Cooling of an induction plate for charging a mobile terminal in a vehicle / means of transport by means of an air flow
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024704766
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-02-21
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-31
AI Technical Summary
Mobile devices, such as smartphones, can overheat during use in vehicles, leading to automatic shutdown, especially during activities like telephone conferences, due to inadequate cooling solutions for charging devices integrated into vehicles.
A device with a charging unit and a cooling unit, featuring a cooling channel connected to a vehicle's air conditioning system, with steering elements to redirect coolant flow towards the charging unit, and an air-permeable charging mat or plate to enhance heat dissipation, incorporating an integrated induction coil and a support mat for shock absorption and anti-slip functionality.
Effectively cools mobile devices during charging, preventing overheating and shutdowns, while maintaining a compact and modular design suitable for various vehicles, ensuring reliable operation and convenience.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024053331_29082024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description
[0002] Cooling of an induction plate for charging a mobile device in a vehicle / means of transport by air flow
[0003] The invention relates to a device for a vehicle with a charging unit for at least one electronic component and a cooling unit for the charging unit and the at least one electronic component, wherein the charging unit comprises a charging plate or charging mat with at least one integrated induction coil and at least one receptacle for the at least one electronic component, the cooling unit comprises a cooling channel for a coolant flow that is connected to an air conditioning unit or fan of the vehicle, wherein the cooling channel has a plurality of openings through which partial flows of the coolant flow out in the direction of the charging unit. Directing or guiding elements are arranged in the cooling channel, which at least partially redirect the coolant flow in the cooling channel in the direction of the openings. The invention further relates to a cooling plate or cooling mat with channels open on both sides and to a vehicle with the device.
[0004] The modern working world entails that people participate in conference calls using mobile phones, even from their cars. This poses the risk that the mobile phone might fail in the middle of the conference because, for example, it overheats and automatically shuts off for its own protection.
[0005] DE 10 2015 112 127 A1 discloses an integration device for integrating a mobile terminal into a vehicle, comprising a perforated storage mat for the mobile terminal. A cavity connected to the interior is formed beneath the storage mat. Air is supplied to the cavity by an air flow provided by the vehicle. This air flow flows through the perforated openings of the storage mat into the interior of the vehicle, thereby cooling the mobile terminal. DE 10 2014 009 724 A1 relates to a charging device for a mobile terminal for a vehicle, comprising at least one charging unit, a receptacle for the mobile terminal, and a connection to an air conditioning unit or a fan of the vehicle for supplying cool air to the charging device to cool the mobile terminal.DE 10 2019 211 519 A1 discloses a charging device for wirelessly charging a mobile terminal device, comprising an air duct through which cool air from an air conditioner or fan of the vehicle can be passed to cool the mobile terminal device. EP 3 340 420 A1 relates to a charging device for a vehicle for conductively charging a mobile terminal device, comprising an air cooling arrangement supplied with cooling air from the air conditioner or fan of the vehicle.
[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for a vehicle with a charging unit for at least one electronic component and a cooling unit for the charging unit and the at least one electronic component, wherein the charging unit comprises a charging plate or charging mat with at least one integrated induction coil and at least one receptacle for the at least one electronic component, and the cooling unit comprises a cooling channel for a coolant flow that is connected to an air conditioning unit or fan of the vehicle, wherein the cooling channel has a plurality of openings through which partial flows of the coolant flow out in the direction of the charging unit. Directing or guiding elements are arranged in the cooling channel and at least partially redirect the coolant flow in the cooling channel in the direction of the openings.
[0007] The fact that the induction coil is integrated into the charging plate or charging mat means that the induction coil is surrounded by the material of the charging plate or charging mat. The induction coil can, for example, be located in a cavity formed in the material, with the cavity preferably being completely sealed off from the environment. The induction coil can be cast into the material.
[0008] The mount can be a hollow or recess into which the electronic component can be inserted, or a raised area onto which the electronic component can be placed. The component can be held in or on the mount using a magnetic holder. A magnet in the magnetic holder can be integrated into the charging plate or charging mat. In this case, the term "integrated" also includes the variant in which the magnet is inserted into a recess in the charging plate or charging mat that is open on one side and has direct contact with the surroundings.
[0009] The cooling channel has a base and a cover and two side walls that connect the base to the cover, as well as an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is formed at least partially by the openings. To ensure that a sufficiently large coolant flow exits the cooling channel through the openings, steering or guiding elements are provided in the cooling channel, preferably near the openings, which redirect the coolant flow or parts of the coolant flow towards the openings. Preferably, the charging unit and the cooling device have a common housing, i.e. the device is compact and can be stored, transported and installed in the vehicle or any other means of transport as a single component. The common housing can form the base and / or side walls of the cooling channel. A cover of the cooling channel with the openings can be connected to the housing.The cover may comprise the steering and guiding elements for redirecting at least parts of the coolant flow through the openings.
[0010] Preferably, the housing is open on one side so that the electronic component(s), such as a mobile device such as a mobile phone or a wearable device, can be conveniently placed in the charging unit's receptacle. To protect the charging unit and / or the electronic component from direct sunlight, dirt, and damage, the open side can have a closure element such as a lid, with which the opening can be at least partially covered.
[0011] The charging plate or charging mat can be permeable to air, for example made of an air-permeable material or at least partially perforated in order to guide the coolant flowing out of the openings through the charging mat to and / or around the at least one induction coil and / or to and / or around the at least one electronic component and thereby cool it.
[0012] The air-permeable material can be a porous plastic, a mesh, or a knitted fabric (as known, for example, from filter technology). The perforation openings can run perpendicular to a longitudinal and a transverse axis of the loading plate or mat and / or at an angle thereto, with the angle preferably being selected such that the coolant escaping from the perforation openings is not directed onto the body of a vehicle occupant. The angle can be, for example, > ±5°, > ±10°, or > ±15°, or any other angle.
[0013] The charging unit may further comprise a support mat for the at least one electronic component, which is connected to an upper side of the charging plate or charging mat facing the at least one electrical component. The support mat may be formed from an elastic material to cushion shocks transmitted from the vehicle to the electronic component. The support mat may include receptacles for the electronic component to reduce or prevent slipping while driving. A surface of the support surface may be designed to be slip-resistant. The support mat may be grid-shaped or continuous or partially perforated to allow the flow of coolant to the electronic component. The support mat may consist of an air-permeable mesh or knitted fabric of fibers or fiber bundles.
[0014] Preferably, a cavity is formed between an underside of the charging plate or charging mat facing away from the at least one receptacle and an upper side of the cooling channel with the openings facing the charging plate or charging mat. The cavity ensures that the coolant emerging from the openings is distributed throughout the space and, for example, flows into the perforation opening(s). To improve the supply of coolant to the perforation openings of the charging plate or charging mat, a guide structure can be arranged in the cavity.
[0015] Alternatively, a separate coolant guide device can be arranged in the cavity as a separate component. The coolant guide device comprises a hermetically sealed radial peripheral wall, an upper side that sealingly abuts a bottom side of the charging plate or charging mat facing away from the receptacle, a bottom side that sealingly abuts the top side of the cooling channel with the openings, and a steering and guiding structure that regulates the coolant flow in the coolant guide device so that, for example, the perforation openings of the charging plate or charging mat are supplied with coolant substantially evenly.
[0016] The diameter of all perforation openings can be constant over their entire axial length, or the diameter of the perforation holes can be larger at an inlet end for the coolant facing the cooling channel than at an opposite outlet end. This means that the perforation holes act as nozzles in which the flow velocity of the coolant is increased, so that the coolant can be better directed onto the electronic components. The perforation holes can also be designed as throttles, which further cool the coolant through expansion and reduce the flow velocity of the coolant, leading to a longer residence time of the coolant in the vicinity of the electronic components. Both effects can improve heat dissipation, particularly from the electronic components.
[0017] Groups of perforation openings or individual perforation openings can have a diameter that differs from a diameter of at least one other group of perforation openings or from other individual perforation openings. A perforation opening can have an identical distance to each adjacent perforation opening, or the distances between adjacent perforation openings can vary. The charging plate or charging mat can comprise a first and a second induction coil for simultaneously charging two electronic components, wherein the first induction coil is shielded from the second induction coil by suitable means. In one embodiment, the charging unit can comprise more than one charging plate or charging mat. In this case, at least one induction coil is integrated into each of the charging plates or charging mats, and the charging plates or charging mats are preferably connected to one another and shielded from one another.
[0018] The electronic component can, in particular, be a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone or a wearable device (e.g., a fitness tracker / watch). The coolant can, in particular, be air provided by the vehicle's air conditioning unit or fan.
[0019] Preferably, the cooling channel is only supplied with coolant when an electronic component is located in the charging device. To activate and stop the supply of coolant to the cooling channel, the device can comprise a sensor connected to a vehicle control system. The sensor detects whether an electronic component is located in the charging unit or that no electronic component is located in the charging device. Another sensor can measure the temperature of the air coming from the vehicle's air conditioning unit or blower. If the temperature of the supplied air is above a predetermined target temperature, for example in winter, cold ambient air can be added via the control system to achieve the desired cooling effect.
[0020] A second aspect relates to a charging plate or charging mat for inductively charging a mobile phone and / or a wearable, comprising an induction coil integrated into the charging plate or charging mat, a holder for the mobile phone and / or wearable, and channels open on both sides for passing cooling air. The channels preferably run substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal and a transverse axis of the charging plate or charging mat, less preferably perpendicular to a longitudinal and a vertical axis of the charging plate or charging mat.
[0021] The loading plate or loading mat is a flat component with a length and a width, which define a surface of a top side and a bottom side of the component, respectively, and a height. A length and a width dimension of the component can be different or essentially the same. The height dimension is smaller, preferably several times smaller, than the length or width dimension. If the component rests with its top side or bottom side on a flat surface, the longitudinal and transverse axes run essentially parallel to the flat surface, and the vertical axis runs perpendicular to the flat surface.
[0022] All features of the charging plate or charging mat described in the second aspect can also be read into the device in the first aspect, and vice versa.
[0023] A third aspect relates to a vehicle / means of transport with a device according to the first aspect. The vehicle may have more than one such device, for example, one for the passengers in the front seats and at least one further one for the passengers in the rear seats.
[0024] According to an advantageous further development, it is provided that groups of perforation openings or individual perforation openings have a diameter which differs from a diameter of at least one other group of perforation openings or from other individual perforation openings.
[0025] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the device and the charging plate or charging mat are explained in more detail using figures. The figures show in detail:
[0026] Figure 1: a construction sketch of a device with loading unit and indicated
[0027] cooling unit;
[0028] Figure 2: a sectional view of the device of Figure 1;
[0029] Figure 3 shows a loading plate or loading mat;
[0030] Figure 4 shows a vehicle with a device according to Figure 1.
[0031] The figure shows a sketch of the structure of an embodiment of a device 100 for inductively charging a mobile terminal (not shown) in a vehicle (Figure 3).
[0032] The device 100 comprises a charging unit 10 and a cooling unit 20, both of which are arranged in a common housing 200. The charging unit 10 forms a top side of the device 100, the cooling unit 20 a bottom side of the device 100. A cavity 30 is located between the charging unit 10 and the cooling unit 20. The charging unit 10 comprises a charging plate 11 or charging mat, with which a mobile terminal 50, 60 (Figure 2) can be charged, preferably by induction. The cooling unit 20 is connected via a supply line 301 to an air conditioning unit 300 or fan of the vehicle. The supply line 301 conducts cooled air through the cooling unit 20 and via a discharge line 302 behind the cooling unit to another consumer (not shown), such as the passenger compartment or a front seat for cooling. The air inflow Lz is directed into the cooling unit 20 as the main airflow LHS.In the cooling unit 20, several secondary air streams LNS are branched off from the main air stream LHS and distributed through the cavity 30 and directed toward the loading unit 10. The main air stream LHS, reduced by the secondary air streams LNS, leaves the cooling unit 20 through the discharge line 302 as the air outflow LA.
[0033] Figure 2 shows a sectional view through a device 100 of Figure 1 along a longitudinal axis X. The supply line 301 and the discharge line 302 are only indicated.
[0034] The device 100 comprises the charging unit 10, the cooling unit 20 and the cavity 30 located therebetween. The common housing 200 is indicated, which connects the charging unit 10 and the cooling unit 20 to form a component that can be installed as a unit.
[0035] The charging unit 10 comprises a charging plate 11 or charging mat 11 with a first receptacle 16a for a mobile phone 50 and a second receptacle 16b for a fitness tracker or a watch 60 or another wearable device. The difference between a charging plate 11 and a charging mat 11 essentially lies in the elastic flexibility of the respective three-dimensional body. To improve the readability of the text, the following will therefore generally refer only to the charging plate 11, without thereby excluding the charging mat 11.
[0036] A mat 13 made of an air-permeable material, such as a mesh or knitted fabric or a perforated foil, is arranged between the charging plate 11 and the mobile terminal 50, 60. The mat 13 can include supports or movement limiters for the mobile terminals 50, 60. In particular, the mat 13 can dampen shocks transmitted from the vehicle and / or prevent the mobile terminals 50, 60 from slipping during travel.
[0037] In the exemplary embodiment, a first induction loop 14a and a second induction loop 14b are integrated into the charging plate 11. The first induction loop 14a and the second induction loop 14b are insulated from each other by a shielding element 17. The second receptacle 16b is formed in the exemplary embodiment as a raised portion that protrudes above the first receptacle 16a in the vertical direction Z. The second receptacle 16b comprises a magnetic holder 40 for a mobile terminal 50, 60, of which only the magnet 41 is shown.
[0038] The cooling unit 20 is connected to the supply line 301 and the supply line 302 and essentially forms a cooling channel 70 with a cooling channel base 71, a cooling channel cover 72, and radial cooling channel circumferential walls, of which only the rear wall 73 is visible. Further radial cooling channel circumferential walls and the cooling channel base 71 can be formed by the housing 200.
[0039] The cooling channel cover 72 has several openings 74 through which cooling air of the cooling air main flow L H s (Figure 1) as cooling air secondary flow L N s can flow out of the cooling channel 70 and into the cavity 30. The cooling channel cover 71 further comprises a plurality of air guide elements 75 which are arranged against the flow direction of the main cooling air flow L H s protrude in the direction of the cooling channel bottom 71 and thereby guide part of the cooling air of the main cooling air flow LHS through the openings 74 into the cavity 30.
[0040] The cooling air can be distributed within the cavity 30. To improve uniform distribution within the cavity 30, a cooling air guiding or deflecting structure 31, which is only indicated in Figure 2, can be formed within the cavity. The cavity 30, or at least one radial cavity circumferential wall 32, can be formed by the common housing 200.
[0041] A block of an air-permeable porous plastic, a three-dimensional mesh or knitted fabric (similar or identical to filter material) can also be arranged in the cavity 30, filling the cavity 30, optionally with an airtight frame, which then forms the radial peripheral wall 32 of the cavity 30.
[0042] In one embodiment of the device 100, the device 100 can be modularly constructed, with the charging unit 10 as the first module M1, the cavity 30 as the second module M2, and the cooling unit 20 as the third module M3. The modules M1, M2, M3 can be connected to one another, for example, by plug-in or other suitable connections to form the device 100. The modular design makes it possible to easily exchange individual modules M1, M2, M3 in order to adapt the device 100 to installation situations in different vehicle types / means of transport.
[0043] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the charging plate 11 or charging mat 11 with a mobile phone 50 resting thereon. Integrated into the charging mat 11 is an induction loop 14 for inductively charging the mobile phone 50. One surface of the charging mat 11 forms the holder 16 for the mobile phone 50.
[0044] In order to achieve optimal cooling of the induction loop 14 and the mobile phone 50, 60, it is provided that the charging mat 11 is permeable to air or, as shown, for example, has coolant passage openings 15. The coolant passage openings 15 can be created in a simple manner by at least partially perforating the charging mat 11. In another embodiment, the charging mat 11 can be made of a mesh or knitted fabric or a porous plastic with sufficient air permeability to allow the passage of the coolant(s) generated by the main coolant flow L H s (Figure 1) derived coolant side streams L Ns reliably through the charging mat 11 to and / or around the induction loop 14 and / or to and / or around the mobile terminal device.
[0045] Figure 4 shows a schematic of a vehicle 400 with the installed charging device 100. The air conditioning unit 300 or the blower and the common housing 200 of the charging device 10, the cavity 30, and the cooling device 20 (see Figure 2) are visible. Also shown is the supply line 301, which connects the air conditioning unit 300 or blower to the charging device or cooling unit 20, and the discharge line 302, which discharges the residual air of the coolant main flow LHS (Figure 1) into the passenger compartment or another consumer, or to the environment.
[0046] The coordinate system shown in Figure 4 defines the X-axis as the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 400 and thus as the direction of travel of the vehicle 400, the Y-axis as the transverse axis to the longitudinal axis parallel to the ground on which the vehicle 400 is moving, and the Z-axis as the vertical axis, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of the vehicle 400.
[0047] The device can be installed transversely or longitudinally to the direction of movement of the vehicle.
[0048] 10 loading units
[0049] 11 Charging plate, charging mat
[0050] 13 Mat, support mat
[0051] 14, 14a, 14b Induction coil
[0052] 15 Coolant passage opening, channel
[0053] 15a End of entry
[0054] 15b Exit end
[0055] 16, 16a, 16b edition
[0056] 17 Shielding element 0 Cooling unit 0 Cavity
[0057] 31 Cooling air guidance structure
[0058] 32 Cavity peripheral wall 0 Magnet holder 1 Magnet
[0059] 50 electronic component, mobile phone
[0060] 60 electronic component, wearable
[0061] 70 cooling channel
[0062] 71 Cooling channel floor
[0063] 72 cooling channel cover
[0064] 73 Cooling channel peripheral wall
[0065] 74 Opening
[0066] 75 Air guide element
[0067] 100 device
[0068] 200 housings
[0069] 300 air conditioner / fan
[0070] 301 supply line
[0071] 302 Derivation
[0072] 400 vehicles
[0073] Lz cooling air flow
[0074] LHS cooling air main flow
[0075] LNS cooling air bypass
[0076] LA cooling air outflow
[0077] M1, M2, M3 Module X Longitudinal direction
[0078] Y transverse direction
[0079] Z vertical direction, vertical axis
Claims
Patent claims 1. Device (100) for a vehicle (400) / means of transport with a charging unit (10) for at least one electronic component (50, 60) and a cooling unit (20) for the charging unit (10) and the at least one electronic component (50, 60), wherein a) the charging unit (100) comprises a charging plate (11) or charging mat (11) with at least one integrated induction coil (14, 14a, 14b) and at least one receptacle (16, 16a, 16b) for the at least one electronic component (50, 60), b) the cooling unit (20) has a cooling channel (70) for a coolant main flow (L Hs) which is connected to an air conditioning unit (300) or fan of the vehicle (400), wherein the cooling duct (70) has a plurality of openings (74) through which coolant secondary flows (LNS) of the coolant main flow (LHS) flow out in the direction of the charging unit (10), characterized in that c) air deflecting or air guiding elements (75) are arranged in the cooling duct (70), which at least partially redirect the coolant main flow (LHS) in the cooling duct (70) as coolant secondary flows (LNS) in the direction of the openings (74).
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the charging unit (10) and the cooling unit (20) have a common housing (200) and preferably the common housing (200) forms a cooling channel bottom (71) and / or at least a portion of a cooling channel peripheral wall (73) of the cooling channel (70).
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging plate (11) or charging mat (11) is at least partially formed from an air-permeable material or is at least partially perforated, and the coolant flowing out of the openings (74) flows at least partially through the charging plate (11) or charging mat (11) to or around the at least one induction coil (14) and the at least one electronic component (50, 60) and cools them.
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging unit (10) further comprises a support mat (13) for the at least one electronic component (50, 60), which is connected to an upper side of the charging plate (11) or charging mat (11) facing the at least one electronic component (50, 60).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cavity (30) is arranged between an underside of the loading plate (11) or loading mat (11) facing away from the at least one support (16, 16a, 16b) and an upper side of the cooling channel (70) facing the loading plate (11) or loading mat (11), so that the coolant secondary flows (LNS) emerging from the openings (74) are distributed in the cavity (30) and flow at least substantially through and / or around the loading plate (11) or loading mat (11).
6. Device according to claim 3, wherein a diameter of coolant passage openings (15) formed by perforation in the loading plate (11) or loading mat (11) is constant over their entire axial length, or wherein a diameter of the coolant passage openings (15) at an inlet end (15a) for the coolant facing the cooling channel (70) is larger or smaller than at an opposite outlet end (15b).
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging plate (11) or charging mat (11) comprises a first and a second induction coil (14a, 14b) for simultaneously charging two electronic components (50, 60), wherein the first induction coil (14a) is shielded from the second induction coil (14b) by suitable means (17), or wherein the charging unit (10) comprises more than one charging plate (11) or charging mat (11), at least one induction coil (14a, 14b) is integrated into each of the charging plates (11) or charging mats (11), and the charging plates (11) or charging mats (11) are connected to one another and shielded from one another.
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic component (50, 60) is a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone (50) or a wearable (60), and wherein the coolant is preferably air.
9. Charging plate (11) or charging mat (11) for inductively charging a mobile phone (50) and / or a wearable (60), comprising an induction coil (14) integrated into the charging plate (11) or charging mat (11), a support (16) for the mobile phone (50) and / or wearable (60) and channels (15) open on both sides for passing cooling air through, characterized in that the channels (15) run substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal (X) and a transverse axis (Y) of the charging plate (11) or charging mat (11).
10. Vehicle (400) I means of transport with a device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8.