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

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. (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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0016] The FIGURE shows a schematic representation of a charging system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] The invention relates to a motor vehicle 10 with an energy store 12, preferably an electrical energy storage device which is, for example, made up of lithium ion cells. For charging of the energy store 12 an inductive charging station 14 is used, which has an energy transmission unit 16 arranged, for example, on the floor of a parking place equipped with an inductive charging station 14. During charging of the energy store 12, a transmission of energy between the energy transmission unit 16 and the energy store 12 takes place which is illustrated by an arrow in the single drawing. In this case, an energy receiving unit (not shown in the single drawing) belonging to the motor vehicle 10 serves as a counterpart to the energy transmission unit 16.

[0018] A motor vehicle driver 18, or a region of the motor vehicle 10 from which visual contact is usually established with the surroundings of the motor vehicle 10, is likewise illustrated. Thus, the motor vehicle driver 18 is only representative of a region of the motor vehicle 10.

[0019] For preparing for and/or carrying out charging of the energy store 12 a communication channel 22 is set up between the inductive charging station 14 and the motor vehicle 10. This communication channel 22 can preferably be based on a wireless connection, in particular WLAN, Bluetooth or the like. After the communication channel 22 is set up, the inductive charging station 14 provides a light signal 24 which serves for signaling the readiness for charging of the energy store 12 of the motor vehicle 10.

[0020] The light signal 24 can preferably be provided by means of the energy transmission unit 16, which is arranged, for example, as a charging plate on an accessible surface. Alternatively or in addition, the light signal 24 can be provided by the inductive charging station 14 as a whole. Thus, for example, further elements of the inductive charging station 14, such as for example a component of the inductive charging station 14 mounted on a wall or a column, can provide the light signal 24. This may also involve boundary elements of a parking place for a motor vehicle 10 for charging of the energy accumulator 12.

[0021] For an exemplary charging operation of the inductive, i.e., wireless charging, the vehicle should be positioned over the charging plate. However, before the positioning starts, the charging plate should preferably “welcome” the vehicle or the driver with a light signal and thus should confirm that it is ready for the charging operation.

[0022] Illumination of the charging plate may be coupled to the setting up of the wireless connection between the vehicle and the charging plate. In other words, as soon as the wireless connection between the vehicle and the charging plate is set up automatically, i.e., without any action by the motor vehicle driver 18, the charging plate can start to light up. Such a function may say “Welcome Home.”

[0023] The exemplary embodiment serves merely for explanation of the invention and does not limit the invention. Thus, naturally, functions, in particular the form of the communication channel 22 or the form of the light signal 24, can be configured in any way without departing from the idea underlying the invention. Thus overall it has been shown how an illuminated greeting “Welcome Home” can be implemented by charging stations with induction charging.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0024] 10 motor vehicle [0025] 12 energy store [0026] 14 inductive charging station [0027] 16 energy transmission unit [0028] 18 motor vehicle driver [0029] 20 charging system [0030] 22 communication channel [0031] 24 light signal