Method for Charging an Energy Store in a Motor Vehicle with Readiness Signalling, and Charging System

• US 20170334298A1
• Filed: 11/03/2015
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Baumer, Timo
• Application Number:
  US15/533,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20170334298A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/126 Methods for pairing a vehicle and a charging station, e.g. establishing a one-to-one relation between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/36 by positioning the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A method for charging an energy store in a motor vehicle by inductive energy transmission from an energy transmission unit to the motor vehicle is disclosed. The energy transmission unit can be anchored in a stationary manner on an accessible surface and is part of an inductive charging station. A communication channel is constructed between the inductive charging station and the motor vehicle for the purpose of preparing for and/or carrying out charging of the energy store. The inductive charging station provides a light signal which is to be perceived by a driver of the motor vehicle and which is not transmitted via the communication channel for signaling the readiness for charging the energy store. A charging system is also disclosed.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A method for charging an energy store in a motor vehicle by inductive energy transmission from an energy transmission unit which is anchorable in a stationary manner on an accessible surface and which is part of an inductive charging station to the motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

constructing a communication channel between the inductive charging station and the motor vehicle for preparing for and/or carrying out charging of the energy store; and

transmitting a light signal by the inductive charging station which is perceivable by a driver of the motor vehicle and which is not transmitted via the communication channel, wherein the light signal signals readiness for charging the energy store of the motor vehicle;

wherein the light signal is transmitted at least partially by the energy transmission unit.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the transmitting of the light signal takes place by the energy transmission unit before a final charging position of the motor vehicle is reached.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the transmitting of the light signal takes place after the constructing of the communication channel.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the communication channel is a wireless connection.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the light signal has a time progression which is pulsating and/or is constant at least in some sections.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein numbers, characters, and/or graphical symbols in any combination are visible and/or highlighted by the light signal.

15. A charging system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an energy store of the motor vehicle;

an inductive charging station, wherein the energy store is chargeable by the inductive charging station by inductive energy transmission; and

an energy transmission unit which is anchorable in a stationary manner on an accessible supporting surface and which is a part of the inductive charging station;

wherein a communication channel is constructable between the inductive charging station and the motor vehicle for preparing for and/or carrying out charging of the energy store;

wherein a light signal is transmittable by the inductive charging station which is perceivable by a driver of the motor vehicle and which is not transmitted via the communication channel and wherein the light signal signals readiness for charging the energy store of the motor vehicle;

wherein the light signal is transmittable at least partially by the energy transmission unit.