Charging device and charging method

Abstract

A controller (50) of a charging device (10) controls a power transmission coil (30), a plurality of probe coils (40), and a movement mechanism (36). The controller (50) specifies the position of the power receiving unit (22) on the basis of a third position, which is a position specified on the basis of the first reception signal, and a fourth position, which is a position specified on the basis of the second reception signal. The first reception signal is a reception signal detected by each of the plurality of probe coils (40), which is an output source of the transmission signal, in response to the transmission signal sequentially output to each of the plurality of probe coils (40), and the fourth position is a position determined on the basis of the second reception signal. The second reception signal is a reception signal detected by each of the plurality of probe coils (40) other than the output source of the transmission signal in response to the transmission signal sequentially output to each of the plurality of probe coils (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging device and a charging method. Background Art

[0002] A device for wirelessly charging a terminal device having a built-in battery is known. For example, a device is disclosed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2): a power transmission coil is moved to the position of the terminal device and the terminal device is wirelessly charged using the power transmission coil.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-128055

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-118720 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, in the conventional technology, it is sometimes difficult to accurately determine the position of the power receiving unit of the terminal device.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a charging device and a charging method capable of accurately determining the position of a power receiving unit of a terminal device.

[0010] Solutions for solving problems

[0011] A charging device involved in one embodiment of the present disclosure is a charging device that wirelessly charges a terminal device that is arranged on a loading surface and has a power receiving unit that receives wirelessly transmitted power. The charging device includes a power transmission coil, a plurality of detection coils, a moving mechanism, and a controller. The power transmission coil transmits power to the terminal device. The detection coil detects the position of the power receiving unit of the terminal device on the loading surface. The moving mechanism moves the power transmission coil. The controller controls the power transmission coil, the plurality of detection coils, and the moving mechanism, and selectively outputs a transmission signal for generating a magnetic field for detection to each of the plurality of detection coils in sequence, and determines the position of the power receiving unit based on a reception signal that is responded to and detected from the power receiving unit to each of the plurality of detection coils in response to the magnetic field for detection. The controller determines the position of the power receiving part based on a third position and a fourth position, the third position being the position determined based on a first receiving signal, the first receiving signal being a receiving signal detected by each of the plurality of detection coils serving as an output source of the transmitting signal in response to the transmitting signal output sequentially to each of the plurality of detection coils, and the fourth position being the position determined based on a second receiving signal, the second receiving signal being a receiving signal detected by each of the plurality of detection coils other than the output source of the transmitting signal in response to the transmitting signal output sequentially to each of the plurality of detection coils.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the position of the power receiving unit of the terminal device can be identified with high accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a charging system according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of an example of the arrangement of the detection coils.

[0016] Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram of an example of the arrangement of the detection coils.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a controller.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an example of a circuit configuration of a charging device.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the basic concept of determining the position of the power receiving unit.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a timing chart.

[0021] Fig. 7A This is an explanatory diagram of an example of specifying the position of the power receiving unit by basic position specifying processing.

[0022] Figure 7B This is an explanatory diagram of an example of specifying the position of the power receiving unit by basic position specifying processing.

[0023] Fig. 8A This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the relationship between the relative distance and the level of the received signal.

[0024] Figure 8B This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the relationship between the relative distance and the level of the received signal.

[0025] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller according to the embodiment.

[0026] Fig.10 : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the first position specifying process.

[0027] Fig.11A This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the effect produced by the first position specifying process.

[0028] Fig. 11B This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the effect produced by the first position specifying process.

[0029] Fig.12 : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the second position specifying process.

[0030] Fig.13A : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the third position specifying process.

[0031] Fig. 13B This is a diagram for explaining the correction factor.

[0032] Fig.14A This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the fourth position specifying process.

[0033] Fig. 14B This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the fourth position specifying process.

[0034] Fig. 14C This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the fourth position specifying process.

[0035] Fig.15 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a timing chart.

[0036] Fig.16A This is an explanatory diagram of an example of determination of the third position.

[0037] Fig. 16B This is an explanatory diagram of an example of determination of the fourth position.

[0038] Fig. 16C This is an explanatory diagram of an example of determination of the fourth position.

[0039] Fig.17 : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the fourth position specifying process.

[0040] Fig.18A This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the effect produced by the fourth position specifying process.

[0041] Fig.18B This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the effect produced by the fourth position specifying process.

[0042] Fig.18C This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the effect produced by the fourth position specifying process.

[0043] Fig.19 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller of the modification example.

[0044] Fig. 20 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller of the modification example.

[0045] Fig.21 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller of the modification example.

[0046] Fig. 22 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller of the modification example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Below, the embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. However, sometimes more detailed descriptions than necessary are omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings and the following descriptions are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and the subject matter described in the claims is not limited by these drawings and descriptions.

[0048] (First Embodiment)

[0049] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a charging system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0050] The charging system 1 includes a charging device 10 and a terminal device 20 .

[0051] The charging device 10 is a device that wirelessly charges a terminal device 20 having a built-in battery 24 .

[0052] Wireless charging refers to charging by wireless means. In this embodiment, wireless charging refers to charging by electromagnetic induction as an example for explanation.

[0053] The terminal device 20 is a device having a built-in battery 24. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, an audio player, a mobile phone, or the like.

[0054] The terminal device 20 includes at least a power receiving unit 22 and a battery 24 .

[0055] The power receiving unit 22 is a mechanism for receiving power wirelessly transmitted from the charging device 10. The power receiving unit 22 is, for example, an induction coil that is electromagnetically coupled to a power transmission coil 30 of the charging device 10 described later. The battery 24 is charged by the power induced in the power receiving unit 22.

[0056] A magnetic sheet 26 is provided on the back surface of the power receiving unit 22. The magnetic sheet 26 suppresses malfunctions of various electronic circuits provided in the terminal device 20.

[0057] The housing 12 of the charging device 10 is provided with a placement surface 12A. The placement surface 12A is a surface for placing the terminal device 20 as a wireless charging target. In this embodiment, the placement surface 12A is an example in which the placement surface 12A is a partial area of ​​the outer surface of the housing 12 and is a two-dimensional plane area.

[0058] In this embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the placement surface 12A is a two-dimensional plane along a plane defined by a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Figure 1 As shown, the first direction is assumed to be the X-axis direction and the second direction is the Y-axis direction for explanation. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are mutually orthogonal directions along the two-dimensional plane of the mounting surface 12A. The Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is assumed to be a direction consistent with the thickness direction of the housing 12 for explanation. The Z-axis direction is consistent with the direction in which the terminal device 20 and the charging device 10 placed on the mounting surface 12A face each other.

[0059] A power transmission coil 30 , a plurality of detection coils 40 , a moving mechanism 36 , a controller 50 , and the like are provided in the housing 12 of the charging device 10 .

[0060] The power transmission coil 30 is a coil for transmitting power to the terminal device 20. Specifically, the power transmission coil 30 is a coil for generating an AC magnetic field for charging to supply power to the power reception unit 22 of the terminal device 20 by electromagnetic induction.

[0061] A magnetic sheet 32 ​​is provided on the back side of the power transmission coil 30. The magnetic sheet 32 ​​is used to suppress the influence of the AC magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil 30 on various electronic circuits in the charging device 10 that are provided in the area opposite to the detection coil 40 relative to the power transmission coil 30. In addition, the power based on the AC magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil 30 is effectively supplied to the power receiving unit 22 through the magnetic sheet 32. That is, the magnetic sheet 32 ​​helps prevent malfunctions of various electronic circuits provided in the charging device 10 and improve the power transmission efficiency from the power transmission coil 30 to the power receiving unit 22.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the power transmission coil 30 is placed on the conveying table 34 with the magnetic sheet 32 ​​interposed therebetween.

[0063] The moving mechanism 36 is a mechanism for moving the power transmission coil 30 along the mounting surface 12A. In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 36 moves the power transmission coil 30 placed on the conveying table 34 along the mounting surface 12AB together with the magnetic sheet 32 ​​by moving the conveying table 34 on which the magnetic sheet 32 ​​and the power transmission coil 30 are placed in this order along the mounting surface 12A.

[0064] The moving mechanism 36 is composed of one or more drive motors such as stepping motors and support members. The moving mechanism 36 is configured to be able to move the conveying table 34 along the mounting surface 12A in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction by driving the drive motor. That is, the power transmission coil 30 is configured to be able to move along a two-dimensional plane composed of an XY plane along the mounting surface 12A by the moving mechanism 36.

[0065] The detection coil 40 is a coil for detecting the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 on the mounting surface 12A. The position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 is represented by the position in a two-dimensional plane formed by the XY plane along the mounting surface 12A. Figure 1 In the case of the circular induction coil shown, the position of the power receiving unit 22 is defined as, for example, the position of the center point of the circular ring in the XY plane along the mounting surface 12A. A plurality of detection coils 40 are arranged along the mounting surface 12A inside the mounting surface 12A.

[0066] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Schematic diagram of an example of the arrangement of the detection coils 40 .

[0067] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, in the charging device 10 , a plurality of detection coils 40 are arranged in a matrix in directions intersecting each other.

[0068] In detail, Figure 2AAs shown, the charging device 10 includes a plurality of detection coils 40X extending in the Y-axis direction in the two-dimensional plane along the placement surface 12A and arranged in a plurality along the X-axis direction intersecting the Y-axis direction. Figure 2A 2 shows an example in which a plurality of detection coils 40X are arranged at positions X0 to Xn (n is an integer greater than 1) along the X-axis direction of the mounting surface 12A. The plurality of detection coils 40X are arranged so that a portion of the area in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) overlaps each other.

[0069] In addition, if Figure 2B As shown, the charging device 10 includes a plurality of detection coils 40Y extending in the X-axis direction in the two-dimensional plane along the placement surface 12A and arranged in a plurality along the Y-axis direction intersecting the X-axis direction. Figure 2B 2 shows an example in which a plurality of detection coils 40Y are arranged at positions Y0 to Yn (n is an integer greater than 1) along the Y-axis direction of the mounting surface 12A. The plurality of detection coils 40Y are arranged so that a portion of the area in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) overlaps each other.

[0070] In addition, Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the figure, for the sake of explanation, different drawings are used to show the plurality of detection coils 40X and the plurality of detection coils 40Y. However, in reality, in the charging device 10, the plurality of detection coils 40X and the plurality of detection coils 40Y are arranged in a manner of being superimposed in the Z-axis direction. Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the figure, the plurality of detection coils 40 are shown as coils formed by a loop of one turn. However, each of the plurality of detection coils 40 may be a coil formed by a loop of two or more turns. The number of turns of the plurality of detection coils 40 may be pre-adjusted according to the detection sensitivity set as the target.

[0071] In the following description, for the sake of explanation, the processing related to position determination is sometimes described using a plurality of detection coils 40X arranged in the X-axis direction. However, it is self-evident that in the charging device 10, the processing related to position determination is performed using a plurality of detection coils 40X and a plurality of detection coils 40Y arranged in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0072] Back to Figure 1 Let's continue with the explanation.

[0073] The controller 50 performs information processing in the charging device 10 .

[0074] Figure 3 This is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the controller 50 .

[0075] The controller 50 has a hardware structure utilizing a general computer by connecting a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11B, a RAM 11C, an I / F 11D, and the like to each other via a bus 11E.

[0076] The CPU 11A is a computing device that controls the charging device 10 of the present embodiment. The ROM 11B stores programs and the like for realizing various processes performed by the CPU 11A. The RAM 11C stores data required for various processes performed by the CPU 11A. The I / F 11D is an interface for transmitting and receiving data.

[0077] The program for executing the information processing executed by the charging device 10 of the present embodiment is provided by pre-embedded in the ROM 11B, etc. In addition, the program executed by the charging device 10 of the present embodiment may also be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) in a form that can be installed in the charging device 10 or a file in an executable form.

[0078] Part or all of the controller 50 may be implemented by, for example, causing a processing device such as the CPU 11A to execute a program, that is, by software, by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or by using both software and hardware.

[0079] Back to Figure 1 Let's continue with the explanation.

[0080] The controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30, the plurality of detection coils 40, and the moving mechanism 36. The controller 50 selectively outputs a transmission signal for generating a magnetic field for detection to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 in sequence, and determines the position of the power receiving unit 22 based on a reception signal that is responded to and detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40 from the power receiving unit 22 in response to the magnetic field for detection.

[0081] The determination of the position of power reception unit 22 by controller 50 will be described.

[0082] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of an example of the circuit structure of the charging device 10. Figure 4 2 shows a circuit configuration portion of charging device 10 related to determination of the position of power receiving unit 22 .

[0083] The charging device 10 includes a controller 50 , a plurality of search coils 40 , a selector 42 , a diode 44 , an amplifier 46 , and a P / H 48 .

[0084] The controller 50 switches the connection of the selector 42 via the Coil Select terminal, thereby selectively outputting the transmission signal TS from the Echo_Pulse terminal via the diode 44 to a predetermined detection coil 40 .

[0085] The transmission signal TS is a signal for generating a magnetic field for detection from the detection coil 40. The transmission signal TS is, for example, a pulse signal. The pulse width of the pulse signal is, for example, approximately 500 ns. The detection coil 40 generates a magnetic field for detection by receiving the transmission signal TS.

[0086] The controller 50 detects, via the selector 42 , the reception signal RS which is a signal that is responded from the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 to the detection coil 40 in response to the detection magnetic field generated by the detection coil 40 when the transmission signal TS is supplied.

[0087] The reception signal RS is a signal that is responded from the power receiving unit 22 to the detection coil 40. The reception signal RS is a signal indicating a change in the magnetic field due to the back electromotive force that is responded from the power receiving unit 22 to the detection coil 40 immediately after the transmission signal TS is output, and is sometimes called an echo signal.

[0088] The controller 50 switches the connection of the selector 42 via the Coil Select terminal, thereby selectively detecting the reception signal RS responded to the predetermined detection coil 40 . The reception signal RS responded to the detection coil 40 is held in the P / H 48 via the amplifier 46 .

[0089] P / H 48 is a Peak-Hold circuit. The received signal RS, which is an echo signal, is a signal of about 1 MHz. Therefore, the controller 50 cannot measure the instantaneous voltage of the received signal RS in the low-speed A / D conversion. Therefore, P / H 48 needs to maintain the Peak voltage of the received signal RS. In order to reset the previous measurement value, the controller 50 outputs Discharge to P / H 48 before measuring the next received signal RS. The Discharge is a signal for releasing the charge accumulated in P / H 48 to GND (ground). Then, the controller 50 performs A / D conversion on the received signal RS that responds to the detection coil 40 and is held in P / H 48, and measures the level of the received signal RS after A / D conversion. That is, the controller 50 obtains the level of the received signal RS that is responded to and detected by the power receiving unit 22 to the detection coil 40 in response to the magnetic field generated based on the transmission signal TS output to the detection coil 40.

[0090] Figure 5 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the basic concept of determining the position of the power receiving unit 22 by the controller 50. Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , a plurality of detection coils 40X arranged in the X-axis direction are shown as an example. The same is true for a plurality of detection coils 40Y arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0091] The controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS in sequence and in a time-sharing manner to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 arranged at different positions such as X0, X1, X2, etc. by switching the connection of the selector 42. A magnetic field for detection is generated from the detection coil 40X according to the transmission signal TS, and a reception signal RS is generated from the power receiving unit 22 in response to the magnetic field. Then, the controller 50 measures the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40 which is the output source of the transmission signal TS.

[0092] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a timing chart related to the measurement of the level of the reception signal RS. Figure 6 2 shows an example of a timing chart when a transmission signal TS is output to the detection coil 40 and the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40 which is the output source of the transmission signal TS is measured as a response to the magnetic field generated based on the transmission signal TS.

[0093] For example, the controller 50 switches the connection of the selector 42 via the Coil Select terminal, thereby making the detection coil 40 at the n position and the controller 50 connected in a communicative manner. Then, the controller 50 outputs a transmission signal TS to the detection coil 40 at the n position (refer to signal waveform 60A), and the COM terminal of the selector 42 outputs the transmission signal TS and the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40 at the n position to the controller 50 as a response to the transmission signal TS (refer to signal waveform 60B). The controller 50 resets the previous measurement value by outputting Discharge to the P / H 48 at the time of outputting the transmission signal TS (refer to signal waveform 60D). The controller 50 performs A / D conversion on the reception signal RS that responds to the detection coil 40 at the n position and is maintained in the P / H48, thereby measuring the level of the reception signal RS after A / D conversion (refer to signal waveform 60C).

[0094] That is, the controller 50 outputs a transmission signal TS to one of the plurality of detection coils 40. When the transmission signal TS is input, a current flows through the detection coil 40, and a magnetic force is generated by the current. When the magnetic force lines based on the generated magnetic force pass through the power receiving section 22 of the terminal device 20, a current flows through the power receiving section 22 due to the counter electromotive force. Then, a magnetic force is generated by the current flowing in the power receiving section 22, and its magnetic force lines pass through the detection coil 40. Therefore, an electromotive force is generated in the detection coil 40, and the electromotive force is amplified by the amplifier 46, converted into a constant voltage via the P / H 48, and read by the A / D of the controller 50. Through these actions, the controller 50 stores the level of the reception signal RS responded to the detection coil 40. Then, the controller 50 sequentially performs these series of actions on each of the plurality of detection coils 40 provided in the charging device 10, and repeats these series of actions until it is detected that the terminal device 20 is placed on the placement surface 12A. For example, when any level of the reception signal RS is equal to or higher than a constant voltage, the controller 50 determines that the terminal device 20 is placed on the placement surface 12A.

[0095] Then, when the controller 50 determines that the terminal device 20 is placed on the placement surface 12A, the controller 50 specifies the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 based on the level of the reception signal RS received by each of the plurality of detection coils 40 .

[0096] First, the basic position specifying process will be described.

[0097] For example, the controller 50 determines the position of the power receiving unit 22 by using the position of the detection coil 40 that detects the maximum level of the receiving signal RS, the maximum level, the positions of other detection coils 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40, and the levels of the receiving signals RS detected by the other adjacent detection coils 40.

[0098] In detail, the controller 50 determines the position of the power receiving unit 22 by using the position of the detection coil 40 that detects the maximum level of the receiving signal RS, the positions of other detection coils 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40, and the ratio of the maximum level to the level of the receiving signal RS detected by the other adjacent detection coils 40.

[0099] In more detail, the controller 50 defines the position of the detection coil 40X having the maximum level of the received signal RS among the multiple detection coils 40X arranged along the X-axis direction as X1st, and defines the maximum level as L1st. In addition, the controller 50 defines the position of a detection coil 40X having a high level of the received signal RS among the detection coils 40X arranged on both sides of the detection coil 40X having the maximum level of the received signal RS in the X-axis direction as X2nd, and defines the level as L2nd. In addition, the controller 50 defines the position of another detection coil 40X having a low level of the received signal RS among the detection coils 40X arranged on both sides as X3rd, and defines the level as L3rd.

[0100] Furthermore, when L2nd=L3rd, the controller 50 determines X1st as the position P of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20. Also, when L1st=L2nd, the controller 50 determines the position calculated by (X1st+X2nd) / 2 as the position of the power receiving unit 22. Also, when the relationship of L2nd=L3rd or L1st=L2nd is not satisfied, the controller 50 calculates the position of the power receiving unit 22 by a known interpolation formula using the ratio of L1st, L2nd, and L3rd.

[0101] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B This is an explanatory diagram of an example of specifying the position of the power reception unit 22 by the basic position specifying process of the power reception unit 22 performed based on the reception signal RS.

[0102] Fig. 7A This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the measurement results of the level of the reception signal RS measured by each of the plurality of detection coils 40X arranged along the X-axis direction when the terminal device 20 placed on the placement surface 12A is moved 1 mm at a time along the X-axis direction and when the terminal device 20 is present at each position. Fig. 7A In FIG. 1 , the horizontal axis represents the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20, and the vertical axis represents the level of the measured reception signal RS. Fig. 7A In FIG. 1 , X0 to X13 represent the levels of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coils 40X respectively arranged at the positions X0 to X13.

[0103] Specifically, in Fig. 7A In FIG. 1 , it is assumed that the terminal device 20 is placed at a position PR 24 mm away from the reference position in the X-axis direction. In this case, Fig. 7AAs shown, the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40X at position X6 is the highest. In addition, the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40X at position X5 is the second highest, and the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40X at position X7 is the third highest.

[0104] In this case, the controller 50 determines the position between the position X6 and the position X5 as the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the ratio of the levels of the reception signals RS detected by the detection coils 40X (see Figure 7B ) Similarly, the controller 50 also determines the position in the Y-axis direction, thereby determining the position coordinates composed of the positions of the power reception unit 22 in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction as the position P of the power reception unit 22.

[0105] Here, the present inventors have found that it is sometimes difficult to accurately determine the position P of the power reception unit 22 in the method of determining the position of the power reception unit 22 without considering the relative distance.

[0106] In detail, the inventors found that the level of the reception signal RS detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40 changes depending on the relative distance between the position of the power receiving unit 22 placed on the placement surface 12A and the position of the power transmission coil 30. That is, the inventors found that even if the reception signal RS is detected by the same detection coil 40, the level of the reception signal RS will differ depending on the relative distance between the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 when the reception signal RS is detected. In addition, the inventors found that the magnetic sheet 32 ​​affects the difference in the level of the reception signal RS caused by the relative distance.

[0107] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the relationship between the relative distance between the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 and the power transmitting coil 30 and the level of the reception signal RS.

[0108] Fig. 8A 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the level of the reception signal RS when the power reception unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 are located at separated positions, that is, when the relative distance is large.

[0109] For example, when the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 are located at a separated position, the increase or decrease in the detection sensitivity of the received signal RS of the detection coil 40 caused by the magnetic sheet 32 ​​has a sensitivity gradient as shown in the line graph 62A. In detail, due to the influence of the magnetic sheet 32 ​​provided on the back side of the power transmission coil 30, the L value of the detection coil 40 located on the magnetic sheet 32 ​​becomes larger, and the magnitude of the magnetic flux output from the detection coil 40 increases. Therefore, when the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 are located at a separated position, the detection sensitivity of the received signal RS of each group of the detection coil 40 that detects the received signal RS of each level between the maximum level and the level equivalent to the maximum level includes a sensitivity gradient corresponding to the relative distance as shown in the line graph 62A.

[0110] The distribution of the sensitivity of the received signal RS is shown in a graph 62B. As shown in the graph 62B, the sensitivity of the received signal RS is the highest at the center of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20, and the sensitivity of the received signal RS decreases as it moves away from the center.

[0111] As shown in the line graph 62C, the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40X arranged at the position Xn corresponding to the center position of the power receiving unit 22 is the maximum. In addition, the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40X arranged at each of the positions Xn-1 and Xn+1 adjacent to Xn is a level lower than the maximum level.

[0112] As described above, when the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmitting coil 30 are located at a position separated from each other, the detection sensitivity of the received signal RS of each group of the detection coil 40 that detects the received signal RS at each level between the maximum level and the level equivalent to the maximum level includes a sensitivity inclination corresponding to the relative distance as shown in the line graph 62A. That is, when the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 is located at a position where the detection sensitivity of the received signal RS is inclined due to the influence of the magnetic sheet 32, the level of the detected received signal RS changes.

[0113] exist Fig. 8AIn the case of the example shown, the detection coil 40X arranged at each position between the position Xn-1 and the position Xn+1 detects a reception signal RS of approximately the same level without being affected by the magnetic sheet 32. However, due to the influence of the magnetic sheet 32, the detection sensitivity of the detection coil 40 at a position closer to the power transmission coil 30 and the magnetic sheet 32 ​​becomes higher, and the detection sensitivity of the detection coil 40 at a position farther from the power transmission coil 30 and the magnetic sheet 32 ​​becomes lower. Therefore, compared with the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40X arranged at the position Xn-1 closer to the magnetic sheet 32 ​​among the detection coils 40X arranged at each position between the position Xn-1 and the position Xn+1, the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40X arranged at the position Xn+1 farther from the magnetic sheet 32 ​​becomes lower.

[0114] Therefore, if the position of the power receiving unit 22 is determined using the levels of these received signals RS without considering the relative distance, a deviation G occurs between the determined position P and the actual position PR of the power receiving unit 22. That is, if the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 is located at a position where the detection sensitivity of the received signal RS is inclined due to the influence of the magnetic sheet 32, the determination accuracy of the position P of the power receiving unit 22 is reduced.

[0115] Figure 8B This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the level of the reception signal RS when the power reception unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 are located at substantially the same position, that is, when the relative distance is small. Substantially the same position means that the positions in the two-dimensional plane along the mounting surface 12A are substantially the same.

[0116] For example, when the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 are located at approximately the same position, the increase or decrease in the detection sensitivity of the received signal RS of the detection coil 40 caused by the magnetic sheet 32 ​​is as shown in the line graph 64A. That is, when the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 are located at approximately the same position, the detection sensitivity of the received signal RS of each group of the detection coil 40 that detects the received signal RS of the maximum level and the level equivalent to the maximum level is approximately the same as shown in the line graph 64A, that is, it becomes flat.

[0117] The distribution of the sensitivity of the received signal RS is shown in the graph 64B. As shown in the graph 64B, the sensitivity of the received signal RS is the highest at the center of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20, and the sensitivity of the received signal RS decreases as it moves away from the center.

[0118] As shown in the line graph 64C, the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40X arranged at the position Xn corresponding to the center position of the power receiving unit 22 is the maximum. In addition, the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40X arranged at each of the positions Xn-1 and Xn+1 adjacent to Xn is a level lower than the maximum level.

[0119] As described above, when the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmitting coil 30 are located at approximately the same position, the detection sensitivity of the receiving signal RS of each group of the detection coils 40 that detects the receiving signal RS at the maximum level and each level equivalent to the maximum level is approximately the same, that is, becomes flat, as shown in the line graph 64A.

[0120] Therefore, when power reception unit 22 and power transmission coil 30 are located at substantially the same position, the influence of magnetic sheet 32 ​​is suppressed, and the position of power reception unit 22 can be determined using reception signal RS detected with high accuracy. Therefore, it can be considered that the accuracy of determining position P of power reception unit 22 is improved.

[0121] Therefore, in charging device 10 of the present embodiment, controller 50 determines position P of power reception unit 22 based on the relative distance between the first position of power reception unit 22 , which is the position determined based on reception signal RS, and power transmission coil 30 .

[0122] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller 50 of the present embodiment.

[0123] The controller 50 initializes the position of the power transmission coil 30 (step S100). The controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 held on the conveying table 34 provided with the moving mechanism 36 to move to a predetermined initial position of the mounting surface 12A by controlling the moving mechanism 36. The initial position is, for example, a position corresponding to the origin in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the mounting surface 12A which is a two-dimensional plane. Through this movement control, the controller 50 initializes the position of the power transmission coil 30.

[0124] Next, the controller 50 determines whether the terminal device 20 is placed on the placement surface 12A (step S102). When the terminal device 20 is placed on the placement surface 12A, a magnetic field is generated by resonance caused by the impulse response. Therefore, the controller 50 makes the judgment of step S102 by measuring the generated magnetic field. For example, the controller 50 makes the judgment of step S102 by determining whether the level of the received signal RS detected by at least one of the multiple detection coils 40 has changed by a level above a threshold. The controller 50 repeats negative judgments (step S102: "No") until an affirmative judgment is made in step S102 (step S102: "Yes"). When the controller 50 makes an affirmative judgment in step S102 (step S102: "Yes"), the controller 50 proceeds to step S104.

[0125] In step S104 , the controller 50 determines the first position P1 of the power reception unit 22 (step S104 ).

[0126] The first position P1 is a position P of the power receiving unit 22 that is specified based on the reception signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is in the initial position.

[0127] For example, the controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 in sequence. Then, the controller 50 detects the level of the reception signal RS that is respectively responded to and detected by the detection coils 40 that are the output source of the transmission signal TS from the power receiving unit 22 in response to the magnetic field for detection. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 by the basic position determination processing using the above-mentioned ratio based on the level of the reception signal RS detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40, thereby determining the position P as the first position P1.

[0128] Next, the controller 50 calculates the relative distance between the first position P1 determined in step S104 and the position of the power transmission coil 30 (step S106). For example, the controller 50 pre-stores initial position information indicating the initial position to which the power transmission coil 30 is controlled to move in step S100. Then, the controller 50 calculates the relative distance by calculating the distance between the first position P1 determined in step S104 and the initial position indicated by the initial position information.

[0129] Next, the controller 50 determines whether the relative distance calculated in step S106 is outside the range of a predetermined distance.

[0130] The range of the predetermined distance may be determined in advance. For example, the range of the predetermined distance may be determined in advance to be a range in which it can be determined that the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 are located at approximately the same position in the two-dimensional plane along the mounting surface 12A. Fig. 8A Line graph 62A and Figure 8B The increase or decrease in the detection sensitivity of the receiving signal RS of the detection coil 40 caused by the influence of the magnetic sheet 32 ​​as explained in the line graph 64A can be within a range of relative distances that are roughly the same at the positions of each group of the detection coil 40 for detecting the receiving signal RS at each level between the maximum level and the maximum level, that is, become a flat state.

[0131] When the relative distance calculated in step S106 is within the predetermined distance range (step S108 : No), controller 50 starts charging control from power transmission coil 30 to power reception unit 22 (step S110 ).

[0132] In detail, the controller 50 applies AC power to the power transmission coil 30, and communicates with the terminal device 20 via the power transmission coil 30, and controls the supplied power according to the power request command from the terminal device 20. The controller 50 includes a circuit for bidirectional communication with the terminal device 20, and communicates with the terminal device 20 through the circuit. The power transmission coil 30 supplies AC power to the power receiving unit 22 by electromagnetically coupling with the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20. The AC power supplied to the power receiving unit 22 is converted into DC power by a rectifier provided in the terminal device 20 to charge the battery 24. Therefore, the battery 24 of the terminal device 20 is wirelessly charged. Then, this routine ends.

[0133] On the other hand, when the relative distance calculated in step S106 is outside the range of the predetermined distance (step S108 : Yes), the controller 50 proceeds to step S112 .

[0134] In step S112, the controller 50 specifies the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 by executing a unique position specifying process (step S112). Then, the controller 50 starts charging control in the same manner as in step S110 (step S114), and ends this routine.

[0135] The specific position identification process of step S112 will be described in detail.

[0136] When the relative distance between the first position of the power reception unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 is outside the predetermined distance range, the controller 50 executes any one of the first, second, third, and fourth position determination processes.

[0137] (First Position Determining Process)

[0138] First, the first position specifying process will be described.

[0139] The controller 50 performs the following processing as a first position determination processing. Specifically, when the relative distance is outside the range of the predetermined distance, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the first position P1. Then, the controller 50 determines the following second position P2 as the position P of the power receiving unit 22, which is determined based on the reception signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present in the first position P1.

[0140] The second position P2 is a position P of the power receiving unit 22 that is specified based on the reception signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present at the first position P1 .

[0141] That is, in the first position determination process, the power transmission coil 30 is controlled to move to the first position P1 temporarily determined as the position P of the power receiving unit 22, and the second position P2 is determined as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22. The second position P2 is a position determined based on the receiving signal RS detected in response to the transmitting signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is in the first position P1.

[0142] Fig.10 : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the first position specifying process executed by the controller 50 .

[0143] The controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the position in step S104 (see Fig. 9 ) to determine the first position P1 (step S200). Specifically, the controller 50 controls the moving mechanism 36 to move to the first position P1. Under the control of the controller 50, the moving mechanism 36 moves the conveying platform 34 to the first position P1, thereby moving the power transmission coil 30 placed on the conveying platform 34 to the first position P1.

[0144] Next, the controller 50 determines the second position P2 of the power receiving unit 22 (step S202). For example, the controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 in sequence. Then, the controller 50 detects the level of the reception signal RS that is respectively responded and detected from the power receiving unit 22 to the detection coils 40 that are the output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the magnetic field for detection. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the level of the reception signal RS detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40, by using the basic position determination processing of the above ratio, thereby determining the second position P2.

[0145] Then, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the second position P2 determined in step S202 (step S204). Specifically, the controller 50 controls the moving mechanism 36 to move to the second position P2. Through the control of the controller 50, the moving mechanism 36 moves the conveying platform 34 to the second position P2, thereby moving the power transmission coil 30 placed on the conveying platform 34 to the second position P2. Then, this routine ends.

[0146] Therefore, the controller 50 executes Fig.10 The first position determination process shown is used as Fig. 9 The position determination process of step S112 shown in the figure starts the charge control from the power transmission coil 30 moved to the second position P2 to the power reception unit 22 .

[0147] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the effect produced by the first position specifying process.

[0148] exist Fig.11A and Fig. 11B In FIG. 1 , the horizontal axis represents the position in the X-axis direction within the mounting surface 12A. The vertical axis represents the level of the received signal RS. Fig.11A and Fig. 11B In FIG. 1 , X0 , X1 , and X2 represent the levels of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coils 40X respectively arranged at the positions X0 , X1 , and X2 .

[0149] Fig.11A 1 is an explanatory diagram of the reception signal RS detected by each of the detection coils 40 that detects the reception signal RS for determining the first position P1. Fig.11A In the state shown, the following scenario is assumed: the power transmission coil 30 is located at the position X0, and the power reception unit 22 is arranged at a position “14 mm” from the origin in the X-axis direction, which is between the positions X2 and X3.

[0150] For example, when the relative distance between the power transmission coil 30 and the power reception unit 22 is outside the predetermined distance range, the reception signal RS detected by the detection coils 40X arranged at the respective positions X0, X1, and X2 is Fig.11A That is, if the above Fig. 8A As described above, the reception signal RS includes a sensitivity tilt caused by the influence of the magnetic sheet 32. Therefore, the first position P1 of the power receiving unit 22 determined using the level of the reception signal RS is a position that is, for example, "16 mm" from the origin, which is an intermediate position between the position X1 and the position X2, and has a deviation of 2 mm from the actual position.

[0151] Fig. 11B 1 is an explanatory diagram of the reception signal RS detected by each of the detection coils 40 that detects the reception signal RS for determining the second position P2. Fig. 11B In the state shown, the following scenario is assumed: the power transmission coil 30 is located at the first position P1, and the power receiving unit 22 is Fig.11A Similarly, it is arranged at a position which is "14 mm" away from the origin in the X-axis direction and which is located between the position X2 and the position X3.

[0152] When the power transmission coil 30 is located at the first position P1, the reception signal RS detected by the detection coils 40X disposed at the respective positions X0, X1, and X2 is Fig. 11B That is, if the above Figure 8B As described above, the reception signal RS does not include the sensitivity tilt caused by the influence of the magnetic sheet 32. Therefore, the second position P2 of the power receiving unit 22 determined using the level of the reception signal RS is a position "14 mm" from the origin, which is the middle position between the position X1 and the position X2, and the actual position "14 mm" is determined as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0153] As described above, in the first position determination process, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the first position P1 temporarily determined as the position P of the power receiving unit 22. Then, the controller 50 determines the second position P2 as the formal position P of the power receiving unit 22, the second position P2 being a position determined based on the reception signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present at the first position P1.

[0154] Since the second position P2 is determined based on the received signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present at the first position P1, the controller 50 can determine the second position P2 in a state where the influence of the sensitivity tilt caused by the magnetic sheet 32 ​​is suppressed. Therefore, by executing the first position determination process, the controller 50 can determine the position P of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 with higher accuracy than when the first position P1 is determined as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0155] (Second Position Determining Process)

[0156] Next, the second position specifying process will be described.

[0157] The controller 50 performs the following processing as a second position determination processing. In detail, when the relative distance is outside the range of the specified distance, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the first position P1, and then starts the charging control from the power transmission coil 30 to the power receiving unit 22. Then, when the terminal device 20 that started the charging control is a predetermined specified terminal device, the controller 50 stops the charging control. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 determined based on the receiving signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is in the first position P1 as the second position P2. Then, the controller 50 determines the determined second position P2 as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0158] The predetermined terminal device may be a predetermined terminal device 20. For example, the predetermined terminal device is a terminal device with magnets disposed at least partially on the outer periphery of the power receiving unit 22. The terminal device with magnets is sometimes referred to as an MPP (Magnetic Power Profile) terminal.

[0159] In addition, after the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the first position P1, it starts charging control of the first frequency power from the power transmission coil 30 to the power receiving unit 22. Moreover, the controller 50 may also control the power transmission coil 30 to move to the second position P2, and start charging control of the second frequency power from the power transmission coil 30 to the power receiving unit 22, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency. That is, it may also be that, when the terminal device 20 is a specified terminal device such as a terminal device with a magnet, the controller 50 performs power reception control with the first frequency power when the power transmission coil 30 is located at the first position P1, and performs rapid charging with the second frequency power higher than the first frequency when the power transmission coil 30 is located at a more accurate position, namely, the second position P2.

[0160] Fig.12 : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the second position specifying process executed by the controller 50 .

[0161] The controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the position in step S104 (see Fig. 9 ) to determine the first position P1 (step S300). Specifically, the controller 50 controls the moving mechanism 36 to move to the first position P1. Under the control of the controller 50, the moving mechanism 36 moves the conveying platform 34 to the first position P1, thereby moving the power transmission coil 30 placed on the conveying platform 34 to the first position P1.

[0162] Next, the controller 50 sets the charging frequency to the first frequency (step S302). The first frequency is, for example, 128 kHz, but is not limited to this value. Then, the controller 50 applies an AC voltage of the first frequency set in step S302 to the power transmission coil 30, and starts charging control from the power transmission coil 30 to the power receiving unit 22 (step S304).

[0163] Next, the controller 50 determines whether the terminal device 20 having the power receiving unit 22 that started charging in step S304 is a specified terminal device (step S306). The controller 50 communicates with the terminal device 20 via the power transmission coil 30, and performs the determination of step S306 by receiving information indicating whether the terminal device 20 is a specified terminal device from the terminal device 20.

[0164] If the controller 50 determines that the terminal device is not a specified terminal device (step S306: "No"), the controller 50 ends the routine. Therefore, if the controller 50 makes a negative determination in step S306, the controller 50 continues the charging control started in step S304. On the other hand, if the controller 50 determines that the terminal device is a specified terminal device (step S306: "Yes"), the controller 50 proceeds to step S308.

[0165] In step S308, the controller 50 stops the charging control started in step S304 (step S308) and proceeds to step S310. In addition, the controller 50 may also communicate with the terminal device 20 via the power transmission coil 30, and further determine whether a signal indicating a charging frequency change instruction is received from the terminal device 20. Moreover, the controller 50 may not stop the charging control when a signal indicating a charging frequency change instruction is not received, but continue the charging control started in step S304 and end this routine. On the other hand, the controller 50 may also perform the processing of step S308 when a signal indicating a charging frequency change instruction is received.

[0166] In step S310, the controller 50 determines the second position P2 of the power receiving unit 22 (step S310). Then, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the second position P2 determined in step S310 (step S312). The processing of steps S310 and S312 is the same as the above-mentioned steps S202 and S204, respectively.

[0167] Then, the controller 50 sets the charging frequency to the second frequency (step S314). The second frequency may be a frequency higher than the first frequency. The second frequency is, for example, 360 kHz, but is not limited to this value. Then, this routine ends.

[0168] The controller 50 executes Fig.12 The second position determination process shown is used as Fig. 9 The position determination process of step S112 shown in the figure starts the rapid charging control based on the second frequency from the power transmission coil 30 moved to the second position P2 to the power reception unit 22 .

[0169] As described above, in the second position determination process, the power transmission coil 30 is controlled to move to the first position P1 that is temporarily determined as the position P of the power receiving unit 22. Furthermore, in the second position determination process, when the terminal device 20 is a specified terminal device, the second position P2 that is determined based on the reception signal RS that is detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present in the first position P1 is determined as the formal position P of the power receiving unit 22. In addition, in the second position determination process, the charging control of the power of the first frequency is started using the power transmission coil 30 that is present in the first position P1, and when the terminal device 20 is a specified terminal device, the charging control of the power of the second frequency is further started in a state where the power transmission coil 30 is moved to a more accurate position P, that is, the second position P2.

[0170] In the second position determination process, the second position P2 is determined based on the received signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present at the first position P1. Therefore, the controller 50 can determine the second position P2 in a state where the influence of the sensitivity change caused by the magnetic sheet 32 ​​is suppressed. That is, by executing the second position determination process, the controller 50 can determine the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 with high accuracy compared to the case where the first position P1 is determined as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0171] In addition, by executing the second position determination process, the controller 50 can perform rapid charging after aligning the position of the power transmission coil 30 with a predetermined terminal device with high accuracy.

[0172] (Third Position Determining Process)

[0173] Next, the third position specifying process will be described.

[0174] The controller 50 performs the following processing as the third position determination processing. Specifically, when the relative distance is outside the range of the predetermined distance, the controller 50 determines the position of the power receiving unit 22 based on the corrected received signal obtained by correcting the received signal RS for determining the first position P1 using the correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance.

[0175] Fig.13A : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the third position specifying process executed by the controller 50 .

[0176] The controller 50 calculates the corrected received signal, which is a correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance between the first position P1 and the power transmission coil 30 used to determine the corrected received signal in step S104 (refer to Fig. 9 ) is obtained by correcting the received signal RS of the first position P1 determined in ).

[0177] Specifically, the controller 50 obtains the information used to determine the step S104 (refer to Fig. 9 ) The level of the received signal RS at the first position P1 determined in the controller 50. For example, the controller 50 obtains the level L1st, the level L2nd and the level L3rd of the received signal RS as the levels of the multiple received signals RS used to determine the first position P1.

[0178] Next, the controller 50 determines a correction coefficient Ke according to the relative distance between the first position P1 and the power transmission coil 30. The correction coefficient ke is a coefficient for canceling the sensitivity inclination caused by the magnetic sheet 32 ​​included in the reception signal RS.

[0179] Fig. 13B is an illustration of the correction coefficient Ke. Fig. 13B In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the relative distance and the vertical axis represents the correction coefficient Ke. Fig. 13B As shown, the correction coefficient Ke is smaller than 1 when the relative distance is short, that is, the power reception unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 are close. The correction coefficient Ke is larger than 1 when the relative distance is long, that is, the power reception unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 are far.

[0180] The controller 50 stores in advance Fig. 13B The relationship information or function shown here indicates the relationship between the correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance between the first position P1 and the power transmission coil 30. The controller 50 may determine the correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance between the first position P1 and the power transmission coil 30 based on the relationship information or function.

[0181] Next, the controller 50 multiplies the level L1st, level L2nd, and level L3rd of each of the plurality of received signals RS for determining the first position P1 by the determined correction coefficient Ke. The controller 50 calculates the corrected level L1st', level L2nd', and level L3rd' as the result of the multiplication as the corrected received signal of each of the plurality of received signals RS.

[0182] As described above, the correction coefficient Ke is a coefficient for canceling the sensitivity tilt caused by the magnetic sheet 32 ​​included in the reception signal RS. Therefore, the corrected levels L1st', L2nd' and L3rd' as the correction reception signals are levels that cancel the influence of the sensitivity tilt caused by the magnetic sheet 32.

[0183] Back to Fig.13A Next, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 using the corrected received signal calculated in step S400 (step S402). That is, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 again using the corrected received signal obtained by correcting the received signal RS for determining the first position P1. The controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 by the same process as the process of determining the first position P1 in step S104, except that the corrected levels L1st', L2nd', and L3rd' are used instead of the levels L1st, L2nd, and L3rd.

[0184] Then, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the position P determined in step S402 (step S404). Specifically, the controller 50 controls the moving mechanism 36 to move to the position P determined in step S402. Under the control of the controller 50, the moving mechanism 36 moves the conveying platform 34 to the position P, thereby moving the power transmission coil 30 placed on the conveying platform 34 to the position P. Then, this routine ends.

[0185] Therefore, the controller 50 executes Fig.13A The third position determination process shown is used as Fig. 9 The position specifying process of step S112 shown in the figure starts the control of charging from the power transmission coil 30 moved to the position P specified with high accuracy to the power reception unit 22 .

[0186] As described above, in the third position determination processing, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the corrected received signal obtained by correcting the received signal RS, which is used to determine the first position P1 temporarily determined as the position P of the power receiving unit 22, using the correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 determined based on the corrected received signal as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0187] That is, the controller 50 specifies the position P of the power reception unit 22 using the corrected reception signal in which the influence of the sensitivity tilt caused by the magnetic sheet 32 ​​is canceled. Therefore, the controller 50 can specify the position of the power reception unit 22 of the terminal device 20 with high accuracy.

[0188] (Fourth Position Determining Process)

[0189] Next, the fourth position specifying process will be described.

[0190] Controller 50 executes the following processing as fourth position determination processing: Specifically, when the relative distance is outside the predetermined distance range, controller 50 determines position P of power reception unit 22 based on third position P3 and fourth position P4.

[0191] The third position P3 is a position P determined based on the first reception signal RS1, which is a reception signal RS detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40 as an output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the transmission signal TS sequentially output to each of the plurality of detection coils 40. The first reception signal RS1 is an example of the reception signal RS.

[0192] The fourth position P4 is a position P determined based on the second reception signal RS2, which is a reception signal RS detected by each of the multiple detection coils 40 other than the output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the transmission signal TS output to each of the multiple detection coils 40 in sequence. The second reception signal RS2 is an example of the reception signal RS.

[0193] Figures 14A to 14C This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the fourth position specifying process.

[0194] like Fig.14A As shown, the controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS in sequence and in a time-division manner to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 arranged at different positions such as X1, X2, X3, ... Then, the controller 50 measures the level of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40 as the output source of the transmission signal TS, that is, the first reception signal RS1. Then, based on the first reception signal RS1, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 by the basic position determination processing using the above-mentioned ratio, thereby determining the third position P3 of the power receiving unit 22.

[0195] In addition, if Fig. 14B As shown, the controller 50 selectively and sequentially outputs the transmission signal TS in a time-sharing manner to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 arranged at different positions such as X1, X2, X3, ... Then, the controller 50 measures the level of the reception signal RS detected by the other detection coils 40 other than the output source of the transmission signal TS, that is, the second reception signal RS2a. The second reception signal RS2a is an example of the second reception signal RS2. Fig. 14B, as the second reception signal RS2a, the second reception signal RS2a detected by the next other detection coil 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40 as the output source of the transmission signal TS is shown. Then, based on the second reception signal RS2a, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 by the basic position determination processing using the above ratio, thereby determining the fourth position P4a of the power receiving unit 22. The fourth position P4a is an example of the fourth position P4.

[0196] In addition, if Fig. 14C As shown, the controller 50 selectively and sequentially outputs the transmission signal TS in a time-sharing manner to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 arranged at different positions such as X1, X2, X3, ... Then, the controller 50 measures the level of the reception signal RS detected by the other detection coils 40 other than the output source of the transmission signal TS, that is, the second reception signal RS2b. The second reception signal RS2b is an example of the second reception signal RS2. Fig. 14C , as the second reception signal RS2b, the second reception signal RS2b detected by the previous other detection coil 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40 which is the output source of the transmission signal TS is shown. Then, based on the second reception signal RS2b, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 by the basic position determination processing using the above ratio, thereby determining the fourth position P4b of the power receiving unit 22. The fourth position P4b is an example of the fourth position P4.

[0197] Fig.15 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a timing chart related to the measurement of the level of the second reception signal RS2. Fig.15 2 shows an example of a timing chart when the transmission signal TS is output to the detection coil 40 and the levels of the first reception signal RS1, the second reception signal RS2a, and the second reception signal RS2b are measured.

[0198] For example, the controller 50 switches the connection of the selector 42 via the Coil Select terminal, so that the detection coil 40 at the n position and the controller 50 are connected in a communicative manner. Then, the controller 50 outputs a transmission signal TS to the detection coil 40 at the n position (refer to signal waveform 68A1), and the COM terminal of the selector 42 outputs the transmission signal TS and the reception signal RS detected by the detection coil 40 at the n position to the controller 50 as a response to the transmission signal TS (refer to signal waveform 68B1). The controller 50 resets the previous measurement value by outputting Discharge to the P / H 48 at the time of outputting the transmission signal TS (refer to signal waveform 68D1). The controller 50 performs A / D conversion on the reception signal RS that responds to the detection coil 40 at the n position and is maintained in the P / H 48, thereby measuring the level of the first reception signal RS1 after A / D conversion (refer to signal waveform 68C1).

[0199] In addition, the controller 50 switches the connection of the selector 42 via the Coil Select terminal, thereby connecting the detection coil 40 at the n position to the controller 50 in a communicative manner. Then, after the controller 50 outputs the transmission signal TS to the detection coil 40 at the n position (see signal waveform 68A2), it switches the connection of the selector 42 via the Coil Select terminal, thereby connecting the detection coil 40 at the n+1 position to the controller 50 in a communicative manner.

[0200] The COM terminal of the selector 42 outputs the transmission signal TS detected by the detection coil 40 at the n+1 position and the second reception signal RS2a of the detection coil 40 at the n+1 position to the controller 50 as a response to the transmission signal TS (refer to signal waveform 68B2). The controller 50 resets the previous measurement value by outputting Discharge to the P / H 48 at the timing of outputting the transmission signal TS (refer to signal waveform 68D2). The controller 50 performs A / D conversion on the second reception signal RS2a that responds to the detection coil 40 at the n+1 position and is held in the P / H48, thereby measuring the level of the second reception signal RS2a after A / D conversion (refer to signal waveform 68C2).

[0201] In addition, the controller 50 switches the connection of the selector 42 via the Coil Select terminal, thereby connecting the detection coil 40 at the n position to the controller 50 in a communicative manner. Then, after the controller 50 outputs the transmission signal TS to the detection coil 40 at the n position (see signal waveform 68A3), it switches the connection of the selector 42 via the Coil Select terminal, thereby connecting the detection coil 40 at the n-1 position to the controller 50 in a communicative manner.

[0202] The COM terminal of the selector 42 outputs the transmission signal TS detected by the detection coil 40 at the n-1 position and the second reception signal RS2b of the detection coil 40 at the n-1 position to the controller 50 as a response to the transmission signal TS (refer to signal waveform 68B3). The controller 50 resets the previous measurement value by outputting Discharge to the P / H 48 at the timing of outputting the transmission signal TS (refer to signal waveform 68D3). The controller 50 performs A / D conversion on the second reception signal RS2b that responds to the detection coil 40 at the n-1 position and is held in the P / H48, thereby measuring the level of the second reception signal RS2b after A / D conversion (refer to signal waveform 68C3).

[0203] Figures 16A to 16C The diagram is an explanatory diagram of an example of determining the third position P3, the fourth position P4a, and the fourth position P4b determined based on the first received signal RS1, the second received signal RS2a, and the second received signal RS2b. The fourth position P4a and the fourth position P4b are examples of the fourth position P4.

[0204] exist Figures 16A to 16C In FIG. 1 , the horizontal axis represents the position in the X-axis direction within the mounting surface 12A. The vertical axis represents the level of the received signal RS. Figures 16A to 16C In FIG. 1 , X0 to X13 represent the levels of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coils 40X respectively arranged at the positions X0 to X13.

[0205] For example, it is assumed that the first reception signal RS1 detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40 as the output source of the transmission signal TS is Fig.16A Furthermore, the following scenario is assumed: the controller 50 receives the signal RS based on Fig.16A The first reception signal RS1 shown specifies the position P of the power reception unit 22 through the basic position specifying process using the above-described ratio, thereby specifying the position X1 as the third position P3.

[0206] In addition, the following scenario is assumed: the second reception signal RS2a detected by each of the next other detection coils 40 adjacent to the plurality of detection coils 40 as the output source of the transmission signal TS is Fig. 16B Furthermore, the following scenario is assumed: the controller 50 is based on Fig. 16B The second reception signal RS2a shown specifies the position P of the power reception unit 22 through the basic position specifying process using the above-described ratio, thereby specifying the position X2 as the fourth position P4a.

[0207] In addition, the following scenario is assumed: the second reception signal RS2b detected by each of the previous other detection coils 40 adjacent to the plurality of detection coils 40 as the output source of the transmission signal TS is Fig. 16C Furthermore, the following scenario is assumed: the controller 50 is based on Fig. 16C The second reception signal RS2b shown specifies the position P of the power reception unit 22 through the basic position specifying process using the above-described ratio, thereby specifying the position X3 as the fourth position P4b.

[0208] In this case, the controller 50 specifies the accurate position P of the power reception unit 22 based on the position X1 as the third position P3 , the position X2 as the fourth position P4 a , and the position X3 as the fourth position P4 b .

[0209] For example, the controller 50 obtains the average position of the position X1 as the third position P3, the position X2 as the fourth position P4a, and the position X3 as the fourth position P4b by the following equation (1).

[0210] X=(X1+X2+X3) / 3…Formula (1)

[0211] Then, the controller 50 determines the position X which is the average position calculated by the equation (1) as the accurate position P of the power reception unit 22 .

[0212] In addition, the controller 50 may calculate the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the third position P3 and the fourth position P4, and is not limited to the method of using the average position. For example, the controller 50 may determine the average position calculated after weighting at least one of the third position P3 and the fourth position P4 according to the relative distance, etc. as the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0213] The controller 50 may calculate the position of the power receiving unit 22 based on the third position P3 and the fourth position P4 , and the number of fourth positions P4 is not limited to two, namely, the fourth position P4 a and the fourth position P4 b , and may be one or three or more.

[0214] For example, as the fourth position P4, the controller 50 may use only the second reception signal RS2a detected by the position n+1, that is, the next other detection coil 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40 as the output source of the transmission signal TS as the second reception signal RS2. Furthermore, the controller 50 may determine the average position of the third position P3 and the fourth position P4a, that is, the position X, as the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0215] In addition, the controller 50 may use the receiving signal RS, i.e., the second receiving signal RS2, which is detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40 other than the output source of the transmitting signal TS, and is not limited to using the receiving signal RS of other detection coils 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40 that is the output source of the transmitting signal TS.

[0216] For example, as the fourth position P4, the controller 50 may use, as the second reception signal RS, a reception signal RS detected by each of two or more detection coils 40 arranged in a direction away from the detection coil 40 as the output source of the transmission signal TS.

[0217] Fig.17 : is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the fourth position specifying process executed by the controller 50 .

[0218] The controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the position in step S104 (see Fig. 9 ) (step S500). The processing of step S500 is the same as that of the above-mentioned step S200.

[0219] Next, the controller 50 determines the third position P3 of the power receiving unit 22 (step S502). For example, the controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 in sequence. Then, the controller 50 detects the level of the first reception signal RS1 that is respectively responded and detected from the power receiving unit 22 to the detection coils 40 that are the output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the magnetic field for detection. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the level of the first reception signal RS1 detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40, by using the basic position determination processing of the above ratio, thereby determining the third position P3.

[0220] Next, the controller 50 determines the fourth position P4a of the power receiving unit 22 (step 504). For example, the controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 in sequence. Then, the controller 50 detects the level of the second reception signal RS2a that is respectively responded and detected from the power receiving unit 22 to the next other detection coil 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40 that is the output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the magnetic field for detection. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the level of the second reception signal RS2a detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40, by using the basic position determination processing of the above ratio, thereby determining the fourth position P4a.

[0221] Next, the controller 50 determines the fourth position P4b of the power receiving unit 22 (step S506). For example, the controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS to each of the multiple detection coils 40 in sequence. Then, the controller 50 detects the level of the second reception signal RS2b that is respectively responded and detected from the power receiving unit 22 to the previous other detection coils 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40 that is the output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the magnetic field for detection. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the level of the second reception signal RS2b detected by each of the multiple detection coils 40, by using the basic position determination processing of the above-mentioned ratio, thereby determining the fourth position P4b.

[0222] Next, the controller 50 uses the third position P3 determined in step S502, the fourth position P4a determined in step S504, and the fourth position P4b determined in step S506 to determine the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22 (step S508). For example, the controller 50 determines the average position of the third position P3, the fourth position P4a, and the fourth position P4b as the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0223] Then, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the position P determined in step S508 (step S510 ). Then, this routine ends.

[0224] The controller 50 executes Fig.17 The fourth position determination process shown is used as Fig. 9 The position specifying process of step S112 shown in the figure starts the charging control to the power receiving unit 22 from the power transmission coil 30 moved to the position P calculated as the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22 .

[0225] Figures 18A to 18C This is an explanatory diagram of an example of the effect produced by the fourth position specifying process.

[0226] exist Figures 18A to 18C In FIG. 1 , the horizontal axis represents the position in the X-axis direction within the mounting surface 12A. The vertical axis represents the level of the received signal RS. Figures 18A to 18C In FIG. 1 , X0, X1, and X2 represent the levels of the reception signal RS detected by the detection coils 40X respectively arranged at the positions X0, X1, and X2. Figures 18A to 18C , a scene in which the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 is arranged at the position PR of “11 mm” is shown.

[0227] Fig.18A 1 is an explanatory diagram of the first reception signal RS1 detected by each of the detection coils 40 that detects the reception signal RS for determining the third position P3. Fig.18B 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining the second reception signal RS2a detected by each of the detection coils 40 that detects the reception signal RS for determining the fourth position P4a. Fig.18C 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining that the second reception signal RS2b is detected by each of the detection coils 40 that detects the reception signal RS for determining the fourth position P4b.

[0228] like Fig.18A As shown, when the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 is arranged at the position PR of "11 mm", the third position P3 calculated using the first reception signal RS1 received by the detection coil 40 arranged near the position PR has an error due to the influence of the noise Z.

[0229] On the other hand, the fourth position P4a and the fourth position P4b respectively calculated using the second reception signal RS2a and the second reception signal RS2b received by the other detection coil 40 different from the detection coil 40 as the output source of the transmission signal TS do not include the error caused by the influence of the noise Z (refer to Fig.18B and Fig.18C ).

[0230] Therefore, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 using the third position P3, the fourth position P4a, and the fourth position P4b, thereby being able to determine a more accurate position P with reduced errors caused by the influence of the noise Z. For example, when the controller 50 determines the average position of the third position P3, the fourth position P4a, and the fourth position P4b as the position P of the power receiving unit 22, the position P in which the influence of the noise Z is reduced to 1 / 3 can be determined.

[0231] Since the fourth position identification process is effective in reducing the influence of the noise Z in this way, it is possible to identify the position of the power receiving unit 22 more effectively and with higher accuracy for the terminal device 20 which is more likely to generate the noise Z.

[0232] As described above, the charging device 10 of the present embodiment wirelessly charges the terminal device 20 placed on the placement surface 12A and having the power receiving unit 22 for receiving wirelessly transmitted power. The charging device 10 of the present embodiment includes a power transmission coil 30, a plurality of detection coils 40, a moving mechanism 36, and a controller 50. The power transmission coil 30 transmits power to the terminal device 20. The plurality of detection coils 40 are coils for detecting the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 on the placement surface 12A. The moving mechanism 36 moves the power transmission coil 30. The controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30, the plurality of detection coils 40, and the moving mechanism 36. The controller 50 selectively and sequentially outputs a transmission signal TS for generating a magnetic field for detection to each of the plurality of detection coils 40, and determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on a reception signal RS that is responded to and detected from the power receiving unit 22 to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 in response to the magnetic field for detection. The controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the relative distance between the first position P1 of the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmitting coil 30 and the position P determined based on the reception signal RS.

[0233] As described above, controller 50 of charging device 10 according to the present embodiment specifies the position P specified based on the relative distance between first position P1 of power reception unit 22 specified based on reception signal RS and power transmission coil 30 as the accurate position P of power reception unit 22 .

[0234] Therefore, charging device 10 of the present embodiment can determine the highly accurate position P of power reception unit 22 while suppressing the influence of magnetic sheet 32 ​​and the like, compared with a case where position P determined regardless of the relative distance is determined as the accurate position P of power reception unit 22 .

[0235] Therefore, the charging device 10 of the present embodiment can accurately identify the position P of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 .

[0236] In addition, in this embodiment, the following method is described: when the relative distance between the first position of the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmitting coil 30 is outside the range of a specified distance, the controller 50 executes any one of the first position determination processing, the second position determination processing, the third position determination processing, and the fourth position determination processing.

[0237] It is sufficient to predetermine which of these position determination processes the controller 50 executes. For example, the controller 50 may execute a position determination process pre-set by a user or the like among the first position determination process, the second position determination process, the third position determination process, and the fourth position determination process. In addition, it is also possible to appropriately change the information indicating which position determination process is executed according to an operation instruction of the user on the operating unit or the like.

[0238] (Variant 1)

[0239] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the following method is described: when the relative distance between the first position P1 of the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmitting coil 30 is outside the range of a prescribed distance, the controller 50 of the charging device 10 executes any one of the first position determination processing, the second position determination processing, the third position determination processing, and the fourth position determination processing.

[0240] However, the controller 50 may execute two or more of the first, second, third, and fourth positioning processes in combination when the relative distance between the first position P1 of the power receiving unit 22 and the power transmitting coil 30 is outside a predetermined distance range.

[0241] For example, the controller 50 may combine the fourth position determining process with each of the first position determining process, the second position determining process, and the third position determining process and execute the process.

[0242] In the first position determination process and the second position determination process, as described above, the controller 50 determines the second position P2 as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22, the second position P2 being determined based on the reception signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present at the first position P1. The controller 50 may perform the fourth position determination process in combination with the determination of at least one of the first position P1 and the second position P2 in the first position determination process and the second position determination process.

[0243] In this case, the controller 50 may use a fourth position determination process for determining the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the third position P3 and the fourth position P4 as the determination process for at least one of the first position P1 and the second position P2, instead of the basic position determination process using the above ratio. Specifically, the controller 50 performs the determination process for the first position P1 in step S104 (see Fig. 9 ), the determination process of the second position P2 in step S202 (refer to Fig.10 ) and the determination process of the second position P2 in step S310 (refer to Fig.12 ), the processing of steps S502 to S508 in the fourth position derivation processing is executed (refer to Fig.17 ). Through these processes, the controller 50 executes the fourth position determination process in combination when determining at least one of the first position P1 and the second position P2 in the first position determination process and the second position determination process.

[0244] In addition, for example, the controller 50 may also perform the position P determination process using the correction reception signal in the third position determination process using the correction coefficient Ke (see Fig.13A Specifically, the controller 50 performs the fourth position determination processing in the step S402 of step S104 (refer to Fig. 9 ), execute the processing of steps S502 to S508 in the fourth position derivation processing (refer to Fig.17 ). Then, the controller 50 uses the first position P1 determined by the fifth position derivation process to perform Fig.13A The third position determination process shown is sufficient.

[0245] As described above, the controller 50 may execute the fourth position specifying process in combination with each of the first position specifying process, the second position specifying process, and the third position specifying process.

[0246] (Variant 2)

[0247] In addition, the controller 50 may perform a third position specifying process in which the correction coefficient Ke is used in combination with each of the first position specifying process and the second position specifying process.

[0248] In this case, when the relative distance is outside the range of the specified distance, the controller 50 can determine the exact position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the corrected received signal, which is obtained by correcting the received signal RS used to determine at least one of the first position P1 and the second position P2 using the correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance.

[0249] In detail, when using the basic position determination processing of the above-mentioned ratio, the controller 50 performs position determination processing using a corrected received signal obtained by correcting the received signal RS with a correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance instead of the received signal RS as the determination processing of at least one of the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0250] (Variant 3)

[0251] In the above embodiment, the controller 50 performs the first position specifying process when the relative distance between the first position of the power reception unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 is outside the predetermined distance range.

[0252] However, the controller 50 may perform the first position determination processing regardless of whether the relative distance is outside the range of the predetermined distance. That is, after determining the first position P1, the controller 50 may control the power transmission coil 30 to move to the first position P1, and determine the second position P2 as the accurate position P of the power reception unit 22, the second position P2 being the position of the power reception unit 22 determined based on the reception signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present at the first position P1.

[0253] Fig.19 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller 50 according to the present modification.

[0254] The controller 50 initializes the position of the power transmission coil 30 (step S600). Next, the controller 50 determines whether the terminal device 20 is placed on the placement surface 12A (step S602). The controller 50 repeats the negative judgment (step S602: "No") until a positive judgment (step S602: "Yes") is made in step S602. When the controller 50 makes a positive judgment in step S602 (step S602: "Yes"), it proceeds to step S604. In step S604, the controller 50 determines the first position P1 of the power receiving unit 22 (step S604).

[0255] The processing of steps S600 to S604 is similar to that of steps S100 to S104 (see Fig. 9 )same.

[0256] Next, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the first position P1 determined in step S604 (step S606). Then, the controller 50 determines the second position P2 of the power receiving unit 22 (step S608). Next, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the second position P2 determined in step S608 (step S610). The processing of steps S606 to S610 is similar to that of steps S200 to S204 (see Fig.10 )same.

[0257] Then, with step S114 (refer to Fig. 9 ) Similarly, the controller 50 starts charging control (step S612) and ends this routine.

[0258] As described above, in the present modification, the controller 50 executes the first position specifying process regardless of whether the relative distance is outside the predetermined distance range.

[0259] In the first position determination process, the power transmission coil 30 is controlled to move to the first position P1 temporarily determined as the position P of the power receiving unit 22, and the second position P2 is determined as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22. The second position P2 is a position determined based on the receiving signal RS detected in response to the transmitting signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is in the first position P1.

[0260] Since the second position P2 is determined based on the received signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present at the first position P1, the controller 50 can determine the second position P2 in a state where the influence of the sensitivity tilt caused by the magnetic sheet 32 ​​is suppressed. Therefore, by executing the first position determination process, the controller 50 can determine the position P of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 with higher accuracy than when the first position P1 is determined as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0261] Therefore, in this modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the charging device 10 can accurately identify the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 .

[0262] In addition, similar to the above-mentioned Modifications 1 and 2, the controller 50 may perform the first position specifying process in combination with at least one of the third position specifying process and the fourth position specifying process.

[0263] (Variant 4)

[0264] In the above embodiment, the controller 50 performs the second position specifying process when the relative distance between the first position of the power reception unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 is outside the predetermined distance range.

[0265] However, the controller 50 may also perform the second position determination processing regardless of whether the relative distance is outside the range of the prescribed distance. That is, after determining the first position P1, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the first position P1 and then starts the charging control from the power transmission coil 30 to the power receiving unit 22. In the case where the terminal device 20 that has started the charging control is a predetermined prescribed terminal device, the controller 50 stops the charging control. The controller 50 determines the second position P2 as the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22, and the second position P2 is determined based on the receiving signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present in the first position P1.

[0266] Fig. 20 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller 50 according to the present modification.

[0267] The controller 50 initializes the position of the power transmission coil 30 (step S700). Next, the controller 50 determines whether the terminal device 20 is placed on the placement surface 12A (step S702). The controller 50 repeats the negative judgment (step S702: "No") until a positive judgment (step S702: "Yes") is made in step S702. When the controller 50 makes a positive judgment in step S702 (step S702: "Yes"), it proceeds to step S704. In step S704, the controller 50 determines the first position P1 of the power receiving unit 22 (step S704).

[0268] The processing of steps S700 to S704 is similar to that of steps S100 to S104 (see Fig. 9 )same.

[0269] Next, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the first position P1 determined in step S704 (step S706). Next, the controller 50 sets the charging frequency to the first frequency (step S708). Then, the controller 50 applies the AC voltage of the first frequency set in step S708 to the power transmission coil 30, and starts charging control from the power transmission coil 30 to the power receiving unit 22 (step S710).

[0270] Next, the controller 50 determines whether the terminal device 20 having the power receiving unit 22 that started charging in step S710 is a specified terminal device (step S712). When the controller 50 determines that it is not a specified terminal device (step S712: "No"), it ends this routine. Therefore, when the controller 50 makes a negative determination in step S712, it continues the charging control started in step S710. On the other hand, when the controller 50 determines that it is a specified terminal device (step S712: "Yes"), it proceeds to step S713.

[0271] In step S714, the controller 50 stops the charging control started in step S710 (step S714) and proceeds to step S716. In step S716, the controller 50 determines the second position P2 of the power receiving unit 22 (step S716). Then, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the second position P2 determined in step S716 (step S718). Then, the controller 50 sets the charging frequency to the second frequency (step S720).

[0272] The processing of steps S706 to S720 is similar to that of steps S300 to S314 (see Fig.12 )same.

[0273] Then, the controller 50 uses the power of the second frequency set in step S720 to communicate with the step 114 (refer to Fig. 9 ) Similarly, charging control is started (step S722) and this routine ends.

[0274] As described above, in the present modification, the controller 50 executes the second position specifying process regardless of whether the relative distance is outside the predetermined distance range.

[0275] In the second position determination process, since the second position P2 is determined based on the received signal RS detected in response to the transmission signal TS output when the power transmission coil 30 is present at the first position P1, the controller 50 can determine the second position P2 while suppressing the influence of the sensitivity change caused by the magnetic sheet 32. Therefore, by executing the second position determination process, the controller 50 can determine the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 with high accuracy compared to the case where the first position P1 is determined as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0276] Therefore, in this modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the charging device 10 can accurately identify the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 .

[0277] In addition, similar to the above-mentioned Modifications 1 and 2, the controller 50 may perform the second position specifying process in combination with at least one of the third position specifying process and the fourth position specifying process.

[0278] (Variant 5)

[0279] In the above embodiment, the controller 50 performs the third position specifying process when the relative distance between the first position of the power reception unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 is outside the predetermined distance range.

[0280] However, the controller 50 may perform the third position determination process regardless of whether the relative distance is outside the range of the predetermined distance. That is, after determining the first position P1, the controller 50 may determine the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the corrected received signal obtained by correcting the received signal RS used to determine the first position P1 using the correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance.

[0281] Fig.21 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller 50 according to the present modification.

[0282] The controller 50 initializes the position of the power transmission coil 30 (step S800). Next, the controller 50 determines whether the terminal device 20 is placed on the placement surface 12A (step S802). The controller 50 repeats the negative judgment (step S802: "No") until a positive judgment (step S802: "Yes") is made in step S802. When the controller 50 makes a positive judgment in step S802 (step S802: "Yes"), it proceeds to step S804. In step S804, the controller 50 determines the first position P1 of the power receiving unit 22 (step S804).

[0283] The processing of steps S800 to S804 is similar to the processing of steps S100 to S104 (see Fig. 9 )same.

[0284] Next, the controller 50 calculates a corrected reception signal obtained by correcting the reception signal RS used to determine the first position P1 determined in step S804 using a correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance between the first position P1 and the power transmission coil 30 (step S806 ).

[0285] Next, the controller 50 uses the corrected reception signal calculated in step S806 to determine the position P of the power receiving unit 22 (step S808). That is, the controller 50 uses the corrected reception signal obtained by correcting the reception signal RS used to determine the first position P1 to re-determine the position P of the power receiving unit 22. Then, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the position P determined in step S808 (step S810).

[0286] The processing of steps S806 to S810 is similar to that of steps S400 to S404 (see Fig.13A )same.

[0287] Then, with step S114 (refer to Fig. 9 ) Similarly, the controller 50 starts charging control (step S812) and ends this routine.

[0288] As described above, in the present modification, the controller 50 executes the third position specifying process regardless of whether the relative distance is outside the predetermined distance range.

[0289] In the third position determination processing, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the corrected received signal obtained by correcting the received signal RS, which is used to determine the first position P1 temporarily determined as the position P of the power receiving unit 22, using the correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 determined based on the corrected received signal as the official position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0290] That is, the controller 50 specifies the position P of the power reception unit 22 using the corrected reception signal that cancels the influence of the sensitivity tilt caused by the magnetic sheet 32. Therefore, the controller 50 can specify the position of the power reception unit 22 of the terminal device 20 with high accuracy.

[0291] Therefore, in this modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the charging device 10 can accurately identify the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 .

[0292] In addition, similarly to the above-mentioned modification example 1, the controller 50 may execute the fourth position specifying process in combination with the third position specifying process.

[0293] (Variant 6)

[0294] In the above embodiment, the controller 50 performs the fourth position specifying process when the relative distance between the first position of the power reception unit 22 and the power transmission coil 30 is outside the predetermined distance range.

[0295] However, the controller 50 may execute the fourth position specifying process regardless of whether the relative distance is outside the predetermined distance range. That is, the controller 50 may specify the accurate position P of the power reception unit 22 based on the third position P3 and the fourth position P4.

[0296] Fig. 22 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing executed by the controller 50 according to the present modification.

[0297] The controller 50 initializes the position of the power transmission coil 30 (step S900). Next, the controller 50 determines whether the terminal device 20 is placed on the placement surface 12A (step S902). The controller 50 repeats the negative judgment (step S902: "No") until a positive judgment is made in step S902 (step S902: "Yes"). When the controller 50 makes a positive judgment in step S902 (step S902: "Yes"), it proceeds to step S904.

[0298] The processing of steps S900 to S902 is similar to that of steps S100 to S102 (see Fig. 9 )same.

[0299] Then, together with steps S502 to S510 (see Fig.17 ) Similarly, the controller 50 executes the processing of steps S904 to S912.

[0300] In detail, the controller 50 determines the third position P3 of the power receiving unit 22 (step S904). For example, the controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS to each of the plurality of detection coils 40 in sequence. Then, the controller 50 detects the level of the first reception signal RS1 respectively responded and detected from the power receiving unit 22 to the detection coils 40 as the output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the magnetic field for detection. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the level of the first reception signal RS1 detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40, by using the basic position determination processing of the above ratio, thereby determining the third position P3.

[0301] Next, the controller 50 determines the fourth position P4a of the power receiving unit 22 (step S906). For example, the controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS to each of the multiple detection coils 40 in sequence. Then, the controller 50 detects the level of the second reception signal RS2a that is responded and detected from the power receiving unit 22 to the next other detection coil 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40 that is the output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the magnetic field for detection. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the level of the second reception signal RS2a detected by each of the multiple detection coils 40, by using the basic position determination processing of the above-mentioned ratio, thereby determining the fourth position P4a.

[0302] Next, the controller 50 determines the fourth position P4b of the power receiving unit 22 (step S908). For example, the controller 50 selectively outputs the transmission signal TS to each of the multiple detection coils 40 in sequence. Then, the controller 50 detects the level of the second reception signal RS2b that is respectively responded and detected from the power receiving unit 22 to the previous other detection coils 40 adjacent to the detection coil 40 that is the output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the magnetic field for detection. Then, the controller 50 determines the position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the level of the second reception signal RS2b detected by each of the multiple detection coils 40, by using the basic position determination processing of the above-mentioned ratio, thereby determining the fourth position P4b.

[0303] Next, the controller 50 uses the third position P3 determined in step S904, the fourth position P4a determined in step S906, and the fourth position P4b determined in step S908 to determine the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22 (step S910). For example, the controller 50 determines the average position of the third position P3, the fourth position P4a, and the fourth position P4b as the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22.

[0304] Then, the controller 50 controls the power transmission coil 30 to move to the position P determined in step S910 (step S912). Then, as in step S114 (refer to step S913), Fig. 9 ) Similarly, the controller 50 starts charging control (step S914) and ends this routine.

[0305] As described above, in the present modification, the controller 50 executes the fourth position specifying process regardless of whether the relative distance is outside the predetermined distance range.

[0306] In the fourth determination process, the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22 is determined based on the third position P3 and the fourth position P4. The third position P3 is the position P determined based on the first reception signal RS1, which is a reception signal RS detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40 as an output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the transmission signal TS output sequentially to each of the plurality of detection coils 40. The fourth position P4 is the position P determined based on the second reception signal RS2, which is a reception signal RS detected by each of the plurality of detection coils 40 other than the output source of the transmission signal TS in response to the transmission signal TS output sequentially to each of the plurality of detection coils 40.

[0307] Therefore, by using the third position P3 and the fourth position P4 to determine the accurate position P of the power reception unit 22 , the controller 50 can determine the position P where the influence of the noise Z included in the reception signal RS is reduced as the accurate position P of the power reception unit 22 .

[0308] Therefore, in this modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the charging device 10 can accurately identify the position of the power receiving unit 22 of the terminal device 20 .

[0309] Furthermore, the controller 50 may also execute the fourth position determining process in combination with the third position determining process using the correction coefficient Ke.

[0310] In this case, the controller 50 may determine the accurate position P of the power receiving unit 22 based on the corrected received signal obtained by correcting the received signal RS for determining at least one of the third position P3 and the fourth position P4 using a correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance.

[0311] In detail, when using the basic position determination processing of the above-mentioned ratio, the controller 50 performs the position determination processing of replacing the received signal RS with a corrected received signal obtained by correcting the received signal RS with a correction coefficient Ke corresponding to the relative distance as the determination processing of at least one of the third position P3 and the fourth position P4.

[0312] In addition, the above description of the embodiment and the modified example is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above new embodiment and modified example can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made within the scope of the subject matter of the invention. The above embodiment and modified example are included in the scope or subject matter of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the scope of the invention and its equivalent.

[0313] Description of Reference Numerals

[0314] 10: Charging device; 20: Terminal device; 22: Power receiving unit; 30: Power transmission coil; 36: Moving mechanism; 40: Detection coil; 50: Controller.

Claims

1. A charging device for wirelessly charging a terminal device disposed on a placement surface and having a power receiving unit for receiving wirelessly transmitted power, the charging device comprising: a power transmission coil for transmitting power to the terminal device; a plurality of detection coils for detecting a position of the power receiving portion of the terminal device on the placement surface; a moving mechanism that moves the power transmission coil; as well as A controller controls the power transmission coil, the plurality of detection coils and the moving mechanism, selectively outputs a transmission signal for generating a magnetic field for detection to each of the plurality of detection coils in sequence, and determines the position of the power receiving unit based on a reception signal that responds to and is detected by each of the plurality of detection coils in response to the magnetic field for detection. wherein the controller determines the position of the power receiving unit based on a third position and a fourth position, The third position is the position determined based on the first receiving signal, wherein the first receiving signal is the receiving signal detected by each of the plurality of detection coils as an output source of the transmitting signal in response to the transmitting signal output to each of the plurality of detection coils in sequence, The fourth position is the position determined based on a second receiving signal, wherein the second receiving signal is a receiving signal that is detected by each of the detection coils in response to the transmitting signal output sequentially to each of the plurality of detection coils and by each of the plurality of detection coils other than the output source of the transmitting signal.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The controller determines an average position of the third position and the fourth position as the position of the power reception unit.

3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The controller determines the position of the power receiving unit based on a corrected received signal obtained by correcting the received signal for determining at least one of the third position and the fourth position using a correction coefficient corresponding to the relative distance between the detection coil and the power receiving unit.

4. A charging method, performed by a charging device, wherein the charging device wirelessly charges a terminal device disposed on a loading surface and having a power receiving unit for receiving wirelessly transmitted power, and the charging device comprises a power transmission coil for transmitting power to the terminal device, a plurality of detection coils for detecting the position of the power receiving unit of the terminal device on the loading surface, and a moving mechanism for moving the power transmission coil, wherein: The charging method includes a determination step, in which the power transmission coil, the plurality of detection coils and the moving mechanism are controlled to selectively output a transmission signal for generating a magnetic field for detection to each of the plurality of detection coils in sequence, and the position of the power receiving unit is determined based on a reception signal that is responded to and detected by the power receiving unit from each of the plurality of detection coils in response to the magnetic field for detection. In the determining step, the position of the power receiving unit is determined based on a third position and a fourth position, The third position is the position determined based on the first receiving signal, wherein the first receiving signal is the receiving signal detected by each of the plurality of detection coils as an output source of the transmitting signal in response to the transmitting signal output to each of the plurality of detection coils in sequence, The fourth position is the position determined based on a second receiving signal, wherein the second receiving signal is a receiving signal that is detected by each of the detection coils in response to the transmitting signal output sequentially to each of the plurality of detection coils and by each of the plurality of detection coils other than the output source of the transmitting signal.

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