Capacitor unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a capacitor unit that compactly gathers capacitors. The capacitor unit (20) is connected to two parallel lines (11) that supply power from a power supply device (4) to a power receiving device (3) in a non-contact manner. The capacitor unit (20) comprises: a capacitor (21) that can be connected to the two parallel lines (11); and a capacitor plate (22) having a cavity (25). The cavity (25) contains: a capacitor (21); and a connection portion (C) that connects the capacitor (21) and the two parallel lines (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitor unit. Background Art

[0002] In a contactless power supply system, as the length of the two parallel lines increases, the impedance increases. If the impedance increases, it may affect the power receiving efficiency. In order to reduce the impedance, it is desirable to increase the number of capacitors connected to the two parallel lines.

[0003] On the other hand, if the number of capacitors is increased, this may hinder the travel of the automated guided vehicle on the power receiving side. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a capacitor unit that can compactly integrate capacitors and connection portions. Summary of the invention

[0004] A capacitor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is connected to two parallel lines that supply power from a power supply device to a power receiving side in a non-contact manner. The capacitor unit comprises: a capacitor that can be connected to the two parallel lines; and a capacitor plate that forms a cavity. The cavity contains the capacitor and a connection portion that connects the capacitor and the two parallel lines.

[0005] According to this scheme, the capacitors can be compacted, thereby reducing the impedance of the two parallel lines and dispersing the load on the capacitors.

[0006] In the above solution, the cavity may be filled with a filler so as to seal the capacitor and the connection portion.

[0007] If the capacitor unit becomes compact, the operator may step on the capacitor unit. According to this scheme, since the capacitor and its connection part can be protected by the filler, even if the capacitor unit is stepped on, damage can be suppressed, thereby preventing damage to the capacitor and the connection part.

[0008] In the above aspect, the device may further include a protective cover mounted on the capacitor plate and covering the cavity.

[0009] According to this scheme, since the capacitor and its connection part can be protected by the protective cover, even if the capacitor unit is stepped on by accident, damage can be suppressed, thereby preventing the capacitor and the connection part from being damaged. By covering with the protective cover, the appearance of the capacitor unit 20 is improved.

[0010] In the above aspect, the capacitor may be a pair of capacitor substrates connected to the respective conductors one by one. Alternatively, a pair of cavities may be formed in the capacitor plates along the outer shapes of the respective capacitor substrates.

[0011] According to this aspect, since a space for accommodating the capacitor substrate and its connection portion can be secured in the cavity, the number of components can be reduced compared to securing a space by inserting a spacer between two capacitor plates.

[0012] In the above scheme, a capacitor side connector may be provided at one end of the capacitor and at the other end opposite to the one end. Alternatively, each of the capacitor side connectors may be configured to be connectable to both a parallel two-line side connector provided at the end of the parallel two lines and an end connector that connects a pair of adjacent capacitors to each other.

[0013] According to this aspect, the same capacitor can be used for connecting two parallel line-side connectors and for connecting a terminal connector, and can be used for both purposes.

[0014] In the above aspect, one end and the other end of the capacitor may be configured to be connectable to both the power supply device side and the terminal connector side located on the opposite side to the power supply device side.

[0015] According to this aspect, since there is no need to distinguish the orientation of the capacitor, the burden on workers can be reduced when assembling the capacitor unit and the power transmission device including the capacitor unit.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a capacitor unit in which capacitors are compactly assembled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a contactless power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram showing an example of a contactless power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing an example of a power transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 Yes Figure 3 The parallel two-line unit shown is partially exploded to represent a top view.

[0022] Figure 5 Yes Figure 3 The terminal capacitor unit is shown in a top view with part of the unit exploded.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a capacitor and its connection portion.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of an end portion of a conductor.

[0025] Figure 8 Yes means Figure 5A perspective view of the capacitor plates is shown.

[0026] Fig. 9 It is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a capacitor unit cut in a direction across two parallel lines.

[0027] Fig.10 This is a top view showing an end capacitor unit in which the capacitors are oriented in opposite directions in the extending direction of two parallel lines.

[0028] Fig.11 Yes Figure 3 The intermediate capacitor unit is shown in a partially exploded top view.

[0029] Fig.12 Yes means Fig.11 A perspective view of the capacitor plates is shown.

[0030] Description of Reference Numerals

[0031] 1. Contactless power supply system

[0032] 2 Power transmission device

[0033] 3 Power receiving device

[0034] 4 Power supply unit

[0035] 5 Coil

[0036] 6 Load

[0037] 7 Fastening screws

[0038] 10 parallel two-line unit

[0039] 11 Parallel two lines

[0040] 11C parallel two-wire side connector

[0041] 11E end connector

[0042] 11L, 11R Conductor

[0043] 12 Guide plate

[0044] 13 Protective cover

[0045] 14 Insulation cover

[0046] 15 chambers

[0047] 16 Bend

[0048] 20 Capacitor Units

[0049] 21 Capacitor

[0050] 21A Component side

[0051] 21B Solder side

[0052] 21C capacitor side connector

[0053] 22 capacitor plates

[0054] 22A Page 1

[0055] 22B Page 2

[0056] 23 Protective cover

[0057] 25 chambers

[0058] 27 Cover

[0059] 210 Electronic components

[0060] 211 1st end

[0061] 212 Second End

[0062] 251 Flange

[0063] 252 Central

[0064] 253 end

[0065] 254 Connecting Department

[0066] C Connection

[0067] D The distance between the conductors

[0068] W Width of the bend DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, elements marked with the same reference numerals in each figure have the same or similar structure. One of the characteristics of the capacitor unit 20 involved in one embodiment of the present invention is that the capacitor 21 and its connection portion C are compactly assembled in the capacitor plate 22 (refer to Figure 5 The connection portion C includes, for example, a capacitor-side connector 21C provided at an end portion of the capacitor 21 (see Figure 6 ), a parallel two-line side connector 11C (reference Figure 7 ), the fastening screws 7 that connect them, etc.

[0070] Capacitor plate 22 (reference Figure 8 as well as Fig.12 ) is formed to accommodate the guide plate 12 of the two parallel lines 11 (reference Figure 4 ) about the same thickness (reference Fig. 9), and does not hinder the travel of the power receiving device 3 as a mobile body. The capacitor side connector 21C is configured to be parallel to the aforementioned two-line side connector 11C (reference Fig.11 ) and the terminal connector 11E (reference Figure 5 ) can be connected, so for the power transmission device 2 (reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 ), can build flexible layouts (reference Figure 3 ). And since there is no need to distinguish the orientation of capacitor 21 (refer to Figure 5 as well as Fig.10 ), so the workability when assembling the power transmission device 2 is excellent. Figures 1 to 12 Each structure will be described in detail.

[0071] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a contactless power supply system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a contactless power supply system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the contactless power supply system (wireless power supply system) 1 includes a power transmission device 2 on the power transmission side and a power receiving device 3 on the power receiving side. The power transmission device 2 includes: a power supply device 4 that generates high-frequency power; and a parallel two-wire unit 10 that supplies the high-frequency power generated by the power supply device 4 to the power receiving device 3.

[0072] The power supply device 4 includes, for example, a DC power supply device, an inverter circuit, and an impedance matcher. After the commercial power supply is converted into DC power by the DC power supply device, it is converted into a given high-frequency power by the inverter circuit and the impedance matcher and output to the parallel two-wire unit 10. In addition, the structure of the power supply device 4 is not particularly limited, and various devices can be used as long as the given high-frequency power can be output to the parallel two-wire unit 10.

[0073] The power receiving device 3 is, for example, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or an electric vehicle, and includes a coil 5 magnetically coupled to the parallel two-wire unit 10 and a load 6 such as a power storage device electrically connected to the coil 5. The power receiving device 3 may also include a rectifier smoothing circuit that converts the high-frequency power supplied to the coil 5 into direct current power. Alternatively, the load 6 such as a motor may be directly driven by the direct current power supplied from the rectifier smoothing circuit, and the power storage device may be omitted.

[0074] Figure 3 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a power transmission device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3As shown, the power transmission device 2 includes: a parallel two-wire unit 10 laid along the travel path of the power receiving device 3 as a mobile body; and a capacitor unit 20 that reduces the impedance of the parallel two-wire unit 10. In the example shown in the figure, a plurality of parallel two-wire units 10 are connected to each other via an intermediate capacitor unit 20M. Furthermore, at the end of the power transmission device 2, a terminal capacitor unit 20E is connected to the parallel two-wire unit 10. The intermediate capacitor unit 20M and the terminal capacitor unit 20E are both examples of the capacitor unit 20.

[0075] The longer the parallel two-wire unit 10 is, the more the inductance of the parallel two-wire unit 10 increases, and as a result, the impedance increases. If the impedance of the parallel two-wire unit 10 increases and can no longer form impedance matching with the power receiving device 3, it will become a cause of power loss in the contactless power supply system 1. If the capacitor unit 20 is connected in series with the parallel two-wire unit 10 to form a series resonance circuit, the impedance caused by the increase in inductance generated in the parallel two-wire unit 10 and the impedance generated by the capacitor unit 20 offset each other, thereby suppressing the power loss of the contactless power supply system 1. As a known technology related to such a series resonance circuit, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-236409 (Da Yi Heng Co., Ltd.) can be cited.

[0076] Figure 4 Yes Figure 3 The parallel two-wire unit 10 is shown as a three-dimensional diagram partially exploded. Figure 4 As shown, the parallel two-wire unit 10 includes: two parallel lines 11 composed of a pair of bendable conductors 11L and 11R; a plurality of guide plates 12 mounted on the parallel two lines 11; a protective cover 13 covering each guide plate 12; and an insulating cover 14 covering the gap between adjacent guide plates 12.

[0077] In the example shown in the figure, the conductors 11L and 11R are each formed of a flat braided copper wire. Alternatively, one conductor 11L may include a plurality of flat braided copper wires (see FIG. Figure 6 ). Similarly, the other conductor 11R may include a plurality of flat braided copper wires. The parallel two-wire side connector 11C described later may be left and the other portion of the flat braided copper wire may be covered with a cylindrical cover. In addition, the bendable conductors 11L and 11R are not limited to flat braided copper wires, and may be a solution in which a plurality of Litz wires, which are twisted enameled wires, are arranged side by side. As long as the wire is soft and bendable, various solutions can be used as the conductors 11L and 11R.

[0078] At the end of the power transmission device 2, a pair of conductors 11L and 11R are provided. Figure 3As shown, the pair of conductors 11L and 11R are connected to the terminal capacitor unit 20E. Although not shown, at the terminal of the power transmission device 2, the pair of conductors 11L and 11R can be short-circuited or insulated. A plurality of guide plates 12 are installed on the parallel two lines 11 to restrict the interval D between the pair of conductors 11L and 11R. The parallel two lines 11 accommodated in the guide plates 12 can be sealed by a filling material such as a potting resin or an adhesive, or can be protected by a protective cover 13.

[0079] In the gap between the adjacent guide plates 12, the parallel two-wire unit 10 is provided with a bent portion 16 capable of bending the parallel two-wire line 11. The bent portion 16 is a portion where the conductors 11L and 11R are not supported by the guide plates 12. An example of the width W of the bent portion 16 is about twice the thickness of the guide plate 12. In the example shown in the figure, the bent portion 16 is covered by an insulating cover 14. The insulating cover 14 is formed into a long strip shape from a flexible material such as silicone rubber.

[0080] Figure 5 Yes Figure 3 The end capacitor unit 20E is shown in a top view partially exploded. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the terminal capacitor unit 20E includes a capacitor 21 and a capacitor plate 22. The terminal capacitor unit 20E may further include a protective cover 23 (see FIG. 1 ) described later. Fig. 9 )、Insulation cover 14 (reference Fig.11 )wait.

[0081] The capacitor 21 is a pair of capacitor substrates connected to each conductor 11L, 11R one by one, and is formed into a substantially rectangular flat plate, for example. In the example shown in the figure, the capacitor 21 has: a component surface 21A on which an electronic component 210 for storing electric charge is mounted; and a solder surface 21B on the opposite side of the component surface 21A. Capacitor-side connectors 21C are provided at both ends in the extending direction of the two parallel lines 11, namely, a first end 211 including one end of the capacitor 21 and its vicinity, and a second end 212 including the other end opposite to the one end and its vicinity.

[0082] The cavity 25 is formed in the capacitor plate 22 along the outer shape of the capacitor substrate constituting the capacitor 21. The cavity 25 is filled with a filler (filling material) S so that the capacitor 21 and the connection portion C including the capacitor side connector 21C are sealed. Since the cavity 25 is substantially the same shape along the outer shape of the capacitor 21, the capacitor 21 and the like can be sealed with a small amount of filler S. Instead of sealing with the filler S, the capacitor 21 and the connection portion C can be protected by covering with a cylindrical cover.

[0083] Figure 6 It is from Figure 5The figure of the capacitor substrate viewed from the opposite side shows an example of the capacitor 21 and its connection portion C. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connection portion C is provided on the component surface 21A on which the electronic component 210 is mounted. The connection portion C includes the ends of the conductors 11L and 11R, the end of the terminal connector 11E, the fastening screw 7, etc. in addition to the capacitor side connector 21C. The capacitor side connector 21C is configured to be connectable to the parallel two-line side connector 11C provided at the end of the parallel two-line 11 and the terminal connector 11E that connects a pair of adjacent capacitors 21 to each other.

[0084] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the end portion of the conductor 11L. Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the ends of the conductors 11L and 11R are provided with parallel two-line side connectors 11C that can be electrically connected to the capacitor side connector 21C. In the example shown in the figure, the parallel two-line side connector 11C is formed in a flat plate shape and has a through hole. For example, if the parallel two-line side connector 11C is fixed to the capacitor side connector 21C by a fastening screw 7, the parallel two lines 11 and the capacitor 21 are electrically connected.

[0085] Figure 8 2 is a perspective view showing the capacitor plate 22 of the terminal capacitor unit 20E. Figure 8 As shown, capacitor unit 22 is formed of a resin material such as polycarbonate resin into a rectangular flat plate shape, and has a first surface 22A and a second surface 22B opposite to first surface 22A.

[0086] As described above, the first surface 22A is provided with a cavity 25 along the outer shape of the capacitor substrate of the capacitor 21. The cavity 25 includes: a flange portion 251 supporting the first surface 22A of the capacitor 21; a central portion 252 formed deeper than the flange portion 251 to accommodate the electronic component 210; and an end portion 253 formed deeper than the central portion 252 to accommodate the connection portion C.

[0087] The capacitor plate 22 of the terminal capacitor unit 20E includes a connecting portion 254 formed along the outer shape of the terminal connector 11E. The connecting portion 254 is formed, for example, deeper than the flange portion 251 and shallower than the center portion 252. A cover seat 27 is formed along the end of the parallel two-wire unit 10 on the first surface 22A. The insulating cover 14 (see FIG. 1 ) covering the gap between the parallel two-wire unit 10 and the capacitor unit 20 is fixed to the cover seat 27. Fig.11 ).

[0088] Fig. 9 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the capacitor unit 20 cut in a direction across the two parallel lines 11. Fig. 9As shown, the capacitor 21 is mounted on the capacitor plate 22 with the component surface 21A facing the cavity 25. After the capacitor 21 is mounted, the cavity 25 is filled with a filler and the protective cover 23 is mounted. The filler and the protective cover 23 protect the capacitor 21 and its connection portion C from the outside. In the assembled state, the capacitor unit 20 is configured to have substantially the same thickness as the parallel two-wire unit 10.

[0089] Fig.10 It means that the capacitor 21 is oriented in the extending direction of the two parallel lines 11. Figure 5 The capacitor side connector 21C provided at the first end portion 211 of the capacitor 21 is shown in the top view of the opposite end capacitor unit 20E. Figure 5 As shown, it can be connected to the end connector 11E side, such as Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the capacitor side connector 21C provided at the second end 212 of the capacitor 21 is configured to be connected to the parallel two lines 11 connected to the power supply device 4. Fig.10 As shown in the figure, it can be connected to the end connector 11E side. Figure 5 As shown, it is connected to the power supply device 4 side.

[0090] Fig.11 Yes Figure 3 The intermediate capacitor unit 20M shown in FIG. 1 is a top view partially exploded. The intermediate capacitor unit 20M has substantially the same shape and function as the terminal capacitor unit 20E. Therefore, repeated description of the intermediate capacitor unit 20M is omitted. Fig.11 As shown, the intermediate capacitor unit 20M is formed in substantially the same shape even when rotated 180° around the first surface 22 , and there is no need to distinguish the front and rear in the extending direction of the two parallel lines 11 .

[0091] Fig.12 2 is a perspective view showing the capacitor plate 22 of the middle capacitor unit 20M. The capacitor plate 22 of the middle capacitor unit 20M is formed substantially the same as the capacitor plate 22 of the end capacitor unit 20E except for the connecting portion 254. Fig.12 As shown, a cavity 25 including a flange portion 251 , a center portion 252 , and an end portion 253 is formed in the capacitor plate 22 of the intermediate capacitor unit 20M.

[0092] According to the capacitor unit 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the capacitors 21 can be compactly assembled in the capacitor unit 20. If the capacitors 21 are housed in a large box, the box will become an obstacle to the operation of the power receiving device 3, so the capacitors 21 are connected only to the ends of the two parallel lines 11. If the number of capacitors 21 is small, the voltage applied to each capacitor 21 is large, and there is a possibility that the capacitors 21 will be damaged.

[0093] In contrast, in this embodiment, the capacitors 21 are compactly assembled and housed in the capacitor plate 22 having substantially the same thickness as the parallel two-line unit 10, so that the capacitors 21 do not hinder the travel of the power receiving device 3. The capacitors 21 can be connected to a desired location of the parallel two-line 11 laid along the travel path of the power receiving device 3.

[0094] The embodiments described above are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. The various elements and their configurations, materials, conditions, shapes, and sizes of the embodiments are not limited to the illustrated schemes and can be appropriately changed. In addition, the structures shown in different embodiments can be partially replaced or combined with each other.

Claims

1. A capacitor unit connected to two parallel lines for supplying electric power from a power supply device to a power receiving side in a contactless manner, the capacitor unit comprising: A capacitor connectable to the two parallel lines; and A capacitor plate is formed with a cavity, The cavity contains: the capacitor; and a connecting portion connecting the capacitor and the two parallel lines. The two parallel lines are provided in a two parallel line unit for supplying the power generated by the power supply device to the power receiving device. The capacitor unit is configured to have the same thickness as the parallel two-line unit.

2. The capacitor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The cavity is filled with a filling member so as to seal the capacitor and the connecting portion.

3. The capacitor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The capacitor unit further comprises: A protective cover is mounted to the capacitor plate and covers the cavity.

4. The capacitor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The two parallel lines are composed of a pair of conductors. The capacitor includes a pair of capacitor substrates connected to the respective conductors one by one, and a pair of cavities are formed in the capacitor plates along the outer shapes of the respective capacitor substrates.

5. The capacitor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A capacitor side connector is provided at one end of the capacitor and at the other end opposite to the one end. Each of the capacitor-side connectors is configured to be connectable to both a parallel two-line side connector provided at an end of the parallel two lines and an end connector that connects a pair of adjacent capacitors to each other.

6. The capacitor unit according to claim 5, characterized in that The one end and the other end of the capacitor are each configured to be connectable to both the power supply device side and the terminal connector side located on the opposite side to the power supply device side.

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