DE-102025145169-A1 - INTEGRATED PORTABLE SPARE WHEEL AND TIRE LOADING SYSTEM

DE102025145169A1DE 102025145169 A1DE102025145169 A1DE 102025145169A1DE-102025145169-A1

Abstract

Systems and methods for a portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device are provided. A portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device includes a receiving coil that can be coupled to a transmitting coil of an inductive charging source to receive power from the inductive charging source and transfer that power to a vehicle. The inductive spare wheel and tire charging device can be connected to a vehicle via a power cable. The portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device can be used by multiple vehicles to receive charging from a stationary inductive power source. The inductive spare wheel and tire charging device can also include a transmitting coil that is coupled to a receiving coil of the vehicle to transfer power to the vehicle.

Inventors

Keith Weston
Todd Ansbacher
John Robert Van Wiemeersch

Assignees

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20251103
Priority Date: 20241111

Claims (15)

System comprising: a first vehicle; a portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device attached to the first vehicle, the first vehicle being configured to: align the first vehicle over an inductive charging source; position the portable spare wheel and tire charging device over the inductive charging source; physically and electrically disconnect from the portable spare wheel and tire charging device; and move the first vehicle away from the inductive charging source.
System according Claim 1 , further comprising: a second vehicle, wherein the second vehicle is configured to: align the second vehicle near the inductive charging source after the first vehicle has moved away; detect an electrical coupling between the portable spare wheel and charging device and the second vehicle; and receive power from the portable spare wheel and tire charging device.
System according Claim 1 , whereby the portable spare wheel and charging device receives power from the inductive charging source.
System according Claim 3 , wherein the second vehicle is configured to send a message to an inductive charging source controller prior to receiving power from the portable spare wheel and tire charging device, indicating the electrical coupling between the portable spare wheel and charging device and the second vehicle.
System according Claim 1 , wherein the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device is attached to the first vehicle using a spare tire carrier configured to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being separated from the second position by a vertical distance.
System according Claim 1 , wherein the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device includes a power cable and wherein the power cable is connected to an output terminal of the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device.
Vehicle comprising: a portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device; one or more sensors; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more sensors, wherein the vehicle is operable to: detect one or more alignment features associated with an inductive charging source using the one or more sensors; align the vehicle over an inductive charging source using the one or more alignment features; place the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device over the inductive charging source; and move the vehicle away from the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device.
Vehicle after Claim 7 , wherein the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device is connected to the first vehicle by a tire carrier which can be moved in a vertical direction between a first location and a second location.
Vehicle after Claim 7 , wherein the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device includes a receiver coil and a power conversion circuit, wherein the receiver coil receives power from a first transmitter coil of the inductive charging source and the power conversion circuit converts the power into a direct current voltage (DC voltage).
Vehicle after Claim 7 , wherein the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device further comprises a first receiver coil and a first transmitter coil and the vehicle comprises a second receiver coil, wherein the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device is further configured to receive power from the inductive charging source via the first receiver coil and to transmit power to the vehicle via the first transmitter coil and the second receiver coil.
Vehicle after Claim 7 , wherein the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device includes a power cable, the power cable having a connector that can be coupled to a corresponding connector of the vehicle.
Vehicle after Claim 7 , wherein the vehicle is further capable of sending a message to a controller of the inductive charging source after the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device has been placed over the inductive charging source, the message containing the The control system is caused to allow power to be supplied to the inductive charging source.
Vehicle after Claim 7 , wherein the vehicle is further capable of receiving power from the inductive power source via the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device.
Method comprising: Aligning a first vehicle over an inductive charging source; Positioning a portable inductive spare wheel and tire charger near the inductive charging source by the first vehicle; Disconnecting the first vehicle from the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charger; Positioning a second vehicle near the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charger; Receiving power from the inductive charging source by the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charger; and Transmitting power by the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charger to the second vehicle.
Procedure according to Claim 14 , wherein the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device includes a receiving coil, and wherein: placing the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device near the inductive charging source includes aligning the receiving coil with a transmitting coil of the inductive charging source.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY The present disclosure relates to the field of charging electric and/or hybrid vehicles. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an integrated portable spare wheel and tire charging system. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART Static wireless charging for electric and hybrid vehicles is an emerging technology. This technology allows an electric or hybrid vehicle to charge while parked over a charging pad. However, fully wireless charging systems often exhibit lower efficiency compared to traditional plug-in chargers. Proper alignment between the vehicle and the charging pad is desirable for efficient power transfer. Misalignment can significantly reduce charging efficiency, and large air gaps between the charging pad and the vehicle can also impair power transfer. Additionally, conventional wireless charging systems for vehicles are bulky, making them less practical for portable charging applications. SUMMARY The present disclosure describes systems and methods for a portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging system. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for using a portable spare wheel and tire charging system. For example, a method may involve aligning a first vehicle over (e.g., in close proximity to) an inductive charging source and having the first vehicle place a portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device over the inductive charging source. The method further involves the first vehicle disconnecting from the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device. The method may then involve placing a second vehicle near the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device. Thereafter, the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charging device receives power from the inductive charging source and transfers the power to the second vehicle. In another scenario, a system may include a first vehicle and a portable inductive spare wheel and tire charger attached to the first vehicle. The system further includes an inductive charging source. The first vehicle of the system is configured to align itself over (e.g., in close proximity to) the inductive charging source and position the portable spare wheel and tire charger over the inductive charging source. The first vehicle then physically and electrically disconnects from the portable spare wheel and tire charger and moves away from the inductive charging source. In yet another scenario, a vehicle may be provided. The vehicle includes a portable inductive spare wheel and tire charger, one or more sensors, and one or more processors coupled to the one or more sensors. The vehicle is operable to detect, using the one or more sensors, one or more alignment features associated with an inductive charging source and to align itself over (e.g., in close proximity to) an inductive charging source using the one or more alignment features. The vehicle can then place (e.g., position) the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charger over the inductive charging source and move away from the portable inductive spare wheel and tire charger. These and other benefits of the present revelation are provided in detail in this document. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical elements. Different embodiments may use different elements and/or components than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in different embodiments. The elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, singular and plural expressions may be used interchangeably depending on the context. 1 illustrates an environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 3 Illustrates an integrated portable wheel and tire loading system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 4 Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the integrated portable wheel and tire loading system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 5 Illustrates a system for loading a vehicle using an integrated portable wheel and tire loading system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 6A and 6B illustrate a method for charging a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 7 illustrates another method for charging a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 8 illustrates a flowchart for a process for charging a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The disclosure is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments of the d