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DE-102024132593-A1 - Charging device for wirelessly charging a mobile device in a motor vehicle

DE102024132593A1DE 102024132593 A1DE102024132593 A1DE 102024132593A1DE-102024132593-A1

Abstract

A charging device (10) for wirelessly charging a mobile device (12) is provided, comprising a platform (16) for placing the device (12), a sensor element (18) for detecting the device (12) placed on the platform (16), and at least one cooling valve (20) actuated by the sensor element (18) for supplying cooling air to the device (12) in an open position and for blocking the supply of cooling air in a closed position. Actuating the cooling valve (20) upon detection of the device (12) on the platform (16) of the charging device (10) by means of the sensor element (18) ensures effective cooling of the device (12) and high charging efficiency.

Inventors

  • Domenica Fresca
  • Kerem Koc

Assignees

  • DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241108

Claims (10)

  1. Charging device (10) for wirelessly charging a mobile device (12), with a storage area (16) for placing the device (12), a sensor element (18) for detecting the device (12) placed on the storage area (16) and at least one cooling valve (20) actuated by the sensor element (18) for supplying cooling air to the device (12) in an open switching position and for blocking a supply of cooling air in a closed switching position.
  2. Charging device (10) after Claim 1 , wherein the sensor element (18) measures an electric and/or magnetic field that can be changed by the presence of the terminal device (12).
  3. Charging device (10) after Claim 1 , wherein the sensor element (18) is designed as a switch that can be actuated by the weight of the terminal device (12).
  4. Charging device (10) after Claim 3 , wherein the switch and/or the storage surface (16) is biased against a direction of gravity by means of a spring element (22).
  5. Charging device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the sensor element (18) is guided through the storage area (16) for direct contact with the terminal device (12).
  6. Charging device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the sensor element (18) can only interact indirectly with the terminal device (12) via the intermediate storage surface (16).
  7. Charging device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the at least one cooling valve (20) switches and/or controls an upper cooling airflow (32) directed towards a top surface (34) of the terminal device (12) pointing away from the storage surface (16) and/or a middle cooling airflow directed between a bottom surface (40) of the terminal device (12) pointing towards the storage surface (16) and the storage surface (16) and/or a lower cooling airflow (38) separated from the terminal device (12) via the storage surface (16).
  8. Charging device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the at least one cooling valve (20) establishes a connection with a cooling air duct (28) of an air conditioning system (30) intended for air conditioning an interior of the motor vehicle.
  9. Charging device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 , wherein a conveying element for providing a volume flow of cooling air is positioned outside a surface area covered by the storage surface (16).
  10. Motor vehicle with a rechargeable motor vehicle battery and a charging device supplied with electrical energy from the motor vehicle battery (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 .

Description

The invention relates to a charging device with which a mobile device, in particular a smartphone, can be wirelessly charged in a motor vehicle, and to a motor vehicle with such a charging device. DE 10 2018 201 300 A1 shows a charging device for wirelessly charging a mobile device in a motor vehicle, in which a temperature sensor measures the temperature of the device and, if necessary, starts a fan to cool the device, whereby the operation of the fan is enabled when the device is placed on the charging device and is prevented when the device is removed from the charging device. CN 216 625 386 U shows a charging device for wirelessly charging a mobile device in a motor vehicle, in which charging of the device only takes place when an air conditioning system generates cooled air, with part of the generated cool air being diverted to cool the device. There is a constant need to perform wireless charging as efficiently as possible. The purpose of the invention is to enable wireless charging with high efficiency. The problem is solved according to the invention by a charging device having the features of claim 1 and a motor vehicle having the features of claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description, each of which can individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention, the scope of protection being determined by the claims. One aspect of the invention relates to a charging device for wirelessly charging a mobile device in a motor vehicle, comprising a storage area for placing the device, a sensor element for detecting the device placed on the storage area, and at least one cooling valve actuated by the sensor element for supplying cooling air to the device in an open switching position and for blocking a supply of cooling air in a closed switching position. To charge mobile devices, especially smartphones, tablets, or similar devices, efficiently, the device is cooled with cooling air, thus preventing or at least reducing heat losses during charging. The sensor element simply detects the presence of the device when it is placed on the charging platform, and then switches the cooling valve to supply cooling air. This takes into account that the device is usually only placed on the platform when charging is desired, so there's no need to wait for the device to communicate with the charging infrastructure to start the charging process. In fact, cooling of the device can begin even before charging starts, meaning the device is already slightly cooled when charging begins, thus improving efficiency. Even when the device, or more precisely, its energy storage, is fully charged and cannot be recharged further, it typically loses some energy through standby functions or other passive processes, which can be replenished by wireless charging. Even in this operating situation, further cooling of the device is beneficial to prevent heat-related power losses, especially at near-maximum charging resistance, and to improve efficiency. Furthermore, it can be utilized that the cooling valve, actuated by the sensor element, allows access to existing cooling air. For example, a portion of the cooling airflow from the vehicle's air conditioning system can be diverted to the device via the cooling valve, eliminating the need for a separate fan and/or radiator. This significantly reduces the number of components required to provide adequate cooling for the device. The cooling capacity for the device placed in the charging station can then be provided by the air conditioning system, optimized for this purpose, thereby improving efficiency. By activating the cooling valve upon detection of the device on the charging station's platform by the sensor element, effective cooling of the device and high charging efficiency are ensured. The charging device can be installed as a vehicle component in a motor vehicle, preferably in an area of the center console. Additionally or alternatively, the charging device can also be installed in a trim panel that defines the interior of the motor vehicle, for example, a door panel, in a dashboard, or in the rear seat shell of a vehicle seat facing a rear bench seat. The charging device must be visible. It features, in particular, an electrical contact point, specifically to allow the charging device to transfer electrical energy stored in a rechargeable vehicle battery. This electrical contact point is preferably provided by a plug connection, preferably on the outside of the charging device's housing, so that the charging device can be easily installed and electrically connected as a separate unit in the vehicle. The mobile device, which is to be wirelessly charged using the charging device, is specifically designed to interact with the charging infrastructure provided by the device. For example, the charging device has a charging coil for inductively charging the device, and the device has a corresponding coil tha