SE2250420A1

SE2250420A1 - Powered watercraft with driveline with wireless charger

Info

Publication number: SE2250420A1
Application number: SE2250420A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Aleksandar Rodzevski; Dimitrios Triantafillidis; Malmqvist Martin Pråme; Philip Sveningsson
Original assignee: Radinn Ab
Priority date: 2022-04-01
Filing date: 2022-04-01
Publication date: 2023-10-02
Also published as: WO2023186426A1

Abstract

A powered watercraft comprising a host device and a driveline configured to be received in the host device, wherein the driveline comprises a battery module, a propulsion module configured to be powered by the battery module, a wireless charger configured to be powered by the battery module, a control unit configured to control the battery module to provide power to the propulsion module and the wireless charger, wherein the wireless charger is positioned within the driveline and configured for providing wireless charging functionality outside of the driveline.

Description

POWERED WATERCRAFT WITH DRIVELINE WITH WIRELESS CHARGER Technical field The present disclosure relates to a powered watercraft. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a powered watercraft, such as an electrically powered watercraft, comprising a driveline wherein the driveline comprises a wireless charger.

Background art Personal watercrafts are a popular type of motorized leisure-craft for water which are designed to be small, fast, easily maneuverable, affordable and safe to operate due to having propulsion systems without external propellers, which makes them safer to operate around swimmers and wildlife compared to small motorboats. ln recent times, motorized surfboards, and in particular a type of water-jet propelled surfboard typically referred to as a "jetboard", have gained popularity for leisure activity as a lighter and more nimble alternative to conventional jetski-type watercrafts. improvements in battery technology have furthermore allowed use of silent electrical propulsion means to replace the noisy internal combustion engines previously used. lt is generally known to provide an electrically powered watercraft, such as a water-jet propelled surfboard, with an electrical battery pack. Such an electrical battery pack may be removably attached to a main body of a surfboard. This may allow charging of the battery remotely from the watercraft.

Summary lt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved powered watercraft.

According to a first aspect there is provided a powered watercraft comprising a host device and a driveline configured to be received in the host device. The driveline comprises: a battery module, a propulsion module configured to be powered by the battery module, a wireless charger configured to be powered by the battery module, a control unit configured to control the battery module to provide power to the battery propulsion module and the wireless charger. The wireless charger is positioned within the driveline and configured for providing wireless charging functionality outside of the driveline. 2 The powered watercraft comprises a host device and a driveline, where the driveline further comprises a control unit, a propulsion module and at least one battery module. The driveline further comprises a wireless charger configured to be powered by the battery module, enabling smaller devices such as a remote controller to be powered directly from the driveline without further attachments. This may be particularly useful in situations where the battery module of the driveline is the only nearby source of power, for example, when a user of the powered watercraft is far from shore. ln an embodiment, the powered watercraft may be a battery powered watercraft such as an electrically powered, waterjet propelled surfboard, i.e. a jetboard, comprising a host device and a driveline. ln some embodiments, the host device is a flotation device configured to receive a removable driveline. The host device may be hull or a main body, such as a substantially rigid main body, for a powered watercraft, such as an electrical water-jet propelled surfboard.

The host device may be understood as a structural part of a watercraft providing an amount of buoyancy, and preferably a load-bearing capacity, for carrying a user. The host device may be a surfboard blank, such as a piece of lightweight material provided in a shape roughly resembling a surfboard and may for example be made from an expanded polyurethane and/or polystyrene (EPS) foam, optionally with the foam being laminated with wood or composite stringers for added structural rigidity. The host device may further comprise a shell, where the shell may be made of, for example, resin and/or a high impact polymer such as ABS. Alternatively or additionally, the host device may form part of a hull or substantially rigid main body made from wood, metal or composite materials. ln some embodiments, the host device is configured to receive a driveline comprising a battery module and a propulsion module. The battery module and the propulsion module may be electrically interconnected. ln some embodiments, the host device may be configured to receive the driveline by a cavity, wherein the host device cavity has a geometrical shape that defines an internal volume so that the driveline may be received in said cavity. The driveline may be substantially flush with the exterior surface of the host device. 3 ln an embodiment, the host device may be configured to receive a driveline comprising a battery module and a propulsion module provided within two compartments accessible from an exterior surface of the host device. ln some embodiments, a battery compartment may be within an upper surface of the host device, so that a battery module can be removably mounted in said battery compartment and at least partially held in place under gravity. ln some embodiments, a propulsion module compartment may be within a lower surface or a rear surface of the host device, so that at least a water inlet or duct portion of a propulsion module is below the waterline of the host device when floating in a body of water. Thus, the host device may provide two adjacent compartments for receiving a battery module and a propulsion module, e.g. an upper compartment for the battery module and a propulsion module compartment below the waterline. The upper compartment and the compartment below the waterline may have a connection, so that the battery module and the propulsion module may be interconnected when installed in the host device. ln some embodiments, the driveline comprises a propulsion module and a battery module. The propulsion module may be configured to propel the watercraft, for example, through waterjets. The battery module is configured to provide power to the propulsion module. ln an embodiment, the powered watercraft may have a driveline comprising a wholly replaceable water-jet propulsion module powered by a replaceable battery module arranged within a battery compartment of the host device and detachably connected to said propulsion module. The battery module and propulsion module may be removable.

The propulsion module, such as a jet drive, for a powered watercraft, such as an electrical jetboard, may comprise an electrical motor, such as an electrical motor provided in a water-tight or substantially water-tight housing. The propulsion module may comprise a water inlet and a water outlet, such as a jet nozzle, being in fluid communication with said water inlet. The propulsion module may comprise an electrical motor, a motor controller, such as a pulse-width modulation (PWM) motor controller, and an impeller configured to act upon a ﬂuid when driven by the electrical motor. An impeller for use in a water-jet is generally provided on a rotary hub to allow the impellers to spin, so that water acted upon by the impeller is accelerated to produce a waterjet. The propulsion module may comprise an inlet duct configured to 4 draw in water from a body of water into a tubular channel by the impeller being rotated via a shaft placed substantially concentrically with said tubular channel, thus providing thrust in a longitudinal direction by expelling water out through a nozzle. The propulsion module may comprise a fixed nozzle.

The battery module may comprise a battery management system (BMS) configured to provide power conversion and battery cell conditioning to rechargeable battery cells in the battery module. A pair of power terminals are typically provided at an exterior surface of the battery module to enable recharging of its rechargeable battery cells and/or delivery of electrical power from said rechargeable battery cells to a load, such as an electrical motor, the propulsion module or the like. ln this way, the battery module may provide a contacting portion configured to engage with a compatible contacting portion of an external battery charger and/or an electrical device configured to receive electrical power from said battery module, such as a compatible contacting portion provided at the propulsion module. ln some embodiments, the battery module comprises a housing, one or more rechargeable battery cells connected to an electrical circuit and a contacting portion having a plurality of electrical contacts connected to said electrical circuit, wherein the electrical contacts are provided at an exterior surface of said housing. ln some embodiments, the propulsion module comprises an electrically driven water-jet configured to propel the powered watercraft. The propulsion module may be provided with electrical power from the battery module, e.g. by the propulsion module having a contacting portion with a plurality of electrical contacts configured to be electrically connected to a plurality of electrical contacts provided at a compatible contacting portion of the battery module. ln this way, a direct current (DC) electrical output from the battery module may be provided to the electrical motor of the propulsion module, which may for example be a brushless DC motor or an induction motor powered by alternating current (AC) via a DC-to-AC converter.

The driveline including the battery module, and/or the propulsion module further comprises a control unit. The control unit may include a processor, and may further comprise the battery management system. ln some embodiments, the control unit is provided in the battery module. ln some embodiments, the control unit is provided in the propulsion module. ln some embodiments, the control unit may be distributed between the propulsion module and the battery module. ln some embodiments the control unit is provided outside of the battery module and the propulsion module, however, electrically interconnected with the battery module and the propulsion module. ln some embodiments, the battery management system may further control power to the propulsion module and the charger. ln some embodiments, the power management system may comprise a first circuit and a second circuit controlling power to the propulsion module and the wireless charger, respectively. The control unit may co-operate with the battery management system to control the battery module to provide power to the propulsion module and the wireless charger.

The driveline further comprises a wireless charger. A wireless charger may for example be a device that charges other devices by the use of electromagnetic fields from a power transmitter, and without the use of wires. Examples of wireless chargers include wireless chargers that use induction (i.e. by inductive coupling) where the power transmitter comprises least one induction coil to transfer power to devices, such as Qi chargers, such as Qi chargers of any version, including version 1.0, version 1.1., etc.; wireless chargers that use magnetic resonance (i.e. by resonant inductive coupling) where the power transmitter comprises at least one resonating element to transfer power to devices, such as Rezence chargers; and wireless chargers based on NFC devices.

A wireless charger is positioned within the driveline and configured for providing wireless charging functionality outside the driveline. This allows charging of external devices (e.g. smartphones, remote controllers, other devices that are configured to be wirelessly charged) directly via the driveline, without additional equipment. Furthermore, as the wireless charger is part of the driveline, the wireless charger is protected from the elements the same way as the driveline is, allowing the wireless charger to be used, for example, while the watercraft is in the water. ln an embodiment, the wireless charging functionality is accessible from a driveline charging surface being exposed to the surroundings when the driveline is received in the host device. ln an embodiment, the driveline may comprise a driveline charging surface, a portion of the outer surface of the driveline where external devices may be charged from the wireless charger. The driveline charging surface may be marked to indicate to the user where external devices can be placed for charging. 6 ln an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control the battery module to provide a first voltage to the propulsion module and a second voltage to the wireless charger. ln an embodiment, the first voltage may be higher than the second voltage. ln an embodiment, the first voltage may be above 40V while the second voltage is below 15V. The first voltage may be between 40V-400 V, such as between 40V-130V, such as between 40V-100V, such as between 40V-80V, such as for example 50 V. The second voltage may be between 1.5V-15V, such as between 1.5V-12V.. The second voltage may be, for example, 1.8V, 2V, 3.3V, 5V, or 12V. ln an embodiment, the control unit is configured to control the battery module to provide a first power output to the propulsion module and a second power output to the wireless charger, where the first power output is higher than the second power output. ln an embodiment, the first power output may be up to 16kW and the second power output may be up to 20W. ln some embodiments the first power output may be between 20-30kW, and the second power output may be between 5-30W. ln an embodiment, the wireless charger comprises a charging circuit and a power transmitter including at least one transmitter induction coil for inductively providing power. ln some embodiments, the wireless charger comprises a charging circuit to power a power transmitter with at least one transmitter induction coil, allowing wireless charging by magnetic induction. Charging in such a way may result in more efficient power transfer to external devices than wireless charging by other methods. This may be, for example, a Qi charger. ln an embodiment, the wireless charger comprises a charging circuit and a power transmitter including at least one resonating element configured for magnetically providing power. ln some embodiments, the wireless charger comprises a charging circuit to power a power transmitter with at least one resonating element, allowing wireless charging by magnetic resonance. Charging in such a way may allow external devices to be charged from a further distance than wireless charging by other methods. This may be, for example, a Rezence charger. ln an embodiment, the wireless charger is located adjacent to an inner surface of an upper portion of the driveline. 7 ln some embodiments, the wireless charger is located within 5 cm of the driveline charging surface. ln some embodiments, at least a transmitter induction coil of a wireless charger is located adjacent to an inner surface of an upper portion of the driveline. ln some embodiments, at least the transmitter induction coil of a wireless charger is located within 2 mm, 2 cm, or 5 cm of the driveline charging surface.

By providing the wireless charger or at least the transmitter induction coil or resonating element of the wireless charger located adjacent to an inner surface of an upper portion of the driveline and/or within 5 cm of the driveline charging surface it may be ensured that an external device positioned at the driveline charging circuit will receive sufficient power to charge the external device. ln some embodiments, a wireless charger may be configured to charge within a particular distance. For example, a Qi charger of version 1.1 may allow charging within a distance of up to 30 mm, a Qi charger of version 1.2 may allow charging within a distance of up to 45 mm, while a Rezence charger may charge devices within up to 50 mm. lt is noted that such distances may be subject to change as the technology develops. For example, in some embodiments magnetic resonance may be able to charge within a distance of 2m, however, with 10-20 cm being more typical. Placing the wireless chargers in the inner surface of an upper portion of the driveline may allow devices to be charged by being placed on the driveline, for example on the driveline charging surface. ln addition the distance between the wireless charger, such as of a transmission coil thereof, and the external device may be configured to be sufficiently small such that external devices may be charged by placement on the driveline surface, for example, at the driveline charging surface. The distance between the wireless charger and the external device include the ranges described above; however shorter distances may allow for faster charging or may allow for less power being needed for charging. ln some embodiments, the wireless charger further comprises a communication module. ln some embodiments, the wireless charger further comprises a communication module, such as an NFC device. When a communication module is integrated into the wireless charger, it may allow communication with external devices, such as a remote 8 controller, a handheld computation device, such as smartphone, a diagnostic device, etc. ln an embodiment, the communication module is integrated with or into the wireless charger. ln an example, the communication module may be co-located with the wireless charger and allow charging and data transfer for the same external device. ln some examples an initial communication with a dedicated device may for example, enabling or disabling the powered watercraft. ln some examples, a communication module integrated with the wireless charger may allow correct pairing between an external device and the powered watercraft. ln an example, multiple remote controllers and multiple watercrafts may be provided in a same area, such as in proximity to each other; the communication module may ensure that the appropriate remote controller is paired with the appropriate watercraft.

The communication module may include functionalities e.g. of pairing with an external device, such as a remote controller, of unlocking the powered watercraft by pairing a predetermined remote controller, of updating software, such as firmware of battery module components, of data diagnostics, of data retrieval, etc. ln some embodiments, at least a part of the driveline is provided in a housing. The housing may comprise the driveline charging surface.

The driveline including the battery module, the propulsion module, and/or parts thereof may be encompassed in the housing. ln some embodiments, the housing is water-tight or substantially water-tight and encloses one or more rechargeable battery cells and/or the electrical circuit. The housing may comprise multiple layers. Layers may be soft or rigid. Layers may be made of any suitable material, including a hard plastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or a suitable thermoplastic polymer.

The housing may provide protection against environmental elements such as salt and water, which can damage components of the driveline, including the wireless charger. ln some embodiments, the housing comprising the driveline charging surface has a thickness allowing for wireless charging through the housing. 9 As discussed above, certain wireless chargers require external devices to be charged to be within a certain distance of the wireless charger. ln some embodiments, the housing comprising the drive|ine should thus be of a thickness and composition allowing for wireless charging. Additionally, the housing should allow both protection and functionality of the wireless charger. ln some embodiments, the housing comprising the drive|ine charging surface comprises a rigid layer and a soft layer. The combined thickness of the rigid layer and the soft layer may be a first thickness. ln some embodiments, the housing comprising the drive|ine charging surface has a first thickness and adjacent parts of the housing have a second thickness. The first thickness may be smaller than the second thickness. ln an embodiment, the housing where the drive|ine charging surface is located, i.e. the housing at the position of the drive|ine charging surface, is thinner than adjacent parts of the housing, allowing protection of the wireless charger while improving its efficiency at power transfer. A first thickness being smaller than the second thickness may be accomplished, for example, by indenting a layer of the housing, or removing part or all of a layer of the housing.

The housing may comprise at least one rigid layer, providing protection against abrasions and punctures, and at least one soft layer, providing impact protection. The soft layer may be inside a rigid layer to protect the components of a drive|ine, and may also be on the outside of a rigid layer to provide a more comfortable surface for a user. The thickness of the housing may take both layers into account to allow functionality of the wireless charger while still offering protection. ln some embodiments, the drive|ine further comprises a user interface configured to provide information of the state of the wireless charger and/or of an external device being charged at the wireless charger.

A user interface may allow a user to determine e.g. a charging status of the wireless charger or of a device being charged on the charger. A user interface may be, for example, a display, such as an LCD display or, diodes, such as light emitting diodes may be configured to display information on the state of the wireless charger and/or external device, e.g. whether the wireless charger is powered, whether an external device is being charged, the charging status of an external device. ln some embodiments, the user interface may provide additional information of either the battery module, the propulsion module, or the external device. ln some embodiments, the powered watercraft is configured to be controlled by a remote controller and wherein the remote controller is configured to be charged by the wireless charger. ln some embodiments, a remote controller may be used to control the powered watercraft. The remote controller may be an external device configured to communicate with the driveline, e.g. via the control unit, and may be configured to control aspects of the driveline, e.g. the throttle. ln some embodiments, the remote controller has a separate power source. ln some embodiments, the driveline comprises a wireless charger and the remote controller is configured to be charged by the wireless charger, it is an advantage that even if the remote controller should run low on power while operating the powered watercraft, the remote controller for the powered watercraft may be re-charged using the wireless charger, so that the user can continue to control the powered watercraft.

A remote controller may be an example of an external device. A remote controller may comprise a mechanical interface suitable for wet environments. ln some examples, a secondary external device may receive data from the powered watercraft. ln some examples the secondary external device may implement a remote controller configured to control the watercraft. ln some examples, the external device is a remote controller configured to control the watercraft, such as a dedicated remote controller, and the secondary external device may be implemented as an emergency remote controller, e.g. if the remote controller fails. ln an example, the secondary external device may be a smartphone and the smartphone may implement an emergency remote controller, such as a software implemented emergency remote controller. ln some embodiments, the driveline further comprises a second battery module. ln some embodiments, the driveline may comprise two or more battery modules. This allows for more power, as well as a back-up power source should one of the battery modules fail. 11 According to a second aspect there is provided a powered watercraft system comprising a powered watercraft as discussed above, a remote controller configured to control the watercraft, such as the driveline of the powered watercraft, the remote controller comprising a user interface allowing user input of control commands to control one or more functionalities of the powered watercraft, the one or more functionalities including a speed of the powered watercraft, and a wireless charging functionality enabling the remote controller to be charged by the wireless charger of the powered watercraft.

A powered watercraft system may comprise a powered watercraft and a remote controller, where the remote controller allows a user to control aspects of the driveline, such as the throttle of the driveline, without having to manually manipulate the driveline itself. The combined system of the powered watercraft with a driveline comprising a wireless charger and remote controller provides a more robust system where power may be transmitted from the battery module to the remote controller, ensuring that the remote controller can be powered for as long as the driveline is powered. ln an embodiment, the remote controller comprises a mechanical user interface allowing user input via the mechanical user interface. The user interface may comprise physical buttons configured to be displaced by a user input. lt may be an advantage to employ a mechanical user interface for a remote controller being configured to be used in wet environments.

A remote controller may comprise a mechanical interface suitable for wet environments, ensuring that it can be used in the environments a powered watercraft would be used in. For example, a powered watercraft is frequently used outdoors, in the water, where the user is on a moving watercraft. The mechanical means may allow them to better control the powered watercraft in these conditions.

Effects and features of the second aspect are to a large extent analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect are largely compatible with the second aspect.

The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments 12 of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. lt is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. lt should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

Brief descriptions of the drawinqs The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1a-c shows embodiments of a powered watercraft comprising a host device and a driveline comprising a wireless charger; Figure 1a schematically illustrates an exemplary powered watercraft according to the present disclosure; Figure 1b schematically illustrates another exemplary powered watercraft according to the present disclosure; Figure 1c schematically illustrates another exemplary powered watercraft according to the present disclosure; Figures 2a-c show examples of different host devices; Figure 2a schematically illustrates an embodiment of a host device for housing a driveline for a powered watercraft; 13 Figure 2b schematically illustrates an embodiment of a host device for housing a driveline for a powered watercraft; Figure 2c schematically illustrates an embodiment of a host device for housing a driveline for a powered watercraft; Figures 3a-g schematically illustrate various embodiments of a wireless charger; Figures 4a-c schematically show embodiments of driveline provided in a housing, wherein the housing comprises the driveline charging surface; Figure 5 schematically shows a powered watercraft system comprising an external device and powered watercraft; Figure 6a-d show embodiments of an external device, such as a remote controller; Detailed description The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

Figures 1a-c shows embodiments of a powered watercraft 100 comprising a host device and a driveline 104 comprising a wireless charger 110. ln Figure 1a, and correspondingly for figures 1b-c, powered watercraft 100 comprises a host device 102 and a driveline 104 comprising a propulsion module 108 and a battery module 106, the battery module being configured to power the propulsion module. The driveline further comprises a wireless charger 110 configured to be powered by the battery module 106, and a control unit 112 configured to control how the battery module 106 provides power to the propulsion module 108 and the wireless charger 110. The wireless charger 110 is positioned within the driveline 104 14 and configured for providing wireless charging functionality outside of the driveline 104.

Figure 1a shows an embodiment wherein the control unit 112 and the wireless charger 110 are located in the battery module 106.

Figure 1b shows an embodiment of the powered watercraft wherein the control unit 112 is located in the propulsion module 108 and the wireless charger 110 is located in the driveline 100 outside the battery module 106 and the propulsion module 108.

Figure 1c shows an embodiment of the powered watercraft wherein the control unit 112 is located in the battery module 106, such as in a same housing as the battery module, and the wireless charger 110 is located in the driveline 100, however outside the battery module 106 and the propulsion module 108. Further, driveline 104 comprises a driveline charging surface 114 being exposed to the surroundings when the driveline is received in the host device, from which the wireless charging functionality is accessible. ln some embodiments, the control unit may be configured to control the battery module to provide a first voltage to the propulsion module and a second voltage to the wireless charger. ln some examples, the first voltage is above 40 Volts and the second voltage is below 15 V. ln some embodiments, the wireless charger may be located adjacent to an inner surface of an upper portion of the driveline. ln some embodiments, the wireless charger may be located within 5 cm of the driveline charging surface.

Figures 2a-c show examples of different host devices. The host device is a flotation device configured to receive a removable driveline. The host device may be hull or a main body, such as a substantially rigid main body, for a powered watercraft, such as a jetboard. The host device may be understood as a structural part of a watercraft providing an amount of buoyancy, and preferably a load-bearing capacity, for carrying a user.

Figure 2a schematically illustrates an embodiment of a host device 200 for housing a driveline for a powered watercraft 100. A cavity 202 provides an interior volume of space within said host device 200 for housing at least a part of a removable driveline. Host device 200 may have particular host device characteristics, and the host device as illustrated in Figure 2a is a watercraft type being an all-round jetboard, e.g. having a relatively flat-bottomed hull. The host device of the all-round type may have a comparatively large host device volume.

Figure 2b schematically illustrates another embodiment of a host device 220 for housing a driveline for a powered watercraft 100. A cavity 202 provides an interior volume of space within said host device 220 for housing at least a part of a removable driveline, such as a battery module of the removable driveline. Host device 220 as illustrated in Figure 2b have particular host device characteristics, and the host device 220 is a watercraft type being a high performance jetboard, with a curved hull. The host device of the high performance type may have a comparatively smaller host device volume.

Figure 2c is an illustration of yet another embodiment of a host device 240 for housing a driveline for a powered watercraft 100. The powered watercraft 100 may be a water-jet propelled surfboard, and the housing device 240 may be a hull or substantially rigid main body of a jetboard. A cavity 242 provides an interior volume of space within said host device 240 for housing at least a part of a removable driveline, such as a battery module. A longitudinal center axis L illustrates a center axis of the host device. An opening is provided within the cavity 242 for connecting e.g. a battery module to a propulsion module.

Figures 3a-g show embodiments of wireless charger 110. Figure 3a-g shows a wireless charger 110 comprising a power transmitter 118 and a charging circuit 116.

Figure 3a shows an embodiment of a wireless charger 110 where the power transmitter 118 comprises a transmitter induction coil 120 for inductively providing power and a power transmitter control unit 117 configured to control transmitter induction coil 120.

Figure 3b shows an embodiment of a wireless charger 110 where the power transmitter 118 comprises transmitter induction coils 120a and 120b for inductively providing power and power transmitter control units 117a and 117b configured to control transmitter induction coils 120 and 120b respectively. The power transmitter may comprise one or more transmitter induction coils and one or more corresponding power transmitter control units.

Figure 3c shows an embodiment of a wireless charger where the power transmitter 118 comprises a resonating element 122 configured for magnetically 16 providing power and a power transmitter control unit 117 configured to control resonating element 122.

Figure 3d shows an embodiment of a wireless charger where the power transmitter 118 comprises a transmitter induction coil 120 for inductively providing power, and a power transmitter control unit 117 configured to control transmitter induction coil 120 and communication module 124. The communication module 124 may be, for example, an NFC device.

Figure 3e shows an embodiment of a wireless charger where the power transmitter 118 comprises a resonating element 122 for resonantly providing power, and a power transmitter control unit 117 configured to control transmitter induction coil 120 and communication module 124. The communication module 124 may be, for example, an NFC device.

Figure 3f shows an embodiment of a wireless charger where the power transmitter 118 comprises resonating elements 122a and 122b for resonantly providing power and power transmitter control units 117a and 117b configured to control transmitter induction coils 120 and 120b respectively.

Figure 3g shows an embodiment of a wireless charger where the power transmitter 118 comprises transmitter induction coils 120a and 120b for inductively providing power and power transmitter control units 117a and 117b configured to control transmitter induction coils 120 and 120b respectively, as well as and communication module 124. The communication module 124 may be, for example, an NFC device.

Figures 4a-c show embodiments of driveline 104 provided in a housing 128, wherein the housing comprises the driveline charging surface 114. Driveline 104 comprises battery module 106, propulsion module 108, control unit 112, and wireless charger 110.

Figure 4a shows a driveline 104 where the housing 128 comprising the driveline charging surface 114 has a thickness allowing for wireless charging through the housing 128.

Figure 4b shows a driveline 104 wherein the housing comprising the driveline charging surface 114 has a first thickness and wherein adjacent parts of the outer wall 17 have a second thickness, and wherein the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness. This may be accomplished by making an indentation in the inner surface of the housing 128.

Figure 4c shows a driveline 104 where the housing comprising the driveline charging surface 114 comprises a rigid layer 132 and a soft layer 134, and wherein the first thickness is the combined thickness of the rigid layer 132 and the soft layer 134. An portion of the top surface of soft layer 134 may be removed to reduce thickness at the driveline charging surface 114. ln some embodiments, this may be combined with an indentation in the inner surface of the housing 128 to reduce the overall thickness.

A rigid layer 132 may be, for example, resin and/or a high impact polymer such as ABS.

A soft layer 124 may be, for example, EVA foam, expanded polyurethane, and/or polystyrene (EPS) foam. Although this embodiment shows a soft layer as an outer surface of the housing, it may also be an inner surface of the housing.

Figure 5 shows a powered watercraft system 200 comprising an external device 138 and powered watercraft 100. An external device 138 may, for example, a remote controller 144, or another device to be charged such as a phone. The powered watercraft 100 may comprise a user interface 136 configured to provide information of the state of the wireless charger 110 and/or of an external device 138 being charged at the wireless charger. The user interface 136 may be, for example, an LED that emits light when an external device 138 such as remote controller 144 is being powered by wireless charger 110 or an LCD display that indicates charging status.

As above, a powered watercraft 100 comprises a host device 102 and a driveline 104 comprising a propulsion module 108 and a battery module 106, the battery module being configured to power the propulsion module. The driveline further comprises a wireless charger 110 configured to be powered by the battery module and a control unit 112 configured to control the battery module 106 to provide power to the propulsion module 108 and the wireless charger 110. The wireless charger110 is positioned within the driveline and configured for providing wireless charging functionality outside of the driveline.

Figure 6a-d show embodiments of remote controller 144. Remote controller 144 comprises a user interface 146 allowing user input of control commands to control one 18 or more functionalities of the powered watercraft. The one or more functionalities may include a speed of the powered watercraft. The user interface 146 may be a mechanical interface 150 for wet environments. Remote controller 144 further comprises a wireless charging functionality enabling the remote controller to be charged by the wireless charger of the powered watercraft.

Figure 6a shows a remote controller comprising a wireless charging functionality 148a that comprises a transmitter induction coil for inductively receiving power. The user interface 146, 150 is located on an upper surface of the remote controller. Wireless charging functionality 148a may be powered, for example, by transmitter induction coil 120.

Figure 6b shows a remote controller comprising a wireless charging functionality 148a that comprises a resonator element for magnetically receiving power. The user interface 146, 150 is located on an upper surface of the remote controller. Wireless charging functionality 148a may be powered, for example, by resonating element 122.

Figure 6c shows a remote controller comprising a wireless charging functionality 148a that comprises a transmitter induction coil for inductively receiving power. The user interface 146, 150 is located on a side of the remote controller. Wireless charging functionality 148a may be powered, for example, by transmitter induction coil 120.

Figure 6d shows a remote controller comprising a wireless charging functionality 148a that comprises a resonator element for magnetically receiving power. The user interface 146, 150 is located on a side of the remote controller. Wireless charging functionality 148a may be powered, for example, by resonating element 122.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be 19 understood and eﬁected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A powered watercraft (100) comprising a host device (102) and a driveline (104) configured to be received in the host device, wherein the driveline comprises: a battery module (106), a propulsion module (108) configured to be powered by the battery module, a wireless charger (110) configured to be powered by the battery module, a control unit (112) configured to control the battery module to provide power to the propulsion module and the wireless charger, wherein the wireless charger is positioned within the driveline and configured for providing wireless charging functionality outside of the driveline.

2. The powered watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the wireless charging functionality is accessible from a driveline charging surface (114) being exposed to the surroundings when the driveline is received in the host device.

3. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is configured to control the battery module to provide a first voltage to the propulsion module and a second voltage to the wireless charger, wherein the first voltage is above 40 Volts and the second voltage is below 15 V.

4. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless charger comprises a charging circuit (116) and a powertransmitter (118) including at least one transmitter induction coil (120) for inductively providing power.

5. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless charger comprises a charging circuit and a power transmitter including at least one resonating element (122) configured for providing power through magnetic resonance.

6. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless charger is located adjacent to an inner surface of an upper portion of the driveline.

7. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless charger is located within 5 cm of the driveline charging surface.

8. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless charger further comprises a communication module (124).

9. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the driveline is provided in a housing (128), and wherein the housing comprises the driveline charging surface.

10. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housingcomprising the driveline charging surface has a thickness allowing for wireless charging through the housing.

11. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housingcomprising the driveline charging surface has a first thickness and wherein adjacent parts of the housinghave a second thickness, and wherein the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness.

12. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housingcomprising the driveline charging surface comprises a rigid layer (132) and a soft layer (134), and wherein the first thickness is the combined thickness of the rigid layer and the soft layer.

13. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the driveline further comprises a user interface (136) configured to provide information of the state of the wireless charger and/or of an external device (138) being charged at the wireless charger.

14. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the powered watercraft is configured to be controlled by a remote controller (140) and wherein the remote controller is configured to be charged by the wireless charger.

15. The powered watercraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the driveline further comprises a second battery module (142).

16. A powered watercraft system (200) comprises - a powered watercraft according to any of claims 1-15, and- a remote controller (144) configured to control the driveline of the powered watercraft, the remote controller comprising -a user interface (146) allowing user input of control commands to control one or more functionalities of the powered watercraft, the one or more functionalities including a speed of the powered watercraft, and -a wireless charging functionality (148a, 148b) enabling the remote controller to be charged by the wireless charger of the powered watercraft.

17. A powered watercraft system according to claim 16, wherein the remote controller comprises a mechanical interface (150) for wet environments.