CONTACTLESS CHARGING DEVICE, CHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTACTLESSLY CHARGING AN ENERGY ACCUMULATOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A contactless charging device for contactlessly charging an energy accumulator of a motor vehicle, wherein the contactless charging device has an interface for coupling the contactless charging device to a power source, wherein the interface is designed for communicative coupling and for wired electrical coupling to a charging station, wherein the charging station is designed for the wired charging of the energy accumulator.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A contactless charging device for contactlessly charging an energy accumulator of a motor vehicle, wherein the contactless charging device comprises: an interface for coupling of the contactless charging device to a power source, wherein the interface is designed for communicative coupling and for wired electrical coupling to a charging station, wherein the charging station is designed for wired charging of the energy accumulator.

12. The contactless charging device according to claim 11, wherein the contactless charging device is designed to be supplied with power by a power source designed as a DC charging station and/or AC charging station.

13. The contactless charging device according to claim 11, wherein the charging device has at least one first converter device, particularly an inverter, which is designed to convert a direct voltage into an alternating voltage with a certain frequency, particularly between 80 kHz and 90 kHz.

14. The contactless charging device according to claim 11, wherein the charging device has at least one second converter device, particularly a rectifier.

15. The contactless charging device according to claim 11, wherein the interface has a socket for coupling to a corresponding plug of the charging station, particularly a combo plug.

16. The contactless charging device according to claim 11, wherein the contactless charging device has an energy-transfer device, an interface device which comprises the interface, and at least one electrical line which connects the interface device to the energy-transfer device.

17. The contactless charging device according to claim 11, wherein the interface device comprises the first converter device and/or a control unit for controlling a communication of the contactless charging device with the charging station and/or with the motor vehicle.

18. The contactless charging device according to claim 11, wherein the energy-transfer device comprises the first converter device and/or a control unit for controlling a communication of the contactless charging device with the charging station and/or with the motor vehicle.

19. A charging system with a contactless charging device according to claim 11, wherein the charging system has a charging station for wired charging of the energy accumulator which can be coupled to a power grid and which is designed to provide a definable starting voltage for supplying power to the contactless charging device.

20. A method for contactlessly charging an energy accumulator of a motor vehicle by a contactless charging device, comprising: an interface for coupling to a power source wherein the interface is electrically and communicatively coupled to a charging station, which is designed for wired charging of the energy accumulator, and the contactless charging device charges the energy accumulator contactlessly, at least partially, by the power provided by the charging station on the contactless charging device via the interface.

21. The contactless charging device according to claim 12, wherein the charging device has at least one first converter device, particularly an inverter, which is designed to convert a direct voltage into an alternating voltage with a certain frequency, particularly between 80 kHz and 90 kHz.

22. The contactless charging device according to claim 12, wherein the charging device has at least one second converter device, particularly a rectifier.

23. The contactless charging device according to claim 13, wherein the charging device has at least one second converter device, particularly a rectifier.

24. The contactless charging device according to claim 12, wherein the interface has a socket for coupling to a corresponding plug of the charging station, particularly a combo plug.

25. The contactless charging device according to claim 13, wherein the interface has a socket for coupling to a corresponding plug of the charging station, particularly a combo plug.

26. The contactless charging device according to claim 14, wherein the interface has a socket for coupling to a corresponding plug of the charging station, particularly a combo plug.

27. The contactless charging device according to claim 12, wherein the contactless charging device has an energy-transfer device, an interface device which comprises the interface, and at least one electrical line which connects the interface device to the energy-transfer device.

28. The contactless charging device according to claim 13, wherein the contactless charging device has an energy-transfer device, an interface device which comprises the interface, and at least one electrical line which connects the interface device to the energy-transfer device.

29. The contactless charging device according to claim 14, wherein the contactless charging device has an energy-transfer device, an interface device which comprises the interface, and at least one electrical line which connects the interface device to the energy-transfer device.

30. The contactless charging device according to claim 15, wherein the contactless charging device has an energy-transfer device, an interface device which comprises the interface, and at least one electrical line which connects the interface device to the energy-transfer device.

Description

[0015] The invention and its embodiments hereby provide many possible design options which, on the one hand, enable especially economical designs and, on the other hand, design options which are specially flexible and adapted to the situation.

[0016] Thus, it is advantageous when the charging device has at least one first converter device, particularly an inverter. Said device is designed to convert a direct voltage into an alternating voltage with a certain frequency, preferably between 80 kHz and 90 kHz, particularly 85 kHz. These frequency ranges are especially advantageous when combined with a contactless charging device designed as an inductive charging device.

[0017] In addition, it is advantageous, particularly when the contactless charging device is also intended to be capable of coupling to an AC charging station, when the charging device has at least one second converter device, particularly a rectifier. This device then enables an especially efficient operation when combined with an AC charging station.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the interface is a socket for coupling to a corresponding plug of the charging station, particularly a combo 2 plug. Alternatively, the interface may also comprise a socket as well as a plug as alternative inputs for supplying power. Typically, wall boxes comprise connection plugs for coupling to a corresponding socket of the motor vehicle. Accordingly, it is advantageous when the contactless charging device comprises precisely such a socket, as well as the motor vehicle. The combo 2 plug standard has become established through Europe. Thus, it is advantageous when the interface of the contactless charging device corresponds to such a standard. However, the interface may also be designed as a plug and/or socket according to a different standard. At least one signal line for communication with the charging station is also preferably integrated into this plug and/or into this socket.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the contactless charging device has an energy-transfer device, an interface device comprising the interface, and at least one electrical line which connects the interface device to the energy-transfer device. The energy-transfer device may be designed, for example, as a base plate. The energy-transfer device furthermore comprises an induction coil in the event that the contactless charging device is designed as an inductive charging device, or at least one capacitor plate in the event that the contactless charging device is designed as a capacitive charging device. If the energy-transfer device is designed, for example, as a base plate, it can be mounted or placed at any point on a supporting surface, for example in a garage. In particular, the contactless charging device may also be designed to be portable or mobile. In other words, the energy-transfer device designed as the base plate does not have to be permanently integrated into a supporting surface, which would also be conceivable, however. Alternatively, the energy-transfer device may also be designed as a wall module or wall plate for attachment to a wall which is situated on a supporting surface.

[0020] It is particularly especially advantageous when the interface device can be arranged separately from the energy-transfer device and is connected thereto via an electrical line. In other words, the interface, i.e. the socket for example, can be arranged at any point for coupling to the charging station, regardless of the arrangement and position of the energy-transfer device. Alternatively, the interface may also be integrated, for example, into the base plate. However, the former variant provides more flexibility.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the interface device comprises the first and/or second converter device and/or a control unit for controlling communication of the contactless charging device with the charging station and/or with the motor vehicle. In other words, the previously described converter devices can also be integrated into the plug interface. The electronics for communication via the standardized interface can also be situated in the interface device.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the energy-transfer device comprises the first and/or second converter device and/or a control unit for controlling communication of the contactless charging device with the charging station and/or with the motor vehicle. In other words, these components, meaning the described converter devices, as well as, in turn, the electronics for communication, may be arranged in the energy-transfer device itself, i.e. in the base plate, for example. The two variants advantageously enable corresponding components of the contactless charging device to either be integrated into the interface device or into the energy-transfer device depending on the installation space available. In turn, this provides an especially high degree of design options and application options. The integration, for example, into a base plate or generally into the energy-transfer device enables an especially compact design. On the other hand, the integration of these components into the interface device enables significantly improved accessibility of these components, for example for repairs.

[0023] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a charging system with a contactless charging device according to the invention or one of its embodiments. In addition, the charging system has a charging station for wired charging of the energy accumulator, which can be coupled to a power grid and which is designed to provide a definable starting voltage for supplying power to the contactless charging device.

[0024] The advantages described for the contactless charging device and its designs apply in a similar manner to the charging system according to the invention. Furthermore, as previously described, the charging station may be designed as a DC charging station or also as an AC charging station, particularly as a DC wall box or AC wall box. Such type of charging system enables a user to have an especially high degree of flexibility as relates to the charging options in an especially economical manner.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for the contactless charging of an energy accumulator of a motor vehicle by means of a contactless charging device, which has an interface for coupling to a power source. The interface in this case is electrically and communicatively coupled to a charging station for wired charging of the energy accumulator. Moreover, the contactless charging device charges the energy accumulator, at least partially, by means of the power provided by means of the charging station on the contactless charging device via the interface.

[0026] The advantages described in reference to the contactless charging device according to the invention and the embodiments thereof apply in a similar manner to the method according to the invention. Moreover, the objective features listed in association with the charging device according to the invention and the embodiments thereof enable the refinement of the method according to the invention through further method steps. The invention also comprises the combinations of the described embodiments.

[0027] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment, as well as the drawing.

[0028] The exemplary embodiments explained in the following refer to preferred embodiments of the invention. With the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another, each of which also further develop the invention independently of one another and thus also are to be considered individually or in a combination that is different than the one shown as a component of the invention. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented through further described features of the invention.

[0029] In this case, the only figure is a schematic representation of a charging system 10 with a contactless charging device 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0030] The charging system 10 further comprises a wall charging station 14, which may be designed, for example, as a DC wall box or as an AC wall box. The contactless charging device 12 furthermore comprises a plug interface, meaning, i.e., an interface device 16 with a suitable interface 16a for coupling to the wall charging station 14, as well as an energy-transfer device 18. The energy-transfer device 18 may be provided in the form of a base plate, as shown here. Furthermore, the energy-transfer device 18 is designed in this example as an inductive energy-transfer device and thus comprises a primary coil 20, to which alternating current can be applied, in order to induce a current, via a resulting alternating magnetic field, into a secondary coil 22 of a motor vehicle 24. Due to the current thusly induced into the motor vehicle 24, an energy accumulator 26, for example an HV battery, of the motor vehicle 24 can be charged.

[0031] The power supply for providing the alternating current for the induction coil 20 of the energy-transfer device 18 in this case is advantageously provided by the wall charging station 14, whereby it is advantageously not necessary to couple the contactless charging device 12 directly to the power grid. The contactless charging device 12 thus ideally has only one inverter 28 with an upstream intermediate circuit. In contrast, electrical components specific to the power grid can be eliminated such as, for example, rectifiers, a power factor correction circuit, contactors, relays, grid filters, excess voltage protective device, etc. These components are already integrated into the charging station 14 and are thus not again required for the contactless charging device 12. Thus, an existing wall charging station 14 can be retrofitted in an especially economical manner by means of an inductive or generally contactless charging option, which is enabled by means of the contactless charging device 12 according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0032] The communicative and electrical coupling between the charging station 14 and the charging device 12 takes place by means of a standardized interface such as, for example, a combo 2 plug-socket combination. In this example, the charging device 12 has an interface 16a designed as a socket, into which a corresponding plug 30 of the charging station 14 can be inserted. The communicative coupling is also simultaneously implemented via this plug-socket combination. The communication in this case may likewise take place by means of a standardized protocol, for example CCS2.

[0033] The charging device 12 in this case can communicate with both the motor vehicle 24, for example via WLAN, and with the charging station 14. The charging process can be controlled, particularly started and ended, and a charge voltage can be specifically requested by the charging station 14 via this communication. In this case, this does not necessarily have to match the battery voltage of the battery 26 of the motor vehicle 24. For example, a charging capacity between 3.6 kW and 11 kW can be provided by means of the charging device 12. For example, if the user wishes to have a greater charging capacity in a situation, the user advantageously has the option of charging the vehicle directly via the charging station 14 by simply plugging in the plug 30 of the charging station 14 for direct coupling to the motor vehicle 24, whereby a charging capacity, for example, of 22 kW or more can then be provided. To this end, the motor vehicle 24 particularly has the same socket 32 as the interface 16a.

[0034] The interface device 16 is furthermore connected to the energy-transfer device 18 via a line 34. Thus, the interface device 16 can hereby be arranged at any point regardless of the energy-transfer device 18, which provides a high degree of flexibility. Alternatively, the interface device 16 could also be integrated into the base plate 18. The inverter 28 can also alternatively be integrated directly into the interface device 16. Furthermore, the charging device 12 also has electronics for communication with the motor vehicle 24 and/or the charging station 14, which can likewise be integrated into the interface device 16 or into the energy-transfer device 18. If the charging device 12, for example, should also be designed for power supply by an AC charging station, the charging device 12 then additionally comprises a rectifier and a power factor correction circuit.

[0035] As a whole, a contactless charging device which provides an expansion to existing charging stations is provided by the invention in an especially efficient and economical manner.