EP4035986B1 - Wake board or surfboard with electrical motor and internal battery - Google Patents

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 coming from the board, preferably from the The top of the board can be removed from a battery compartment and can be electrically decoupled, with the battery fitting into the battery compartment in an approximately form-fitting manner and, in the inserted operating state, being coupled to an electrical connection device in the battery compartment with two-pole electrical connections.

A wakeboard is a piece of water sports equipment in the form of a board that allows water sports enthusiasts to glide on the water. The wakeboard is usually pulled by a boat or a lift. A surfboard is also a piece of water sports equipment in the form of a board, either for surfing or in conjunction with a sail for windsurfing.

Wakeboards and surfboards with integrated drives are already known from practice. With regard to surfboards with combustion engines, an example is given US 3,262,413 A referred.

Electrically powered wakeboards or surfboards did not initially become widespread due to low battery capacities. Due to improved battery technology, wakeboards and surfboards with electric drives are increasingly available. An example of this is: 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 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 replaced with a charged battery so that almost continuous operation is possible. CN 111 874 165 A shows a wakeboard according to the preamble of claim 1.

The well-known wake or surfboard is problematic in practice because the battery is difficult to insert into the battery compartment due to the small gaps and mechanical fasteners are subject to contamination. In addition, leakage problems with the risk of short circuits occur in the area of the electrical connections.

Especially when used in salt water, incrustations caused by salt and sand often make the battery extremely difficult to insert and, due to the grains of sand, 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 safely protected from water and should wear 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 wake 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 wake or surfboard is characterized in that the battery compartment has conical walls on at least four pairs of opposite sides, which at least slightly reduce the battery compartment towards the floor, the walls centering and positioning the battery equipped with complementary walls when inserted and Guide it into the battery compartment until you reach the coupled operating position.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that a battery change is facilitated by the fact that conical walls are formed on at least four pairs of opposite sides of the battery compartment, which at least slightly reduce the battery compartment towards the floor. The battery compartment therefore has a certain wedge shape in section across the conical walls. The battery compartment is therefore wider on the insertion side than on the bottom side. Accordingly, the battery has complementary walls that fit into the battery compartment with a small gap. Due to this design, the battery centers itself when inserted into the battery compartment, so that the battery is automatically positioned in the battery compartment when inserted. When fully plugged in, the battery has reached its operating position in the battery compartment. In this position, the walls of the battery lie against the walls of the Battery compartment, which creates a certain sealing effect. The penetration of sand or dirt particles into a minimal gap between the wall of the battery and the wall of the battery compartment is effectively prevented, so that the battery can be easily removed again.

The handling of the battery can be facilitated by the fact that, according to the invention, the battery compartment has conical walls on four pairs of opposite sides, which reduce the cross section of the battery compartment towards the bottom. These walls center the battery, which is equipped with complementary walls, upon insertion and position it until it reaches the coupled operating position. This configuration once again facilitates the handling of the battery, starting with 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 must be overcome and the battery can simply be lifted up out of the battery compartment.

It is also conceivable that the walls of the battery compartment are connected to one another via rounded corner areas which have a conical shape depending on the design of the wall. The walls of the battery are designed to complement the battery compartment. This measure also makes it easier to insert the battery, ensure it sits securely in the operating position and remove it.

In principle, it is conceivable that the wall of the battery compartment and the wall of the battery consist of a plastic material. Sealants can be provided between the battery and the battery compartment, which at least largely prevent water from entering, at least when the battery is inserted. It is also conceivable that the wall of the battery compartment and/or the battery has an at least partial rubber coating or the like to promote a sealing effect, although it should be ensured that the provision of appropriate sealants does not make handling 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, when inserted, the battery is completely integrated into the board 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 overlaps the surface. The cover can in turn be assigned sealants that act against the battery compartment or against the surface of the board. The lid 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 retracted into the surface of the battery, which are completely recessed when the battery is in operation, for example by pivoting, 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 using force.

The battery could be positioned securely in the battery compartment through a certain clamping effect, whereby it is 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. It is therefore conceivable that the battery can be secured in its operating position mechanically and/or electrically and/or magnetically and/or electromagnetically against unintentional pulling out or slipping out. A mechanical lock may seem the simplest. However, the security measures are regularly disruptive.

It is particularly advantageous to secure the battery using magnetic forces, preferably through one or more permanent magnets that act between the underside of the battery and the bottom of the battery compartment. To unlock the device, the magnetic forces can be canceled for a short time by applying current to the magnets, so that removal is possible without any problems. The demagnetization can be carried out at the push of a button, and the actuator 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 This prevents the battery from completely discharging due to operation, not least for reasons of battery care.

It should be noted at this point that, using electromagnets, it is also conceivable to reverse the polarity of the magnets that provide the fuse when removing the battery, so that the electromagnets have a repelling effect 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 Encourage 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, occurs automatically when the battery is inserted into the battery compartment. For this purpose, two recessed, internal contacts in the form of a socket are formed in the bottom area of the battery. Pins protruding from the bottom of the battery compartment are automatically inserted into these sockets at the appropriate location when the battery is moved into the operating position. To promote insertion and thus contact, the pins can be conical and tapered towards the free end. This means that the pins have a centering effect on the battery. A kind of self-centering is created. Positioning the battery in the operating position requires automatic contact, so that the battery is in the electrically connected operating position when fully plugged in.

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

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

It is a further advantage if the poles formed by the contacts/pins are as far apart as possible, corresponding to 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 manufacturing of the contact areas.

The sockets formed in the bottom area of the battery are further advantageously equipped with rubberized sleeves, which lie around the pins when they are inserted and seal them against 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 X-time coupling and uncoupling and there is a risk that they will be damaged if handled improperly, it is an additional advantage if the pins can be replaced, preferably using special tools. These can be removed from the bottom area of the battery compartment and new pins can be inserted with little effort, whereby the pins can be assigned to a latch or the like for stabilization. It is also advantageous if the contacts/pins have good mutual sliding properties due to their surface properties and/or their material properties. It is important that the contacts/pins are made of an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant alloy, 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 bars, which facilitates plugging and unplugging with a sufficiently good electrical connection.

The battery can be equipped with a short-circuit protection against voltage when charging/discharging and/or with a relay circuit to switch off if the operating temperature and/or voltage is too high. These safety attributes can be integrated 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 LTE SIM card can be supplied with energy. The converter can be assigned directly to the battery or 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 cell phones, etc., preferably with a voltage of 5 Volt.

The charge status of the battery can be read via an analog or digital display, for example in or on the battery or via a TFT display. In the simplest case, the display can be done using a light-emitting diode and/or acoustically.

The battery charge status can be transmitted via an interface to a battery management system (BMS) 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 promotes security in training centers and the finding of the board in the event of theft.

Finally, it is an advantage if the battery, when inserted, can be used to charge a smaller emergency battery that is permanently installed in the board, so that the emergency battery is always fully charged. The BMS can be used to “maintain” the emergency battery, 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 ways to advantageously design and develop the teaching of the present invention. On the one hand, this is due to the Claim 1 subordinate claims and on the other hand to refer to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention based on the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention based on the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are also explained. Show in the drawing

Fig. 1a

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

Fig. 1b

in a schematic side view, cut, the wake/surfboard according to Fig. 1A ,

Fig. 2

in a schematic top view of a wake/surfboard similar to the one in Fig. 1 board shown, without battery,

Fig. 3

the wake/surfboard Fig. 2 in section along line AA,

Fig. 4

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

Fig. 5

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

Fig. 6

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

Fig. 1a shows a schematic view of a wakeboard, which is equipped with an electric jet drive (not shown in the figure) and 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 are conical, so that the cross section of the battery compartment 1 is reduced towards the bottom 3.

Widely spaced pins 4, which are rubber-mounted, are integrated into the bottom 3 of the battery compartment 1. 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 base, which interact with ferromagnetic material or with magnets in the base 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 for a short time by electrical application.

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

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

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

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

Two sockets 9 are formed in the bottom of the battery 7 or integrated into the floor, the sockets 9 being advantageously equipped with sealing sleeves. When inserting the battery 7, the pins 4 in the bottom 3 of the battery compartment 1 come into contact with the sockets 9 and are completely inserted into the sockets 9 in the operating position of the battery 7. The magnets 10 are polarized in opposite directions 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 using electricity, so that their effect on removing the battery can be canceled.

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

Fig. 6 shows the battery 7 in section along the line AA Fig. 4 . Here it is clear 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 sleeve 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 embodiments of the claimed teaching, reference is made to the general description 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 discuss the claimed teaching, but does not limit it to the exemplary embodiment.

Reference symbol 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 (14)

1. Wake or surfboard having an electric drive in addition to the control device and an internal energy supply in the form of a rechargeable energy storage element (battery), wherein the drive and the battery (7) are integrated in the board, and wherein at least the battery (7) can be removed from the board, preferably from the upper side of the board, from a battery compartment (1) and can be electrically disconnected, wherein the battery (7) fits approximately in a positive-locking manner in the battery compartment (1) and in the inserted operating state is connected to an electrical connection device in the battery compartment (1) with electrical connections which comprise two poles, characterised in that the battery compartment (1) has on four sides which are opposite each other in pairs conically tapering walls (2) which at least slightly reduce the battery compartment (1) in the direction towards the base (3), wherein the walls (2) centre the battery (7) which is provided with complementary walls (8) during insertion and position and guide it until it reaches the connected operating position.
2. Wake or surfboard according to claim 1, characterised in that the walls (2) of the battery compartment (1) are connected to each other by means of rounded corner regions, wherein the walls (8) of the battery (7) are constructed to complement the battery compartment (1).
3. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that in the operating position of the battery (7) circumferential sealing means are preferably provided between the battery (7) and the battery compartment (1) .
4. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the battery (7) which is inserted in the battery compartment (1) closes the battery compartment (1) flush with the surface of the board and/or in that, when the battery (7) is inserted into the battery compartment (1), a cover closes the battery compartment (1) flush with the surface of the board, wherein there may be associated with the cover sealing means which act with respect to the battery compartment (1).
5. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the battery (7) is provided on the upper side with preferably two handles which can be recessed in the surface for handling the battery (7).
6. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the battery (7) in the operating position thereof can be mechanically and/or electrically and/or magnetically and/or electromagnetically secured against pulling out or sliding out, wherein the securing of the battery (7) can be carried out magnetically, preferably by means of one or more permanent magnets (5) which act between the lower side of the battery (7) and the base (3) of the battery compartment (1) and/or between the lateral walls of the battery and the bottom compartment of the battery (7) and the battery compartment (1), wherein for release a temporary demagnetisation can be carried out by applying electric current to the magnet(s) (5).
7. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that in the base region of the battery (7) there are formed two recessed internal contacts in the manner of a bush (9) in which pins (4) which protrude from the base (3) of the battery compartment (1) are automatically inserted when the battery (7) is moved into the operating position, and/or wherein the poles which are formed by means of the contacts/pins (4) may be located as far as possible apart from each other, and/or wherein the pins (4) may be rubber-mounted in the base (3) of the battery compartment (1), and/or wherein the contacts/pins (4) in the base (3) of the battery compartment (1) can preferably be replaced by means of a special tool and/or wherein the contacts/pins (4) as a result of the surface nature and/or as a result of the material properties thereof may have good sliding properties against each other and wherein the contacts/pins (4) are produced from an electrically highly conducting, corrosion-resistant alloy, preferably from a high-grade steel/tungsten alloy.
8. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the battery (7) has a short-circuit protection against excess voltage during charging/discharging and/or a relay shutdown in the event of excessively high operating temperature and/or excessively high voltage.
9. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that there is provided in or on the battery (7) a DC/DC converter, for example, from 50.4 V DC to 5 V DC, by means of which a mini-computer, preferably having a GPS sensor and where applicable having an LTE SIM card can be supplied with energy.
10. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that in the battery (7) or on the battery (7), for example, in a cover, an induction charging device is provided in order to charge induction-compatible devices.
11. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that in order to display the charge state of the battery (7) an analogue or digital display is preferably provided in or on the battery (7), or by means of TFT display.
12. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the charge state of the battery (7) can be transmitted by means of an interface to a battery management system (BMS) or by means of WLAN or by means of LTE data connection to third-party devices.
13. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that an integrated mini-computer, preferably by means of LTE data connection to the Inter/Intranet, can be used for maintenance/care of the battery (7) and/or for monitoring during operation and/or for deactivation in the event of theft.
14. Wake or surfboard according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the battery (7) can be used to charge an emergency battery (8) which is securely installed in the board.

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