FR3142131A1 - DEVICE COMPRISING A PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE CARRIER OF AN ELECTRIC CHARGING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wireless electric charging device (10) for a vehicle, such as an induction charger, the device (10) placed on the ground being able to be under an electric vehicle so as to electrically recharge the vehicle's batteries, the device comprising a supporting structure to which an induction circuit and a battery are attached, the supporting structure being able to resist potential damage generated by said vehicle. The device (10) further comprises a means of locomotion making it possible to move the device. Figure 1

Description

DEVICE COMPRISING A PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE AND CARRYING AN ELECTRIC CHARGING MEANS FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

The invention relates to a device for wireless electric charging of electric vehicle batteries.

Inductive charging of an electric vehicle is done by transferring energy from a device's charger to the electric vehicle which has a secondary inductive circuit, an AC/DC converter and a connection to the vehicle's battery.

Induction devices fixed to the ground above which an electric vehicle is placed are known from the prior art. These devices placed in collective car parks have the disadvantage of giving a specific parking space the role of a charging space and therefore of mobilizing this space. The driver of an electric vehicle must therefore wait for said space to become free, then position his electric vehicle in the exact location provided for this purpose and finally take his electric vehicle back as soon as the charging is finished so as to free said space for other users who are waiting.

The objective of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by providing a mobile charging device that moves under electric vehicles requiring charging, the device being designed to withstand a vehicle driving over it.

To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a wireless electric charging device for a vehicle, such as an induction charger, the device being able to be placed under an electric vehicle so as to electrically recharge via a secondary inductive circuit at least one battery of the electric vehicle.

The device comprises a supporting structure to which an induction charger is attached, the supporting structure being able to withstand potential damage caused by said electric vehicle or any other vehicle.

Advantageously, the device comprises a means of locomotion with wheels or tracks allowing the entire device to be moved on the ground under the electric vehicle to be charged, the supporting structure forming a protective shell for the means of locomotion.

In addition, the means of locomotion is integral with the supporting structure so that the entire device can be moved.

Thanks to the means of locomotion, the device can be moved, or move autonomously, from one electric vehicle to another without taking up parking space and without wasting time between users.

The device is further provided with a means for lifting the supporting structure, said lifting means being able to raise the supporting structure along a substantially vertical axis perpendicular to the substantially horizontal ground. The structure can be moved between a raised position in which the device can move by means of locomotion and a lowered position in which the device cannot move.

More specifically, in the lowered position of the supporting structure, the means of locomotion is immobilized, the supporting structure resting on the ground preventing the device from moving, and in the raised position, the supporting structure is distant from the ground, the means of locomotion being released.

In another configuration, in the lowered position, the structure is close to the ground, without touching it, but, on the other hand, it rests on the means of locomotion and thus prevents it from moving.

The device is further provided with a lift allowing the induction charger to be moved along the vertical axis perpendicular to the ground between a stowed position and a high position so that, when the device is under the electric vehicle, the charger can be raised and brought closer to the secondary inductive circuit connected to the battery to be charged.

Preferably, the device is further provided with a position sensor arranged so that the charger in the high position is placed close to the secondary inductive circuit of the vehicle without coming into contact with it.

Preferably, when the charger is in the stowed position, it is housed in a housing in the structure so that it is protected from possible impacts.

• une étape de mise en un état mobile du dispositif dans lequel la structure porteuse est en position levée et le chargeur en position rangée ;
• une étape de déplacement du dispositif sous le véhicule électrique à charger,
• une étape d’immobilisation du dispositif une fois en position sous le véhicule électrique à charger en abaissant la structure porteuse en position baissée ;
• une étape de préparation du dispositif à un état opérationnel en élevant le chargeur en position haute de sorte à l’approcher de la batterie du véhicule électrique ;
• une étape d’activation de la charge de la batterie du véhicule électrique.

The invention also relates to a method of charging an electric vehicle using the device, the method comprising the following steps:

• a step of placing the device in a mobile state in which the supporting structure is in the raised position and the charger in the stowed position;
• a step of moving the device under the electric vehicle to be charged,
• a step of immobilizing the device once in position under the electric vehicle to be charged by lowering the supporting structure into the lowered position;
• a step of preparing the device to an operational state by raising the charger to a high position so as to approach it to the battery of the electric vehicle;
• a step of activating the charging of the electric vehicle battery.

• une étape de déplacement du dispositif à distance du véhicule électrique chargé.

The method further comprises the following steps when the charging of the electric vehicle battery is complete:

• a step of moving the device away from the charged electric vehicle.

• illustre schématiquement en vue de dessus le dispositif de charge de l’invention pouvant se déplacer d’un véhicule électrique à l’autre ;
• illustre schématiquement en vue de profil le dispositif objet de l’invention en état mobile ;
• illustre schématiquement en vue de profil le dispositif objet de l’invention en état repos ;
• illustre schématiquement en vue de profil le dispositif objet de l’invention en état opérationnel ;
• illustre schématiquement en vue de profil le dispositif objet de l’invention sous un véhicule électrique avant qu’il ne commence la charge ;
• illustre schématiquement en vue de profil le dispositif objet de l’invention en état opérationnel de charge.
• illustre schématiquement en vue de dessus le dispositif objet de l’invention.
• illustre le procédé d’utilisation du dispositif de charge.

The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which:

• schematically illustrates in top view the charging device of the invention which can move from one electric vehicle to another;
• schematically illustrates in profile view the device which is the subject of the invention in mobile state;
• schematically illustrates in profile view the device which is the subject of the invention in the rest state;
• schematically illustrates in profile view the device which is the subject of the invention in operational condition;
• schematically illustrates in profile view the device object of the invention under an electric vehicle before it begins charging;
• schematically illustrates in profile view the device which is the subject of the invention in operational charging state.
• schematically illustrates in top view the device which is the subject of the invention.
• illustrates the method of using the charging device.

It is illustrated schematically on the two electric vehicles V1 and V2 side by side. The object of the invention is a device 10 for electric charging by induction, therefore without a connection wire with the electric vehicle. The device 10 can be placed under a first electric vehicle, V1 in the , to recharge it, then once charging is complete, the device moves following the arrows, or along another route, under a second electric vehicle, V2 on the . So there is no need to reserve a specific place for charging electric vehicles and there is also no need to wait for the driver of the charged electric vehicle to return and move his electric vehicle.

Like a turtle that can rest in its shell and then stick its head and legs out to move, the device 10 has a supporting and protective structure 20 protecting the components from shocks, damage and crushing that may be caused, for example, by a vehicle driving over the device 10.

The device 10 comprises, in addition to the supporting structure 20, an induction charger 30, a power supply battery 40 for said charger, a means of locomotion 50, a means of lifting 60 of the structure (not shown), a lift 70 of the charger 30, and a position sensor 80.

For use in a smaller parking lot, a remote-controlled device could also be made without a battery supplying the charger 30, the charger being permanently connected to the mains by a long electric cable connected to the electrical network. An automatic reel would act to properly store the cable. This remote-controlled device can eliminate the need to install a charging base for the robot.

In all of the figures, the means of locomotion 50 is schematized by four wheels. A tracked system, or even an air cushion or any other known means such as robotic legs, could also be used for the same purpose. Furthermore, the means of locomotion 50 is directional so that the device can maneuver, change direction and move from one electric vehicle to another. The means of locomotion can also be motorized so that the device 10 can move autonomously between the vehicles.

Similarly, the elevator 70 of the loader is shown as being a pantograph elevator. It could just as well be one or more vertical pistons, a crank-rod system or an air cushion. Similarly, the lifting means 60 of the structure, which is not shown diagrammatically in the figures, can also be of any known technology, vertical pistons, air cushions, pantograph, levers, crank-rod, etc.

The device 10 is of low height, capable of engaging under a car without touching it. When the lifting means 60 of the structure is actuated, the device is in the mobile state EM. The structure 20 is then raised, in a raised position SL, above the ground S by only a few centimeters so that the means of locomotion 50 can operate and move the device 10.

When the device 10 is at rest, , the structure 20 is lowered into contact with the ground S. The device is then stationary. In order to protect the components of the device 10, like a "Berlin cushion", the structure 20 has rounded or beveled edges, so that a vehicle can drive over it at relatively low speed (less than 30 km/h) without suffering any impact as if the vehicle were to hit a sidewalk or a straight step of the same height as the device. In this stationary position, the structure rests on the ground. It can also be thought that the structure, before touching the ground S, rests on the wheels and brakes them so as to prevent any movement of the device 10.

When the device 10 must move, the structure 20 rises a few centimeters to the raised position SL, freeing the means of locomotion 50. illustrates this EM mobile state in which the device moves in the direction of an X axis on a substantially horizontal ground.

There schematizes an operational state EO of the device 10, a state in which the device is stationary, the structure 20 resting on the ground in the lowered position SB, or on the wheels, and in which, thanks to the elevator 70, the induction charger 30 is raised to the high position CH in the direction of an axis Z, substantially vertical, to be approached to the secondary inductive circuit to charge the battery. A sensor 80 informs of the relative position of the charger 30 and the secondary inductive circuit of the electric vehicle so as to stop the ascent of the charger at an optimal position. The sensor 80 can be of any known sensor technology: contact sensor, contactless sensor, proximity sensor, etc.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the device 10 under a vehicle, first ( ) in mobile state EM, the device has just arrived under the vehicle, the structure 20 is raised to the raised position SL and the charger is lowered to a stowed position CR. Then ( ), the device 10 is in operational state EO, the device is stationary, the structure 20 is lowered to a lowered position SB and the charger 30 is raised to a high position CH approached the vehicle battery.

There illustrates, in a top view, the device 10 of a generally substantially square shape, with rounded corners and edges. As presented previously, all the edges of the structure are beveled or rounded so as to avoid, or at least minimize, damage caused to a vehicle which would roll over the device 10. The structure 20 is also designed to withstand such an impact, and therefore protect the loader, the means of locomotion and other lifting means.

The device may have other general shapes such as a square. The device may, for example, be round, oval, rectangular.

A method 100 of using the device 10 is now described and schematically represented in . The device is ready for use, its power supply battery 40 is charged. The device 10 is at rest, the structure 20 is in the lowered position SB and the charger is also lowered in the stowed position CR.

• une étape 110 de mise en un état mobile EM du dispositif 10. Dans cet état mobile EM la structure porteuse 20 est en position levée SL et le chargeur 30 en position rangée CR. Cette étape initiale a lieu lorsque le dispositif 10 est informé qu’un véhicule électrique V1 qui a besoin d’être rechargé s’est présenté ;
• une étape de déplacement 120 du dispositif 10 sous le véhicule électrique V1 à charger,
• une étape d’immobilisation 130 du dispositif 10 une fois en position sous le véhicule électrique à charger. Cette immobilisation est réalisée en abaissant la structure porteuse 20 en position baissée SB ;
• une étape de préparation 140 du dispositif 10 à un état opérationnel EO. Cet état opérationnel EO est atteint en élevant le chargeur 30 en position haute CH de sorte à l’approcher du circuit inductif secondaire de la batterie du véhicule électrique V1 ;
• une étape d’activation de la charge 150 de la batterie du véhicule électrique.

The method 100 comprises the following steps:

• a step 110 of placing the device 10 in a mobile state EM. In this mobile state EM, the supporting structure 20 is in the raised position SL and the charger 30 in the stowed position CR. This initial step takes place when the device 10 is informed that an electric vehicle V1 that needs to be recharged has arrived;
• a step of moving 120 the device 10 under the electric vehicle V1 to be charged,
• a step 130 of immobilizing the device 10 once in position under the electric vehicle to be charged. This immobilization is carried out by lowering the supporting structure 20 into the lowered position SB;
• a step 140 of preparing the device 10 to an operational state EO. This operational state EO is reached by raising the charger 30 to the high position CH so as to approach it to the secondary inductive circuit of the battery of the electric vehicle V1;
• a step of activating the charge 150 of the electric vehicle battery.

• une étape de déplacement 160 du dispositif 10 à distance du véhicule électrique V1 chargé.

The method further comprises the following step performed once the electric recharging of the vehicle V1 is complete:

• a step 160 of moving the device 10 away from the charged electric vehicle V1.

References used

10 charging device

20 supporting structure

30 induction charger

40 power battery

50 means of locomotion

60 means of lifting the structure

70 elevator

80 position sensor

100 process

110 step of putting into a mobile state

120 moving step

130 immobilization step

140 preparation step

150 Load Activation Step

160 moving step

X Horizontal axis of movement of the device

Z Vertical axis

SL Raised position of the structure

SB Lowered structure position

CR Stored position of the charger

CH High charger position

EO Operational Status

EM Mobile State

V1 electric vehicle 1

V2 electric vehicle 2

Claims (9)

Wireless electric charging device (10) for a vehicle, such as an induction charger, the device (10) being able to be placed under an electric vehicle so as to electrically recharge via a secondary inductive circuit at least one battery of the electric vehicle, the device (10) comprising a supporting structure (20) to which an induction charger (30) is fixed, the supporting structure (20) being able to withstand potential damage caused by said electric vehicle or any other vehicle, characterized in that the device (10) comprises a means of locomotion (50) with wheels or tracks making it possible to move the entire device (10) on the ground under the electric vehicle to be charged, the supporting structure (20) forming a protective shell of the means of locomotion (50). Device (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that the means of locomotion (50) is integral with the supporting structure (20) so as to be able to move the entire device (10). Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the device is further provided with a means (60) for lifting the supporting structure (20), said lifting means (60) being able to raise the supporting structure (20), along a substantially vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the substantially horizontal ground, between a raised position (SL) in which the device (10) can move using the means of locomotion and a lowered position (SB) in which the device (10) cannot move. Device (10) according to claim 3 characterized in that in the lowered position (SB) of the supporting structure (20) the means of locomotion is immobilized and that in the raised position (SL) the supporting structure (20) is distant from the ground and the means of locomotion being released. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (10) is further provided with a lift (70) making it possible to move the induction charger (30) along the vertical axis (Z) perpendicular to the ground, between a stored position (CR) and a high position (CH) so that, when the device (10) is under the electric vehicle, the charger (30) can be raised and brought closer to the secondary inductive circuit connected to the battery to be charged. Device (10) according to claim 5 characterized in that the device is further provided with a position sensor (80) arranged so that the charger (30) in the high position (HC) is placed close to the secondary inductive circuit of the vehicle without coming into contact with it. Device (10) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that when the charger (30) is in the stored position (CR), it is housed in a housing in the structure so that it is protected from possible impacts. A method (100) of charging an electric vehicle using a device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the following steps:
- a step (110) of placing the device (10) in a mobile state (EM);
- a step of moving (120) the device (10) under the electric vehicle to be charged;
- a step of immobilizing (130) the device (10) once in position under the electric vehicle to be charged;
- a step of preparing (140) the device (10) to an operational state (EO);
- a step of activating the charge (150) of the battery of the electric vehicle. The method (100) of claim 8, the method further comprising the following step when charging of the battery of the electric vehicle is complete:
- a step of moving (160) the device (10) away from the charged electric vehicle.