induced current can be used by the adapter electronics to provide a transmitting current for the transmitting coil. This transmitting current can be such that the second magnetic flux has a different frequency than the first magnetic flux.

[0022] A further development of the invention provides that the adapter device has a storage profile for placing a device, wherein one of the overall surfaces is provided within the storage profile. In other words, the adapter device comprises a storage profile which is configured to allow a device to be placed in a predetermined position, wherein the storage profile is designed such that the respective coil of the charging arrangement is positioned relative to one of the overall surfaces. This offers the advantage that a device to be charged can be positioned for maximum power transfer. The storage profile can, for example, be designed as a recess or tray located on the adapter housing. The storage profile can be dimensioned such that a coil of the charging arrangement is positioned relative to one of the magnetic fields passing through one of the overall surfaces in such a way as to enable maximum inductive coupling.

[0023] A further development of the invention provides that the adapter device has a support profile for the aligned placement of the adapter device on a charging device, wherein one of the overall surfaces is provided in the support profile. In other words, the adapter device comprises a support profile which is designed to enable the adapter device to be placed on a charging device in a predetermined position, wherein the support profile is designed such that the respective coil of the charging arrangement is positioned relative to one of the overall surfaces. This offers the advantage that the adapter device can be arranged on a charging device for maximum power transfer. The support profile can, for example, be designed as a recess or tray located on the adapter housing.The support profile can be dimensioned such that a coil of the charging arrangement is positioned with respect to one of the magnetic fields passing through one of the total surfaces in such a way as to enable maximum inductive coupling.

[0024] A further development of the invention provides that the adapter device is designed to carry out charging processes with a power of up to 20 W.

[0025] The invention also includes a method for operating an adapter device for an inductive charging arrangement comprising two coils. It is provided that a first time-varying magnetic flux from a first of the coils is received by an adapter device designed as an intermediate element for placement between the coils of the charging arrangement. Using the received first magnetic flux, the adapter device emits a second time-varying magnetic flux to the second of the coils. The total area of ​​the adapter device for receiving the first magnetic flux and the total area for emitting the second magnetic flux are of different sizes.

[0026] The invention also includes further developments of the method according to the invention, which have features already described in connection with the further developments of the adapter device according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

[0027] An embodiment of the invention is described below. The following is shown: Fig. 1 a charging arrangement comprising a first and a second coil; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an adapter device comprising two magnetic material elements Fig. 3 an adapter device comprising two magnetic material elements; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an adapter device comprising a receiving coil and a transmitting coil; and Fig. 5 an adapter device comprising a receiving coil and a transmitting coil.

[0028] The embodiment described below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the described components each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another. Each of these features further develops the invention independently and can therefore be considered part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0029] In the figures, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference symbols.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a charging arrangement 1 comprising a first coil 2 and a second coil 3. The coils 2 and 3 can, for example, be flat coils that differ in their area and / or shape. The first coil 2 can be a coil of a charging device 4, which is configured to generate a first magnetic flux 5. The first coil 2 can be electrically connected to charging electronics 6. The charging electronics 6 can conduct an electric current into the first coil 2, thereby inducing the first magnetic flux 5. A second coil 3 can be arranged upstream of the first coil 2. The second coil 3 can enclose a smaller area 10 than the first coil 9. The second coil 3 can be electrically connected to receiver electronics 7. A portion of the first magnetic flux 2 can penetrate the area of ​​the second coil 10.The remaining portion of the first magnetic flux 5 can propagate outside the area of ​​the second coil 3 as leakage flux 8. The first magnetic flux 5 can vary over time. In particular, it can be an oscillating magnetic flux. An electric current 11 can be induced by the portion of the first magnetic flux 5 that penetrates the area of ​​the first coil 9, which supplies the receiver electronics 7 with electrical energy 12. Due to the fact that the areas 9, 10 of the coils 2, 3 differ in size, it is not possible to conduct the entire first magnetic flux 5 through the second coil 3, thus limiting the charging power.Due to the weak coupling, communication between the charging electronics 6 and the receiver electronics 7 may be limited, so that, depending on the communication protocol, it may happen that no energy transfer is initiated or that no energy transfer exceeds a predetermined value. Communication can, for example, take place via load modulation at the second coil 3, which can be represented via the coupling in the first coil 2.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an adapter device comprising two magnetic material elements 14, 15. Fig. 2 is the one already in Fig. Figure 1 shows the described charging arrangement 1, wherein the first magnetic flux 5 is influenced or guided by means of the two magnetic material elements 14, 15. A first magnetic material element is a magnetic core element 14, which is located between a receiving coil 16 and a transmitting coil 17. The magnetic core element 14 can have a tapered shape, tapering from a base surface 18, which, for example, corresponds to a total area for receiving the first magnetic flux 19, to a top surface 20, which corresponds to a total area for emitting a second magnetic flux 21. The magnetic core element 14 can have the shape of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid. The magnetic core element 14 can be made of a soft magnetic material which, for example, has a coercive field strength of less than 100 A / m.The magnetic core element 14 can be ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic, i.e., exhibit high magnetic permeability, which concentrates the first magnetic flux 5 within it. The first magnetic flux 5 can penetrate the base surface 18 of the magnetic core element 14 and flow through it until it exits the top surface 20 as a concentrated second magnetic flux 22. By concentrating the flux onto a top surface 20, which is adapted to the area of ​​the second coil 10 of the arrangement, a larger proportion of the first magnetic flux 5 flows through the second coil 2. This increases the inductive coupling between the two coils 2 and 3. Consequently, the reflected magnetic flux 23, i.e.,If the magnetic flux which has flowed through the area of ​​the second magnetic coil 10 can be supplied in bundled form to the first coil 2, a magnetic material return element 15 may bundle the returning magnetic flux 23.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows an adapter device 13, which according to the in Fig. The concept described in section 2 works. The adapter device 13 is arranged between a first coil 2 and a second coil 3. The first coil 2 is a coil of a charging device 4, which is configured to charge a receiver device 24 by means of an inductive charging process. The charging device 4 can include charging electronics 6, which are connected to the first coil 2 via an electrical line 25. The charging electronics 6 can provide a current that causes the first magnetic flux 5 in the first coil 2. The first magnetic flux 5, which was generated by the first coil 2, can be focused through the area of ​​the first coil 9. The area located on the other side of the coil can be covered by a magnetic material plate 26. This allows the reflected magnetic flux 23 to be focused and returned to the first coil 2.The second coil 3 can belong to a receiver device 24 and have a different surface area 10 than the first coil 9. A magnetic material plate 26 can also be arranged behind the second coil 3 to focus a reflected magnetic flux 23. The second coil 3 can be electrically connected to receiver electronics 7. The adapter device 13 can be arranged between the charging device 4 and the receiver device 24. The arrangement can be oriented such that the total surface area for receiving the first magnetic flux 19 is congruent with the surface area of ​​the first coil 9. The total surface area for receiving the first magnetic flux 19 can preferably be identical in dimensions to the base area 18 of the magnetic material core element 14 or differ from it by no more than 30%.A total area for emitting the second magnetic flux 21 can preferably be identical to the top surface 20 of the magnetic core element 14 or differ from it by at most 30% and be arranged congruently beneath the surface of the second coil 10. Due to the concentration of the magnetic flux on a smaller area, the magnetic flux density of the first magnetic flux 27 can be lower than the flux density of the second magnetic flux 28. To enable a predetermined positioning of the surface of the second coil 10 above the top surface 20, the housing of the adapter device 29 can have a mounting profile 30 into which the receiver device 24 can be positioned, wherein the total area for emitting the second magnetic flux 21 and the surface of the second coil 10 are preferably congruently aligned, thus enabling optimal magnetic coupling.The support profile 30 can have a shape that causes the magnetic material plate 26 behind the second coil 3 to have a predetermined position relative to the magnetic material return element 15, thereby enabling optimal return of the reflected magnetic flux 23. The magnetic material return element 15 can be adapted to the shape of the receiver device 24 with the smallest possible distance to the magnetic material plate 26 and be located on the inside of the housing of the adapter device 29. The adapter device can include a support profile 31 which is adapted to the shape of the charging device 4. For example, the shape of the support profile 31 can be adapted to the charging device 4 such that the area of ​​the first coil 9 is positioned relative to the total area for receiving the first magnetic flux 19.

[0033] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the adapter device 13. The coils 2, 3 of the charging arrangement 1 are shown, with an adapter device 13 according to the invention arranged between the coils 2, 3. The adapter device 13 can have a receiving coil 16, the surface 32 of which can be arranged as closely as possible over the surface of the first coil 9 of the charging arrangement 1. The adapter device can include a transmitting coil 17, the surface 33 of which can be arranged as closely as possible over the surface of the second coil 10 of the charging arrangement 1. The two coils 16, 17 of the adapter device 13 can be connected to each other by an electrical conductor 25. Adapter electronics 34 can be connected between the two coils 16, 17.If a time-varying first magnetic flux 5 is generated by the charging device 4, this flux can penetrate the area of ​​the receiving coil 32 of the adapter device and induce an electric current 11. This current 11 can be supplied to the transmitting coil 17 via an electrical conductor 25, thereby generating a second magnetic flux 22 through the transmitting coil 17. The second magnetic flux 22 can pass through the area of ​​the second coil 10 of the receiving device 24, thereby inducing an electric current 11 in it. If the current 11 induced in the receiving coil 16 is directly transmitted to the transmitting coil 17 without, for example, changing its frequency, then the adapter device is passive. It is possible that the alternating frequency of the first magnetic flux 5 deviates from a predetermined frequency of the second coil 3.The current 11 induced in the receiving coil 16 may be adjusted by the adapter electronics 34 by changing the frequency of the induced current 11 so that the second magnetic flux 22 is generated by the transmitting coil 17 at the required frequency. Alternatively, the charging device 4 and the receiver device 24 may be configured to communicate via the magnetic fluxes 5 and 22, for example, by modulating them through the coded switching on of a load. This may be necessary, for instance, to initiate a charging process controlled by the charging electronics 6. The communication standards of the charging device 4 and the receiver device 24 may differ, so that direct communication between the two devices is not possible.The adapter electronics 34 can be configured to enable communication between a charging device 4 and a receiver device 24 by converting the current 11 accordingly. Magnetic material plates 26 can be arranged on the sides of the coils 16, 17 of the adapter device 13 facing away from the total surfaces 19, 21, in order to channel the second magnetic flux 22 and reduce stray fields.

[0034] Fig. Figure 5 shows an adapter device 13 comprising a receiving coil 16 and a transmitting coil 17, which according to the in Fig.The concept described in section 4 works. The adapter device 13 comprises a receiving coil 16 and a transmitting coil 17, which are aligned opposite two coils 2, 3 of the charging arrangement 1. The coils 2, 3 of the charging arrangement and the coils 16, 17 of the adapter device 13 are covered on their opposite sides by magnetic material plates 26. The receiving coil 16 can be connected to the adapter electronics 34 via an electrical line 25 so that the current 11 induced in the receiving coil 16 can be supplied to the adapter electronics 34. The adapter electronics 34 can temporarily store electrical energy 12 and supply a transmitting current 11 to the transmitting coil 17, thereby generating the second magnetic flux 22. The transmitting current 11 can be set by the adapter electronics 34 such that the alternating frequency of the second magnetic flux 22 differs from the frequency of the first magnetic flux 5.The frequency of the second magnetic flux 22 can match a transmission frequency of the receiver device 24.

[0035] Overall, this example shows how a charging adapter can be provided through the invention. Reference symbol list 1 Loading arrangement 2 first coil 3 second coil 4 Charging device 5 first magnetic flux 6 Charging electronics 7 Receiver electronics 8 Scatter flow 9 Area of ​​the first coil 10 Area of ​​the second coil 11 Electricity 12 electrical energy 13 Adapter device 14 Magnetic core element 15 Magnetic material return element 16 Receiving coil 17 Transmitting coil 18 Floor area 19 Total area for receiving the first magnetic flux 20 Cover area 21 Total area for emitting the second magnetic flux 22 second magnetic flux 23. Return magnetic flux 24 Receiver device 25 electrical lines 26 Magnetic material plate 27 Flux density of the first magnetic flux 28 Flux density of the second magnetic flux 29 Housing of the adapter device 30 Filing profile 31. Footprint profile 32 Area of ​​the receiving coil 33 Area of ​​the transmitting coil 34 Adapter electronics

Claims

[1] Adapter device (13) for an inductive charging arrangement comprising two coils (2, 3) or two coil arrays, wherein the adapter device (13) is configured as an intermediate element for arrangement between the coils (2, 3) or coil arrays of the charging arrangement (1) and is configured to receive a time-varying first magnetic flux (5) from a first of the coils (2, 3) or coil arrays and to emit a time-varying second magnetic flux (22) to the second of the coils (2, 3) or coil arrays by means of the received first magnetic flux (5), wherein the adapter device (13) has a total area (19) for receiving the first magnetic flux (5) and a total area (21) for emitting the second magnetic flux (22) of different sizes, wherein the adapter device (13) has at least one magnetic core element (14) having the shape of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid,such that the first magnetic flux (5) is concentrated onto the second magnetic flux (22) by means of a standard volume, or wherein the magnetic material core element (14) has a shape tapering from a base surface (18) to a top surface (20), wherein the adapter device (13) has a magnetic material return element (15) for returning a return magnetic flux (23), , characterized by , that the magnetic material return element (15) is a magnetic material shell core / a magnetic material shell. [2] Adapter device (13) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the total area for receiving (19) the first magnetic flux (5) is larger by a factor F than the total area for emitting (21) the flux, where the factor F is at least 1.

5. [3] Adapter device (13) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the base surface (18) of the magnetic material core element (14) corresponds to one of the two total surfaces (19,21) or differs from it by no more than 30% and the top surface (20) of the magnetic material core element (14) corresponds to the other of the two total surfaces (19,21) or differs from it by no more than 30%. [4] Adapter device (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the adapter device (13) has at least one receiving coil (16) and at least one transmitting coil (17), wherein the at least one receiving coil (16) provides the total area for receiving (19) the first magnetic flux (5) and the at least one transmitting coil (17) provides the total area for outputting (21) the second magnetic flux (22). [5] Adapter device (13) according to claim 4, characterized by, that a magnetic material plate (26) is arranged on the side facing away from the respective total area (19,21) of the at least one transmitting coil (17) and the at least one receiving coil (16), and that the at least one transmitting coil (17) and the at least one receiving coil (16) are each in operation only through which the magnetic flux (5,22) of one of the total areas (19,21) flows. [6] Adapter device (13) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by , that the adapter device (13) comprises adapter electronics (34) which is configured to receive electrical energy (12) from the at least one receiving coil (16) and to transmit it to the at least one transmitting coil (17). [7] Adapter device (13) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by, that the adapter electronics (34) is configured to use different communication protocols on the two total surfaces (19,21) to coordinate a transmission process for the respective magnetic flux (5,22). [8] Adapter device (13) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by , that the adapter electronics (34) is configured to temporarily store electrical energy (12) from the received first magnetic flux (5) and to use the temporarily stored electrical energy (12) to generate the second magnetic flux (22) to be emitted at a different frequency than a frequency of the received first magnetic flux (5) by switching an electric current (11). [9] Adapter device (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the adapter device (13) has a storage profile (30) for storing a device, wherein one of the total surfaces (19,21) is provided in the storage profile (30). [10] Adapter device (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the adapter device (13) has a support profile (31) for aligning the adapter device (13) on a loading device, wherein one of the total surfaces (19, 21) is provided in the support profile (31). [11] Adapter device (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the adapter device (13) is designed to perform charging operations with a power of up to 20 W. [12] Method for operating an adapter device (13) for an inductive charging arrangement comprising two coils (2,3) or two coil arrays, wherein -a first time-varying magnetic flux (5) from a first of the coils (2,3) or coil arrays is received by an adapter device (13) designed as an intermediate element for arrangement between the coils (2,3) or coil arrays of the charging arrangement (1), and -by means of the received first magnetic flux (5) a second time-varying magnetic flux (22) is emitted from the adapter device (13) to the second of the coils (2,3) or coil arrays, wherein in the adapter device (13) a total area for receiving (19) the first magnetic flux (5) and a total area for outputting (21) the second magnetic flux (22) are of different sizes, wherein the adapter device (13) has at least one magnetic material core element (14) having the shape of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid such that the first magnetic flux (5) is concentrated onto the second magnetic flux (22) by means of a standard volume, or wherein the magnetic material core element (14) has a shape tapering from a base surface (18) to a top surface (20), wherein the adapter device (13) has a magnetic material return element (15) for returning a return magnetic flux (23), characterized by , that the magnetic material return element (15) is a magnetic material shell core / a magnetic material shell.

Images