Non-contact power supply facility, impedance adjustment method for non-contact power supply facility, and impedance adjustment program for non-contact power supply facility

Abstract

The adjustment system 70 performs a first process and a second process on the target power supply device while at least one adjacent power supply device is in normal power supply operation. The first process measures a first voltage value V1 when the power supply circuit 22 of the target power supply device is not outputting AC current, and the second process measures a second voltage value V2 when the power supply circuit 22 of the target power supply device is outputting AC current. The adjustment system 70 performs an adjustment process, which calculates the power supply circuit reactance of the power supply circuit 5 based on the difference between the first voltage value V1 and the second voltage value V2. In accordance with the power supply circuit reactance, the adjustment unit 30 adjusts the circuit characteristics to make the power supply circuit impedance a predetermined specified impedance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Invention Field

[0002] This invention relates to a non-contact power supply device that supplies power to the powered device in a non-contact manner by adjusting the impedance of the power supply circuit, i.e., the impedance of the power supply circuit, which includes the power supply lines and the power supply device, having a plurality of power supply lines arranged along the movement path of a moving body having a powered device, and a power supply device connected to the plurality of power supply lines respectively to supply alternating current to the power supply lines. Prior Technology

[0003] Background of the Invention

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-155245 discloses a technique for adjusting the impedance of a power supply circuit in a non-contact power supply device as described above. This document determines whether the difference between the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit in the receiving device and the oscillation frequency of the power supply device is within a predetermined set range. Then, if the difference is not within the set range, the inductance of the power supply circuit is adjusted by controlling an inductor adjustment circuit. Alternatively, if the difference is not within the set range, the capacitance of the power supply circuit is adjusted by controlling a capacitor adjustment circuit. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Invention Summary

[0006] In recent years, the large-scale development of mobile equipment (such as logistics equipment) equipped with such contactless power supply devices has been underway. These contactless power supply devices often have multiple power supply circuits. Since the mobile body moves extensively within the mobile equipment, it travels through multiple power supply circuits. Therefore, the power supply lines of these multiple systems are arranged adjacently so that the mobile body can always receive power through at least one power supply circuit. Consequently, when adjusting the impedance of one power supply circuit, there is a risk of reduced adjustment accuracy due to the influence of other power supply circuits.

[0007] Therefore, the provision of technology that can appropriately adjust the impedance of power supply circuits to reduce the impact of other power supply circuits in contactless power supply equipment with multiple power supply circuits is highly anticipated.

[0008] In view of the above, the contactless power supply device includes: a plurality of power supply lines arranged along the movement path of a movable body equipped with a power receiving device; and a power supply device connected to the plurality of aforementioned power supply lines respectively to supply alternating current to the aforementioned power supply lines. The aforementioned contactless power supply device supplies power to the aforementioned power receiving device in a contactless manner. Each of the plurality of aforementioned power supply devices includes: a power circuit that outputs the aforementioned alternating current to the aforementioned power supply lines; a power control unit that controls the aforementioned power circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance of the power supply circuit including the aforementioned power supply lines and the aforementioned power supply devices, i.e., the circuit characteristics. The aforementioned contactless power supply device further includes an adjustment system that performs adjustments related to the aforementioned adjustment units of the plurality of aforementioned power supply devices, taking one of the plurality of aforementioned power supply devices as the target power supply device, taking the aforementioned power supply line connected to the aforementioned target power supply device as the target power supply line, taking other aforementioned power supply lines arranged adjacent to the aforementioned target power supply line as adjacent power supply lines, and taking the aforementioned power supply device connected to the aforementioned adjacent power supply lines as... The adjacent power supply device, when supplying power to the aforementioned moving body, performs the operation of the aforementioned power supply device as a normal power supply operation. The aforementioned adjustment system, under the state that at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices performs the aforementioned normal power supply operation, causes the aforementioned target power supply device to perform a first process and a second process. The aforementioned first process is the process of measuring the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., a first voltage value, when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device is not outputting the aforementioned alternating current. The aforementioned second process is the process of measuring the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., a second voltage value, when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device is outputting the aforementioned alternating current. The aforementioned adjustment system performs an adjustment process. The aforementioned adjustment process is the process of calculating the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value after the execution of the aforementioned first process and the aforementioned second process. In response to the power supply circuit reactance, the aforementioned adjustment unit adjusts the aforementioned circuit characteristics so that the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit impedance, becomes a predetermined specified impedance.

[0009] Based on this configuration, when multiple power supply lines are arranged along the movement path of the moving body, the influence caused by adjacent power supply lines can be considered, and the electrical characteristics of the power supply circuit formed by each power supply line and its connected power supply device can be appropriately adjusted. Furthermore, by controlling the adjustment system, the circuit characteristics can be automatically adjusted by the adjustment unit. Therefore, not only in the installation of contactless power supply equipment, but also in reducing the time required for adjusting the power supply circuit after the contactless power supply equipment has started operation. Thus, according to this configuration, in contactless power supply equipment with multiple power supply circuit systems, the influence caused by other power supply circuits can be reduced, and the power supply circuit impedance can be appropriately adjusted.

[0010] The aforementioned technical features of contactless power supply equipment can also be applied to impedance adjustment methods and programs for contactless power supply equipment. Representative examples are shown below. For instance, the adjustment method may include various processing features of the aforementioned contactless power supply equipment. Furthermore, the adjustment program can enable a computer to perform various functions possessing the features of the aforementioned contactless power supply equipment. Naturally, these adjustment methods and programs can also achieve the effects of the aforementioned contactless power supply equipment. Moreover, various additional features, which are preferred embodiments of contactless power supply equipment and are illustrated in the following description of implementations, can be combined into these adjustment methods and programs, and the method and program can also achieve effects corresponding to each additional feature.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the impedance adjustment method for the contactless power supply device involves adjusting the impedance of the power supply circuit, including power supply lines and power supply devices, within the contactless power supply device. The contactless power supply device comprises: a plurality of power supply lines arranged along the movement path of a movable body equipped with a power receiving device; and a power supply device connected to each of the plurality of power supply lines to supply alternating current to the power supply lines and to supply power to the power receiving device in a contactless manner. Each of the plurality of power supply devices comprises: a power circuit that outputs the alternating current to the power supply lines; a power control unit that controls the power circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance of the power supply circuit, i.e., the circuit characteristics. One of the plurality of power supply devices is selected as the target power supply device, the power supply line connected to the target power supply device is selected as the target power supply line, other power supply lines arranged adjacent to the target power supply line are selected as adjacent power supply lines, and the power supply device connected to the adjacent power supply lines is selected as the adjacent power supply device. The power supply device, when supplying power to the aforementioned mobile body, operates as a normal power supply operation. The impedance adjustment method for the aforementioned non-contact power supply device includes: a first process, measuring the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., a first voltage value, while at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation and while the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device is not outputting the aforementioned alternating current; a second process, measuring the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., a second voltage value, while at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation and while the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device is outputting the aforementioned alternating current; and an adjustment process, after the execution of the aforementioned first process and the aforementioned second process, calculating the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value, and adjusting the circuit characteristics by the aforementioned adjustment unit to make the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device a predetermined impedance.

[0012] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the impedance adjustment program of the contactless power supply device enables a computer to adjust the impedance of the power supply circuit, including the power supply lines and power supply device, within the contactless power supply device. The aforementioned contactless power supply device comprises: a plurality of the aforementioned power supply lines arranged along the movement path of a movable body equipped with a power receiving device; and the aforementioned power supply device, connected to the plurality of the aforementioned power supply lines respectively, supplying alternating current to the aforementioned power supply lines and supplying power to the aforementioned power receiving device in a contactless manner. The plurality of aforementioned power supply devices are... It also includes: a power supply circuit that outputs the aforementioned alternating current to the aforementioned power supply line; a power control unit that controls the aforementioned power supply circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance of the aforementioned power supply circuit, which includes the aforementioned power supply line and the aforementioned power supply device, i.e., the circuit characteristics, taking one of the plurality of aforementioned power supply devices as the target power supply device, taking the aforementioned power supply line connected to the aforementioned target power supply device as the target power supply line, and taking other aforementioned power supply lines arranged adjacent to the aforementioned target power supply line as adjacent power supply lines, and connecting to the aforementioned adjacent power supply... As an adjacent power supply device, the operation of the aforementioned power supply device when supplying power to the aforementioned moving body is considered a normal power supply operation. The impedance adjustment program of the aforementioned non-contact power supply device enables the computer to perform the following functions: First, when at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation, and when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device is not outputting the aforementioned alternating current, the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., the first voltage value, is measured; Second, when at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation, and when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device is outputting the aforementioned alternating current, the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., the second voltage value, is measured; and Adjustment function, after performing the aforementioned first and second functions, the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, is calculated based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value. Based on the power supply circuit reactance, the aforementioned circuit characteristics are adjusted by the aforementioned adjustment unit to make the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device become a predetermined impedance.

[0013] The further features and advantages of non-contact power supply equipment, impedance adjustment methods for non-contact power supply equipment, and impedance adjustment procedures for non-contact power supply equipment can be understood from the following description of illustrative and non-limiting embodiments illustrated with reference to the drawings. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0014] Figure 1 is a floor plan of a goods transport equipment equipped with contactless power supply devices. Figure 2 is a front view of the goods transport vehicle. Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a contactless power supply device. Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the composition of a power supply device and a power supply line that receives power from the power supply device in a contactless power supply equipment. Figure 5 is a schematic circuit block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a capacitor array. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for adjusting the impedance of a power supply circuit. Implementation

[0015] Forms used to implement inventions

[0016] The following describes an embodiment of a contactless power supply device, using a material handling equipment as an example, based on the figures. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the material handling equipment 200 of this embodiment includes: a travel rail 2, configured along the travel path 1 of the material handling vehicle 3 (moving body); and the material handling vehicle 3, guided by the travel rail 2, traveling along the travel path 1. For example, the travel path 1 includes a main circular path 1a, a plurality of secondary circular paths 1b passing through the material handling unit P, and a connecting path 1c connecting the main path 1a and the secondary paths 1b. In this embodiment, the material handling vehicle 3 travels unidirectionally along the travel path 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the material handled by the material handling vehicle 3 is, for example, a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) containing a semiconductor substrate or a glass substrate used as a display material.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the goods transport vehicle 3 includes: a traveling unit 9, guided by a pair of traveling rails 2 suspended and supported from the top along a travel path 1, and traveling along the travel path 1; a transport vehicle body 10, located below the traveling rails 2, and suspended and supported by the traveling unit 9; and a power receiving device 4, which receives driving power from a power supply line 11 arranged along the travel path 1 in a non-contact manner. The transport vehicle body 10 includes: a goods support unit (not shown), which is equipped on the transport vehicle body 10 in a lifting and lowering manner to support the goods in a suspended state.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the traveling unit 9 includes a pair of traveling wheels 15 driven by an electric drive motor 14. The traveling wheels 15 rotate on a traveling surface formed on each of the traveling rails 2. Furthermore, in the traveling unit 9, a pair of guide wheels 16, which rotate freely about an axis in the vertical direction Z (about the vertical axis), are arranged to abut against the inner surfaces of the pair of traveling rails 2. The traveling unit 9 is configured with a driving motor 14 and its drive circuit, etc., to allow the goods transport vehicle 3 to travel along the traveling rails 2. The transport vehicle body 10 includes an actuator for raising and lowering the goods support section, an actuator for driving the handle section that holds the goods, etc., and the aforementioned drive circuits, etc.

[0019] The power to the drive motors 14, various actuators, and drive circuits that drive them is supplied to the power receiving device 4 in a non-contact manner via the power supply line 11. As described above, the power supply line 11, which supplies drive power to the goods transport vehicle 3 through the power receiving device 4, is arranged along the movement path 1. In this embodiment, the power supply line 11 is arranged on both sides of the path width direction H relative to the power receiving device 4.

[0020] In this embodiment, the power receiving device 4 uses a wireless power supply technology called HID (High Efficiency Inductive Power Distribution Technology) to supply driving power to the goods transport vehicle 3. Specifically, a high-frequency current flows through the power supply line 11, which acts as an induction line, generating a magnetic field around the power supply line 11. The power receiving device 4 is composed of a pickup coil 40 and a magnetic core. The pickup coil 40 is induced by electromagnetic induction from the magnetic field. The alternating current generated by the induction is converted into direct current by a rectifier circuit such as a full-wave rectifier circuit and a power receiving circuit with a smoothing capacitor, and then supplied to the actuator and drive circuit.

[0021] The contactless power supply device 100 of this embodiment uses wireless power supply technology to supply power to a moving goods transport vehicle 3 in a contactless manner. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the contactless power supply device 100 includes a plurality of power supply lines 11 arranged along the movement path 1 of the goods transport vehicle 3 (moving body) equipped with a power receiving device 4, and a power supply device 50 connected to the plurality of power supply lines 11 to supply alternating current to the power supply lines 11, thereby supplying power to the power receiving device 4 in a contactless manner. As shown in the example in Figure 1, the goods transport device 200 has a large loop-shaped main path 1a and a plurality of loop-shaped secondary paths 1b smaller than the main path 1a. Thus, the relatively large-scale goods transport device 200 has multiple sets of power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50, rather than a single system, to suppress situations such as low power supply efficiency and complete equipment shutdown in case of failure (refer to Figure 3).

[0022] The power supply line 11 is a closed circuit that is sufficiently long in terms of electrical properties, and is a distributed parameter circuit. Therefore, the resistance, inductance, and capacitance constituting the impedance of the power supply line 11 are distributed across the circuit. Regarding the impedance of the power supply circuit 5, which includes the power supply line 11 and the power supply device 50, i.e., the power supply circuit impedance, the mutual inductance caused by the coupling between the power supply line 11 and the pickup coil 40 of the power receiving device 4 of the transport vehicle 3 also has an effect, so it is often affected by inductance. However, the non-contact power supply device 100 of this embodiment is characterized by appropriately adjusting the power supply circuit impedance. Therefore, Figure 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the state in which inductance (L1, L2, ..., Ln) as lumped parameters exists at the position corresponding to the pickup coil 40 of the power receiving device 4.

[0023] Each power supply device 50 should be configured to supply power to the receiving device 4 of the transport cart 3 appropriately (with good electrical efficiency) via the power supply line 11 connected to the power supply device 50. As described above, high-frequency current flows through the power supply line 11, which is a conductor, and power is supplied in a non-contact manner through electromagnetic coupling with the pickup coil 40. The receiving device 4 has a resonant circuit configured to resonate with the frequency of the high-frequency current flowing in the power supply line 11. Here, if the impedance (power supply circuit impedance) of the power supply circuit 5 including the power supply line 11 deviates from the impedance (specified impedance) that enables efficient power supply, the power supply efficiency will decrease and the loss will increase. Therefore, the power supply circuit impedance of each power supply circuit 5 should be appropriately adjusted.

[0024] However, as mentioned above, the contactless power supply device 100 has multiple power supply circuits 5. In large-scale material handling equipment 200, the number of contactless power supply devices 100 can sometimes reach 100 to 300 or more. Manually adjusting these by operators would require a significant amount of time and incur substantial costs. Therefore, this embodiment automates the adjustment of the power supply circuit impedance using the adjustment system 70 described later. Furthermore, for example, as shown in Figure 1, the material handling cart 3 moves extensively within the material handling equipment 200. With multiple power supply circuit systems 5, the material handling cart 3 travels through multiple power supply circuits 5. Therefore, power lines 11 belonging to different power supply circuits 5 are arranged adjacently so that the material handling cart 3 can receive power through at least one power supply circuit 5. Therefore, when adjusting the impedance of one power supply circuit 5, there is a risk of decreased adjustment accuracy due to the influence of other power supply circuits 5. The contactless power supply device 100 of this embodiment is characterized by appropriately adjusting the impedance of the power supply circuit to reduce the impact caused by other power supply circuits 5.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, each of the plurality of power supply devices 50 includes: a power supply circuit 22 that outputs alternating current to the power supply line 11; a power control unit 21 that controls the power supply circuit 22; and a capacitor array 30 (adjustment unit) that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance of the power supply circuit 5, which includes the power supply line 11 and the power supply device 50, i.e., the circuit characteristics. Furthermore, each power supply device 50 includes an impedance calculation unit 25, a capacitor adjustment unit 26, and a voltage detection unit 24 that detects the voltage of the power supply line 11, constituting the adjustment system 70 described later.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the contactless power supply device 100 also includes a controller, namely an adjustment system controller 80, for an adjustment system 70 that adjusts the capacitor array 30 (adjustment unit) associated with the plurality of power supply devices 50. The adjustment system controller 80 is configured with a processor, such as a microcomputer, as its core, and issues adjustment commands to each power supply device 50. Each power supply device 50 has an adjustment command receiving unit 29, which adjusts the power supply circuit impedance based on the adjustment commands. For example, the adjustment system controller 80 issues adjustment commands to each power supply device 50 in a manner that causes the plurality of power supply devices 50 to adjust the power supply circuit impedance sequentially rather than simultaneously, thereby controlling each power supply device 50.

[0027] Alternatively, for example, the configuration could be as follows: each power supply unit 50 is equipped with an operator-operable switch, which the operator uses to issue adjustment commands. That is, in addition to adjustment commands from the adjustment system controller 80, the operator's manual operation can also adjust the power supply circuit impedance. Furthermore, the adjustment request from the power supply unit 50 equipped with the operator-operable switch can be transmitted to the adjustment system controller 80 by operating the operator's switch, allowing the adjustment system controller 80 to send adjustment commands to that power supply unit 50.

[0028] Naturally, such an operation switch may not be required. For example, the operator could adjust the power supply circuit impedance by adjusting the system controller 80 to specify the power supply device 50.

[0029] As described above, although the non-contact power supply device 100 has multiple power supply circuits 5 consisting of power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50, the impedance adjustment of the power supply circuits is performed sequentially by selecting each power supply circuit 5 one by one. Here, as shown in FIG3, one power supply device 50 among the multiple power supply devices 50 is designated as the target power supply device 50T, the power supply line 11 connected to the target power supply device 50T is designated as the target power supply line 11T, the other power supply lines 11 arranged adjacent to the target power supply line 11T are designated as adjacent power supply lines 11N, and the power supply device 50 connected to the adjacent power supply line 11N is designated as the adjacent power supply device 50N. Furthermore, as needed, the group of target power supply devices 50T and target power supply lines 11T among the multiple power supply circuits 5 is called the target power supply circuit 5T, and the group of adjacent power supply devices 50N and adjacent power supply lines 11N is called the adjacent power supply circuit 5N. Furthermore, the operation of the power supply device 50 when power is supplied to the goods transport vehicle 3 is taken as the normal power supply operation.

[0030] The adjustment system 70, while ensuring at least one adjacent power supply device 50N is operating normally, causes the target power supply device 50T to undergo the first process #10 and the second process #20 described later (refer to Figure 6). The first process #10 measures the voltage of the target power supply line 11T, i.e., the first voltage value V1, when the power supply circuit 22 of the target power supply device 50T is not outputting AC current. The second process #20 measures the voltage of the target power supply line 11T, i.e., the second voltage value V2, when the power supply circuit 22 of the target power supply device 50T is outputting AC current. Furthermore, in the second process #20, although the AC current output by the power supply circuit 22 can be the same as the AC current (tens of A) during normal power supply operation, it should preferably be a small current (a few mA to a few A). After the execution of the first process #10 and the second process #20, the adjustment system 70 calculates the reactance of the power supply circuit 5 (target power supply circuit 5T) of the target power supply device 50T, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance (power supply circuit inductance Lt), based on the difference between the first voltage value V1 and the second voltage value V2. Then, the adjustment system 70 performs an adjustment process #30 (refer to Figure 6) by adjusting the circuit characteristics (power supply circuit impedance) through the capacitor array 30 (adjustment unit) to make the impedance of the target power supply circuit 5T, i.e., the power supply circuit impedance, a predetermined specified impedance. It is not important which process, the first process #10 or the second process #20, is executed in the same order.

[0031] As described above, each of the plurality of power supply devices 50 includes an adjustment command receiving unit 29, which receives adjustment commands for the power supply circuit impedance of the power supply device 50. Furthermore, when the adjustment command is received by the adjustment command receiving unit 29, the adjustment system 70 uses the power supply device 50 equipped with the adjustment command receiving unit 29 as the target power supply device 50T and executes the first process #10, the second process #20, and the adjustment process #30.

[0032] Here, the power supply device 50 will be described in detail. The power supply circuit 22 is configured, for example, as a switching power supply circuit with an inverter circuit as its core. The power control unit 21 controls the switching control signal that causes the switching elements constituting the inverter circuit to switch based on a command value. That is, for example, the power control unit 21 causes the power supply circuit 22 to output AC current by means of pulse width modulation (PWM). Here, the command value is, for example, a current value (which can be an actual value or a peak-to-peak value) or the power of PWM control. The power supply device 50 also includes a current detection unit 23 that detects the AC current output from the power supply circuit 22. When the command value is a current value, based on the difference between the command value and the current value detected by the current detection unit 23, the power control unit 21 performs feedback control to output an AC current from the power supply circuit 22 corresponding to the command value.

[0033] By implementing feedback control in this way, for example, the current value of the AC current output from the power supply circuit 22 becomes the value along with the command value. Here, even if the command value is a current value, the efficiency of PWM control is within a certain specified range according to the specifications of the power supply circuit 5. Therefore, it can be said that the efficiency of the power supply control unit 21 also has a command value. When the feedback control performed by the power supply control unit 21 is performed based on the current value detected by the current detection unit 23 as described above, for example, even if the power supply circuit impedance deviates slightly from the specified impedance, the current value of the AC current output from the power supply circuit 22 is the value corresponding to the command value. However, the possibility of the efficiency of PWM control performed by the power supply control unit 21 exceeding the specified range increases. Moreover, the efficiency of PWM control exceeding the specified range means low power supply efficiency, which means low efficiency of the contactless power supply device 100. Therefore, the contactless power supply device 100 of this embodiment adjusts the power supply circuit impedance to make the power supply circuit impedance a specified impedance.

[0034] Furthermore, the power control unit 21 or the impedance calculation unit 25 can determine whether the efficiency of the PWM control performed by the power control unit 21 exceeds the specified range. Therefore, the power control unit 21 or the impedance calculation unit 25 can also perform a confirmation process based on the efficiency of the PWM control to determine whether the adjustment of the power supply circuit impedance is appropriate (described later).

[0035] The voltage detection unit 24 detects the voltage across the two ends of the power supply line 11. Similar to the current value, this voltage value can be either an actual value or a peak value. The voltage detection unit 24 detects the voltage (instantaneous value) at a predetermined sampling period and provides it to the impedance calculation unit 25. Furthermore, while the actual value is self-evident, the peak value is also detected based on multiple sampling values. The peak value can also be calculated based on the average of multiple peak values ​​and the average of multiple valley values. The voltage value calculation based on multiple sampling results (instantaneous values) can be performed in the impedance calculation unit 25 or in the voltage detection unit 24.

[0036] The first voltage value V1 detected in Process #10 is the voltage value of the target power supply line 11T when the power supply circuit 22 of the target power supply device 50T is not outputting AC current. On the other hand, the second voltage value V2 detected in Process #20 is the voltage value of the target power supply line 11T when the power supply circuit 22 of the target power supply device 50T is outputting AC current. Furthermore, in Process #10 and Process #20, the adjacent power supply device 50N is performing normal power supply operation and is outputting AC current to the adjacent power supply line 11N. In order to make the conditions of Process #10 and Process #20 consistent, the normal power supply operation of the adjacent power supply device 50N should preferably be the same. Furthermore, when there are multiple adjacent power supply lines 11N corresponding to the target power supply line 11T, it is preferable that all adjacent power supply lines 11N are supplying AC current through normal power supply operation. However, if the conditions are met during the execution of the first process #10 and the second process #20, then at least one adjacent power supply device 50N may be performing normal power supply operation and supplying alternating current to the adjacent power supply line 11N.

[0037] The impedance calculation unit 25 calculates the difference between the first voltage value V1 and the second voltage value V2, i.e., the differential voltage V3 (=V2-V1), after the execution of the first process #10 and the second process #20. Both the first voltage value V1 and the second voltage value V2 include the voltage generated by the induced current flowing in the target power supply line 11T due to the current flowing in the adjacent power supply line 11N. Regarding this voltage, it is almost the same as the voltage generated by the induced current, as long as the operating conditions of the adjacent power supply line 11N are the same as described above. Therefore, the differential voltage V3 cancels out the voltage caused by the induced current, leaving only the voltage of the AC current output by the power supply circuit 22 of the target power supply device 50T. Regarding this voltage, with the power supply circuit impedance as Zt, its resistive and reactive components as Rt and Xt respectively, and the current value output by the power supply circuit 22 in the second process #20 as It, it can be expressed by the following formula (1) (j is the imaginary unit).

[0038] V3 = Zt‧It = (Rt+jXt)It ...(1)

[0039] The reactance component (power supply circuit reactance Xt) includes the inductive reactance XL derived from the inductor and the capacitive reactance XC derived from the capacitor. Using the frequency of the AC current output by the power supply circuit 22 as fa, it can be expressed by the following formula (2). In formula (2), the inductance of the power supply circuit 5 (power supply circuit inductance) is represented as Lt, and the capacitance of the power supply circuit 5 (power supply circuit capacitance) is represented as Ct.

[0040] jXt = jX L- jX C= j2πfaLt + (1 / j2πfaCt) ...(2)

[0041] Here, the resistive component Rt included in the power supply circuit impedance Zt is a fixed value and does not depend on the frequency fa. In the case where the frequency fa is high, as in this embodiment, the reactance component (Xt) dependent on the frequency fa increases, so there may be cases where the resistive component Rt can be ignored and not taken into consideration. Furthermore, the resistive component Rt can be made a known constant by prior measurement, etc. That is, equation (1) can be obtained by ignoring the resistive component Rt or by subtracting the voltage caused by the resistive component Rt from the differential voltage V3, thus becoming an equation between the reactance component (Xt) and the differential voltage V3. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the resistive component Rt in the above equation (1) is ignored and not taken into consideration (see equation (3) below).

[0042] V3 = jXt‧It = (jX L- jX C)It ...(3)

[0043] The reactance Xt of the power supply circuit is represented by the following formula (4) using formula (3).

[0044] jXt = V3 / It ...(4)

[0045] Here, the predetermined impedance for the power supply circuit 5 is taken as Zr. The resistive component Rt is known or can be ignored as described above. Thus, as described above, in this embodiment, the circuit characteristics (power supply circuit impedance Zt) are adjusted by the capacitor array 30 (adjustment unit) in adjustment process #30. That is, the power supply circuit impedance Zt is adjusted by the capacitive reactance XC of the capacitor array 30 (refer to the following formula (5)). In the following formula (5), the capacitive reactance XC is expressed as adjustment reactance X CA, and the capacitance of the capacitor array 30 is expressed as CA.

[0046] Zr = Rt + jXt - jX CA =Rt + jXt - j(1 / (2πfa‧CA)) =Rt + j(Xt - (1 / (2πfa‧CA))) ...(5)

[0047] The impedance Zt of the power supply circuit can be adjusted to the specified impedance Zr by setting the capacitors (power supply circuit capacitor CA) of the capacitor array 30 to satisfy formula (5).

[0048] In addition, in the power supply circuit reactance Xt calculated based on the differential voltage V3, if the inductive reactance XL is the main component, the capacitive reactance XC can be ignored, and the inductance of the power supply circuit 5 (power supply circuit inductance) can be used as Lt. Equations (3), (4), and (5) can be expressed as Equations (6), (7), and (8) below.

[0049] V3 = jLt‧It ...(6) jLt = V3 / (2πfa‧It) ...(7) Zr = Rt + j2πfa‧Lt - j(1 / 2πfa‧CA) = Rt + j(2πfa‧Lt - (1 / 2πfa‧CA)) ...(8)

[0050] As described above, the adjustment system controller 80 is configured with a processor, such as a microcomputer, as its core. Similarly, the power control unit 21, impedance calculation unit 25, and capacitor adjustment unit 26 of the power supply device 50 are also configured with a processor, such as a microcomputer, as their core. Therefore, the first processing #10, the second processing #20, and the adjustment processing #30 described above should be implemented using a program executed by the processor (computer) in cooperation with peripheral components such as memory (not shown).

[0051] For example, such a processor (computer) executes a program that enables the computer to adjust the impedance (i.e., the impedance Zt) of the power supply circuit 5, which includes the power supply lines 11 and the power supply device 50, to supply alternating current to the power supply lines 11 in a non-contact power supply device 100 that supplies power to the power receiving device 4 in a non-contact manner. This program enables the computer to perform a first function (first processing #10), a second function (second processing #20), and an adjustment function (adjustment processing #30) in a non-contact manner.

[0052] The first function (first process #10) is to measure the voltage of the target power supply line 11T, i.e., the first voltage value V1, while at least one adjacent power supply device 50N is in normal power supply operation and the power circuit 22 of the target power supply device 50T is not outputting AC current. For example, as shown in FIG6, firstly, the power circuit 22 of the target power supply device 50T is controlled to be turned off by the power control unit 21 of the target power supply device 50T, resulting in a state where the power circuit 22 of the target power supply device 50T is not outputting AC current (#1). Next, in this state, the first voltage value V1 is obtained by the impedance calculation unit 25 (#2). The first voltage value V1 is temporarily stored in memory or temporary storage that works with the processor (computer).

[0053] The second function (second processing #20) is to measure the voltage of the target power supply line 11T, i.e., the second voltage value V2, while at least one adjacent power supply device 50N is operating normally and the power circuit 22 of the target power supply device 50T is outputting AC current. For example, the power control unit 21 of the target power supply device 50T controls the power circuit 22 to allow the small current described above to flow as the measurement current (#3). Then, in this state, the second voltage value V2 is obtained by the impedance calculation unit 25 (#4). The second voltage value V2 is also temporarily stored in memory or a temporary register that works with the processor (computer).

[0054] The first function (first process #10) and the second function (second process #20) can be executed in this order or in the reverse order. After the execution of both the first function (first process #10) and the second function (second process #20) is completed, the reactance (inductance) of the power supply circuit 5 of the target power supply device 50T, namely the power supply circuit reactance Xt (power supply circuit inductance Lt), is calculated based on the difference between the first voltage value V1 and the second voltage value V2, i.e., the difference voltage V3. Based on the power supply circuit reactance Xt (power supply circuit inductance Lt), the circuit characteristics are adjusted by the capacitor array 30 (adjustment section) to make the power supply circuit impedance Zt of the power supply circuit 5 of the target power supply device 50T become the predetermined impedance Zr. This adjustment function (adjustment process #30) is executed as follows.

[0055] As described above, in the impedance calculation unit 25, the difference voltage V3 is calculated based on the first voltage value V1 and the second voltage value V2, and the power supply circuit reactance Xt (power supply circuit inductance Lt) is calculated based on the difference voltage V3 (#5). Then, the power supply circuit capacitance CA is calculated based on the power supply circuit reactance Xt (power supply circuit inductance Lt) as an adjustment value (#6). The value of the power supply circuit capacitance CA is transmitted from the impedance calculation unit 25 to the capacitance adjustment unit 26, which sets the capacitance of the capacitor array 30 to the power supply circuit capacitance CA (#7).

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the capacitor array 30 is constructed, for example, by directly connecting a first parallel array CA1, a second parallel array CA2, a third parallel array CA3, a fourth parallel array CA4, a fifth parallel array CA5, and a sixth parallel array CA6, each consisting of a plurality of capacitors C connected in parallel. Furthermore, any one of the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the fifth switch SW5, and the sixth switch SW6 is mutually exclusive in the on state, thereby allowing selection of one or more parallel arrays from the six parallel arrays. For example, if the first switch SW1 is in the on state, the power supply circuit capacitor CA is set by the capacitor C constituting the first parallel array CA1. If the second switch SW2 is in the on state, the power supply circuit capacitor CA is set by the capacitor constituting the series circuit of the first parallel array CA1 and the second parallel array CA2. The following situations, from the case where switch 3 SW3 is in the open state to the case where switch 6 SW6 is in the open state, are the same as those situations, as can be clearly seen from Figure 5, so detailed explanations are omitted.

[0057] The capacitor adjustment unit 26 controls the capacitor array 30 to set the power supply circuit capacitor CA by means of control signals S (S1~S6) that can independently control the first switch SW1 to the sixth switch SW6. The control signals S (S1~S6) are either mutually exclusive active states (states that turn the switch SW on). Furthermore, as shown in the example in Figure 5, each switch SW from the first switch SW1 to the sixth switch SW6 is constructed using switching elements SD (transistors, FETs) or analog switches.

[0058] The power supply unit 50 controls the output voltage of the power supply circuit 22 via the power control unit 21 (performing the feedback control described above) to cause a predetermined current value to flow in the power supply line 11 connected to the power supply unit 50. After the execution of adjustment process #30, the adjustment system 70 obtains the power being supplied to the power supply line 11 based on the voltage of the power supply line 11 and the current flowing in the power supply line 11. Then, the adjustment system 70 executes a confirmation process #40 (refer to Figure 6) to determine whether the output voltage of the power supply circuit 22 supplying the power is within a suitable range. For example, if the power supply circuit impedance Zt is not properly adjusted, there may be a situation where the power supply efficiency is low, losses increase, and the supplied power increases. When the current is controlled by feedback based on a command value, the voltage rises to maintain the current output in order to cope with losses, and the supplied power increases. Therefore, by determining whether the output voltage of the power supply circuit 22 supplying the power is within a suitable range, it can be determined whether the power supply circuit impedance Zt has been properly adjusted.

[0059] As described above, in this embodiment, the power control unit 21 controls the power circuit 22 via PWM control. When the power circuit 22 has a voltage-type inverter, the output voltage of the power circuit 22 changes due to the efficiency of the PWM control. Therefore, the determination of whether the efficiency is within a suitable range can be performed in the confirmation process #40. For example, the power control unit 21 or the impedance calculation unit 25 can determine whether the efficiency of the PWM control of the power control unit 21 exceeds a specified range. Therefore, the power control unit 21 or the impedance calculation unit 25 can determine whether the impedance of the power supply circuit is appropriately adjusted based on the efficiency of the PWM control. Naturally, the supplied power can also be calculated based on the current value detected by the current detection unit 23 and the voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 24, and it can be determined whether the voltage value relative to the supplied power is within a suitable range.

[0060] When the adjustment system 70 determines, through the confirmation process #40 as described above, that the output voltage of the power supply circuit 22 is not within a suitable range, it re-executes the first process #10, the second process #20, and the adjustment process #30 with the power supply line 11T of the object as the object.

[0061] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the non-contact power supply device 100 is provided with a plurality of power supply circuits 5. Therefore, if the impedance of a power supply circuit 5 (target power supply circuit 5T) is readjusted as a result of the confirmation process #40 for one power supply circuit 5 (target power supply circuit 5T), the adjustment of the unadjusted power supply circuits 5 (including other power supply circuits 5 adjacent to the power supply circuit 5N) will be delayed, and more time will be required to complete the adjustment of all power supply circuits 5. Therefore, the adjustment system 70 may also perform the confirmation process #40 for each group of power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50 after the completion of the first process #10, the second process #20, and the adjustment process #30 for all groups of power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50 (power supply circuits 5).

[0062] Furthermore, the adjustment system 70 may, after completing the first process #10, the second process #20, and the adjustment process #30 for each group of power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50, then execute the confirmation process #40 for that group of power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50 and store the results. Then, it may, after completing the first process #10, the second process #20, the adjustment process #30, and the confirmation process #40 for all groups of power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50, sequentially readjust the groups of power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50 whose confirmation process #40 results are unqualified.

[0063] Even after such readjustment, there may still be groups of power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50 that are deemed unqualified by the confirmation process #40. In such groups, there may be cases where the detection accuracy of the first voltage value V1 and the second voltage value V2 is low. The adjustment system 70 may also extend at least one of the following if, even after the adjustment process #30 has been performed a predetermined number of times and the confirmation process #40 is still not within a suitable range: the period for measuring the first voltage value V1 (the first sampling period) by the first process #10, and the period for measuring the second voltage value V2 (the second sampling period) by the second process #20. Extending the sampling period can reduce the influence of noise components, etc.

[0064] Furthermore, in such a group, there is a possibility that even if the sampling period is extended, treatment #40 may still be found to be unsuitable. In this case, the possibility of aging of the power supply line 11 or power supply unit 50 is also taken into consideration. Therefore, it is also possible that even if treatment #30 has been adjusted a predetermined number of times and treatment #40 is still found to be unsuitable, the sampling period should not be extended. In this case, it is advisable for the operator to inspect and repair such a group of power supply lines 11 and power supply units 50.

[0065] The following describes other implementation forms. Furthermore, the composition of each implementation form described below is not limited to individual application; as long as there is no contradiction, it can also be combined with the composition of other implementation forms.

[0066] (1) In the example described above, after determining the power supply circuit reactance Xt, the power supply circuit impedance Zt is adjusted using the capacitive reactance XC of the capacitor array 30. However, the power supply circuit impedance Zt can also be adjusted using the inductive reactance XL. In this case, it is preferable to use an inductor array (not shown) instead of the capacitor array 30 to set the inductance. Alternatively, the power supply circuit impedance Zt can be adjusted using both the capacitive reactance XC and the inductive reactance XL.

[0067] (2) Although the above example illustrates the implementation of verification process #40 after adjusting the power supply circuit impedance Zt, verification process #40 may not be performed. For example, when the power supply circuit impedance Zt is periodically adjusted, the group that fails the adjustment process #40 will also be readjusted at an earlier stage. In particular, when the adjustment of all the power supply lines 11 and power supply devices 50 is completed (after one cycle of the adjustment wheel), and the adjustment is immediately started from the initial group, etc., and adjustments are always performed, verification process #40 may not be performed.

[0068] (3) In the above-described example, when multiple power supply devices 50 receive adjustment commands through the adjustment command receiving unit 29, the first processing #10, the second processing #20, and the adjustment processing #30 are executed. However, the power supply device 50 may not have an adjustment command receiving unit 29. For example, it may be in the following configuration: multiple power supply devices 50 autonomously become target power supply devices 50T and can be adjusted, in which case the adjustment is performed in coordination with adjacent power supply devices 50N via communication or the like.

[0069] The following is a brief explanation of the contactless power supply equipment, the impedance adjustment method for contactless power supply equipment, and the impedance adjustment program for contactless power supply equipment described above.

[0070] As one example, the contactless power supply device includes: a plurality of power supply lines arranged along the movement path of a movable body equipped with a power receiving device; and a power supply device connected to each of the plurality of power supply lines to supply alternating current to the power supply lines. The contactless power supply device supplies power to the power receiving device in a contactless manner. Each of the plurality of power supply devices includes: a power circuit that outputs the alternating current to the power supply lines; a power control unit that controls the power circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance, i.e., the circuit characteristics, of the power supply circuit including the power supply lines and the power supply devices. The contactless power supply device further includes an adjustment system that performs adjustments related to the adjustment units of the plurality of power supply devices, using one of the power supply devices as the target power supply device, the power supply line connected to the target power supply device as the target power supply line, other power supply lines arranged adjacent to the target power supply line as adjacent power supply lines, and the power supply device connected to the adjacent power supply line as... As an adjacent power supply device, the operation of the aforementioned power supply device when supplying power to the aforementioned moving body is taken as a normal power supply operation. The aforementioned adjustment system, under the state that at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation, causes the aforementioned target power supply device to perform a first process and a second process. The aforementioned first process is the process of measuring the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., a first voltage value, when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device is not outputting the aforementioned alternating current. The aforementioned second process is the process of measuring the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., a second voltage value, when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device is outputting the aforementioned alternating current. The aforementioned adjustment system performs an adjustment process. The aforementioned adjustment process is the process of calculating the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value after the execution of the aforementioned first process and the aforementioned second process. In response to the power supply circuit reactance, the aforementioned adjustment unit adjusts the aforementioned circuit characteristics so that the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit impedance, becomes a predetermined specified impedance.

[0071] Based on this configuration, when multiple power supply lines are arranged along the movement path of the moving body, the influence caused by adjacent power supply lines can be considered, and the electrical characteristics of the power supply circuit formed by each power supply line and its connected power supply device can be appropriately adjusted. Furthermore, by controlling the adjustment system, the circuit characteristics can be automatically adjusted by the adjustment unit. Therefore, not only in the installation of contactless power supply equipment, but also in reducing the time required for adjusting the power supply circuit after the contactless power supply equipment has started operation. Thus, according to this configuration, in contactless power supply equipment with multiple power supply circuit systems, the influence caused by other power supply circuits can be reduced, and the power supply circuit impedance can be appropriately adjusted.

[0072] Here, it should be understood that: the aforementioned power supply device uses the aforementioned power control unit to control the output voltage of the aforementioned power circuit to a predetermined value so that the current flows through the aforementioned power supply line connected to the power supply device. The aforementioned adjustment system obtains the power supplied to the aforementioned power supply line based on the voltage of the aforementioned power supply line and the current flowing in the aforementioned power supply line after the aforementioned adjustment process is executed, and performs a confirmation process. The aforementioned confirmation process is to determine whether the output voltage of the aforementioned power supply circuit is within a suitable range relative to the supplied power. If the aforementioned confirmation process determines that it is not within the aforementioned suitable range, the aforementioned first process, the aforementioned second process, and the aforementioned adjustment process are executed again.

[0073] Based on this configuration, the adjustment system can confirm whether the circuit characteristics of the power supply circuit have been properly adjusted. Furthermore, if the impedance of the power supply circuit has not been properly adjusted, the adjustment system can make appropriate readjustments.

[0074] Furthermore, it is advisable that the aforementioned adjustment system performs the aforementioned confirmation process for each of the aforementioned power supply lines and the aforementioned power supply devices after the completion of the aforementioned first process, the aforementioned second process, and the aforementioned adjustment process for all of the aforementioned power supply lines and the aforementioned power supply devices.

[0075] If, after performing adjustment processing on the target power supply device, the first, second, and third processes are performed on adjacent power supply devices, the adjustment of the circuit characteristics of the adjacent power supply device may affect the circuit characteristics of the target power supply device on which the adjustment processing was performed first. According to this configuration, since the confirmation processing for each group of power supply lines and power supply devices is performed after the adjustment processing for all power supply lines and power supply devices has been completed, the confirmation processing can be appropriately performed to reflect the results of the adjustment processing for each power supply device. Furthermore, readjustment can be performed as needed based on the results of the confirmation processing.

[0076] It is appropriate that: if the aforementioned adjustment system is used when the aforementioned confirmation process is still not within the suitable range even after the aforementioned adjustment process has been performed a predetermined number of times, at least one of the periods during which the aforementioned first voltage value is measured by the aforementioned first process (i.e., the first sampling period) and the periods during which the aforementioned second voltage value is measured by the aforementioned second process (i.e., the second sampling period) is extended.

[0077] Due to the influence of the installation environment of non-contact power supply equipment (the number of adjacent power devices, the length of the power supply lines connecting the target power device and adjacent power devices, and the load power status), there may be situations where even after multiple measurements, the result of the confirmation process is still unqualified. In such cases, the detection accuracy of the first and second voltage values ​​can be improved by extending the sampling period, thereby increasing the probability of successful adjustment.

[0078] Furthermore, it is advisable that: each of the aforementioned power supply devices has an adjustment command receiving unit, the aforementioned adjustment command receiving unit accepts the adjustment command for the impedance of the power supply circuit of the aforementioned power supply device, and the aforementioned adjustment system, when the aforementioned adjustment command receiving unit accepts the aforementioned adjustment command, uses the aforementioned power supply device with the aforementioned adjustment command receiving unit as the aforementioned target power supply device, and performs the aforementioned first process, the aforementioned second process, and the aforementioned adjustment process.

[0079] Based on this configuration, in addition to adjusting all the power supply devices sequentially, adjustments can also be made individually to one part of a plurality of power supply devices.

[0080] The various technical features of the aforementioned contactless power supply devices can also be applied to impedance adjustment methods, impedance adjustment programs, and computer-readable recording media for recording such programs. Representative examples are shown below. For instance, the adjustment method may possess various processing characteristics of the aforementioned contactless power supply devices. Furthermore, the adjustment program can enable a computer to perform various functions characteristic of the aforementioned contactless power supply devices. Similarly, the program recorded on the recording media can enable a computer to perform various functions characteristic of the aforementioned contactless power supply devices. Naturally, these adjustment methods, adjustment programs, and programs recorded on the recording media can also achieve the effects of the aforementioned contactless power supply devices. Furthermore, the various additional features shown in the examples above, which are preferred forms of contactless power supply equipment, can be combined with the adjustment method, adjustment program, and program recorded by the recording medium, so that the adjustment method, adjustment program, and program recorded by the recording medium can also perform the effects corresponding to each additional feature.

[0081] As a preferred embodiment, the impedance adjustment method for the contactless power supply device involves adjusting the impedance of the power supply circuit, including power supply lines and power supply devices, within the contactless power supply device. The contactless power supply device comprises: a plurality of power supply lines arranged along the movement path of a movable body equipped with a power receiving device; and a power supply device connected to each of the plurality of power supply lines to supply alternating current to the power supply lines and to supply power to the power receiving device in a contactless manner. Each of the plurality of power supply devices comprises: a power circuit that outputs the alternating current to the power supply lines; a power control unit that controls the power circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance of the power supply circuit, i.e., the circuit characteristics. One of the plurality of power supply devices is selected as the target power supply device, the power supply line connected to the target power supply device is selected as the target power supply line, other power supply lines arranged adjacent to the target power supply line are selected as adjacent power supply lines, and the power supply device connected to the adjacent power supply lines is selected as the adjacent power supply device. The power supply device, when supplying power to the aforementioned mobile body, operates as a normal power supply operation. The impedance adjustment method for the aforementioned non-contact power supply device includes: a first process, measuring the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., a first voltage value, while at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation and while the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device is not outputting the aforementioned alternating current; a second process, measuring the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., a second voltage value, while at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation and while the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device is outputting the aforementioned alternating current; and an adjustment process, after the execution of the aforementioned first process and the aforementioned second process, calculating the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value, and adjusting the circuit characteristics by the aforementioned adjustment unit to make the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device a predetermined impedance.

[0082] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the impedance adjustment program of the contactless power supply device enables a computer to adjust the impedance of the power supply circuit, including the power supply lines and power supply device, within the contactless power supply device. The aforementioned contactless power supply device comprises: a plurality of the aforementioned power supply lines arranged along the movement path of a movable body equipped with a power receiving device; and the aforementioned power supply device, connected to the plurality of the aforementioned power supply lines respectively, supplying alternating current to the aforementioned power supply lines and supplying power to the aforementioned power receiving device in a contactless manner. The plurality of aforementioned power supply devices are... It also includes: a power supply circuit that outputs the aforementioned alternating current to the aforementioned power supply line; a power control unit that controls the aforementioned power supply circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance of the aforementioned power supply circuit, which includes the aforementioned power supply line and the aforementioned power supply device, i.e., the circuit characteristics, taking one of the plurality of aforementioned power supply devices as the target power supply device, taking the aforementioned power supply line connected to the aforementioned target power supply device as the target power supply line, and taking other aforementioned power supply lines arranged adjacent to the aforementioned target power supply line as adjacent power supply lines, and connecting to the aforementioned adjacent power supply... As an adjacent power supply device, the operation of the aforementioned power supply device when supplying power to the aforementioned moving body is considered a normal power supply operation. The impedance adjustment program of the aforementioned non-contact power supply device enables the computer to perform the following functions: First, when at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation, and when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device is not outputting the aforementioned alternating current, the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., the first voltage value, is measured; Second, when at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation, and when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device is outputting the aforementioned alternating current, the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., the second voltage value, is measured; and Adjustment function, after performing the aforementioned first and second functions, the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, is calculated based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value. Based on the power supply circuit reactance, the aforementioned circuit characteristics are adjusted by the aforementioned adjustment unit to make the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device become a predetermined impedance.

[0083] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the recording medium that records the impedance adjustment program of the contactless power supply device and is readable by a computer enables the computer to adjust the impedance of the power supply circuit, including the power supply line and the power supply device, within the contactless power supply device. The aforementioned contactless power supply device comprises: a plurality of the aforementioned power supply lines arranged along the movement path of a movable body equipped with a power receiving device; and the aforementioned power supply device, connected to the plurality of the aforementioned power supply lines respectively, supplying alternating current to the aforementioned power supply lines and supplying power to the aforementioned power receiving device in a contactless manner. Each power supply device includes: a power supply circuit that outputs the aforementioned alternating current to the aforementioned power supply line; a power supply control unit that controls the aforementioned power supply circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance of the aforementioned power supply circuit, including the aforementioned power supply line and the aforementioned power supply device, i.e., the circuit characteristics, taking one of the plurality of aforementioned power supply devices as the target power supply device, taking the aforementioned power supply line connected to the aforementioned target power supply device as the target power supply line, taking other aforementioned power supply lines arranged adjacent to the aforementioned target power supply line as adjacent power supply lines, and taking the power supply line connected to the aforementioned adjacent power supply line as the target power supply device. The aforementioned power supply device, as an adjacent power supply device, operates normally when supplying power to the aforementioned movable body. The aforementioned recording medium records programs that enable the computer to perform the first function, the second function, and the adjustment function. The aforementioned first function involves measuring the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., the first voltage value, when at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation and when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device is not outputting the aforementioned alternating current. The aforementioned second function involves measuring the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., the first voltage value, when at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned... Under normal power supply operation, and when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device outputs the aforementioned alternating current, the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., the second voltage value, is measured. The aforementioned adjustment function is to calculate the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value after realizing the aforementioned first function and the aforementioned second function. In response to the power supply circuit reactance, the aforementioned circuit characteristics are adjusted by the aforementioned adjustment unit so that the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device becomes a predetermined impedance.

[0084] 1: Movement Path 1a: Main path 1b: Secondary Path 1c: Connection path 2: Travel Track 3: Goods transport vehicle (mobile vehicle) 4: Power receiving device 5: Power supply circuit 5N: Adjacent power supply circuit 5T: Object power supply circuit 9: Driving Department 10: The main body of the transport vehicle 11: Power supply line 11N: Adjacent power supply line 11T: Power supply line for the object 14: Drive motor 15: Driving wheels 16: Guide wheel 21: Power Control Department 22: Power supply circuit 23: Current Detection Section 24: Voltage Detection Section 25: Impedance Calculation Section 26: Capacitor Adjustment Section 29: Adjust the instruction receiving department 30: Capacitor Array (Adjustment Section) 40: Wave pickup coil 50: Power supply device 50N: Adjacent power supply unit 50T: Object power supply device 70: Adjust the system 80: Adjust the system controller 100: Non-contact power supply equipment 200: Goods conveying equipment C: Capacitor CA, Ct: Capacitors in the power supply circuit CA1: First Parallel Array CA2: Second Parallel Array CA3: Third Parallel Array CA4: 4th Parallel Array CA5: 5th Parallel Array CA6: 6th Parallel Array fa: frequency H: Path width direction It: Current value L1~Ln: Inductance Lt: Power supply circuit inductor P: Item Processing Department Rt: Resistance component S, S1~S6: Control signals SD: Switching element SW: Switch SW1: First Switch SW2: Second Switch SW3: Third Switch SW4: Fourth Switch SW5: Switch No. 5 SW6: 6th switch V1: First voltage value V2: Second voltage value V3: Differential voltage (the difference between the first voltage value and the second voltage value) XC: Capacitive reactance X CA: Adjust reactance XL: Inductive Reactance Xt: Reactance of power supply circuit, reactance composition Z: Up / Down direction Zr: Specified impedance Zt: Power supply circuit impedance #1~#7: Processing #10: First Processing #20: Second Processing #30: Adjustment and Processing #40: Confirm Processing

Claims

1. A contactless power supply device comprising: a plurality of power supply lines arranged along a travel path of a movable body having a power receiving device; and power supply devices connected to the plurality of power supply lines respectively to supply alternating current to the power supply lines, wherein the contactless power supply device supplies power to the power receiving device in a contactless manner, and wherein the contactless power supply device comprises: a power circuit that outputs the alternating current to the power supply lines; a power control unit that controls the power circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance, i.e., the circuit characteristics, of the power supply circuit including the power supply lines and the power supply devices; the contactless power supply device further comprising an adjustment system that performs adjustments related to the aforementioned adjustment units of the plurality of power supply devices. The adjustment system takes one of the aforementioned power supply devices as the target power supply device, the power supply line connected to the target power supply device as the target power supply line, other power supply lines arranged adjacent to the target power supply line as adjacent power supply lines, and the power supply device connected to the adjacent power supply line as the adjacent power supply device. The operation of the aforementioned power supply device when supplying power to the aforementioned moving body is considered a normal power supply operation. The adjustment system, while at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation, causes the target power supply device to perform a first process and a second process. The first process is the process of measuring the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., a first voltage value, when the power supply circuit of the target power supply device is not outputting the aforementioned alternating current. The second process is the process of measuring the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., a second voltage value, when the power supply circuit of the target power supply device is outputting the aforementioned alternating current. The aforementioned adjustment system performs adjustment processing. After the execution of the aforementioned first processing and the aforementioned second processing, the aforementioned adjustment processing calculates the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value. In response to the power supply circuit reactance, the aforementioned adjustment unit adjusts the aforementioned circuit characteristics so that the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit impedance, becomes a predetermined specified impedance.

2. The contactless power supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aforementioned power supply device controls the output voltage of the aforementioned power circuit to a predetermined value of current flowing in the aforementioned power supply line connected to the power supply device by means of the aforementioned power control unit, and the aforementioned adjustment system obtains the power supplied to the aforementioned power supply line, i.e., supplies power, based on the voltage of the aforementioned power supply line and the current flowing in the aforementioned power supply line after the aforementioned adjustment process is executed, and performs a confirmation process, the aforementioned confirmation process being a process of determining whether the output voltage of the aforementioned power circuit is within a suitable range relative to the supplied power, and if it is determined by the aforementioned confirmation process that it is not within the aforementioned suitable range, the aforementioned first process, the aforementioned second process, and the aforementioned adjustment process are executed again.

3. The contactless power supply equipment as claimed in claim 2, wherein the aforementioned adjustment system performs the aforementioned confirmation process for each of the aforementioned power supply lines and the aforementioned power supply devices after the completion of the aforementioned first process, the aforementioned second process and the aforementioned adjustment process for all of the aforementioned power supply lines and the aforementioned power supply devices.

4. For the contactless power supply equipment as requested in item 2 or 3, wherein the aforementioned adjustment system is, if even after the aforementioned adjustment process has been performed a predetermined number of times and the aforementioned confirmation process is still not within the suitable range, to extend at least one of the period during which the aforementioned first voltage value is measured by the aforementioned first process, i.e., the first sampling period, and the period during which the aforementioned second voltage value is measured by the aforementioned second process, i.e., the second sampling period.

5. The contactless power supply equipment as described in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the aforementioned power supply devices each have an adjustment command receiving unit, the aforementioned adjustment command receiving unit accepts an adjustment command for the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the power supply device, and the aforementioned adjustment system, when the aforementioned adjustment command receiving unit accepts the aforementioned adjustment command, uses the aforementioned power supply device having the aforementioned adjustment command receiving unit to accept the aforementioned adjustment command as the aforementioned target power supply device, and performs the aforementioned first process, the aforementioned second process and the aforementioned adjustment process.

6. An impedance adjustment method for a contactless power supply device, wherein the impedance of a power supply circuit, including power supply lines and power supply devices, is adjusted in the contactless power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit impedance. The contactless power supply device comprises: a plurality of power supply lines arranged along a movement path of a movable body equipped with a power receiving device; and a power supply device connected to the plurality of power supply lines respectively, supplying alternating current to the power supply lines and supplying power to the power receiving device in a contactless manner. The impedance adjustment method for the contactless power supply device is characterized by: each of the plurality of power supply devices comprising: a power supply circuit that outputs the alternating current to the power supply lines; a power control unit that controls the power supply circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance of the power supply circuit, i.e., the circuit characteristics. The impedance adjustment method for the aforementioned non-contact power supply device includes: a first process, wherein at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is selected as the target power supply device, the power supply line connected to the aforementioned target power supply device is selected as the target power supply line, other aforementioned power supply lines arranged adjacent to the aforementioned target power supply line are selected as adjacent power supply lines, the aforementioned power supply device connected to the aforementioned adjacent power supply line is selected as the adjacent power supply device, and the operation of the aforementioned power supply device when supplying power to the aforementioned moving body is selected as the normal power supply operation; The second process involves measuring the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., the second voltage value, while at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation and while the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device is outputting the aforementioned alternating current; and the adjustment process involves determining the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value, and adjusting the aforementioned circuit characteristics by the aforementioned adjustment unit to make the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device become a predetermined impedance.

7. An impedance adjustment program for a contactless power supply device, which enables a computer to adjust the impedance of a power supply circuit, including power supply lines and power supply devices, within the contactless power supply device. The contactless power supply device comprises: a plurality of power supply lines arranged along a movement path of a movable body equipped with a powered device; and a power supply device connected to each of the plurality of power supply lines to supply alternating current to the power supply lines and to supply power to the powered device in a contactless manner. The impedance adjustment program for the contactless power supply device has the following features: each of the plurality of power supply devices includes: a power circuit that outputs the alternating current to the power supply lines; a power control unit that controls the power circuit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts at least one of the inductance and capacitance of the power supply circuit, including the power supply lines and the power supply devices, i.e., the circuit characteristics. The impedance adjustment program of the aforementioned non-contact power supply device uses one of the aforementioned power supply devices as the target power supply device, the aforementioned power supply line connected to the aforementioned target power supply device as the target power supply line, the other aforementioned power supply lines arranged adjacent to the aforementioned target power supply line as adjacent power supply lines, the aforementioned power supply device connected to the aforementioned adjacent power supply line as the adjacent power supply device, and the operation of the aforementioned power supply device when supplying power to the aforementioned moving body as the normal power supply operation. The computer implements the following first function: when at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices performs the aforementioned normal power supply operation, and when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the aforementioned target power supply device does not output the aforementioned alternating current, the voltage of the aforementioned target power supply line, i.e., the first voltage value, is measured. The second function is to measure the voltage of the target power supply line, i.e., the second voltage value, when at least one of the aforementioned adjacent power supply devices is performing the aforementioned normal power supply operation and when the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device is outputting the aforementioned alternating current; and the adjustment function is to calculate the reactance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device, i.e., the power supply circuit reactance, based on the difference between the aforementioned first voltage value and the aforementioned second voltage value, and adjust the aforementioned circuit characteristics by the aforementioned adjustment unit to make the impedance of the aforementioned power supply circuit of the target power supply device become a predetermined impedance.

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