Charging system

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of avoiding damage or winding of a charging cable due to dragging of the charging cable. A charging system includes: a high-frequency power source; a non-contact power supply device that transmits high-frequency power supplied from a high-frequency power source from the power transmission coil to the power reception coil in a non-contact manner; a power supply connector that supplies power from the non-contact power supply device; and a self-propelled charging robot in which the power supply connector is automatically inserted into and removed from the charging port of the vehicle, the power transmission coil is a Litz cable, the power reception coil can be moved to different positions on the Litz cable, and the power supply connector can be moved within a predetermined range along the Litz cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a charging system. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a charging system comprising: a charging device connected to a charging cable having a charging plug; and a charging robot having an arm mechanism for automatically plugging and unplugging the charging plug into the charging port of a vehicle.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-072625 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, since the charging device is fixedly installed on the ground of the parking lot, the number of vehicles that can be charged by one charging device is limited due to the length of the charging cable. Therefore, it is possible to broaden the scope so that multiple vehicles can be charged with one charging device. However, if the charging plug is placed on a vehicle parked far from the charging device, the charging cable becomes too long. If the charging cable is too long, problems such as damage caused by dragging the charging cable or tangling of the charging cable can easily occur.

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a charging system that can avoid problems such as damage or tangling of the charging cable caused by dragging the charging cable.

[0006] The charging system of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a high-frequency power supply; a contactless power supply device that transmits high-frequency power supplied from the high-frequency power supply from a transmitting coil to a receiving coil without contact; a power supply connector that supplies power from the high-frequency power supply via the contactless power supply device; and a self-propelled charging robot that automatically plugs and unplugs the power supply connector into the charging port of a vehicle. The transmitting coil is a Litz cable composed of Litz wire carrying a high-frequency current from the high-frequency power supply and extends to the parking area where the vehicle is parked. The receiving coil is movable relative to the Litz cable in the extension direction of the Litz cable and can receive power transmitted non-contactly from the Litz cable at each position on the Litz cable. The power supply connector is movable within a predetermined range along the Litz cable.

[0007] Invention Effects

[0008] In this invention, problems such as damage or tangling of the charging cable caused by dragging it can be avoided. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the charging system in the implementation method.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the circuit configuration of a fast charger in a charging system.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a diagram representing a contactless power supply device.

[0012] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a scenario where multiple vehicles are being charged.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the charging system in a modified example. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The charging system according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0015] Figure 1 This diagram schematically illustrates the charging system in the embodiment. The charging system 1 includes a charging robot 2, a high-frequency power supply 3, a contactless power supply device 4, and a DC / DC converter 5.

[0016] Charging system 1 is designed for vehicles 6 parked in parking lots or other parking spaces. A self-propelled charging robot 2 moves autonomously and automatically connects a power connector to the vehicle 6, thus automatically charging the vehicle 6. The power connector is included in charging system 1. Charging system 1 is a system that uses a contactless power supply device 4 to easily move the power connector, allowing the charging robot 2 to automatically charge multiple vehicles 6 while moving.

[0017] The charging robot 2 is a self-propelled robot that plugs and unplugs the power connector into the charging port of the vehicle 6. The charging robot 2 moves automatically. The charging robot 2 has an arm mechanism that automatically plugs and unplugs the power connector into the charging port of the vehicle 6. The charging robot 2 can move automatically while holding the power connector by a gripping part provided at the front end of the arm mechanism, and can plug and unplug the power connector into the power receiving port of the vehicle 6.

[0018] The power connector is a connector provided in the fast charger 10 of the charging system 1. The fast charger 10 is composed of a high-frequency power supply 3, a contactless power supply device 4, and a DC / DC converter 5.

[0019] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, in the fast charger 10, the high-frequency power of the high-frequency power supply 3 is supplied to the contactless power supply device 4, and insulation is performed in the contactless power supply device 4.

[0020] The high-frequency power supply 3 supplies high-frequency power to the contactless power supply device 4. The high-frequency power supply 3 is the power supply unit for the charging system 1. The power supply unit for the charging system 1 is installed in a parking lot, etc. For example, the high-frequency power supply 3 is fixed in the parking lot.

[0021] The contactless power supply device 4 transmits high-frequency power supplied from the high-frequency power source 3 non-contactly from the transmitting coil to the receiving coil. The contactless power supply device 4 includes a Litz cable 11 as the transmitting coil and a receiving coil 12. The Litz cable 11 is electrically connected to the high-frequency power source 3. High-frequency power from the high-frequency power source 3 is supplied to the Litz cable 11. The receiving coil 12 receives the power transmitted non-contactly from the Litz cable 11. The charging system 1 is a system capable of supplying high-frequency current to the Litz cable 11 and having the power received non-contactly by the receiving coil 12. The receiving coil 12 is electrically connected to a DC / DC converter 5.

[0022] The Litz cable 11 is constructed from Litz wire carrying a high-frequency current from the high-frequency power supply 3. Litz wire is a strand of wire twisted together. The Litz cable 11 functions as a primary coil for non-contact transmission of power supplied from the high-frequency power supply 3. Figure 1 As shown, the Liz cable 11 extends to the parking area where vehicle 6 is parked. The Liz cable 11 is installed on the ground. For example, the Liz cable 11 may be installed in the ceiling or wall of the parking lot.

[0023] The receiving coil 12 is movable relative to different positions on the Leeds cable 11 along its extension direction. The receiving coil 12 is a secondary coil that receives power transmitted non-contactly from the Leeds cable 11 at various positions on the Leeds cable 11. The receiving coil 12 can receive power even if it is located at any position on the Leeds cable 11.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, a receiving coil 12 is wound around a receiving core 13. The receiving core 13 is disposed on a Litz cable 11. For example, the receiving core 13 is formed in a C-shape. A magnetic field is generated around the Litz cable 11 by the flow of a high-frequency current through it. The Litz cable 11 extends in a straight line, so the high-frequency current flowing in the Litz cable 11 is a straight current. Therefore, a ring-shaped magnetic field is generated around the Litz cable 11 around the straight current, and the direction of the magnetic field is a right-handed direction toward the direction of the high-frequency current flow. The receiving core 13 is shaped along the direction of the magnetic field generated around the Litz cable 11.

[0025] DC / DC converter 5 converts the power received by the receiving coil 12 into specified power and outputs it to the power supply connector. DC / DC converter 5 also converts power into appropriate power for fast charging of vehicle 6 and outputs it. DC / DC converter 5 is positioned between the receiving coil 12 and the power supply connector, and is similarly movable as the receiving coil 12. When the power supply connector moves with the self-moving charging robot 2, DC / DC converter 5 moves with the power supply connector.

[0026] The power supply connector is electrically connected to the receiving coil 12 via the DC / DC converter 5. When the power supply connector is connected to the charging port of the vehicle 6, the power supply connector outputs power from the DC / DC converter 5 to the vehicle 6.

[0027] like Figure 4 As shown, in the charging system 1, the charging robot 2 moves to plug and unplug the power connectors of the vehicles 6 parked in the parking area. As the power connectors move along with the charging robot 2, the receiving coil 12 and the DC / DC converter 5 move together with the power connectors.

[0028] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, the parking area including parking spaces A, B, C, and D is included within the scope of the object. In this parking lot, Litz cable 11 extends to the vicinity of parking spaces A, B, C, and D. Among the multiple parking spaces, parking space A is located closest to the high-frequency power source 3, and parking spaces B, C, and D are located sequentially furthest from the high-frequency power source 3. Among the multiple parking spaces, parking space D is furthest from the high-frequency power source 3.

[0029] After automatically charging the vehicle 6 parked in parking space A, the charging robot 2 moves to parking space B. In this case, the receiving coil 12 and the DC / DC converter 5 move from the position corresponding to parking space A to the position corresponding to parking space B as the charging robot 2 moves. Similarly, after automatically charging the vehicle 6 parked in parking space B, the charging robot 2 moves to parking space C. In this case, the receiving coil 12 and the DC / DC converter 5 move from the position corresponding to parking space B to the position corresponding to parking space C as the charging robot 2 moves. In the charging system 1, even if the distance from the high-frequency power supply 3 fixed to the parking lot to the object being powered changes, the receiving coil 12 moves along the Litz cable 11, thereby allowing the power supply connector to move along the Litz cable 11.

[0030] As explained above, according to the embodiment, by providing a charging system 1 that uses a receiving coil 12 and a DC / DC converter 5, problems such as damage to the charging cable due to dragging or tangling of the charging cable can be avoided.

[0031] Furthermore, in the charging system 1, the structure is not limited to the charging robot 2 holding the power connector; it can also be a structure where the power connector is fixed to the charging robot 2. That is, the power connector can be included in the charging robot 2. For example, the charging robot 2 has a structure in which the power connector is fixed to the front end of the arm mechanism.

[0032] And, as Figure 5 As shown, the charging system 1 can also be configured to bury the Litz cable 11 underground and extract power from the vicinity of the location where the vehicle 6 is stopped. The charging robot 2 can move to the parking position of the vehicle 6 and install the receiving coil 12 on the Litz cable 11. This eliminates interference between the Litz cable 11 and the movement path of the vehicle 6, enabling large-scale automatic charging. The charging system 1 configured in this way achieves cableless operation by utilizing contactless power supply technology.

[0033] Symbol Explanation

[0034] 1-Charging system, 2-Charging robot, 3-High frequency power supply, 4-Contactless power supply device, 5-DC / DC converter, 6-Vehicle, 11-Litz cable, 12-Power receiving coil, 13-Power receiving iron core.

Claims

1. A charging system, characterized in that, have: High-frequency power supply; A contactless power supply device that transmits high-frequency power supplied from the high-frequency power source from the transmitting coil to the receiving coil without contact. A power supply connector that supplies power from the high-frequency power source via the contactless power supply device; and A self-propelled charging robot that automatically plugs and unplugs the power connector into the vehicle's charging port. The power supply coil is a Litz cable made of Litz wire carrying a high-frequency current from the high-frequency power supply, and extends to the parking area where the vehicle is parked. The receiving coil is movable relative to the Litz cable along its extension direction, and can receive power transmitted non-contactly from the Litz cable at each location on the Litz cable. The power connector is capable of moving within a specified range along the Litz cable.

2. The charging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the power supply connector moves along with the charging robot, the power receiving coil moves along the Litz cable as the power supply connector moves.

3. The charging system according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a DC / DC converter disposed between the power supply connector and the power receiving coil. The power supply connector is electrically connected to the receiving coil via the DC / DC converter. When the power supply connector moves along with the charging robot, the DC / DC converter moves along with the power supply connector.

Images