EP4035986A1 - Wake board or surfboard with electrical motor and internal battery - Google Patents

Abstract

Wakeboard or surfboard with an electric drive together with a control device and an internal energy supply in the form of a rechargeable energy storage element (accumulator), the drive and the accumulator (7) being integrated into the board and at least the accumulator being on the board, preferably from the top of the board, can be removed from a battery compartment (1) and can be electrically decoupled, with the battery fitting into the battery compartment with an approximately form-fitting fit and, when in use, being coupled to an electrical connection device in the battery compartment with electrical connections comprising two poles, with the battery compartment at least has walls (2) that run conically on two opposite sides, which at least slightly reduce the battery compartment towards the floor (3), the walls centering and positioning the battery, which is equipped with complementary walls, when it is inserted and guide it until it reaches the coupled operating position.

Description

The invention relates to a wakeboard or surfboard with an electric drive together with a control device and an internal energy supply in the form of a rechargeable energy storage element (battery), the drive and the battery being integrated into the board, with at least the battery being taken from the board, preferably from the Top of the board, can be removed from a battery compartment and is electrically decoupled, with the battery fitting approximately in a form-fitting manner into the battery compartment and being coupled to an electrical connection device in the battery compartment when in use with two-pole electrical connections.

A wakeboard is a piece of water sports equipment in the form of a board, with which the water sports enthusiast can glide on the water. Usually the wakeboard is pulled by a boat or a lift. A surfboard is also water sports equipment in the form of a board, either for surfing or in connection with a sail for windsurfing.

Wakeboards and surfboards with an integrated drive are already known from practice. With regard to surfboards with combustion engines, see for example U.S. 3,262,413 A referred.

Electrically powered wakeboards or surfboards did not initially catch on due to their low battery capacities. Due to improved battery technology, there are more and more wakeboards and surfboards with an electric drive. This is an example WO 2019/122087 A1 referred. Specifically, there is a jet drive in the rear area, the electric motor of which is supplied with electrical energy via a rechargeable battery that can be replaced from the top of the board. Propeller drives are also known from practice. If the battery is empty, it can be exchanged for a charged battery, so that almost continuous operation is possible.

The well-known wakeboard or surboard is problematic in practice because the battery is difficult to insert into the battery compartment due to the small gap dimensions and mechanical attachments are subject to dirt. In addition, there are problems with tightness in the area of the electrical connections with the risk of short circuits.

Especially when used in salt water, encrustations from salt and sand often result in the battery being extremely difficult to insert and, due to the grains of sand, being extremely difficult or even impossible to remove from the battery compartment. Handling the battery requires a lot of skill and often means that the battery can only be handled on land and with the help of tools.

The present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a wakeboard or surfboard in such a way that the disadvantages occurring in the prior art are at least largely eliminated. In particular, it should be possible to easily change the battery. The electrical connections should be protected from water and wear out as little as possible when the battery is replaced. Destruction of the electrical connections should be effectively avoided when handling the battery. In addition, the wakeboard or surfboard according to the invention should differ from competitive products.

According to the invention, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. According to this, the generic wakeboard or surfboard is characterized in that the battery compartment has conical walls on at least two opposite sides, which at least slightly reduce the battery compartment towards the floor, the walls centering and positioning the battery, which is equipped with complementary walls, when it is inserted and up to into the battery compartment to reach the docked operating position.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that a battery change is facilitated by the fact that conically running walls are formed on at least two opposite sides of the battery compartment, which at least slightly reduce the battery compartment toward the floor. Thus, the battery compartment has a certain wedge shape in section transverse to the conically running walls. The battery compartment is therefore wider on the plug-in side than on the bottom side. Accordingly, the battery has complementary walls that fit into the battery compartment with a small gap. Because of this configuration, the battery centers itself when it is inserted into the battery compartment, so that the battery is automatically positioned in the battery compartment when it is inserted. When fully plugged in, the battery has reached its operating position coupled in the battery compartment. In this position, the walls of the battery lie against the walls of the battery compartment, resulting in a certain sealing effect. The penetration of sand or dirt particles into an at most minimal gap between the wall of the battery and the wall of the battery compartment is effectively avoided, so that the battery can be easily removed again.

The handling of the battery can be facilitated by the fact that the battery compartment has walls running conically on four opposite sides in pairs, which reduce the cross-section of the battery compartment towards the bottom. These walls center the battery, which is equipped with complementary walls, when it is inserted and position it until it reaches the coupled operating position. This refinement again favors the handling of the battery, starting with the insertion up to the completely plugged-in state in which the battery is in the coupled operating position. When pulling the battery out of the battery compartment, an initial clamping effect has to be overcome and the battery can be easily lifted up out of the battery compartment.

It is also conceivable for the walls of the battery compartment to be connected to one another via rounded corner areas which have a conical profile corresponding to the design of the wall. The walls of the battery are designed to be complementary to the battery compartment. This measure also favors the insertion of the battery, the secure seat in the operating position and removal.

In principle it is conceivable that the wall of the battery compartment and the wall of the battery consist of a plastic material. In this case, sealing means can be provided between the battery and the battery compartment, which at least largely prevent the ingress of water, at least in the inserted state of the battery. It is also conceivable for the wall of the battery compartment and/or the battery to have at least partial rubber coating or the like to promote a sealing effect, care being taken to ensure that the provision of appropriate sealing means does not make handling of the battery more difficult.

In a further advantageous manner, the battery inserted into the battery compartment closes the battery compartment flush with the surface of the board. Consequently, the battery is completely integrated into the board when inserted and forms one with its surface Part of the surface of the board. A sealing overlap on the surface of the board is conceivable.

It is also conceivable that the battery compartment or the battery has a special cover that is flush with the surface of the board or the surface is overlapping. The cover can in turn be associated with sealing means that act on the battery compartment or on the surface of the board. The cover is then designed in a further advantageous manner according to the surface of the board, preferably provided with a non-slip material.

For easy handling of the battery, it can be equipped on the top with preferably two handles that can be lowered into the surface of the battery, which are completely lowered when the battery is in operation, for example by swiveling, and do not interfere with use and, above all, do not pose a risk of injury. To handle the battery, the handles are folded out and the battery can be pulled out of the battery compartment by applying force.

The battery could be securely positioned in the battery compartment by a certain clamping effect, it being advantageous to generate more extensive protection for the battery in the battery compartment, especially since the wakeboard or surfboard can tip over during operation or during transport. So it is conceivable that the battery can be mechanically and / or electrically and / or magnetically and / or electromagnetically secured in its operating position against unintentional pulling out or slipping out. A mechanical fuse may seem the simplest. However, the securing means are regularly disruptive.

Of particular advantage is securing the battery using magnetic forces, preferably by one or more permanent magnets that act between the bottom of the battery and the bottom of the battery compartment. To release the safety, the magnetic forces can be briefly removed by applying current to the magnets, so that removal is possible without any problems. The demagnetization can take place at the touch of a button, and the actuating element used for this purpose can be formed on the surface of the battery. The current used for demagnetization is taken from the battery, with a special control or battery management prevents the battery from being completely discharged during operation, not least for reasons of battery care.

At this point it should be noted that it is also conceivable, using electromagnets, to reverse the polarity of the magnets that cause the safety device to remove the battery, so that there is a repelling effect of the electromagnets on the one hand in the bottom of the battery and on the other hand on the bottom or on the sides of the battery compartment Facilitate removal of the battery.

The electrical coupling of the battery to the wakeboard or surfboard, in particular the integrated control for the electric drive, which is usually designed as a jet drive, takes place automatically when the battery is inserted into the battery compartment. For this purpose, two countersunk, internal contacts are designed in the sense of a socket in the bottom area of the battery. Pins protruding from the bottom of the battery compartment are automatically inserted into these sockets when the battery is brought into the operating position. To facilitate insertion and thus contact, the pins can be conical, tapering towards the free end. As a result, the pins have a centering effect on the battery. A kind of self-centering is created. The positioning of the rechargeable battery in the operating position requires automatic contacting, so that the rechargeable battery is in the electrically connected operating position when it is completely plugged in.

To activate or turn on the battery, a switch can be provided at any point, for example a simple pressure switch. It is also conceivable that a magnetic switch is provided to release the two power contacts on the battery, which then automatically releases the battery when the battery approaches the battery compartment or when the battery is inserted into the battery compartment.

After contact closure of the two main contacts (+/-) in the battery compartment or in the bottom of the battery, a preferably time-controlled magnetic relay can switch the circuit breaker (e.g. contactor) built into the battery. This effectively prevents sparks when the battery is inserted, since the magnetic relay switches in the immediate vicinity of the battery compartment. In addition, no further switching on or off by the user is required in order to switch on the main current and thus the contactor or separate him again. In addition, a battery management system can be operated in parallel regardless of this, without the contactor drawing current and generating heat in the process.

It is a further advantage if the poles formed by the contacts/pins are as far apart as possible, in accordance with the dimensions of the battery. In addition to the sealing measures, this also promotes operational safety.

The pins in the bottom of the battery compartment can be rubber-mounted so that they are able to at least slightly adjust to the position of the sockets. This allows certain manufacturing tolerances, which simplifies the manufacture of the contact areas.

In a further advantageous manner, the sockets formed in the bottom area of the battery are equipped with rubberized sleeves which wrap around the pins when they are inserted and seal them off from the bottom area of the battery compartment. Thus, the poles are essentially sealed against water.

Since the contacts or pins in the bottom of the battery compartment are subject to wear due to being connected and disconnected X times and there is a risk of them being damaged if handled improperly, it is of further advantage if the pins can be replaced, preferably using a special tool. They can be removed from the bottom area of the battery compartment and new pins can be inserted with little effort, it being possible for the pins to be assigned to a latch or the like for stabilization. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the contacts/pins have good mutual sliding properties due to their surface quality and/or due to their material properties. It is important that the contacts/pins are made of a corrosion-resistant alloy with good electrical conductivity, preferably a stainless steel/tungsten alloy. In addition to generating a full-surface contact between pin and socket, it is conceivable that the socket or the pins are designed with contact webs, which facilitates plugging and unplugging with a sufficiently good electrical connection.

The rechargeable battery can be equipped with a short-circuit protection against voltage when charging/discharging and/or with a relay circuit for switching off when the operating temperature and/or voltage is too high. These safety attributes can be built into the battery.

It is also conceivable that a DC/DC converter, for example from 50.4 V DC to 5 V DC, is provided in or on the battery, via which a mini or microcomputer, preferably with a GPS sensor and possibly with an LTE SIM card can be supplied with energy. The converter can be assigned directly to the battery or else to the electronics on the board.

It is also conceivable that an induction charger for charging induction-capable devices is provided in the battery or on the battery, for example in a cover, for example for charging a WLAN board remote control and/or mobile phones, etc., preferably with a voltage of 5 Volt.

The charge level of the battery can be read from an analogue or digital display, for example in or on the battery or from a TFT display. In the simplest case, the display can be by light-emitting diode and/or acoustically.

The charge status of the battery can be transmitted to a battery management system (BMS) via an interface or to third-party devices via WLAN. It is also conceivable that an integrated minicomputer can be used for maintenance/care of the battery and/or for monitoring during operation and/or for deactivation in the event of theft. The provision of a GPS also allows the board to be located, which favors security in training centers and locating the board in the event of theft.

Finally, it is advantageous if the battery can be used to charge a smaller emergency battery permanently installed in the board when it is in the operating state, so that the emergency battery is always fully charged. The emergency battery can be "maintained" via the BMS, as is usual with batteries during winter storage.

Fig. 1a

in einer schematischen Ansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Wake-/Surfboards ohne Akku,

Fig. 1b

in einer schematischen Seitenansicht, geschnitten, das Wake-/Surfboard gemäß Fig. 1A,

Fig. 2

in einer schematischen Draufsicht ein Wake-/Surfboard ähnlich dem in Fig. 1 abgebildeten Board, ohne Akku,

Fig. 3

das Wake-/Surfboard aus Fig. 2 im Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A,

Fig. 4

einen Akku zum Einsetzen in ein erfindungsgemäßes Wake-/Surfboard in einer Ansicht von unten (von der Anschlussseite her),

Fig. 5

den Akku zum Einsetzen in ein erfindungsgemäßes Wake-/Surfboard in einer Ansicht von der Seite, und

Fig. 6

den Akku zum Einsetzen in ein erfindungsgemäßes Wake-/Surfboard in einer Ansicht im Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A aus Fig. 4.

There are now various possibilities for embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. This is on the one hand on the dem Claim 1 subordinate claims and on the other hand to refer to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention using the drawing, generally preferred refinements and developments of the teaching are also explained. Show in the drawing

Fig. 1a

in a schematic view an exemplary embodiment of a wakeboard/surfboard according to the invention without a battery,

Fig. 1b

in a schematic side view, cut, according to the wake-/surfboard Figure 1A ,

2

in a schematic plan view a wake/surfboard similar to that in 1 illustrated board, without battery,

3

the wakeboard/surfboard off 2 in section along line AA,

4

a battery for insertion into a wakeboard/surfboard according to the invention in a view from below (from the connection side),

figure 5

the battery for insertion into a wakeboard/surfboard according to the invention in a side view, and

6

shows the battery for insertion into a wakeboard/surfboard according to the invention in a sectional view along the line AA 4 .

Fig. 1a shows a schematic view of a wakeboard, which is equipped with an electric jet drive, not shown in the figure, together with a control device. Only the components essential to the invention are shown here.

The wakeboard is equipped with a battery compartment 1 that is accessible from the surface. The side walls 2 of the battery compartment 1 run conically, so that the cross section of the battery compartment 1 is reduced toward the bottom 3 .

In the bottom 3 of the battery compartment 1 widely spaced pins 4 are integrated, which are rubber-mounted. The pins 4 are arranged as far apart as possible and are used for electrical contact with the battery.

In addition, 3 magnets 5 are arranged in the bottom, which interact with ferromagnetic material or with magnets in the bottom assembly of the battery. The magnets 5 are designed as permanent magnets and ensure that the battery is held securely in the battery compartment 1, and their magnetic effect can be canceled briefly by applying an electrical charge.

Fig. 1b shows the wakeboard according to the invention from the side and in section and reveals the battery compartment 1 with the conical walls 2 . A built-in emergency battery 6 is indicated.

2 shows a wakeboard according to the invention seen from the top. The battery compartment 1 with the conical walls 2 can be seen. The pins 4 serving as poles and two magnets 5 for securing the inserted battery 7 can be seen in the bottom 3 of the battery compartment 1 .

3 shows the wakeboard according to 2 in section along the line AA, specifically through the pins 4 serving as poles. It can be clearly seen that the pins 4 protrude from the bottom 3. They are used for plugging into the corresponding sockets in the battery 7.

4 shows the battery 7, which can be inserted into the battery compartment 1 of the wakeboard according to the invention. Corresponding to the lateral walls 2 of the battery compartment 1, the surrounding walls 8 of the battery 7 are of complementary design, ie also conical. When inserting the battery, a kind of forced guidance is implemented up to the operating position.

Two sockets 9 are formed in the base of the battery 7 or are integrated into the base, with the sockets 9 advantageously being equipped with sealing collars. When the battery 7 is inserted, the pins 4 in the base 3 of the battery compartment 1 come into contact with the sockets 9 and are fully inserted into the sockets 9 when the battery 7 is in the operating position. The magnets 10 have opposite polarity to the magnets 5 and cause an attraction and thus securing of the battery 7 in the battery compartment 1. To remove the battery 7 from the battery compartment 1, the magnets 5 and/or 10 can be demagnetized at least briefly by means of electricity, so that their effect on removing the battery can be eliminated.

figure 5 shows the battery 7 seen from the side. It is indicated that the sockets 9 are integrated into the battery 7.

6 shows the battery 7 in section along the line AA 4 . It is clear here that the sockets 9 are completely integrated into the battery 7 . They are used to insert the pins 4 protruding from the bottom 3 of the battery compartment 1 and have a sealing collar 11, which acts on the one hand against the pins 4 and on the other hand against the bottom 3 of the battery compartment 1 or against a rubber-elastic sealing surface around the pins 4 .

With regard to further advantageous refinements of the claimed teaching, reference is made to the general description in order to avoid repetition.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention described above only serves to explain the claimed teaching, but does not restrict it to the exemplary embodiment.

Reference List

1

battery compartment

2

side wall of the battery compartment

3

bottom in the battery compartment

4

pin in the bottom of the battery compartment

5

Magnet integrated into the bottom of the battery compartment

6

Emergency battery permanently installed in the board

7

battery pack

8th

side wall of the battery

9

Socket integrated into the bottom of the battery

10

Magnet integrated into the bottom of the battery

11

cuff

Claims (15)

Wakeboard or surfboard with an electric drive together with a control device and an internal energy supply in the form of a rechargeable energy storage element (accumulator), the drive and the accumulator (7) being integrated into the board and at least the accumulator (7) being out of the board, preferably from the top of the board, can be removed from a battery compartment (1) and can be electrically decoupled, the battery (7) fitting into the battery compartment (1) with an approximately positive fit and, in the inserted operating state, having electrical connections comprising two poles to an electrical connection device is paired in the battery compartment (1),
characterized in that the battery compartment (1) has walls (2) which run conically on at least two opposite sides and which at least slightly reduce the battery compartment (1) towards the base (3), the walls (2) having complementary walls (8 ) equipped battery (7) when inserting it, center and position it and guide it until it reaches the coupled operating position. Wakeboard or surfboard according to Claim 1, characterized in that the battery compartment (1) has walls (2) which run conically on four opposite sides in pairs and which at least slightly reduce the battery compartment (1) towards the base (3), the walls (2) center and position the battery (7) equipped with complementary walls (8) when inserting it and guide it until it reaches the coupled operating position. Wakeboard or surfboard according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the walls (2) of the battery compartment (1) are connected to one another via rounded corner areas, the walls (8) of the battery (7) being designed to complement the battery compartment (1). are. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the operating position of the battery (7) between the battery (7) and the battery compartment (1) preferably circumferential sealing means are provided. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the battery (7) inserted into the battery compartment (1) closes the battery compartment (1) flush with the surface of the board and/or that in the battery compartment (1) inserted battery (7) a cover closes the battery compartment (1) flush with the surface of the board, wherein the cover sealant can be assigned, which act against the battery compartment (1). Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the battery (7) is equipped on the upper side with preferably two handles which can be lowered into the surface for handling the battery (7). Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the battery (7) can be secured in its operating position mechanically and/or electrically and/or magnetically and/or electromagnetically against being pulled out or slipping out, with the battery being secured (7) can be done magnetically, preferably by one or more permanent magnets (5) between the bottom of the battery (7) and the bottom (3) of the battery compartment (1) and/or between the side walls of the battery and the bottom compartment of the The battery (7) and the battery compartment (1) act, whereby a short-term demagnetization can be carried out by applying current to the or the magnet (5) to unlock it. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the bottom area of the battery (7) two recessed, internal contacts are formed in the sense of a socket (9) into which from the bottom (3) of the battery compartment ( 1) protruding pins (4) are automatically plugged in when the battery (7) is brought into the operating position and/or the poles formed by the contacts/pins (4) can be as far apart as possible, and/or the pins (4) can be rubber-mounted in the bottom (3) of the battery compartment (1), and/or the contacts/pins (4) in the bottom (3) of the battery compartment (1) can be exchangeable, preferably using a special tool, and/or the contacts/pins (4) can have good sliding properties against one another due to their surface finish and/or due to their material properties, and the contacts/pins (4) are made of an electrically highly conductive, corrosion-resistant alloy, preferably a stainless steel/tungsten alloy are created. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the battery (7) has a short-circuit protection against overvoltage when charging/discharging and/or a relay switch-off if the operating temperature and/or voltage is too high. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a DC/DC converter, for example from 50.4 V DC to 5 V DC, is provided in or on the battery (7), via which a minicomputer is preferably used can be supplied with energy using a GPS sensor and possibly an LTE SIM card. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that an induction charger for charging induction-capable devices is provided in the battery (7) or on the battery (7), for example in a cover. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that an analogue or digital display, preferably in or on the battery (7) or via a TFT display, is provided to display the state of charge of the battery (7). Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the state of charge of the battery (7) can be transmitted to third-party devices via an interface to a battery management system (BMS) or via WLAN or via an LTE data connection. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that an integrated mini-computer, preferably via LTE data connection to the internet/intranet, for maintenance/care of the battery (7) and/or for monitoring during operation and/or or can be used to deactivate in the event of theft. Wakeboard or surfboard according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the battery (7) can be used to charge an emergency battery (6) permanently installed in the board.

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