Power supply system

Abstract

A power supply system (10) supplies power supplied from a power source (B) to a load (L) of a sliding object (11) that can slide relative to the body (12A) side of a vehicle (12) in a non-contact manner. Among them, the body (12A) side in the vehicle (12) includes: a power transmission unit (21) capable of transmitting the power supplied from the power source (B); a power transmission side communication unit (25) capable of performing communication; and a power transmission side control unit (24) that controls the power transmission of the power transmission unit (21) based on the information communicated by the power transmission side communication unit (25). The sliding object (11) includes: a power receiving unit (31) that receives power from the power transmission coil (21) in a non-contact manner; a determination unit (41) that determines whether power is transmitted from the power transmission coil (21) to the power receiving unit (31); a power receiving side communication unit (38) that sends the information on whether power transmission is performed, determined by the determination unit (41), to the power transmission side communication unit (25); and a power storage unit (39) that supplies power to the determination unit (41) and does not supply power to the load (L).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] In this specification, technologies related to a power supply system are disclosed. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technology for supplying power in a non-contact manner has been known. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-77373 (Patent Document 1) relates to a power supply system that supplies power to a seat that can slide relative to a vehicle body, and includes: a power transmission coil provided on the floor portion of the vehicle body; and a power reception coil fixed to the seat and capable of receiving power from the power transmission coil. In the seat, there are provided: a power storage unit that stores the power received by the power reception coil; a seat-side control unit connected to an antenna unit for communication; and various electrical components and the like. The power storage unit can supply power to various electrical components and the like and the seat-side control unit.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-77373 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the above structure, since the power storage unit provided in the seat supplies power to loads such as various electrical components, there is a problem that the capacity of the power storage unit tends to increase according to the power of various electrical components, and the structure inside the seat tends to become complicated. On the other hand, if the power storage unit is not provided in the seat, although the structure inside the seat can be simplified, there is a concern about an increase in power consumption, an increase in electromagnetic noise, etc. because non-contact power supply needs to be performed all the time to supply power to the load.

[0008] Technical Solution for Solving the Problems

[0009] The power supply system described in this specification supplies power supplied from a power source to a load of a sliding object that can slide relative to the vehicle body side in a non-contact manner. Among them, on the vehicle body side in the vehicle, there are provided: a power transmission unit capable of transmitting the power supplied from the power source; a power transmission side communication unit capable of performing communication; and a power transmission side control unit that controls the power transmission of the power transmission unit based on the information communicated by the power transmission side communication unit. The sliding object includes: a power reception unit that receives power from the power transmission unit in a non-contact manner; a determination unit that determines whether power is transmitted from the power transmission unit to the power reception unit; a power reception side communication unit that transmits the information on whether the power transmission is performed, determined by the determination unit, to the power transmission side communication unit; and a power storage unit that supplies power to the determination unit and does not supply power to the load.

[0010] Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the technology described in this specification, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption, generation of electromagnetic noise, and simplify the structure of the sliding object. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a front view showing a power supply system that supplies power to a vehicle seat according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the electrical structure of the power supply system.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit corresponding to the operation of the operation unit.

[0015] Figure 4 It is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit corresponding to the voltage of the power storage unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0017] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0018] (1) The power supply system of the present disclosure supplies power supplied from a power source to a load of a sliding object that can slide relative to the vehicle body side. Among them, the vehicle body side in the vehicle includes: a power transmission unit capable of transmitting power supplied from the power source; a power transmission side communication unit capable of communicating; and a power transmission side control unit that controls the power transmission of the power transmission unit based on information communicated by the power transmission side communication unit. The sliding object includes: a power reception unit that receives power from the power transmission unit in a non-contact manner; a determination unit that determines whether power is transmitted from the power transmission unit to the power reception unit; a power reception side communication unit that transmits information on whether the power transmission is performed, determined by the determination unit, to the power transmission side communication unit; and a power storage unit that supplies power to the determination unit and does not supply power to the load.

[0019] According to the above structure, it is possible to use the determination unit supplied with power from the power storage unit to determine whether power transmission is performed, and perform power transmission based on the determination result. Thus, since non-contact power supply does not have to be always performed, it is possible to achieve reduction in power consumption and suppression of electromagnetic noise. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a relatively large-capacity power storage unit in the sliding object to drive the load, the structure of the sliding object can be simplified. Thus, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption, generation of electromagnetic noise, and simplify the structure of the sliding object.

[0020] (2) The power storage unit supplies power to the determination unit and the power reception side communication unit.

[0021] In this way, non-contact power supply is not required to operate the power receiving-side communication unit. In addition, wireless communication can be easily performed using the power of the power storage unit.

[0022] (3) The sliding object includes an operation unit that can be operated by a user, and the determination unit determines whether to transmit power from the power transmission unit to the power reception unit based on the operation of the operation unit.

[0023] In this way, power transmission from the power transmission unit to the power reception unit can be performed according to the operation of the operation unit.

[0024] (4) A voltage detection unit capable of detecting the voltage of the power storage unit is provided, and when the voltage detection unit detects that the voltage of the power storage unit is lower than a specified voltage, the determination unit determines to transmit power from the power transmission unit to the power reception unit.

[0025] In this way, it is possible to suppress a malfunction caused by the operation stop of the determination unit or the like due to a decrease in the voltage of the power storage unit.

[0026] (5) The power storage unit stores the power received by the power reception unit.

[0027] In this way, power can be stored in the power storage unit when power is transmitted from the power transmission unit to the power reception unit, and power supply from the power storage unit to the load can be suppressed.

[0028] (6) The sliding object is a sliding seat fixed to the vehicle body side of the vehicle in a slidable manner.

[0029] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0030] Hereinafter, specific examples of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

[0031] <Embodiment>

[0032] Refer to Figures 1 to 4 to describe the embodiment.

[0033] The power supply system 10 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 12 such as an automobile ( Figure 1 A part of the vehicle is shown, and other parts are omitted), and supplies power to a load L such as an electrical component mounted on a seat 11 as a sliding object.

[0034] As Figure 1As shown, in the vehicle 12, a pair of rails 13 extending in the front-rear direction are fixed above the floor portion 16 of the vehicle body 12A, and the seat 11 can slide in the front-rear direction relative to the pair of rails 13. A plurality of seats 11 are provided in the vehicle 12, and a metal foot portion 15 that supports the seat 11 and can slide in the front-rear direction relative to the rails 13 is provided at the lower portion of the seat 11. The load L included in the seat 11 is, for example, a motor of an electric sliding device, an electric tilt adjustment device, a seat heater, a display such as a touch panel, an air conditioner, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant sitting, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a seat belt being worn, and the like.

[0035] (Power supply system 10)

[0036] As Figure 2 shown, the power supply system 10 includes: a power transmission device 20 fixed to the vehicle body 12A of the vehicle 12; and a power reception device 30 fixed inside the seat 11.

[0037] The power transmission device 20 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and is connected to the power source B. The power source B is a battery or an alternator of the vehicle 12, etc. The positive electrode of the power source B is connected to a power line BL (for example, 12 [V]), and the negative electrode is connected to the vehicle body ground wire of the vehicle 12. The power transmission device 20 includes a power transmission coil 21 (an example of a "power transmission portion"), a DC-AC conversion portion 22, a power switch 23, a power transmission side control portion 24, and a power transmission side communication portion 25.

[0038] The power transmission coil 21, for example, winds a wire obtained by applying enamel coating or the like to a copper wire into a spiral shape. The DC-AC conversion portion 22 converts the DC voltage output from the power source B into a high-frequency AC. The power switch 23 is, for example, an electromagnetic switch, and has a contact portion for opening and closing and a coil portion for switching the on / off of the contact portion by energization. The power switch 23 is connected between the positive electrode of the power source B and the DC-AC conversion portion 22 (power conversion portion), and turns on and off the power supply from the power source B to the power transmission coil 21. The power transmission side control portion 24 switches the on / off of the contact portion by controlling the energization of the coil portion of the power switch 23. The power transmission side communication portion 25 is connected to the antenna portion 26 and can receive (communicate) information based on wireless communication from the power reception device 30 via the antenna portion 26.

[0039] The power reception device 30 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and is connected to the load L and the operation portion SW inside the seat 11. The operation portion SW is provided at a portion of the seat 11 that can be operated by a user, such as an armrest, and can perform operations for starting and stopping the operation of the load L, such as an electric sliding device, an electric tilt adjustment device, and a seat heater, for sliding the seat 11.

[0040] The power receiving device 30 includes a power receiving coil 31 (an example of a "power receiving unit"), a power conversion unit 32, and a power supply switch 35. The power receiving coil 31, for example, winds a wire obtained by applying enamel coating or the like to a copper wire into a spiral shape, and is fixed to a position on the lower surface side of the seat 11 opposite to the power transmission coil 21 by a fixing method such as screw fixing or an adhesive.

[0041] The power conversion unit 32 converts the power received by the power receiving coil 31, and includes: an AC-DC conversion unit 33 that converts an AC voltage from the power receiving coil 31 into a DC voltage; and a DC-DC conversion unit 34 that converts it into a DC voltage having a voltage value corresponding to the load L or the like. The power supply switch 35 is, for example, an electromagnetic switch, and has a contact portion that opens and closes and a coil portion that switches the on / off of the contact portion by energization. The power supply switch 35 is connected in series to the power line PL (for example, 12 [V]) between the output of the power conversion unit 32 and the load L, and opens and closes the power supply from the power receiving device 30 to the load L.

[0042] In addition, the power receiving device 30 includes a power receiving side communication unit 38, a power storage unit 39, and a control unit 40.

[0043] The power receiving side communication unit 38 is connected to the antenna unit 37, and can perform wireless communication with the power transmission device 20 via the antenna unit 37 and the antenna unit 26.

[0044] The power storage unit 39 is a small (low-capacity) storage battery for communication provided in the seat 11, and is a capacitor in the present embodiment. In addition, it is not limited to a capacitor, and it may also be a lithium ion secondary battery or the like. In addition, it is not limited to a secondary battery, and it may also be a primary battery (dry battery or the like). The power storage unit 39 is charged by the power supply from the power receiving coil 31. The power storage unit 39 can supply power to the control unit 40 and the power receiving side communication unit 38. The power storage unit 39 is connected in parallel to a voltage dividing circuit 42 including a plurality of voltage dividing resistors R1 and R2. The divided voltage V1 of the voltage dividing circuit 42 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 43 and input to the control unit 40.

[0045] The control unit 40 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and includes: a voltage detection unit 45 that detects the voltage V2 of the power storage unit 39 based on the input divided voltage V1; and a determination unit 41 that determines whether to perform power transmission from the power transmission coil 21 to the power receiving coil 31. The determination unit 41 determines whether to perform power transmission from the power transmission coil 21 to the power receiving coil 31 according to the operation of the operation unit SW. In addition, the determination unit 41 determines to perform power transmission from the power transmission coil 21 to the power receiving coil 31 when the voltage detection unit 45 detects that the voltage V2 of the power storage unit 39 is lower than a specified voltage. The control unit 40 can send a control signal to the power supply switch 35 that opens and closes the power supply to the power line PL.

[0046] A control line CL for a prescribed voltage is formed between the antenna unit 37 and the power storage unit 39 in the power receiving device 30. The power line PL and the control line CL are connected through a power direction restricting unit 44. The power direction restricting unit 44 is a diode in the present embodiment, with its anode connected to the power line PL and its cathode connected to the control line CL. Through the power direction restricting unit 44, the power of the power line PL is supplied to the control line CL side, but the supply of power in the opposite direction is restricted.

[0047] The processing of the control unit 40 will be described.

[0048] (Processing during operation of the operation unit SW)

[0049] The control unit 40 detects whether the operation unit SW has been operated (No in S11). Then, when it is detected that the operation unit SW is turned on (Yes in S11), a signal requesting the start of power transmission is output to the power receiving side communication unit 38 (S12). When the power receiving side communication unit 38 receives the signal requesting the start of power transmission, the signal requesting the start of power transmission is transmitted to the power transmission side communication unit 25 via the antenna units 26 and 37. When the information received by the power transmission side communication unit 25 is output to the power transmission side control unit 24, the power transmission side control unit 24 turns on the power switch 23. Thereby, power is supplied from the power source B to the power transmission coil 21, and power supply to the power line PL (and the control line CL) of the power receiving device 30 is performed via the power transmission coil 21 and the power receiving coil 31.

[0050] Next, when the control unit 40 detects that the operation unit SW is turned off (Yes in S13), a signal requesting the stop of power transmission is output to the power receiving side communication unit 38 (S14). When the power receiving side communication unit 38 receives the signal requesting the stop of power transmission, the signal requesting the stop of power transmission is transmitted to the power transmission side communication unit 25 via the antenna units 26 and 37. The power transmission side communication unit 25 disconnects the power switch 23 via the power transmission side control unit 24. Thereby, the power supply to the power line PL (and the control line CL) of the power receiving device 30 from the power source B via the power transmission coil 21 and the power receiving coil 31 is stopped.

[0051] (Processing when the voltage of the power storage unit 39 decreases)

[0052] The control unit 40 calculates the voltage V2 of the power storage unit 39 (and the control unit 40 and the power receiving side communication unit 38) through arithmetic operations based on the divided voltage V1 input from the voltage dividing circuit 42 and the ratio of the resistors R1 and R2. Then, the control unit 40 determines whether the voltage V2 obtained through the arithmetic operation is smaller than a threshold value 1 pre-stored in the memory of the control unit 40 (S21). Here, the threshold value 1 is the value of the voltage at which the control unit 40 (the CPU and the power receiving side communication unit 38) can operate (a voltage value slightly higher than the operation stop voltage of the CPU). When the control unit 40 determines that the voltage V2 is smaller than the threshold value 1 (yes in S21), if the power transmission is continued to be stopped in this state, the operation of the control unit 40 (the CPU and the power receiving side communication unit 38) will stop. Therefore, a signal requesting the start of power transmission is output to the power receiving side communication unit 38 (S22). When the power receiving side communication unit 38 receives the signal requesting the start of power transmission, it transmits the signal requesting the start of power transmission to the power transmission side communication unit 25 via the antenna units 26 and 37. When the power transmission side communication unit 25 receives the signal requesting the start of power transmission, it turns on the power switch 23 through the power transmission side control unit 24. As a result, power is transmitted from the power supply B to the power transmission coil 21, power transmission via the power transmission coil 21 and the power receiving coil 31 is performed, power is supplied to the load L according to the power supply switch 35, and power is supplied from the power line PL to the power storage unit 39 of the control line CL via the power direction restricting unit 44, and the voltage V1 rises according to the power storage amount of the power storage unit 39.

[0053] Next, the control unit 40 determines whether the voltage V2 is greater than a threshold value 2. Here, the threshold value 2 is a voltage higher than the threshold value 1 by a specified voltage (a sufficiently high voltage). When the control unit 40 determines that the voltage V2 is greater than the threshold value 2 (yes in S23), if the power transmission is continued to be performed in this state, the power storage unit 39 may be overcharged. Therefore, a signal requesting the stop of power transmission is output to the power receiving side communication unit 38 (S24). When the power receiving side communication unit 38 receives the signal requesting the stop of power transmission, it transmits the signal requesting the stop of power transmission to the power transmission side communication unit 25 via the antenna units 26 and 37. When the power transmission side communication unit 25 receives the signal requesting the stop of power transmission, it turns off the power switch 23 through the power transmission side control unit 24. As a result, the power transmission from the power supply B to the power transmission coil 21 is stopped, the power supply to the load L is stopped, and the charging of the power storage unit 39 is stopped.

[0054] The operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0055] A power supply system 10 supplies power from a power source B to a load L of a seat 11 (a sliding object) that can slide relative to a body 12A side of a vehicle 12 in a non-contact manner. In the vehicle 12, the body 12A side includes: a power transmission coil 21 (a power transmission unit) that can transmit power supplied from the power source B; a power transmission side communication unit 25 that can perform communication; and a power transmission side control unit 24 that controls the power transmission of the power transmission coil 21 based on information communicated by the power transmission side communication unit 25. The seat 11 includes: a power receiving coil 31 (a power receiving unit) that receives power from the power transmission coil 21 in a non-contact manner; a determination unit 41 that determines whether power is transmitted from the power transmission coil 21 to the power receiving coil 31; a power receiving side communication unit 38 that sends information on whether power transmission is determined by the determination unit 41 to the power transmission side communication unit 25; and a power storage unit 39 that supplies power to the determination unit 41 and does not supply power to the load L.

[0056] According to the above embodiment, the determination unit 41 supplied with power from the power storage unit 39 can determine whether power transmission is performed, and power transmission can be performed based on the determination result. Thus, since non-contact power supply does not have to be always performed, reduction of power consumption and suppression of electromagnetic noise can be achieved. In addition, since a relatively large-capacity power storage unit does not have to be provided in the seat 11 to drive the load L, the structure of the seat 11 can be simplified.

[0057] In addition, the power storage unit 39 supplies power to the determination unit 41 and the power receiving side communication unit 38.

[0058] In this way, non-contact power supply does not have to be performed to operate the power receiving side communication unit 38. In addition, wireless communication can be easily performed using the power of the power storage unit 39.

[0059] In addition, the seat 11 includes an operation unit SW that can be operated by a user, and the determination unit 41 determines whether power is transmitted from the power transmission coil 21 to the power receiving coil 31 according to the operation of the operation unit SW.

[0060] In this way, power transmission from the power transmission coil 21 to the power receiving coil 31 can be performed according to the operation of the operation unit SW.

[0061] In addition, a voltage detection unit 45 that can detect a voltage V2 of the power storage unit 39 is provided. When the voltage detection unit 45 detects that the voltage V2 of the power storage unit 39 is lower than a specified voltage, the determination unit 41 determines that power is transmitted from the power transmission coil 21 to the power receiving coil 31.

[0062] In this way, it is possible to suppress a malfunction caused by the operation stop of the determination unit 41 or the like due to a voltage drop of the power storage unit 39.

[0063] In addition, the power storage unit 39 stores the power received by the power receiving coil 31.

[0064] In this way, when power is transmitted from the power transmission coil 21 to the power reception coil 31, power can be stored in the power storage unit 39, and power supply from the power storage unit 39 to the load L can be suppressed.

[0065] <Other Embodiments>

[0066] The technology described in this specification is not limited to the embodiments illustrated by the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the technology described in this specification.

[0067] (1) The communication between the power transmission side communication unit 25 and the power reception side communication unit 38 is wireless communication, but it is not limited thereto, and it may also be wired communication.

[0068] (2) The power direction restricting unit is a diode, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the power direction restricting unit is provided as other elements or circuits such as a transistor. With other elements or circuits such as a transistor, power supply from the power line PL side to the control line CL side can be performed, and power supply from the control line CL side to the power line PL side can be restricted.

[0069] (3) The number of power transmission coils 21 and the number of power reception coils 31 can be any number. For example, a plurality of power transmission coils 21 (or a plurality of power reception coils 31) can be arranged and configured.

[0070] (4) In the above embodiment, the non-contact power supply method is performed through the power transmission coil 21 and the power reception coil 31, but it is not limited thereto. For example, other known non-contact power transmission and reception methods such as a capacitor can also be used.

[0071] (5) The sliding object is the slidable seat 11 of the vehicle 12, but it may also be the slidable door of the vehicle 12.

[0072] Reference Numeral Explanation

[0073] 10: Power supply system;

[0074] 11: Seat (sliding object);

[0075] 12: Vehicle;

[0076] 12A: Vehicle body;

[0077] 13: Track;

[0078] 15: Leg;

[0079] 16: Floor portion;

[0080] 20: Power transmission device;

[0081] 21: Power transmission coil (power transmission unit);

[0082] 22: DC-AC conversion unit;

[0083] 23: Power switch;

[0084] 24: Transmission-side control unit;

[0085] 25: Transmission-side communication unit;

[0086] 26: Antenna unit;

[0087] 30: Power receiving device;

[0088] 31: Power receiving coil (power receiving unit);

[0089] 32: Power conversion unit;

[0090] 33: AC-DC conversion unit;

[0091] 34: DC-DC conversion unit;

[0092] 35: Power supply switch;

[0093] 37: Antenna unit;

[0094] 38: Power receiving-side communication unit;

[0095] 39: Power storage unit;

[0096] 40: Control unit;

[0097] 41: Judgment unit;

[0098] 42: Voltage dividing circuit;

[0099] 43: A / D conversion unit;

[0100] 44: Power direction limiting unit;

[0101] 45: Voltage detection unit;

[0102] B: Power supply;

[0103] BL: Power line;

[0104] CL: Control line;

[0105] L: Load;

[0106] PL: Power line;

[0107] R1, R2: Voltage dividing resistors;

[0108] SW: Operation unit;

[0109] V1: Divided voltage;

[0110] V2: Voltage.

Claims

1. A power supply system that supplies power supplied from a power source to a load of a sliding object that can slide relative to a vehicle body side in a non-contact manner, wherein, the vehicle body side in the vehicle includes: a power transmission unit capable of transmitting power supplied from the power source; a power transmission side communication unit capable of performing communication; and a power transmission side control unit that controls the power transmission of the power transmission unit based on information communicated by the power transmission side communication unit, the sliding object includes: a power receiving unit that receives power from the power transmission unit in a non-contact manner; a determination unit that determines whether power is transmitted from the power transmission unit to the power receiving unit; a power receiving side communication unit that transmits information on whether the power transmission is performed, determined by the determination unit, to the power transmission side communication unit; a power storage unit that supplies power to the determination unit and does not supply power to the load; and a power conversion unit that converts the power received by the power receiving unit, the sliding object further includes: a power direction limiting unit connected between a power line that supplies power to the load and the power storage unit, and power on the power line side is supplied to the power storage unit side, so that the power storage unit stores the power received by the power receiving unit, and the power supply from the power storage unit side to the power line side is limited, so that the power storage unit does not supply power to the load, the power line is between the output of the power conversion unit and the load.

2. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein, the power storage unit supplies power to the determination unit and the power receiving side communication unit.

3. The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the sliding object includes an operation unit that can be operated by a user, and the determination unit determines whether power is transmitted from the power transmission unit to the power receiving unit according to the operation of the operation unit.

4. The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the power supply system includes a voltage detection unit capable of detecting the voltage of the power storage unit, and the determination unit determines that power is transmitted from the power transmission unit to the power receiving unit when the voltage of the power storage unit detected by the voltage detection unit is lower than a specified voltage.

5. The power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the sliding object is a sliding seat that is fixed to the vehicle body side in the vehicle in a slidable manner.

Images