System for inductive energy transfer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) for inductive energy transfer, in particular to a mobile application (100), which system comprises: a stationary induction charging device (2, 2a) having a stationary energy coil (3, 3a); and a mobile induction charging device (2, 2b) having a mobile energy coil (3, 3b). Precise and reliable determination of the relative position of the energy coils (3) in relation to one another is achieved by means of a positioning device (4) which has, in one of the induction charging devices (2), at least four transmission coils (5) and, in the other induction charging device (2), at least one receiver (6), wherein the transmission coils (5) generate mutually distinguishable positioning fields (60) which interact with the at least one receiver (6), wherein the ratio between the positioning fields (60) is used to determine whether the energy coils (3) overlap one another. The invention also relates to an induction charging device (2) of this kind and to a mobile application (100), in particular a motor vehicle (101), having a mobile induction charging device (2, 2b) of this kind.

Description

[0001] System for inductive energy transfer

[0002] The present invention relates to a system for inductive energy transfer comprising a stationary inductive charging device and a mobile inductive charging device, which interact with each other during charging operation for inductive energy transfer. The invention also relates to such an inductive charging device and a mobile application comprising such an inductive charging device.

[0003] A system for inductive energy transfer typically comprises a stationary induction charging device and a mobile induction charging device. During charging, an energy coil of one of the induction charging devices acts as a primary coil, and the energy coil of the other induction charging device acts as a secondary coil. Such systems are typically used for inductive energy transfer to a mobile application, for example, a motor vehicle, wherein the mobile application comprises the mobile induction charging device. In mobile applications, the energy coil of the mobile induction charging device is usually the secondary coil during charging. For inductive energy transfer, the primary coil generates an alternating magnetic field, which induces a voltage in the secondary coil.To enable inductive energy transfer and increase its efficiency, the primary and secondary coils, and thus the energy coils of the inductive charging devices, must be positioned appropriately relative to each other. For this purpose, it is conceivable to equip the system with a corresponding positioning device.

[0004] A corresponding system is known, for example, from EP 2 727 759 B1. The system comprises a positioning device for a motor vehicle equipped with the mobile induction charging device, enabling the vehicle to be navigated. The induction charging device comprises a transmitter and a receiver.

[0005] DE 10 2012 205 283 A1 shows a system with a positioning device which has an even number of detector coil elements which are wound in opposite pairs and form a detector pair.

[0006] The system shown in EP 3 347 230 B1 comprises a positioning device, which has a transmitting unit in the mobile induction charging device that, during operation, emits a transmission signal of a predetermined frequency. The positioning device further comprises a receiving unit on the stationary induction charging device that receives the transmission signal and determines a signal component of the transmission signal. A relative position is determined based on the determined signal component.

[0007] DE 10 2017 215 932 B3 describes a method for determining position information of a motor vehicle on a surface. The motor vehicle has a mobile induction charging device. By energizing the energy coil of the mobile induction charging device, at least one magnetic structure arranged in or on a surface traveled by the motor vehicle is magnetized. The structure is stored in a digital map together with a position information of the respective structure, whereby the position of the motor vehicle is determined based on the magnetized structure.

[0008] The present invention addresses the problem of providing improved or at least different embodiments for a system of the type mentioned above, for an induction charging device of the system, and for a mobile application with a mobile induction charging device of the system, which in particular eliminate disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the present invention addresses the problem of providing improved or at least different embodiments for the system, for the induction charging device, and for the mobile application, which are characterized by increased precision and / or increased robustness in the detection of the relative positioning of the energy coils of the system.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] The present invention is therefore based on the general idea of ​​arranging four transmitting coils relative to one of the energy coils in a system with two energy coils that interact inductively during charging, said transmitting coils generating fields that can be distinguished from one another, and of arranging at least one receiver of the fields relative to the other energy coil. In order to detect the relative position of the energy coils to one another, the relationship between at least two of the fields generated by the transmitting coils is determined by means of the at least one receiver. Due to the fixed arrangement of the transmitting coils relative to the associated energy coil and the fixed arrangement of the at least one receiver relative to the other energy coil, the relationship changes depending on the relative position of the energy coils to one another. Thus, the energy coils are arranged, for example, so as to overlap one another at a predetermined field ratio.In this way, the relative position of the energy coils and, in particular, an overlapping arrangement of the energy coils relative to one another can be determined in a simple and effective manner. Since field ratios are used to detect the relative position of the energy coils, a reliable determination of the relative position is ensured, particularly in comparison to determinations of absolute values ​​known from the prior art. This is due in particular to the fact that the ratio of the received fields does not change, or only changes slightly, as the distance in the height direction changes. This means, for example, that mobile induction charging devices in associated applications can be installed or arranged at different heights and / or stationary induction charging devices can be installed or arranged at different heights or depths, and the relative position of the energy coils relative to one another can still be detected without further calibration.The inventive concept therefore simplifies the detection of the relative position of the energy coils to one another.

[0011] As explained, using the ratio to detect the relative position of the energy coils to one another has the particular advantage of eliminating the need for repeated calibration of inductive charging devices that inductively transfer energy to one another. This means that at least one ratio can be predetermined in advance, and upon determining such a ratio from the received fields, it is recognized that a corresponding relative position of the energy coils to one another exists. In this way, it is particularly possible to transmit said predetermined ratios either once from the induction charging device generating the fields, preferably before positioning starts, to the receiving induction charging device in order to determine the relative position of the energy coils to one another.Alternatively and preferably, the ratios are fixed, so that the predetermined ratio is stored in the receiving induction charging device and thus no transmission to the receiving device.

[0012] Induction charging device is necessary. This allows, in particular, the relative position between energy coils of different stationary induction charging devices and various mobile induction charging devices to be determined in a simple and robust manner without prior calibration.

[0013] According to the inventive concept, the system comprises a stationary induction charging device with an energy coil and a mobile induction charging device with a mobile energy coil. During charging operation of the system, one of the energy coils generates an alternating magnetic field, which induces a voltage in the other energy coil for energy transfer. The induction charging devices, in particular the energy coils, are spaced apart from one another in a vertical direction during charging operation. The system further comprises a positioning device for detecting the relative position of the energy coils to one another. The positioning device comprises four transmitting coils in one of the induction charging devices and a receiver in the other induction charging device. The transmitting coils are spaced apart from one another, with two of the transmitting coils being arranged opposite one another in such a way that the transmitting coils delimit a virtual frame.The frame defines a virtual frame volume that extends vertically from the frame. The energy coil of the associated induction charging device is arranged at least partially within the virtual frame volume. The positioning device is configured such that the transmitting coils generate distinguishable fields during positioning operation, which are also referred to below as positioning fields. Furthermore, the at least one receiver is configured such that it interacts with the positioning fields generated by the transmitting coils during positioning operation.Furthermore, the positioning device is designed such that, in positioning operation, it determines the relationship between at least two of the positioning fields by means of the at least one receiver and, based on the at least one relationship, recognizes whether the energy coil of the induction charging device having the receiver is located within the virtual frame volume and, depending thereon, outputs a positioning signal.

[0014] The determined ratio conveniently corresponds to the local ratio of the positioning fields.

[0015] Positioning can involve bringing the energy coils closer together, as well as precisely positioning them relative to one another, hereinafter also referred to as near-field positioning. The positioning device described here is expediently used for near-field positioning. Near-field positioning is advantageously used when the energy coils are spaced apart by less than 1.0 m, preferably less than 0.5 m, in order to position them precisely relative to one another. At least one proximity field can be used to bring the energy coils closer together.

[0016] The respective power coil preferably has at least one winding. Within the scope of the present invention, the extension of the power coil is understood to mean, in particular, the entire area spanned by the at least one winding. In the case of a flat coil, the central region, in which no winding may be present, is therefore also part of the power coil.

[0017] During operation, the respective transmitting coil generates a magnetic and / or electromagnetic positioning field. This means that the respective positioning field is a magnetic and / or electromagnetic field.

[0018] It is conceivable, for example, to generate at least one of the positioning fields as an electromagnetic positioning field in the ultra-broadband range.

[0019] In preferred embodiments, at least one of the at least one transmitting coils, preferably the respective transmitting coil, generates a magnetic positioning field during positioning operation. A magnetic positioning field has the advantage over an electromagnetic positioning field that the receiver receives the positioning field more easily and reliably. Furthermore, this makes it possible to dispense with calibration, which is necessary, for example, in the case of propagation time differences, as are usually required with electromagnetic and / or acoustic fields. The magnetic positioning field thus enables a simplified and robust determination of the conditions and thus the relative position of the energy coils to one another. In particular, the omission of the calibration performed during the respective positioning also means that positioning can be carried out between different induction charging devices.In other words, the use of magnetic positioning fields allows positioning to be easily implemented using different induction charging devices.

[0020] Preferably, a main axis of the respective positioning field runs along the height direction. The respective positioning field is therefore at least predominantly distributed in or along the height direction and can thus be received transversely to the height direction only locally in the area of ​​the associated transmitting coil and energy coil, i.e., essentially on or in the immediate vicinity of the energy coil. Thus, the positioning fields are used to determine the relative position locally and thus close to the stationary induction charging device, i.e., when the mobile induction charging device has already approached the stationary induction charging device. Such main axes have the advantage that the relative position can be determined more precisely, in particular because the respective volume is more precisely defined.Secondly, this prevents or at least reduces overlaps between positioning fields of adjacent induction charging devices perpendicular to the vertical direction, for example, of adjacent stationary induction charging devices. This in turn leads to more precise determination of the relative position as well as simplified, interference-reduced, and reliable operation of several adjacent induction charging devices, for example, of adjacent stationary induction charging devices. The main axis of a positioning field running along the vertical direction is advantageously achieved by winding the associated transmitting coil around a winding axis running parallel or substantially parallel to the vertical direction. The transmitting coil therefore has at least one conductor track through which current flows during operation and which is wound around the winding axis running parallel or substantially parallel to the vertical direction.

[0021] If the energy coil of the induction charging device having at least one receiver is located within the frame volume, this means that the energy coils are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction and overlap each other transversely to the vertical direction.

[0022] The ratio, which represents the arrangement of the energy coil of the induction charging device having the at least one receiver within the frame volume, is expediently predetermined. Preferably, the predetermined ratio is stored so that, based on a comparison of the ratio determined by the at least one receiver, hereinafter also referred to as the determined ratio, with the stored ratio, it is determined whether the energy coil of the induction charging device having the at least one receiver is located within the frame volume.

[0023] The frame is defined by the transmitting coils, as explained above. The frame is a surface, and the surface defines the frame volume. The frame volume extends vertically from the surface. Accordingly, the energy coil of the induction charging device, which includes the transmitting coils, is arranged either within the frame or offset vertically from the frame. During charging, one of the energy coils acts as a primary coil generating the alternating field, and the other energy coil acts as a secondary coil, in which the alternating field induces the voltage.

[0024] Typically, the energy coil of the stationary induction charging device serves as the primary coil, and the energy coil of the mobile induction charging device serves as the secondary coil. Variants in which the mobile induction charging device inductively transfers energy to the stationary induction charging device are also conceivable. Bidirectional energy transfer is also possible.

[0025] The system, in particular, inductively transfers energy to a mobile device that includes the mobile induction charging device. The voltage induced in the energy coil of the mobile induction charging device during charging can be used to charge a battery. For this purpose, a rectifier can be provided between the energy coil and the battery.

[0026] In particular, the system is used to inductively transfer energy to a motor vehicle as a mobile application, for example to charge a motor vehicle battery.

[0027] Particularly in a mobile application, the positioning signal can be used to specify a relative movement of the mobile induction charging device to the stationary induction charging device such that the energy coils are both arranged within the frame volume. The positioning signal can therefore be used for navigation of the mobile induction charging device or the associated application.

[0028] For this purpose, a person, in particular a motor vehicle driver, can be given instructions to move, in particular to drive, the application based on the positioning signal. For this purpose, optical and / or acoustic signals can be issued, for example. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable to perform an autonomous movement of the application, in particular the motor vehicle, based on the positioning signal in order to achieve the arrangement of both energy coils within the frame volume.

[0029] In advantageous embodiments, the positioning device is configured such that a virtual target area is delimited within the frame. The target area defines a virtual target volume within the frame volume, which extends vertically from the target area and in which the energy coil of the induction charging device comprising the transmitting coils is at least partially arranged. Furthermore, the positioning device is configured such that it detects, based on the at least one ratio, whether the energy coil of the induction charging device comprising the at least one receiver is located within the target volume. The target volume is therefore a partial volume of the frame volume. In this way, the detection of the relative position of the energy coils is improved and more precise.In addition, when both energy coils are arranged in the target volume, a larger overlap of the energy coils and thus a higher efficiency in charging operation is achieved than when both energy coils are arranged in the frame volume and outside the target volume.

[0030] Advantageously, the frame volume and the target volume are selected in such a way, i.e. the transmitting coils are arranged and / or the positioning fields are generated in such a way that an efficiency of at least 90% is achieved when the energy coils overlap in the frame volume and / or in the target volume during charging operation.

[0031] In principle, the system can have two or more receivers. In preferred embodiments, the system has a single receiver. This simplifies the system and makes it cost-effective.

[0032] In principle, at least one receiver can be designed in any way.

[0033] In particular, at least one of the at least one receiver is a coil, which is also referred to below as a receiving coil.

[0034] During operation, the positioning fields induce a voltage in the at least one receiving coil, which is output as an output signal of the receiving coil in order to determine the ratio of at least two of the positioning fields.

[0035] In particular, at least one of the at least one receiving coil can be designed as a flat coil.

[0036] In principle, at least one of the at least one receiving coil can correspond to the energy coil of the induction charging device having the receiving coil.

[0037] It is also conceivable that the energy coil of the induction charging device having the at least one receiver is different from the energy coil of the associated induction charging device.

[0038] The respective positioning field advantageously has a location-dependent intensity profile with an intensity edge leading to the intensity maximum. It is understood that the at least one receiver has a lower threshold for interaction with the positioning fields. This results in, in particular, the at least one receiver interacting with the positioning fields below a predetermined distance from them. In principle, the positioning device, in particular the transmitting coils, can be in continuous operation. It is conceivable to initiate positioning operation when the corresponding distance between the at least one receiver and the positioning fields, in particular between the induction charging devices, is exceeded. This can be achieved in particular by the mobile induction charging device transmitting a ping signal, which, upon receipt by the stationary induction charging device, causes the transmitting coils to generate the positioning fields.

[0039] Embodiments are considered advantageous in which the respective transmitting coil generates a positioning field with an intensity maximum during positioning operation, wherein the transmitting coils are arranged at a distance from one another and / or the positioning device is operated such that the intensity maxima of the positioning fields are spaced from one another and the positioning fields of at least two of the opposing transmitting coils coincide in the frame volume, in particular in the target volume, i.e., are each measurably present. The coincidence of the positioning fields allows for a simplified and reliable determination of the associated ratio and thus a simplified and robust detection of the relative position of the energy coils to one another.

[0040] In preferred embodiments, the positioning device is designed such that the frame volume, advantageously the target volume, is arranged in a predetermined ratio range between the intensity maxima of the positioning fields of the respective opposing transmitting coils. The ratio range is thus assigned to the opposing transmitting coils, so that if a determined ratio within the associated ratio range, an overlap of the energy coils along the opposite transmitting coils can be detected. In this way, it is not only possible to detect an overlap of the energy coils with one another, but also a direction in which the energy coils overlap transversely to the height direction. This enables more precise detection of the relative position of the energy coils with one another. Furthermore, it is possible in this way to output positioning signals which enable navigation of the mobile induction charging device orthe associated application in such a way that the energy coils overlap each other.

[0041] The at least one ratio range is predetermined in advance, analogous to the ratio. The at least one ratio range is preferably stored so that, based on a comparison of the determined ratio with the associated ratio range, it can be determined whether there is an overlap of the energy coils along the associated opposing transmit coils and / or whether there is an offset along the associated opposing transmit coils.

[0042] In this case, corresponding ratio ranges can be assigned to the frame volume and the target volume. The at least one ratio range assigned to the target volume is expediently narrower than the at least one ratio range assigned to the frame volume.

[0043] For example, at least one of the at least one ratio ranges associated with the target volume may be between 1:0.1 and 0.1:1.

[0044] For example, at least one of the at least one ratio ranges assigned to the frame volume can be between 10:0.05 and 0.05:10. The inventive concept further offers the advantage that, due to the detection of the relative position of the energy coils to one another on the basis of the at least one ratio, simplified detection of the relative position of the energy coils to one another is enabled, even in the case of stationary induction charging devices and mobile induction charging devices that are spaced apart from one another at different heights, in that ratios and / or ratio ranges adapted to the different height distances can be predetermined and taken into account in advance.

[0045] In preferred embodiments, at least one of the predetermined ratios, preferably the respective ratio, is spaced from the intensity maxima of the associated positioning fields. Particularly preferably, at least one of the predetermined ratio ranges, preferably the respective ratio range, is spaced from the intensity maxima of the associated positioning fields. Since the intensity maximum of the respective positioning field has a spatial profile similar to a double hump, this prevents the determined ratios between the two humps from being used. Consequently, distortions in the detection of the relative position of the energy coils to one another are prevented or at least reduced.

[0046] Embodiments are advantageous in which the frame volume, in particular the target volume, is arranged between successive intensity flanks of the positioning fields generated by the opposing transmit coils. Thus, the frame volume or target volume is spaced from the intensity maxima. As a result, the above-described disadvantage occurring due to the double-hump shape of the intensity maxima is prevented within the entire frame volume or target volume. In advantageous embodiments, the transmit coils are arranged at a distance from one another and / or the positioning device is operated in such a way that the intensities of at least two of the positioning fields generated by the opposing transmit coils correspond to one another centrally relative to the energy coil of the induction charging device having the transmit coils.In other words, the ratio of at least two of the positioning fields generated by the opposing transmitting coils to the center of the corresponding energy coil is 1:1. This allows a simple and robust way of detecting an arrangement of the energy coils centered in the direction of the opposing transmitting coils.

[0047] In principle, the transmitting coils can be designed in any way. It is particularly conceivable for at least two of the transmitting coils to be designed differently.

[0048] It is conceivable that one of the transmitting coils corresponds to the energy coil of the induction charging device having the transmitting coils.

[0049] In preferred embodiments, the transmitting coils are different from the energy coil of the induction charging device having the transmitting coils.

[0050] In preferred embodiments, the transmitting coils are of identical design. This simplifies the system's manufacture. At the same time, it is easy to implement identical intensity profiles for the positioning fields.

[0051] It is preferred if the transmitting coils each generate identical intensity profiles during positioning operation. This simplifies the determination of the ratios and allows them to be specified in advance. The same applies to the ratio ranges. Advantageously, at least two of the positioning fields are generated and / or the transmitting coils are arranged in such a way that the positioning fields are symmetrical to one another.

[0052] Preferably, the transmitting coils are designed and / or the positioning device is operated such that the overall intensity profile of the positioning fields generated by the transmitting coils is symmetrical. This symmetry preferably applies to the opposing transmitting coils and / or to the energy coil of the induction charging device comprising the transmitting coils. This simplifies the detection of the relative positions of the energy coils to one another.

[0053] In preferred embodiments, two of the transmitting coils are arranged opposite one another in a longitudinal direction running transversely to the height direction. These transmitting coils are also referred to below as longitudinal transmitting coils. It is further preferred if two of the transmitting coils are arranged opposite one another in a transverse direction running transversely to the height direction and transversely to the longitudinal direction. Thus, by means of respectively associated ratios or ratio ranges, an overlap or offset of the energy coils relative to one another can be detected both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. This leads to increased precision in determining the relative position of the energy coils relative to one another. Furthermore, in this way, the navigation of the mobile induction charging device, in particular of the application, to the stationary induction charging device to achieve an overlap of both energy coils both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction can be simplified and carried out more precisely.

[0054] Embodiments in which the transmit coils are arranged such that the frame is a square are advantageous. This provides a clear boundary for the frame and thus a clear definition of the frame volume. The same applies to the target area and the target volume.

[0055] Preferably, the frame is rectangular and / or the transmitting coils are arranged at the corners of a rectangle. Thus, with the four transmitting coils, two transmitting coils are positioned opposite each other longitudinally and two transmitting coils are positioned opposite each other transversely. As a result, a cost-effective system design provides increased precision and robustness in detecting the relative position of the energy coils. Furthermore, the frame volume, and preferably also the target volume, has the shape of a cuboid.

[0056] In principle, the distinguishable positioning fields can be implemented in any way.

[0057] The positioning device is advantageously designed such that the transmitting coils are operated at different frequencies during positioning operation, thus allowing the positioning fields, in particular the magnetic positioning fields, to be distinguished. This means that each transmitting coil is operated at a corresponding frequency or in a corresponding frequency band, with the frequencies or frequency bands of the transmitting coils differing from one another.

[0058] It is conceivable to operate the transmitting coils in positioning mode with frequencies in the MHz range.

[0059] Advantageously, the transmit coils are operated in positioning mode at frequencies in the range between 5 kHz and 150 kHz. Preferably, the transmit coils are operated in positioning mode at frequencies between 110 kHz and 148.5 kHz, particularly preferably between 120 kHz and 145 kHz. The frequencies associated with the transmit coils are preferably spaced as closely as possible to ensure that the total required frequency spectrum is small. The frequencies are, for example, 5 kHz, 1 kHz, 100 Hz, or 1 Hz or a few Hz apart. For example, the frequencies are 500 Hz apart.

[0060] The distinguishable positioning fields can be achieved alternatively or additionally by different duty cycles of the transmit coils. This means that the positioning device is designed such that the transmit coils are operated in positioning mode with respective duty cycles, also known to those skilled in the art as "duty cycles," and the positioning fields are thus distinguishable. The use of duty cycles means that the transmit coils can be operated overall at the same frequency or frequency band. Thus, a smaller frequency spectrum is required to operate the system or the positioning device. This also leads, in particular, to a reduced influence of the positioning device on components located nearby.

[0061] In preferred embodiments, the stationary induction charging device has the transmitting coils and the mobile induction charging device has the at least one receiver. Since a relative movement of the mobile induction charging device to the stationary induction charging device takes place in order to align the energy coils to one another, the determination of the at least one ratio and the detection of whether there is an overlap of the energy coils can thus take place in the mobile induction charging device. In comparison to a corresponding determination in the stationary induction charging device and a transmission to the mobile induction charging device or the associated application, the results are thus available in the mobile induction charging device or in the application. In other words, latency in detecting the relative position of the energy coils to one another is prevented or at least reduced.This leads in particular to smooth navigation of the mobile induction charging device or the application comprising the mobile induction charging device.

[0062] Preferably, the transmitting coils are each designed as a flat coil.

[0063] At least one of the induction charging devices, preferably the respective induction charging device, has a magnetic flux guide unit for guiding magnetic fields. The magnetic flux guide unit advantageously has at least one magnetic flux guide element, preferably at least one ferrite element.

[0064] Preferably, the induction charging device comprising the transmitting coils comprises such a magnetic flux guide unit, wherein at least one of the transmitting coils, preferably the respective transmitting coil, is arranged above the magnetic flux guide unit, so that the magnetic flux guide unit shields the positioning fields generated by the transmitting coils on the side facing away from the other induction charging device during charging operation and amplifies them toward the other induction charging device. This results in the positioning fields being amplified toward the other induction charging device, in particular having an increased range, and simultaneously preventing or at least reducing interference from other components.

[0065] It is preferred if the induction charging device comprising the transmitting coils comprises a flat coil as the energy coil, which is larger than the transmitting coils, and a magnetic flux guide unit with magnetic flux guide elements, in particular with ferrite plates, for guiding the alternating field generated by the stationary energy coil during charging. The transmitting coils overlap the energy coil and are arranged at the corners of a quadrilateral, advantageously a rectangle, in a plane parallel to the energy coil.

[0066] The transmitting coils can be arranged between the energy coil and the magnetic flux guide unit or on the side of a coil carrier carrying the energy coil facing away from the energy coil.

[0067] Preferred embodiments are those in which at least one of the at least one transmitting coil, advantageously the respective transmitting coil, is designed as a flat coil. This allows the positioning device to be constructed compactly.

[0068] The flat coil and thus in particular the transmitting coil can in principle be designed in any way.

[0069] The respective compartment coil expediently extends transversely to the height direction, preferably in a plane spanned by the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

[0070] Preferably, the respective transmitting coil, which is designed as a flat coil, has a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is advantageously round or substantially round, or has a round basic shape. A conductor track is applied to at least one side of the printed circuit board.

[0071] For example, the conductor track has between seven and twenty-one turns, in particular between ten and eighteen turns, on at least one side of the circuit board, advantageously on the respective side of the circuit board. Preferably, a conductor track with fourteen turns is applied to the respective side of the circuit board, so that the flat coil has a total of twenty-eight turns. The turns are advantageously circular or substantially circular.

[0072] The outer diameter of the outermost turn is in particular between 36 mm and 108 mm, for example between 54 mm and 90 mm, in particular 72 mm.

[0073] The respective circuit board can be of any shape and / or size. Preferably, the respective circuit board has a round shape with an outer diameter between 40 mm and 120 mm, in particular between 60 mm and 100 mm, preferably 80 mm.

[0074] A web for electrically contacting the at least one conductor track can protrude laterally from the circuit board. The web is advantageously long enough to extend laterally beyond the magnetic flux guide unit, so that electrical contacts on the web for electrical contacting are accessible in the vertical direction at least on one side, preferably on both sides. For example, the web can have a length between 10 mm and 40 mm, for example, 20 mm or 25 mm.

[0075] The electrical current flowing through the respective transmitting coil during operation can in principle be as high as desired

[0076] The electrical current flowing through the respective transmitting coil, preferably the effective value, is in particular between 350 mA and 1050 mA, for example between 525 mA and 875 mA, preferably 700 mA.

[0077] The system can of course also comprise two or more stationary induction charging devices and / or two or more mobile induction charging devices, each of which, after appropriate positioning relative to one another, can inductively transfer energy during charging. This means, in particular, that a stationary induction charging device can also be made available to two or more mobile induction charging devices in order to inductively transfer energy with them during charging.

[0078] For example, a stationary induction charging device in the form of a charging point can be used to charge various applications, in particular motor vehicles, wherein the applications each have such a mobile induction charging device.

[0079] The stationary induction charging devices and / or the mobile induction charging devices are preferably each designed identically.

[0080] The inventive concept makes it possible to take into account positioning of the mobile induction charging device in different motor vehicles at different heights, i.e. with different distances in the height direction, in a simplified manner, in particular without recalibration, preferably without calibration.

[0081] It is understood that the system may also comprise five or more transmitting coils, each of which generates distinguishable positioning fields during operation.

[0082] Advantageously, the positioning device comprises, in addition to the four opposing transmitting coils, a further transmitting coil, which is also referred to below as an additional transmitting coil. Preferably, the positioning device comprises, in addition to the longitudinal transmitting coils and transverse transmitting coils, the additional transmitting coil. Thus, the additional transmitting coil is arranged closer to at least one of the four opposing transmitting coils than the opposing transmitting coils are relative to each other. The same applies to the intensity profile of the positioning field generated by the additional transmitting coil.

[0083] If the receiver is located in the area of ​​the double hump of the positioning field of one of the four opposing transmit coils and the intensity of the positioning fields of the remaining three of the four opposing transmit coils is reduced at the receiver, the intensity of the positioning field of the additional transmit coil is preferably simplified and better received by the receiver due to its closer arrangement to the receiver. In such a constellation, the received positioning field of the additional transmit coil can thus be used to more reliably and accurately detect the relative position of the energy coils to one another. This improves the accuracy and reliability of detecting the relative position of the energy coils to one another. The positioning field associated with the double hump or its intensity is preferably disregarded or ignored when determining the ratio.

[0084] The reduced intensity of the positioning fields of the remaining three transmit coils on the receiver can occur particularly when the receiver is positioned vertically close to the transmit coils. This means that at small height differences between the transmit coils and the receiver, these reductions in the received intensities become more pronounced. Thus, the provision of the additional transmit coil at such short distances between the receiver and the transmit coils leads to a significant improvement in the detection and reliability of the relative position of the energy coils.

[0085] Embodiments in which the additional transmitting coil is arranged within the frame volume are considered advantageous. The four opposing transmitting coils, in particular the longitudinal transmitting coils and transverse transmitting coils, thus define the frame volume, with the additional transmitting coil being arranged in the frame volume. The additional transmitting coil is thus arranged close to the four transmitting coils, so that the intensity of the positioning field of the additional transmitting coil in the region of the double hump of the respective four opposing transmitting coils can be received more easily by the receiver. In this way, a corresponding relationship and consequently determination of the relative position of the energy coils to one another is still or at least simplified for the four opposing transmitting coils with the same additional transmitting coil. In other words, the reliability and accuracy of the detection of the relative position is easily improved in this way.

[0086] Preferably, the additional transmitting coil is arranged within the frame. This allows for an improved and precise detection of the relative position of the energy coils and also for a compact structure of the positioning device and thus of the induction charging device having the transmitting coils.

[0087] It is conceivable that the positioning device has two or more such additional transmitting coils.

[0088] Preferably, the positioned positioning device has a single such additional transmitting coil. In this way, the assembly and production of the positioning device are simplified and more cost-effective while enabling an improved and precise detection of the relative position of the energy coils with respect to each other.

[0089] In particular, the virtual frame and thus the frame volume can be defined exclusively by the four opposing transmit coils, in particular by the longitudinal transmit coils and transverse transmit coils. The positioning device can comprise only one such additional transmit coil.

[0090] Embodiments in which the additional transmitting coil is arranged along a line running between two opposite transmitting coils are considered advantageous. The line preferably runs centrally between the longitudinal transmitting coils or the transverse transmitting coils. The additional transmitting coil is therefore arranged along the line, wherein the line either runs in the transverse direction and is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the longitudinal transmitting coils, in particular centrally between the longitudinal transmitting coils, or wherein the line runs in the longitudinal direction and is arranged in the transverse direction between the transverse transmitting coils, in particular centrally between the transverse transmitting coils. This leads to an optimized distance between the additional transmitting coil and the corresponding opposite transmitting coils, such that the intensity of the positioning field of the additional transmitting coil is sufficiently high in the region of the double hump of the respective opposite transmitting coils.In other words, the accuracy and reliability of relative position detection is improved using the same additional transmitting coil.

[0091] Preferably, the line runs parallel to a direction of travel of a motor vehicle as an application.

[0092] The respective transmitting coil, in particular the additional transmitting coil, can be arranged as desired relative to the energy coil of the associated induction charging device.

[0093] Preferably, at least one of the transmitting coils, preferably the respective transmitting coil, is arranged adjacent in the vertical direction to the winding of the associated energy coil. In particular, at least one of the transmitting coils, in particular the additional transmitting coil, in the case of an energy coil designed as a flat coil, is spaced transversely to the vertical direction from the central region in which no winding is present. This results in reduced coupling of the energy coil to the transmitting coil. Thus, a voltage induced in the transmitting coil by the energy coil is avoided or at least reduced. Consequently, damage to and impairment of the transmitting coil and components electrically contacted with the transmitting coil, for example an inverter and the like, are avoided or at least reduced. In other words, this results in improved protection of the at least one transmitting coil and the components.This also eliminates the need for special measures to protect the transmitting coil and / or components, or at least simplifies them. This results in a simplified and cost-effective design of the associated induction charging device.

[0094] The system according to the invention can be used to detect the relative position of the energy coils to one another at any desired distance. In particular, the system can be used to navigate and align the energy coils to one another at any desired distance range.

[0095] The system is advantageously used for detecting the relative position and / or for navigation in the so-called near field, i.e. at distances of less than 1.5 m, preferably less than 1.0 m, in particular less than 0.5 m.

[0096] It is also conceivable for the positioning device to continue operating even after the relative positioning of the energy coils in order to detect relative movements of the energy coils to one another. In this way, a relative movement of the mobile induction charging device and thus of the associated mobile application, in particular of the associated motor vehicle, relative to the stationary induction charging device can be detected. If such a movement is detected, the energy transfer between the energy coils can be interrupted and safety can thus be improved. The interruption of the energy transfer can occur either immediately after the detection of the movement or when the movement exceeds a predetermined range, in particular when the target volume or the frame volume is left.If the movement ceases and the energy coils are aligned with each other, particularly if they are positioned within the frame volume or target volume, the inductive energy transfer of the energy coils can be resumed. Detection of the relative movement by the positioning device can also be used for other measures to secure the mobile application. In particular, such detection can activate a parking brake or handbrake of the associated motor vehicle.

[0097] It is understood that in addition to the system, an induction charging device of the system, i.e. the stationary induction charging device and the mobile induction charging device, each also belong to the scope of this invention as such.

[0098] The scope of this invention also includes a mobile application, in particular a motor vehicle, with the mobile induction charging device of the system.

[0099] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0100] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0101] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0102] They show, schematically Fig. 1 a highly simplified representation of a system for inductive energy transmission,

[0103] Fig. 2 a schematic representation of virtual volumes,

[0104] Fig. 3 is a simplified plan view of a stationary induction charging device of the system,

[0105] Fig. 4 a section through the stationary induction charging device,

[0106] Fig. 5 a diagram with positioning fields,

[0107] Fig. 6 is a simplified plan view of transmitting coils and a receiver of the system,

[0108] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing position fields received by the receiver,

[0109] Fig. 8 a diagram with other signals received by the receiver with

[0110] Position fields,

[0111] Fig. 9 is a flowchart explaining the detection of the relative position of a mobile induction charging device of the system to the stationary induction charging device,

[0112] Fig. 10 is an exploded view of parts of the stationary induction charging device,

[0113] Fig. 11 shows the illustration from Fig. 10 in another embodiment, Fig. 12 shows a detailed view from Fig. 11,

[0114] Fig. 13 a plan view of a transmitting coil of the system,

[0115] Fig. 14 is a plan view of an energy coil of the system,

[0116] Fig. 15 the section indicated by CC in Figure 14,

[0117] Fig. 16 is an enlarged view of the area designated XII in Figure 15,

[0118] Fig. 17 shows the view from Figure 16 in another embodiment,

[0119] Fig. 18 shows the view from Figure 14 in a further embodiment,

[0120] Fig. 19 the section indicated by AA in Figure 18,

[0121] Fig. 20 shows the section from Figure 18 in another embodiment,

[0122] Fig. 21 shows a part of the section indicated by CC in Figure 18 in the embodiment of Figure 19,

[0123] Fig. 22 shows a part of the section indicated by CC in Figure 15 in the embodiment of Figure 20

[0124] Fig. 23 shows the view from Figure 18 in a further embodiment,

[0125] Fig. 24 the view from Figure 2 in a further embodiment,

[0126] Fig. 25 shows the view from Figure 18 in another exemplary embodiment. A system 1, as shown in Figure 1 in a highly simplified and circuit diagram-like manner, serves for the inductive energy transfer to a mobile application 100, in particular in order to charge a battery 102 of the mobile application 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the application 100 is a motor vehicle 101. For this purpose, the system 1 has two inductive charging devices 2 which interact inductively with one another in a charging mode, namely a stationary induction charging device 2, 2a and a mobile induction charging device 2, 2b for the application 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a is arranged purely by way of example on a roadway not designated in more detail.Of course, the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a can also be at least partially accommodated in the roadway and, in particular, be flush with the roadway. For inductive energy transfer during charging operation, each induction charging device 2 has an associated coil 3. These coils 3 are also referred to below as energy coils 3. Thus, the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a has a stationary energy coil 3, 3a and the mobile induction charging device 2, 2b has a mobile energy coil 3, 3b. One of the energy coils 3 serves as a primary coil 12 during charging operation, generating an alternating magnetic field that induces a voltage for energy transfer in the other energy coil 3, which serves as a secondary coil 13. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the energy coils 3 are each designed as a flat coil 7. The respective energy coil 3 designed as a flat coil 7 has a winding 18.As can be seen in particular from Figure 25, a central region 22 of the energy coil 3 designed as a flat coil 7 is free from the winding 18.

[0127] During charging, the induction charging devices 2 are spaced apart from one another in a vertical direction 200. To enable charging and achieve high levels of efficiency during charging, the energy coils 3 are positioned relative to one another transversely to the vertical direction 200, i.e., in a longitudinal direction 201 extending transversely to the vertical direction 200 and in a transverse direction 202 extending transversely to the vertical direction 200 and transversely to the longitudinal direction 201. For this purpose, the system 1 comprises a positioning device 4, by means of which the relative position of the energy coils 3 to one another is determined during a positioning operation. The positioning operation advantageously takes place before the charging operation in order to achieve optimal relative positioning of the energy coils 3 to one another and thus increased efficiency.

[0128] In the exemplary embodiments shown, during charging operation, energy is transferred from the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a to the mobile induction charging device 2, 2b in order to charge a battery 102 of the motor vehicle 101. Accordingly, during charging operation, the stationary energy coil 3, 3a serves as the primary coil 12 and the mobile energy coil 3, 3b serves as the secondary coil 13. As can be seen from Figure 1, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the mobile induction charging device 2, 2a has a rectifier 14 connected between the secondary coil 13 and the battery 102 in order to convert the alternating voltage induced in the secondary coil 13 into a rectified voltage. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the height direction 200 corresponds to the Z direction of the motor vehicle 101. In addition, the longitudinal direction 201 and the transverse direction 202 correspond, purely by way of example, to the X direction and the Y direction of the motor vehicle 101, respectively.

[0129] To detect the relative positioning of the energy coils 3 to one another, the positioning device 4 has at least four coils 5, which each generate a field 60 during positioning operation, which is explained below with reference to Figure 2. These coils 5 are also referred to below as transmitting coils 5. These fields 60 are also referred to below as positioning fields 60. The positioning fields 60 are generated in such a way that they can be distinguished from one another. In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 23, the positioning device 4 has exactly four transmitting coils 5, namely a first transmitting coil 5, 5a, a second transmitting coil 5, 5b, a third transmitting coil 5, 5c, and a fourth transmitting coil 5, 5d.Consequently, a total of four distinguishable positioning fields 60 are generated, namely a first positioning field 60, 60a, a second positioning field 60, 60b, a third positioning field 60, 60c, and a fourth positioning field 60, 60d (see Figures 7 and 8). In the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective transmitting coil 5 generates a magnetic positioning field 60. In the view shown in Figure 1, only two of the transmitting coils 5 are visible. The positioning device 4 further comprises at least one receiver 6, which interacts with the positioning fields 60 during positioning operation. Due to the difference between the positioning fields 60, a distinction can be made between the positioning fields 60 using the at least one receiver 6. One of the induction charging devices 2 comprises the transmitting coils 5, and the other induction charging device 2 comprises the receiver s.In the exemplary embodiments shown, the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a has the transmitting coils 5 and the mobile induction charging device 2, 2b has the at least one receiver 6. In the exemplary embodiments shown, a single receiver 6 is provided purely by way of example. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the at least one receiver 6 is designed as a coil 15, which is also referred to below as a receiving coil 15. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the transmitting coils 5 are different from the first energy coil 3, 3a. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the at least one receiving coil 15 is different from the second energy coil 3, 3b purely by way of example. As shown, for example, in Figure 7, the transmitting coils 5 are spaced apart from one another and two of the transmitting coils 5 are arranged opposite one another.

[0130] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the transmitting coils 5 are of identical design, i.e., identical parts. The respective transmitting coil 5 is, as shown by way of example in Figure 13, a flat coil 7. The flat coil 7 has at least one conductor track 21, which is wound around an associated winding axis (not shown) running parallel to the vertical direction 200. The respective positioning field 60 thus has a main axis running along the vertical direction 200, i.e., it is formed at least predominantly in or along the vertical direction 200 and is thus only locally receivable transversely to the vertical direction 200. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective transmitting coil 5 designed as a flat coil 7 has, for example, a printed circuit board 19, which in the exemplary embodiments shown has a round basic shape, from which a web 20 protrudes. The printed circuit board 20 can have an outer diameter of 80 mm, and the web 20 can have a length of 20 mm to 25 mm.In the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective transmitting coil 5 designed as a flat coil 7 has a conductor track 21 on each side of the circuit board 20, whereby only a single conductor track 21 is visible in the view in Figure 13. The respective conductor track 21 can, as can also be seen in Figure 13, be wound essentially circularly with fourteen turns. Thus, the transmitting coil 5 designed as a flat coil 7 has a total of twenty-eight turns. The outer diameter of the outermost turn can be 72 mm. The respective transmitting coil 5 designed as a flat coil 7 can be operated with an effective current of 700 mA.

[0131] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the distinguishable generation of the positioning fields 60 is achieved, for example, by generating the respective positioning field 60 with an associated frequency. This means that the respective transmitting coil 5 is operated with an associated frequency, so that the positioning fields 60 can be distinguished from one another. The frequencies are in particular in the range between 120 kHz and 145 kHz and are spaced from one another, for example, by a few Hz to kHz. For example, the frequencies can be 5 kHz, 1 kHz, or 100 Hz or less apart. For example, the frequencies are 500 Hz apart. Differentiation is also possible using duty cycles.

[0132] As can be seen from Figures 2 and 24, the arrangement of the four transmitting coils 5 is such that the transmitting coils 5 delimit a virtual frame 50. The frame 50 is thus a virtual area delimited by the transmitting coils 5. The virtual frame 50 defines a volume 51 extending from the frame 50 in the vertical direction 200, which is also referred to below as the frame volume 51. The energy coil 3 of the associated induction charging device 2, in the exemplary embodiments shown the stationary energy coil 3, 3a, is arranged at least partially in the virtual frame volume 51. The energy coil 3 of the associated induction charging device 2 is thus either at least partially in the frame 50 or offset in the vertical direction 200 relative to the frame 50 and consequently arranged in the frame volume 51.In the illustrated embodiments, the transmitting coils 5 are spaced apart from the energy coil 3 of the associated induction charging device 2 and thus from the stationary energy coil 3, 3a in the vertical direction 200. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiments, two of the transmitting coils 5 are arranged opposite one another in the longitudinal direction 201 and in the transverse direction 202. The transmitting coils 5 opposite one another in the longitudinal direction 201 are hereinafter also referred to as longitudinal transmitting coils 5, 5x, and the transmitting coils 5 opposite one another in the transverse direction 202 are hereinafter also referred to as transverse transmitting coils 5, 5y. Following this, the positioning fields 60 generated by the longitudinal transmitting coils 5, 5x are hereinafter also referred to relative to one another as longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x and the positioning fields 60 generated by the transverse transmitting coils 5, 5y are hereinafter also referred to relative to one another as transverse positioning fields 60, 60y.As shown, for example, in Figure 2, the transmitting coils 5 in the illustrated embodiments are arranged in the corners 57 of a quadrilateral 54 shaped as a rectangle 55, so that the frame 50 has the shape of a rectangle 55. Thus, the frame volume 51 is cuboid-shaped. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the frame 50 has the shape of a square 56. Due to the arrangement of the transmitting coils 5 in the corners 57 of the rectangle 55, the respective transmitting coil 5 is both a longitudinal transmitting coil 5, 5x and a transverse transmitting coil 5, 5y. Thus, with the four transmitting coils 5, there are two pairs of transmitting coils 5 each located opposite one another in the longitudinal direction 201 and in the transverse direction 202. Analogously, the respective positioning field 60 is both a longitudinal positioning field 60, 60x and a transverse positioning field 60, 60y. In positioning operation, the ratio 62 (see Figure 5) between at least two of the positioning fields 60 is determined by means of the at least one receiver 6.Based on the at least one ratio 62, it is further detected whether the energy coil 3 of the induction charging device 2 having the at least one receiver 6 is located within the virtual frame volume 51, and a positioning signal is output depending thereon. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the at least one ratio 62 is thus detected whether the mobile energy coil 3, 3b is located within the frame volume 51 and is thus arranged above the stationary energy coil 3, 3a in the vertical direction 200 and also at least partially overlaps with the stationary energy coil 3, 3a transversely to the vertical direction 200. The ratio 62 is predetermined accordingly in advance.

[0133] As can be seen from Figure 2, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the positioning device 4 is designed such that a virtual target area 52 is defined within the frame 50. The target area 52 is thus smaller than the frame 50. The target area 52 defines a virtual volume 53 extending in the vertical direction 200 within the frame volume 51, which is also referred to below as the target volume 53 and is shown in dashed lines in Figure 2. The energy coil 3 of the induction charging device 2 having the transmitting coils 5, i.e. the stationary energy coil 3, 3a in the exemplary embodiments shown, is at least partially arranged in the target volume 53. The positioning device 4 is further designed such that it recognizes, based on the at least one determined ratio 62, whether the energy coil 3 of the induction charging device 2 having the receivers 6 is located within the target volume 53.Accordingly, at least one ratio 62 is predetermined in advance. The frame volume 51 and the target volume 53 are defined such that, with a corresponding arrangement of the energy coils 3 in the frame volume 51 and in the target volume 53, a high efficiency in charging operation, for example at least 90%, is achieved. The target volume 53 is selected such that the efficiency is greater with an overlap in the target volume 53 than with an overlap in the frame volume 51. As indicated in Figure 3, the target volume 53, in the projection in the height direction 200, and thus the target area 52, is smaller than the associated induction charging device 2, in the figures shown.

[0134] embodiments, therefore smaller than the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a.

[0135] As can also be seen from Figure 5, in the exemplary embodiments shown, not a single ratio 62 is defined for the overlap of the energy coils 3 along the opposite transmitting coils 5, but rather an associated ratio range 63. This means that an overlap of the energy coils 3 is detected if the determined ratio 62 lies within the associated ratio range 63. The ratio range 63 is predetermined in advance. The advance specification of the respective ratio range 63 is carried out by a fixed specification, so that the ratio range 63 is stored and calibration is not necessary. The positioning signal can be used to manually move the application 100 or to autonomously move the application 100. In the exemplary embodiment of the motor vehicle 101, the positioning signal can therefore be used to signal to a driver (not shown) whether a desired alignment of the energy coils 3 to one another is present.For this purpose, the motor vehicle 101, as indicated in Figure 1, can have an output device 103 which outputs corresponding signals.

[0136] The detection of the overlap of the energy coils 3 is explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 shows the course of two positioning fields 60, which are generated by two of the transmit coils 5 opposite each other in the longitudinal direction 201 or two of the transmit coils 5 opposite each other in the transverse direction 202. In Figure 5, the positioning fields 60 shown are therefore either longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x or transverse positioning fields 60, 60y. One of the positioning fields 60 is shown in dashed lines for easier differentiation. Figure 5 shows the intensity course 64 of the longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x along the longitudinal direction 201 or that of the transverse positioning fields 60, 60y along the transverse direction 202. According to Figure 5, the positioning fields 60 of the opposite transmit coils 5 coincide in the target volume 53. As can be seen from Figure 5, the positioning fields 60 have identical intensity profiles 64. This means that the positioning fields 60 are each generated with the same field distribution.Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the transmitting coils 5 are designed and the positioning fields 60 are generated in such a way that an overall intensity profile 66 of the positioning fields 60 generated by the transmitting coils 5 is symmetrical between the opposite transmitting coils 5 and thus intensity maxima 61 as well as symmetrical with respect to the stationary energy coil 3, 3b.

[0137] As can further be seen from Figure 5, the respective positioning field 60 has an intensity profile 64 with intensity flanks 65 leading to an intensity maximum 61. As can further be seen from Figure 5, the intensity maxima 61 are spaced apart from one another. The transmitting coils 5 are arranged and / or the positioning fields 60 are generated accordingly. As can further be seen from Figure 5, the intensity maximum 61 of the respective positioning field 60 is shaped like a double hump. This is due in particular to the fact that the receiver 6 perceives a transition of the magnetic field lines (not shown) when positioned accordingly. As indicated in Figure 5, the respective ratio range 62 is arranged between successive intensity flanks 65 of the positioning fields 60 generated by the opposite, associated transmitting coils 5 and is spaced apart from the intensity maxima 61.For each of the longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x with opposite intensity maxima 61 in the longitudinal direction 201, a corresponding longitudinal ratio range 63, 63x is predefined, and for each of the transverse positioning fields 60, 60y with opposite intensity maxima 61 in the transverse direction 202, a corresponding transverse ratio range 63, 63y is predefined. The predefined ratio ranges 63 are preferably stored so that a simple comparison between the determined ratio 62 and the associated ratio range 63 can be used to determine whether a corresponding overlap exists between the energy coils 3.

[0138] This means that the longitudinal transmission coils 5, 5x are arranged and the longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x are generated such that the intensity maxima 61 of two longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x are arranged opposite one another in the longitudinal direction 201. For at least two of the longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x, an associated longitudinal ratio range 63, 63x is predefined. From the longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x received by the receiver 6, a longitudinal ratio 62, 62x between at least two of the longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x is determined. An overlap of the energy coils 3 within the target volume 53 in the longitudinal direction 201 is detected if the determined longitudinal ratio 62, 62x lies within the associated predefined longitudinal ratio range 63, 63x. The same applies to the overlap in the transverse direction 202.This means that the transverse transmit coils 5, 5y are arranged and / or the transverse positioning fields 60, 60y are generated such that the intensity maxima 61 of two transverse positioning fields 60, 60y are arranged opposite one another in the transverse direction 202. Furthermore, an associated transverse ratio range 63, 63y is predetermined for at least two of the transverse positioning fields 60, 60y. In positioning mode, a transverse ratio 62, 62y between at least two of the transverse positioning fields 60, 60y is determined from the transverse positioning fields 60, 60y received by the receiver 6. In this case, an overlap 3 of the energy coils 3 within the target volume 53 in the transverse direction 202 is detected if the determined transverse ratio 62, 62y lies within the associated predetermined transverse ratio range 63, 63y.An overlap of the energy coils 3 in the longitudinal direction 201 and in the transverse direction 202 therefore occurs when at least one of the longitudinal ratios 62, 62y lies within the longitudinal ratio range 63, 63y and at least one of the transverse ratios 62, 62y lies within the transverse ratio range 63, 63y.

[0139] For example, for an overlap within the frame volume 51, a ratio range 63 between 10:0.05 to 0.05:10 can be given, and for an overlap within the target volume 53, a ratio range 63 between 1:0.1 to 0.1:1 can be given.

[0140] Figure 6 shows a simplified top view in the vertical direction 200 of the transmitting coils 5. It is assumed that the receiver 6 moves between the first transmitting coil 5, 5a and the second transmitting coil 5, 5b in the longitudinal direction 201. Figure 7 shows the positioning fields 60 of the first transmitting coil 5, 5a and the second transmitting coil 5, 5b received by the receiver 6 during this movement along the longitudinal direction 201, and thus the first positioning field 60, 60a and the second positioning field 60, 60b. Figure 8 shows the positioning fields 60 of the third transmitting coil 5, 5c and the fourth transmitting coil 5, 5b received during this movement of the receiver 6 along the longitudinal direction 201, and thus the fourth positioning field 60, 60c and the fourth positioning field 60, 60d. The first positioning field 60, 60a and the second positioning field 60, 60b are longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x relative to each other.Analogously, the third positioning field 60, 60c and the fourth positioning field 60, 60d are mutually longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x. As a comparison of Figures 7 and 8 shows, the double-hump shape of the positioning fields 60 received by the receiver 6 is more pronounced for the positioning fields 60 close to the receiver 6 than for the positioning fields 60 further away from the receiver 6. In the example described, the double-hump shape is therefore more pronounced for the received first positioning field 60, 60a and second positioning field 60, 60b than for the received third positioning field 60, 60c and fourth positioning field 60, 60d. In Figure 8, the double hump shape of the more distant positioning fields 60, i.e. the example of the third positioning field 60, 60c and the fourth positioning field 60, 60d, is not shown for better understanding.Accordingly, the ratio 62 of both positioning fields 60 having opposite intensity maxima 61 is advantageously determined, and if the ratios 62 deviate above a predetermined limit value, the ratio 62 of the positioning fields 60 with the lower intensity is used to detect the relative position. Consequently, those positioning fields 60 whose determined ratio 62 is further apart from the intensity maxima 61 are used. This prevents, in particular, the double-hump shape of the intensity maxima 61 described above from leading to an incorrect detection of the position. If, on the other hand, the two ratios 62 essentially correspond to one another, i.e., if the ratios 62 are essentially equal or within a predetermined value range, the two ratios 62 are averaged to detect the relative position.If the determined ratio 62 deviates from the associated ratio range 63 towards an intensity maximum 61 of one of the associated positioning fields 60, an offset of the energy coil 3 of the receiving device and thus the receiver 6 is also determined.

[0141] Induction charging device 2 detects the intensity maximum 61 and thus the transmitting coil 5 generating the intensity maximum 61, toward which the ratio 62 is shifted. In other words, if the determined longitudinal ratio 62, 62x is shifted from the associated longitudinal ratio range 63, 63x toward one of the intensity maxima 61 of one of the associated longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x, this means that there is an offset of the mobile energy coil 3, 3b from the target volume 53 along the longitudinal direction 201 toward the longitudinal transmitting coil 5, 5x that generates the longitudinal positioning field 60, 60x with the intensity maximum 61 toward which the determined longitudinal ratio 62, 62x is shifted. The same applies to the determined transverse ratio 62, 62y.This means that if the determined transverse ratio 62, 62y is shifted from the associated transverse ratio range 63, 63y toward one of the intensity maxima 61 of one of the associated transverse positioning fields 60, 60y, this means that there is an offset of the mobile energy coil 3, 3b from the target volume 53 along the transverse direction 202 toward that transverse transmission coil 5, 5y that generates the transverse positioning field 60, 60y with the intensity maximum 61 toward which the determined transverse ratio 62, 62y is shifted. Thus, navigation of the mobile induction charging device 2, 2a can be realized such that an overlap of the two energy coils 3 is achieved in the target volume and thus both in the longitudinal direction 201 and in the transverse direction 202.This can, as indicated in Figure 1, be done by means of the output device 103 in order to output whether and in which direction a relative movement of the mobile induction charging device 2, 2b relative to the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a is necessary in order to achieve an overlap of the energy coils 3 in the longitudinal direction 201 and in the transverse direction 202. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, this is done purely by way of example visually by means of the display of arrows indicated in Figure 1. It is also conceivable for the output device 103 to emit an acoustic signal. It is also conceivable to implement the result autonomously, so that the motor vehicle 101 is driven autonomously in order to achieve an overlap of the energy coils 3.

[0142] Maximized efficiency during charging operation is achieved with a corresponding relative position of the energy coils 3 to one another, which is also referred to below as a centered arrangement. The centered arrangement is assigned a ratio 63 within each of the ratio ranges 63. This means that with a predetermined centering longitudinal ratio in the longitudinal ratio range 63, 63x, there is a centered arrangement of the energy coils 3 in the longitudinal direction 201. Furthermore, with a predetermined centering transverse ratio in the transverse ratio range 63, 63y, there is a centered arrangement of the energy coils 3 in the transverse direction 202. An overall centered arrangement thus exists when at least one of the determined longitudinal ratios 62, 62x corresponds to the associated centering longitudinal ratio and at least one of the determined transverse ratios 62, 62y corresponds to the associated centering transverse ratio.The respective centering ratio in the illustrated embodiments is 1:1, as indicated in Figure 5. Analogous to the above explanation, it is possible to implement navigation in such a way that an overall centered arrangement of the energy coils 3 is present.

[0143] Figure 9 shows a flow chart to explain the detection of the relative position of the energy coils 3 to one another. The positioning operation is initiated when the application 100, and thus the mobile induction charging device 2, 2b, approaches the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a. This is the case, for example, when the distance between the induction charging devices 2 from one another transversely to the height direction 200 is less than 1.5 m, in particular less than 1 m, preferably less than 0.5 m. The positioning operation can be initiated, for example, by means of a ping signal emitted by the mobile induction charging device 2, 2b, upon receipt of which the mobile induction charging device 2, 2a generates the positioning fields 60 with the transmitting coils 5.According to Figure 9, in a method step 300, which is also referred to below as receiving step 300, the positioning fields 60 are received by the receiver 6 and separated from one another in a subsequent method step 301 such that the intensity of the positioning fields 60 can be distinguished from one another. In method step 301, in particular, a Fourier transformation of the signals received by the receiver 6 takes place, i.e., in the case of a receiving coil 15, the voltages induced in the receiving coil 6 by the positioning fields 60. The method step 301 is also referred to below as separating step 301. The result of separating step 301 is thus an associated value for the respective positioning field 60, so that a total of four values ​​are available.From these values, the corresponding longitudinal ratios 62, 62x and transverse ratios 62, 62y are determined in a procedural measure 302 for the longitudinal positioning fields 60, 60x and for the transverse positioning fields 60, 60y. In this case, an average is advantageously taken over several values, for example over the most recently determined ten values, in order to increase the accuracy of the method and / or reduce the susceptibility to errors. The procedural measure 302 is also referred to below as ratio measure 302. The ratios 62 determined in the ratio measure 102 are compared in a procedural measure 303 with the corresponding previously specified ratio ranges 63, and based on the comparison, it is determined whether a corresponding overlap of the energy coils 3, i.e. the arrangement of the mobile energy coil 3, 3b within the target volume 53, exists. The procedural measure 303 is also referred to below as comparison measure 303.The comparison measure 303 outputs at least one positioning signal, as indicated in Figure 9. The positioning signal preferably serves, as explained above, for the navigation of the mobile application 100. Accordingly, the positioning signals can be made available to the output device 103. If the energy coils 3 are aligned relative to one another, the positioning device 4 can determine, in the manner described herein, relative movements of the induction charging devices 2 relative to one another, which represent a corresponding relative movement of the mobile application 100 to the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a. If such a movement is detected, the energy transmission between the energy coils 3 can be interrupted.

[0144] To detect the relative position, a correspondingly configured control device 16, shown in simplified form in Figure 1, can be used. The control device 16 can be a component of the positioning device 4, the system 1, or the application 100. The method can be implemented using a computer program product.

[0145] According to Figure 4, the induction charging device 2 comprising the transmitting coils 5, in this case the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a, in the illustrated embodiments has a flat coil 7 as the energy coil 3, which is larger than the transmitting coils 5. In addition, the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a has a magnetic flux guide unit 8 for guiding the alternating field generated by the stationary energy coil 3, 3a during charging operation. For this purpose, the magnetic flux guide unit 8 in the illustrated embodiments has magnetic flux guide elements 9, which are designed as ferrite plates 10. The transmitting coils 5 overlap the stationary energy coil 3, 3a and are arranged in corners 57 of a rectangle 55 (see, for example, Figure 2) and in a plane running parallel to the stationary energy coil 3, 3a. Furthermore, the transmitting coils 5 are arranged above the magnetic flux guide unit 9.Figure 4 shows possible relative positions of the transmitting coils 5 to the stationary energy coil 3, 3a. Accordingly, the transmitting coils 5 can be arranged in the height direction 200 between the stationary energy coil 3, 3a and the magnetic flux guide unit 8, on the side of the magnetic flux guide unit 8 facing away from the stationary energy coil 3, 3a, or on the side of a foreign object detection device 17 of the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a facing the stationary energy coil 3, 3a.

[0146] The exemplary embodiments of Figures 10 to 12 and 14 to 17 show a stationary induction charging device 2 with pyramid-like magnetic flux guiding elements 9 (see Figure 12), which is designed in particular according to the current SAE / ISO. Figure 14 shows a plan view of the stationary energy coil 3, 3a, in which the position of the transmitting coils 5 is visible. Accordingly, the transmitting coils 5, as explained above, can be arranged between the energy coil 3 and the magnetic flux guiding unit 8, as shown in Figures 10 and 16. Alternatively, the transmitting coils 5 can be arranged on the side of the stationary energy coil 3, 3a facing away from the magnetic flux guiding unit 8, as shown in Figures 11 and 17.

[0147] In the embodiment of Figure 17, the transmitting coils 5 are arranged on the side of a coil carrier 11 supporting the mobile energy coil 3, 3a, facing away from the magnetic flux guide unit 8. The thickness of the respective transmitting coil 5, extending in the vertical direction 200, is preferably a maximum of 1 cm.

[0148] Figures 18 to 22 show further embodiments of the stationary induction charging device 2, 2a, for example, according to SAE 2016. Figure 18 shows a plan view of the stationary energy coil 3, 3a, in which the position of the transmitting coils 5 is shown. In the embodiments shown in Figures 19 and 21, the transmitting coils 5 are arranged between the energy coil 3, 3a and the magnetic flux guide unit 8. In the embodiment shown in Figures 20 and 22, the transmitting coils 5 are arranged on the side of a coil carrier 11 supporting the mobile energy coil 3, 3a, facing away from the magnetic flux guide unit 8. In this case, a thickness of the respective transmitting coil 5 running in the height direction 200 is preferably a maximum of 1 cm.

[0149] Figure 23 shows a further embodiment which differs from the preceding embodiments in that the transmitting coils 5 are arranged offset inwards.

[0150] The exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 24 and 25 differ from the previous exemplary embodiments in that the positioning device 4, in addition to the opposing transmitting coils 5—in this case, in addition to the longitudinal transmitting coils 5, 5x and transverse transmitting coils 5, 5y—has a further transmitting coil 5, which is also referred to below as additional transmitting coils 5, 5s. The positioning device 4 thus has a total of five transmitting coils 5, namely the first transmitting coil 5, 5a, the second transmitting coil 5, 5b, the third transmitting coil 5, 5c, the fourth transmitting coil 5, 5d, and the additional transmitting coil 5, 5s as the fifth transmitting coil 5, 5e. As can be seen from Figures 24 and 25, the additional transmitting coil 5, 5s is arranged within the frame volume 51 in the exemplary embodiments shown.If the receiver 6 is located in the area of ​​a double hump of one of the positioning fields 60 of the four opposing transmitting coils 5 (see, for example, Figure 5), i.e., in the illustrated embodiments, the first to fourth transmitting coils 5, 5a - 5, 5d, the positioning field 60 generated by the additional transmitting coil 5, 5s (not shown) offers a stronger intensity compared to the positioning fields 60 of the other three of the four opposing transmitting coils 5, 5a - 5, 5d, so that it can be received more effectively and accurately by the receiver 6. Thus, more accurate and improved conditions for determining the relative position can be determined using the additional transmitting coil 5, 5s, and consequently the relative position can be determined more easily and reliably. This is particularly the case when the receiver 6 is located a short distance from the transmitting coils 5 in the height direction 200.

[0151] As can be seen from Figures 24 and 25, the additional transmitting coil 5, 5s is arranged along a line 58 shown in dashed lines in Figure 24 and as a bar in Figure 25. The line 58 runs in the longitudinal direction 201 and thus preferably parallel to the X-direction of a corresponding motor vehicle 101 (not shown in each case). Furthermore, the line 58 is arranged centrally between the transverse transmitting coils 5, 5y located opposite one another in the transverse direction 202. As shown only in Figure 25, the additional transmitting coil 5, 5s, like the other transmitting coils 5, is adjacent to the winding 18 of the associated energy coil 2 in the vertical direction 200, so that the additional transmitting coil 5, 5s overlaps with the winding 18. In addition, the transmitting coils 5 and thus also the additional transmitting coil 5, 5s are spaced transversely to the height direction 200 from the central area 22 free from the winding 18.The additional transmitting coil 5, 5s can thus be arranged in the sections of line 58 shown hatched and enlarged in Figure 25. This results in a reduced coupling of the respective transmitting coil 5, in particular the additional transmitting coil 5, 5s, with the associated energy coil 3. Consequently, impairments and damage to the respective transmitting coil 5 and the components electrically connected thereto are prevented or at least reduced.

[0152] As also shown only in dashed lines in Figure 25, the line 58 can alternatively run in the transverse direction 202 and be arranged centrally between the longitudinal transmitting coils 5, 5x opposite one another in the longitudinal direction 201.

Claims

Claims System (1 ) for inductive energy transfer, in particular for a mobile application (100), - with a stationary induction charging device (2, 2a) which has a stationary energy coil (3, 3a), - with a mobile induction charging device (2, 2b) which has a mobile energy coil (3, 3b), - wherein in a charging operation of the system (1 ) one of the energy coils (3) generates an alternating magnetic field which induces a voltage in the other energy coil (3) for energy transfer, - wherein the induction charging devices (2) are spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction (200) during charging operation, - with a positioning device (4) for detecting the relative positioning of the energy coils (3) to each other, - wherein the positioning device (4) has at least four transmitting coils (5) in one of the induction charging devices (2) and at least one receiver (6) in the other induction charging device (2), - wherein four of the at least four transmitting coils (5) are spaced apart from each other and two of the transmitting coils (5) are arranged opposite each other, such that the transmitting coils (5) define a virtual frame (50) which defines a virtual frame volume (51) which also extends in the vertical direction (200), wherein the energy coil (3) of the associated induction charging device (2) is arranged at least partially in the virtual frame volume (51), - wherein the positioning device (4) is designed such that the transmitting coils (5) each generate positioning fields (60) that are distinguishable from one another in a positioning operation, - wherein at least one receiver (6) is designed such that it interacts in positioning mode with the positioning fields (60) generated by means of the transmitting coils (5) of the other induction charging device (2), - wherein the positioning device (4) is configured such that, in positioning mode, it determines the ratio (62) between at least two of the positioning fields (60) by means of the at least one receiver (6) and, based on the at least one ratio (62), recognizes whether the energy coil (3) of the induction charging device (2) comprising the at least one receiver (6) is located within the virtual frame volume (51) and outputs a positioning signal accordingly. System according to claim 1, characterized in that - that the positioning device (4) is designed such that a virtual target area (52) is defined within the frame (50), wherein the target area (52) defines a virtual target volume (53) within the frame volume (51) extending in the vertical direction (200), and in which the energy coil (3) of the induction charging device (2) comprising the transmitting coils (5) is at least partially arranged, - that the positioning device (4) is designed in such a way that it recognizes, on the basis of at least one ratio (62), whether the energy coil (3) of the having at least one receiver (6) The induction charging device (2) is located within the target volume (53). A system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that two longitudinal transmitting coils (5, 5x) are arranged opposite each other in a longitudinal direction (201) extending transversely to the vertical direction (200) and two transverse transmitting coils (5, 5y) are arranged opposite each other in a transverse direction (202) extending transversely to the vertical direction (200) and transversely to the longitudinal direction (201). A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the positioning device (4) has an additional transmitting coil (5, 5s) in addition to the four opposing transmitting coils (5). A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the additional transmitting coil (5, 5s) is arranged within the frame volume (51). System according to claim 3 and claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the additional transmitting coil (5, 5s) is arranged along a line (58), - which runs in the longitudinal direction (201) and in the transverse direction (202) between the transverse transmitting coils (5, 5y), in particular centrally between the transverse transmitting coils (5, 5y), or - which runs in the transverse direction (202) and in the longitudinal direction (201) between the longitudinal transmitting coils (5, 5x), in particular in the middle between the longitudinal- transmitting coils (5, 5x). System according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the additional transmitting coil (5, 5s) is arranged adjacent to a winding (18) of the energy coil (3) of the associated induction charging device (2) in the vertical direction (200). System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the positioning device (4) is configured such that at least one of the transmitting coils (5), in particular the respective transmitting coil (5), generates a magnetic positioning field (60) during positioning operation.System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each transmitting coil (5) generates a positioning field (60) with an intensity maximum (61) during positioning operation, wherein the transmitting coils (5) are arranged spaced apart from one another and / or the positioning device (4) is operated such that the intensity maxima (61) of the positioning fields (60) are spaced apart from one another and the positioning fields (60) of at least two of the transmitting coils (5) coincide in the frame volume (51), in particular in the target volume (53). System according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transmitting coils (5) are identical. System according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that... that the transmitting coils (5) are configured and / or the positioning device (4) is operated such that the transmitting coils (5) generate identical intensity profiles (64) during positioning operation. System according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the positioning device (4) is configured such that the transmitting coils (5) are operated at different frequencies and / or with corresponding duty cycles during positioning operation, and the positioning fields (60) are thus distinguishable. System according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the four opposing transmitting coils (5) are arranged such that the frame (50) is a quadrilateral (54), in particular a rectangle (55). System according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that - that the energy coil (3) of the induction charging device (2) comprising the transmitting coils (5) is designed as a flat coil (7) which has a winding (18) and a central area (22) free from the winding (18), - that at least one of the transmitting coils (5), in particular the respective transmitting coil (5), is arranged adjacent to the winding (18) of the associated power coil (3) in the vertical direction (200) and spaced apart from the central area (22) transversely to the vertical direction (200). System according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the positioning device (4) is designed in such a way, in particular the Transmitting coils (5) are wound such that a principal axis of the respective positioning field (60) runs along the vertical direction (200). System according to claim 15, characterized in that the respective transmitting coil (5) has at least one conductor track (21) which is wound around a winding axis extending at least substantially in the vertical direction (200), such that the principal axis of the positioning field (60) runs along the vertical direction (200). Induction charging device (2) of a system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16. Mobile application (100), in particular motor vehicle (101), with a mobile induction charging device (2, 2a) of a system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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