COVER FOR WIRELESS CHARGING UNIT

Abstract

A cover (200; 500) for protecting a wireless charging unit (300) of a vehicle (100), wherein the cover (200; 500) is arranged so that it can be mounted on a vehicle body (101) and comprises: a base plate (210), a first plurality of reinforcing elements (230 to 239) distributed at least along a portion of the outer perimeter of the base plate (210), and a second plurality of reinforcing elements (250 to 255) extending over the base plate (210); wherein: the second plurality of reinforcing elements (250 to 255) is configured to distribute loads from impacts on the base plate (210) of the cover (200; 500) over the base plate; and the first multitude of reinforcement elements (230 to 239) is configured to distribute the loads from impacts on the base plate (210) of the cover onto the vehicle body (101).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA The present disclosure relates to a cover for protecting a wireless charging unit of a vehicle, in particular, but not exclusively, an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle. The invention further relates to an assembly and a vehicle comprising the cover and a wireless charging unit, and a method for aligning a wireless charging unit with the protective cover. Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle underbody comprising the cover. BACKGROUND Given the ever-increasing prices of fossil fuels and stricter regulations on vehicle emissions, the automotive industry is currently trending towards replacing combustion engines with electric motors (electric vehicles) or a combination of electric motors and conventional combustion engines (hybrid electric vehicles) in order to significantly reduce or eliminate vehicle emissions. Electric and hybrid vehicles use large amounts of electricity as their primary power source, which has led to a need for cost-effective batteries with high energy density, long lifespan, and suitability for a wide range of environmental conditions. Since these batteries need to be charged quickly and cost-effectively, various charging methods have become established: One principle involves charging the battery using the vehicle's own functional components.For example, the vehicle can feed electrical energy back into the battery during regenerative braking. Some electric or hybrid vehicles can even include solar panels that continuously supply the battery with electrical energy. In hybrid electric vehicles, the battery cells can also be charged via a combustion engine. All these alternatives can slow down the discharge of electrical energy in the battery, but they generally cannot fully replenish the battery charge in a sufficiently short time. Given this, it is common practice to repeatedly recharge the batteries via an external charging port to connect an external power source, such as a household electrical grid, to the battery cells. For this purpose, private households are equipped with their own charging ports in the garage or outside the house. These charging ports typically have retractable charging cables that can be connected to a corresponding plug on the vehicle for overnight charging. It's a well-known problem that charging ports with retractable cables take up a lot of space while charging. It goes without saying that dedicated charging ports are also not aesthetically pleasing for owners of electric or hybrid vehicles. To overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of dedicated charging ports, increasing research is being conducted on wireless charging units for electric and hybrid vehicles. Such wireless charging units generally rely on inductive current, which is used to wirelessly transfer electrical energy between a power source and the vehicle's battery pack. The principles of a wireless charging system are schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. Wireless charging systems typically include a primary wireless charging unit 1 with a primary charging coil 11 connected to a power source 12 (e.g., a household electrical grid), and a secondary wireless charging unit 2 located on a vehicle 4. The secondary wireless charging unit 2 has a second coil 21 for receiving power from the primary charging coil 11.The primary charging coil 11 is powered by an alternating current source 12, which generates an alternating electromagnetic field produced by the primary coil 11. This constantly changing electromagnetic field induces a current in the secondary coil 21 of the secondary wireless charging unit 2, which is then converted into a charge for a battery pack 5 of the vehicle 4. The primary wireless charging unit 1 is typically located beneath a floor surface, such as under the surface of a drive unit or garage, and is therefore invisible to the vehicle owner. To transfer energy most effectively between the primary charging coil 11 and the secondary charging coil 21, it is necessary to position the primary wireless charging unit 1 in close proximity to the secondary wireless charging unit 21. For this purpose, the secondary wireless charging unit 2 is located on the underside 7 of the vehicle 4, as can be seen in Fig. 1. While positioning the secondary wireless charging unit 2 on the underside of the vehicle 4 increases energy transfer between the primary and secondary wireless charging units, it also places the secondary wireless charging unit 2 in a relatively vulnerable area of ​​the vehicle 4. Specifically, the position of the charging unit increases the likelihood of impacts between the road surface and the secondary wireless charging unit. This is likely to occur when driving over speed bumps or curbs, which can cause significant damage to the wireless charging unit, especially at high speeds or in vehicles with particularly low ground clearance. While some commercial vehicles have underbody protection that provides some protection for the underside of the vehicle, it has been found that such conventional underbody protection is insufficient to protect the sensitive and expensive wireless charging units. From EP 3 130 503 A2, a cover for protecting a vehicle's wireless charging unit is known, wherein the cover can be mounted on a vehicle body and comprises a base plate having a plurality of reinforcing elements distributed along part of the outer circumference of the base plate. These reinforcing elements appear to be configured to distribute the loads from impacts on the base plate of the cover to the vehicle body. DE 10 2014 018 754 A1 discloses the use of glass fiber reinforced plastic as well as a stronger design of the cover towards the front of the vehicle. The publication DE 10 2011 088 112 A1 shows reinforcing struts on a cover which protect against unwanted damage in the event of an accidental impact. These struts are routed along the outside of the base plate. From DE 698 08 340 T2, a motor vehicle underbody panel is known in which the underbody panel is made of an elastic plastic material and is movably connected to a part of the vehicle's body structure. The underbody panel can therefore move upwards when struck from below by an obstacle and, due to its elasticity, distribute the impact load acting upon it. However, the panel is not intended to protect a wireless charging unit. In view of this, the present invention aims to provide means that reliably protect the vehicle's wireless charging unit from damage caused by impacts on the driving surface, thereby solving at least some of the problems described above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a cover for protecting a vehicle's wireless charging unit, an arrangement comprising a wireless charging unit and the cover, a vehicle comprising the arrangement, and a method for aligning a wireless charging unit with a protective cover as claimed in the appended claims. According to one aspect of the invention, a cover for protecting a vehicle's wireless charging unit is disclosed. The cover comprises a base plate, a first plurality of reinforcing elements distributed at least along portions of the outer circumference of the base plate, and a second plurality of reinforcing elements extending over the base plate. The second plurality of reinforcing elements is configured to distribute loads from impacts on the base plate of the cover across the base plate, and the first plurality of reinforcing elements is configured to distribute the loads from impacts on the base plate of the cover to the vehicle body. In contrast to conventional underbodies or sliding plates, the cover of the present invention comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements arranged at strategic positions to increase the rigidity of the cover and distribute the impact load on the vehicle body, thereby protecting the wireless charging unit. As described in more detail below, the distribution of the reinforcing elements along portions of the outer circumference of the underbody plate can also be used to improve the positioning of the wireless charging unit relative to the protective cover. The second set of reinforcement elements can be configured to distribute loads from impacts on the base plate of the cover to the first set of reinforcement elements. At least one subset of the second set of reinforcement elements can extend between the reinforcement elements of the first set of reinforcement elements. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of reinforcing elements protrudes from the inner surface of the base plate. In particular, the reinforcing elements can protrude from the base plate towards the vehicle body / subframe and thus do not reduce the distance between the underside of the vehicle and the driving surface once the cover is mounted on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the first several reinforcing elements are integral, molded parts of the base plate. Of course, it is also possible to add the reinforcing elements as separate, modular parts that are subsequently attached to the base plate, e.g., by gluing or welding. However, it should be noted that manufacturing the reinforcing elements as integral, molded parts of the base plate reduces manufacturing costs and increases the reproducibility of the inventive cover. The first set of reinforcement elements can have an essentially cuboid shape. It has been found that reinforcement elements with an essentially cuboid shape are most effective at transferring impact forces away from the wireless charging unit to the vehicle's subframe. It is understood that other shapes and forms of reinforcement elements are also possible, such as triangular or cylindrical shapes. In yet another embodiment, at least some of the first plurality of reinforcement elements are shaped and / or spaced apart from one another such that a recess is provided between adjacent reinforcement elements, the recess being configured to accommodate parts of a wireless charging unit. Accordingly, the plurality of reinforcement elements can not only be used to transmit impact forces into the vehicle's subframe, but the reinforcement elements can also be used to attach a wireless charging unit to the vehicle's subframe. The recess can be configured to facilitate the localization of a wireless charging unit relative to the base plate of the cover.For example, the wireless charging unit can be positively engaged within the sockets between adjacent reinforcing elements, thus preventing movement of the wireless charging unit in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction of the cover / base frame. The sockets can also prevent the wireless charging unit from performing yaw movements, i.e., rotation around a vertical axis, relative to the cover / base frame. Specifically, the wireless charging unit can consist of one or more projections, such as tabs, that are engaged within the recesses between adjacent reinforcing elements to prevent the aforementioned movement of the wireless charging unit relative to the cover. The receptacles can also be configured to facilitate the positioning of the wireless charging unit relative to the cover. For this purpose, the aforementioned tabs of the wireless charging unit and the receptacles between the reinforcing elements can be designed such that the wireless charging unit and the cover can only be connected in one orientation. Those skilled in the art will understand that visibility is significantly restricted when a wireless charging unit is mounted on the underside of a vehicle within the protective cover of the present invention. This is particularly true when the protective cover is an integral part of the vehicle's underride protection, as described in more detail below, or when the vehicle's wireless charging unit needs to be replaced during the vehicle's service life.According to this arrangement, the sockets can be used to align the wireless charging unit with the cover before it is attached to the vehicle's subframe. The base plate can comprise an outer surface configured to face a driving surface and an inner surface configured to face a vehicle body, with the second set of reinforcing elements projecting from the inner surface of the base plate. The base plate of the cover can have a leading edge configured to face the front end of a vehicle and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge, with at least a portion of the first plurality of reinforcing elements arranged along the leading edge. Most impacts, whether from driving over a curb / speed bump or from collisions with other vehicles, occur at the front of the vehicle, causing impact forces to be directed toward the leading edge of the base plate. The arrangement of the reinforcing element at the leading edge, as described above, helps to distribute the impact loads originating from the front of the vehicle away from the wireless charging unit. The reinforcing elements of the front edge of the base plate can be arranged equidistantly along the front edge of the base plate. This ensures a homogeneous distribution of the frontally loaded impact forces along the front edge of the base plate and away from the wireless charging unit. The spacing of the reinforcing elements along the front edge also reduces the overall weight of the inventive cover while simultaneously ensuring sufficient stability and protection for the wireless charging unit. According to a further embodiment, the front and rear edges are connected by two opposing side edges, with at least a portion of the first plurality of reinforcing elements arranged along the side edges of the base plate. In one embodiment, the base plate has a substantially rectangular shape, such that the side edges are arranged substantially perpendicular to the front and rear edges. Of course, it is also possible to manufacture the inventive cover in other shapes, such as a trapezoidal shape, where the side edges run obliquely to the front and rear edges. The arrangement of reinforcing elements along the side edges helps to distribute the impact forces absorbed by the reinforcing elements along the front end away from the wireless charging unit and into the vehicle's subframe. The second set of reinforcement elements can be configured to form one or more of: - an arrangement of essentially parallel reinforcement elements; - a network of reinforcement elements; and - a spiral or cobweb pattern of reinforcement elements. According to another embodiment, the second plurality of reinforcing elements is configured to extend longitudinally along the cover. In other words, the second plurality of reinforcing elements can be configured to extend in the direction of travel of the corresponding vehicle, i.e., from a rear end toward the front end of the vehicle. The second plurality of reinforcing elements is designed to prevent deformation of the cover in the vertical direction, thus ensuring that compressive forces are not distributed to the wireless charging unit. The second plurality of reinforcing elements can extend between the front and rear edges of the base plate. Furthermore, the second plurality of reinforcing elements can be arranged on the side edges of some of the first plurality of reinforcing elements that are arranged along the front edge of the base plate. In yet another embodiment, the second plurality of reinforcing elements protrudes from the inner surface of the base plate. In other words, the second plurality of reinforcing elements extends towards the vehicle body and not towards a driving surface, and thus does not reduce the distance between the driving surface and the underside of the vehicle. According to another embodiment, the second plurality of reinforcing elements are integral, molded parts of the base plate. Similar to the previously mentioned molded first plurality of reinforcing elements, this embodiment will reduce manufacturing costs and increase the stability of the second plurality of reinforcing elements. Of course, it is also possible to manufacture the second plurality of reinforcing elements as separate parts that are bonded or welded to the base plate. In another embodiment, the second plurality of reinforcing elements is located between the first plurality of reinforcing elements. Thus, the second plurality of reinforcing elements can be arranged at a distance from the front and side edges of the base plate, rather than being distributed along the side edges of the base plate. Adjacent reinforcement elements of the second set can be arranged equidistantly in the transverse direction of the cover, i.e., parallel to the front and rear edges of the base plate. An equidistant arrangement of the second set of reinforcement elements ensures that impact loads are distributed homogeneously over the entire surface of the cover. In another embodiment, the cover comprises a plurality of openings extending through the base plate. These openings can be arranged between the first and / or second reinforcing element and facilitate the removal of unwanted liquids, such as water or spilled oil, which could impair the function of the wireless charging unit. In the simplest form, the openings can be holes drilled vertically in the base plate. The base plate of the cover can be designed so that its inner surface is inclined towards the openings to further facilitate the drainage of unwanted liquids. In a further embodiment, the base plate has a leading edge configured to face the front end of a vehicle and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge, wherein the outer edge extends at an angle of 30° to 60° with respect to the base plate, at least along the leading edge of the base plate. Positioning a leading portion of the outer edge at an oblique angle to the base plate increases the stability of the protective cover, particularly with regard to the transmission of impact forces to the front end of the vehicle. The outer edge can include a variety of mounting holes designed to accommodate fasteners for attaching the cover to a corresponding vehicle body. These mounting holes can be positioned along the side sections of the outer edge, connecting the front and rear edges. Thus, the openings do not compromise the structural integrity of the protective cover, while being located in close proximity to the side edges of the base plate to distribute impact forces as effectively as possible away from the wireless charging unit and towards the undercarriage. According to another embodiment, the cover is made of plastic, plastic composite, or fiber-reinforced plastic. For example, the cover can consist of a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic laminate (RTL), such as GR0940, which combines the structural properties of an E-glass roving with the impact strength of polypropylene (PP). In another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle underbody is provided which includes the aforementioned protective cover. The cover can be an integrated, molded part of the underbody. This allows the cover to be manufactured together with the underbody in a single production step, significantly reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, this embodiment eliminates the need for any modifications to the vehicle's underframe, as the cover can be integrated into existing underbody structures. Alternatively, the cover can be detachably attached to a base structure of the vehicle underbody. In other words, the cover can be a separate part that is attached to the base in a subsequent step. According to this embodiment, the cover can be retrofitted to existing vehicle underbodies, in particular by removing parts of the existing underbody and replacing them with the protective cover. In yet another aspect of the present invention, an assembly is provided comprising a wireless charging unit and the aforementioned protective cover. As already mentioned, at least some of the first plurality of reinforcing elements can be shaped and / or spaced apart from one another such that a receptacle is provided between adjacent reinforcing elements, wherein the wireless charging unit comprises at least one projection configured to be received within the receptacle. This particular arrangement facilitates the positioning of the wireless charging unit within the cover of the assembly. In detail, the at least one projection is configured to align the wireless charging unit with respect to the cover when the projection is inserted into the corresponding receptacle between adjacent reinforcing elements.The structure of the containers can match a structure of the protrusions, so that the wireless charging unit automatically aligns with the cover when at least one protrusion is inserted into the corresponding container. In a further aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided which includes a wireless charging unit which is detachably connected to a vehicle body, wherein the vehicle further includes the aforementioned cover which is detachably connected to the vehicle body, wherein the wireless charging unit is accommodated between the inner surface of the base plate and its outer edge. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless charging unit and the cover are mechanically decoupled from each other. Accordingly, the impact forces of the wireless charging unit introduced into the cover and distributed onto the subframe remain largely unaffected. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for aligning a wireless charging unit with a protective cover is provided, wherein the method comprises: providing a wireless charging unit comprising at least one projection; providing the aforementioned cover, wherein at least some of the first plurality of reinforcing elements are shaped and / or spaced apart from one another such that a recess is provided between adjacent reinforcing elements; and placing the wireless charging unit on the inner surface of the base plate such that the at least one projection is received within the recess. The method of the present invention makes it possible to reliably and reproducibly align the wireless charging unit and the protective cover with respect to each other, even with limited visibility. Within the scope of this application, it is expressly provided that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims, and / or in the following descriptions and drawings, and in particular their individual features, may be adopted independently or in any combination. That is to say, all embodiments and / or features of an embodiment may be combined in any way and / or combination, unless these features are incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle with a wireless charging unit and a conventional cover; Fig. 2 shows a perspective bottom view of a vehicle with a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3a shows a top view of the cover according to the embodiment of Fig. 2; Fig. 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the cover according to the embodiment of Fig. 3a along line AA; Fig. 4 shows a top view of a cover according to the present invention integrated into a conventionally known underbody; Fig. 5 shows an arrangement comprising a wireless charging unit and a cover according to the present invention; Fig. 6a and Fig.Figure 6b shows perspective views during the assembly of a wireless charging unit and the cover according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7a shows a top view of a cover according to another embodiment of the present invention, which can be detachably attached to a conventional underbody; and Figure 7b shows a top view of the conventional underbody design, which can be connected to the cover according to the embodiment of Figure 7a. Figures 8a to 8c show illustrated examples of embodiments that include alternative arrangements of the amplifier elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 2 shows a perspective bottom view of a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 100 comprises a vehicle body 101 and a subframe 103, which is detachably attached to the front end of the vehicle body 101. The vehicle 100 shown in Fig. 2 is an electric vehicle and therefore includes a battery pack 105, which is detachably attached to the underside of the vehicle body 101. The battery pack 105 can comprise a plurality of battery cells that supply one or more electric motors (not shown) with electrical energy for driving the vehicle 100. As described in more detail below, a wireless charging unit (not shown) can be detachably connected to the battery pack 105 to charge its battery cells. The wireless charging unit is protected by a cover 200 in Fig. 2. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the cover 200 is part of an underbody 110. The underbody 110 is detachably attached to the subframe 103 of the vehicle 100. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the underbody 110 is located in front of the battery pack 105, i.e., closer to a front end 106 of the vehicle 100 than to the battery pack 105. It is understood that the underbody 110 with cover 200 is separate from the battery pack 105 and thus attached to the vehicle 100 independently. Fig. 3a shows a perspective top view of the cover 200 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. For clarity, the cover 200 is shown removed from the corresponding subfloor 110. The cover 200 comprises a base plate 210. The base plate 210 has an inner surface 211 according to Fig. 3a and an opposing outer surface 212 according to Fig. 2. The base plate 210 is configured such that, in use, the outer surface 212 faces a driving surface, such as a road surface (not shown), while the inner surface 211 faces the vehicle body 101. An outer rim 220 extends around at least a portion of the outer circumference of the base plate 210. The outer rim 220 also projects over the inner surface 211, i.e., in the installed state, towards the vehicle body 101. In other words, the outer rim 220 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a forms an outer wall around the base plate 210, along its entire outer circumference. Thus, the cover 200 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a has a substantially pan-shaped configuration. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a, the cover 200 has a substantially rectangular base plate 210. The rectangular base plate 210 has a leading edge 213, which, when in use, is oriented towards the front end 106 of the vehicle 100. An opposite trailing edge 214 points towards the rear 107 of the vehicle 100 when the cover 200 is in the installed state. The side edges 216 and 217 connect the leading and trailing edges 213 and 214. The opposite side edges 216 and 217 extend substantially perpendicular to the leading and trailing edges 213 and 214. Edges 213, 214, 216, and 217 define the outer perimeter of the base plate 210, around which the outer edge 220 extends in the form of side walls 223, 224, 226, and 227. A first side wall 223 is arranged along the front edge 213 of the base plate 210. An opposite, second side wall 224 extends along the rear edge 214, and opposite side walls 226 and 227 extend perpendicular to the first and second side walls 213 and 214, along the side edges 216 and 217, respectively. The cross-sectional view of Fig. 3b along axis AA of Fig. 3a shows that the first side wall 223 extends at an oblique angle α to the base plate 210. The angle α between the base plate 210 and the first side wall 223 is in the range of 30 to 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees. In the embodiment of Fig. 3a, the side wall 224 extends at the rear edge 214 of the base plate 210 at an angle β between 0° and 20°, preferably about 10°, with respect to a vertical direction of the cover 200. The remaining side walls 226 and 227 extend at a slight inclination of 1° to 5° with respect to the vertical direction. It is understood that all side walls can also be perpendicular to the base plate 210. Returning to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a, a plurality of first reinforcing elements 230 to 239 are provided around parts of the circumference of the base plate 210. In particular, reinforcing elements 230, 231, and 232 are arranged along the edge 216 of the base plate 210. Reinforcing elements 233, 234, 235, and 236 are located along the front edge 213 of the base plate 210. Further reinforcing elements 237, 238, and 239 are arranged along the second side edge 217 of the base plate 210. In the embodiment of Fig. 3a, the first multiple reinforcing elements 230 to 239 are arranged exclusively along the edges 213, 216, and 217 of the base plate 210, while the rear edge 214 remains free of the first reinforcing elements. Of course, it is also possible to introduce initial reinforcing elements along the trailing edge 214 in an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the drawings. The reinforcing elements 230, 231, 232 of the first side edge 216 are arranged on the inner surface 211 of the base plate 210. Likewise, the reinforcing elements 237, 238, 239 of the second side edge 217 are arranged on the inner surface 211 of the base plate 210. In other words, the reinforcing elements 230, 231, 232, 237, 238, 239 are located within their respective edges 216, 217. The reinforcing elements 233, 234, 235, 236 of the front edge 213 are arranged outside the front edge 213, i.e., not on the inner surface 211 of the base plate 210. Rather, the reinforcing elements 233, 234, 235, 236 are arranged on the angled side wall 223, on the outside of the front edge 213. The first set of reinforcement elements 230 to 239 has a substantially cuboid shape. The first reinforcement elements 233, 234, 235, 236, which are arranged along the first front edge 213 of the base plate 210, have a substantially identical shape. The reinforcement elements 230, 231, 232, 237, 238 and 239 along the side edges 216, 217 have different dimensions. In particular, reinforcement element 230 is slightly larger than the other reinforcement elements 231 and 232, which are arranged along the first side edge 216. Likewise, the first reinforcement element 239 is slightly larger than the remaining reinforcement elements 237, 238 of the second side edge 217. The first plurality of reinforcing elements 230 to 239 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a projects beyond the inner surface 211 of the base plate 210. In other words, the first plurality of reinforcing elements 230 to 239 extends toward the vehicle body 101 when the cover 200 is used. The first plurality of reinforcing elements 230 to 239 are integral, molded parts of the cover 200. Mirror images of the first reinforcing elements 230 to 239 can be arranged on the opposite outer surface 212 of the cover 200, as shown in Fig. 2. Consequently, a third plurality of reinforcing elements is visible on the underside of the vehicle and projects beyond the outer surface 212 of the base plate 210 toward the road surface. Alternatively, the outer surface 212 can also be designed as a smooth surface (not shown), i.e., without reinforcing elements projecting beyond the outer surface 212. As can be further deduced from Fig. 3a, adjacent reinforcement elements 230 to 239 of the first plurality are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The reinforcement elements 233 to 236 of the leading edge 213 are arranged equidistantly. The reinforcement elements 230 to 232 and 237 to 239 of the side edges 216, 217 are arranged at different distances to form receptacles for receiving a corresponding wireless charging unit, as described in more detail below. In particular, the distance between the reinforcement elements 230 and 231 is greater than the distance between the reinforcement elements 231 and 232. Likewise, the distance between the reinforcement elements 239 and 238 is greater than the distance between the reinforcement elements 238 and 237. As can be seen from Fig. 5, recesses 240, 241, 242, 243 are formed between some of the adjacent first reinforcement elements 230 to 239. In particular, a first recess 240 is formed between reinforcement elements 230, 231. A second recess is formed between reinforcement elements 232 and 233. A third recess 242 is formed between reinforcement elements 236 and 237. A fourth recess 243 is formed between reinforcement elements 238 and 239. The cover 200 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3a further comprises a plurality of second reinforcing elements 250 to 255. In the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 to 7b, the second reinforcing elements 252, 255 are designed as longitudinal ribs extending between the front edge 213 and the rear edge 214 of the base plate 210. Similar to the first reinforcing elements 230 to 239, the second reinforcing elements 250 to 255 can project beyond the inner surface 211 of the base plate 210. In the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 to 7b, each of the second reinforcing elements 250 to 255 extends along a longitudinal direction of the cover that runs perpendicular to the front and rear edges 213, 214. In the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 to 7b, the second reinforcing elements 250 to 255 are arranged equidistantly along a transverse axis of the cover, i.e. in the direction of the front and rear edges 213, 214.The second reinforcement elements 250 to 255 can be integral, molded parts of the base plate 210. Mirror images of the second reinforcement elements 250 to 255 can be arranged on the opposite outer surface 212 of the cover 200, as shown in Fig. 2. Consequently, a fourth plurality of reinforcement elements is visible on the underside of the vehicle and projects beyond the outer surface 212 of the base plate 210 towards the road surface. Alternatively, the outer surface 212 could also be designed as a smooth surface, i.e. without reinforcing elements projecting beyond the outer surface 212. Fig. 4 shows a top view of the underbody 110 according to the embodiment of Fig. 2. The underbody 110 comprises an integrated cover 200, as described above with reference to Figs. 3a to 3b. That is, the underbody 110 and the integrated cover 200 are joined together in a single manufacturing step, preferably by pressing. The underbody includes a series of mounting holes 130 to 137, with which the underbody and its integrated cover can be detachably attached to the underside of the vehicle 100, in particular to the subframe 103 shown in Fig. 2. Numerous openings or bores extend through the base plate 210 of the cover 200 between the second reinforcing elements 250 to 255 and ensure the drainage of any unwanted liquids within the cover 200, such as spilled oil or residual water. Although not explicitly shown in any of the figures, the base plate 210 can be inclined such that the openings 260 to 266 are located at the lowest point of the base plate 210 to improve the drainage of unwanted liquids. Fig. 5 shows an assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the base 110 with integrated cover 200 and a wireless charging unit 300. The wireless charging unit 300 is arranged within the pan-shaped cover 200. In particular, the wireless charging unit 300 is arranged above the base plate 210 of the cover 200. The wireless charging unit 300 comprises four projections 310, 311, 312, and 313. Two projections 310 and 311 are provided on a first side of the wireless charging unit 300, while further two projections 312 and 313 are arranged on an opposite side of the wireless charging unit 300. Each of the projections 310 to 313 has a substantially triangular shape adapted to fit into the corresponding recesses 240, 241, 242, and 243, as shown in Fig. 3a.As can be seen, the projections 310 to 313 of the wireless charging unit 300 are shaped and dimensioned such that each projection 310 to 313 fits only into the corresponding receptacle 240 to 243. This specific arrangement simplifies the correct alignment between the wireless charging unit 300 and the cover 200 when both components are installed on the subframe 103 of the vehicle 100. Fig. 5 further shows that each of the projections 310 to 313 has a mounting hole through which fasteners, such as screws or bolts, can be inserted and attached to the subframe 103 of the vehicle 100. Those skilled in the art will understand that the wireless charging unit 300 and the underbody 110 with cover 200 are thus mechanically decoupled. The underbody 110 and cover 200 are therefore individually fastened to the subframe 103 by a plurality of screws extending through the mounting holes 130 to 137, which are explained with reference to Fig. 4. A method for mounting the wireless charging unit 300 and the cover 200 onto the subframe 103 is shown schematically in Figs. 6a and 6b. In a first step, shown in Fig. 6a, the wireless charging unit 300 is attached to the subframe 103 by screws that extend through mounting holes within the projections 310 to 313, as described in Fig. 5. After the wireless charging unit 300 is firmly connected to the subframe 103, the base 110 with the integrated cover 200 is also connected to the subframe 103 by screws that extend through the mounting holes 130 to 137. However, before the underbody 110 is attached to the subframe 103, the cover 200 is aligned with the wireless charging unit 300 by aligning the receptacles 240 to 243 with the corresponding projections 310 to 313 of the wireless charging unit 300.This alignment procedure simplifies the correct positioning of the integrated assembly consisting of the underbody 110 and the cover 200. As shown in Fig. 6b, the wireless charging unit 300 is then completely covered and protected from impacts on the underside of the vehicle 100 by a cover 200. Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 7a and 7b. Parts of the embodiment shown in Figures 7a and 7b that correspond to parts of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 6b are marked with corresponding reference numerals plus "300". In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the embodiment of Figures 7a to 7b shows a cover 500 that is separate from the base 410. According to this embodiment, the cover 500 can be detachably connected to the base 410. For this purpose, the cover 500 comprises the extended side walls 523, 526, and 527 of the outer edge 520. The outer edge 520 projects beyond an inner surface of a base plate 510 of the cover 500.The extended side walls 526 and 527 include mounting holes 570, 571, 572, and 573, which are configured to align with the corresponding mounting holes 432, 433, 434, and 435 of the base 410. Once the corresponding mounting holes 570 to 573 of the cover 500 have been aligned with the mounting holes 432 to 435 of the base 410, screws can be used to extend through the openings, thereby connecting the cover 500 to the base 410 and simultaneously detachably fastening the base 410 and cover 500 assembly to the underframe. The remaining parts of the cover 500 are essentially identical to the cover 200 described with reference to Fig. 3. The underbody 410 can be a conventional underbody, except that a cutout 420 is provided for receiving the cover 500. The cutout 420 can be created using any commercially available means. The embodiment shown in Figs. 7a and 7b therefore depicts a cover 500 that can be retrofitted onto conventionally known underbodies. Unlike conventional underbodies or sliding plates, the cover 200 comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements 230 to 239 and 250 to 255, which are located at strategic positions to increase the rigidity of the cover 200 and distribute the impact load to the vehicle body 101, thus protecting the wireless charging unit. The second plurality of reinforcing elements 250 to 255 are configured to increase the rigidity of the base plate 210 and distribute impact loads across the base plate 210 of the cover 200. The first plurality of reinforcing elements 230 to 239 are configured to distribute impact loads across the base plate 210 of the cover to the vehicle body. In particular, the second plurality of reinforcing elements 250 to 255, as shown in the figures,The embodiments shown in 2 to 7b are configured to distribute loads from impacts on the base plate 210 of the cover 200 to the first plurality of reinforcing elements 230 to 239, which in turn distribute the loads to the vehicle body 101. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 7b, the second plurality of reinforcing elements 250 to 255 is configured to extend between the front and rear edges of the base plate in the longitudinal direction of the cover 200, such that the second plurality of reinforcing elements 250 to 255 extends in one direction of travel of the vehicle 100, i.e., from a rear end to the front end of the vehicle 100. The second reinforcing elements 250 to 255 are designed to prevent deformation of the cover 200 in the vertical direction and thus ensure that compressive forces are not distributed onto the wireless charging unit. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 7b, the second plurality of reinforcing elements 250 to 255 is arranged to connect with the side edges of some of the first plurality of reinforcing elements 230 to 239, which are arranged along the front edge of the base plate. Figures 8a to 8c illustrate examples of embodiments that include alternative arrangements of the reinforcing elements 830, 850. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8a, the second plurality of reinforcing elements 850 are arranged in a “spider web” pattern comprising bisecting lines running front to back, side to side, and diagonally, as well as centered concentric circles. The secondary reinforcing elements 850, which comprise the bisecting lines, are configured to extend between the first plurality of reinforcing elements 830, which are located around the circumference of the base plate 810. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8b, the second plurality of reinforcing elements 850 are arranged in a halved spiral pattern comprising bisecting lines running front to back, side to side, and diagonally, and a spiral pattern radiating outward from the center. The secondary reinforcing elements 850 comprising the bisecting lines are configured to extend between the first plurality of reinforcing elements 830 located around the circumference of the base plate 810. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8c, the second plurality of reinforcing elements 850 are arranged in a grid pattern comprising the division of lines running from front to back and from side to side. The secondary reinforcing elements 850, comprising the division lines, are configured to extend between the first plurality of reinforcing elements 830, which are located around the circumference of the base plate 810.

Claims

A cover (200; 500) for protecting a wireless charging unit (300) of a vehicle (100), wherein the cover (200; 500) is arranged so that it can be mounted on a vehicle body (101) and comprises: a base plate (210), a first plurality of reinforcing elements (230 to 239) distributed at least along a portion of the outer perimeter of the base plate (210), and a second plurality of reinforcing elements (250 to 255) extending over the base plate (210); wherein: the second plurality of reinforcing elements (250 to 255) is configured to distribute loads from impacts on the base plate (210) of the cover (200; 500) over the base plate; and the first multitude of reinforcement elements (230 to 239) is configured to distribute the loads from impacts on the base plate (210) of the cover onto the vehicle body (101). Cover (200; 500) according to claim 1, wherein the second plurality of reinforcement elements (250 to 255) is configured to distribute loads from impacts on the base plate (210) of the cover to the first plurality of reinforcement elements (230 to 239). Cover (200; 500) according to claim 2, wherein at least a subset of the second plurality of reinforcing elements (250 to 255) extends between reinforcing elements of the first plurality of reinforcing elements (230 to 239). Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the first plurality of reinforcement elements (230 to 239) are shaped and / or spaced apart from each other such that at least one receptacle (240) is provided between two adjacent reinforcement elements, the receptacle (240) being configured to receive parts of a wireless charging unit (300). Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the base plate (210) comprises an outer surface (212) configured to face a driving surface and an inner surface (211) configured to face a vehicle body (101), wherein the second plurality of reinforcing elements (250 to 255) projects out from the inner surface (211) of the base plate (210). Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first plurality of reinforcing elements (230 to 239) and the second plurality of reinforcing elements (250 to 255) are integral, molded parts of the cover. Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first plurality of reinforcing elements (230 to 239) has a substantially cuboid shape. Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the base plate (210) has a leading edge (213) configured to face a front end (106) of a vehicle (100) and a trailing edge (214) opposite the leading edge (213), and wherein at least some of the first plurality of reinforcing elements (230 to 239) are arranged along the leading edge (213) of the base plate. Cover (200; 500) according to claim 8, wherein the first plurality of reinforcing elements (230 to 239) of the front edge (213) of the base plate (210) is arranged equidistantly along the front edge (213) of the base plate. Cover (200; 500) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the front (213) and rear (214) edges are connected by two opposing side edges (216, 217), and wherein at least a part of the first plurality of reinforcing elements (230 to 239) is arranged along the side edges (216, 217) of the base plate (210). Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the base plate (210) has a substantially rectangular shape. Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the second plurality of reinforcement elements (250 to 255) are configured to extend in a direction of travel of a corresponding vehicle (100). Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the second plurality of reinforcing elements (250 to 255) is configured to form at least one of: an arrangement of substantially parallel reinforcing elements; a network of reinforcing elements; and a spiral or cobweb pattern of reinforcing elements. Cover (200; 500) according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein adjacent of the second plurality of reinforcing elements (250 to 255) are arranged equidistantly in a lateral direction of the cover (200). Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover (200) comprises a plurality of openings extending through the base plate (210). Cover (200; 500) according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover is made of plastic, plastic composite or fiber-reinforced plastic material. Underbody (110) for a vehicle, comprising a cover (200; 500) according to one of claims 1 to 16. Underbody (110) according to claim 17, wherein the cover (200) is an integral, molded part of the underbody (110). Underbody (110) according to claim 18, wherein the cover (500) is detachably attached to a base structure of the underbody (110). An arrangement comprising: a wireless charging unit (300); and a cover (200; 500) according to any one of claims 1 to 16 . Arrangement according to claim 20, wherein at least some of the first plurality of reinforcement elements (230 to 239) are shaped and / or spaced apart from each other such that at least one receptacle (240) is provided between adjacent reinforcement elements, and wherein the wireless charging unit (300) comprises at least one projection configured to be received within the receptacle (240). Arrangement according to claim 21, wherein a structure of the receptacle corresponds to a structure of the projection, such that the wireless charging unit (300) automatically aligns with the cover (200; 500) when the at least one projection is inserted into the corresponding receptacle (240). Vehicle comprising a wireless charging unit (300) detachably connected to a vehicle body, wherein the vehicle comprises the cover (200; 500) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, which are detachably connected to the vehicle body, wherein the wireless charging unit (300) is accommodated between the inner surface of the base plate and the outer edge. Vehicle according to claim 23, wherein the wireless charging unit (300) and the cover (200; 500) are mechanically decoupled from each other. A method for aligning a wireless charging unit (300) with a protective cover, the method comprising: providing a wireless charging unit (300) comprising at least one projection; providing a cover (200; 500) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least some of the first plurality of reinforcing elements (230 to 239) are shaped and / or spaced apart from one another such that a recess (240) is provided between two adjacent reinforcing elements; and arranging the cover (200; 500) over the wireless charging unit (300) such that the at least one projection is received within the recess (240).

Images