Mobile device, induction unit for a mobile device, energy transmission system comprising a mobile device and an induction unit, method for operating an induction unit, and method for operating an energy transmission system

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile device (105) having an energy storage device (115), the energy storage device (115) comprising at least one induction coil (142) for receiving energy and for charging the energy storage device (115) with the received energy, and a signalling unit (120) designed to activate an external induction unit (110) in order to output energy to the induction coil (142).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Mobile device, induction unit for a mobile device, power transmission system consisting of a mobile device and an induction unit, method for operating an induction unit, and method for operating a power transmission system

[0003] The invention relates to an induction unit, an energy transmission system, a method for operating an induction unit, and a method for operating an energy transmission system according to the main claims.

[0004] From publication US 2012 / 112543 A1, a method for detecting a receiver by a transmitter is known, wherein the transmitter is designed to inductively transfer power to the receiver.

[0005] Publication US 2015 / 249339 A1 also reveals an inductive

[0006] A power transmission system in which energy is transferred from a power transmitter to a power receiver via a wireless power signal. The system supports communication between the power transmitter and power receiver based on load modulation of the power signal. The power receiver sends an initial message to the power transmitter, which includes a standby power signal requirement for the power signal during a standby phase.

[0007] The publication EP 4 391 301 A1 describes in general terms a power transmitter which wirelessly supplies power to a power receiver via a power transmission signal generated by a power transmission coil. A communication driver generates a communication control signal for a communication coil in order to produce a communication carrier signal.

[0008] Mobile devices can communicate wirelessly with an induction unit and can also be operated by an induction unit.

[0009] The approach presented here aims to create an improved mobile device, an improved induction unit, an improved power transmission system, an improved method for operating a mobile device, and an improved method for operating a power transmission system.

[0010] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a mobile device, an induction unit, an energy transmission system, a method for operating a mobile device, and a method for operating an energy transmission system with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0011] The advantage achievable with the invention consists of lower energy consumption through energy harvesting.

[0012] A mobile device can include at least one induction coil for receiving and / or emitting energy. Furthermore, the mobile device can include a signaling unit configured to activate an external induction unit to output energy to the induction coil, wherein the mobile device is configured to transmit energy to the induction unit, in particular to transmit it at least temporarily, and in particular to transmit it directly or indirectly at least temporarily.

[0013] The mobile device may include an energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device includes at least the induction coil for absorbing energy and for charging the energy storage device with the absorbed energy.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the mobile device can be designed as a small appliance, for example, for preparing food or other foodstuffs. Alternatively, the mobile device can also be designed as a large appliance. According to one embodiment, the energy storage device can include the induction coil, which can be designed as a harvesting coil. According to one embodiment, the signaling unit can be designed to output a signal. According to one embodiment, the external induction unit can be designed as a worktop or a cooktop with an integrated induction coil. Energy can be saved by storing energy in the energy storage device.

[0015] The approach presented here is based on the understanding that when energy is output from the mobile device to the induction coil, this energy can also be transferred to the induction unit, allowing the induction unit to become active by receiving this energy. In this way, the external induction unit can be put into a deep sleep mode, in which, unlike the otherwise required standby mode, no active energy is needed to "wake up" the external induction unit for energy output. Instead, the energy supplied by the mobile device can now be used to activate the induction unit.The energy output by the signaling unit is used for such a "wake-up" process, enabling the external induction unit to initiate a check to determine whether the mobile device or another device is within range. This allows for the initiation of energy transfer from the external induction unit to the induction coil. This embodiment offers the advantage that the external induction unit does not need to operate in a continuous standby mode, which is beneficial in terms of energy efficiency during operation.

[0016] The signaling unit can be configured as a user interface unit to activate, in response to user input, the transfer of energy from the energy storage device to an external induction unit. Activation involves the transfer of energy to the external induction unit, either drawn from the energy storage device or generated by the user input. According to one embodiment, the user interface unit can be configured as a switch. This allows the user to precisely control when the external induction unit is activated and to advantageously provide the energy for such activation.

[0017] The user interface unit can be configured to transfer energy via the induction coil to the external induction unit. This allows the external induction unit to enter an energy-saving deep standby mode and only be activated by the user interface unit through energy transfer via the existing induction coil.

[0018] The user interface unit can be configured with a communication coil independent of the induction coil to transmit energy to the external induction unit. According to one embodiment, the communication coil can include an induction coil. In this way, the communication coil can be used as an inductive transmission unit specifically designed to transmit a small amount of energy to activate the energy output of the external induction unit. This allows for advantageous consideration of specific structural requirements for transmitting small amounts of energy, compared to the structural requirements for transmitting large amounts of energy via the induction coil.

[0019] The user interface unit can be configured to activate energy transfer in response to manual user input. According to one embodiment, the external induction unit can thus be activated without needing to be permanently switched on. Therefore, the external induction unit consumes no power in an inactive state.

[0020] The signaling unit can be configured to emit a static magnetic field, particularly if the signaling unit is configured as a permanent magnet or as a coil connected to the energy storage device. According to one embodiment, the signaling unit can thus activate the external induction unit with the static magnetic field as soon as the mobile device is positioned on or near the external induction unit. By designing the signaling unit as a magnet, manual user input is eliminated, thus enabling easier use.

[0021] An induction unit can comprise a receiving unit for receiving energy output by the signaling unit of a mobile device, and an activation unit for activating an inductive output of energy from the induction unit to the mobile device, wherein the activation unit is configured to use energy provided by the receiving unit for its operation. The aforementioned advantages can also be realized quickly and efficiently with such an embodiment.

[0022] The activation unit can be designed to detect the presence of the mobile device's induction coil within the vicinity of a charging coil and, upon this detection, initiate an inductive energy transfer from the charging coil to the induction coil. This allows the induction unit to operate efficiently even in a deep sleep mode, where it has lower energy consumption than in standby mode, as timely activation for energy transfer to the mobile device's induction coil is then possible even in this deep sleep mode.

[0023] An energy transfer system can comprise a mobile device and an induction unit, for example, each according to one of the variants presented here.

[0024] A method for operating a mobile device can include a step of activating an output of energy to the induction coil by an external induction unit, in particular wherein the activation occurs in response to user input from a user of the mobile device. According to one embodiment, an actuation of the switch can be detected, whereupon an energy transfer from the energy storage device to a transmitter-side induction coil of the external induction unit takes place.

[0025] A method for operating an induction unit may comprise a step of receiving energy emitted by the signaling unit of a mobile device, and a step of activating an inductive output of energy by the induction unit to the mobile device, using energy provided by the receiving unit for activation.

[0026] A method for operating an energy transmission system can perform a step of inductively outputting energy through the signaling unit, and a step of supplying energy to the induction coil through the induction unit, using the energy received from the signaling unit. The approach presented here further provides a control unit configured to perform, control, and implement the steps of one of the variants of the methods presented here in appropriate devices. This embodiment of the invention, in the form of a device, also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0027] The control unit can be configured to read input signals and use these input signals to determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control unit. The control unit can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as a discrete component or comprised of a discrete component.

[0028] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or control unit, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of one of the methods according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0029] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container washing system.

[0030] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows

[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an energy transmission system;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a mobile device;

[0033] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating an induction unit; Figure 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating a power transmission system; and

[0034] Figure 5 shows another flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating an energy transmission system.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an energy transmission system 100. The energy transmission system 100 comprises a mobile device 105 and an induction unit 110. The mobile device 105 includes an energy storage device 115 and a signaling unit 120, as well as a connecting line 125 between the two. The induction unit 110 comprises a receiving unit 130 and an activation unit 135.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the energy transfer system 100 comprises the mobile device 105, which is designed as a small appliance, and the induction unit 110. The induction unit 110 is in a deep standby mode, from which a user wishes to wake it. According to one embodiment, the induction unit 110 includes a storage surface 140. In one embodiment, the storage surface 140 is designed as a worktop; alternatively, it is also designed as a cooktop. According to one embodiment, energy is supplied to the energy storage device 115 by activating the signaling unit 120. The energy storage device 115 includes at least one induction coil 142 for absorbing energy and is designed to charge the energy storage device 115 with the absorbed energy.According to one embodiment, the energy storage device 115 is configured as an energy harvesting coil. According to an alternative or further embodiment, the energy storage device 115 also includes a communication coil; several coils for energy storage and communication may also be present. The signaling unit 120 is configured as a user interface to control the transfer of energy from the energy storage device 115 to the induction unit 110. According to an alternative embodiment, the signaling unit is also configured as electronics or as a UL unit with a switch, including energy harvesting. In this embodiment as well, the energy transfer is activated in response to manual user input.According to one embodiment, the energy storage device 115 also includes a communication coil that transmits energy to the induction unit 110, wherein the communication coil is configured independently of the induction coil 142 of the energy storage device 115. Furthermore, the signaling unit 120 is configured, for example, to activate the external induction unit 110 by outputting energy to the induction coil 142 of the energy storage device 115. This generates an (inductive) energy flow from the mobile device 105 to the induction unit 110 upon initial activation of the energy transfer system 100 from deep standby mode. According to one embodiment, the signaling unit 120 is configured as a switch that includes a piezoelectric element and thus sends energy to the energy storage device 115 by energy harvesting.According to one embodiment, the induction unit 110 is awakened from a deep standby mode by the energy emanating from or received by the energy storage device 115. An energy flow from the induction unit 110 to the mobile device 105 is generated or initiated when the energy transfer system 100 is in operation.

[0037] To receive the energy from the energy storage device 115, the induction unit 110 includes the receiving unit 130 for receiving energy output by the signaling unit 120 of the mobile device 105. The induction unit 110 is then switched on, and the activation unit 135, for example, activates an inductive output of energy from the induction unit 110 to the mobile device 105, wherein the activation unit 135 is configured to use energy provided by the receiving unit 130 for its operation. According to one embodiment, the induction unit 110 includes a charging coil 145, which in turn comprises the receiving unit 130 and the activation unit 135.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the signaling unit 120 is also configured as a magnet. The signaling unit 120 emits a static magnetic field which the induction unit 110 detects as soon as the signaling unit 120 is placed in the area of ​​the support surface 140. According to one embodiment, the magnet is configured as a permanent magnet. According to another embodiment, the magnet is configured as a coil which is connected to the energy storage device 115. The activation unit 135 is also configured to detect the presence of the induction coil 142 of the mobile device in the area of ​​the charging coil 145 and, in response, to initiate an inductive energy transfer from the charging coil 145 to the induction coil 142.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the energy transfer system 100 is configured as a wake-up unit with energy supplied by the mobile device 105, hereinafter also referred to as the small device, wherein the wake-up unit transfers energy from the small device to a transmitter. The induction unit 110 is hereinafter also referred to as the built-in device, built-in unit, or built-in device. In systems with a wirelessly powered small device and an energy-supplying unit invisibly installed, for example, under a worktop, which is controlled by the small device based on user interaction with it, the challenge lies in the fact that no on / off switch can be installed on the invisibly installed unit. Therefore, it is logical to operate the energy-supplying unit in a permanently receptive state or to actively search for placed small devices.However, this leads to a relatively high standby power consumption.

[0040] In existing systems, changes in the characteristics of the energy-receiving mobile device 105 are detected by actively measuring the energy-supplying device located under the worktop or cooktop cover, for example, by sending a ping and analyzing resonant circuit data. According to one embodiment, the change in characteristics is a change in impedance. However, this requires an active measuring device on the energy-supplying device. As a result, standby energy consumption cannot be reduced as much as would be desirable.

[0041] Under normal operating conditions, energy is essentially transferred from a power-supplying, permanently installed device connected to the mains to the inductively powered small device without a wired power supply. Deviating from this, only minimal energy transfer in both directions is possible through bidirectional communication, for example via NFC.

[0042] According to some embodiments described in Figure 1, the direction of the net energy flow is briefly reversed to wake the built-in device from standby mode. The small device thus sends energy to the built-in device for a short period. This energy is essentially used only to at least partially wake the built-in device from standby mode or to put it into a less deep standby mode. This enables the built-in device to detect the presence of a small device and / or establish a connection with the small device, or to initialize the power supply to the small device, using known methods and either the power supply from the mains connection or an energy storage device of the built-in device.

[0043] The energy for initialization can come from an energy storage device within the small appliance. It is advantageous if the energy is generated at the moment of switching on through energy harvesting, for example, by providing energy from the movement of the switch.

[0044] For the transfer of energy to wake up the built-in device, at least some of the same components, for example the same coils, can be used as are used in normal operation for energy transfer from the built-in device to the mobile device 105 or for communication between the two devices.

[0045] The energy transferred from the portable small device to the permanently installed device can be used, for example, to actuate a switching element that ensures that certain computing units or electronic elements are supplied with power and that a voltage is present at certain inputs of electronic elements.

[0046] In principle, it would of course be possible to use the energy provided by the small device to briefly power other functions of the built-in unit, such as communication or displays. However, this is unnecessary because the permanently installed component has its own powerful power supply.

[0047] While inductive power transfer is suitable for the initial power transfer from the small appliance to the induction unit 110, other approaches for wirelessly switching current within the built-in appliance are also possible, provided they are not directly based on power transfer. One example would be a static magnetic field generated by the small appliance, which actuates a magnetic field-sensitive switch within the built-in appliance, thus activating the appliance's detection or communication unit. Extremely low standby power consumption is also achievable for wireless power supply devices without a user-accessible switching element, for example, by installing the device under the worktop.

[0048] Typically, a hidden-case AI transmitter has no on / off switch. Operation is via the small device or mobile device 105. The small device is usually powered by the permanently mounted transmitter. However, this means the transmitter must remain constantly powered on to search for small devices to which it can supply energy. Therefore, standby power consumption cannot be arbitrarily reduced. Mechanically activated energy harvesting is not possible due to the installation constraints.

[0049] To wake up the system, according to one embodiment, the energy flow is reversed, and the small device wakes up the built-in device by wirelessly supplying energy. This can be achieved, for example, through inductive energy transfer from coil to coil, or by moving a magnetic field in conjunction with the small device, energy is induced in the built-in device. The induced energy is then used, for example, to activate a power supply for a pairing process. It is not necessary to power the entire process, as a power connection is already available. It is sufficient, for example, to activate a switch for the power supply. The energy at the small device can be drawn from an energy storage device or generated by energy harvesting. According to one embodiment, a piezoelectric element is arranged in the switch, which generates a current flow through the coil.According to an alternative embodiment, a permanent magnet is arranged in the small device and opens a switch in the built-in device by means of a magnetic field, thereby activating it.

[0050] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 200 for operating a mobile device. The method 200 comprises a step 201 of activating an output of energy to the induction coil by an external induction unit, in particular wherein the activation occurs in response to user input from a user of the mobile device. According to one embodiment, in the activation step 201, user input is detected via the signaling unit, whereupon energy is transferred from the energy storage device to the induction unit.

[0051] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 300 for operating an induction unit. The method 300 performs a step 301 of receiving energy output by the signaling unit of a mobile device. Responding to step 301 of receiving, step 303 of activating an inductive output of energy by the induction unit to the mobile device is executed, using energy provided by the receiving unit for activation. According to one embodiment, step 303 of activation switches on the induction unit and operates the induction coil.

[0052] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 400 for operating an energy transmission system. The method includes a step 401 of inductively outputting energy through the signaling unit, and a

[0053] Step 403 of the delivery of energy by the induction unit to the induction coil, using the energy received from the signaling unit, is completed.

[0054] Figure 5 shows another flowchart of an embodiment of a method 500 for operating an energy transfer system. The method 500 comprises a step 501 of actuating the signaling unit of the mobile device. Furthermore, the method 500 comprises a step 503 of energy harvesting by the energy storage device. In response to step 503, a step 505 of energy transfer from the mobile device to the induction unit is executed. According to one embodiment, step 505 of energy transfer corresponds to step 301 of receiving described in Figure 3. The method 500 also comprises a step 507 of activating the power supply of an electronic unit for pairing in the induction unit. According to one embodiment, step 507 of activation corresponds to step 303 of activation described in Figure 3.Step 509 of pairing and commissioning the energy transmission system by supplying energy to the induction unit is executed in response to step 507 of activating the energy supply. According to one embodiment, step 509 of pairing and commissioning corresponds to step 403 of supplying power.

[0055] Energy. According to the embodiment of the method 500 described in Figure 5, the signaling unit is designed as a switch, the mobile device as a small device, and the induction unit as a built-in device.

[0056] According to one embodiment, steps 201; 301; 303; 401; 403; 501; 503; 505; 507; 509 of the methods 200; 300; 400; 500 described in Figures 2 to 5 are executed or controlled by one or more control units in corresponding units.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Induction unit (110) with a receiving unit (130) for receiving a signal from the A signaling unit (120) of a mobile device (105) outputs energy, wherein the mobile device (105) has the following features: at least one induction coil (142) for receiving and outputting energy; a signaling unit (120) configured to activate an external induction unit (110) to output energy to the induction coil (142); wherein the mobile device (105) is configured to transmit energy to the external induction unit (110); characterized in that the induction unit has an activation unit (135) for activating an inductive output of energy by the induction unit (110) to the Mobile device (105), wherein the activation unit (135) is configured to use energy supplied by the receiving unit (130) for its operation.

2. Energy transmission system (100) comprising a mobile device (105) and an induction unit (110) according to the preceding claim.

3. Induction unit (110) and / or energy transfer system (100) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the mobile device (105) further comprises an energy storage device (115) which includes the induction coil (142) for charging the energy storage device (115).

4. Induction unit (110) and / or energy transfer system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the signaling unit (120) is configured as a user interface unit to activate, in response to user input, a transfer of energy from the energy storage device (115) to an external induction unit (110), wherein, for activation, energy is transferred to the external induction unit (110). is taken from the energy storage device (115) or generated by user input 5. Induction unit (110) and / or energy transmission system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the user interface unit is configured to transmit the transmission of energy to the external induction unit (110) via the induction coil (142) and / or wherein the user interface unit is configured to transmit energy to the external induction unit (110) via a communication coil independent of the induction coil (142).

6. Induction unit (110) and / or energy transfer system (100) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the user interface unit is configured to activate the transfer of energy in response to manual user input.

7. Induction unit (110) and / or energy transmission system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signaling unit (120) is configured to output a static magnetic field, in particular wherein the signaling unit (120) is configured as a permanent magnet or as a coil connected to the energy storage device (115).

8. Induction unit (110) and / or energy transfer system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the activation unit (135) is configured to detect the presence of the induction coil (142) of the mobile device (105) in the area of ​​a charging coil (145) and, in response, to initiate an inductive energy transfer from the charging coil (145) to the induction coil (142).

9. Method (300) for operating an induction unit (110) according to one of claims 1 or 3 to 8, wherein the method (300) comprises the following steps: Receiving (301) energy emitted by the signaling unit (120) of a mobile device (105) according to claims 1 to 7; and Activating (303) an inductive output of energy by the induction unit (110) to the mobile device (105), using energy provided by the receiving unit (130) for activation.

10. Method (400) for operating an energy transmission system (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: Inductive (401) output of energy through the signaling unit (120); and Output (403) of energy through the induction unit (110) to the induction coil (142), using the energy received from the signaling unit (120).

11. Method (400) for operating an induction unit (110) according to claim 9 or for operating an energy transmission system (100) according to claim 10, wherein the method (200) comprises the following step: activating (201) an output of energy to the induction coil (142) by an external induction unit (110), in particular wherein the activation is responsive to a user input from a user of the mobile device (105).

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