Energy supply module

p0001The invention relates to a power supply module for supplying an electrical appliance with energy, wherein the energy supply module comprises a housing, in whose interior at least one electrochemical energy storage device, an attached to the at least one electrochemical energy storage DC / AC converter, and a coil are arranged.

p0002The grid power supply using non-rechargeable batteries or rechargeable batteries / accumulators ( "battery") can significantly improve the handling of many electrical devices. If electrical equipment batteries fed, then they can be easily exchanged. However, this introduces many problems with the galvanic contacts since these tend particularly at low load currents to corrosion. Furthermore, these designs are not reliably be used in wet or damp conditions.

p0003To eliminate this problem, in particular for rechargeable batteries / batteries, they can be permanently installed in the electrical device and make this a constructive unit. An operation in wet or humid environment is characterized trouble. Usually the built-in rechargeable batteries / accumulators are charged either by means of a contactless charger or by temporarily connecting the electrical device to the mains. In practice, the contactless charging by charger most frequently comes an inductive transmission of energy between a receiver and a transmitter coil for use as a high efficiency is achieved. Despite the ease of use built-in rechargeable batteries / accumulators have the disadvantage that they can not or are taken out and stored only when opening the device or exchanged are (high service costs). The life of an electrical device is therefore often limited to that of the battery. The battery can be damaged by prolonged non-use of the electrical equipment, as well as the device turned off flowing a small current, which can lead to a deep discharge over time. Disadvantages are also the often long load times and the difficulties of a design change, as consumers and charger are structurally adapted to each other.

p0004The above technique has proven itself particularly in portable, used several times a day consumers with low power (eg, radio remote controls, electric toothbrushes, shavers, clocks, telecommunications equipment, GPS, PDAs, toys) or disconnection of stationary energy supply or lack of grid connection , Further applications are those in which a network connection for security reasons not appropriate or permitted (eg medical implants such as cochlear implants or pacemakers, underwater equipment).

p0005The <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US6208115B1"><text>US 6,208,115 B1</text></patcit> discloses a contactless rechargeable battery, which is, however, connected via normal electrical contacts to the consumer. The<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US5596567A"><text>US 5,596,567</text></patcit> shows a device in which a battery is charged via electrical contacts, which can, however, communicate with the battery and charger wirelessly (transmission of information regarding the level of the battery). In both disclosures, the above-mentioned drawbacks, in particular the corrosion of the galvanic contacts, come to bear.

p0006A power supply module is as hereinbefore further still from the <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="EP1385251A1"><text>EP 1385251 A1</text></patcit> known, also has other power supply modules for contactless energy transfer from the <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US6186651B1"><text>US 6186 651 B1</text></patcit>, of the <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US2006061324A1"><text>US 2006/061324 A1</text></patcit> and the <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="EP1257046A2"><text>EP 1257046 A2</text></patcit> known.

p0007It is an object of the invention to overcome the known from the prior art disadvantages.

p0008This object is achieved by an aforementioned power supply module, wherein according to the invention, the housing is completely and hermetically enclosed by electrically insulating material, or the housing is formed of an electrically insulating material which encloses the interior completely and hermetically, and contact by means of the coil of the power supply module energy can be transmitted to a device coil of the electrical device, said power supply module switching, by means of which the power supply module between a rest state in which the coil of the power supply module is de-energized, and an activated state in which the coil of the energy supply module power to the devices coil of the electric is capable of transmitting device, switchable.

p0009Thanks to the invention a hermetically sealed outwards slightly tauschbares power supply module is provided, which supplies a feeding to forming electrical device without contact and avoiding galvanic contacts with electrical energy.

p0010A closed case of a power supply module from the <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="US5923544A"><text>US 5923544 A</text></patcit> known. The advantage of the presented in the context of the present invention power supply module, however, is that the power supply module housed by inserting / plugged in / to the electrical device by means of the switching means in an activated state or put into hibernation after removing it from the electrical device again can. With this feature, the service life of a power supply module can be extended, since no current flows through the coil of the power supply module when stored outside of the electrical appliance. In the activated state, current flows through the coil.

p0011The term "hermetically" is inventively to understand that the housing is electrically insulating and is completely sealed, especially against moisture or wetness. The housing is fully enclosed and has neither holes nor electrical contacts. An operation in wet or damp environments is possible. Preferably, the housing made of a lightweight, but water-impermeable and electrically insulating material is made stable. Conveniently, the electrically insulating material is a weldable plastic or silicone.

p0012In the hermetically sealed housing of the energy supply module, an electrochemical energy storage device and a DC / AC converter and a coil are integrated. The power supply module can transmit to the consumer inductive energy. The power supply module is firmly installed in the electrical equipment, but for example, inserted, plugged or flanged and thus can easily and quickly be replaced by a layman. Energy is transmitted through the coil of the power supply module without contact to the device coil of the electrical appliance and can be transformed from one of the devices coil downstream rectifier unit into DC current for supplying all electrical or electronic components of the device there, for example.

p0013Particularly suitable is the invention of commonly used portable devices with low power (eg, radio remote controls, mobile phones, electric razors). The service life of the electrical device is not limited to the life of a battery, as is often the case for devices with fixed built-in battery. The invention allows a fast and for uncomplicated exchange the power supply module also in hermetically sealed devices. An interim storage of the power supply module outside of the device is just as easy.

p0014In the simplest and preferred case, the switching means act on a switch, which is arranged preferably between the electrochemical energy storage and the AC / DC converter. With the switch which is switched in accordance with the switching means, the electrochemical energy storage device from the AC / DC converter and thus also separated from the coil can be. Furthermore, said switch can be the switching itself.

p0015Depending on the selected switching the power supply module can either automatically or automatically or manually switch between the idle state and the activated state, as will be explained in detail later. Some switching means can be either automatically or manually actuated.

p0016To enable the switching, it is inventively provided that the electrical device activation comprises means for activating the switchover.

p0017In a first advantageous variant, the shifting means may comprise at least one magnetic sensor. The activation means of the electrical device are formed in this variant to activate at least one magnetic sensor. Such magnetic sensors may be formed, which can be switched by a is arranged at a suitable point in the electrical device permanent magnet which is the activating agent for example as a reed relay, hall sensor or a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor. Switching is done automatically by inserting or attaching the power supply module in the device. Reed relays and reverb / GMR sensors are characterized by high reliability even during frequent use.

p0018In a further advantageous variant, the shifting means may comprise at least one optical sensor. The switching can be manual or automatic. For example, the optical sensor, a photodiode or a phototransistor can be, said switching is performed by exposure to light. the power supply module is in the idle state, the optical sensor can be covered, for example with an opaque tape or a slider. The activation can be done manually by removing the adhesive tape or slide. In the automatic version, the activation means of the electrical apparatus are designed for example to enable the optical sensor. The slider can automatically by inserting the power supply module in the electrical appliance, which is designed accordingly, be moved.

p0019In a further variant, the shifting means may comprise at least one acoustic sensor. For example, the acoustic sensor may be formed as a microphone, wherein activation by manual or automatic top knocking can take place over a specific ring pattern, which is emitted from the electric appliance. The activation means of the electrical device are formed in the automatic version for activating at least one acoustic sensor, for example for generating a tone sequence mentioned.

p0020A further variant according to the invention may comprise at least one switching means as a wireless sensor. Preferably, a short-range radio technology is used. Switching is automatic in this variant when inserting the power supply module in the electrical device.

p0021A particularly suitable switching means is, for example, a RFID chip. This chip is erased once the power supply module in the device signals (alternating electromagnetic field), which are emitted by the activation means of the device is activated, so that the power supply module detects that a consumer is connected.

p0022The RFID chip in the power supply module may further be adapted to transmit information about the charging status of the device.

p0023In an analogous manner, also information of the device to be supplied is transmitted to the power supply module.

p0024In another variant of the switching means comprise at least one mechanical button. For example, can be the mechanical switch, a membrane switch or a piezo sensor. The activation is carried out by mechanical pressure as by automatically Press the mechanical pushbutton while soaking in the electrical device or manually pressing the button shortly before loading.

p0025In another variant of the switching means can be configured to switch the power supply module in regular and / or irregular intervals between the activated state and the idle state. In this variant, the power supply module can accordingly from time to time, but preferably at regular intervals (eg, every minute), are automatically activated. In this current flows through the coil of the power supply module and the power supply module detects whether it is in contact with a consumer or not. If no consumer available (idle), then the power supply module returns to the renewed automatically become active again in the idle state. However, when an electrical device is present, the coil of the power supply module is still sending out so long energy to the electrical device is removed. The control of this process may by an appropriate electronics, for example with a microcontroller, take place.

p0026The switching power supply module can also switch to a capacitive path between a resting state and an activated state.

p0027The power supply module can be designed as a disposable battery, via the coil of the power supply module inductive energy is transmitted. It is particularly advantageous if the power supply module can be recharged after unloading. For this purpose it may be provided that the coil of the power supply module is connected as a transmitter / receiver coil. The coil can thereby provide both receive energy (eg via a charger or the electrical device) as well as the electrical equipment with energy. It is naturally also conceivable that the energy supply module comprises two coils, a coil as a transmitting coil and the second coil serves as a receiving coil. If the electrical device used to charge the power supply module, ie the power flow runs from the electric appliance to power supply module, it is expedient if the device coil of the electrical device is connected as a transmitter / receiver coil.

p0028Furthermore, it is advantageous if the power supply module communication means for a wire loosely comprising uni- or bidirectional communication with the device to be powered. This example, information about the state of charge of the power supply module can be passed. Just as the power supply module, the electrical device comprising communications means for a wireless uni- or bidirectional communication with the power supply module.

p0029Communication can take place using wireless technology. Further, the communication via the respective coil can take place. By means of a specific pulse sequence, or a specific voltage pattern, the information can be transferred from the coil of the power supply module to the coil device of the electric device and / or vice versa.

p0030It may be provided that the communication means are designed for the exchange of operating parameters and / or for controlling operational states between the power supply module and the electric device.

p0031For example, the power supply module can detect so that consumers will be supplied and adjust the power accordingly.

p0032In a variant of the communication means of the power supply module can be formed as a switching means. Furthermore, the communication means of the electrical appliance may be formed as an activating agent.

p0033The invention together with further advantages based on non-limiting embodiments will be explained in more detail, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawing shows in:<ul><li><figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> an inventive power supply module and a corresponding electrical device, and</li><li><figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> Another inventive power supply module and a corresponding electrical device.</li></ul>

p0034From the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is an electrical device 1 can be seen, which is in contact with a power supply module 2nd The power module 2 comprises a hermetically sealed housing 3 of electrically insulating material (for example plastic) in which an electrochemical energy store 4, a connected to this AC / DC converter 5 and a coil 6 are arranged. The coil 6 transmits without contact in an inductive manner electrical energy to a device coil 7 of the electric device 1. The device coil 7 is a rectifier unit 8 downstream, which converts the electrical energy again into direct current for supplying all electrical or electronic components 9 in the electrical device. 1 The power supply module 2 also comprises, as switching on a switch 11, which is arranged between the AC / DC converter 5 and the electrochemical energy storage 4th By switching the switch 11, a current flow between the AC / DC converter 5 and coil 6 and the electrochemical storage 4 can be made or broken. The switch 11 can be activated from outside, wherein the activation can be done manually or automatically by means of an activation signal 10th In that in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig.1</figref> embodiment shown, the switch 11 is a reed relay. To close the reed relay in the electrical device 1, a permanent magnet 13 is positioned as an activating agent.

p0035The <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> shows an electrical device 1 ', which is connected to a power supply module 2' is in contact. The power supply module 2 'has a hermetically sealed housing 3' of electrically insulating material (for example made of plastic), in which an electrochemical energy storage 4 ', a connected to this AC / DC converter 5', and a coil 6 'is arranged. The coil 6 'transmits without contact in an inductive manner electrical energy to a device coil 7' of the electrical device 1 '. The device coil 7 'is a rectifier unit 8' downstream, which again converts the electrical energy into direct current for supplying all electrical or electronic components 9 'in the electrical device 1'. The switching of the power supply module 2 'comprise, in this embodiment, a magnetic sensor 13', a controller 12 'and a switch 11'. The magnetic sensor 13 'and the switch 11' are connected to the controller 12 '. The switch 11 'is connected between the AC / DC converter 5' are disposed and the electrochemical energy storage 4 '. The magnetic sensor 13 'can the switch 11' via the controller 12 'switch and a current flow between AC / DC converter 5' manufacture or coil 6 'and electrochemical storage 4' or interrupt. The magnetic sensor 13 'can be activated from outside, wherein the activation means of an activation signal 10' automatically. The activation of the magnetic sensor 13 'causes a closing of the switch 11', and thus the circuit between AC / DC converter 5 ', and the electrochemical energy storage 4'. The magnetic sensor 13 'in this embodiment is a reed relay. To enable the magnetic sensor 13 'is in the electrical device 1', a permanent magnet 14 'is positioned as an activating agent.

p0036In another possibility, the magnetic sensor 'may be replaced by an optical sensor and the corresponding activation means 14' 13 can be a light source. In a further possibility of 'an acoustic sensor may be used, wherein the activating means 14' can be used instead of the magnetic sensor 13 generates a specific ring pattern, which is detected by the acoustic sensor. In yet another possibility, the magnetic sensor 'may be replaced by a radio sensor, which signals the activation means 14' 13 emitted recognizes.

p0037For communication purposes, the power supply module 2 'further to the electrical device 1' via a bi-acting transmission 15 '. The communication takes place wireless by means of a communication means 16 'of the power supply module 2', which communicates with a communication means 17 'of the electrical device 1' via the transmission path 15 '.

p0038The implementations described above are only examples among many, and therefore not to be considered limiting.