DEVICE FOR ELECTRICALLY CHARGING AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE BATTERY

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (110) for the electrical charging of a battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle. The device (110) comprises a first inductor (111) configured to transmit electrical power to a second inductor (121). The device (110) also comprises a first magnetizing means (112) generating an attractive force on a second magnetizing means (122), so as to align the first inductor (111) with the second inductor (121) facing each other. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR ELECTRICALLY RECHARGED A BATTERY OF AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to electric vehicles, that is to say, those equipped with at least one battery for storing electrical energy intended for their propulsion. This includes vehicles with a single means of electric propulsion, as well as hybrid vehicles incorporating at least one mode of electric propulsion.

[0002] Document CN209658508U describes a charging gun for the electrical charging of a battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising a charging surface with an electrical plug. The charging gun includes an electrical plug for connection to an electrical outlet that is electrically connected to the battery. In this way, the battery receives a transfer of electrical power during charging. Furthermore, the charging gun includes a first magnet, and the charging surface includes a second magnet. The first magnet is configured to exert an attractive force on the second magnet. In this way, the charging gun is maintained in mechanical contact with the charging surface during charging.

[0003] However, repeated insertion and removal of the plug from the socket can cause premature wear of the connectors, reducing the durability of the charging gun and the charging surface. Furthermore, such a relative movement of the plug within the socket is difficult to automate. Moreover, given the electrical power flowing from the plug to the socket, an imperfect connection between the plug and the socket can lead to electrical arcing, which is harmful to the electrical installation and the user.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and facilitate the electrical recharging of the battery.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a device for the electrical charging of a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, the device being configured to be electrically connected to a power supply, the device comprising: - a first inductor configured to transmit electrical power to a second inductor electrically connected to the battery; - a first magnetization means configured to communicate an attractive force in an attractive state to a second magnetization means so as to put in correspondence the first inductor and the second inductor one in the direction of the other opposite each other.

[0006] This allows the placement of the first inductor to be guided relative to the second inductor. Furthermore, such a device allows the positioning of the first inductor relative to the second inductor to be adjusted so that the alignment of the first inductor with respect to the second inductor is more precise, thereby increasing the efficiency of the electrical power transfer between the first and second inductors.

[0007] Advantageously, the first means of magnetization is a magnet.

[0008] Such a magnet provides a means of magnetization in a permanent state of attraction, facilitating device design and requiring no power supply to maintain the state of attraction, thus reducing the device's energy consumption.

[0009] Advantageously, the first means of magnetization is an electromagnet.

[0010] Such an electromagnet offers the ability to modulate the attractive force, allowing precise alignment of the inductors while controlling the duration for which the electromagnet's attractive state is activated. This makes it possible to deactivate the attractive state when the transfer of electrical power between the inductors is not required, thus contributing to user safety, reducing wear on the device, and lowering the device's energy consumption.

[0011] Advantageously, the device includes a controller configured to issue a first command activating the attraction state of the first magnetization means and to issue a second command deactivating the attraction state of the first magnetization means.

[0012] Such a controller ensures that the inductors are correctly positioned before the transfer of electrical power between the first and second inductors begins, so as to maximize the efficiency of the inductive energy transfer. Furthermore, in this way, the controller provides additional control, preventing the first inductor from being misaligned with the second inductor when the electrical power transfer process is interrupted or incomplete, which in such cases leads to risks of electrical arcing or premature wear of the components.

[0013] Advantageously, the device includes a sensor measuring a distance between the first inductor and the second inductor.

[0014] Such a sensor ensures that, when a sufficiently small distance separates the first inductor from the second inductor, a magnetic field is generated so that the transfer of electrical power can be established, thus facilitating the adjustment of the first inductor when it approaches the second inductor. the first inductor is brought into correspondence with the second inductor by magnetization.

[0015] Advantageously, the device includes an electrical cable configured to electrically connect the first inductor to the power supply.

[0016] Advantageously, the device includes a first electrical plug configured to be electrically connected to a second electrical plug which is itself connected to the power supply.

[0017] Thus, according to the invention, such a device is capable of being adapted to one end of an existing electrical installation. This offers increased flexibility in the choice of vehicle charging methods, in particular via electrical connectors or induction, without requiring substantial modifications.

[0018] The invention also relates to an assembly for the electrical charging of a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising a device defined as above and a handle comprising a second electrical plug and an electrical cable, the second electrical plug being electrically connected to the first electrical plug, the electrical cable being configured to electrically connect the second electrical plug and the electrical power supply.

[0019] Thus, according to the invention, either such an assembly is delivered in separate parts, the assembly comprising a handle and a device, the parts being subsequently assembled together, or the assembly is delivered already assembled, thus forming a pre-assembled unit. Consequently, the pre-assembled unit comprises a first inductor in standby mode, the pre-assembled unit being manipulable as a whole, so as to transfer electrical power to a second inductor.

[0020] The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising a battery and a charging surface configured to cooperate with a device defined as above, the charging surface comprising: - a second inductor configured to receive electrical power from the first inductor, the second inductor being electrically connected to the battery; - a second magnetizing means configured to impart an attractive force to the first magnetizing means in the attractive state.

[0021] The invention further relates to a method, implementing a device defined as above, for the electrical recharging of a vehicle battery defined as above, the method comprising the following steps: - a docking step involving bringing the device closer to the charging surface, the device being electrically connected to the power supply; - a positioning step of the device in a predefined relative position with respect to the charging surface when the first magnetization means is in the state of attraction, the device being maintained in mechanical contact with the charging surface; - a step of transferring electrical power between the first inductor and the second inductor, in order to recharge the battery.

[0022] Advantageously, the method implements a device in which the first magnetizing means is an electromagnet and a controller defined as above, the method further comprising a deactivation step, the first magnetizing means being deactivated from its state of attraction by the second control of the controller when the transfer of electrical power between the first inductor and the second inductor is interrupted.

[0023] The deactivation step ensures that the first inductor can be safely moved away from the second inductor, preventing the first inductor from being withdrawn during the transfer of electrical power.

[0024] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, based on the accompanying figures, in which: - [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a device and a charging surface for an electric or hybrid vehicle, the device comprising an electrical cable configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power source, according to an embodiment of the present invention; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an assembly and a charging surface of an electric or hybrid vehicle, the assembly comprising a handle and a device comprising an electrical plug according to another embodiment of the present invention; - [Fig.3] represents a flowchart of an embodiment of a process for recharging a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, implementing the device illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0025] Fig. 1 illustrates a device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a charging surface 120 of an electric or hybrid vehicle.

[0026] The device 110, illustrated in [Fig.1], comprises a first inductor 111 and an electrical cable 113. The electrical cable 113 electrically connects the first inductor 111 and an electrical power supply.

[0027] The charging surface 120 is electrically connected to a battery of the electric or hybrid vehicle. Generally, the device 110 is intended for the electrical charging of the vehicle's battery.

[0028] The first inductor 111 and the second inductor 121 are intended to be brought into a relative position corresponding to each other, opposite each other, so as to transmit electrical power from one inductor to the other, typically the Electrical power is transmitted from the first inductor 111 to the second inductor 121. Thus, the transmitted electrical power recharges the vehicle's battery.

[0029] The first inductor 111 and the second inductor 121 are made in the form of a coil of electrical conductor, for example, copper. Each coil has a wire wound helically around a central axis. Thus, the first inductor 111 and the second inductor 121 have, respectively, a first central axis and a second central axis.

[0030] In a matching of the first inductor 111 with the second inductor 121, the first central axis is coincident with the second central axis.

[0031] Generally, a matching, considered radially, is considered to be acquired when the radial offset between the first inductor 111 and the second inductor 121, the first central axis and the second central axis being parallel, does not cause in a charging configuration energy transmission losses beyond a predetermined threshold, for example 5%, or even 10% of the energy emitted by the first inductor 111.

[0032] Preferably, the device 110 is designed so that, in a charging configuration when the first inductor 111 and the second inductor 121, placed in a relative matching position, have a distance separating them along the direction of their lower central axis corresponding, in this case, to the thickness of the vehicle body.

[0033] The device 110 also includes a first magnetization means 112 configured to communicate an attractive force in an attractive state to a second magnetization means 122 so as to match the first inductor 111 and the second inductor 121.

[0034] The first magnetization means 112 preferably generates, in its state of attraction, a magnetic attraction force in a direction parallel to the central axis of the first inductor 111 or the second inductor 121.

[0035] The charging surface 120, illustrated in [Fig.2], includes the second magnetization means 122.

[0036] The device 110 advantageously includes a relative position sensor between the first inductor 111 and the second inductor 121. The position sensor is preferably carried by the charging surface 120.

[0037] This allows in particular to have a measurement of the radial decentering of the first inductor 111 with respect to the second inductor 121 and, where appropriate, to validate the matching of the first inductor 111 with respect to the second inductor 121.

[0038] Figure 2 illustrates an assembly 200 and a charging surface 220 of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The assembly 200 comprises a device 210 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] The assembly 200 also includes a handle 230. The device 210 includes a first electrical plug 214 electrically connected to the first inductor 221.

[0040] The handle 230, illustrated in [Fig.2], includes a second electrical plug 231. The first electrical plug 214 is electrically connected to the second electrical plug 231. Thus, the first electrical plug 214 is designed to fit the connection of the second electrical plug 231.

[0041] The handle 230, illustrated in [Fig.2], also includes an electrical cable 213 configured to electrically connect the second electrical plug 231 to an electrical power source.

[0042] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for electrically recharging a vehicle battery, the method implementing a device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This method comprises steps described below according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

[0043] In a docking step El, the device 110 is brought closer to the charging surface 120, the device being connected to the power supply.

[0044] In a positioning step E2, the device 110 is positioned in a predefined relative position with respect to the charging surface 120 when the first magnetizing means 112 is in the state of attraction, the device 110 being maintained in mechanical contact with the charging surface 120.

[0045] In a transfer step E3, electrical power is transmitted between the first inductor 111 and the second inductor 121 in order to recharge the battery.

[0046] It is understood that for at least the transfer step E3, the electrical cable 113 is electrically connected to an electrical power supply.

[0047] The first magnetization means 112 is advantageously in its state of attraction during the transfer step E3. In this way, the magnetic coupling between the first inductor 111 and the second inductor 121 is maintained even in the event of parasitic movements of the vehicle or device 110.

[0048] The first magnetization means 212 is advantageously an electromagnet configured to be activated in the attraction state or to be deactivated from the attraction state, while the second magnetization means 222 is a magnet, permanently in the attraction state.

[0049] Thus, to activate its state of attraction, the first magnetizing means 212 is powered by the electrical installation. Conversely, the first magnetizing means 212 does not exert a magnetic attractive force when this state of attraction is deactivated, for example by interrupting the power supply to the first magnetization means 212.

[0050] Even more advantageously, the attractive force of the first magnetizing means 212 is modulated by modulating the supply current of the first magnetizing means 212.

[0051] In particular, it is planned to modulate the attractive force of the first magnetizing means 212 to apply it so that, when the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 are separated by a distance greater than a predetermined distance, the magnetic attractive force is moderated so as to avoid locking the first inductor 211 in position relative to the second inductor 221 while the matching has not yet been achieved.

[0052] The method advantageously implements a device in which the first magnetizing means is an electromagnet, the method further comprising a deactivation step E4, the first magnetizing means 212 being deactivated from its state of attraction by the second control command when the transfer of electrical power between the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 is interrupted.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (110, 210) for the electrical charging of a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, the device (110, 210) being configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power source, the device (110, 210) comprising: - a first inductor (111, 211) configured to transmit an electrical power to a second inductor (121, 221) electrically connected to the battery; - a first magnetization means (112, 212) configured to communicate an attractive force in an attractive state to a second magnetization means (122, 222) so as to match the first inductor (111, 211) and the second inductor (121, 221) with each other facing each other.

2. Device (110, 210) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first magnetization means (112, 212) is a magnet.

3. Device (110, 210) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first magnetization means (112, 212) is an electromagnet.

4. Device (110, 210) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a controller configured to issue a first command activating the attraction state of the first magnetization means (112, 222) and to issue a second command deactivating the attraction state of the first magnetization means (112, 222).

5. Device (110), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises an electrical cable (113) configured to electrically connect the first inductor (111) to the power supply.

6. Device (210), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a first electrical plug (214) configured to be electrically connected to a second electrical plug (231) itself connected to the power supply.

7. Assembly (200) for the electrical charging of a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising a device (210) according to claim 6 and a handle (230) comprising a second electrical plug (231) and an electrical cable (213), the second electrical plug (231) being electrically connected to the first electrical plug (214), the electrical cable (213) being configured to electrically connect the second electrical plug (231) and the power supply.

8. Electric or hybrid vehicle comprising a battery and a charging surface (120, 220) configured to cooperate with a device (110, 210) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the charging surface (20) comprising: - a second inductor (121, 221) configured to receive electrical power from the first inductor (111, 211), the second inductor (121, 221) being electrically connected to the battery; - a second magnetizing means (122, 222) configured to impart an attractive force to the first magnetizing means (112, 212) in the attractive state.

9. A method, implementing a device (110) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, for the electrical charging of a vehicle battery according to claim 8, the method comprising the following steps: - a docking step (E1) comprising bringing the device (110, 210) closer to the charging surface (120, 220), the device being electrically connected to the power supply; - a positioning step (E2) of the device (110, 210) in a predefined relative position with respect to the charging surface (120, 220) when the first magnetization means (112, 212) is in the state of attraction, the device (110, 210) being maintained in mechanical contact with the charging surface (120, 220); - a transfer step (E3) of electrical power between the first inductor (111,211) and the second inductor (121, 221), so as to recharge the battery.

10. A method according to claim 9, implementing a device according to claim 4, characterized in that the method further comprises a deactivation step (E4), the first magnetization means (112, 212) being deactivated from its attraction state by the second control command when the transfer of electrical power between the first inductor (111, 211) and the second inductor (121, 221) is interrupted.

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