DE102014000747B4 - System for monitoring a space between a charging plate of a stationary inductive charging device and a charging plate of a parked vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

System for monitoring a space between a charging plate (3) of a stationary inductive charging device (4) and a charging plate (5) of a parked vehicle (6) whose charging plate (5) is positioned relative to the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4). that an alternating magnetic field can be generated in the charging plate (5) of the vehicle (6) by an alternating magnetic field generated by the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4), the system having an imaging sensor device (1) and a control unit (2). ,the imaging sensor device (1) at least one 3D camera device for visible light, a 3D camera device for infrared light, a radar device, a time-of-flight device, and/or a laser scanner, in particular a 3D laser scanner includes and is set up to the space between the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4) and the charging plate (5) of the parked vehicle (6) and to transmit the recorded data to the control unit (2), and the control unit (2) is set up to evaluate the data of the imaging sensor device (1) to determine whether in the space between the charging plate (3) at least one object is located between the stationary inductive charging device (4) and the charging plate (5) of the parked vehicle (6) and/or the vertical distance (A) between the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4) and the charging plate (5) of the parked vehicle vehicle (6) to one another, characterized in that the system is further set up to be able to carry out at least one sub-function for the following functions with the aid of the imaging sensor device (1): - parking aid, - garage door status check, - object detection in the vicinity of the Vehicle, parking space vacant/occupied detection, and/or motion detection of objects.

Description

The present invention includes a system for monitoring a gap between a charging plate of a stationary inductive charging device and a charging plate of a parked vehicle.

In vehicles that can (also) be driven by electric motors, such as electric and hybrid vehicles, according to the current state of the art, rechargeable batteries, for example those based on lithium ions, are used to power the electric traction motors in the vehicle.

There are basically several technical solutions available for charging these batteries, in particular wired and contactless (wireless) energy transmission.

In wired energy transmission, electric current is transmitted to the vehicle using an electric cable, the electric cable either being part of a charging device and being able to be plugged into a charging socket on the vehicle, or the electric vehicle having a charging cable which is plugged into a charging socket of the charging device can be.

With contactless energy transfer, the energy is transferred with the help of an alternating magnetic field. To generate the alternating magnetic field, an alternating current is generated using power electronics, which flows through the coil (primary coil) of a stationary inductive charging device (infrastructure side). The alternating magnetic field generated in this way induces a voltage in the coil (secondary coil) of a charging plate that is integrated in the vehicle.

In the case of wired energy transmission it is desirable, in the case of contactless energy transmission it is necessary to position the vehicle with sufficient accuracy relative to the charging station or charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device.

the DE 10 2011 007 771 A1 describes a system for an electric vehicle, by means of which the electric vehicle can be guided into a docking position for docking with a charging device, with at least one sensor element arranged on the electric vehicle, which is designed to detect a path into the docking position and through which the electric vehicle can be guided into the docking position . With the sensor element, which can be, for example, an optically acting sensor such as a laser, lidar or scanner system, the surroundings of the electric vehicle can be detected.

From the WO 2011/006884 A2 An electronic positioning aid for electric vehicles in the vicinity of inductive charging stations is known, with sensors based on radar, laser, lidar, ultrasound, infrared, satellite or induction that are available or optionally provided in the vehicle and the parking aids based on them are also used to position inductive charging stations in the Close range can be detected fully automatically using the on-site coil housing or the internal coil technology without a visual representation of the environment, without manual operator input and without additional on-site reflectors and the vehicle can be positioned sufficiently precisely over the on-site coil in computer-aided shunting operation with the coil on the vehicle floor, without the two coils with additional Displacement and lifting devices must be brought into an even more precise or closer superimposition.

And from the DE 20 2012 102 391 U1 device for inductive power generation for a vehicle is known, which can be attached to the vehicle, with a carrier device and a first electrical induction element, which is held by the carrier device, wherein a height adjustment device is formed, with which the carrier device is height-adjustable. The distance between the carrier device and the road surface can be determined, for example, by means of a distance sensor, the distance sensor being, for example, an ultrasonic sensor or a radar sensor or an optical sensor.

The monitoring of the area surrounding a vehicle that can be driven by an electric motor during energy transmission is also known from the prior art.

That's how she describes it DE 10 2011 109 532 A1 a system and a method for operating a system, the system having at least one machine and one mobile part. The handset has an energy store from which a drive of the handset for moving the handset relative to the machine can be supplied. The machine and the mobile part each have a means for energy transmission, in particular when docking the mobile part on the machine, energy can be transmitted from the energy storage device of the mobile part to the machine, in particular to an energy storage device of the machine. The mobile part has a security device, for example in the form of a laser scanner, with which a spatial area, in particular a security area, is checked for the intrusion of a person and/or an object into the security area extending around the handset and the machine can be monitored.

In the case of contactless energy transmission, this generally takes place across an air gap that exists between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the vehicle. Large magnetic field strengths can occur within the air gap. If a human body part or an object enters or is located in the space between the stationary charging plate and the mobile charging plate, this constitutes a hazardous situation.

the DE 10 2011 076 186 A1 describes an arrangement for eliminating a fault in wireless energy transmission, with a first component, which is a plate, mat or other device which is set up for wireless energy transmission, in particular by means of electromagnetic induction, with the energy being received or transmitted by a second component the second component is transferred. The arrangement can have an interference detector, which can contain at least one camera and a computing unit for object recognition, in order to detect animals, leaves or objects between the first and second components.

And the unprereleased one DE 10 2013 207 198 A1 proposes a device for inductive energy transmission from a transmitting coil to a receiving coil spaced apart from the transmitting coil, with an optical monitoring device which is designed to monitor a gap between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil, the optical monitoring device having a light barrier, an optical distance meter, is an optical scanner and/or a light curtain.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for monitoring a space between a charging plate of a stationary inductive charging device and a charging plate of a parked vehicle, with which, among other things, risky situations can be avoided.

This object is achieved by the system according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the system are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a system for monitoring a gap between a charging plate of a stationary inductive charging device and a charging plate of a parked vehicle is proposed, the charging plate of which is positioned relative to the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device in such a way that an alternating magnetic field generated by the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device causes an alternating magnetic field in the charging plate of the vehicle can be generated.

The system has an imaging sensor device and a control unit, the imaging sensor device having at least one 3D camera device for visible light, a 3D camera device for infrared light, a radar device, a time-of-flight device, and/or a laser scanner, in particular a 3D laser scanner, and is set up to detect the gap between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the parked vehicle and to transmit the recorded data to the control unit.

The control unit is set up to evaluate the data from the imaging sensor device to determine whether there is at least one object in the space between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the parked vehicle and/or the vertical distance between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the parked vehicle Have vehicle to each other.

• - Einparkhilfe,
• - Garagentor-Zustandsprüfung,
• - Objekt-Erfassung im Umfeld des Fahrzeugs,
• - Parkplatz Frei/Belegt-Erkennung, und/oder
• - Bewegungserkennung von Objekten.

The system is characterized in that it is further set up to be able to carry out at least one sub-function for the following functions with the aid of the imaging sensor device:

• - parking assistance,
• - garage door condition check,
• - object detection in the area surrounding the vehicle,
• - Parking vacant/occupied detection, and/or
• - Motion detection of objects.

As already mentioned above, in the case of contactless energy transmission, this generally takes place across the air gap that exists between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the vehicle. During the contactless energy transfer (the charging process), the driver is usually no longer present and can therefore not ensure that no objects such as body parts of people (e.g. fingers, a hand, a foot, etc.) or objects (e.g. metal parts) get into the space between the loading plates.

This disadvantage is overcome by the system according to the invention, since it is used to constantly monitor whether or not an object is located in the space between the loading plates, even during an unattended loading process.

For an optimal efficiency of a contactless energy transmission, a predefinable maximum distance between the charging plates must not be exceeded. The system according to the invention can also be used to determine the vertical distance between the loading plates, as a result of which inefficient loading processes can be avoided. A change in the vertical distance between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the vehicle can also be detected, for example when the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded.

According to a first advantageous development, the system also includes a stationary inductive charging device and the control unit is also set up to be able to transmit at least one control signal to the stationary inductive charging device, with the control unit being set up to send at least one control signal to the stationary inductive charging device to stop or prevent the Transfer generation of an alternating magnetic field through the stationary charging plate if and / or as long as there is an object in the space between the charging plate of the stationary induction charging device and the charging plate of the parked vehicle.

With this first advantageous development of the system, risky situations that can arise, for example, due to an object penetrating the space between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the vehicle, can also be reliably avoided during unattended charging processes.

According to a second advantageous development of the system, this includes a stationary induction charging device whose charging plate can be moved in the vertical direction and/or a vehicle in which the distance between its charging plate and the floor below can be adjusted, and the control unit is set up to connect to the induction charging device and /or the vehicle to be able to transmit at least one control signal, with the help of which the vertical distance between the charging plate of the stationary Inductive charging device and the charging plate of the vehicle can be changed.

This advantageous further development makes it possible, for example, to automatically adjust the distance between the two loading plates. In this way, an optimal efficiency of the energy transmission can be achieved and/or the charging plate of the vehicle can be prevented from being placed on the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device (e.g. when the vehicle is being loaded). With the aid of the system according to the present invention, a method for monitoring a gap between a charging plate of a stationary inductive charging device and a charging plate of a parked vehicle can be carried out, the charging plate of which is positioned relative to the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device such that one of the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device generated alternating magnetic field an alternating magnetic field is generated in the charging plate of the vehicle.

• Erfassen des Zwischenraums zwischen der Ladeplatte der stationären Induktionsladevorrichtung und der Ladeplatte des geparkten Fahrzeugs mit Hilfe der bildgebenden Sensoreinrichtung,
• Übertragen der erfassten Daten zu dem Steuergerät, und
• Auswerten der Daten der bildgebenden Sensoreinrichtung durch das Steuergerät dahin, ob sich im Zwischenraum zwischen der Ladeplatte der stationären Induktionsladevorrichtung und der Ladeplatte des geparkten Fahrzeugs wenigstens ein Objekt befindet und/oder welchen vertikalen Abstand die Ladeplatte der stationären Induktionsladevorrichtung und die Ladeplatte des geparkten Fahrzeugs zueinander aufweisen.

The method comprises at least the following steps:

• detecting the space between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the parked vehicle using the imaging sensor device,
• transmitting the acquired data to the control unit, and
• Evaluation of the data from the imaging sensor device by the control unit to determine whether there is at least one object in the space between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the parked vehicle and/or the vertical distance between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the parked vehicle .

The method can further include the step of transmitting at least one control signal from the control unit to the stationary inductive charging device to stop or prevent the generation of an alternating magnetic field by the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device if and/or as long as there is a space between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and there is an object on the charging plate of the parked vehicle.

Using a system that has a stationary inductive charging device whose charging plate can be moved in the vertical direction and/or a vehicle in which the distance between its charging plate and the floor below can be adjusted, the control unit can connect at least one to the inductive charging device and/or the vehicle Control signal are transmitted, with the help of which by a vertical movement of the loading plate of the stationary inductive charging device and / or by a vertical movement of the loading plate of the vehicle and / or a vertical movement of the vehicle underbody, the vertical distance between between the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device and the charging plate of the vehicle.

Further configurations and developments of the method result from the disclosure of the system according to the invention, its developments and the embodiments described below, which also apply accordingly to the method.

The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• 1: eine schematische Ansicht einer Anordnung aus Ladeplatte einer stationären Induktionsladevorrichtung, einer bildgebenden Sensoreinrichtung und eines darüber geparkten Fahrzeugs;
• 2: eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Anordnung aus einer Ladeplatte einer stationären Induktionsladevorrichtung, einer bildgebenden Sensoreinrichtung und eines Teilabschnitts eines Unterbodens eines Fahrzeugs mit darin integrierter Ladeplatte.

show:

• 1 1: a schematic view of an arrangement of a charging plate of a stationary inductive charging device, an imaging sensor device and a vehicle parked above it;
• 2 1: a schematic side view of an arrangement of a charging plate of a stationary inductive charging device, an imaging sensor device and a section of an underbody of a vehicle with a charging plate integrated therein.

The representations in the figures are purely schematic and not true to scale. Within the figures, the same or similar elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

The exemplary embodiments explained below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is of course not limited to these embodiments.

As in the 1 and 2 is shown schematically, the system according to the invention for monitoring a space between a charging plate 3 of a stationary inductive charging device 4 and a charging plate 5 of a parked vehicle 6 comprises at least one imaging sensor device 1 and a control unit 2.

The imaging sensor device 1 is set up to detect the gap between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6 and to transmit the recorded data to the control device 2 .

The control unit 2 is set up to evaluate the data from the imaging sensor device 1 to determine whether there is at least one object in the space between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6 and/or the vertical distance A of the charging plate 3 the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6 have to each other. The results of the evaluation by control unit 2 can then be signaled to a driver of vehicle 6 in an acoustic, optical and/or haptic manner, for example.

Systems for wire-free, inductive charging of batteries are known from the prior art. Also known from the prior art are systems for inductively charging traction batteries in vehicles that can be driven by electric motors, as well as parking aids for aligning the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of a vehicle 6 with one another Registration not to be discussed further.

Various types of 2D and 3D imaging sensor devices which can be used for the present invention are also known from the prior art. The system according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one 3D camera device for visible light, a 3D camera device for infrared light, a radar device and/or a time-of-flight device as the imaging sensor device. The imaging sensor device 1 preferably comprises at least one laser scanner, particularly preferably a 3D laser scanner.

In the case of camera devices for visible or infrared light, the sensor device 1 can, for example, also have a “light source” that is used to illuminate the detection area of the sensor device 1 . Acquisition devices of the sensor device, which are based on different technical principles, can be used simultaneously or alternatively to acquire image data.

By using at least one 3D sensor device, with which stereoscopic or three-dimensional images can be captured, spatial conditions (foreground, background, position of the charging plate of the stationary inductive charging device, position of the charging plate of the vehicle, vertical spacing of the charging plates to each other, etc.) with greater certainty than is the case with only two-dimensional image acquisition. Depending on the configuration of the system according to the invention, however, only two-dimensional image acquisition and evaluation can be sufficient.

A stereoscopic or three-dimensional image acquisition can, for example, in a manner known per se by a corresponding stereoscopic Arrangement and alignment of the detection axes of two camera devices for visible or infrared light and a corresponding evaluation of the recorded image data can be achieved by the control unit 1. The same applies to one or more radar devices.

Comparatively modern 3D sensor devices represent so-called "time-of-flight" sensor devices. In devices and methods based on the time-of-flight principle (transit time principle), a signal (emitted) by a transmitting device (e.g. a light pulse) is reflected on an object and the reflected signal is detected by a receiving device. The distance of the object from the receiving device can be determined on the basis of the speed and the propagation time of the signal.

Time-of-flight devices contain three essential components: an active illumination device, an imaging (image-generating) sensor device and receiving optics. The active lighting device emits modulated light, for example in the near infrared range. Light that hits an object or surface is reflected back to the device and projected onto the image sensor using the receiving optics. By correlating emitted and received signals, it is possible to calculate the distance of the illuminated object/scene from the sensor for each pixel. Time-of-flight devices provide two pieces of information for each pixel, the intensity (amplitude, gray value) and the distance (distance value, depth value) from the device. The recorded information then results, for example, in (an) amplitude image(s) and/or distance image(s), or such images can be generated from the information received.

A time-of-flight sensor is a matrix consisting of distance sensors that is usually manufactured using conventional CMOS technology. Therefore, imaging and 3D measurement capabilities can be combined with electronics such as analog-to-digital converters, etc. All the "intelligence" of the time-of-flight sensor, including the distance calculation for each pixel, is integrated into the chip. Time-of-flight pixels are therefore sometimes called "smart pixels".

One of the best-known devices for determining distance according to the time-of-flight principle is a PMD system or PMD camera system. Such a PMD camera system contains a photomixing detector (also called a PMD sensor; PMD=photonic mixing device) as a sensor. A PMD sensor has a single or, as a rule, multi-row array of PMD detector elements and receiving optics.

With a laser scanner, a laser beam is used to scan the surface of objects in a line or grid pattern. With the help of so-called imaging laser scanners, the intensity of the reflected signal can be recorded in addition to the object geometry. The result is an image of the objects similar to that of a black and white photo.

With 3D laser scanning, the surface geometry of objects is digitally recorded using pulse propagation time, phase difference compared to a reference, or by triangulating laser beams. A discrete set of three-dimensional sampling points is obtained, which is also referred to as a point cloud. The coordinates of the measured points are determined from the angles and the distance in relation to the origin (location of the laser scanner). Based on the point cloud, either dimensions (lengths, distances, angles, etc.) can be determined or a closed surface can be constructed from triangles, which is also referred to as meshing.

The construction and functioning of the various imaging 2D and 3D sensor devices 1, such as time-of-flight devices and 3D laser scanners, are known to those skilled in the art and/or can be found in the literature.

The image information received from the sensor device 1 can in principle be further used and/or further processed in various ways.

The data from the imaging sensor device 1 are evaluated to determine whether there is at least one object in the space between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6 and/or the vertical distance A between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the Have loading plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6 to each other. For this purpose, the control unit 2 can evaluate the data received from the imaging sensor device 1 in a manner known per se. For this purpose, the control device can have suitable memory devices for original and/or edited image data and a processor (microprocessor) with the aid of which an image evaluation program can be executed.

In the system according to the invention, the arrangement of the imaging sensor device 1 in relation to the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 is not subject to any particular restriction and any suitable arrangement can be selected. How out 2 as can be seen, all that is required is that the detection area of the imaging sensor device 1 is such that the space under the vehicle can be detected with sufficient accuracy.

As in the 1 and 2 shown, for example, the imaging sensor device 1 can be arranged on a floor area in the vicinity of the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 below or outside the “vehicle silhouette”. In the present case, “near” can mean a distance of, for example, 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm, 1 m, 1.25 m, 1.5 m or 2 m can be understood.

However, other arrangements of the imaging sensor device 1 in relation to the charging plate 3 are also covered by the present invention. For example, the imaging sensor device 1 can also be arranged on or on the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 or in a wall area close to the ground of a parking facility, such as a garage, a carport or a multi-storey car park.

A number of vehicle models already have imaging sensor devices 1, for example in the form of one or more camera systems, which are used, for example, for a parking assistance system, a distance control system and/or a braking assistance system. Such vehicle-side imaging sensor devices 1 can also be used for the system according to the invention.

For safety reasons, to protect the stationary inductive charging device 4 and its charging plate 3 from vandalism and/or for reasons of practicability, the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 is usually arranged in the floor 7, or the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 protrudes a little out of the ground 7. The loading plate 5 of a vehicle 6 is usually integrated into the underbody 8 of the vehicle or protrudes slightly from it.

If the detection range of vehicle-side, imaging sensor devices 1 does not include the area between the underbody 8 of the vehicle and the floor area 7 located below the vehicle, as is the case, for example, with camera systems for parking assistance systems (the detection range of which usually includes the surroundings of the vehicle) , the required detection range can be achieved by a deflection or reflection device on the vehicle. However, non-vehicle (i.e. vehicle-external) deflection or reflection devices are also possible, which are arranged, for example, at a suitable distance in front of and/or behind the parked vehicle 6 (e.g. at a distance of 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20cm, 30cm, 40cm, 50cm, 75cm, 1m, 1.25m, 1.5m, 2m, 2.5m, 3m). In these configurations, it can happen that the imaging sensor device 1 “sees a mirror image”, which is not disadvantageous, however, since this can be taken into account when processing the data from the imaging sensor device 1 .

The charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 3 and/or the charging plate 4 of the vehicle 5 can be detected in the image data recorded by the imaging (image-generating) sensor device 1 in any suitable manner. For example, the inductive charging device 3 can have characteristic reflection properties, one or more markers (visible or invisible to the human eye) and/or a characteristic shape, which can be recognized by evaluating the image data recorded by the imaging sensor device 1 . A spatially locatable signal can also be emitted from the charging plate 3, which signal can be transmitted to the control unit 2 and evaluated by the latter. The same applies to the loading plate 5 of the vehicle 6.

The system advantageously includes a stationary inductive charging device 4 and the control unit 2 is also set up to be able to transmit at least one control signal to the stationary inductive charging device 4, with the control unit 2 being set up to transmit at least one control signal to the stationary inductive charging device 4 for stopping or Preventing the generation of an alternating magnetic field by the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 if and/or as long as there is an object in the space between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6.

As already mentioned above, high magnetic field strengths can occur between the charging plates 3 and the charging plate 5 during a wireless (contactless) charging process. If, for example, a metallic or, more generally speaking, an electrically conductive object gets into the vertical distance A between the charging plate 3 and the charging plate 5 during such a charging process, it can heat up considerably, which can cause combustible material in the floor area 7 under the vehicle to catch fire or can lead to damage to the vehicle underbody 8 or even to the vehicle 6 .

Further advantages result if the system is a stationary inductive charging device 4 whose charging plate 3 can be moved in the vertical direction and/or a vehicle 6 in which the distance between its charging plate 5 and the one underneath it Floor 7 is adjustable, and the control unit 2 is set up to be able to transmit at least one control signal to the stationary inductive charging device 4 and/or the vehicle 6, with the aid of which a vertical movement of the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and/or through a vertical movement of the charging plate 5 of the vehicle 6 and/or a vertical movement of the vehicle underbody 8, the vertical distance A between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the vehicle 6 can be changed.

As already mentioned above, an air gap with the best possible width between the charging plate 3 and the charging plate 5 is required to achieve a high level of efficiency in a contactless charging process. The above-mentioned further development of the system according to the invention enables a relative positioning of the charging plate 3 and the charging plate 5 in the vertical direction, as a result of which an optimal width of the air gap between the charging plate 3 and the charging plate 5 can be set and maintained during and outside of a contactless charging process.

At the same time, the safety of people can also be ensured in that, for example, a part of a person's body being trapped between the loading plates 3 and 5 can be avoided. Damage to property in the vehicle 6 and/or the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 can also be avoided, which is caused, for example, by a reduction in the initial ground clearance of a parked vehicle 6 and the associated placing of the charging plate 5 of the vehicle 6 on the charging plate 3 can be. A reduction in the initial ground clearance of a parked vehicle 6 can, for example, occur intentionally or unintentionally as a result of the vehicle 6 being loaded, people getting into the vehicle 6, a loss of pressure in at least one tire, etc.

Changing the relative positioning in the vertical direction of the loading plates 3 and 5 can be done in any suitable way. For example, the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 can be movable in the vertical direction, for example with the aid of a pneumatic device or with the aid of a motor-driven thread device. The same can be provided for the loading plate 5 of the vehicle 6 . A height adjustment of the loading plate 5 of the vehicle 6 can also be achieved, for example, by intervention in a correspondingly configured chassis (for example one with air suspension) of the vehicle 6 . A movement of both the loading plate 3 and the loading plate 5 is possible and makes sense in cases where, for example, by moving only one loading plate 3, 5, an optimal distance between the loading plates 3, 5 for a loading process cannot be established. or where the movement of only one loading plate means that the two loading plates 3, 5 cannot be avoided.

With these embodiments of the system according to the invention, not only vehicles with similar ground clearance can be charged without contact, but also vehicles with very different ground clearance. Height changes that occur with intentional or unintentional changes in ground clearance can also be dynamically compensated during and outside of loading processes.

• - Einparkhilfe,
• - Garagentor-Zustandsprüfung,
• - Objekt-Erfassung im Umfeld des Fahrzeugs,
• - Parkplatz Frei/Belegt-Erkennung, und/oder
• - Bewegungserkennung von Objekten.

The system according to the invention is characterized in that it can use the imaging sensor device 1 to carry out at least one sub-function for the following functions:

• - parking assistance,
• - garage door condition check,
• - object detection in the area surrounding the vehicle,
• - Parking vacant/occupied detection, and/or
• - Motion detection of objects.

When using the system according to the invention as a parking aid, for example, a parking process of the vehicle 6 can be detected by sensors. With the aid of the imaging sensor device 1 and the corresponding processing of the image data it acquires, the wheels and/or other parts of the vehicle 6 can be detected and the current position of the vehicle 6 with the target position of the vehicle 6, which is required for efficient energy transmission. be compared. With the aid of a communication device on the part of the contactless inductive charging device 4 and a communication device on the part of the vehicle 6, the calculated distance between the actual and desired position can be communicated and/or displayed to the driver. This information can also be used for an automatic or piloted parking process.

When using the system according to the invention for checking the condition of a garage door, the imaging sensor device 1 can be used to detect whether a garage door is open or closed. The status of the garage door can then be communicated to other communication participants, for example via a communication device on the part of the contactless inductive charging device 4 .

When using the system according to the invention for an object detection in the environment of driving Vehicle 6 can be detected using the imaging sensor device 1 objects that are in the area around the vehicle 6 around. With the exception of shaded areas, for example behind the wheels, this applies to a large area around vehicle 6 . Since, for example, stepping movements of people follow a typical movement pattern, a classification into “persons” can also be carried out with the aid of appropriate processing of the image data recorded by the imaging sensor device 1 . In this way, for example, burglars or other people who approach the vehicle 6 without permission or are in its vicinity can be detected. The corresponding information can then be communicated to other communication participants, for example via a communication device on the part of the contactless inductive charging device 4 .

When using the system according to the invention for a parking space vacant/occupied detection, it can be detected, for example with the aid of the imaging sensor device 1, whether or that the parking space/parking space where the stationary inductive charging device 4 with its charging plate 3 is located is being used by a vehicle 6 is occupied. The given parking space/parking space situation can then be communicated to other communication participants, for example via a communication device on the part of the contactless inductive charging device 4 .

When the system according to the invention is used for detecting the movement of objects, the system according to the invention can be used, for example, for interactive game functions. For example, the imaging sensor device 1 can be used in combination with a display device to supply interactive games (computer programs) with information about the player(s). For example, a number of jumps performed by a player can be determined by the imaging sensor device 1 . A further example are evasive movements (a player moves in different directions, such as to the left, to the right, forwards and/or backwards), which are recognized by the imaging sensor device 1 and processed accordingly by the control unit 2 and, if necessary, communicated. Yet another example of motion detection can include a game in which a player must try to cover as long a distance as possible within the detection range of the imaging sensor device 1 while performing as linear a movement as possible (both spatially and temporally).

For example, the loading plate 3 can serve as a playing field for the described object or movement detections, but of course other areas and surfaces in the detection area of the imaging sensor device 1 are also possible.

• - Erfassen des Zwischenraums zwischen der Ladeplatte 3 der stationären Induktionsladevorrichtung 4 und der Ladeplatte 5 des geparkten Fahrzeugs 6 mit Hilfe der 3D-Sensoreinrichtung,
• - Übertragen der erfassten Daten zu dem Steuergerät 2, und
• - Auswerten der Daten der 3D-Sensoreinrichtung 1 durch das Steuergerät 2 dahin, ob sich im Zwischenraum zwischen der Ladeplatte 3 der stationären Induktionsladevorrichtung 4 und der Ladeplatte 5 des geparkten Fahrzeugs 6 wenigstens ein Objekt befindet und/oder welchen vertikalen Abstand A die Ladeplatte 3 der stationären Induktionsladevorrichtung 4 und die Ladeplatte 5 des geparkten Fahrzeugs 6 zueinander aufweisen.

A method for monitoring a gap between a charging plate 3 of a stationary inductive charging device 4 and a charging plate 5 of a parked vehicle 6, the charging plate 5 of which is positioned relative to the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 in such a way that a Alternating magnetic field an alternating magnetic field is generated in the charging plate 5 of the vehicle 6 by means of a system which has at least one 3D sensor device 1 and a control unit 2, comprises at least the following steps:

• - detecting the space between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6 using the 3D sensor device,
• - Transmission of the recorded data to the control unit 2, and
• - Evaluation of the data from the 3D sensor device 1 by the control unit 2 to determine whether there is at least one object in the space between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6 and/or the vertical distance A between the charging plate 3 and the have stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6 to one another.

The method can further include the step of transmitting at least one control signal from the control unit 2 to the stationary inductive charging device 4 to stop or prevent the generation of an alternating magnetic field by the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 if and/or as long as there is a gap between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the parked vehicle 6 is an object.

Likewise, in the method using a system that includes a stationary inductive charging device 4, the charging plate 3 of which can be moved in the vertical direction and/or a vehicle 6, in which the distance between its charging plate 5 and the floor 7 below can be adjusted, through the Control unit 2 transmits at least one control signal to inductive charging device 4 and/or vehicle 6, with the aid of which a vertical movement of charging plate 3 of stationary inductive charging device 4 and/or a vertical movement of charging plate 5 of vehicle 6 and/or a vertical Movement of the vehicle underbody 8, the vertical distance A between the charging plate 3 of the stationary inductive charging device 4 and the charging plate 5 of the vehicle 6 is changed.

Further advantageous and expedient developments and embodiments of the method result for the person skilled in the art from the above description of the system according to the invention, its advantageous developments and the described embodiments.

Where the present application refers to "transmitting", "transmitting", "communicating", "communication", etc. of data, this can be done in any suitable manner, such as wired or wireless manner. In a wireless manner, the "transmission" or "communication" can take place, for example, by means of radio waves or light waves, unencrypted or encrypted. If a "transmission" or "communication" is provided for in the present application, it is self-evident for a person skilled in the art that the corresponding devices must have a device for carrying out the "transmission" or "communication" or be able to access such a device, and that the facilities to which the "transmission" or "communication" occurs must have or be able to access appropriate facilities to receive the data or information.

Since the facilities, devices, components, components, etc. required for the system according to the invention and their possible interaction are known to those skilled in the art, there is no need to go into this in more detail in the present application.

Claims (3)

System for monitoring a space between a charging plate (3) of a stationary inductive charging device (4) and a charging plate (5) of a parked vehicle (6) whose charging plate (5) is positioned relative to the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4). that an alternating magnetic field can be generated in the charging plate (5) of the vehicle (6) by an alternating magnetic field generated by the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4), the system having an imaging sensor device (1) and a control unit (2). , the imaging sensor device (1) at least one 3D camera device for visible light, a 3D camera device for infrared light, a radar device, a time-of-flight device, and/or a laser scanner, in particular a 3D laser scanner includes and is set up to park the space between the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4) and the charging plate (5). en vehicle (6) and to transmit the recorded data to the control unit (2), and the control unit (2) is set up to evaluate the data of the imaging sensor device (1) to determine whether in the space between the loading plate (3 ) of the stationary inductive charging device (4) and the charging plate (5) of the parked vehicle (6) there is at least one object and/or what vertical distance (A) the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4) and the charging plate (5) of the parked vehicle (6) to one another, characterized in that the system is further set up to be able to carry out at least one sub-function for the following functions with the aid of the imaging sensor device (1): - parking aid, - garage door status check, - object detection in the environment of the vehicle, - parking space vacant/occupied detection, and/or - motion detection of objects. system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the system further comprises a stationary inductive charging device (4) and the control unit (2) is further set up to be able to transmit at least one control signal to the stationary inductive charging device (4), the control unit (2) being set up to to transmit at least one control signal to the stationary inductive charging device (4) to stop or prevent the generation of an alternating magnetic field by the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4) if and/or as long as there is a gap between the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4) and the charging plate (5) of the parked vehicle (6) there is an object. system according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the system is a stationary inductive charging device (4) whose charging plate (3) can be moved in the vertical direction and/or a vehicle (6) in which the distance between its charging plate (5) and the floor (7) underneath can be adjusted and the control unit (2) is set up to be able to transmit at least one control signal to the stationary inductive charging device (4) and/or the vehicle (6) by means of a vertical movement of the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4) and/or due to a vertical movement of the charging plate (5) of the vehicle (6) and/or a vertical movement of the vehicle underbody (8), the vertical distance (A) between the charging plate (3) of the stationary inductive charging device (4) and the loading plate (5) of the vehicle (6) can be changed.

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