Abstract:
A charging unit has at least one housing element, and the housing element has at least a portion which is composed of a light-permeable material.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed in particular to a charging unit with at least one housing element.  
         [0002]     A charging unit designed as a charging device is known, the charging unit including a light-impermeable housing, an illuminating unit designed as a light-emitting diode being located on a cover side of the housing. The illuminating unit is provided to transmit information about the charging process to an operator.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a charging unit which is a further improvement of the existing charging units.  
         [0004]     In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a charging unit that includes at least one housing element, in which at least a portion of the housing element is made of a light-permeable material.  
         [0005]     “Housing element” is intended to mean, in particular, a “carrying element” of the housing. Furthermore, a housing element is also intended to mean, in particular, components with a surface greater than 6 cm 2  in size, particularly advantageously greater than 9 cm 2  in size, and preferably greater than 15 cm 2  in size, and/or that preferably form a plurality of sides of a housing. In this context, “light” is intended to mean visible light in particular, and “light-permeable” is intended to mean, in this context in particular, permeability greater than 10% and preferably greater than 30%, and particularly preferably greater than 50%.  
         [0006]     By using an embodiment—designed accordingly—according to the present invention, particularly good visibility of the charging unit from a great distance can be attained and, in particular, by that fact that large light-emitting surfaces and desired scattering effects can be easily attained.  
         [0007]     With a housing element that forms at least two and preferably at least three sides of a housing that includes the housing element, a light signal can be advantageously radiated with a large angle of radiation. “Large angle of radiation” is intended to mean, in particular, an angle of radiation that is advantageously greater than 2 π steradian.  
         [0008]     If at least one illuminating unit of the charging unit is located inside a housing that includes the housing element, an advantageous illumination of the housing element can be attained. Furthermore, radiation over a plurality of side surfaces of the housing which includes the housing element can be easily attained, and advantageous protection of the illuminating unit can be attained. Various lamps that appear reasonable to one skilled in the art can be used, e.g., incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, energy-saving lamps, and/or one or more light-emitting diodes. The configuration of the lamp as incandescent lamps and/or fluorescent lamps offers the advantage that the lamp can be easily replaced by the operator, e.g., if the lamp becomes defective, and economical, high-performance lamps can be used, by way of which high light intensity and a resultant increased range of the light signal can be attained.  
         [0009]     The illuminating unit is preferably provided for transmitting charging-process information. “Charging-process information” is intended to mean, in particular, information about a state of charge, a charging time, etc. As an alternative and/or in addition, other information that also appears reasonable to one skilled in the art can be transmitted, such as information about temperature, humidity, defects, etc.  
         [0010]     By way of this optical transmission of information, an operator can be alerted to an event that occurs in the charging process and can be simultaneously apprised of the related information. As a result, charging problems can be easily detected and eliminated in a timely manner.  
         [0011]     In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the illuminating unit is an optical waveguide. As a result, the light generated by a light source can be guided specifically to one and/or preferably a plurality of radiation points where, e.g., there is not enough installation space for a light source. With an embodiment designed accordingly, light can also be transmitted from one unit to another unit, by way of which a light source can be utilized for a plurality of units, light can be directed to an advantageously easily-seen area, and/or lamps can be spared, particularly in units designed for mobile use, by way of which an increase in the weight of the related mobile units resulting from additional lamps can be prevented.  
         [0012]     It is also provided that the housing element includes at least one colored section. As a result of the eye-catching design of the colored section of the charging unit, the visibility of the charging unit can be increased. The charging unit can therefore be located quickly by an operator, for example. In addition, the use of colored light sources can be avoided. Furthermore, advantageous flexibility of information transmission can be attained by the fact that the housing element includes a plurality of colored sections, each of which has a different color. A certain color can be assigned to represent a certain type of information, for example.  
         [0013]     Preferably, at least a portion of the housing is transparent. As a result, undesired filtering of a light signal and undesired losses can be prevented, thereby enabling the light signal to be radiated in an economical manner. Furthermore, a transparent section advantageously makes it possible to perform a visual inspection of components inside the charging unit. Furthermore, a charging unit with an illuminating unit is provided, the illuminating unit including at least one means, of which at least a portion is composed of an optical effect material. “Optical effect material” is intended to mean, in particular, a photoluminescent, in particular fluorescent and/or phosphorescent material that radiates light during and/or after excitation via irradiation with visible or ultraviolet light. In addition, “optical effect material” is intended to mean an electroluminescent material that emits light via excitation of electrical fields and/or electrical discharge processes, and a particularly reflective material, and/or a material that has thermochromic colors. By using an optical effect material, it is possible to realize, in particular, increased visibility of the charging unit and large light-emitting surfaces in an economical manner.  
         [0014]     By using an electroluminescent material, e.g., a light-emitting foil, a space-saving means of achieving the object of the present invention can be attained in the form of a signaling device—which is controllable in a particularly flexible manner—to transmit information, and, in fact, by designing the intensity, color and/or duration of its light radiation to be variable, e.g., by implementing intermittent switching and/or pulsed operation, etc. In this context, “light-emitting foil” is intended to mean a foil, in particular, by way of which electrical energy can be converted to light energy, in particular a multilayered foil with one layer formed by a rear electrode, one layer formed by an insulator, one layer formed by a luminous material, and one layer formed by a front electrode.  
         [0015]     By using thermochromic colors, it is possible to attain particularly advantageous transmission of information, e.g., temperature information, in particular.  
         [0016]     Advantageously, at least a portion of the means is made of a photoluminescent material. As a result, the use of additional luminous materials be prevented, and a particularly compact illuminating unit can be created. In addition, advantageous light radiation can be attained without the use of an additional energy source and the costs associated therewith.  
         [0017]     In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the illuminating unit is a housing unit. As a result, an increase in the weight of the charging unit and/or additional installation space for the illuminating unit can be spared. In addition, configuring the means as a housing element enables the visibility of the charging unit to be advantageously increased further, due to the fact that a larger area—particularly preferably at least one side wall of the housing and, particularly preferably, the entire housing—is made of an optical effect material.  
         [0018]     It is furthermore provided that the means are mounted on a carrier element. As an option, e.g., if an operator so desires, the means can be attached to the charging unit. The means can be mounted on the carrier element in a non-positive or form-fit manner, or in a bonded manner in particular, e.g., via adhesion, in particular.  
         [0019]     Particularly advantageously, the means are designed as a detachable means, by way of which an operator can equip the charging unit with an optical effect material of his liking and/or that is tailored to certain boundary conditions, and/or by way of which an operator can replace a defective means in a particularly easy manner.  
         [0020]     The charging unit is advantageously designed as a charging device. With this embodiment of the present invention, e.g., a plurality of rechargeable batteries can be charged in the charging unit, it being possible for an illuminating unit, e.g., in combination with at least one optical waveguide that is connected with at least one rechargeable battery, to supply the rechargeable battery with light. In addition, additional installation space for an illuminating unit of a rechargeable battery and the resultant increase in weight of the rechargeable battery can be avoided. Furthermore, a power supply device integrated in the charging unit designed as a charging device can be used advantageously, e.g., to supply power to an illuminating unit located in the rechargeable battery via a contact device of the rechargeable battery. As an alternative and/or in addition, it is also feasible, however, for the charging unit according to the present invention to be a rechargeable battery.  
         [0021]     The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  Shows a charging unit in accordance with the present invention designed as a charging device,  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  Shows a charging unit in accordance with the present invention designed as a rechargeable battery, and  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  Shows an alternative charging unit in accordance with the present invention designed as a charging device.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  each show a charging unit designed as a charging device  66  and/or  68  with a rechargeable-battery receptacle  70  and/or  72 , into which a charging unit in  FIG. 2  designed as a rechargeable battery  74  can be plugged.  
         [0026]     Light-permeable materials are used to make charging device  66  and rechargeable battery  74 . Charging device  66  in  FIG. 1  has a housing  10  which includes a front housing part  10 . 1  and a rear housing part  10 . 2 . A housing element  16  which forms three circumferential sides and the cover side of front housing part  10 . 1  is composed of a light-permeable material, and a housing element  18  which forms three circumferential sides and the cover side of rear housing part  10 . 2  is composed of a transparent material. Rechargeable battery  74  in  FIG. 2  has a housing  12  with a top housing part  12 . 1  and a rear housing part  12 . 2  which is located in rechargeable-battery receptacle  70  when rechargeable battery  74  is plugged into charging device  66 . A housing element  20  that forms four circumferential sides of top housing part  12 . 1  is made of a light-permeable material.  
         [0027]     The use of colored materials in charging device  66  and rechargeable battery  74  makes charging device  66  and/or rechargeable battery  74  particularly noticeable. Housing element  16  of charging device  66  has a green section  42 , which forms the cover side of front housing part  10 . 1 . Housing element  20  of rechargeable battery  74  has two sections  44  and  46 , which are colored red and green, respectively.  
         [0028]     When charging device  66  is operated, housing elements  16  and  18  are each illuminated by an illuminating unit  24  and/or  26  located inside housing  10 , the illuminating units each being configured as incandescent lamps. A visible light signal emitted by illuminating unit  24  is scattered via housing element  16  and is radiated further outwardly. Housing element  16  which illuminates while charging device  66  operates is easily seen in an eye-catching manner to an operator who is far away. By way of transparent housing element  18 , a light signal emitted by illuminating unit  26  is radiated further outwardly by housing element  18  with minimum filtering. In addition, internal components  76  of charging device  66  can be seen by an operator.  
         [0029]     When rechargeable battery  74  is plugged into rechargeable-battery receptacle  70 , housing element  20  is illuminated by an illuminating unit  30  while charging device  66  operates, illuminating unit  30  including two optical waveguides  34  and  36  and being located inside housing  12 . Rechargeable battery  74  does not have its own light source. Instead, it is supplied with light by an illuminating unit  38  of charging device  66 . This is accomplished by the fact that optical waveguides  34  and  36  are connected with further optical waveguides  38  and/or  40  of illuminating unit  28  via two optical waveguide contacts  78  and/or  80  of rechargeable battery  74 . The light is produced by two not-shown light-emitting diodes of illuminating unit  28  and is guided via optical waveguides  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40  to radiation points  82  and  84  in rechargeable battery  74 .  
         [0030]     During the process of charging rechargeable battery  74 , information about this charging process can be communicated to an operator in a visual manner. During operation of charging device  66 , a green section  46  illuminates to indicate that a rechargeable battery  74  is plugged in. In addition, the operator is notified about the state of charge of rechargeable battery  74  via an illuminated red section  44 , i.e., by the fact that the light intensity of the radiated signal is proportional to the state of charge of rechargeable battery  74 . If rechargeable battery  74  is defective or if the temperature of rechargeable battery  74  becomes excessive, the operator can be alerted to the problem via blinking of red section  46 .  
         [0031]     The information can also be transmitted visually by charging device  66 . The end of the charging process of rechargeable battery  74  or an interruption of this charging process caused by a defect in charging device  66  and/or rechargeable battery  74  is indicated via blinking of illuminating unit  26 . Green section  42  illuminates to indicate, in a simple manner, that charging device  66  is operating. In addition, other combinations of colors, light intensities, blinking frequencies, etc. are feasible methods of visually transmitting information.  
         [0032]     With a charging device  68  shown in  FIG. 3 , further optical signaling techniques based on the use of optical effect materials are used. Charging device  68  includes three illuminating units  50 ,  52  and  54 , each of which has a means made of an optical effect material.  
         [0033]     Illuminating unit  50  includes a means  56  designed as a light-emitting foil. During a charging process of rechargeable battery  74 , the light-emitting foil displays images that transmit, to the operator, the information described above regarding the state of charge, with a greater depth of information. In addition, the charging time and temperature of charging device  68  are displayed.  
         [0034]     Illuminating unit  52  includes a means  58 , which is designed as a fluorescent adhesive. Means  58  is mounted on a housing element of a housing  14  serving as carrier element  64  and is connected with it in a bonded manner, e.g., via adhesion. Means  58  is formed by a fluorescent material and contributes—without an additional energy source—to enhanced visibility of charging device  68 . Means  58  is detachable and can be easily replaced by an operator.  
         [0035]     Illuminating unit  54  includes a means  60  designed as a housing element composed of a phosphorescent material. With the aid of phosphorescent means  60 , charging device  68  can radiate light without being supplied with power and, as a result, it can be located quickly by an operator, in a dark room in particular.  
         [0036]     Combined use of optical effect materials and light-permeable materials is realized with charging device  68 . Charging device  68  includes a housing element  22  made of a light-permeable material. During operation of charging device  68 , housing element  22  is illuminated by an illuminating uint  32  located inside housing  14 , and the light signal radiated by illuminating unit  32  is scattered via housing element  22  and radiated outwardly. Housing element  22  also includes a green section  48 .  
         [0037]     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.  
         [0038]     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a charging unit, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0039]     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.