Component for contactless electrical energy exchange by inductive coupling

Abstract

Secondary component (40) for the contactless exchange of electrical energy by inductive coupling, the component comprising: - a support (41) devoid of ferromagnetic material and defining a vehicle hood element, - a secondary inductive cell (20) capable of exchanging electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling with a primary sub-circuit (4) capable of being connected to a voltage network, the secondary inductive cell (20) being carried by the support (41) and intended to be turned towards the interior of the vehicle (100) when the hood element is mounted thereon. Abstract figure: Fig.2

Description

Title of the invention: Component for the contactless exchange of electrical energy by inductive coupling

[0001] The present invention relates to a component for the contactless exchange of electrical energy by inductive coupling, applying in particular to the charging of the electrical energy storage unit of a hybrid or electric vehicle.

[0002] The vehicle has, for example, a battery intended to power an electric machine for propelling the vehicle, this battery having a nominal voltage whose value may be 48V, or greater than 60V, being for example greater than 200V or 300V, being in particular 400V or 800V.

[0003] It is known to charge this electrical energy storage unit without contact by inductive coupling, when the vehicle is stationary by means of a primary inductive cell on or in the ground which exchanges electrical energy with a secondary inductive cell fixed under the vehicle and belonging to the on-board network of the vehicle. To increase the charging performance, it is known to reduce the distance existing between these two inductive cells, for example by moving the primary inductive cell from the ground towards the vehicle.

[0004] There is a need to further improve solutions for reducing the distance between the two inductive cells during a contactless electrical energy exchange operation by inductive coupling.

[0005] The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this, according to one of its aspects, by means of a secondary component for the contactless exchange of electrical energy by inductive coupling, the component comprising:

[0006] - a support having a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1, and defining a vehicle hood element,

[0007] - a secondary inductive cell capable of exchanging electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling with a primary sub-circuit capable of being connected to a voltage network, the secondary inductive cell being carried by the support and intended to be turned towards the interior of the vehicle when the hood element is mounted on the latter.

[0008] The invention takes advantage of the relative magnetic permeability in all or part of the hood to carry out the transfer of electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling through this part of the hood. It is therefore no longer necessary to carry out this transfer of electrical energy from below the vehicle, and therefore to provide a significant safety distance between the primary inductive cell and the secondary inductive cell. This reduces the distance between these two inductive cells and consequently increases the magnetic coupling rate between these two inductive cells, resulting in a reduction in losses and an increase in transmissible power.

[0009] The cover element is free of ferromagnetic material, in particular iron. The cover element is for example made of PVC with glass fibers. It can also be made of reinforced polypropylene (PP), or be made of a plastic reinforced with natural fibers.

[0010] The thickness of the hood element is for example less than 5 cm.

[0011] The hood element may define only a portion of the vehicle hood. When the hood element defines only a portion of the vehicle hood, it may be rigidly attached to the other portions of the hood. These other portions of the hood are, for example, made of a metal-based alloy.

[0012] Alternatively, the hood element defines, for example, the entire hood of the vehicle.

[0013] The secondary inductive cell may comprise an inductor, this inductor comprising:

[0014] - an electrical winding, in particular electric wire or a winding obtained by stamping at least one metal plate such as copper to define a spiral, and

[0015] - a magnetic core.

[0016] When the electrical winding is obtained by stamping several metal plates, each metal plate can define a spiral layer, and these different layers can be stacked and electrically connected consecutively. The magnetic core is for example a plate made of plastoferrite. Any material with a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1 can be suitable for producing the magnetic core.

[0017] The magnetic core can be fixed to the hood element via the electrical winding. This positions the electrical winding and the inductive cell of the primary sub-circuit opposite each other, magnetically speaking, in order to ensure satisfactory coupling between these inductive cells. Arranging the magnetic core beyond the electrical winding from the hood element also makes it possible to confine the magnetic field lines associated with the current flowing in the electrical winding of the inductance of the secondary inductive cell further away from the engine compartment under the hood, and therefore the electronic components arranged therein.

[0018] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a secondary sub-circuit for a contactless electrical power supply circuit of a vehicle electrical energy storage unit, the secondary sub-circuit being capable of exchanging electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling with a primary sub-circuit capable of being connected to an electrical network, the secondary sub-circuit being capable of be connected to an electrical energy storage unit, the secondary sub-circuit comprising the secondary component as defined above.

[0019] The secondary sub-circuit also comprises an inverter / rectifier capable of performing an impedance adaptation of the impedance on the alternating input of this inverter / rectifier independently of the impedance of the electrical energy storage unit. This inverter / rectifier comprises at least two switching arms, each switching arm comprising two electronic switches arranged on either side of a midpoint, this inverter / rectifier operating for example according to the teaching of the international application filed under No. PCT / EP2023 / 076297 on 09 / 22 / 2023 in the name of Valeo Systèmes de Contrôle Moteur. Each terminal of the secondary inductive cell is for example connected to a respective midpoint.

[0020] One of the two arms of the inverter / rectifier is for example controlled to switch at the frequency of the electrical energy exchanged without contact by inductive coupling and with a duty cycle of 50%, and the other of the two arms of the inverter / rectifier is then controlled to switch at a frequency higher than that of said electrical energy, for example higher than 5 or 10 times this frequency of the electrical energy, and with a duty cycle modulated according to the alternating current flowing in the secondary inductive cell and the voltage on the alternating input of this inverter / rectifier. In one example, this duty cycle a is expressed using the following expression:

[0021] oc=(RRef xlll ) / Vbatt

[0022] where:

[0023] - Vbatt denotes the voltage across the terminals of the electrical energy storage unit,

[0024] -1 denotes the current flowing in the secondary inductive cell,

[0025] - RRef is the equivalent impedance on the alternating input of the inverter / rectifier, RRef being equal to the ratio V / I where V is the voltage between the two midpoints of the inverter / rectifier.

[0026] In all of the above, the secondary inductive cell can be constituted by the series association of a capacitor and an inductance.

[0027] Alternatively, the secondary inductive cell may be constituted by an inductor, the two switching arms of the inverter / rectifier being controlled so that the voltage across the AC input of this inverter / rectifier emulates the presence of a capacitor connected in series with the secondary inductive cell. Such a control making it possible to obtain this emulation is described in the application filed in France on June 2, 2023 by the Applicant under number 23 05573.

[0028] Where appropriate, the inverter / rectifier may be three-phase and be connected to the phases of a stator of a rotating electrical machine for propelling a vehicle, according to the teaching of the application filed in France by the Applicant on June 9, 2023 under number 23 05848. When it is three-phase, the inverter / rectifier may comprise, in addition to the two aforementioned switching arms, a third switching arm, comprising two electronic switches controllable in series on either side of a midpoint. Each midpoint is then connected respectively to the different phases of the stator.

[0029] The inverter / rectifier can be used not only in the context of charging the electrical energy storage unit to rectify the alternating voltage induced at the terminals of the secondary inductive cell, but also in the context of vehicle propulsion to supply alternating voltage to the stator of the rotating electrical machine providing all or part of the vehicle's propulsion. This improves the weight, size and cost of the vehicle's on-board network.

[0030] The inverter / rectifier can then be arranged so as to be:

[0031] - in a first power path between the secondary inductive cell and the unit electrical energy storage, and

[0032] - in a second power path between the energy storage unit electric and the stator of the rotating electric machine.

[0033] Since the charging of the electrical energy storage unit does not occur at the same time as the propulsion of the vehicle, these two power paths are not simultaneously active.

[0034] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a primary component for the exchange of electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling, the primary component comprising a support capable of being fixed to a frame, and a primary inductive cell capable of exchanging electrical energy without contact by inductive cutting with a secondary inductive cell, the primary inductive cell being carried by the support.

[0035] This primary component is capable of cooperating with the above secondary component. Such a primary component, which is not arranged in or on the ground, makes it possible to avoid pollution of the primary inductive cell, for example by dead leaves or impurities.

[0036] The support is for example mounted in an articulated manner on the frame. The support may be in the form of a plate.

[0037] The primary inductive cell may comprise an inductor, this inductor comprising:

[0038] - an electrical winding, in particular electric wire or a winding obtained by stamping at least one metal plate such as copper to define a spiral, and

[0039] - a magnetic core.

[0040] When the electrical winding is obtained by stamping several metal plates, each metal plate can define a spiral layer, and these different layers can be stacked and electrically connected consecutively. The magnetic core is for example a plate made of plastoferrite. Any material with a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1 can be suitable for producing the magnetic core.

[0041] The magnetic core can be fixed to the support of the primary component by means of the electrical winding. The electrical winding and the inductive cell of the secondary sub-circuit are thus positioned opposite each other, magnetically speaking, in order to ensure satisfactory coupling between these inductive cells. Arranging the magnetic core beyond the electrical winding from the support of the primary component also makes it possible to confine the magnetic field lines associated with the current flowing in the electrical winding of the inductance of the primary inductive cell further away from the environment of the primary component.

[0042] The primary component comprises for example an actuator for positioning the support above the hood element. This positioning is for example enabled by receiving information on the correct positioning of the vehicle, this information being provided by a sensor of the primary component detecting the position of the vehicle, or being received from the vehicle via a wireless link, for example.

[0043] The distance between the primary inductive cell and the cover element is for example less than 1 cm. The distance between the primary inductive cell and the secondary inductive cell is for example less than 5 cm, allowing, in addition to the aforementioned performance gains, to reduce magnetic radiation in the environment during the exchange of electrical energy.

[0044] In all of the above, the primary inductive cell may be constituted by the series association of a capacitor and an inductor. Alternatively, the primary inductive cell may be constituted by an inductor, the switching arms of the inverter / rectifier of the primary sub-circuit being controlled so that the voltage across the AC input of this inverter / rectifier emulates the presence of a capacitor connected in series with the primary inductive cell. Such a control making it possible to obtain this emulation is described in the application filed in France on June 2, 2023 by the Applicant under number 23 05573.

[0045] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a primary sub-circuit for a contactless electrical power supply circuit of a vehicle electrical energy storage unit, the primary sub-circuit being capable of exchanging electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling with the secondary sub-circuit above, the primary sub-circuit being capable of being connected to an electrical network, the primary sub-circuit comprising the primary component as defined above.

[0046] In all that follows, the primary sub-circuit may comprise an inverter / rectifier comprising at least two switching arms, each switching arm comprising two electronic switches controllable on either side of a midpoint. The primary inductive cell is for example mounted between these two midpoints.

[0047] Where appropriate, the primary sub-circuit may comprise another inverter / rectifier mounted upstream of the inverter / rectifier at the midpoints of which the primary inductive cell is mounted, and this other inverter / rectifier makes it possible to rectify the alternating voltage received from the network when the load is carried out from an alternating voltage network. This other inverter / rectifier can then perform a power factor correction function. Such a correction makes it possible, in a known manner, for the current drawn from the network to be as close as possible to a perfect sine wave at the network pulse. This reduces the reactive current and the sub-harmonics which increase the energy losses in conduction.

[0048] In all of the above, the electrical network provides, for example, a nominal effective voltage of 230V with a frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz. The electrical network is, for example, single-phase. The electrical network is, for example, a regional or national electrical network. Alternatively, it may be an independent local network, comprising, for example, one or more batteries powered by energy sources such as wind turbines, solar panels, fuel cells or hydroelectric generators.

[0049] As a further variant, the electrical network can provide a direct voltage.

[0050] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to an electrical power supply circuit for an electrical energy storage unit, this electrical power supply circuit comprising:

[0051] - the primary sub-circuit above, and

[0052] - the above secondary sub-circuit, connected to the energy storage unit electric,

[0053] the primary sub-circuit and the secondary sub-circuit being configured so as to exchange electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling.

[0054] The electrical energy storage unit may be a lithium-ion type battery. This battery has, for example, a nominal voltage of 12V, 48V, 60V or more, for example greater than 300V, for example 400V, 800V or 1000V.

[0055] The secondary inductive cell and the primary inductive cell are advantageously chosen so that they have the same resonance frequency.

[0056] The contactless exchange by inductive coupling of electrical energy can be done at the resonance frequency, the latter being less than 5 kHz, for example less than 3 kHz, or even less than 2 kHz or 1 kHz, in particular still substantially equal to 400 Hz or 50 Hz. In this case, the inductance of each inductive cell can be made of metal wire, such as copper, or by stamping a metal plate such as copper and as already mentioned above. Such an electrical conductor is solid, as opposed to Litz wire. A solid electrical conductor does not have its cross-section hollowed out. Alternatively, this inductance of each inductive cell is made of Litz wire.

[0057] The invention can however also be applied if the contactless exchange by inductive coupling of electrical energy is carried out at a frequency between 79 kHz and 90 kHz, for example 85 kHz. In this variant, Litz wire is advantageously used to produce the inductance of each inductive cell.

[0058] In all of the above, each inductive cell can be configured to exchange with the other inductive cell a power whose value is between 3 kW and 50 kW.

[0059] The electrical circuit may comprise a control unit configured to control the switching arms of the primary sub-circuit and / or the secondary sub-circuit. For the purposes of the present invention, when an arm switches, each of its two controllable electronic switches is opened and closed in a complementary manner with the same switching frequency. The or each aforementioned control unit then belongs to the control unit.

[0060] In all of the above, the control unit may be configured to control the various switching arms so as to selectively perform:

[0061] - a charge of the electrical energy storage unit from the voltage network, Or

[0062] - a load of the voltage network from the electrical energy storage unit.

[0063] Thus, depending on the need, the exchange of electrical energy can be carried out in one direction or the other.

[0064] In all of the above, each switching arm comprises controllable electronic switches, in particular exclusively electronic switches which are controllable, and each controllable electronic switch is for example a transistor, for example bipolar, MOSFET or IGBT, or a thyristor or HEMT type switch already mentioned above. Each controllable electronic switch is for example bidirectional.

[0065] In all of the above, the control unit may be a digital processing circuit, for example an ASIC (Application-specific integrated circuit) type integrated circuit or a microcontroller. This control unit may control all the switching arms of the electrical circuit, whether they belong to the primary sub-circuit or to the secondary sub-circuit.

[0066] The control unit may alternatively comprise a primary sub-circuit control module and a secondary sub-circuit control module.

[0067] As a further variant, each sub-circuit has its own control unit, the latter being able to be a digital processing circuit such as a microcontroller.

[0068] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a method for exchanging electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling between:

[0069] - a primary inductive cell belonging to a primary sub-circuit connected to a electrical network and arranged outside a vehicle, and

[0070] - a secondary inductive cell fixed under a hood element of the vehicle, this secondary inductive cell belonging to a secondary sub-circuit connected to an electrical energy storage unit of the vehicle,

[0071] characterized in that the cover element has a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1 and in that the contactless exchange of electrical energy by inductive coupling takes place through the cover element.

[0072] All or part of what has been stated above still applies to the method.

[0073] The invention may be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting examples of implementations thereof and by examining the attached drawing in which:

[0074] [Fig.l] schematically represents an electrical power supply circuit in which the primary component and the secondary component according to the invention can be used,

[0075] [Fig.2] schematically represents the secondary component according to an exemplary implementation of the invention, when it is mounted on a vehicle whose hood is open,

[0076] [Fig.3] is a simplified schematic view of the secondary component of [Fig.2] when the vehicle hood is closed, and,

[0077] [Fig.4] schematically represents the primary component according to an exemplary implementation of the invention.

[0078] [Fig.l] shows a circuit 1 for supplying electricity to an electrical energy storage unit 2. This electrical energy storage unit 2 is for example, a vehicle battery, which may have a nominal voltage of 48V, 60V, 300V, 400V, 800V or more. This battery is used to power an electric or hybrid vehicle propulsion system.

[0079] This electrical power supply circuit 1 comprises:

[0080] - a control unit 3,

[0081] - a primary sub-circuit 4, capable of being connected to a voltage network 5, and

[0082] - a secondary sub-circuit 6, comprising the electrical energy storage unit 2.

[0083] The electrical power supply circuit 1 implements a contactless exchange of electrical energy by inductive coupling between the primary sub-circuit 4 and the secondary sub-circuit 6, for charging the electrical energy storage unit 2.

[0084] The control unit 3 is for example a microcontroller or any digital processing unit.

[0085] In the example considered, the primary sub-circuit 4 comprises:

[0086] - a connector 9 capable of being connected to the electrical network,

[0087] - an inverter / rectifier 21 comprising here two switching arms 7, mounted in parallel and whose operation will be described below, and

[0088] - a primary inductive cell 10 whose operation will be described below.

[0089] The electrical network 5 is here represented in the form of a voltage network continuous but it can alternatively be an alternating voltage network providing for example a nominal effective voltage of 230V with a frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Such an alternating voltage electrical network can be single-phase or three-phase. Other voltages are possible, for example a single-phase voltage with an effective value of 120V and a frequency of 60Hz, a two-phase voltage with an effective value of 208V and a frequency of 60 Hz or a three-phase voltage of 240V and a frequency of 60 Hz, this list not being exhaustive. In the case where the network provides an alternating voltage, another inverter / rectifier not shown is provided between the network and the inverter / rectifier 21, this other inverter / rectifier providing for example a power factor correction function.

[0090] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], a capacitor 15 can be arranged in parallel with the two switching arms 7. The latter has, for example, a capacitance between IpF and ImF, for example 1OpF.

[0091] Each arm 7 of the primary sub-circuit 4 here comprises two controllable electronic switches 12, such as MOS, IGBT or bipolar transistors, or thyristors, arranged on either side of a midpoint 8. The two switches 12 of the same switching arm 7 are here controlled using the same duty cycle, one in opposition to the other with a dead time by the control unit 3.

[0092] The first arm 7 thus comprises two controllable electronic switches 12 and a first midpoint 8 to which a terminal of the primary inductive cell 10 is connected and these two controllable electronic switches 12 are controlled according to a duty cycle ah

[0093] The second arm 7 thus comprises two controllable electronic switches 12 and a second midpoint 8 to which the other terminal of the primary inductive cell 10 is connected and these two controllable electronic switches 12 are controlled according to a duty cycle a2.

[0094] In the example considered, no physical component is interposed between the two midpoints 8 of the inverter / rectifier 21 and the primary inductive cell 10.

[0095] The primary inductive cell 10 may be formed by the series association of: an inductor allowing the generation of magnetic energy, and a capacitor, to form a resonant cell. The inductor has for example a value between 100pH and 100mH and the capacitor has a capacitance between 10 nF and 1 mF. The inductor is for example produced by winding a copper wire, other than Litz wire.

[0096] In the variant shown in [Fig.l], the primary inductive cell 10 is formed by an inductance only. No physical capacitor is present, the presence in series of this capacitor with the inductance of the primary inductive cell 10 being emulated by the control of the switching arms 7 by the primary control unit 3 using the duty cycles ai and a2. Here again, the inductance is for example produced by winding a copper wire

[0097] An example of secondary sub-circuit 6 will now be described with reference to [Fig.l]. This secondary sub-circuit 6 comprises a secondary inductive cell 20 for the contactless exchange of energy with the primary inductive cell 10, and an inverter / rectifier 23, capable of carrying out an adaptation of the equivalent impedance on its alternating input (therefore on the side of the secondary inductive cell 20), so as to vary this impedance independently of the impedance of the electrical energy storage unit 2.

[0098] The inverter / rectifier 23 comprises in the example described two switching arms 24 arranged in parallel, each arm comprising two controllable electronic switches 12 arranged on either side of a midpoint 25.

[0099] The two switches 12 of the same switching arm 24 are here controlled using the same duty cycle, one in opposition to the other with a dead time by the control unit 3.

[0100] The first arm 24 thus comprises two controllable electronic switches 12 and a first midpoint 25 to which a terminal of the secondary inductive cell 20 is connected and these two controllable electronic switches 12 are controlled according to a duty cycle a3.

[0101] The second arm 24 thus comprises two controllable electronic switches 12 and a second midpoint 25 to which the other terminal of the secondary inductive cell 20 is connected and these two controllable electronic switches 12 are controlled according to a duty cycle a4.

[0102] The secondary inductive cell 20 is here formed by the series association of: an inductor making it possible to recover the magnetic energy from the primary inductive cell 10, and a capacitor, thus forming a resonant cell. In the example considered, the inductor has a value between 1 mH and 100 mH and the capacitor has a capacitance between 100 pF and 100 mF. The inductor is for example produced by winding a copper wire, other than Litz wire.

[0103] Furthermore, the control unit 3 acts in the example described on the control of the inverter / rectifier 23 so as to vary the equivalent impedance RRef at the terminals of the alternating input, defined between the two midpoints 25 of the switching arms 24, independently of the impedance on the continuous output of this inverter / rectifier 23.

[0104] The equivalent impedance RRef is represented by the ratio V / I where V is the voltage between the two midpoints 25, and I the intensity of the current flowing in the secondary inductive cell 20.

[0105] RRef has for example a value between 0.1 'Q and 20'Q, in particular between 5 'Q and 15 'Q. For a given charging configuration, this configuration being in particular determined by at least one of: the position of the secondary sub-circuit 6 relative to the primary sub-circuit 4 and / or the power level to be transmitted and / or the voltage at the terminals of the electrical energy storage unit 2, RRef can have a fixed value and this value is for example in the aforementioned range. From one charging configuration to another, for example in the case of a greater distance between the primary sub-circuit 4 and the secondary sub-circuit 6 and / or to take into account the aging of the system, the value of RRef can be modified, remaining in particular in the aforementioned range.

[0106] The inverter / rectifier 23 of [Fig.l] is for example controlled as follows by the control unit 3, to carry out the impedance adaptation on the alternating input of the inverter / rectifier 23:

[0107] - one of the two switching arms 24 switches at the frequency of the energy electrical exchanged without contact by inductive coupling and with a duty cycle a3 of 50%, and

[0108] - the other of the two switching arms 24 switches at a higher frequency to that of electrical energy exchanged without contact, for example at least 5 or 10 times this frequency of electrical energy exchanged without contact, and with a duty cycle a4 modulated according to the alternating current flowing in the secondary inductive cell 20 and according to the voltage across the alternating input of the inverter / rectifier 23. One of the controllable switches 12 of the switching arm 24 which switches at a frequency higher than that of the electrical energy exchanged without contact is for example controlled according to the duty cycle a4 while the other controllable switch of this arm 24 is controlled according to the duty cycle 1- a4, and a4 is for example determined according to the equation below:

[0109] œ4 =(Rref xlll) / Vbatt

[0110] where Vbatt denotes the voltage across the terminals of the electrical energy storage unit 2.

[0111] We will now describe with reference to Figures 2 to 4 a primary component 30 and a secondary component 40 of the circuit 1 which has just been described.

[0112] The primary component 30 comprises the primary inductive cell 10 of the circuit 1 and a support 31 in the form of a plate carrying the primary inductive cell 10. The support 31 is here mounted in an articulated manner on a frame 32 such as a wall, for example. The support 31 can for example be inclined relative to the frame 32 by any value in the range [0, 180°] so as to be able to be positioned above the hood of a vehicle 100.

[0113] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the secondary component 40 comprises:

[0114] - a support 41 having a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1, by example devoid of ferromagnetic material, and defining a vehicle hood element, and

[0115] - the secondary inductive cell 20.

[0116] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the secondary inductive cell 20 is carried by the support 41 and mounted on one face of the latter so as to be turned towards the interior of the vehicle when the support 41 is mounted on the latter.

[0117] The support 41 forming a cover element is for example made of PVC with glass fibers.

[0118] As shown in [Fig.2], the support 41 defines for example the entire hood of the vehicle. Alternatively, the support 41 defines only a portion of the hood.

[0119] It can be seen in [Fig.3] that the magnetic core 43 of the inductance of the secondary inductive cell 20 is fixed to the support 41 by means of the electrical winding 42 of this inductance.

[0120] In [Fig.3], block 45 shows the engine compartment.

[0121] The invention is not limited to the examples described.

[0122] As seen, the invention allows the exchange of electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling between the primary inductive cell 10 and the secondary inductive cell 20 through the cover element 4L.

Claims

Claims

1. Secondary component (40) for the contactless exchange of electrical energy by inductive coupling, the component comprising: - a support (41) having a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1 and defining a vehicle hood element (100), - a secondary inductive cell (20) capable of exchanging electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling with a primary sub-circuit (4) capable of being connected to a voltage network, the secondary inductive cell (20) being carried by the support (41) and intended to be turned towards the interior of the vehicle when the hood element (41) is mounted thereon.

2. Secondary component according to claim 1, the cover element (41) being made of PVC with glass fibers.

3. Secondary component according to claim 1 or 2, the thickness of the cover element (41) being less than 5 cm.

4. A component according to any preceding claim, the secondary inductive cell (20) comprising an inductor, this inductor comprising an electrical winding (42) and a magnetic core (43), the magnetic core (43) being fixed to the cover element (41) via the electrical winding (42).

5. Secondary sub-circuit (6) for a contactless electrical power supply circuit of a vehicle electrical energy storage unit, the secondary sub-circuit (6) being capable of exchanging electrical energy contactlessly by inductive coupling with a primary sub-circuit (4) capable of being connected to an electrical network, the secondary sub-circuit being capable of being connected to an electrical energy storage unit (2), the secondary sub-circuit comprising the secondary component (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, the secondary sub-circuit (6) also comprising an inverter / rectifier (23) capable of performing an impedance matching of the impedance on the alternating input of this inverter / rectifier (23) independently of the impedance of the electrical energy storage unit (2).

6. Primary component (30) for the exchange of electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling, the primary component comprising a support (31) capable of being fixed on a frame (32), and a primary inductive cell (10) capable of exchanging electrical energy without contact by inductive cutting with a secondary inductive cell (20) of the primary component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the primary inductive cell (10) being carried by the support (31).

7. Primary component according to claim 6, the support (31) being a plate capable of being mounted in an articulated manner on the frame (32).

8. Primary sub-circuit (4) for a contactless electrical power supply circuit of a vehicle electrical energy storage unit (2), the primary sub-circuit (4) being capable of exchanging electrical energy contactlessly by inductive coupling with the secondary sub-circuit (6) according to claim 5, the primary sub-circuit (4) being capable of being connected to an electrical network, the primary sub-circuit comprising the primary component according to claim 6 or 7.

9. Electrical power supply circuit (1) of an electrical energy storage unit (2), this electrical power supply circuit (1) comprising: - the primary sub-circuit (4) according to claim 8, and - the secondary sub-circuit (6) according to claim 5, connected to the electrical energy storage unit (2), the primary sub-circuit (4) and the secondary sub-circuit (6) being configured so as to exchange electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling.

10. Circuit according to claim 9, the secondary inductive cell (20) and the primary inductive cell (10) being chosen so that they have the same resonance frequency, this frequency being less than 5 kHz, for example less than 3 kHz, or even less than 2 kHz or 1 kHz, in particular still substantially equal to 400 Hz or 50 Hz.

11. Method for exchanging electrical energy without contact by inductive coupling between: - a primary inductive cell (10) belonging to a primary sub-circuit (4) connected to an electrical network and arranged outside a vehicle (100), and - a secondary inductive cell (20) fixed under a hood element (41) of the vehicle, this secondary inductive cell (20) belonging to a secondary sub-circuit (6) connected to an electrical energy storage unit (2) of the vehicle, characterized in that the hood element (41) has a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1 and in that the contactless exchange of electrical energy by inductive coupling takes place through the cover element (41).

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