Inductive charging device and control method

• US 9,425,639 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2012
• Issued: 08/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Osswald, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): DO, THUAN V
• Application Number:
  US13/535,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20130009594A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,518 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A charging device for a rechargeable energy store which has a first induction coil includes: a coupling surface for positioning the first energy store; a second induction coil for generating a magnetic field in the area of the coupling surface to transfer electrical energy between the first and second induction coils; and a direction control system for bringing an alignment of the field of the second induction coil in line with an alignment of the first induction coil.

Claims

1. A charging device for a rechargeable energy store which has a first induction coil, comprising:

a contact surface for positioning the energy store;

a second induction coil for generating a magnetic field in the area of the contact surface to transmit electrical energy between the first and second induction coils; and

a direction control system for bringing the magnetic field of the second induction coil in alignment with the first induction coil,

wherein the direction control system includes multiple differently aligned subcoils which are configured to generate magnetic subfields, and wherein the magnetic subfields are superimposed to form the magnetic field of the second induction coil in the area of the contact surface.

2. The charging device as recited in claim 1, wherein the direction control system includes:

(i) a pivoting unit for setting an elevation of the second induction coil in relation to the contact surface; and

(ii) a rotating unit for setting an azimuth of the second induction coil in relation to the contact surface.

3. The charging device as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a drive device for moving the second induction coil along the contact surface in such a way that a position of the second induction coil is brought in line with a position of the first induction coil.

4. The charging device as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a control device for controlling the direction control system in such a way that the second induction coil follows a movement of the first induction coil in relation to the contact surface.

5. The charging device as recited in claim 2, wherein the first and second induction coils are configured to transmit energy in any direction.

6. The charging device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second induction coil is mounted on a first carrier which is movable in the y direction with respect to a first rail, the first rail is mounted on a second carrier which is movable along a second rail in the x direction such that the second induction coil is configured to move on the x-y plane parallel to the contact surface.

7. The charging device as recited in claim 6, wherein the second induction coil is mounted on the first carrier via at least one alignment element, wherein the at least one alignment element permits the second induction coil to pivot around the y axis and around the x axis.

8. The charging device as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

a control device for controlling the first carrier, the second carrier and the at least one alignment element so that the second induction coil follows a movement of the first induction coil in relation to the contact surface.