Method and apparatus for charging an energy store

A method for charging an energy store (14a, 14b, 14c), in which an energy store (14a, 14b, 14c) is used that has at least three energy storage sections (u, v, w), each having multiple energy storage modules (u-1 to u-5, u-n, v-1 to v-5, v-n, w-1 to w-5, w-n), wherein the respective energy storage modules (u-1 to u-5, u-n, v-1 to v-5, v-n, w-1 to w-5, w-n) comprise at least one energy storage element, which receives and stores energy from an energy source (12, 13), and at least two switching elements, in which the energy store (14a, 14b, 14c) is connected to a first coil (50), wherein a voltage induced in the first coil (50) is used to charge the energy storage elements of the energy storage modules (u-1 to u-5, u-n, v-1 to v-5, v-n, w-1 to w-5, w-n) of the energy store (14a, 14b, 14c), wherein the energy store (14a, 14b, 14c) is matched to properties of the voltage provided by the first coil (50) by switching the switching elements, as a result of which the respective energy storage modules (u-1 to u-5, u-n, v-1 to v-5, v-n, w-1 to w-5, w-n) of an energy storage section (u, v, w) are each connected in parallel and/or in series with one another and/or at least one energy storage module (u-1 to u-5, u-n, v-1 to v-5, v-n, w-1 to w-5, w-n) of at least one energy storage section (u, v, w) is bypassed, wherein initially by controlling the switching elements in the energy storage modules (u-1 to u-5, v-1 to v-5, w-1 to w-5) the respective voltages across the energy storage sections (u, v, w) are configured for a value common to the voltage of the first coil (50), wherein subsequently, for charging the energy store (14a, 14b, 14c), the voltage of the energy store (14a, 14b, 14c) is phase-shifted relative to the voltage of the first coil (50) and a lower voltage than is provided by the first coil (50) is produced across a respective energy storage section (u, v, w) by switching the switching elements of the energy storage modules (u 1 to u-5, v-1 to v-5, w-1 to w-5).