Vehicle module for an inductive charging system

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle module CPM (100) for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle module CPM (100) comprises a main coil for converting electromagnetic energy of an electromagnetic field produced by a ground module GPM (101) of an inductive vehicle charging system into electrical energy of an electric current, and wherein the electric current can be used to charge an electrical storage device (103) of the vehicle. The vehicle module CPM (100) is characterized in that a unit (102) for initializing an inductive energy transmission from the ground module GPM (101) to the vehicle module CPM (100) is provided, wherein the unit (101) is designed and set up in such a way that the inductive energy transmission is initialized by the unit (101) wirelessly receiving a previously known first signal S1 produced outside the CPM.

Description

[0001] Vehicle module for an inductive charging system

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle module CPM (CPM stands for "Car Pad Module") for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle module CPM has a main coil for converting electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic field generated by a main coil of a ground module GPM (GPM stands for "Ground Pad Module") of an inductive vehicle charging system into electrical energy of an electric current, and wherein the electric current can be used to charge an electrical storage device (e.g., battery) of the vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle with such a vehicle module CPM and to an inductive vehicle charging system with such a vehicle module CPM.

[0003] For energy transfer from the GPM floor module to the CPM vehicle module, the current state of the art requires that the vehicle with the CPM vehicle module and the GPM floor module be in operation. If an inductive charging process of a vehicle is to be started (initialized) at a time when the vehicle is not in operation (e.g., parked and locked in a parking garage) but is optimally positioned above the GPM floor module, there is currently no solution for this.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a technical solution for the situation described.

[0005] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims. Further features, possible applications, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the explanation of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in the figure.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle module CPM for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle module CPM has a main coil for converting electromagnetic energy of an electromagnetic field generated by a main coil of a floor module GPM of an inductive vehicle charging system into electrical energy of an electric current, and wherein the electric current can be used to charge an electrical storage device of the vehicle. The vehicle module CPM is characterized in that a unit for initializing an inductive energy transfer from the floor module GPM to the vehicle module CPM or vice versa is present in the vehicle module CPM, wherein the unit is designed and configured such that the initialization of the inductive energy transfer between GPM and CPM or vice versa takes place by a wireless reception of a previously known first signal S1 generated externally to the CPM in the unit of the vehicle module CPM.

[0007] The term "initializing the inductive energy transfer" is advantageously understood here to mean that, after receiving the previously known first signal S1, the unit in the vehicle module CPM triggers the vehicle module CPM and, if applicable, also a system of the vehicle required for inductive charging of a vehicle battery to assume a state required for (actual) inductive energy transfer in order to subsequently carry out this energy transfer. Initializing the inductive energy transfer does not involve an actual inductive energy transfer, but rather prepares all systems involved to the extent that this inductive energy transfer can take place.

[0008] Advantageously, the unit in the CPM is further designed and configured to control the actual inductive energy transfer from the ground module GPM to the vehicle module CPM or vice versa after initialization of the inductive energy transfer and the presence of the required state.

[0009] The first known signal S1 is advantageously a radio signal (e.g., a UWB, Bluetooth, WLAN, UWB signal, etc.), an optical signal, an ultrasonic or infrasonic signal, or an infrared signal, or a combination thereof. The first known signal S1 is advantageously encoded.

[0010] Advantageously, the main coil of the vehicle module CPM is configured and designed to receive the first signal S1. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle module CPM has one or more antennas for receiving the first signal S1. The main coil of the vehicle module CPM or the aforementioned antennas are connected to the unit for this purpose. Advantageously, the first signal S1 is generated and transmitted by the main coil or a corresponding transmitting unit of the ground module GPM. Alternatively, the first signal S1 is generated or transmitted by a mobile or stationary external unit, in particular an infrastructure unit, e.g., a parking garage.

[0011] The vehicle module CPM of the vehicle is advantageously designed and configured such that the unit receives and processes the first signal S1 even when the vehicle is switched off or in sleep mode, in particular when the vehicle is parked and locked. For this purpose, the unit is advantageously supplied with electrical energy from a power source internal to the CPM and / or from a power source in the vehicle.

[0012] With the proposed CPM vehicle module, it is possible, for example, for a vehicle parked in a parking lot or for a vehicle parked and locked on a shelf in an automated high-bay parking garage (where the CPM vehicle module is optimally positioned above a GPM floor module arranged on the ground) to initialize an inductive energy transfer from the GPM floor module to the CPM vehicle module by receiving the known first signal S1 and then to transfer energy so that, for example, a battery, in particular a high-voltage battery of the vehicle, can be charged without a driver having to unlock or start the vehicle. The process of initializing the inductive energy transfer, as well as the process of inductive energy transfer itself, can thus take place without requiring user intervention, i.e., automatically.

[0013] The vehicle module CPM is advantageously designed and configured in such a way that actual energy transfer from the ground module GPM to the vehicle module CPM can only take place if one or more predetermined conditions are additionally met. For this purpose, the existence of all predetermined conditions can be checked by the vehicle module CPM and / or by the unit of the vehicle module CPM and / or by the ground module GPM and / or by an external unit, wherein the vehicle module CPM, the unit, the ground module GPM and, if applicable, the external unit advantageously communicate with one another for this purpose. Energy transfer from the ground module GPM to the vehicle module CPM is only started when all predetermined conditions are met. Such a condition is advantageous if a predetermined relative positioning of the main coil of the ground module GPM and the main coil of the vehicle module CPM exists.Methods for determining a relative positioning of the ground module GPM and the vehicle module CPM are generally known in the prior art.

[0014] Advantageously, the presence of the predetermined relative positioning is checked on the basis of data communication between the vehicle module CPM and the respective ground module GPM and / or on the basis of an evaluation of one or more signals sent from the vehicle module CPM to the ground module GPM and / or vice versa.

[0015] Further conditions for an actual energy transfer from GPM to CPM or vice versa can be: no foreign objects in the area between the vehicle module CPM and the ground module GPM (FOD = Foreign Object Detection) and / or no living object in the area between the vehicle module CPM and the ground module GPM (LOD = Living Object Detection) and / or internal system tests on the vehicle module CPM and the ground module GPM have been completed without errors and / or

[0016] Release of a corresponding payment for an energy transfer through a payment system,

[0017] - etc.

[0018] Advantageously, the presence of all predefined conditions required for an inductive energy transfer from GPM to CPM or vice versa is determined by the vehicle module CPM, in particular by its unit, and transmitted to a stationary infrastructure unit, wherein this infrastructure unit controls the respective ground module GPM and only enables an energy transfer from the ground module GPM to the vehicle module CPM or vice versa if all predefined conditions are met.

[0019] Alternatively, the presence of all specified conditions required for energy transfer is determined by the vehicle module CPM, in particular by its unit, and transmitted to the relevant ground module GPM, wherein the ground module GPM is designed and configured to only release energy transfer to the vehicle module CPM or vice versa if all specified conditions are met.

[0020] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a vehicle module CPM as described above.

[0021] Advantageously, the vehicle is designed and configured in such a way that when the vehicle is parked or locked, it is put into an energy-saving sleep mode and, upon receipt of the previously known first signal S1 by the CPM unit, the vehicle or the vehicle systems required for inductive energy transfer switch from sleep mode to an operating mode required for inductive energy transfer from GPM to CPM for charging a vehicle battery.

[0022] The vehicle module CPM is advantageously designed and configured such that when the vehicle is shut down / parked / locked, it is placed into an energy-saving sleep mode in which only the CPM unit is supplied with power (via its own CPM power supply or via a vehicle power supply) to receive and process a first signal S1. If such a first signal S1 is received by the vehicle module unit CPM, the CPM advantageously switches to an operating mode required for energy transfer from GPM to CPM to charge a vehicle battery.

[0023] A further aspect relates to an inductive vehicle charging system, comprising a floor module GPM and a vehicle module CPM for installation in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle module CPM has a main coil for converting electromagnetic energy of an electromagnetic field generated by a main coil of the floor module GPM into electrical energy of an electric current, and wherein the electric current can be used to charge an electrical storage device of the vehicle.

[0024] The inductive vehicle charging system is characterized in that a unit for initializing an inductive energy transfer from GPM to CPM or vice versa is present in the vehicle module CPM, wherein the unit is designed and configured such that the initialization of the inductive energy transfer takes place by a wireless reception of a previously known first signal S1 generated externally to the CPM in the unit of the vehicle module CPM.

[0025] Advantageously, the unit is additionally designed and configured to control the inductive energy transfer from the ground module GPM to the vehicle module CPM or vice versa.

[0026] Advantageous further developments of the inductive vehicle charging system result from a corresponding and analogous transfer of the statements on the proposed vehicle module CPM or the proposed vehicle to the proposed inductive vehicle charging system.

[0027] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, which – where appropriate with reference to the drawings – describes at least one embodiment in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0028] It shows:

[0029] Fig. 1 a highly schematic structure of a proposed vehicle module CPM

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic structure of a proposed vehicle module CPM 100 for an electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle module CPM 100 has a main coil (marked in black) for converting electromagnetic energy of an electromagnetic field generated by a main coil (marked in black) of a floor module GPM 101 of an inductive vehicle charging system into electrical energy of an electric current, and wherein the electric current can be used to charge an electrical storage device 103, in this case a high-voltage battery of the vehicle.

[0031] The vehicle module CPM 100 is characterized by the fact that in the vehicle module CPM

[0032] 100 a unit 102 for initializing and controlling an inductive

[0033] Energy transfer from GPM 101 to CPM 100 is present, wherein the unit 102 is designed and configured such that the initialization of the inductive energy transfer takes place by a wireless reception of a previously known first signal S1 generated externally to the CPM in the unit 102 of the vehicle module CPM 100

[0034] The term “initializing the inductive energy transfer” is advantageously understood here to mean that the unit 102 in the vehicle module CPM 100, after receiving the previously known first signal S1, triggers the vehicle module CPM 100, if applicable the floor module 101 and if applicable also a system of the vehicle required for the inductive charging of the electrical storage device 103, to assume a state required for an inductive energy transfer (“energy transfer ready”) in order to be able to subsequently carry out this energy transfer.

[0035] After the required state has been assumed by the systems involved in the inductive energy transfer (GPM, CPM, vehicle), energy is transferred from the ground module GPM 101 to the vehicle module CPM 100 only when predetermined conditions for such energy transfer are met.

[0036] The conditions in this example are:

[0037] - a specified relative positioning of the main coil of the ground module GPM 101 and the main coil of the vehicle module CPM 100 is present, and / or there are no foreign objects in the area between the vehicle module CPM and the ground module GPM (FOD = Foreign Object Detection), and / or there is no living object in the area between the vehicle module CPM and the ground module GPM (LOD = Living Object Detection), and / or internal system tests on the vehicle module CPM and the ground module GPM have been completed without errors, and / or

[0038] Approval for payment of an energy transfer through a payment system has been obtained.

[0039] The control of the energy transfer GPM -> CPM is preferably based on communication between the ground module GPM 101 and the vehicle module CPM 100 with the unit 102 arranged therein, controlled by the unit 102. Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that examples mentioned

[0040] Embodiments truly represent only examples that should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms. With knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art can make various changes, for example, with regard to the function or arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanation in the description.

[0041] List of reference symbols 100 Vehicle module CPM

[0042] 101 Ground Module GPM

[0043] 102 Unity in the CPM

[0044] 103 electrical storage unit, battery

Claims

Patent claims 1. Vehicle module CPM (100) for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle module CPM (100) has a main coil for converting electromagnetic energy of an electromagnetic field generated by a floor module GPM (101) of an inductive vehicle charging system into electrical energy of an electric current, and wherein the electric current can be used to charge an electrical storage device (103) of the vehicle, characterized in that a unit (102) for initializing an inductive energy transfer from the floor module GPM (101) to the vehicle module CPM (100) or vice versa is present in the vehicle module CPM (100), wherein the unit (101) is designed and configured such that the inductive energy transfer is initialized by a wireless reception in the unit (102) of a previously known first signal S1 generated externally to the CPM.

2. Vehicle module CPM (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit (102) is designed and configured to control the inductive energy transfer from the floor module GPM (101) to the vehicle module CPM or vice versa (100).

3. Vehicle module CPM (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vehicle module CPM (100) is designed and configured such that the inductive energy transfer from the floor module GPM (101) to the vehicle module CPM (100) or vice versa only takes place if, in addition, at least the conditions are met that a predetermined relative positioning of the main coil of the floor module GPM (101) and the main coil of the vehicle module CPM (100) is present.

4. Vehicle module according to claim 3, characterized in that the existence of the condition is based on a data communication between the vehicle module CPM (100) and the ground module GPM (101) and / or an evaluation of one or more signals sent from the vehicle module CPM (100) to the ground module GPM (101) and / or vice versa.

5. Vehicle module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first signal S1 is generated by the ground module GPM (101) or by a mobile or stationary external infrastructure unit.

6. Vehicle with a vehicle module according to one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the vehicle can be put into an energy-saving sleep mode (English "sleep mode"), and the vehicle is set up and designed in such a way that upon receipt of the previously known first signal S1 by the unit (102), the vehicle is switched from the sleep mode into a mode for the inductive energy transfer between the ground module GPM (101) and the vehicle module CPM (100) or vice versa required operating mode.

8. Inductive vehicle charging system, comprising a ground module GPM (101) and a vehicle module CPM (100), wherein the vehicle module CPM (100) has a main coil for converting electromagnetic energy of an electromagnetic field generated by a main coil of the ground module GPM (101) into electrical energy of an electric current, and wherein the electric current can be used to charge an electrical storage device (103) of the vehicle, characterized in that in the vehicle module CPM (100) a unit (102) for initializing an inductive energy transfer from the ground module GPM (101) to the vehicle module CPM (100) or vice versa, wherein the unit (101) is designed and configured such that the initialization of the inductive energy transmission takes place by a wireless reception of a previously known first signal S1 generated externally to the CPM in the unit (101).

9. Inductive vehicle charging system according to claim 8, characterized in that the unit (102) is designed and configured to control the inductive energy transfer from the floor module GPM (101) to the vehicle module CPM (100).

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