Abstract
The invention relates to a device for generating a magnetic field, in particular for a primary apparatus of an inductive charging system, as well as to a primary apparatus of an inductive charging system for the contactless, inductive power transfer to transport means. With the objective of continually generating a magnetic field along a specific traveling direction, the device is provided with at least one electrical conductor for generating the magnetic field, a supply unit for generating an alternating current for the at least one electrical conductor, and a detection unit for detecting a secondary charging system. This device is characterized by a communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to/from an identical device, wherein the device is designed to control the signal control unit by means of the detection unit and/or by means of the received data, and hence the generation of the magnetic field for inductive power transfer. With respect to the primary apparatus, the latter has a plurality of interconnected devices for generating a magnetic field, wherein the devices have a plurality of electrical conductors for generating a magnetic field. In addition, the arrangement and actuation of electrical conductors of the devices are designed in such a way that a predetermined magnetic field can be generated by a portion of the electrical conductors, and this magnetic field can be displaced by correspondingly actuating the electrical conductors with a static motion.
Claims
1. A device for generating a magnetic field for an inductive charging system, with at least one electrical conductor for generating the magnetic field, a feeder unit for generating an alternating current for the at least one electrical conductor, and a detection unit for detecting a secondary charging system, wherein a communications unit for transmitting and receiving data to/from an identical device, wherein the device is set up to control the supply unit by means of the detection unit and/or by means of the received data, and hence the generation of the magnetic field for inductive power transfer.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is designed to transmit and receive the data in a wireless and/or corded manner, and wherein detection unit is designed to identify the secondary charging system, in particular its kind and type, and generate the mentioned data based on an identified secondary charging system.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is designed to be supplied with a direct current, and wherein the supply unit, in particular with a half or full bridge circuit, is designed to convert the direct current into an alternating current.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is designed to detect and/or identify a secondary charging system by measuring the impedance of the electrical conductor, and by measuring the voltage drop on the electrical conductor and/or a pilot signal received by the electrical conductor.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit has a receiving means, in particular in the form of a detection coil, so as to detect and/or identify a secondary charging system.
6. A primary apparatus of an inductive charging system for the contactless, inductive power transfer to transport means, wherein the primary apparatus can be arranged at a road surface level, with a plurality of devices for generating a magnetic field, the device in particular according to claim 1, wherein the devices are communicatively interconnected and have a plurality of electrical conductors for generating a magnetic field, wherein the arrangement and actuation of the electrical conductors are designed in such a way that a magnetic field can be generated by a least a portion of the electrical conductors, and this magnetic field can be displaced by correspondingly actuating the electrical conductors with a static motion in increments smaller than the expansion of the generatable magnetic field.
7. The primary apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electrical conductors are actuated depending on the position, speed, shape, and type of the secondary charging system detected by at least one device.
8. The primary apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electrical conductors are arranged parallel to each other and transverse to the traveling direction of the road surface level.
9. The primary apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the actuation actuation of electrical conductors is designed in such a way that the electrical conductors are actuated according to a specific pattern, with a specific alternating current and in chronologically determined increments.
10. The primary apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electrical conductors consist of strands, solid conductors, or tubes.
11. The primary apparatus according to claim 6, the reactance of the electrical conductors is compensated for by capacitors integrated into the conductors or the devices and/or by the arrangement of electrical conductors and the resultant impedances.
12. The primary apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the alternating current of the electrical conductors is returned to the device via at least one electrically conductive element arranged below the conductors, in particular in the form of a sheet, a grid and/or a bar.
13. A method for generating a magnetic field, in particular in conjunction with a primary apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Generating at least one alternating current; Supplying a first quantity of electrical conductors with the at least one alternating current in order to generate a magnetic field; Supplying a second quantity of electrical conductors with the at least one alternating current in order to move or displace the magnetic field, wherein the electrical conductors of the second quantity are identical with at least a portion of the electrical conductors of the first quantity or lie or are arranged in their space and/or surface covered by the electrical conductors of the first quantity.
Description
[0040] The following description relates to preferred exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, which are not to be considered as a limitation, but merely as part of the instruction. Let it be emphasized that a combination of features described herein is easily possible, and explicitly part of the disclosure of the present invention.
[0041] Shown on:
[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view in particular of a primary apparatus of an inductive charging system, the primary apparatus as an exemplary embodiment according to the invention;
[0043] FIG. 2a is another perspective view of the primary apparatus on FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a primary apparatus based on another exemplary embodiment according to the invention;
[0045] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the primary apparatus on FIG. 1 with a secondary charging system;
[0046] FIG. 4a is a side view of the primary apparatus on FIG. 3, which is operated in the circular mode;
[0047] FIG. 4b is a side view of the primary apparatus on FIG. 3, which is operated in the transversal mode;
[0048] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a primary apparatus according to the invention operated in the transversal mode, wherein the magnetic field density is indicated on a level parallel to and above the primary apparatus;
[0049] FIG. 5b is a perspective view of a primary apparatus according to the invention operated in the transversal mode, wherein the magnetic field density is indicated on a level perpendicular to and along the road surface level to the primary apparatus;
[0050] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a device for supplying an electrical conductor for generating a magnetic field, the device as part of a primary apparatus according to the invention;
[0051] FIG. 7 is a side view of the primary apparatus operated in the circular mode on FIG. 3, the switching units hooked up to the primary conductors, as well as the voltage/current diagrams for the switching units, primary and secondary conductors;
[0052] FIG. 8 is a side view of the primary apparatus operated in the transversal mode on FIG. 3, the switching units hooked up to the primary conductors, as well as the voltage/current diagrams for the switching units, primary and secondary conductors; and
[0053] FIG. 9 is another side view of the primary apparatus operated in the transversal mode on FIG. 3, the switching units hooked up to the primary conductors (in two different states), as well as the current diagrams for the switching units or primary conductors.
[0054] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a primary apparatus 1 as an exemplary embodiment according to the invention. The primary apparatus 1 has a plurality of electronic switching units 2, which are arranged along the X-axis (the traveling direction) and communicatively interconnected for purposes of data exchange. Data exchange can take place corded or wirelessly, e.g., via radio. Each switching unit 2 is electrically connected with a primary conductor 4, 6, which extend parallel to each other and from the respective switching unit 2 along the Y-axis. The primary conductors 4, 6 can be designed as a strand (English stranded wire), solid conductor and/or tube. In addition, all primary conductors 4, 6 have the same length and the same distance relative to their adjacent primary conductors. On the figure, four primary conductors 6 arranged one next to the other are active, i.e., an alternating current flows through the latter and a magnetic field is generated, while the remaining primary conductors 4 are inactive. Ferrite strips 10 below the primary conductors 4, 6 are arranged parallel to each other and along the X-axis or transverse to the primary conductors 4, 6. Among other things, the ferrite strips 10 are used [among other things] for bundling the magnetic flow of the current carrying conductors in a low-loss manner, conducting it, and/or increasing its inductance. An electrically conductive sheet 8 is arranged below the ferrite strips 10 as a ground and/or feedback conductor. The sheet 8 is tub- or trough-shaped in design, i.e., in this example it has a rectangular, planar floor sheet 8a aligned along the X-axis and two side sheets 8b, 8c arranged on both sides of the floor sheet and perpendicular thereto. The width of the sheet 8, in particular of the floor sheet 8a, corresponds to the length of the primary conductor 4, 6. The respective ends of all primary conductors 4, 6 are electrically connected with the sheet 8 at the upper edge of the left side sheet 8b. While the primary conductors 4, 6, the ferrite strips 10 and the sheet 8 are arranged on the one side of the switching units 2, two DC busbars 14 and 16 are arranged on the opposing side of the switching units 2, and connected with each switching unit 2. The upper DC busbar 14 has an exemplary voltage of +200V, and the lower DC busbar 16 has an exemplary voltage of 200V. Both busbars 14, 16 are electrically powered via a direct current source 12, and extend parallel to each other and on a straight line along the X-axis. In addition, FIG. 1 shows a ferrite plate 18 of a secondary charging system or receiving system (not depicted). Similarly to the ferrite strips 10, this plate is used to bundle the magnetic field or the magnetic flow for the secondary charging system. Arranged below the ferrite plate 18 are the active primary conductors 6, which are activated depending on the position relative to the ferrite plate 10 and/or to the secondary charging system, so as to enable an inductive charging process from the primary side to the secondary side. The primary apparatus 1 is designed to transfer preferably 20 kW of power, wherein the alternating current supplied to the primary conductors 4, 6 can have a frequency of 85 kHz and a current amplitude of +/70 amperes. The primary conductors 6, 7 can have a distance of between 50 and 100 mm, and a length of 1 m. The surface of the ferrite plate preferably measures 500600 mm. FIGS. 2a and 2b each show a perspective view of two different primary apparatuses 1 and 1a, wherein the first apparatus 1 (on FIG. 2a) originates from FIG. 1. The second apparatus 1a (on FIG. 2b) comprises an additional exemplary embodiment according to the invention. It essentially corresponds to the first system 1, but differs significantly in terms of the configuration of primary conductors 4. Instead of straight primary conductors, the second system 1a is equipped with conductor loops 5, which each are electrically connected with a switching unit 2 at one end and with the sheet 8 at the other end. In the example shown, the conductor loop 5 essentially has three straight lines, of which the two feeder lines 4a and 4c are arranged above the ferrite strips 10, and the return line 4b is arranged below the ferrite strips 10. All three lines 4a, 4b, 4c run transverse to the ferrite strips 10. The advantage to the conductor loop 5 is that it can generate a stronger magnetic field above the ferrite strips 10 due to the double feeder lines 4a and 4c.
[0055] FIG. 3 shows an additional perspective view of the primary apparatus on FIG. 1, wherein the ferrite plate 18 of the secondary charging system 17 is depicted in more detail. Ten secondary conductors 20, 22 are exemplarily arranged parallel to each other below the secondary ferrite plate 18. Of those, the four secondary conductors 22 arranged in the middle are active in the transversal mode, and thus ready to receive the magnetic field sent out by the primary apparatus 1 and to transfer power. The remaining six secondary conductors 20 are currently inactive, and not ready for power transfer at the moment, but could be activated for considering the circular mode. Eight adjacent primary conductors 6 are controlled in the primary apparatus 1, and are thus active as a function of the operation in the transversal or circular mode.
[0056] FIGS. 4a and 4b each show a magnetic field emitted or generated by the primary conductors 6a and/or 6b of the primary apparatus 1. The first magnetic field 24 shown on FIG. 4a was formed in the so-called circular mode, and the second magnetic field 26 shown on FIG. 4b in the so-called transversal mode. The ferrite plate 18 is arranged above the respective magnetic fields 24, 26, and bundles the respective magnetic flow. The ferrite strips 10 described above are arranged below the primary conductors 6a, 6b. In order to generate the first magnetic field 24, the two primary conductors 6a arranged on the left are active, the ensuing four primary conductors 4 are inactive, and the two primary conductors 6b arranged on the right are active. A current flows out of the drawing plane for the left active primary conductors 6a, and a current flows into the drawing plane for the right active primary conductors 6b. In order to generate the second magnetic field 26, the two primary conductors 4 arranged on the left are inactive, the ensuing four primary conductors 6a are active, and the two primary conductors 4 arranged on the right are inactive. A current here flows out of the drawing plane for the active primary conductors 6a. Let it be noted that the active primary conductors 6a, 6b are supplied with an alternating current. The figures hence show snapshots of when the alternating current has a specific phase and amplitude. After half an oscillation period, the current directions in the primary conductors point in the opposite direction, and the magnetic field 24, 26 has also turned around.
[0057] FIG. 5a shows a perspective view of a primary apparatus 1 according to the invention operated in the transversal mode, wherein the density of the magnetic field 26 is indicated on a level parallel to and above the primary apparatus. Also arranged is the ferrite plate 18, which influences the magnetic field 26 accordingly. The magnetic field 26 is characterized by two parallel arranged, longitudinally extending magnetic field centers.
[0058] FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of a primary apparatus 1 according to the invention operated in the transversal mode, wherein the density of the magnetic field 26 is indicated on a level perpendicular to and along the road surface level to the primary apparatus. Also arranged is the ferrite plate 18, which as readily evident, influences the magnetic field 26 accordingly or limits its expansion up to the plate 18.
[0059] FIG. 6 shows a circuit diagram of a device 3 for supplying an electrical conductor 4, 6 with an alternating current for generating a magnetic field, the device 3 as part of a primary apparatus 1, 1a according to the invention. The device 3 comprises the switching unit 2, the primary conductor 4, 6, and optionally at least in part the ground bar 8, which were all already described on FIG. 1. The switching unit 2 is connected with the DC busbars 14 and 16, and is exemplarily supplied by the latter with a DC voltage of +/200V. In detail, the switching unit 2 has a control circuit 28 with integrated communication unit and detection unit, a supply unit or inverter 30, and a compensation capacitor 36 for the primary conductor 4, 6. The supply unit 30 has two controlled switches 31a and 31b, which each are electrically connected with a DC busbar 14, 16. The two switches 31a, 31b are controlled by the control circuit 28, and alternatingly switch a DC voltage with a positive voltage and a DC voltage with a negative voltage from the busbars 14, 16 to the active primary conductor 6. If the primary conductor is inactive, both switches 31a, 31b are open, and no current flows into the primary conductor 4. The control circuit 28 is further designed in such a way that a wireless and/or corded communication connection 35 can be built up with another electronic device, in particular with an adjacently arranged switching unit 2. The control circuit 28 is likewise configured in such a way that the current flow Ip and supply voltage Up of the primary conductor 4, 6 can be measured via a measuring (signal) input 32. The compensation capacitor 36 compensates for the stray induction of the primary conductor 4, 6, and allows the primary conductor 4, 6 to be operated in resonance. Shown on the side of the secondary charging system 17 is the secondary conductor 20, 22, which has been/is magnetically coupled with the primary conductor 4, 6 by means of a magnetic field (e.g., in the circular mode or transversal mode). A voltage is hereby induced, which is used to charge the vehicle containing the secondary charging system 17.
[0060] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the primary apparatus 1 operated in the circular mode on FIG. 3, the switching units 2 hooked up to the primary conductors 6a, 6b, as well as the voltage/current diagrams for the switching units, primary and secondary conductors. The arrangement and current circuitry of the active primary conductors 6a and 6b for generating the magnetic field 24 were already discussed on FIG. 4a. As also shown, each primary conductor 4, 6a, 6b is electrically connected with a separate switching unit 2 (numbered 1 to 8). The four signal diagrams arranged on the right show the voltage of the inverter, the current of the inverters numbered 1 and 2, the current of the inverters numbered 7 and 8, and the current received on the secondary side. The current of the inverters 1 and 2 and the current of the inverters 7 and 8 are identical in amplitude and frequency, but have a mutual phase shift of 180 degrees or 7C in the operating mode depicted.
[0061] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the primary apparatus 1 operated in the transversal mode on FIG. 3, the switching units 2 hooked up to the primary conductors 6a, as well as the voltage/current diagrams for the switching units, primary and secondary conductors. The arrangement and current circuitry of the active primary conductors 6a for generating the magnetic field 24 were already discussed on FIG. 4b. As also shown, each primary conductor 4, 6a is electrically connected with a separate switching unit 2 (numbered 1 to 8). The four signal diagrams arranged on the right show the voltage of the inverter or supply units, the current of the inverters or supply units numbered 3 and 4, the current of the inverters or supply units numbered 5 and 6, and the current received on the secondary side. The current of the inverters 3 and 4 and the current of the inverters 5 and 6 are identical, in particular in terms of phase, amplitude and frequency.
[0062] FIG. 9 shows another side view of the primary apparatus 1 operated in the transversal mode on FIG. 3, the switching units 2 hooked up to the primary conductors 4 and 6a (in two different states, 1.sup.st and 2.sup.nd), as well as the current diagrams Ip3 to Ip7 of the switching units 2 numbered 3 to 7 or the primary conductors. The alternating currents shown in the current diagrams are identical in phase, amplitude, and frequency, and were depicted over a time of 1.5 ms to 2.5 ms. In the time up to 2.0 ms (1.sup.st state), the switching units 2 numbered 3 to 6 generate the currents Ip3 to Ip6, and hence the depicted magnetic field 26 via the primary conductors. Starting at 2.0 ms, the inverter of switching unit number 7 starts to supply the primary conductor 4 with the same alternating current. At the same time, the inverter of switching unit number 3 is deactivated, wherein the alternating current Ip3 decays to zero amperes after a short time (approx. 0.5 ms decay time). The time between 2.0 ms and 2.1 ms is regarded as a transition period, in which the current Ip3 rises and the current Ip7 decays. Starting at 2.1 ms (2.sup.nd state), the switching units numbered 4 to 7 and the corresponding primary conductors 6a are now active, and the magnetic field 26 has shifted by an increment. These steps can always be continued from one switching unit to the next adjacent switching unit. The same holds true for the arrangement and wiring of the primary conductor for a magnetic field in the circular mode.
REFERENCE LIST
[0063] 1 Charging system, primary part/primary apparatus [0064] 1a Charging system, primary part/primary apparatus (as an additional exemplary embodiment) [0065] 2 Electronic switching unit [0066] 3 Device for generating a magnetic field [0067] 4 Electrical primary conductorinactive [0068] 4a First feeder line (of the conductor loop) [0069] 4b Return line (of the conductor loop) [0070] 4c Second feeder line (of the conductor loop) [0071] 5 Conductor loop [0072] 6 Primary electrical conductoractive [0073] 6a Primary electrical conductor (current flows out of the drawing plane) [0074] 6b Primary electrical conductor (current flows into the drawing plane) [0075] 8 Electrically conductive sheet/ground/ground bar [0076] 8a Floor sheet [0077] 8b Side sheet [0078] 8c Side sheet [0079] 10 Ferrite strip [0080] 12 Direct current source [0081] 14 Positive DC busbar [0082] 16 Negative DC busbar [0083] 17 Charging system, secondary part/secondary apparatus [0084] 18 Ferrite plate (of the secondary part of the charging system or the secondary coil) [0085] 20 Secondary electrical conductorinactive [0086] 22 Secondary electrical conductoractive [0087] 24 Magnetic fieldcircular mode [0088] 26 Magnetic fieldtransversal mode [0089] 28 Control circuit (with communication and detection unit) [0090] 30 Supply unit (inverter) [0091] 31a First controlled switch [0092] 31b Second controlled switch [0093] 32 Measuring signal input [0094] 34 Communication connection [0095] 36 Compensation capacitor (for primary conductor)
