Charging device, base device, adapter module for a charging device, and method for charging an accumulator of a portable electronic device

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging device (1) for charging an accumulator of a portable electronic device (4) by means of a wireless inductive energy transmission. The charging device (1) has a support surface (6), for placing the electronic device (4) during the charging process, and charging electronics (36, 47) which are designed to transmit magnetic alternating fields through the support surface (6) in order to inductively transmit energy to the electronic device (4). The charging device (1) has a base device (2) with a base housing (2') and at least two exchangeable adapter modules (3a, 3b), wherein the adapter modules (3a, 3b) are designed differently from each other in order to carry out a respective inductive charging process determined by the adapter module (3a, 3b) type. The base housing (2') of the base device (2) and the adapter modules (3a, 3b) have a connection interface (5) for electrically and mechanically connecting the base device (2) to one of the adapter modules (3a, 3b) in a selective manner.

Description

[0001] Charging device, basic unit and adapter module for a charging device and method for charging a battery of a portable electronic device

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a charging device for charging a rechargeable battery of a portable electronic device by wireless inductive energy transmission, wherein the charging device has a support surface for placing the electronic device during the charging process and charging electronics which are configured to emit alternating magnetic fields through the support surface for the inductive energy transmission to the electronic device.

[0004] The invention further relates to a basic unit and an adapter module for such a charging device.

[0005] The invention further relates to a method for charging a rechargeable battery of a portable electronic device with a charger and a computer program for executing the method steps using the charging electronics of the charging device. The charging of portable electronic devices (also called mobile devices), such as, for example,

[0006] Charging smartphones via inductive power transmission has become increasingly important in recent years. Similar to wired charging, where the mechanical and electrical standard via the micro-USB or USB-C interface has prevailed, there is also a transmission standard for inductive power transmission that allows the charger and the portable electronic device to be charged from different manufacturers to be combined. For wireless charging, the Qi standard of the WPG (Wireless Power Consortium) has become established, and is now supported by all major mobile device manufacturers. This standard offers defined power transmission of up to 5 watts in the low-power range and up to 15 watts in the medium-power range.

[0007] Some mobile device manufacturers have extended this standard for specific phones, enabling them to transmit power above 15 watts. However, this higher power transmission is only possible between a charging station that supports this additional function and the respective manufacturer's mobile device. This means that while all devices support the basic Qi standard of the WPC and can be charged with 5 or 15 watts, the high power transmission is only possible with the manufacturer's specific charger or a compatible charger.

[0008] Furthermore, there are different concepts for optimally positioning the mobile device on the charging surface. This can be achieved by providing a large area for the user to place their device, by providing a visual marker and / or visual or acoustic feedback from the charger as a positioning aid, or by using magnets to guide the mobile device into the optimal charging position.

[0009] DE 102016216 900 B3 discloses a charging device for wirelessly charging a rechargeable electrical energy storage device of a mobile terminal, comprising a housing, a primary coil device, and a first control device operatively connected thereto. The first control device is arranged in the housing, which has at least one air inlet opening and at least one air outlet opening. Furthermore, a heat sink is arranged in the housing, to which an active air supply device is assigned, which is configured to actively supply ambient air to the heat sink, at least also through the at least one air inlet opening. A temperature sensor device for detecting the temperature of the heat sink is assigned to the heat sink.The charging device further comprises a second control device, which is in signal communication with the temperature sensor device and operatively coupled to the active air supply device, and which is configured to activate the active air supply device as soon as and as long as a predeterminable first limit temperature of the heat sink is reached or exceeded. Furthermore, the second control device is also in signal communication with the first control device and is configured to activate the active air supply device only if wireless charging of an electrical energy storage device of a mobile terminal is also performed when or after the first limit temperature of the heat sink is reached or exceeded.

[0010] DE 102020 134 363 A1 describes a charging device for wirelessly charging a portable device with electrical energy. The charging device comprises a charging unit with a support surface and charging electronics, as well as a separate device carrier with a contour for holding the portable device. The charging unit has a fan and is configured to generate an air flow by means of the fan and an air guide along the support surface and / or along holding magnets extending into the interior of the charging unit.

[0011] DE 102021 128 858 B3 shows an inductive charger with a charging cradle base body, which has a coil arrangement for inductively charging electrical devices and a charging cradle surface covering the coil body, and with a support mat designed to rest on the charging cradle surface. A magnetic insert is provided, which has magnets and a fastening contour and is designed to rest on the charging cradle surface and to be fastened to the charging cradle surface by means of the fastening contour. The support mat has a recess on the underside intended to rest on the charging cradle surface for receiving the magnetic insert.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved charging device and a method for charging a rechargeable battery of a portable electronic device with such a charging device, so that different charging methods of various portable terminals are supported in the best possible way.

[0013] The object is achieved by the charging device having the features of claim 1, the base unit having the features of claim 16, the adapter modules having the features of claim 17, the method having the features of claim 22, and the computer program according to claim 23. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0014] It is proposed that the charging device comprises a basic unit with a base housing and at least two interchangeable adapter modules, wherein the adapter modules are configured differently from one another for carrying out an inductive charging process determined in each case by the type of adapter module, and wherein the base housing of the basic unit and the adapter modules comprise a connection interface for electrically and mechanically connecting the basic unit optionally to one of the adapter modules.

[0015] The invention thus relates to a “wireless charging transmitter” and a system comprising a transmitter base unit and a plurality of adapter modules for supporting various wireless charging standards.

[0016] There are various charging methods and concepts for wirelessly charging mobile devices, i.e., portable electronic devices. Some of these concepts require the charging device to be specifically adapted to the mobile device being charged. With interchangeable adapter modules, the device-specific characteristics of the charging device are transferred to the adapter module, while the component common to all charging methods is transferred to the base unit. This allows for quick, simple, and cost-effective adaptation of the charging device to the mobile device being charged, thus ensuring optimal wireless power transfer.

[0017] For the purpose of explanation, the following two examples of the optimal positioning of the mobile device on the charging device are considered from the various concepts, whereby the invention is not limited to these exemplary charging concepts:

[0018] 1. Large contact area with a transmitter that uses multiple distributed transmitting coils to cover the entire area.

[0019] 2. Magnetic alignment aid for the receiving coil of the mobile device to a transmitting coil arranged at a specific coupling area with one or more magnets in the mobile device and one or more magnets in the charger, which are aligned in such a way that they attract each other to a specific position.

[0020] In the first example, the mobile device may have a receiving coil with a back cover made of ferromagnetic material to focus the magnetic field lines so that as much of the magnetic flux as possible passes through the inner opening of the receiving coil. The user wants to place the mobile device anywhere on the charging surface without limiting the charging power. To this end, the transmitter has a plurality of transmitting coils, one or more of which can be activated at will. After the mobile device has been placed on the charging surface, the charging electronics detects which transmitting coil has the best coverage with the receiving coil. This is then used for power transmission.If the receiving coil is located between two transmitting coils, both transmitting coils can be activated simultaneously for power transfer. The current flow through both transmitting coils means that, from a magnetic point of view, a transmitting coil resulting from the outer contours of the two partially overlapping transmitting coils is effective. Various loading methods can be used to identify the most suitable transmitting coil. For example, each transmitting coil can be activated individually one after the other and the effectiveness of the power transfer measured for each transmitting coil. To avoid dead zones between the transmitting coils, the transmitting coils are aligned so that they partially overlap. The current-carrying coil turns of a transmitting coil are typically located above the center point of an adjacent transmitting coil.For this reason, it is unfavorable to introduce magnetic material into the coil center of a transmitting coil to align the magnetic flux, as this would disrupt the magnetic flux of the neighboring coils.

[0021] In the second example, only one transmitting coil is required, as the magnetic alignment ensures that the mobile device being charged is always in the same position relative to the transmitting coil. Since no additional transmitting coils are present, a multitude of magnets can be placed around the single transmitting coil, which, together with the magnets around the receiving coil, form a magnetic coupling.

[0022] As can be seen from the two examples described, the transmit coil systems are incompatible. A transmitter from the second example could only charge a mobile device from the first example if the device was placed exactly over the receive coil. Since the mobile device does not have a magnet, it is not automatically aligned. Conversely, a mobile device from the second example can be charged with a transmitter from the first example; however, the feature of holding the mobile device in a very specific position is not available because the transmitter does not have magnets. Furthermore, the full charging power is not available because the magnetic flux in this transmitter is not optimized for the mobile device.

[0023] In order to charge both mobile devices with optimal efficiency (“performance”) using a charging device mounted in a vehicle, for example, two chargers are required, or the charger would have to be interchangeable, depending on which driver is using which mobile device. Since replacing the charger involves mechanical removal and installation and electrical replugging of the connection plug, an arrangement is proposed which only includes part of the charger for the replacement. Many parts of the electronics and the cooling system are identical in both chargers. This includes, for example, the control processor, the vehicle communication, the power electronics for generating the charging voltage or the heat dissipation in the housing as well as the fan. The parts that are different for the two chargers include, for example, the transmitter coil set, the control electronics specific to the transmitter coil set, and possiblyNFC and mobile radio coupling antennas and EMC shielding. It is proposed to combine the various components into one adapter module each and connect the adapter module to the base unit via a defined connector.

[0024] The adapter modules can each have at least one transmitting coil for emitting the alternating magnetic fields. This allows one transmitting coil to be positioned at a specific location, or multiple transmitting coils to be distributed adjacent to the support surface, ensuring optimal field coupling to the portable electronic device being charged. The number and position of the transmitting coils can be selected according to the type of adapter module and the adapter-specific charging method.

[0025] The adapter modules can each contain an adapter electronics component of the charging electronics. The adapter electronics component of the charging electronics can be tailored to the type of adapter module, so that the multiple different adapter modules have different adapter-specific charging electronics.

[0026] A first type of adapter module may be provided that has multiple transmitting coils. The charging electronics for this first type of adapter module are configured to select at least one of the transmitting coils and to emit an alternating magnetic field tuned to the position of a receiving coil in the electronic device with the at least one selected transmitting coil.

[0027] A second type of adapter module may be present, which has a transmitting coil and magnetic alignment elements for aligning the electronic device, using the magnetic force of the magnetic alignment elements, to a position at which the alternating magnetic field emitted by the transmitting coil is matched to a receiving coil in the electronic device. Correspondingly, the set of adapter modules of the charging device may comprise other types of adapter modules, each configured for an adapter-specific charging method, which may be a variant or specific extension of a standardized charging method. These may, for example, be inductive or capacitive energy charging methods. Adapter-specific charging methods may also comprise an adapter-specific type of data communication between the charging electronics and the electronic device.

[0028] The charging electronics can be configured to detect the losses or the efficiency between the receiving coil of the electronic device when placed on the support surface and the individual transmitting coils of the first type of adapter module and to select at least one transmitting coil depending on the detected attenuation for a loss-reduced inductive energy transfer from the at least one selected transmitting coil to the receiving coil.

[0029] The base unit and the adapter module selected from the set are connected via an electrical interface through which defined signals are transmitted. This interface transmits both the inverter's power signal and control signals, which, for example, control multiplexers to connect the power signal to a specific coil or select a temperature sensor. Other specific controls for the adapter are also possible, and the adapter's identity can also be determined via the control signal. Furthermore, the adapter's power supply is also supplied via this interface. Furthermore, special signals from additional adapter functions, such as the NFC antenna or the mobile communications coupling antenna, can be transmitted via the connection interface.

[0030] Particularly when charging at higher power, significant losses occur in mobile devices. Of particular note are the losses in the receiving coil, in the downstream electronics used to generate the charging voltage, and the charging losses in the battery. Optimal cooling of the mobile device can be achieved by directing an airflow directly onto the mobile device's strongest heat source. The receiving coil, with its ohmic losses, is considered the strongest heat source. With a freely positioned mobile device, the exact location of the receiving coil is unknown, so it makes sense to direct the airflow over a large area toward the mobile device. With a mobile device featuring magnetic alignment, the receiving coil is in a predetermined position. This allows the airflow to be focused on a small area around the receiving coil.

[0031] The base unit can have an air ventilation unit with an air duct to cool the portable electronic device. The air duct opens into an air outlet port on the connection interface. The adapter modules have adapter-specific air ducts that have an air inlet port on the connection interface and open onto the support surface.

[0032] The air channels of the first type of adapter module, which has a plurality of transmitting coils arranged distributed over the support surface, can be aligned to the plurality of distributed coupling regions of the transmitting coils on the support surface for the distributed guidance of the air flow.

[0033] The air channels of the second type of adapter module can be aligned to direct the air flow to the coupling area of ​​the transmitting coil on the support surface.

[0034] The adapter modules may have a temperature sensor that is connected or connectable to the charging electronics, wherein the charging electronics are configured to control the air ventilation unit depending on the measured temperature in order to increase the air flow as the temperature increases or when a temperature threshold is exceeded.

[0035] The charging electronics can comprise an adapter electronics component in the respective adapter module and a base unit electronics component in the base unit. The adapter electronics components of the different types of adapter modules can each be configured to perform an inductive charging process determined by the type of adapter module.

[0036] The adapter electronics part of the first type of adapter module, which has a plurality of transmitting coils arranged distributed over the support surface, can have a multiplexer for selecting at least one of the transmitting coils and can be configured to emit an alternating magnetic field tuned to the position of a receiving coil in the electronic device with the at least one selected transmitting coil by the charging electronics.

[0037] The adapter electronics components can each have filters adapted to the type of adapter module. This allows, for example, the magnetic fields and / or electromagnetic fields emitted by the respective adapter module to be adjusted to the required electromagnetic compatibility requirements.

[0038] The adapter modules can be equipped with an NFC antenna for wireless near-field data communication with the electronic device resting on the support surface. This allows, for example, the charging electronics to identify the electronic device and control the charging process based on the type or properties of the identified electronic device.

[0039] The charging electronics can be configured to detect the type of adapter module connected to the base unit and to select at least one adapter-specific charging parameter based on the detected type of adapter module. The respective adapter-specific charging parameter can be predefined for the inductive charging process determined by the type of adapter module.

[0040] The base unit for a charging device as described above has a base housing and a connection interface for the electrical and mechanical connection of the base unit to a selected adapter module. The base unit can have base unit electronics as part of the charging electronics and can be configured to emit alternating magnetic fields through the contact surface of the selected adapter module, which is connected to the base unit, for example, by attaching and locking, for inductive energy transfer to the electronic device.

[0041] The adapter module for the charging device described above has a support surface for placing the electronic device during the charging process. The adapter module can comprise an adapter electronics component of the charging electronics, which is configured to emit alternating magnetic fields through the support surface for inductive energy transfer to the electronic device. The adapter module has a connection interface for electrical and mechanical connection to a base unit. It is configured to carry out an inductive charging process determined by the type of adapter module.

[0042] The adapter module may be a second type of adapter module, which includes a transmitting coil and magnetic alignment elements for aligning the electronic device through the magnetic force of the magnetic alignment elements to a position where the alternating magnetic field emitted by the transmitting coil is aligned with a receiving coil in the electronic device. The adapter module of the first type may have air channels aligned to direct the airflow to the coupling area of ​​the transmitting coil on the support surface.

[0043] The adapter module of the second type of adapter module can have multiple transmitting coils. The charging electronics can be configured to select at least one of the transmitting coils and to emit an alternating magnetic field tuned to the position of a receiving coil in the electronic device with the at least one selected transmitting coil.

[0044] The adapter module of the second type may have air channels that are aligned to distribute the air flow to the plurality of distributed coupling regions of the transmitting coil on the support surface.

[0045] The method for charging a rechargeable battery of a portable electronic device by wireless inductive energy transfer using a charging device described above provides the following steps carried out by the charging device, which can be controlled, for example, by at least one program-controlled processor of the charging electronics: a) detecting the type of adapter module connected to the base device that is specific for an inductive charging process; b) selecting at least one adapter-specific charging parameter based on the detected type of adapter module, wherein the respective adapter-specific charging parameter is predetermined for the inductive charging process determined by the type of adapter module;c) Carrying out the inductive charging process determined by the type of adapter module with the inductive charging process specified by the type of adapter module of an electronic device resting on the support surface of the adapter module connected to the basic device;

[0046] The charging electronics and the method can be implemented with a computer program comprising instructions that cause the charging device described above to carry out the method steps a) to c).

[0047] In general, in the context of this application, the words "a / an" are not to be understood as a numeral, unless explicitly defined otherwise, but rather as an indefinite article with the literal meaning "at least one." Features with the specification "exactly one," however, can explicitly refer to "a / an" as a numeral.

[0048] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0049] Figure 1 - Sketch of a charging device with a base unit and a set of various adapter modules and a portable electronic device to be charged wirelessly;

[0050] Figure 2 - perspective view of a basic unit without an inserted adapter module;

[0051] Figure 3a - perspective view of a first type of adapter module with several distributed transmitting coils and a large-area support;

[0052] Figure 3b - Side sectional view of the adapter module of the first type with large-area support;

[0053] Figure 4a - perspective view of a second type of adapter module with a transmitting coil and magnet alignment to the coupling area;

[0054] Figure 4b - Side sectional view of the adapter module of the second type with magnet alignment;

[0055] Figure 5 - Side sectional view of the adapter module of the first type from Figure 3b with cooling air guidance;

[0056] Figure 6 - Side sectional view of the adapter module of the second type from Figure 4b with cooling air guidance;

[0057] Figure ? - Block diagram of the basic electronics part of the charging electronics in

[0058] basic device;

[0059] Figure 8a - Block diagram of the adapter electronics part of the charging electronics in

[0060] Adapter module of the first type with distributed transmitting coils and large-area support;

[0061] Figure 8b - Block diagram of the adapter electronics part of the charging electronics in the adapter module of the second type with magnet alignment to a predetermined coupling area of ​​the transmitting coil.

[0062] Figure 1 shows a sketch of a charging device 1 with a base unit 2 and a set of various adapter modules 3a, 3b and a portable electronic device 4 to be charged wirelessly. The adapter modules 3a, 3b are each specifically designed to carry out a charging process tailored to an electronic device 4. The adapter modules 3a, 3b are placed on the base housing 2' of the base unit 2 and connected to the base unit 2 via a connection interface 5. The adapter modules 3a, 3b have a support surface 6 onto which an electronic device 4 to be charged is placed in order to transmit energy to the electronic device 4 and, if necessary, data in the alternating magnetic field by coupling at least one transmitting coil arranged below the support surface 6 and a receiving coil of the electronic device 4 located in the coupling region of the transmitting coil.

[0063] In this sense, the term “attached” also means inserting the adapter module 3a, 3b into a recess of the base unit 2 or, conversely, placing the adapter module 3a, 3b by inserting the base unit 2 into a recess of the adapter module 3a, 3b.

[0064] Figure 2 shows a base unit 2 of a wireless charging device 1. This is firmly connected, for example, to a vehicle by having fastening tabs 7 with fastening holes 8 on its two end faces. On the upper surface is an electrical interface 9a with a plurality of contacts that form the electrical connection to one of the selected adapter modules 3a, 3b mounted on the base unit 2. A second interface 9b (air interface) forms a connection of air ducts 10 for the transport of cooling air between the base unit 2 and an adapter module 3a, 3b of the set mounted thereon. Below this air interface 9b is a fan 11, which either blows air out through the opening of the second interface 9b for the air to the connected adapter module 3a, 3b or sucks air in from the adapter module 3a, 3b.

[0065] The first interface 9a (electrical interface) and the second interface 9b (air interface) form part of the connection interface 9. The electrical interface 9a forms an electrical part of the connection interface 9 in order to transmit electrical energy to supply the adapter and to transfer charging energy to the electronic device 4 and, if necessary, data (unidirectionally from the base unit 2 to the adapter module 3a, 3b or from the adapter module 3a, 3b to the base unit 2 or bidirectionally between the base unit 2 and the adapter module 3a, 3b). The electrical interface 9a can optionally also form a mechanical interface for guidance and, if necessary, for a positive connection, e.g. through its contour. The second interface 9b forms a mechanical part of the connection interface 9 for forming an air duct. It can optionally also ensure mechanical guidance and, if necessary, a positive connection, e.g. through its contour.For secure mechanical accommodation of the adapter module 3a, 3b, two small openings 12 are located on one inner side of the base unit 2, into which two lugs 13 of the adapter module (shown in Figures 3a to 4b) engage to hold the adapter module 3a, 3b in a secure position with a positive fit. These holding means, which provide a stop, can form a mechanical part of the connection interface 9.

[0066] On the other side of the base unit 2 is a locking mechanism 14, in which a movable lug 15 of the locking mechanism 14 engages a groove 16 of the adapter module 3a, 3b when the adapter module 3a, 3b is attached to the base unit 2 and locked, to hold it securely in place by positive engagement. The lock is released by briefly pressing a recessed button 17 in the top of the base unit 2, which is coupled to the lug 15 via a spring-loaded mechanism to move the lug 15. Seals 18 are located around the perimeter of each of the two interfaces (electrical interface 9a and air interface 9b). These seals, on the one hand, protect the electrical contacts of the electrical interface 9a from external dust and moisture, and, on the other hand, prevent uncontrolled air leakage at the air interface 9b.

[0067] These locking means can form a mechanical part of the connection interface 9.

[0068] Figure 3a shows a perspective view of a first type of adapter module 3a for large-area placement of the portable electronic device 4, i.e., the mobile device, on the support surface 6. For cooling, air flows out through a wide nozzle 19 formed in the adapter module housing 3' and is guided by guide webs 20 onto a large surface of the mobile device 4. The transmitting coils are arranged below the support surface 6 and distributed over the surface in order to provide a coupling area adjusted to the position of the receiving coil(s) of the electronic device 4 to be charged by selecting one or a group of transmitting coils.

[0069] The side sectional view of Figure 3b shows a cross-section of the transmission coil set, which consists of, for example, three partially overlapping transmission coils 21. Above the coil set, i.e., the transmission coils 21, is a shielding board 22 with copper structures that shield an electric field emanating from the transmission coils 21. The shielding board 22 can optionally have an NFC antenna 23 (e.g., an NFC antenna structure formed with the copper surface) for wireless near-field communication. It can also optionally carry one or more temperature sensors 24 arranged to detect the temperature in critical areas.

[0070] This shielding board 22 is connected via a printed circuit board connector 25 (board-to-board connector) to a second board 26 located below the transmitter coil set. Electrical components required to control the adapter-specific coil set formed from the distributed transmitter coils 21 are housed on the second board 26. Such electrical components include, for example, a multiplexer for coupling a transmitter coil 21, selected depending on the type and position of the attached electronic device 4 for optimal coupling to the required position of the coupling area, to the power terminals. A special resonant circuit for the at least one selected transmitter coil 21 used can also be present as an electronic component.

[0071] The terminals of the transmitting coils 21 are connected to the second circuit board 26. This second circuit board 26 contains a connector 27 for the base unit 2.

[0072] It can also be seen that air is guided from the air interface 9b via an air duct 10 via the nozzle 19 to the surface of the support surface 6.

[0073] Figure 4a shows a second type of adapter module 3b with only one transmitting coil 21 in the adapter module housing 3'. Surrounding this transmitting coil 21 is a trench 28 from which the cooling air flows. This trench 28 forms a groove surrounding the central area containing the transmitting coil.

[0074] Figure 4b shows a side sectional view of the second type of adapter module 3b. The cross-sectional drawing shows a flow channel 10a, which guides the air from the air interface 9b on the underside to the trench 28 and forms part of the air channel 10. In the center is a plastic holder 19, with which the one transmitting coil 21 with the shielding board 22 is held directly beneath a plastic cover 29. As previously mentioned, the shielding board 22 is located above the one transmitting coil 21. This shielding board 22, like the adapter module 3a of the first type, shields the electric field. This shielding board 22 is also electrically connected to a second board 26 via a printed circuit board connector 25 (board-to-board connector). In the center of the transmitting coil 21 there may be a ferrite 30 which also extends to the area below the transmitting coil 21 and which aligns the magnetic field lines towards the receiving coil.

[0075] The plastic holder 19 is firmly screwed to the second circuit board 26, whereby the second circuit board 26 and the plastic holder 19 with the ferrite 30, the transmitting coil 21 and the shielding board 22 now form a mechanical unit.

[0076] A plurality of magnets 31 can be arranged in a circle around the transmitting coil 21 and thus also around the outer contour of the plastic holder 19, the magnetic alignment of which runs vertically from north to south (or vice versa). Furthermore, the alignment is selected such that the neighboring magnets have an opposite alignment from south to north (or vice versa). The magnets in a portable terminal 4 designed for magnetic force alignment can also be arranged around the receiving coil and have the same opposite alignment. This ensures not only a fixed position of the electronic device 4, but also a fixed angle on the charging surface, i.e., the support surface 6.

[0077] The terminals of the transmitting coil 21 are connected to the second circuit board 26. The electrical interface 9a is formed by a connector 27, which is located on the underside of this second circuit board 26, as in the adapter module 3a of the first type, to the base unit 2.

[0078] Figures 5 and 6 each show the cooling air flow in the two adapter modules 3a, 3b. In both cases, the air L is drawn into the base unit 2 from the bottom by the fan 11 (fan) of the base unit 2 and blown into the adapter module 3a, 3b mounted on the base unit 2 via the air interface 9b.

[0079] In the adapter module 3a of the first type shown in Figure 5, the air flow L is discharged via a short air duct 32 through an opening slot 33 tangential to the adapter surface, i.e., to the support surface 6. Guide webs 20 ensure that the air L is evenly distributed over the entire underside of the mobile device 4.

[0080] In the adapter module 3b of the second type, which is shown in Figure 6, air L is guided via a guide channel 34 to a channel 35 surrounding the transmitting coil. Above this circumferential channel 35 is the trench 28 with openings to the circumferential channel 35. Through these openings, the air L is evenly distributed in a circular line around the receiving coil of the mobile device 4.

[0081] Figure 7 shows a block diagram of the electrical components of the basic unit electronics 36 of the basic unit 2.

[0082] The base unit 2 is connected to the vehicle's electrical system via the vehicle interface 37. The base unit 2 draws power from the vehicle battery via this vehicle interface 37. The vehicle interface 37 can include a CAN interface, via which the base unit 2 exchanges predefined data with the vehicle, such as the charge level of the portable electronic device 4 to be charged. A filter circuit 38 and a DC / DC converter 39 generate the required DC voltage for an inverter 40 from the battery voltage. In the next step, the inverter 40 generates a square-wave AC voltage with the required frequency from the DC voltage. A sinusoidal AC voltage is formed from the square-wave AC voltage via further filters 41, which also interact with filter elements in the specific adapter module 3a, 3b.

[0083] From the battery voltage at the input, an additional DC voltage is generated via additional filters 42 and voltage converters 43, which supplies a control processor 44 and other control components. Communication with other control units in the vehicle takes place via a CAN transceiver 45 connected to the control processor 44.

[0084] Such chargers often also contain an NFC transceiver 46, via which data can be exchanged with the mobile device 4 placed on the charger according to the NFC standard. Such data includes, for example, data for identifying the identity of the mobile device 4, which can be used to establish further connections between the vehicle and the mobile device 4, e.g., according to the Bluetooth or WLAN standard, or to automatically authenticate them, since the user confirms the authenticity of the mobile device 4 by placing the mobile device 4 on the charging surface 6. This is particularly helpful when there are several mobile devices 4 in the vehicle that have already been authenticated. Thus, by placing the mobile device 4 on the charger, the user can determine which mobile device 4 should connect to the vehicle.

[0085] Furthermore, the base unit 2 contains a fan 11 (ventilator), which is also controlled by the control processor 44 and provides an airflow L of cooling air. The control can depend on various parameters, such as temperature, charging power, calculated charging losses, etc.

[0086] The power signal from the output of inverter 40 is applied via a filter 41 to a connector 27, which forms the electrical interface 9a to the adapter modules 3a, 3b. The NFC signals, some control signals, temperature sensor signals, as well as power supply and ground are also routed to this connector 27. Using control signals, the processor 44 in the base unit 2 can detect which type of adapter module 3a, 3b is plugged in. Since the processor 44 has a memory in which the data for supporting a plurality of adapter modules 3a, 3b and charging standards is stored, the processor 44 adapts to the respective detected type of adapter module 3a, 3b and generates the signals required for this type of adapter module 3a, 3b.

[0087] Figure 8a shows a block diagram of the electrical components of the adapter electronics section 47 of an adapter module 3a of the first type with three transmit coils 21. The inverter signal is routed from the mating connector 48 of the electrical interface 9a via a multiplexer switch 49 and specific filter elements 50 to the three transmit coils 21. Since this adapter module 3a has several temperature sensors 24, the signal from the temperature sensors 24 is also routed back to the processor 44 of the base unit 2 via a multiplexer 51 via the mating connector 48 of the electrical interface 9a.

[0088] For this adapter, an NFC signal is routed from an NFC antenna 23, which is located on the shielding board 22 above the transmitting coils 21, via a matching filter 52, which is located on the second board 26 below the transmitting coils 21, via the mating connector 48 to the base unit 2, where the NFC transceiver 46 is located.

[0089] Figure 8b shows a block diagram of the adapter electronics part 47 of the adapter module 3b of the second type, with magnets 31 for magnet alignment and transmit coil(s) 21 aligned to a specific, predefined coupling area. Since there is usually only one transmit coil 21 or a group of transmit coils aligned to a single coupling area, the multiplexer switch 49 can be omitted.

[0090] However, different capacitors 53 can be activated in series with the transmitting coil 21, depending on the active charge state. Since only one temperature sensor 24 is required, the multiplexer 51 can also be omitted here. Since the shielding board 22 above the transmitting coil 21 is relatively small, the NFC antenna 23 is located on the second board 26 below the transmitting coil 21. The NFC signal is routed via a matching filter 23 and via the mating connector 48 or the electrical interface 9a to the base unit 2, where the NFC transceiver 46 is located.

[0091] In further embodiments, the specific adapter module 3a, 3b,... may also contain an additional control processor that supports, for example, communication protocols required for a specific mobile device 4. Part of the inverter electronics may also be located in the adapter modules 3a, 3b,... so that a future charging standard can be supported simply by replacing the adapter module 3a, 3b,...

[0092] In further embodiments, the cooling air can also be guided through the adapter module 3a, 3b,... past potentially heating components, such as the transmitting coils 21 or the magnet 31, before the air L exits.

[0093] List of reference symbols

[0094] 1 charging device 30 ferrite

[0095] 2 basic units 31 magnets

[0096] 3a Adapter module of the first type 32 short air duct

[0097] 3b Adapter module of the second type 33 Opening slot

[0098] 4 portable electronic device 34 guide channel

[0099] 5 connection interface 35 circumferential channel

[0100] 6 Support surface 36 Basic device electronics

[0101] 7 Mounting brackets 37 Vehicle interface

[0102] 8 mounting holes 38 filter circuit

[0103] 9 Connection interface 39 DC / DC converter

[0104] 9a first interface (electrical 40 inverter

[0105] Interface) 41 Filters

[0106] 9b second interface 42 filter

[0107] (Air interface) 43 voltage converters

[0108] 10 Air duct 44 Control processor

[0109] 10a Flow channel 45 CAN transceiver

[0110] 11 fans 46 N FC transceiver

[0111] 12 openings 47 adapter electronics part

[0112] 13 noses 48 mating connectors

[0113] 14 Locking mechanism 49 Multiplexer switch

[0114] 15 Nose 50 filter elements

[0115] 16 Slot 51 Multiplexer

[0116] 17 Key 52 Matching filter

[0117] 18 Seal 53 Capacitors

[0118] 19 Nozzle

[0119] 20 guide bridge

[0120] 21 Transmitting coil

[0121] 22 Shielding board

[0122] 23 N FC antenna

[0123] 24 Temperature sensor

[0124] 25 PCB connectors

[0125] 26 second board

[0126] 27 connectors

[0127] 28 trench

[0128] 29 Plastic cover

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A charging device (1) for charging a rechargeable battery of a portable electronic device (4) by wireless inductive energy transmission, wherein the charging device (1) has a support surface (6) for placing the electronic device (4) on during the charging process and charging electronics (36, 47) which are designed to emit alternating magnetic fields through the support surface (6) for the inductive energy transmission to the electronic device (4), characterized in that the charging device (1) has a basic device (2) with a base housing (2') and at least two exchangeable adapter modules (3a, 3b), wherein the adapter modules (3a, 3b) are designed differently from one another for carrying out an inductive charging process which is determined in each case by the type of adapter module (3a, 3b), and wherein the base housing (2') of the basic device (2) and the adapter modules (3a,3b) a connection interface (5) for electrically and mechanically connecting the base unit (2) optionally to one of the adapter modules (3a, 3b).

2. Charging device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter modules (3a, 3b) each have at least one transmitting coil (21) for transmitting the alternating magnetic fields.

3. Charging device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adapter modules (3a, 3b) each contain an adapter electronics part (47) of the charging electronics (36, 47), wherein the adapter electronics part (47) of the charging electronics (36, 47) is in each case matched to the type of adapter module (3a, 3b), so that the plurality of different adapter modules (3a, 3b) have different adapter-specific charging electronics (36, 47) from one another.

4. Charging device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first type of adapter module (3a) is present which has a plurality of transmitting coils (21) and the charging electronics (36, 47) are set up to select at least one of the transmitting coils (21) and to emit an alternating magnetic field matched to the position of a receiving coil in the electronic device (4) with the at least one selected transmitting coil (21).

5. Charging device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the charging electronics (36, 47) are configured to detect the losses or the efficiency between the receiving coil of the electronic device (4) in the state placed on the support surface (6) and the individual transmitting coils (21) of the first type of adapter module (3a) and to select at least one transmitting coil (21) depending on the detected losses or efficiency for a loss-reduced inductive energy transfer from the at least one selected transmitting coil (21) to the receiving coil.

6. Charging device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a second type of adapter module (3b) is present, which has a transmitting coil (21) and magnetic alignment elements (31) for aligning the electronic device (4) by magnetic force of the magnetic alignment elements (31) to a position in which the alternating magnetic field emitted by the transmitting coil (21) is matched to a receiving coil in the electronic device (4).

7. Charging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic device (2) has an air ventilation unit (11) with an air duct (10), wherein the air duct (10) opens into an air outlet connection (9b) of the connection interface (9), and that the adapter modules (3a, 3b) have adapter-specific air ducts (10, 10a, 32, 33, 34, 35) which have a Air inlet connection of the connection interface (9) and open onto the support surface (6).

8. Charging device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the air channels (10, 19, 33) of the first type of adapter module (3a), which has a plurality of transmitting coils (21) arranged distributed over the support surface (6) and is designed to select at least one of the transmitting coils (21) and to emit an alternating magnetic field matched to the position of a receiving coil in the electronic device (4) with the at least one selected transmitting coil (21) by the charging electronics (36, 47), are aligned for the distributed conduction of the air flow (L) to the plurality of distributed coupling regions of the transmitting coil (21) on the support surface (6).

9. Charging device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the air channels (10, 10a, 34, 35) of the second type of adapter module (3b), which has a transmitting coil (21) and magnetic alignment elements (31) for aligning the electronic device (4) by magnetic force of the magnetic alignment elements (31) to a position in which the alternating magnetic field emitted by the transmitting coil (21) is matched to a receiving coil in the electronic device (4), are aligned to guide the air flow to the coupling region of the transmitting coil (21) on the support surface (6).

10. Charging device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the adapter modules (3a, 3b) have a temperature sensor (24) which is connected or connectable to the charging electronics (36, 47), wherein the charging electronics (36, 47) are configured to control the air ventilation unit (11) as a function of the measured temperature in order to increase the air flow (L) with increasing temperature or exceeding a temperature threshold value.

11. Charging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging electronics (36, 47) has an adapter electronics part (47) in the respective adapter module (3a, 3b) and a basic device electronics part (36) in the basic device (2), wherein the adapter electronics parts (47) of the different types of adapter modules (3a, 3b) are each set up to carry out an inductive charging process determined in each case by the type of adapter module (3a, 3b).

12. Charging device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the adapter electronics part (47) of the first type of adapter module (3a), which has a plurality of transmitting coils (21) arranged distributed over the support surface (6), has a multiplexer (49) for selecting at least one of the transmitting coils (21) and is set up to emit an alternating magnetic field matched to the position of a receiving coil in the electronic device (4) with the at least one selected transmitting coil (21) by the charging electronics (36, 47).

13. Charging device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the adapter electronics parts (47) each have filters (41, 42, 50) adapted to the type of adapter module (3a, 3b).

14. Charging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter modules (3a, 3b) have an NFC antenna (23) for wireless near-field data communication with the electronic device (4) resting on the support surface (6).

15. Charging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging electronics (36, 47) are set up to recognize the type of adapter module (3a, 3b) connected to the basic device (2) and to select at least one adapter-specific charging parameter based on the recognized type of adapter module (3a, 3b), wherein the respective adapter-specific charging parameter is predetermined for the inductive charging process determined by the type of adapter module (3a, 3b).

16. Basic unit (2) for a charging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic unit (2) has a base housing (2') and a connection interface (9) for the electrical and mechanical connection of the basic unit (2) optionally with an adapter module (3a, 3b) selected from a set and that the basic unit (2) has a basic unit electronics part (36) for emitting alternating magnetic fields through the support surface (6) of an adapter module (3a, 3b) for the inductive energy transfer to the electronic unit (4).

17. Adapter module (3a, 3b) for a charging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter module (3a, 3b) has a support surface (6) for placing the electronic device (4) during the charging process, a Adapter electronics part (47) of the charging electronics (36, 47), which is designed to emit alternating magnetic fields through the support surface (6) for the inductive energy transfer to the electronic device (4), and has a connection interface (9) for the electrical and mechanical connection to a base device (2), and in that the adapter module (3a, 3b) is designed to carry out an inductive charging process determined in each case by the type of adapter module (3a, 3b).

18. Adapter module (3a) according to claim 17, characterized in that the adapter module (3a) is a first type of adapter module (3a) which has a plurality of transmitting coils (21) and the charging electronics (36, 47) are configured to select at least one of the transmitting coils (21) and to emit an alternating magnetic field matched to the position of a receiving coil in the electronic device (4) with the at least one selected transmitting coil (21).

19. Adapter module (3a) according to claim 18, characterized in that the adapter module (3a) of the first type has air channels (10) which are aligned for the distributed guidance of the air flow (L) to the plurality of distributed coupling regions of the transmitting coil (21) on the support surface (6).

20. Adapter module (3b) according to claim 17, characterized in that the adapter module is a second type of adapter module (3b) which has a transmitting coil (21) and magnetic alignment elements (31) for aligning the electronic device (4) by magnetic force of the magnetic alignment elements (31) to a position at which the alternating magnetic field emitted by the transmitting coil (21) is matched to a receiving coil in the electronic device (4).

21. Adapter module (3b) according to claim 21, characterized in that the adapter module (3b) of the second type has air channels (10) which are aligned to guide the air flow (L) to the coupling region of the transmitting coil (21) on the support surface (6).

22. Method for charging a battery of a portable electronic device (4) by wireless inductive energy transmission by means of a charging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the charging device (1) has the following Carrying out the steps: a) recognizing the type of adapter module (3a, 3b) connected to the base unit (2) that is specific for an inductive charging process; b) selecting at least one adapter-specific charging parameter based on the recognized type of adapter module (3a, 3b), wherein the respective adapter-specific charging parameter is predetermined for the inductive charging process determined by the type of adapter module (3a, 3b); c) carrying out the inductive charging process determined by the type of adapter module (3a, 3b) with the inductive charging process predetermined by the type of adapter module (3a, 3b) of an electronic device (4) resting on the support surface (6) of the adapter module (3a, 3b) connected to the base unit (2).

23. A computer program comprising instructions that cause the charging device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15 to carry out the method steps according to claim 22.

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