Contactless power supply system, server, information provision device, moving body, and control device for moving body

Abstract

A non-contact power supply system (100) is provided with: an information provision device (4) which is associated with a moving body (3) capable of receiving non-contact power supply from a ground power supply device (2) and which provides information to a user of the moving body (3); and a server (1) that communicates with the information providing device (4). The server (1) is configured so as to set the cost for use of each ground power supply device (2) on the basis of the power demand, and the information provision device (4) is configured so as to provide the user with information relating to the cost for use of each ground power supply device (2) acquired by communicating with the server (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contactless power supply system, a server, an information providing device, a mobile object, and a control device for the mobile object. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-526219 discloses a contactless power supply system that can transmit power in a contactless manner from a ground (overground) power supply device to a vehicle on a road where the ground power supply device is installed. Summary of the invention

[0003] If vehicles that wish to perform contactless power supply are concentrated in a portion of ground power supply equipment, the power supply may be insufficient relative to the power demand. In addition, if the power supply capacity is to be expanded to cope with such a situation, a large facility investment may be required.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to prevent vehicles that wish to perform contactless power supply from concentrating on a part of ground power supply devices.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, a non-contact power supply system of a certain technical solution of the present invention comprises: an information providing device, which is associated with a mobile body that can receive non-contact power supply from a ground power supply device and provides information to a user of the mobile body; and a server, which communicates with the information providing device. The server is configured to set the usage fee of each ground power supply device based on the power demand. The information providing device is configured to provide the user with information related to the usage fee of each ground power supply device obtained by communicating with the server.

[0006] In addition, a server according to a certain technical solution of the present invention comprises: a communication unit configured to communicate with an information providing device associated with a mobile body capable of receiving contactless power supply from a ground power supply device and providing information to a user of the mobile body; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to set a usage fee for each ground power supply device based on power demand and transmit information related to the set usage fee for each ground power supply device to the information providing device.

[0007] In addition, an information providing device according to a certain technical solution of the present invention is a device that is associated with a mobile body that can receive contactless power supply from a ground power supply device and provides information to a user of the mobile body, and includes: a communication unit configured to communicate with a server that sets usage fees for each ground power supply device based on power demand; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to provide the user with information related to the usage fees for each ground power supply device obtained by communicating with the server.

[0008] In addition, a mobile body according to a certain technical solution of the present invention is a mobile body capable of receiving contactless power supply from a ground power supply device, and comprises: a communication unit configured to communicate with a server that sets usage fees of each ground power supply device based on power demand; and an information presentation unit that presents information related to usage fees of each ground power supply device obtained by communicating with the server to a user. The information presentation unit is configured to present information related to usage fees of each ground power supply device obtained by communicating with the server to a user.

[0009] In addition, a control device of a certain technical solution of the present invention is a control device mounted on a mobile body capable of receiving contactless power supply from a ground power supply device, and comprises: a communication unit configured to communicate with a server that sets usage fees for each ground power supply device based on power demand; and an information presentation unit that presents information related to usage fees for each ground power supply device obtained by communicating with the server to a user. The information presentation unit is configured to present information related to usage fees for each ground power supply device obtained by communicating with the server to a user.

[0010] In addition, a control device according to a certain technical solution of the present invention is a control device mounted on a mobile body capable of receiving contactless power supply from a ground power supply device, and comprises: an automatic driving control unit that automatically performs driving operation of the mobile body; and a communication unit that is configured to communicate with a server that sets usage fees for each ground power supply device based on power demand. The automatic driving control unit is configured to automatically control the mobile body using information related to usage fees for each ground power supply device obtained by communicating with the server.

[0011] According to the technical solutions of the present invention, the usage fee of each ground power supply device is set based on the power demand, and information related to the usage fee of each ground power supply device is provided to the user of the ground power supply device, or the automatic driving of the mobile body is performed based on the information. Therefore, the user of the ground power supply device or the mobile body capable of automatic driving can appropriately select the ground power supply device to be used by comparing the current situation such as the degree of urgency of power supply and the usage fee of each ground power supply device. As a result, the vehicles can be dispersed, so that the vehicles that want to perform contactless power supply can be prevented from concentrating on a part of the ground power supply devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the contactless power supply system.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ground power supply device.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the vehicle.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an information providing device.

[0016] Figure 5 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining the contents of the usage fee setting process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 6 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining the content of the information provision process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for providing usage fee information of a ground power supply device by the information providing device.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining another example of a method for providing usage fee information of a ground power supply device by the information providing device.

[0020] Fig. 9 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining the contents of the usage fee setting process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Fig.10 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining the contents of the usage fee setting process according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Fig.11 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining the contents of the usage fee setting process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig.12 This is a diagram schematically showing a situation in which a power transmission and distribution company supplies power to a plurality of power distribution areas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

[0025] (First embodiment)

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic configuration diagram of a contactless power supply system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The contactless power supply system 100 of this embodiment includes a server 1, a ground power supply device 2, a vehicle 3 as an example of a mobile body, and an information providing device 4, which is configured to be able to implement contactless power transmission (contactless power supply) from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3, and the information providing device 4 is associated with the vehicle 3 and is used to provide various information to the user of the vehicle 3, that is, the user of the contactless power supply system 100 (hereinafter referred to as "system user".). The method of contactless power transmission is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected from transmission methods such as magnetic field coupling (electromagnetic induction), electric field coupling, magnetic field resonance coupling (magnetic field resonance), and electric field resonance coupling (electric field resonance).

[0028] In addition, the contactless power supply system 100 is configured to set the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 according to the power demand, and provide information related to the set usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 to the system user via the information providing device 4. In the present embodiment, the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 is set to the price (yen / kWh) per kilowatt-hour (kwh) of power supply, but is not limited to this.

[0029] In addition, Figure 1 , as an example of installation of the ground power supply device 2, an example is shown in which a plurality of ground power supply devices 2 are continuously installed along a road at predetermined intervals. In the following description, a road where the ground power supply device 2 is installed is referred to as an "electrified road" as needed.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the server 1 includes a server communication unit 11 , a server storage unit 12 , and a server processing unit 13 .

[0031] The server communication unit 11 includes a communication interface circuit for connecting the server 1 to the network 6 , and is configured to be able to communicate with each of the ground power supply device 2 , the vehicle 3 , and the information providing device 4 via the network 6 .

[0032] The server storage unit 12 includes storage media such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory, and stores various computer programs and data used for processing in the server processing unit 13 .

[0033] The server processing unit 13 includes one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units) and peripheral circuits thereof. The server processing unit 13 executes various computer programs stored in the server storage unit 12 to centrally control the overall operation of the server 1, and is, for example, a processor.

[0034] When the server processing unit 13 and the server 1 receive a use request signal of the contactless power supply system 100 from the vehicle 3, they confirm whether the vehicle 3 has the authority to use the system, and when the authority is confirmed, they exchange various information with the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 3, respectively, so that the vehicle 3 can receive power from the ground power supply device 2. The details of this exchange are not the main part of the present invention, so the description is omitted here.

[0035] In addition, the server processing unit 13 sets the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 based on the power demand from the vehicle 3 for each ground power supply device 2, and sends information related to the set usage fee to the information providing device 4. The content of these processes implemented in the server processing unit 13 will be referred to later. Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 Provide explanation.

[0036] Next, refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 , the configuration of the ground power supply device 2 and the configuration of the portion of the vehicle 3 involving contactless power supply according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0037] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ground power supply device 2 according to the present embodiment.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the ground power supply device 2 includes a power supply 21, a power transmission device 22, a ground-side communication device 23, and a power transmission control device 20. The power transmission device 22 and the ground-side communication device 23 are connected to the power transmission control device 20 via an internal network 24 of the ground power supply device 2 that complies with standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network). Figure 2 2 shows an example in which the ground power supply device 2 includes a plurality of power transmission devices 22 , but the power transmission device 22 may be one.

[0039] The power supply 21 supplies power to the power transmission device 22. The power supply 21 is, for example, a commercial AC power supply that supplies single-phase AC power. The power supply 21 may also be another AC power supply that supplies three-phase AC power, or a DC power supply such as a fuel cell. Figure 2 2 shows an example in which the common power supply 21 supplies power to the power transmission devices 22 . However, a dedicated power supply may be prepared for each power transmission device to supply power.

[0040] The power transmission device 22 is a device for transmitting electric power supplied from the power source 21 to the vehicle 3 , and includes a power transmission-side resonator 221 and a power transmission circuit 222 .

[0041] The power transmission side resonator 221 is a resonance circuit including a power transmission coil, and is configured to resonate at a predetermined resonance frequency f0. In this embodiment, the resonance frequency f0 is set to 85 kilohertz (kHz) as a frequency band for contactless power transmission according to the SAE TIRJ2954 standard, but is not limited thereto.

[0042] In addition, refer to Figure 3 To explain, the vehicle 3 is provided with a power receiving side resonator 311 (see Figure 3 ). The receiving-side resonator 311 is a resonant circuit including a receiving coil, and is configured to resonate at the same resonant frequency f0 as the transmitting-side resonator 221. By causing the transmitting-side resonator 221 to resonate, the transmitting coil of the transmitting-side resonator 221 and the receiving coil of the receiving-side resonator 311, which are arranged with a space therebetween, are magnetically coupled, and contactless power transmission is performed from the power transmitting device 22 to the power receiving device 31.

[0043] The power transmission circuit 222 is an electrical circuit including a rectifier and an inverter, and is controlled by the power transmission control device 20, and is configured to convert the AC power supplied from the power supply 21 into DC power by the rectifier, and to convert the DC power into a desired AC power that can resonate the power transmission side resonator 221 by the inverter, and then supply it to the power transmission side resonator 221. The configuration of the power transmission circuit 222 is not limited to this configuration, and may be appropriately changed according to the type of the power supply 21, etc.

[0044] In addition, the power transmission circuit 222 is provided with a power transmission sensor 223 for detecting whether power transmission is being performed (in other words, whether contactless power supply is being performed). The power transmission sensor 223 includes, for example, a power transmission side current sensor for detecting a current (hereinafter referred to as “power transmission side current”) I1 flowing through the power transmission side resonator 221, and a power transmission side voltage sensor for detecting a voltage (hereinafter referred to as “power transmission side voltage”) V1 applied to the power transmission side resonator 221. The detection signal of the power transmission sensor 223 is input to the power transmission control device 20.

[0045] The ground-side communication device 23 is configured to be able to communicate with at least the server 1 and the vehicle 3 .

[0046] Specifically, the ground-side communication device 23 is configured to communicate with the network 6 (see Figure 1) is connected to a wireless base station, and can be connected to the network 6 via the wireless base station. As a result, wide-area wireless communication is performed between the ground-side communication device 23 and the server 1, and various information required for contactless power supply to the vehicle 3 is exchanged with the server 1. Wide-area wireless communication is communication with a longer communication distance than the narrow-area (narrowband) wireless communication described later, for example, communication with a communication distance of 10 meters to 10 kilometers. As wide-area wireless communication, various wireless communications with longer communication distances can be used, for example, communication in accordance with any communication standard such as 3GPP (registered trademark) or 4G, LTE, 5G, WiMAX, etc. established by IEEE can be used.

[0047] In addition, the ground-side communication device 23 is configured to be able to directly perform narrow-area wireless communication with the vehicle-side communication device 32 mounted on the vehicle 3. Narrow-area wireless communication is communication with a shorter communication distance than wide-area wireless communication, for example, communication with a communication distance of less than 10 meters. As narrow-area wireless communication, various short-range wireless communications with a shorter communication distance can be used, for example, communication in accordance with any communication standard established by IEEE, ISO, IEC, etc. (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark)) can be used. As a technology for performing narrow-area wireless communication, for example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), DSRC (dedicated Short Range Communication) and the like can be used.

[0048] The power transmission control device 20 includes a communication interface 201 , a storage unit 202 , and a power transmission processing unit 203 .

[0049] The communication interface 201 is a communication interface circuit for connecting the power transmission control device 20 to the internal network 24 of the ground power supply device 2 .

[0050] The storage unit 202 includes a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, an optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory, and stores various computer programs and data used for processing in the power transmission processing unit 203 .

[0051] The power transmission processing unit 203 has one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units) and their peripheral circuits. The power transmission processing unit 203 executes various computer programs stored in the storage unit 202 and uniformly controls the overall operation of the ground power supply device 2. For example, it is a processor. For details about the processing performed by the power transmission processing unit 203 and the power transmission control device 20, please refer to the following. Figure 5 Provide explanation.

[0052] Figure 31 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portion mainly related to contactless power supply of the vehicle 3 according to the present embodiment.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the vehicle 3 includes a power receiving device 31, a vehicle communication device 32, and a vehicle control device 30. The power receiving device 31 and the vehicle communication device 32 are connected to the vehicle control device 30 via an in-vehicle network 38 conforming to a standard such as CAN.

[0054] The power receiving device 31 includes a power receiving-side resonator 311 and a power receiving circuit 312 .

[0055] As described above, the power receiving-side resonator 311 is a resonance circuit including a power receiving coil, and is configured to resonate at the same resonance frequency f0 as that of the power transmitting-side resonator 221 .

[0056] The power receiving circuit 312 is an electrical circuit including a rectifier and a DC / DC converter, and is controlled by the vehicle control device 30, and is configured to convert the AC power output from the power receiving side resonator 311 into DC power by the rectifier, and supply it to the electrical load (power load) 39 via the DC / DC converter. As the electrical load 39, for example, a battery and a motor can be listed, but it is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the power receiving circuit 312 is connected to the battery as the electrical load 39.

[0057] The vehicle-side communication device 32 is configured to be able to communicate with at least the server 1 and the ground power supply device 2 .

[0058] Specifically, the vehicle-side communication device 32 is configured to communicate with the network 6 (see Figure 1 ) connected to the wireless base station, and can be connected to the network 6 via the wireless base station. As a result, wide area wireless communication is performed between the vehicle-side communication device 32 and the server 1, and various information required for receiving contactless power supply from the ground power supply device 2 is exchanged with the server 1.

[0059] Furthermore, the vehicle-side communication device 32 is configured to be able to directly perform narrow area wireless communication with the ground-side communication device 23 of the ground power supply device 2 .

[0060] The vehicle control device 30 includes a communication interface 301 , a storage unit 302 , and a vehicle processing unit 303 .

[0061] The communication interface 301 is a communication interface circuit for connecting the vehicle control device 30 to the in-vehicle network 38 .

[0062] The storage unit 302 includes a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, an optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory, and stores various computer programs and data used for processing in the vehicle processing unit 303 .

[0063] The vehicle processing unit 303 includes one or more CPUs and peripheral circuits thereof. The vehicle processing unit 303 executes various computer programs stored in the storage unit 302 and controls the overall operation of the vehicle 3, such as a processor.

[0064] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the information providing device 4.

[0065] The information providing device 4 is, for example, an in-vehicle terminal such as a navigation device pre-installed in the vehicle 3, or a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer held by a system user, and includes a user interface (UserInterface) 41 capable of inputting and outputting information, a wireless communication device 42, a position measuring device 43, and an information providing control device 40. The user interface 41, the wireless communication device 42, and the position measuring device 43 are connected to the information providing control device 40 via a network 44 conforming to a standard such as CAN.

[0066] The user interface 41 includes a display and a speaker for providing various information to the system user, and a touch panel for allowing the system user to perform information input operations on the display. In addition, the user interface 41 generates signals corresponding to various input operations performed by the system user, and sends the signals to the information provision control device 40. In addition, the user interface 41 displays various display information received from the information provision control device 40 on the display to provide it to the system user.

[0067] The wireless communication device 42 includes, for example, an antenna and a signal processing circuit that performs various processes related to wireless communication, such as modulation and demodulation of wireless signals. The wireless communication device 42 communicates with the network 6 (see Figure 1 ) is connected to the wireless base station, and is connected to the network 6 via the wireless base station. As a result, wireless communication is performed between the wireless communication device 42, and further between the information providing device 4 and the server 1.

[0068] The position measuring device 43 includes, for example, a receiver for receiving GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals and a calculation circuit for calculating the position of the information providing device 4 based on the GNSS signals. The position measuring device 43 measures the position of the information providing device 4 based on the GNSS signals, and transmits the position information to the information providing control device 40 whenever the position of the information providing device 4 is measured.

[0069] The information provision control device 40 includes a communication interface 401 , a storage unit 402 , and an information provision processing unit 403 .

[0070] The communication interface 401 includes an interface circuit for connecting the information provision control device 40 to the network 44 .

[0071] The storage unit 402 has a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, an optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory, etc. The storage unit 402 stores various computer programs executed by the information provision processing unit 403 and various data.

[0072] The information provision processing unit 403 is, for example, a processor having one or more CPUs and their peripheral circuits. The information provision processing unit 403 may also include other operation circuits such as a logic operation unit and a numerical operation unit. The information provision processing unit 403 executes various computer programs stored in the storage unit 402. For details about the processing performed by the information provision processing unit 403 and the information provision control device 40, please refer to the following. Figure 6 Provide explanation.

[0073] Figure 5 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the content of processing (computer program) executed in the server 1 and the ground power supply device 2 (more specifically, the server processing unit 13 and the power transmission control device 20) to set the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2.

[0074] In step S101, the ground power supply device 2 calculates the number of vehicles 3 that are performing contactless power supply by its own device (hereinafter referred to as "power supply number"), and sends information related to the number of power supply units (hereinafter referred to as "power supply number information") to the server 1. The calculation of the power supply number can be performed by, for example, grasping the number of power transmission devices 22 that are performing power transmission at substantially the same time based on the detection signal of the power transmission sensor 223.

[0075] The power supply number information includes, in addition to the number of power supply units of the own device, identification information such as the installation location (longitude / latitude) of the own device, etc., for distinguishing the own device from other ground power supply devices, etc. In addition, the calculation of the number of power supply units is implemented periodically by the ground power supply device 2, and each time the ground power supply device 2 calculates the number of power supply units, it sends the power supply number information related to the calculated number of power supply units to the server 1.

[0076] In step S102, when the server 1 receives the power supply number information, it determines the ground power supply device 2 that is the source of the power supply number information based on the identification information included in the power supply number information, and sets (updates) the usage fee of the determined ground power supply device 2 based on the number of power supply units included in the same power supply number information. The more the number of power supply units, the higher the power demand for the ground power supply device 2 from the vehicle 3 (i.e., the load of the ground power supply device 2), and therefore, the higher the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 is set.

[0077] Figure 6 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the content of processing (computer program) performed in the server 1 and the information providing device 4 (more specifically, the server processing unit 13 and the information providing control device 40) in order to provide the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 to the system user.

[0078] In step S111, when the timing for requesting usage fee information related to the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 is reached, the information providing device 4 sends a usage fee information request signal to the server 1. In the present embodiment, when the system user requests the transmission of usage fee information of the ground power supply device 2 via the user interface 41, the information providing device 4 starts to periodically send usage fee information request signals to the server 1.

[0079] The usage fee information request signal includes, for example, identification information (e.g., MAC address, etc.) of the information providing device 4 that is the source of the signal, and location information of the information providing device 4 (in other words, location information of the vehicle 3 associated with the information providing device 4). In addition, for example, when route information about a planned travel route of the vehicle 3 associated with the information providing device 4 can be obtained, the route information may be included in the usage fee information request signal.

[0080] In step S112, when receiving the usage fee information request signal, the server 1 refers to the location information included in the signal and sends the usage fee information of each ground power supply device 2 around the information providing device 4, which is the sending source of the signal. At this time, in the case of including the ground power supply device 2 that has sent the usage fee information in the previous processing, the usage fee information can also be sent only to the ground power supply device 2 in which the usage fee has been changed. In this way, the communication load can be reduced.

[0081] In step S113 , upon receiving the usage fee information of each of the surrounding ground power supply devices 2 , the information providing device 4 provides the information to the system user via the user interface 41 .

[0082] For example, the information providing device 4 can Figure 7 As shown, the usage fee information of the ground power supply device 2 at the current position of the vehicle 3 associated with the own device, the usage fee information of the ground power supply device 2 located in front of and behind the traveling direction of the vehicle 3 associated with the own device, and the icon 3A of the vehicle 3 associated with the own device are displayed on the display and provided to the system user.

[0083] The usage fee information provided to the system user may be an absolute price or a relative price based on the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 at the current position of the vehicle 3 associated with the information providing device 4. In this case, in order to make it easier for the user to understand the usage fee, the fee may be displayed or the location may be appropriately colored based on the usage fee information. For example, a method may be used to display a location with a high fee in red and a location with a low fee in blue.

[0084] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown, for example, when it is possible to obtain information on whether other vehicles are receiving contactless power supply from other vehicles located in front of and behind the vehicle 3 associated with the own device in the direction of travel through inter-vehicle communication, icons 3B of other vehicles receiving power located in front of and behind the vehicle 3 associated with the own device in the direction of travel and icon 3A of the vehicle 3 associated with the own device may be displayed on the display together and provided to the system user. Figure 8 In order to easily distinguish the vehicle 3 associated with the own device from other vehicles, the icon 3B of the other vehicle is an ellipse. By displaying in this way, the driver can understand that the fee is high because there are many other vehicles receiving power near the vehicle 3 associated with the own device, and can reduce the fee by leaving the power receiving vehicle group (a section where there are many other vehicles receiving power on the ground power supply device 2).

[0085] In addition, Figure 7 as well as Figure 8In the example shown, a method of informing the driver of the usage fee is shown. However, for example, in the case where the vehicle 3 associated with the own device is an automatic driving vehicle that automatically performs driving operations related to acceleration, steering, and braking by the vehicle control device 30, the usage fee information and the like may be provided to the vehicle control device 30 so that the vehicle automatically leaves the group of electric vehicles and travels to reduce the electricity receiving fee. That is, in the case where the vehicle control device 30 has an automatic driving control unit that automatically performs driving operations related to acceleration, steering, and braking of the vehicle 3, the automatic driving control unit may be configured to automatically control the vehicle 3 using information related to the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 (for example, information related to the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 set in at least one of the front and rear directions of the vehicle 3 in the direction of travel). Specifically, the automatic driving control unit can be configured to automatically change the relative position with other vehicles based on the usage fee of the ground power supply device. In addition, the automatic driving control unit can be configured to automatically change the relative position with other vehicles to reduce the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2.

[0086] In addition, for example, when the information providing device 4 can calculate the planned driving route to the destination of the vehicle 3 associated with the device itself, or obtain the planned driving route by communicating with the server 1 and / or the vehicle 3, the information providing device 4 can also calculate the estimated amount of the total usage fee when traveling along the planned driving route based on the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 on the planned driving route, and provide the calculated estimated amount of the total usage fee to the system user. In this case, in addition to the planned driving route, other driving routes and the estimated amount of the total usage fee when traveling along the other driving routes can also be displayed.

[0087] The contactless power supply system 100 of the present embodiment described above includes: an information providing device 4, which is associated with a vehicle 3 (mobile body) that can receive contactless power supply from each ground power supply device 2 and provides information to a user of the vehicle 3, that is, a system user; and a server 1, which communicates with the information providing device 4. In addition, the server 1 is configured to set a usage fee for each ground power supply device 2 based on power demand. The information providing device 4 is configured to provide information related to the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 obtained by communicating with the server 1 to the system user.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the power demand is the power demand from the vehicle 3 for each ground power supply device 2, and the server 1 is configured to set the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 with high power demand from the vehicle 3 higher than the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 with low power demand from the vehicle 3. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the ground power supply device 2 is configured to be able to provide contactless power supply to multiple vehicles 3, and the server 1 is configured to set the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 with a large number of vehicles 3 being powered higher than the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 with a small number of vehicles 3 being powered.

[0089] Thus, according to the present embodiment, information on the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 set based on the power demand is provided to the system user, and the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 is set higher as the power demand for the ground power supply device 2 from the vehicle 3 becomes higher. Therefore, for example, for system users whose urgency for contactless power supply is low, it is possible to encourage them to use other ground power supply devices 2 with low usage fees, or to encourage them to stop contactless power supply, so that it is possible to prevent vehicles 3 that wish to perform contactless power supply from concentrating on a part of the ground power supply devices 2 and further concentrating on a part of the electrified road sections.

[0090] Furthermore, the information providing device 4 of this embodiment is configured to obtain information on the changed usage fee from the server 1 and provide it again to the system user when the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 provided to the system user changes by a predetermined value or more.

[0091] This makes it possible to suppress the communication load between the server 1 and the information providing device 4 .

[0092] In addition, the information providing device 4 of the present embodiment is configured to provide the system user with information related to the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 provided in at least one of the front and rear directions of the vehicle 3 (mobile body) associated with the information providing device 4. As the information related to the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2, both the absolute price of the ground power supply device 2 and the relative price of the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 serving as a reference can be provided. The ground power supply device 2 serving as a reference can be a ground power supply device that is currently supplying power to the vehicle 3 (mobile body) associated with the information providing device 4.

[0093] This allows the system user to easily understand the usage fees of the surrounding ground power supply devices 2 .

[0094] In addition, the information providing device 4 of this embodiment is configured to provide system users with information related to other vehicles 3 when there are other vehicles 3 being powered in the ground power supply device 2 installed in at least one of the front and rear directions of the vehicle 3 associated with the device itself.

[0095] This allows the system user to easily visually understand the congestion status of the surrounding ground power supply devices 2 .

[0096] In addition, the information providing device 4 of the present embodiment is configured to calculate an estimated amount of total usage charges when traveling along the planned travel route based on the planned travel route of the vehicle 3 (mobile body) associated with its own device and the usage charges of each ground power supply device 2 on the planned travel route, and provide the estimated amount as information related to the usage charges of each ground power supply device 2 to the system user.

[0097] This makes it easy for system users to change their travel routes in accordance with the usage fee, thereby promoting the dispersion of vehicles 3 and preventing vehicles 3 that wish to perform contactless power supply from concentrating on some ground power supply devices 2 and further concentrating on some electrified road sections.

[0098] Furthermore, in the case where the information providing device 4 is a vehicle-mounted terminal such as a navigation device pre-installed in the vehicle 3, it can also be understood that the vehicle 3 (mobile body) has: a communication unit configured to communicate with the server 1 that sets the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 based on the power demand; and an information presentation unit that presents information related to the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 obtained by communicating with the server 1 to the user. In addition, in this case, the vehicle control device 30 can also have the function of the information providing control device 40. That is, the vehicle control device 30 can also have: a communication unit configured to communicate with the server 1 that sets the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 based on the power demand; and an information presentation unit that presents information related to the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 obtained by communicating with the server 1 to the user.

[0099] (Second embodiment)

[0100] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the method of setting the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2. The following description will focus on this difference.

[0101] In the first embodiment described above, when setting the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 based on the power demand, the power demand is grasped based on the current number of power supply units of each ground power supply device 2. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the power demand is grasped based on the power usage rate [%] of each ground power supply device 2. The power usage rate of the ground power supply device 2 refers to the ratio of the current power usage of the ground power supply device 2 to the power that can be supplied by the ground power supply device 2.

[0102] Fig. 9 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the content of the processing (computer program) of this embodiment implemented in the server 1 and the ground power supply device 2 (more specifically, the server processing unit 13 and the power transmission control device 20) in order to set the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2.

[0103] In step S201, the ground power supply device 2 calculates the power usage rate of its own device and sends information related to the power usage rate (hereinafter referred to as "power usage rate information") to the server 1. The power usage rate information includes, in addition to the power usage rate of its own device, identification information for distinguishing its own device from other ground power supply devices, and various information required for setting usage fees. In addition, the calculation of the power usage rate is implemented periodically by the ground power supply device 2, and the ground power supply device 2 sends it to the server 1 whenever the power usage rate is calculated.

[0104] In step S202, when receiving the power usage rate information, the server 1 determines the ground power supply device 2 as the source of the power usage rate information based on the identification information included in the power usage rate information, and sets (updates) the usage fee of the determined ground power supply device 2 based on the power usage rate included in the power usage rate information. The higher the power usage rate, the higher the power demand for the ground power supply device 2 from the vehicle 3, and therefore, the higher the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 is set.

[0105] The server 1 of the present embodiment described above is configured to set the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 having a high power usage rate higher than the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 having a low power usage rate.

[0106] Even so, as in the first embodiment, for example, system users whose urgency for contactless power supply is low can be encouraged to use other ground power supply devices 2 with low usage fees, or to terminate contactless power supply. Therefore, it is possible to prevent vehicles 3 that wish to perform contactless power supply from concentrating on a portion of the ground power supply devices 2 and, in turn, on a portion of the electrified road sections.

[0107] (Third embodiment)

[0108] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiments in the method of setting the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2. The following description will focus on this difference.

[0109] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the power demand from the vehicle 3 to each ground power supply device 2 is understood by communicating with each ground power supply device 2. In contrast, in this embodiment, the power demand from the vehicle 3 to each ground power supply device 2 is understood by communicating with each vehicle 3.

[0110] Fig.10 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the content of the processing (computer program) of this embodiment executed in the server 1 and the vehicle 3 (more specifically, the server processing unit 13 and the vehicle control device 30) in order to set the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2.

[0111] In step S301, the vehicle 3 transmits vehicle information including the planned driving route and the current position of the vehicle to the server 1. The transmission of the vehicle information is performed periodically. The method of obtaining the planned driving route and the current position is not particularly limited, but the planned driving route can be obtained from, for example, a navigation device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 3. In addition, the current position can be obtained from, for example, a position measuring device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 3.

[0112] In step S302, the server 1 predicts the time period (time period) during which each vehicle 3 passes through each ground power supply device 2 based on the vehicle information including the planned travel route and current position of each vehicle 3 received from each vehicle 3, and calculates the number of vehicles 3 passing through each ground power supply device 2 by time period. That is, the server 1 calculates the estimated number of power supply units of each ground power supply device 2 in each time period. Moreover, the server 1 sets the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 by time period based on the estimated number of power supply units of each ground power supply device 2 in each time period. Specifically, the server 1 sets the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 by time period in such a way that, when compared in the same time period, the ground power supply device 2 with a large estimated number of power supply units has a higher usage fee than the ground power supply device 2 with a small estimated number of power supply units.

[0113] The ground power supply device 2 of the present embodiment described above is configured to be able to provide contactless power supply to a plurality of vehicles 3 (mobile bodies). Furthermore, the server 1 is configured to calculate the estimated number of power supply units of each ground power supply device 2 by time period, and to set the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 based on the estimated number of power supply units of each ground power supply device 2 in the same time period. Specifically, the server 1 is configured to set the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 with a large number of power supply units in the same time period higher than the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 with a small number of power supply units in the same time period.

[0114] In this way, by predicting the number of vehicles 3 passing through each ground power supply device 2 by time period, and predicting the estimated number of power supply devices (i.e., the estimated number of passing devices) by time period, it is possible to predict the power demand from vehicles 3 for each ground power supply device 2 by time period, and set appropriate usage fees. Therefore, for example, for users who want to save the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2, it is possible to encourage them to change their driving routes so that they travel along electrified roads with ground power supply devices 2 with lower usage fees than the current planned driving route, so that vehicles 3 that want to perform contactless power supply can be prevented from concentrating on some ground power supply devices 2 and further on some electrified road sections.

[0115] (Fourth embodiment)

[0116] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in the method of setting the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2. The following description will focus on this difference.

[0117] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 is set based on the power demand of each ground power supply device 2. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 is set based on the power demand of the entire region where each ground power supply device 2 is installed.

[0118] Fig.11 This is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the content of the usage fee setting process (computer program) of the present embodiment, which is executed in the server 1 (more specifically, the server processing unit 13 ) to set the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 .

[0119] In step S401, the server 1 sends Fig.12 The transmission and distribution operator (e.g., power company) shown in FIG. requests information related to the power usage rate of each distribution area of ​​the transmission and distribution operator. This request is implemented periodically. Fig.12In FIG. 1 , two distribution areas A and B are exemplified as distribution areas of a power transmission and distribution operator. The power usage rate [%] of a distribution area refers to the ratio of the current power usage in the distribution area to the power supplyable in the distribution area.

[0120] In step S402, when the server 1 receives information on the power usage rate of each power distribution area from the power transmission and distribution operator, it sets the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 installed in each power distribution area based on the power usage rate of each power distribution area. Fig.12 When the power usage rate of the power distribution area A is higher than that of the power distribution area B, the server 1 makes the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 installed in the power distribution area A higher than the usage fee of each ground power supply device 2 installed in the power distribution area B.

[0121] In the present embodiment described above, the power demand is the power demand of the area where each ground power supply device 2 is installed, and the server 1 is configured to set the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 installed in the area with high power usage rate higher than the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 installed in the area with low power usage rate.

[0122] This can encourage users who want to save the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 to travel in a power distribution area where the usage fee of the ground power supply device 2 is cheap, thereby preventing vehicles 3 that want to perform contactless power supply from concentrating in a certain power distribution area.

[0123] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely show a part of application examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

[0124] Description of Reference Numerals

[0125] 1 server; 2 ground power supply device; 3 vehicle (mobile body); 4 information providing device; 100 contactless power supply system.

Claims

1. A contactless power supply system comprising: An information providing device is associated with a mobile body capable of receiving contactless power supply from each ground power supply device and provides information to a user of the mobile body; and A server communicates with the information providing device, The server is configured to set the usage fee of each ground power supply device based on the power demand. The information providing device is configured to provide the user with information on usage charges of each ground power supply device acquired by communicating with the server.

2. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1, The power demand is the power demand from the moving object to each ground power supply device.

3. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1 or 2, The server makes the usage fee of the ground power supply device having a high power demand from the moving body higher than the usage fee of the ground power supply device having a low power demand from the moving body.

4. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1, The ground power supply device is configured to provide non-contact power supply to the plurality of moving bodies. The server is configured to increase the usage fee of the ground power supply device to which a large number of the moving bodies are powered, higher than the usage fee of the ground power supply device to which a small number of the moving bodies are powered.

5. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1, The ground power supply device is configured to provide non-contact power supply to the plurality of moving bodies. The server is constituted as follows: Calculate the estimated number of power supply units for each ground power supply device by time period, The usage fee of each ground power supply device is set based on the estimated number of power supply devices of each ground power supply device in the same time period.

6. The contactless power supply system according to claim 5, The server is configured to make the usage fee of the ground power supply device having a large estimated number of power supply stations in the same time period higher than the usage fee of the ground power supply device having a small estimated number of power supply stations in the same time period.

7. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1, The server is configured to make the usage fee of the ground power supply device having a high power usage rate higher than the usage fee of the ground power supply device having a low power usage rate.

8. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1, The power demand is the power demand of the area where each ground power supply device is installed.

9. The contactless power supply system according to claim 1 or 8, The server is configured to increase the usage fee of the ground power supply device installed in an area with a high power usage rate than the usage fee of the ground power supply device installed in an area with a low power usage rate.

10. The contactless power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The information providing device is configured to obtain information on the changed usage fee from the server and provide it again to the user when the usage fee of the ground power supply device provided to the user changes by more than a predetermined value.

11. The contactless power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The information providing device is configured to provide the user with information on a usage fee of the ground power supply device provided at least one of a front side and a rear side in a traveling direction of the moving body associated with the information providing device.

12. The contactless power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The information providing device is configured to provide the user with an absolute price of the ground power supply device as information on a usage fee of the ground power supply device.

13. The contactless power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The information providing device is configured to provide the user with a relative price to a usage fee of a reference ground power supply device as information on the usage fee of the ground power supply device.

14. The contactless power supply system according to claim 13, The reference ground power supply device is a ground power supply device capable of supplying power to the moving object associated with the information providing device.

15. The contactless power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The information providing device is configured to provide the user with information related to other moving bodies when there is other moving bodies being powered by the ground power supply device installed at least one of in front of and behind the moving body associated with the own device.

16. The contactless power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, The information providing device is configured as follows: Based on the planned travel route of the mobile body associated with the information providing device and the usage fees of each ground power supply device on the planned travel route, an estimated amount of total usage fees when traveling along the planned travel route is calculated; The estimated amount is provided to the user as information on usage charges for each ground power supply device.

17. A server comprising: a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with an information providing device associated with a mobile body capable of receiving contactless power supply from a ground power supply device and providing information to a user of the mobile body; and Control Department, The control unit is configured as follows: Set the usage fee of each ground power supply device based on power demand, Information on usage fees of each set ground power supply device is transmitted to the information providing device.

18. An information providing device, which is associated with a mobile body capable of receiving contactless power supply from a ground power supply device and provides information to a user of the mobile body, comprising: a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with a server that sets usage fees for each ground power supply device based on power demand; and Control Department, The control unit is configured to provide the user with information on usage fees of each ground power supply device acquired through communication with the server.

19. A mobile object capable of receiving contactless power supply from a ground power supply device, comprising: a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with a server that sets usage fees for each ground power supply device based on power demand; and an information presenting unit for presenting information related to the usage fee of each ground power supply device obtained by communicating with the server to the user, The information presenting unit is configured to present information on usage charges of each ground power supply device acquired by communicating with the server to the user.

20. A control device for a mobile object, the control device being mounted on the mobile object capable of receiving contactless power supply from a ground power supply device, comprising: a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with a server that sets usage fees for each ground power supply device based on power demand; and an information presenting unit for presenting information related to the usage fee of each ground power supply device obtained by communicating with the server to the user, The information presenting unit is configured to present information on usage charges of each ground power supply device acquired by communicating with the server to the user.

21. A control device for a mobile object, the control device being mounted on the mobile object capable of receiving contactless power supply from a ground power supply device, comprising: an automatic driving control unit that automatically performs a driving operation of the mobile body; and a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with a server that sets usage fees for each ground power supply device based on power demand, The automatic driving control unit is configured to automatically control the moving object using information on usage fees of each ground power supply device acquired through communication with the server.

22. The control device for a moving object according to claim 21, The information is information on a usage fee of the ground power supply device provided at least one of a front side and a rear side of the moving body in a moving direction.

23. The control device for a moving object according to claim 21 or 22, The automatic driving control unit is configured to automatically change a relative position with respect to other vehicles based on a usage fee of the ground power supply device.

24. The control device for a moving object according to any one of claims 21 to 23, The automatic driving control unit is configured to automatically change the relative position with respect to other vehicles so as to reduce the usage cost of the ground power supply device.

Images