DEVICE FOR CONTACTLESS ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY

Abstract

A device (1) for contactless electrical energy supply for contactlessly supplying an electrical energy supply target with electrical energy comprises: a cover (10) with a placement surface (11a) on which the electrical energy supply target is to be placed; a housing (80) which is joined to the cover (10) and together with the cover defines a receiving space (ss); a coil unit (20) for supplying electrical energy which is contained in the receiving space (ss), is aligned parallel to the placement surface (11a) and has a coil (24) which is designed to generate a magnetic field in response to the reception of electrical energy in order to supply the electrical energy supply target (5) on the placement surface (11a) with electrical energy;a first substrate (30) contained in the receiving space (ss) arranged across the coil unit (20) for supplying electrical energy opposite the placement surface (11a) and designed to supply the coil (24) with electrical energy; a second substrate (40) contained in the receiving space (ss) arranged between the placement surface (11a) and the coil unit (20) for supplying electrical energy and designed to dampen noise in the magnetic field; and an elastic connecting element (60) arranged between the first substrate (30) and the second substrate (40) and electrically connecting the first substrate (30) to the second substrate (40).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA This disclosure relates to a device for contactless supply of electrical energy. RELATED TECHNOLOGY A known device for contactless electrical power supply charges an electrical power supply target without physical contact. US2019 / 0173187A1 discloses a combined transmission device, wherein the device is designed for both contactless signal transmission and contactless power transmission, i.e., contactless electrical power supply using a magnetic field generated by conducting an electric current through a coil. The device includes a printed circuit board between the coil and an electrical power supply target, comprising a first substructure and a second substructure, each acting as an antenna. The first substructure receives a signal voltage. The second substructure is at ground potential and serves to dampen the magnetic field generated by the coil. SUMMARY The device disclosed in US2019 / 0173187A1 is designed such that the first substructure receives a signal via a coaxial cable. This suggests that the second substructure is also connected to ground potential via a coaxial cable. A person can connect a coaxial cable to the printed circuit board (PCB) in two ways: (i) by directly soldering the center and ground conductors of the coaxial cable to the PCB, or (ii) by attaching a coaxial connector to one end of the coaxial cable, mounting a matching coaxial connector on the PCB, and joining the two coaxial connectors. However, both methods require labor for the connection and incur costs for components such as the coaxial cable. This increases the cost of the device, indicating a need for improvement. The aforementioned circumstances have led to a demand for a device for contactless electrical energy supply, comprising two substrates that are electrically connected to each other by a simple method. A device for contactless electrical energy supply according to an embodiment of this disclosure is a device for contactless electrical energy supply for contactlessly supplying electrical energy to an electrical energy supply destination comprising a secondary battery, wherein the device for contactless electrical energy supply comprises: a cover with a placement surface on which the electrical energy supply destination is to be placed; a housing which is joined to the cover and together with the cover forms a receiving space;a coil unit for supplying electrical energy, which is at least partially contained within the receiving space, is aligned parallel to the placement surface and has a coil designed to generate a magnetic field in response to receiving electrical energy in order to supply electrical energy to the target on the placement surface; a first substrate, which is at least partially contained within the receiving space, is arranged across the coil unit for supplying electrical energy opposite the placement surface and is designed to supply the coil with electrical energy; a second substrate, which is at least partially contained within the receiving space, is arranged between the placement surface and the coil unit for supplying electrical energy and is designed to attenuate noise in the magnetic field;and an elastic connector element that is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate and electrically connects the first substrate to the second substrate. The device for contactless electrical power supply according to this embodiment has a connector element that is elastically deformed between the first and second substrates and applies a restoring force (contact force) to the first and second substrates. This allows the first and second substrates to be easily and stably electrically connected. This configuration enables a person to check whether the connector element is elastically deformed in order to determine whether the first and second substrates are electrically connected. The contactless power supply device according to this embodiment has a second substrate designed with a circuit pattern for damping noise in a magnetic field generated by the coil of the power supply unit. This reduces extraneous emissions from the power supply unit to prevent noise from interfering with the power supply and surrounding devices. As a result, the contactless power supply device exhibits good electromagnetic interference characteristics. The housing and cover form a receiving space between them to protect the first substrate, the second substrate, and the power supply unit from external dust or similar contaminants. A device for contactless supply of electrical energy according to a further embodiment of this disclosure is designed such that the cover has a support in the form of a rod which extends perpendicular to a surface of the second substrate through the second substrate, and the connecting element is a compression coil spring which is attached around the support and is elastically deformed between the first substrate and the second substrate in order to electrically connect the first substrate to the second substrate. The device for contactless electrical power supply according to this embodiment features a compression coil spring as the elastic connecting element. By attaching the compression coil spring around the support of the cover, it can be easily positioned and is prevented from shifting due to its elastic deformation. The compression coil spring, due to the restoring force generated by its elastic deformation, is in contact with both the first and second substrates. This establishes a stable electrical connection between the first and second substrates in a simple manner. A device for contactless supply of electrical energy according to a further embodiment of this disclosure further comprises: a first shielding housing which is at least partially contained in the receiving space and is arranged between the coil unit for the supply of electrical energy and the first substrate. The device for contactless electrical power supply according to this embodiment has a first shielding housing between the coil unit for the electrical power supply and the first substrate. The first shielding housing at least partially blocks the first substrate in order to block noise from the first substrate more effectively. This prevents such noise from superimposing a magnetic field generated by the coil or from interfering with the electrical power supply target and surrounding devices. A device for contactless supply of electrical energy according to a further embodiment of this disclosure further comprises: a second shielding housing which is arranged across the first substrate opposite the coil unit for the supply of electrical energy. The device for contactless electrical power supply according to this embodiment has a second shielding housing that at least partially blocks the surface of the first substrate opposite the coil unit for electrical power supply in order to prevent noise from the first substrate from affecting surrounding devices. A device for contactless supply of electrical energy according to a further embodiment of this disclosure is designed such that the second shielding housing has a support in the form of a rod which extends perpendicular to a surface of the first substrate through the first substrate, and the connecting element is a compression coil spring which is placed around the support and is elastically deformed between the first substrate and the second substrate in order to electrically connect the first substrate to the second substrate. The device for contactless electrical power supply according to this embodiment features a compression coil spring as the elastic connecting element. By attaching the compression coil spring around the support of the second shielding housing, the spring can be easily positioned and is prevented from shifting due to its elastic deformation. The compression coil spring, due to the restoring force generated by its elastic deformation, is in contact with both the first and second substrates. This establishes a stable electrical connection between the first and second substrates in a simple manner. A device for contactless supply of electrical energy according to a further embodiment of this disclosure is designed such that the housing has a shielding function. The device for contactless electrical power supply according to this embodiment has a housing with a shielding function. This eliminates the need for a separate shielding element other than the housing, allowing the device for contactless electrical power supply to be cost-effective and lightweight. A device for contactless supply of electrical energy according to a further embodiment of this disclosure is designed such that the housing has a support in the form of a rod which extends perpendicular to a surface of the first substrate through the first substrate, and the connecting element is a compression coil spring which is placed around the support and is elastically deformed between the first substrate and the second substrate in order to electrically connect the first substrate to the second substrate. The device for contactless electrical power supply according to this embodiment features a compression coil spring as the elastic connecting element. By attaching the compression coil spring around the housing support, it can be easily positioned and is prevented from shifting due to its elastic deformation. The compression coil spring, due to the restoring force generated by its elastic deformation, is in contact with both the first and second substrates. This establishes a stable electrical connection between the first and second substrates in a simple manner. A device for contactless supply of electrical energy according to a further embodiment of this disclosure further comprises: a communication antenna for contactless signal communication for the purpose of supplying electrical energy. The device for contactless electrical power supply according to this embodiment has a communication antenna for contactless signal communication with an electrical power supply target. This allows the device for contactless electrical power supply to start or stop the electrical power supply to the target based on the outcome of the communication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a perspective front and rear view of a device for contactless electrical power supply according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a device for contactless electrical power supply. Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a device for contactless electrical power supply. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device for contactless electrical power supply in Fig. 1 along line IV-IV. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region of a device for contactless electrical power supply according to another embodiment, wherein this region is arranged around a support.Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an area of ​​a device for contactless supply of electrical energy according to a further embodiment, wherein this area is arranged around a support. DESCRIPTION OF EXECUTION FORMS The following description, with reference to the drawings, deals in more detail with devices for contactless electrical energy supply according to embodiments of this disclosure. The embodiments described below are merely examples of devices for contactless electrical energy supply; this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. The device for contactless electrical energy supply according to this disclosure can be implemented in various ways without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. [Configuration of the device for contactless electrical power supply] The present embodiment represents a device 1 for contactless power supply for contactless charging of a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery (not shown in the drawings), which is contained in a portable information terminal 5 (which is an example of a power supply target), such as a smartphone. The device 1 for contactless power supply has the form of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, as shown in Fig. 1. The device 1 for contactless power supply according to the present embodiment has, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3,Figure 3 shows a cover 10, a coil unit 20 for supplying electrical energy, a first substrate 30, a connector 35, a second substrate 40, a first shielding housing 50, a pressure coil spring 60 (which is an example of a connector element), a heat dissipation fan 70 and a housing 80. As shown in Fig. 1, the cover 10 has a placement section 11 with a placement area 11a. With a portable information terminal 5 placed on the placement area 11a, the contactless power supply device 1 wirelessly supplies a secondary battery in the portable information terminal 5 with electrical energy. In particular, the power supply coil unit 20 has two or more (three in the present embodiment) primary coils 24 (see Fig. 2). The contactless power supply device 1 conducts electric current through the primary coils 24 to generate corresponding magnetic fields, which in turn generate an induced electromotive force through a secondary coil (not shown in the drawings) in the portable information terminal 5 (electromagnetic induction).The induced electromotive force charges the secondary battery of the portable information terminal 5. In the following description, the term “Z-axis” is used to denote an axis extending along the shortest sides (thickness) of the contactless power supply device 1 (which has the shape of an essentially rectangular parallelepiped), as shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the Z-axis is an axis along which the cover 10 is arranged on the housing 80. The Z-axis has a Z1 direction from the housing 80 to the cover 10 and a Z2 direction from the cover 10 to the housing 80. In the following description, the term “X-axis” is used to denote an axis extending, in a top view (i.e., viewed in the Z2 direction), along the long sides of the mounting surface 11a of the cover 10 (which is essentially rectangular), and the term “Y-axis” is used to denote an axis extending, in a top view, along the short sides of the mounting surface 11a.The cover 10 is in the form of a rectangular box with a base and is made of an insulating material such as resin. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 to 3, the cover 10 has a placement section 11, which is essentially rectangular in plan view and corresponds to the base of the rectangular box. The placement section 11 has the form of a thin wall with an outer surface that serves as a placement area 11a, on which a portable information terminal 5 is to be placed as the target for the supply of electrical power. The cover 10 further has a cover side wall 12 in the form of a thin wall, which is arranged along the edge of the placement section 11 and extends in the Z2 direction from the four sides of the placement section 11.The cover side wall 12 has four recesses corresponding to the corners of the placement section 11, with the recesses facing the placement section 11. The cover 10 has four mounting through holes 13 in corresponding areas at the corners, with these areas facing away from the placement section 11. By inserting screws or the like through the corresponding mounting through holes 13 into a supporting wall or the like (not shown in the drawings), the device 1 for contactless electrical power supply is attached to the supporting wall.The cover side wall 12 of the cover has a section which extends in plan view along one of the two short sides of the placement section 11 and has two or more (in the present embodiment ten) air holes 14 which allow an airflow from the inside of the cover 10 to the outside and vice versa. As shown in Fig. 3, the placement section 11 has a rear surface 11d opposite the placement surface 11a. The rear surface 11d has an insertion section 11b, which is oriented in the Z1 direction and has the form of a recess designed to receive the second substrate 40. Viewed from below, i.e., in the Z1 direction, the insertion section 11b has the same shape as the second substrate 40, so that the second substrate 40 fits precisely into the insertion section 11b. Alternatively, the insertion section 11b can also be larger than the second substrate 40, in which case the second substrate 40 fits into the insertion section 11b such that it is at least partially in contact with or near the insertion section 11b.The insertion section 11b has a depth slightly greater than the thickness of the second substrate 40, and can alternatively have a depth equal to or less than the thickness of the second substrate 40. The placement section 11 has a support 11c in the form of a rod extending in the Z2 direction from the lower surface of the insertion section 11b. The placement section 11 further has two or more (four in the present embodiment) projections 11e on the rear surface 11d extending out of the insertion section 11b. The projections 11e serve to position the first shielding housing 50, the first substrate 30, and the housing 80 relative to the cover 10 along the Z-axis. The projections 11e accommodate threaded fastening screws 88 for the first shielding housing 50, the first substrate 30 and the housing 80, which are to be attached to the cover 10.The projections 11e each have the form of a circular column with four outward-facing ribs on their side surface and a hole as a hole with a bottom. The compression spring 60 is, for example, made of an electrically conductive metal and is shaped, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, such that it has a diameter at each end that is larger than the diameter in the central region. The compression spring 60 has an equilibrium length that is greater than the distance between the surface of the first substrate 30 oriented in the Z1 direction and the surface of the second substrate 40 oriented in the Z2 direction. The compression spring 60 is elastically compressed between the first and second substrates 30 and 40 and exerts a restoring force on the first and second substrates 30 and 40. Alternatively, the compression spring 60 can also have a uniform diameter along its length, a diameter at each end that is smaller than the diameter in a central section, or taper from one end to the other.The compression coil spring 60 can have any shape, as long as the compression coil spring 60 is able to apply a required restoring force (or contact force). The first substrate 30 has the form of a substantially rectangular plate with one short side that curves inwards at the opposite ends. The first substrate 30 is configured with electrical circuits (not shown in the drawings), such as a power supply circuit, a charging circuit, and a control circuit for controlling the method of power supply by the contactless power supply device 1. The first substrate 30 has a first contact surface 32 (see Fig. 2) oriented in the Z1 direction and connected to the ground potential of the electrical circuits to establish an electrical connection with the second substrate 40. The first contact surface 32 is not covered with a resist layer and has an exposed area of ​​copper foil, which may optionally be metal-plated.The first contact surface 32 has a circular or annular outer shape. The first contact surface 32 is in contact with a first end of the elastically deformed compression coil spring 60 and receives a compressive force (or contact force) from the compression coil spring 60. The first contact surface 32 has an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of each of the opposite ends of the compression coil spring 60 to ensure a reliable electrical connection with the compression coil spring 60. The first contact surface 32 has a first through-hole 32a at its center with a diameter that allows the carrier 11c of the cover 10 to pass through. The first substrate 30 can be rigid or flexible and can be a single-sided, double-sided, or multi-layered substrate. The connector 35 is located on the surface of the first substrate 30, which is oriented in the Z2 direction. The connector 35 accommodates a cable (not shown in the drawings) for connection to it, the cable serving to supply electrical energy from an external source to the device 1 for contactless power supply. The housing 80 has a second shielding section 82 with a first opening 82a (through hole) which corresponds in position to the connector 35 and allows the connector 35 to protrude from the housing 80 in the Z2 direction (see Fig. 1). Alternatively, the connector 35 can also be left exposed at the first opening 82a, without protruding from the housing 80 in the Z2 direction. The cable extends through the first opening 82a and is electrically connected to the connector 35.The first opening 82a can alternatively be open in a direction along the X-axis, the Y-axis, or an axis in between relative to the housing 80. In all cases, the connector 35 protrudes or is exposed in the direction in which the first opening 82a is open relative to the housing 80. The heat dissipation fan 70 is attached to the surface of the first substrate 30 that faces in the Z2 direction. The heat dissipation fan 70 serves to dissipate hot air from the contactless power supply device 1 to prevent the device 1 from overheating, at least partially. The hot air is generated by heat produced by the electric current in the electrical circuits on the first substrate 30 or the primary coils 24 (which are an example of a coil) of the power supply coil unit 20. The second shielding section 82 has a second opening 82b (through hole) positioned at the point where hot air is expelled from the heat dissipation fan 70, allowing the heat dissipation fan 70 to be seen from outside the housing 80 (see Fig. 1).The heat dissipation fan 70 rotates to expel hot air from the contactless power supply device 1 through the second opening 82b or to draw in outside air into a receiving chamber ss (described in more detail later). The heat dissipation fan 70 can also expel hot air through at least one of the aforementioned air holes 14 in the cover 10 or draw in outside air through it. The first substrate 30 has a first surface formed with four secondary contact surfaces 34 near the corresponding corners, and a second surface formed with four further secondary contact surfaces 34, which correspond in position to the aforementioned secondary contact surfaces 34. The secondary contact surfaces 34 each have a circular or annular outer shape. The secondary contact surfaces 34 are not covered with a resist layer and each has an exposed area of ​​copper foil, which is optionally provided with a metal plating (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). The first substrate 30 is formed with a number (eight in the present embodiment) of secondary contact surfaces 34 that is twice the number of fastening screws 88. The secondary contact surfaces 34 are connected to the ground potential of the electrical circuits.The second contact surfaces 34 each have a first fastening through-hole 34a in their center, meaning that the first substrate 30 has four first fastening through-holes 34a. The first fastening through-holes 34a correspond in the bottom view to the corresponding holes in the projections 11e of the cover 10. The coil unit 20 for supplying electrical power comprises a plate 22, at least one (three according to the present embodiment) primary coil 24, and a communication antenna 26. The plate 22 is rectangular in shape and made of a dielectric material with magnetic absorption and rounded corners. The primary coils 24 are attached to the surface of the plate 22 that faces in the Z1 direction. The communication antenna 26 is coiled, extending along the edge of the plate 22 and surrounding the primary coils 24. The plate 22 has a smaller surface area than the first substrate 30 and is dimensioned such that, in plan view, it does not coincide with the first contact surface 32 on the first substrate 30.While the first shielding housing 50 has a first shielding section 52, the plate 22 has a surface oriented in the Z2 direction and is attached to the first shielding section 52 by means of adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like. The plate 22 controls magnetic fields generated by the conduction of electric current through the primary coils 24 and improves the efficiency of the supply of electrical power to the portable information terminal 5. Two of the three primary coils 24 are located side by side and are in contact with the surface of the plate 22 that faces in the Z1 direction. These two primary coils 24 are bonded to the plate 22 or otherwise attached to it. The remaining primary coil 24 is placed on top of and in contact with the other two primary coils 24 and is bonded to them or otherwise attached. The plate 22 has three first positioning holes 22a, the positions of which correspond to the respective centers of the primary coils 24 (see Fig. 3). The communication antenna 26 is also bonded to the plate 22 or otherwise attached to it. The primary coils 24 and the communication antenna 26 do not necessarily have to be bonded to the plate 22, but can alternatively be attached to it using double-sided adhesive tape or the like. The primary coils 24 and the communication antenna 26 each have a conductive trace, the end of which is soldered or otherwise electrically connected to the electrical circuits on the first substrate 30. This allows the primary coils 24 and the communication antenna 26 to conduct electric current under the control of the electrical circuits. In response to the conduction of electric current, the primary coils 24 generate corresponding magnetic fields, which in turn induce an electromotive force through a secondary coil (not shown in the drawings) in the portable information terminal 5. The induced electromotive force charges the secondary battery of the portable information terminal 5. The communication antenna 26 serves for wireless or contactless signal communication with the portable information terminal 5. By placing a portable information terminal 5 on the placement area 11a, the communication antenna 26 wirelessly receives information about the portable information terminal 5. Based on this information, the electrical circuits on the first substrate 30 begin to conduct electrical current through the primary coils 24 to supply the portable information terminal 5 with electrical energy. In response to the communication antenna 26 wirelessly receiving information indicating that the secondary battery of the portable information terminal 5 is fully charged, the electrical circuits stop the flow of electrical current through the primary coils 24. The coil unit 20 for supplying electrical power according to the present embodiment has three primary coils 24. If the coil unit 20 for supplying electrical power has only one primary coil 24 in the center, it can have a magnet (not shown in the drawings) around the primary coil 24 or on its air core. In this case, the primary coil 24 and the magnet can be attached to the plate 22 by means of adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like. This magnet and another magnet (not shown in the drawings) in the portable information terminal 5 attract each other, so that the portable information terminal 5 remains in position on the placement surface 11a (magnetic alignment). This improves the efficiency of the contactless supply of electrical power to the portable information terminal 5. The second substrate 40 is in the shape of a rectangular plate with rounded corners, similar to plate 22, and is slightly larger than plate 22. The second substrate 40 is attached to the insertion section 11b of the cover 10 with adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like. The second substrate 40 is designed with a noise attenuation pattern (not shown in the drawings) as an example of a circuit pattern for suppressing noise in the respective magnetic fields generated by the conduction of electric current through the primary coils 24. The noise attenuation pattern is, for example, a grid pattern. The second substrate 40 is provided with a third contact surface 42 (see Fig. 3) which is oriented in the Z2 direction and electrically connected to the noise attenuation pattern for electrical contact with the first substrate 30. The third contact surface 42 is not covered with a resist layer and has an exposed area of ​​copper foil, optionally clad with metal. The third contact surface 42 has a circular or annular outer shape. The third contact surface 42 is in contact with a second end of the elastically deformed compression spring 60 and receives a compressive force (or contact force) from the compression spring 60. The third contact surface 42 has an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second end of the compression spring 60 to ensure a reliable electrical connection with the compression spring 60.The second substrate 40 can be rigid or flexible and can be a single-sided, double-sided or multi-layered substrate. The third contact surface 42 has a second through-hole 42a in its center, with a diameter that allows the carrier 11c of the cover 10 to pass through it. The carrier 11c extends through the second through-hole 42a and the first through-hole 32a, with the compression spring 60 mounted around the carrier 11c. The compression spring 60 is held by the carrier 11c, restricting and positioning its movement along the X and Y axes. This allows the first and third contact surfaces 32 and 42 to be more reliably electrically connected. The compression spring 60 is shaped such that its diameter in its central region is smaller than the diameter at each end.The compression coil spring 60 is elastically deformed to apply a contact force to the first contact surface 32 on the first substrate 30 and the third contact surface 42 on the second substrate 40, establishing an electrical connection between the first and third contact surfaces 32 and 42 with the compression coil spring 60 in between. This also gives the circuit pattern on the second substrate 40 a ground potential. The first shielding housing 50 has the form of a curved plate with an essentially rectangular shape and is made of a material with good electromagnetic shielding properties, such as iron. The first shielding housing 50 is located in the Z2 direction from the coil unit 20 for the electrical power supply and in the Z1 direction from the first substrate 30. In other words, the first shielding housing 50 is located between the plate 22 of the coil unit 20 for the electrical power supply and the first substrate 30. Alternatively, the first shielding housing 50 can also be made of an insulating material and have a surface finished with a metal plating or coating. The first shielding housing 50 comprises a first shielding section 52 and first shielding side walls 54. The first shielding section 52 is in the form of a plate facing the surface of the plate 22 that is oriented in the Z2 direction. The first shielding side walls 54 each extend at an angle from a longitudinal side of the first shielding section 52 to the first substrate 30, i.e., in the Z2 direction. The first shielding section 52 has two or more (two in the present embodiment) second positioning holes 52a, which are to be positioned relative to the coil unit 20 for supplying electrical power during the manufacture of the contactless power supply device 1. The first shielding section 52 has four corners, each bent in the Z2 direction in the form of a curve as a first bend 56, one end of which extends parallel to the first shielding section 52 and has a second mounting through-hole 56a. The second mounting through-holes 56a correspond in a bottom view to the corresponding holes in the projections 11e of the cover 10. The housing 80 is arranged across the first substrate 30 opposite the coil unit 20 for the supply of electrical power and the first shielding housing 50. Similar to the first shielding housing 50, the housing 80 has the form of a curved plate made of a material with good properties for shielding electromagnetic waves, such as iron. The housing 80 has a shielding function. Similar to the cover 10, the housing 80 has the form of a rectangular box with a base. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 to 3, the housing 80 has a second shielding section 82 in the form of a substantially rectangular plate and a second shielding side wall 84 in the form of a thin wall arranged along the edge of the second shielding section 82 and extending from the four sides of the second shielding section 82 in the Z1 direction.The second shielding side wall 84, similar to the cover 10, has four recesses corresponding to the corners of the second shielding section 82. These recesses allow the mounting through-holes 13 to be seen from below, i.e., in the Z1 direction from the housing 80. The housing 80 need not be made of a material with good electromagnetic shielding properties; alternatively, it can be made of an insulating material with a metal plating or coating. The housing 80 is lightweight when made of an insulating material and stable when made of an electrically conductive metal.If the housing 80 is made of a metal material, it has a higher thermal conductivity than a resin housing and serves to dissipate a greater portion of the heat generated by the conduction of electric current through the electrical circuits on the first substrate 30 and the primary coils 24 of the coil unit 20 for the supply of electrical energy. This further prevents the electrical circuits and the primary coils 24 from overheating. The second shielding side wall 84 has two or more (four in the present embodiment) second bends 86, each having the form of a bend at one end relative to the second shielding section 82, the bend being a 90-degree inward bend relative to the second shielding side wall 84 (see Fig. 2). The second bends 86 have corresponding third fastening through-holes 86a, which, in a bottom view, correspond to the corresponding holes in the projections 11e of the cover 10. The second shielding section 82 has four screw insertion openings 82c, which, in a bottom view, correspond to the corresponding third fastening through-holes 86a and have a diameter larger than the diameter of the third fastening through-holes 86a.As described above, the second shielding section 82 has a first opening 82a and a second opening 82b through which the connector 35 and the heat dissipation fan 70 are visible from the outside. As described above, the housing 80 has the form of a curved plate made of a material with good electromagnetic shielding properties, such as iron. The first substrate 30 is arranged between the first shielding housing 50 and the housing 80. By arranging the first substrate 30 between the first shielding housing 50 and the housing 80 as described above, the electrical circuits on the first substrate 30 are prevented from being affected by external noise, and it is also prevented from affecting surrounding devices through extraneous emissions, thereby ensuring electromagnetic compatibility. By attaching the coil unit 20 for the supply of electrical power to the first shielding housing 50, placing the first shielding housing 50, the first substrate 30, and the housing 80 on the projections 11e of the cover 10, and screwing the fastening screws 88 into the corresponding projections 11e, the first shielding housing 50, the first substrate 30, and the housing 80 are attached to the cover 10, and a receiving space ss is defined between the cover 10 and the housing 80. The receiving space ss contains at least part of the second substrate 40, the coil unit 20 for the supply of electrical power, the first shielding housing 50, and the first substrate 30. The first bends 56 of the first shielding housing 50 and the second bends 86 of the housing 80 are pressed against the corresponding second contact surfaces 34 on the first substrate 30.As a result, the first shielding housing has 50 and the housing 80 ground potential. [Manufacturing a device for contactless supply of electrical energy] The following description deals with the manufacture of the contactless power supply device 1 for electrical energy. The device 1 for contactless power supply does not necessarily have to be manufactured by the process described below, but can be manufactured by any process as long as the device 1 for contactless power supply is manufactured appropriately. A person places the second substrate 40 in the insertion section 11b on the rear surface 11d of the cover 10 and secures the second substrate 40 to the cover 10 with adhesive, double-sided tape or the like. This inserts the support 11c of the cover 10 into the second through-hole 42a in the second substrate 40.The person positions the first shielding housing 50 and the power supply coil unit 20 relative to each other using a clamping device or the like, so that the second positioning holes 52a in the first shielding housing 50, viewed from above, align with the corresponding first positioning holes 22a in the power supply coil unit 20. The person then attaches the power supply coil unit 20 to the first shielding housing 50 using adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like.The person further positions the first substrate 30 and the first shielding housing 50 relative to each other using a clamping device or the like, such that the first mounting through-holes 34a in the first substrate 30, viewed from above, align with the corresponding second mounting through-holes 56a in the first shielding housing 50. Since the three primary coils 24 of the power supply coil unit 20 and the communication antenna 26 each have a conductor track, the person solders one end of each conductor track to the electrical circuits on the first substrate 30 or connects them electrically in some other way. This allows the primary coils 24 and the communication antenna 26 to conduct electrical current and integrates the power supply coil unit 20, the first shielding housing 50, and the first substrate 30.The person attaches the connector 35 and the heat dissipation fan 70 to the first substrate 30 before or after integration. The person places the compression coil spring 60 around the support 11c of the cover 10 (to which the second substrate 40 has been attached). The person then places the coil unit 20 for the electrical power supply, the first shielding housing 50, and the first substrate 30 (which have been integrated together) onto the projections 11e of the cover 10. The person further places the housing 80 over the aforementioned components. The person threads the four fastening screws 88 in the Z1 direction through the corresponding screw insertion openings 82c and the corresponding third fastening through holes 86a in the housing 80, the corresponding first fastening through holes 34a in the first substrate 30, and the corresponding second fastening through holes 56a in the first shielding housing 50 into the corresponding holes in the projections 11e to connect the housing 80 to the cover 10.The device 1 for contactless electrical energy supply is thus completed. The cover 10 and the housing 80, when connected to each other, define a receiving space ss between them, which at least partially contains the second substrate 40, the coil unit 20 for the electrical energy supply, the first shielding housing 50 and the first substrate 30. [Use of the device for contactless supply of electrical energy] The user places a portable information terminal 5 on the placement area 11a of the cover 10. This causes the portable information terminal 5 to communicate with the contactless power supply unit 1 via the communication antenna 26, which in turn causes the first substrate 30 to conduct electrical current through the primary coils 24. If the portable information terminal 5 has a magnet for magnetic alignment as described above, this magnet and the magnet in the power supply coil unit 20 attract each other, so that the portable information terminal 5 is in an optimal charging position on the placement area 11a.If the portable information terminal 5 does not have such a magnet, the contactless power supply device 1 attempts either (i) to locate the portable information terminal 5 while communicating with it via the communication antenna 26 to verify whether the contactless power supply device 1 can charge the portable information terminal 5, or (ii) to select one of the primary coils 24 that most efficiently charges the portable information terminal 5. The contactless power supply device 1 may include a structure for limiting the placement position of a portable information terminal 5 so that the portable information terminal 5 is positioned relative to the primary coils 24 for charging.Alternatively, such a structure can be arranged in an area where the device 1 for contactless supply of electrical energy is located. [How a device for contactless electrical energy supply works] The device 1 for contactless electrical power supply, in the present embodiment, features a compression spring 60 that is elastically deformed between the first and second substrates 30 and 40, applying a restoring force (contact force) to the first and second substrates 30 and 40. This allows the first and second substrates 30 and 40 to be easily electrically connected. By mounting the compression spring 60 around the support 11c of the cover 10, the compression spring 60 can be easily positioned, and its displacement due to elastic deformation is prevented. This configuration allows a person to check whether the compression spring 60 is elastically deformed in order to determine whether the first and second substrates 30 and 40 are electrically connected. The contactless power supply device 1 has a second substrate 40 designed with a noise attenuation pattern to dampen noise in the corresponding magnetic fields generated by the primary coils 24 of the power supply coil unit 20. This reduces extraneous emissions from the power supply coil unit 20 to prevent noise from interfering with the portable information terminal 5 and surrounding devices. As a result, the contactless power supply device 1 exhibits good electromagnetic interference properties. The device 1 for contactless power supply has a first shielding housing 50 between the power supply coil unit 20 and the first substrate 30. The first shielding housing 50 at least partially blocks the first substrate 30 in order to block noise from the first substrate 30 more effectively. This prevents such noise from overlapping with the corresponding magnetic fields generated by the primary coils 24 or from interfering with the portable information terminal 5 and surrounding devices. The device 1 for contactless electrical power supply has a housing 80 with a shielding function. The housing 80 at least partially blocks the surface of the first substrate 30 opposite the electrical power supply coil unit 20 in order to prevent noise from the first substrate 30 from affecting surrounding devices. The housing 80 and the cover 10 form a receiving space ss between them to protect the first substrate 30, the second substrate 40, and the electrical power supply coil unit 20 from external dust or the like. The device 1 for contactless electrical power supply has a communication antenna 26 for contactless signal communication with the portable information terminal 5. This allows the device 1 for contactless electrical power supply to start or stop the supply of electrical power to the portable information terminal 5 based on the communication result. [Alternative embodiments] (1) The device 1 for contactless electrical energy supply, as described above, has a support 11c (around which the compression coil spring 60 is mounted) that extends through the second through-hole 42a in the second substrate 40 and the first through-hole 32a in the first substrate 30. However, this disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. The support 11c may also be only long enough to extend through the second through-hole 42a and not through the first through-hole 32a, as long as the support 11c holds and positions the compression coil spring 60. In this case, the first substrate 30 may also not have the first through-hole 32a. (2) The device 1 for contactless electrical power supply according to the aforementioned embodiment has a support 11c (around which the compression coil spring 60 is mounted) as part of the cover 10. However, this disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. The support 11c can alternatively also be located on the second shielding section 82 of the housing 80, as shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the support 11c extends through the first through-hole 32a in the first substrate 30, but may not be long enough to extend through the second through-hole 42a in the second substrate 40. If the support 11c is not long enough to extend through the second through-hole 42a, the second substrate 40 may also not have the second through-hole 42a. (3) The device 1 for contactless electrical power supply according to the aforementioned embodiment has a housing 80 with a shielding function. Alternatively, the device 1 for contactless electrical power supply can also have a separate second shielding housing 90 within a housing 80, as shown in Fig. 6. The second shielding housing 90 is made of a material with good shielding properties against electromagnetic waves, such as iron. The housing 80 can be made of resin or a similar material. The support 11c for this alternative embodiment can be configured for the second shielding housing 90 (see Fig. 6) or for the housing 80 such that it extends through the second shielding housing 90.The second shielding housing 90 can alternatively be made of an insulating material and have a surface formed with a metal plating or a metal coating. (4) The device 1 for contactless electrical energy supply according to the aforementioned embodiment has a compression coil spring 60 for the electrical connection between the first and the second substrates 30 and 40. However, this disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. The device 1 for contactless electrical energy supply can instead also have a leaf spring for the electrical connection between the first and the second substrates 30 and 40. (5) The contactless electrical power supply device 1 according to the aforementioned embodiment comprises a first shielding housing 50 and a housing 80 with a shielding function, which are opposite each other across the first substrate 30. The contactless electrical power supply device 1 may alternatively have either the first shielding housing 50 or the housing 80, or neither, if the contactless electrical power supply device 1 does not require electromagnetic compatibility or if electromagnetic compatibility is not important. If the contactless electrical power supply device 1 does not have the first shielding housing 50, the first substrate 30 may be configured without second contact surfaces 34 on its surface facing the Z1 direction.If the device 1 for contactless electrical power supply does not have the housing 80, the first substrate 30 can be formed without second contact surfaces 34 on its surface oriented in the Z2 direction. If the device 1 for contactless electrical power supply does not have the housing 80 with shielding function, the device 1 for contactless electrical power supply can instead have a housing 80 made of an insulating material without shielding function. (6) The device 1 for contactless electrical power supply according to the embodiment described above has a cover 10 made of an insulating material such as resin. Alternatively, the cover 10 may also be made of an electrically conductive metal material or an insulating material with a surface formed with a metal plating or coating. The cover 10 is lightweight when made of an insulating material and stable when made of an electrically conductive metal material. (7) The contactless electrical power supply device 1 according to the aforementioned embodiment has air holes 14 and a heat dissipation fan 70 for dissipating heat generated by the conduction of electric current through the electrical circuits on the first substrate 30 or the primary coils 24 of the coil unit 20 for the electrical power supply. The contactless electrical power supply device 1 may alternatively have either the air holes 14 or the heat dissipation fan 70, or neither, if only small amounts of such heat are generated.If such heat is generated in large quantities, the device 1 for contactless electrical power supply can also have two or more heat dissipation fans 70 and / or more air holes 14, provided that increasing the number of air holes 14 does not reduce the stability of the cover 10. The housing 80, like the cover 10, can also have one or more air holes 14. (8) The device 1 for contactless electrical power supply according to the aforementioned embodiment has a first substrate 30 designed to receive electrical power from an external device via the connector 35 and to use the electrical power to conduct electrical current through the coil unit 20 for the electrical power supply. However, this disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. Instead of receiving electrical power from an external device, the device 1 for contactless electrical power supply can also include a battery to conduct electrical current through the coil unit 20 for the electrical power supply.In this case, the contactless power supply device 1 may either not have the connector 35 or use the connector 35 to communicate with an external device so that the external device can control the contactless power supply device 1. The contactless power supply device 1 may also not have the connector 35 and may be configured with a cable that is soldered to the first substrate 30 or otherwise directly connected to it. The aforementioned battery can be a primary or secondary battery. The battery can be designed to either generate electrical energy or to receive electrical energy wirelessly from an external device and use that electrical energy to conduct electrical current through the coil unit 20 for the electrical power supply. The generation of electrical energy can be, for example, photoelectric, thermal, or ambient energy generation, utilizing kinetic energy from vibrations or the like. The battery enables the user to carry the wireless power supply device 1 and to charge a portable information terminal 5 without an external power source. (9) The device 1 for contactless supply of electrical energy according to the embodiment described above comprises a coil unit 20 for supplying electrical energy with three primary coils 24. The coil unit 20 for supplying electrical energy can alternatively also have one or two primary coils 24 or four or more primary coils 24. (10) The device 1 for contactless electrical power supply according to the aforementioned embodiment has a second substrate 40 configured with a noise-attenuation pattern to attenuate the noise in the corresponding magnetic fields generated by the flow of electric current through the primary coils 24. However, this disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. The second substrate 40 may also be configured with an additional circuit pattern for controlling a property of the primary coils 24. In addition to a circuit pattern, the second substrate 40 may also be configured with an electronic component. The second substrate 40 need not necessarily be arranged in the insertion section 11b of the cover 10.In particular, the device 1 for contactless supply of electrical energy can alternatively be designed such that the cover 10 does not have an insertion section 11b on its rear surface 11d and that the second substrate 40 is attached directly to the rear surface 11d. (11) The device 1 for contactless supply of electrical energy according to the embodiment described above has a second substrate 40 which is attached to the cover 10. The second substrate 40 can alternatively also be attached to the coil unit 20 for the supply of electrical energy. (12) The device 1 for contactless power supply according to the aforementioned embodiment has a communication antenna 26 which is attached to the plate 22 of the coil unit 20 for the power supply. The communication antenna 26 may alternatively be held by the primary coils 24 or the first substrate 30. The communication antenna 26 may also be held by the first shielding housing 50 and be electrically insulated from it. If the communication antenna 26 is held by the first substrate 30, it should be at least partially free of the first shielding housing 50 in a top view. (13) The communication antenna 26 may be attached to the second substrate 40. The communication antenna 26 may have the form of a pattern on the second substrate 40. If the communication antenna 26 is located on the second substrate 40, the device 1 for contactless supply of electrical power for signal communication with the first substrate 30 via the communication antenna 26 should preferably have a compression coil spring for signal communication that is separate from the compression coil spring 60 (which has ground potential) and has a different potential than ground potential. (14) The device 1 for contactless electrical power supply according to the aforementioned embodiment can be modified such that the cover 10 is integrally formed with a device or apparatus on which the device 1 for contactless electrical power supply is arranged. In this case, the second substrate 40, the coil unit 20 for electrical power supply, the first shielding housing 50, and the first substrate 30 (which are at least partially contained in the receiving space ss) can be held by and attached to the housing 80. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature US 2019 / 0173187A1 [0002, 0003]

Claims

Device (1) for contactless supply of electrical energy for contactlessly supplying electrical energy to a supply target (5) of electrical energy, which has a secondary battery, wherein the device (1) for contactless supply of electrical energy comprises: a cover (10) with a placement surface (11a) on which the supply target (5) of electrical energy is to be placed; a housing (80) which is joined with the cover (10) and together with the cover (10) defines a receiving space (ss);a coil unit (20) for supplying electrical energy, which is at least partially contained in the receiving space (ss), is aligned parallel to the placement surface (11a) and has a coil (24) designed to generate a magnetic field in response to receiving electrical energy in order to supply the electrical energy supply target (5) on the placement surface (11a) with electrical energy; a first substrate (30), which is at least partially contained in the receiving space (ss), is arranged across the coil unit (20) for supplying electrical energy opposite the placement surface (11a) and is designed to supply the coil (24) with electrical energy;a second substrate (40), which is at least partially contained in the recording space (ss), is arranged between the placement surface (11a) and the coil unit (20) for the supply of electrical energy and is designed to dampen noise in the magnetic field; and an elastic connecting element (60) which is arranged between the first substrate (30) and the second substrate (40) and electrically connects the first substrate (30) to the second substrate (40). Device (1) for contactless supply of electrical energy according to claim 1, wherein the cover (10) has a support (11c) in the form of a rod extending perpendicular to a surface of the second substrate (40) through the second substrate (40), and the connecting element (60) is a compression coil spring that is mounted around the support (11c) and is elastically deformed between the first substrate (30) and the second substrate (40) to electrically connect the first substrate (30) to the second substrate (40). Device (1) for contactless supply of electrical energy according to claim 1 or 2, which further comprises: a first shielding housing (50) which is at least partially contained in the receiving space (ss) and is arranged between the coil unit (20) for the supply of electrical energy and the first substrate (30). Device (1) for contactless supply of electrical energy according to claim 1, which further comprises: a second shielding housing (90) which is arranged across the first substrate (30) opposite the coil unit (20) for the supply of electrical energy. Device (1) for contactless supply of electrical energy according to claim 4, wherein the second shielding housing (90) has a support (11c) in the form of a rod which extends perpendicular to a surface of the first substrate (30) through the first substrate (30), and the connecting element (60) is a compression coil spring which is attached around the support (11c) and is elastically deformed between the first substrate (30) and the second substrate (40) in order to electrically connect the first substrate (30) to the second substrate (40). Device (1) for contactless supply of electrical energy according to claim 1, wherein the housing (80) has a shielding function. Device (1) for contactless supply of electrical energy according to claim 6, wherein the housing (80) has a support (11c) in the form of a rod which extends perpendicular to a surface of the first substrate (30) through the first substrate (30), and the connecting element (60) is a compression coil spring which is attached around the support (11c) and is elastically deformed between the first substrate (30) and the second substrate (40) in order to electrically connect the first substrate (30) to the second substrate (40). Device (1) for contactless supply of electrical energy according to one of claims 1 to 7, which further comprises: a communication antenna (26) for contactless signal communication with the supply target (5) of electrical energy.

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