Lifting operation device and operation method

Abstract

The lifting operation device (3) includes: an acquisition unit (33) that acquires first information and second information, where the first information indicates whether a lifting mechanism (413) for moving a power receiving unit (411) for non-contact power supply is provided in a vehicle (4), and the second information indicates whether a lifting mechanism (213) for moving a power transmission unit (211) for non-contact power supply provided outside the vehicle is provided in a power supply device (2); and a determination unit (31) that determines to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmission unit in the height direction based on the first information and the second information. Thus, the operations of the lifting mechanisms of the vehicle and the power supply device are appropriately performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting operation device and an operation method for lifting at least one of a power receiving unit and a power transmitting unit used for non-contact power supply. Background Art

[0002] As such a device, for example, a device has been proposed that controls the lifting of a liftable power receiving unit provided on the vehicle floor when it detects that the power receiving unit has come into contact with an obstacle (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-170050 Summary of the Invention

[0005] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Not only the power receiving side device (e.g., a vehicle), but also the power supply side device may be equipped with a lifting mechanism. In the case where both the power receiving side device and the power supply side device are equipped with a lifting mechanism, how to start (operate, work) both of them becomes a problem. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, this problem is not considered.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a lifting operation device and an operation method capable of appropriately operating a lifting mechanism.

[0008] Technical Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A lifting operation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an acquisition unit that acquires first information and second information, where the first information indicates whether a vehicle having a power receiving unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism that moves the power receiving unit in the height direction of the vehicle, and the second information indicates whether a power supply device provided outside the vehicle and having a power transmitting unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism that moves the power transmitting unit in the height direction; and a determination unit that determines to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmitting unit in the height direction based on the first information and the second information.

[0010] One technical solution of the present invention relates to an operation method in a lifting operation device, including: an acquisition step, in which the lifting operation device acquires first information and second information, the first information indicating whether a vehicle having a power receiving unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism for moving the power receiving unit in the height direction of the vehicle, and the second information indicating whether a power supply device provided outside the vehicle and having a power transmission unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism for moving the power transmission unit in the height direction; and a determination step, in which the lifting operation device determines to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmission unit in the height direction based on the first information and the second information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram showing the configuration of a non-contact power supply system according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 FIG. is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle and a ground (floor) power supply device according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 FIG. is a diagram showing the configuration of a server according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 FIG. is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a non-contact power supply system.

[0015] Figure 5 FIG. is a diagram showing an example of a decision table related to a lifting mechanism.

[0016] Figure 6 FIG. is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of a non-contact power supply system.

[0017] REFERENCE SIGNS

[0018] 1 Non-contact power supply system; 2 Ground power supply device; 3 Server; 4 Vehicle; 5 Network; 21 Power transmission device; 22 Power source; 23 Controller; 24 Ground-side sensor; 25, 45 Wide-area communication device; 26, 46 Narrow-area communication device; 31 Processor; 32 Storage device; 33 External communication module; 41 Power receiving device; 42 Battery; 43 ECU (Electronic control unit); 44 Vehicle-side sensor; 47 Relay; 211 Power transmission unit; 212 Power transmission circuit; 213, 413 Lifting mechanism; 411 Power receiving unit; 412 Power receiving circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Refer to Figures 1 to 6 , and an embodiment related to a lifting operation device will be described.

[0020] (Overall Configuration of Contactless Power Supply System)

[0021] Refer to Figure 1 and explain the overall configuration of the contactless power supply system. In Figure 1 , the contactless power supply system 1 is composed of a ground power supply device 2, a server 3, and a vehicle 4. In the contactless power supply system 1, power is transmitted from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 4 in a contactless manner. The contactless power supply system 1 may also be composed of multiple ground power supply devices and vehicles respectively. However, in Figure 1 , in order to avoid the drawings from becoming complicated, only the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 4 are shown.

[0022] In addition, for the method of contactless power transmission, various methods such as magnetic resonance coupling (magnetic field resonance) can be applied. In addition, contactless power transmission can be carried out during the stop of the vehicle 4 or during the driving of the vehicle 4.

[0023] The ground power supply device 2, the server 3, and the vehicle 4 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 5 formed by an optical communication line or the like, for example. The ground power supply device 2 can be connected to the network 5 via a wireless base station 51 or can be connected to the network 5 via a communication cable (not shown), for example. The vehicle 4 is connected to the network 5 via a wireless base station 52, for example.

[0024] When the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 4 are far apart (for example, more than 10 meters), the ground power supply device 2 communicates with the vehicle 4 via the server 3. Hereinafter, the communication between the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 4 via the server 3 will be appropriately referred to as "wide-area wireless communication". On the other hand, when the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 4 are relatively close (for example, less than 10 meters), the ground power supply device 2 communicates directly with the vehicle 4 (in other words, without passing through the server 3). Hereinafter, the communication between the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 4 without passing through the server 3 will be appropriately referred to as "narrow-area wireless communication".

[0025] In the contactless power supply system 1, in order to transmit power from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 4 in a contactless manner, the ground power supply device 2 needs to identify the vehicle 4 as the power supply object and obtain information such as the requested power supply of the vehicle 4. Therefore, it is necessary to send vehicle information including vehicle identification information from the vehicle 4 to the ground power supply device 2.

[0026] When the vehicle 4 is far from the ground power supply device 2, vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information is sent to the ground power supply device 2 through wide-area wireless communication, for example. In addition, when the vehicle 4 is close to the ground power supply device 2, vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information is sent to the ground power supply device 2 through narrow-area wireless communication, for example.

[0027] (Configuration of the Ground Power Supply Device)

[0028] Refer to Figure 2 and explain the configuration of the ground power supply device 2. In Figure 2 , the ground power supply device 2 includes a power transmission device 21, a power source 22, a controller 23, a ground-side sensor 24, a wide-area communication device 25, and a narrow-area communication device 26. The power transmission device 21 includes a power transmission unit 211, a power transmission circuit 212, and a lifting mechanism 213. The lifting mechanism 213 is configured to be able to move the power transmission unit 211 in a direction perpendicular to the ground (in other words, the height direction of the vehicle 4). The power source 22 is electrically connected to the power transmission unit via the power transmission circuit 212.

[0029] In addition, the power transmission unit 211 and the power transmission circuit 212 are configured according to the non-contact power transmission method applied to this non-contact power supply system 1. For the lifting mechanism, various existing methods can be applied, so the details thereof are omitted. The power source 22 can be an AC power source or a DC power source.

[0030] The controller 23 performs various controls related to the ground power supply device 2. The controller 23 controls the power transmission circuit 212, the wide-area communication device 25, and the narrow-area communication device 26, for example, when transmitting power to the vehicle 4. Here, the wide-area communication device 25 is used for wide-area wireless communication, and the narrow-area communication device 26 is used for narrow-area wireless communication. In addition, the wide-area communication device 25 is configured according to the communication method applied to wide-area wireless communication. Similarly, the narrow-area communication device 26 is configured according to the communication method applied to narrow-area wireless communication.

[0031] The ground-side sensor 24 can include, for example, a current sensor that detects the current related to the power transmission device 21, a voltage sensor that detects the voltage related to the power transmission device 21, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature related to the power transmission device 21, a foreign object sensor that detects foreign objects around the ground power supply device 2, a biological sensor that detects organisms around the ground power supply device 2, a rainfall sensor, etc. The output of the ground-side sensor 24 is input to the controller 23.

[0032] (Configuration of the Vehicle)

[0033] Refer to Figure 2 and explain the configuration of the vehicle 4. In Figure 2In this case, the vehicle 4 has a power receiving device 41, a battery 42, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 43, a vehicle-side sensor 44, a wide-area communication device 45, and a narrow-area communication device 46. The power receiving device 41 has a power receiving unit 411, a power receiving circuit 412, and a lifting mechanism 413. The lifting mechanism 413 is configured to be able to move the power receiving unit 411 in a direction perpendicular to the ground (in other words, the height direction of the vehicle 4). The battery 42 is electrically connected to the power receiving unit 411 via the power receiving circuit 412 and a relay 47. In addition, in Figure 2 the illustration of the components of the vehicle 4 that are not directly related to non-contact power transmission is omitted.

[0034] The power receiving unit 411 is disposed, for example, at the bottom of the vehicle 4 (in other words, the floor portion). The power receiving device 41 receives power from the power transmission device 21 of the ground power supply device 2. The power received from the power transmission device 21 is supplied to the battery 42 via the power receiving unit 411, the power receiving circuit 412, and the relay 47 of the power receiving device 41.

[0035] The ECU 43 performs various controls on the vehicle 4. The ECU 43 controls the power receiving circuit 412, the wide-area communication device 45, and the narrow-area communication device 46, for example, when performing power transmission. Here, the wide-area communication device 45 is used for wide-area wireless communication, and the narrow-area communication device 46 is used for narrow-area wireless communication. The ECU 43 controls the power receiving circuit 412 and the like via an in-vehicle network (not shown) that complies with standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network), for example.

[0036] In addition, the wide-area communication device 45 has a configuration corresponding to the communication method applied to wide-area wireless communication. Similarly, the narrow-area communication device 46 has a configuration corresponding to the communication method applied to narrow-area wireless communication.

[0037] The vehicle-side sensor 44 may include, for example, a battery temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the battery 42, a battery current sensor that detects the charging current value and the discharging current value of the battery 42, a current sensor that detects the current related to the power receiving device 41, a voltage sensor that detects the voltage related to the power receiving device 41, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature related to the power receiving device 41, a rainfall sensor, and the like. The output of the vehicle-side sensor 44 is input to the ECU 43.

[0038] (Configuration of the server)

[0039] Refer to Figure 3 to describe the configuration of the server 3. In Figure 3In this case, the server 3 includes a processor 31, a storage device 32, and an external communication module 33. The external communication module 33 has a circuit for connecting the server 3 to the communication network 5. The external communication module 33 is configured to communicate with the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 4 via the communication network 5.

[0040] (Process of wireless power transfer)

[0041] A schematic process of controlling the wireless power transfer from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 4 in the contactless power supply system 1 configured as described above will be described.

[0042] First, the ECU 43 of the vehicle 4 controls the wide - area communication device 45 to send vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information to the server 3. Here, the vehicle information is information of the vehicle 4 related to power transfer. The vehicle information may include, for example, the vehicle - requested power indicating the power requested from the ground power supply device 2, the state of the power receiving device 41, the charging state of the battery 42 (e.g., SOC (State Of Charge)), the temperature of the battery 42 and the allowable charging power, information indicating the presence or absence of a lifting mechanism, the height of the power receiving unit 411 from the ground, the position information of the vehicle 4, etc. In addition, the charging state of the battery 42, etc., can be obtained by the ECU 43 based on the output of the vehicle - side sensor 44.

[0043] The processor 31 of the server 3 sends the vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 to the ground power supply device 2. At this time, the processor 31 stores the vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4, for example, in a database built in the storage device 32. In addition, the server 3 obtains the vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information of each of a plurality of vehicles including the vehicle 4.

[0044] The controller 23 of the ground power supply device 2 that has received the vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 via wide - area wireless communication registers the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 in the identification information list. Thereby, the ground power supply device 2 can communicate with the vehicle 4 via narrow - area wireless communication. That is, the narrow - area communication device 26 of the ground power supply device 2 becomes capable of receiving the vehicle identification information from the narrow - area communication device 46 of the vehicle 4.

[0045] At this time, the controller 23 controls the wide - area communication device 25 to send a notification indicating that the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 has been registered in the identification information list to the vehicle 4 via wide - area wireless communication.

[0046] When the ECU 43 of vehicle 4 that has received a notification indicating that the vehicle identification information of vehicle 4 received via wide - area wireless communication has been registered in the identification information list approaches the ground power supply device 2, it controls the short - range communication device 46 so as to be able to send a signal containing the vehicle identification information to the ground power supply device 2. Further, when vehicle 4 reaches the ground power supply device 2, the ECU 43 controls the power receiving device 41 so as to be able to receive power from the ground power supply device 2. The state in which the short - range communication device 46 can send a signal containing the vehicle identification information and the power receiving device 41 can receive power is appropriately referred to as the "power - receiving activation / signal - sending state".

[0047] When the vehicle 4 in the power - receiving activation / signal - sending state approaches the ground power supply device 2, the short - range communication device 26 of the ground power supply device 2 receives a signal containing the vehicle identification information sent from the short - range communication device 46 of vehicle 4.

[0048] When the controller 23 of the ground power supply device 2 receives the vehicle identification information, it compares the received vehicle identification information with the vehicle identification information registered in the identification information list. Moreover, when the received vehicle identification information is registered in the identification information list, it controls the power transmission device 21 so as to be able to send power to vehicle 4 when vehicle 4 reaches above the ground power supply device 2. The state in which the power transmission device 21 can send power is appropriately referred to as the "power - transmission activation state".

[0049] When the power receiving part 411 of vehicle 4 in the power - receiving activation / signal - sending state is located on the power transmission part 211 of the ground power supply device 2 in the power - transmission activation state, power is supplied from the ground power supply device 2 to vehicle 4. After that, when a predetermined end condition is satisfied, the power supply ends. The predetermined end condition may include, for example: sending power equivalent to the power requested by the vehicle, vehicle 4 and the ground power supply device 2 being separated by a predetermined distance or more, the battery 42 of vehicle 4 becoming fully charged, etc.

[0050] In addition, in the non - contact power supply system 1, power is transmitted in a non - contact manner without using wiring. Therefore, when the power transmission part 211 and the power receiving part 411 approach each other (i.e., when the distance between the power transmission part 211 and the power receiving part 411 becomes short), the power transmission efficiency increases.

[0051] On the other hand, if, for the purpose of shortening the distance between the power transmission part 211 and the power receiving part 411, for example, the power transmission part 211 is provided to protrude from the ground, or the power receiving part 411 is arranged near the ground, the power transmission part 211 and the power receiving part 411 are likely to be damaged.

[0052] The ground power supply device 2 is provided with a lifting mechanism 213 capable of moving the power transmission unit 211 in a direction perpendicular to the ground. The vehicle 4 is provided with a lifting mechanism 413 capable of moving the power receiving unit 411 in a direction perpendicular to the ground. With such a configuration, the power transmission unit 211 and the power receiving unit 411 can be brought close to each other during power transmission, and damage to the power transmission unit 211 and the power receiving unit 411 can be suppressed.

[0053] However, if the lifting mechanisms 213 or 413 of the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 4 are controlled independently, it may not be possible to appropriately perform power transmission, for example. Thus, in the non-contact power supply system 1, the server 3 determines the control modes of the lifting mechanisms 213 and 413. That is to say, in the present embodiment, the server 3 is an example of a lifting operation device.

[0054] Refer to Figure 4 the flowchart of, the operation of the non-contact power supply system 1 will be described. In Figure 4 , the ECU 43 of the vehicle 4 controls the wide-area communication device 45 to send vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information to the server 3 (step S111). The vehicle information includes information related to the lifting mechanism 413. The information related to the lifting mechanism 413 may include, for example, information indicating the movable range of the lifting mechanism 413 and information indicating the presence or absence of an abnormality.

[0055] The processor 31 of the server 3 stores the vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4, for example, in a database constructed in the storage device 32 (step S121). Here, the database also stores device information associated with the device identification information of the ground power supply device 2. The processor 31 can, for example, generate a utilization reservation list of the ground power supply device 2 by associating the vehicle identification information of the vehicle (such as the vehicle 4) using the ground power supply device 2 with the device identification information of the ground power supply device 2.

[0056] The device information includes information related to the lifting mechanism 213. The information related to the lifting mechanism 213 may include, for example, information indicating the movable range of the lifting mechanism 213 and information indicating the presence or absence of an abnormality. The device information may include, for example, the position and status of the ground power supply device 2 (such as the power transmission period, standby, etc.).

[0057] In addition, in the case where the vehicle does not have a lifting mechanism, the vehicle information of the vehicle may not include information related to the lifting mechanism, or may include information indicating the absence of a lifting mechanism. Similarly, in the case where the ground power supply device does not have a lifting mechanism, the device information of the ground power supply device may not include information related to the lifting mechanism, or may include information indicating the absence of a lifting mechanism.

[0058] In parallel with or before or after the processing of step S121, the processor 31 of the server 3 controls the external communication module 33 to send vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 to the ground power supply device 2 (step S122).

[0059] The controller 23 of the ground power supply device 2 registers the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 received from the server 3 in the identification information list (step S131). At this time, the controller 23 controls the wide-area communication device 25 to send a notification indicating that the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 has been registered in the identification information list to the server 3. As a result, a notification indicating that the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 has been registered in the identification information list is sent to the vehicle 4 via the server 3.

[0060] The processor 31 of the server 3 that has obtained the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 in the processing of step S121 described above performs a lifting operation determination process (step S123). Hereinafter, specific examples will be cited to describe the lifting operation determination process.

[0061] In the lifting operation determination process, the processor 31 of the server 3 first determines whether the vehicle 4 has a lifting mechanism and whether the ground power supply device 2 has a lifting mechanism based on the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 stored in the database and the device information of the ground power supply device 2. Here, it is determined that the vehicle 4 has a lifting mechanism 413, and it is determined that the ground power supply device 2 has a lifting mechanism 213.

[0062] Next, the processor 31 determines the operation mode of the lifting mechanism based on, for example, determination table 1 stored in the storage device 32 (refer to Figure 5 (a)) and the above determination result. For example, when the vehicle has a lifting mechanism and the ground power supply device does not have a lifting mechanism, the processor 31 determines to start the lifting mechanism of the vehicle according to determination table 1. For example, when the ground power supply device has a lifting mechanism and the vehicle does not have a lifting mechanism, the processor 31 determines to start the lifting mechanism of the ground power supply device according to determination table 1.

[0063] When both the vehicle and the ground power supply device have a lifting mechanism, the processor 31 further determines the operation mode of the lifting mechanism based on, for example, determination table 2 stored in the storage device 32 (refer to Figure 5 (b)).

[0064] Here, since the vehicle 4 has a lifting mechanism 413 and the ground power supply device 2 has a lifting mechanism 213, the processor 31 determines the operation mode of the lifting mechanism based on determination table 2.

[0065] (1) For example, when the processor 31 generates a usage reservation list for the on-ground power supply device 2 and the usage reservation list indicates that there is another vehicle using the on-ground power supply device 2 after the vehicle 4, the processor 31 decides to start the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4.

[0066] It takes a certain amount of time for the lifting mechanism 213 to move the power transmission unit 211 to a position suitable for the power transmission target vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 4). When multiple vehicles use the on-ground power supply device 2 within a short period, moving the power receiving unit of the vehicle (e.g., the power receiving unit 411 of the vehicle 4) can shorten the time required for power transmission. Therefore, in the above case, the processor 31 decides to start the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4.

[0067] (2) However, when the type (category) of the other vehicle using the on-ground power supply device 2 after the vehicle 4 indicated by the usage reservation list is the same as or similar to the type of the vehicle 4, the processor 31 decides to start the lifting mechanism 213 of the on-ground power supply device 2.

[0068] For example, it takes a certain amount of time for the lifting mechanism 413 to move the power receiving unit 411 of the vehicle 4 to a position suitable for power reception. When multiple vehicles of the same or similar type continuously use the on-ground power supply device 2, as long as the lifting mechanism 213 moves the power transmission unit 211 to a position suitable for the first vehicle, the power transmission unit 211 does not need to be moved thereafter. Thus, in the above case, starting the lifting mechanism 213 of the on-ground power supply device 2 can shorten the time required for power transmission. Therefore, in the above case, the processor 31 decides to start the lifting mechanism 213 of the on-ground power supply device 2.

[0069] When the types of vehicles are classified by body shapes such as sedans, minivans, SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles), etc., "the same type" can mean the same body shape. Or, when the types of vehicles are classified by the vehicle's proper name (e.g., product name), "the same type" can mean the same vehicle proper name. For example, the similarity between types can be obtained based on the range of the ground clearance (distance from the ground) for each type, and it can be determined that types with a higher similarity are similar to each other.

[0070] (3) When the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 includes information indicating that the lifting mechanism 413 is abnormal, and the device information of the on-ground power supply device 2 includes information indicating that the lifting mechanism 213 is normal, the processor 31 decides to start the lifting mechanism 213 of the on-ground power supply device 2.

[0071] (4) When the device information of the ground power supply device 2 includes information indicating an abnormality in the lifting mechanism 213 and the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 includes information indicating no abnormality in the lifting mechanism 413, the processor 31 determines to start the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4.

[0072] (5) When the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 includes information indicating that the charge state of the battery 42 is low SOC, the processor 31 determines to start the lifting mechanism 213 of the ground power supply device 2. With such a configuration, the power of the battery 42 is not consumed to start the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4, which is very advantageous in practical terms.

[0073] (6) When the road surface around the ground power supply device 2 is rough, the processor 31 determines to start the lifting mechanism 213 of the ground power supply device 2. For example, when the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 includes, for example, the history of the vertical acceleration of the vehicle 4, the processor 31 can determine whether the road surface is rough based on the degree of change in the vertical acceleration of the vehicle 4.

[0074] For example, when the power receiving unit 411 of the vehicle 4 is moved by the lifting mechanism 413, in order to start the power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 4 immediately after the vehicle 4 arrives at the ground power supply device 2, the power receiving unit 411 needs to be moved before the vehicle 4 arrives at the ground power supply device 2. At this time, if the road surface around the ground power supply device 2 is rough, the vehicle 4 will vibrate greatly in the vertical direction due to the road surface, and the power receiving unit 411 may be damaged.

[0075] Therefore, in the above case, instead of moving the power receiving unit 411, the lifting mechanism 213 is started to move the power transmission unit 211, which can suppress damage to the power receiving unit 411. Therefore, in the above case, the processor 31 determines to start the lifting mechanism 213 of the ground power supply device 2.

[0076] (7) When rainfall or snowfall (rain or snow) is detected, the processor 31 determines to start the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress rainwater and the like from flowing into the space generated by the movement of the power transmission unit 211 (that is, the storage space of the power transmission unit 211), which is very advantageous in practical terms. In addition, when the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 and the device information of the ground power supply device 2 include precipitation information indicating the output of the rainfall sensor, the processor 31 can detect rainfall or snowfall based on the precipitation information. The processor 31 can obtain the precipitation information from other devices (such as devices providing meteorological information services) via the communication network 5 and detect rainfall or snowfall based on the obtained precipitation information.

[0077] (8) When the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 includes information indicating the ground clearance of the vehicle 4 and the ground clearance of the vehicle 4 is greater than a predetermined value, the processor 31 determines to start both the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4 and the lifting mechanism 213 of the ground power supply device 2.

[0078] The "predetermined value" is a value that determines whether to start both the lifting mechanism of the vehicle (such as the lifting mechanism 413) and the lifting mechanism of the ground power supply device (such as the lifting mechanism 213), and is preset as a fixed value or a variable value corresponding to certain physical quantities or parameters.

[0079] The "predetermined value" is set, for example, based on the movable range of the lifting mechanism 213 of the ground power supply device 2, the movable range of the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4, and the expected value of the distance between the power transmission unit 211 and the power reception unit 411 during power transmission, and can be set as the maximum ground clearance value that can reach the above expected value when one of the lifting mechanisms 213 and 413 moves one of the power transmission unit 211 and the power reception unit 411.

[0080] (9) When the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 includes the current position and speed of the vehicle 4 and the time for the vehicle 4 to reach the ground power supply device 2 is shorter than a predetermined time, the processor 31 determines to start both the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4 and the lifting mechanism 213 of the ground power supply device 2.

[0081] As described above, it takes a certain amount of time for the lifting mechanism 213 to move the power transmission unit 211 to a position suitable for the power transmission target vehicle (such as the vehicle 4). Similarly, for example, it also takes a certain amount of time for the lifting mechanism 413 to move the power reception unit 411 of the vehicle 4 to a position suitable for receiving power.

[0082] If the vehicle 4 reaches the ground power supply device 2 before the movement of one of the power transmission unit 211 and the power reception unit 411 by one of the lifting mechanisms 213 and 413 is completed, it may not be possible to appropriately perform power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 4. This is particularly problematic when power is transmitted from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 4 during the driving of the vehicle 4.

[0083] Therefore, in the above cases, moving both the power transmission unit 211 and the power reception unit 411 can make the distance between the power transmission unit 211 and the power reception unit 411 approach faster. Therefore, in the above cases, the processor 31 determines to start both the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4 and the lifting mechanism 213 of the ground power supply device 2.

[0084] "Predetermined time" is a value that determines whether to start both the lifting mechanism of the vehicle (e.g., the lifting mechanism 413) and the lifting mechanism of the ground power supply device (e.g., the lifting mechanism 213), and is preset as a fixed value or a variable value corresponding to certain physical quantities or parameters.

[0085] "Predetermined time" is set, for example, based on the moving speed of the power transmission unit 211 moved by the lifting mechanism 213 of the ground power supply device 2, the moving speed of the power receiving unit 411 moved by the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4, and the expected value of the distance between the power transmission unit 211 and the power receiving unit 411 during power transmission, to be the time required to reach the above-mentioned expected value when one of the lifting mechanisms 213 and 413 moves one of the power transmission unit 211 and the power receiving unit 411.

[0086] After the process of step S123, the processor 31 sends an operation instruction related to the lifting mechanism to at least one of the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 4 based on the result of the lifting operation determination process (step S124). The operation instruction includes information indicating the operation amount of at least one of the power transmission unit 211 and the power receiving unit 411. The operation amount can be obtained, for example, based on the height of the vehicle 4 from the ground and the expected value of the distance between the power transmission unit 211 and the power receiving unit 411 during power transmission.

[0087] At this time, when the ground power supply device 2 does not start the lifting mechanism 213, the processor 31 may not send the result of the lifting operation determination process to the ground power supply device 2, or may send, for example, an instruction indicating not to start the lifting mechanism 213, an instruction indicating that the operation amount of the power transmission unit 211 is zero, etc. to the ground power supply device 2. Similarly, when the vehicle 4 does not start the lifting mechanism 413, the processor 31 may not send the result of the lifting operation determination process to the vehicle 4, or may send, for example, an instruction indicating not to start the lifting mechanism 413, an instruction indicating that the operation amount of the power receiving unit 411 is zero, etc. to the vehicle 4.

[0088] Next, referring to Figure 6 the flowchart, the operations of the vehicle 4 and the ground power supply device 2 that receive an operation instruction related to the lifting mechanism through the Figure 4 shown operations will be described.

[0089] In Figure 6 , the ECU 43 of the vehicle 4 that has received a notification indicating that the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 from the ground power supply device 2 via wide-area wireless communication has been registered in the identification information list becomes the power receiving activation / signal sending state (step S211). As a result, the ECU 43 controls the narrow-area communication device 46 to send a signal including the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 4 (step S212).

[0090] At this time, the ECU 43 of the vehicle 4 controls the lifting mechanism 413 based on the operation instruction related to the lifting mechanism 413 from the processor 31 of the server 3. Specifically, when the lifting mechanism 413 is to be started according to the operation instruction related to the lifting mechanism 413, the ECU 43 controls the lifting mechanism 413 to move the power receiving unit 411 by an amount corresponding to the operation amount of the power receiving unit 411 included in the operation instruction. On the other hand, when the lifting mechanism 413 is not to be started according to the operation instruction related to the lifting mechanism 413, the ECU 43 controls the lifting mechanism 413 so that the power receiving unit 411 does not move.

[0091] After that, when the narrow - area communication device 26 of the ground power supply device 2 receives a signal including vehicle identification information sent from the narrow - area communication device 46 of the vehicle 4, the ground power supply device 2 becomes a power - transmission activation state (step S221). At this time, the controller 23 of the ground power supply device 2 controls the lifting mechanism 213 based on the operation instruction related to the lifting mechanism 213 from the processor 31 of the server 3.

[0092] Specifically, when the lifting mechanism 213 is to be started according to the operation instruction related to the lifting mechanism 213, the controller 23 controls the lifting mechanism 213 to move the power - transmission unit 211 by an amount corresponding to the operation amount of the power - transmission unit 211 included in the operation instruction. On the other hand, when the lifting mechanism 213 is not to be started according to the operation instruction related to the lifting mechanism 213, the controller 23 controls the lifting mechanism 213 so that the power - transmission unit 211 does not move.

[0093] After that, when the power receiving unit 411 of the vehicle 4 in the power - receiving activation / signal - sending state is located on the power - transmission unit 211 of the ground power supply device 2 in the power - transmission activation state, power is transmitted from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 4 (step S222). The state of the ground power supply device 2 at this time is referred to as the "power - transmission state".

[0094] After that, when a predetermined end condition is satisfied, the power supply ends. At this time, the ECU 43 of the vehicle 4 performs a predetermined power - receiving end process (step S213). In addition, the ground power supply device 2 performs a predetermined power - transmission end process (step S223).

[0095] The power - receiving end process may include, for example, controlling the relay 47 to cut off the electrical connection between the power - receiving device 41 and the battery 42, and controlling the lifting mechanism 413 to store the power - receiving unit 411 in a predetermined position. The power - transmission end process may include, for example, controlling the lifting mechanism 213 to store the power - transmission unit 211 in a predetermined position.

[0096] (Technical effect)

[0097] In the non - contact power supply system 1, the server 3 performs the lifting operation determination process (refer toFigure 4 step S123), for example, determines how to start the lifting mechanism 213 of the ground power supply device 2 and the lifting mechanism 413 of the vehicle 4. Therefore, according to the non-contact power supply system 1, the operation of the lifting mechanism can be appropriately performed.

[0098] <Modification Example>

[0099] The lifting operation determination process of step S123 can be performed by the controller 23 of the ground power supply device 2 or the ECU 43 of the vehicle 4 instead of the processor 31 of the server 3, for example. In this case, the processor 31 of the server 3 can send the vehicle information of the vehicle 4 including information related to the lifting mechanism 413 to the ground power supply device 2, and can send the device information of the ground power supply device 2 including information related to the lifting mechanism 213 to the vehicle 4.

[0100] Various technical solutions of the invention derived from the above-described embodiments and modification examples will be described below.

[0101] A lifting operation device according to one aspect of the invention includes: an acquisition unit that acquires first information and second information, where the first information indicates whether a vehicle having a power receiving unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism that moves the power receiving unit in the height direction of the vehicle, and the second information indicates whether a power supply device provided outside the vehicle and having a power transmission unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism that moves the power transmission unit in the height direction; and a determination unit that determines to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmission unit in the height direction based on the first information and the second information.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, "server 3" corresponds to an example of the "lifting operation device", "processor 31" corresponds to an example of the "determination unit", and "external communication module 33" corresponds to an example of the "acquisition unit". In the above-described embodiment, "the vehicle information of vehicle 4" corresponds to an example of the "first information", and "the device information of the ground power supply device 2" corresponds to an example of the "second information".

[0103] In this lifting operation device, the acquisition unit can acquire vehicle information related to each of a plurality of vehicles including the vehicle, and the determination unit can determine to move the power receiving unit in the height direction when the first information indicates that the vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit and there are other vehicles that use the power supply device for non-contact power supply after the vehicle.

[0104] In this lifting operation device, the acquisition unit can acquire vehicle information related to each of a plurality of vehicles including the one vehicle, and the determination unit can determine to move the power transmission unit in the height direction when the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit and the type of another vehicle that uses the power supply device for non-contact power supply after the one vehicle is the same as or similar to the type of the one vehicle.

[0105] In this lifting operation device, when the first information indicates that the one vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, the first information may include first state information indicating the state of the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, and when the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit, the second information may include second state information indicating the state of the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit. The determination unit can determine to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmission unit in the height direction based on the first state information and the second state information.

[0106] In this lifting operation device, the determination unit can determine to move the power transmission unit in the height direction when the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit and the remaining battery level of the one vehicle is less than a predetermined value.

[0107] In this lifting operation device, the acquisition unit can acquire precipitation information related to precipitation around the power supply device, and the determination unit can determine to move the power receiving unit in the height direction when the first information indicates that the one vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit and precipitation is detected around the power supply device according to the precipitation information.

[0108] In this lifting operation device, the acquisition unit can acquire road surface information related to the road surface state around the power supply device, and the determination unit can determine to move the power transmission unit in the height direction when the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit and the road surface information indicates that the road surface around the power supply device is rough. In the above embodiment, the "history of the vertical acceleration of vehicle 4" corresponds to an example of the "road surface information".

[0109] One technical solution of the invention relates to an operation method in a lifting operation device, including: an acquisition step, in which the lifting operation device acquires first information and second information, the first information indicating whether a vehicle having a power receiving unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism for moving the power receiving unit in the height direction of the vehicle, and the second information indicating whether a power supply device provided outside the vehicle and having a power transmitting unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism for moving the power transmitting unit in the height direction; and a determination step, in which the lifting operation device determines to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmitting unit in the height direction based on the first information and the second information.

[0110] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed within the scope not departing from the gist or idea of the invention understood from the entire claims and the specification. The lifting operation device and the operation method accompanying such changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lifting operation device, characterized in that, it comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires first information and second information, where the first information indicates whether a lifting mechanism for moving a power receiving unit for non-contact power supply is provided on a vehicle having the power receiving unit, and the second information indicates whether a lifting mechanism for moving the power transmission unit is provided on a power supply device provided outside the vehicle and having a power transmission unit for non-contact power supply; and a determination unit that determines to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmission unit in the height direction based on the first information and the second information, wherein the acquisition unit acquires vehicle information related to each of a plurality of vehicles including the vehicle, and the determination unit determines to move the power receiving unit in the height direction when the first information indicates that the vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit, and there are other vehicles that use the power supply device for non-contact power supply after the vehicle; the determination unit determines to move the power transmission unit in the height direction when the first information indicates that the vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit, and the type of other vehicles that use the power supply device for non-contact power supply after the vehicle is the same as or similar to the type of the vehicle; when the first information indicates that the vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, the first information includes first state information indicating the state of the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, when the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit, the second information includes second state information indicating the state of the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit, and the determination unit determines to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmission unit in the height direction based on the first state information and the second state information, the determination unit determines to move the power transmission unit in the height direction when the first information indicates that the vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit, and the remaining battery level of the vehicle is less than a predetermined value; the acquisition unit acquires precipitation information related to precipitation around the power supply device, and the determination unit determines to move the power receiving unit in the height direction when the first information indicates that the vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmission unit, and precipitation is detected around the power supply device according to the precipitation information; the acquisition unit acquires road surface information related to the road surface state around the power supply device When the determination unit determines that the first piece of information indicates that the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit is provided on the one vehicle, and the second piece of information indicates that the lifting mechanism of the power transmitting unit is provided on the power supply device, and the road surface information indicates that the road surface around the power supply device is rough, it determines to move the power transmitting unit in the height direction.

2. An operation method, which is an operation method in a lifting operation device, characterized in that it includes: an acquisition step, in which the lifting operation device acquires first information and second information, where the first information indicates whether a vehicle having a power receiving unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism for moving the power receiving unit in the height direction of the vehicle, and the second information indicates whether a power supply device provided outside the vehicle and having a power transmitting unit for non-contact power supply is provided with a lifting mechanism for moving the power transmitting unit in the height direction; and a determination step, in which the lifting operation device determines to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmitting unit in the height direction based on the first information and the second information. In the acquisition step, vehicle information related to each of a plurality of vehicles including the one vehicle is acquired. In the determination step, when the first information indicates that the one vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, and the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmitting unit, and there are other vehicles that use the power supply device for non-contact power supply after the one vehicle, it is determined to move the power receiving unit in the height direction. In the determination step, when the first information indicates that the one vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, and the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmitting unit, and the type of other vehicles that use the power supply device for non-contact power supply after the one vehicle is the same as or similar to the type of the one vehicle, it is determined to move the power transmitting unit in the height direction. When the first information indicates that the one vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, the first information includes first state information indicating the state of the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit. When the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmitting unit, the second information includes second state information indicating the state of the lifting mechanism of the power transmitting unit. In the determination step, it is determined to move at least one of the power receiving unit and the power transmitting unit in the height direction based on the first state information and the second state information. In the determination step, when the first information indicates that the one vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, and the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmitting unit, and the remaining battery level of the one vehicle is less than a predetermined value, it is determined to move the power transmitting unit in the height direction. In the acquisition step, precipitation information related to precipitation around the power supply device is acquired. In the determination step, when the first information indicates that the one vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, and the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmitting unit, and precipitation is detected around the power supply device according to the precipitation information, it is determined to move the power receiving unit in the height direction. In the acquisition step, road surface information related to the road surface state around the power supply device is acquired. In the determination step, when the first information indicates that the one vehicle is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power receiving unit, and the second information indicates that the power supply device is provided with the lifting mechanism of the power transmitting unit, and the road surface information indicates that the road surface around the power supply device is rough, it is determined to move the power transmitting unit in the height direction.

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