Power supply equipment

Abstract

This power supply device is provided with: a power supply line that is disposed along a movement path of a plurality of moving bodies and that supplies power to the plurality of moving bodies; a power supply device connected to the power supply line and supplying power to the power supply line; and a control system that controls the power supply device. A control system is provided with: a moving body number information acquisition unit that acquires moving body number information indicating the number of moving bodies in a power supply region, which is a region in which a power supply line is disposed in a movement path; and a control execution unit that executes supply power variable control for reducing power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line in accordance with a decrease in the number of moving bodies in the power supply area on the basis of the number of moving bodies information. Power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line is increased in response to an increase in the number of moving bodies in the power supply area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply device comprising: a power supply line disposed along a movement path of a plurality of moving bodies and supplying power to the plurality of moving bodies; and a power supply device connected to the power supply line and supplying power to the power supply line. Background Technology

[0002] An example of such a power supply device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-67747 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1"). In the following description of the background art, symbols from Patent Document 1 will be referenced in parentheses.

[0003] In the power supply device of Patent Document 1, multiple power supply lines (47) are arranged along the movement path (B) of multiple moving bodies (V). Moreover, a power supply device (M) is connected to each of the multiple power supply lines (47). In this way, each of the multiple moving bodies (V) can move along the movement path (B) by means of power supplied from the adjacent power supply lines (47). Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the power supply equipment of Patent Document 1, the power supplied by the power supply device (M) to the power supply line (47) is set based on the maximum number of mobile bodies (V) that can be located in a power supply area with a power supply line (47) in the movement path (B). Therefore, sometimes the power supply device (M) supplies more power than needed to the power supply line (47), and the power consumption in the power supply equipment increases.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to develop power supply devices that can reduce power consumption to a minimum.

[0006] In view of the above, the power supply equipment is characterized by the following aspects: A power supply device having the following: A power supply line is configured along the movement path of multiple mobile bodies and supplies power to the aforementioned mobile bodies; A power supply device, which is connected to the aforementioned power supply line and supplies power to the aforementioned power supply line; and The control system controls the aforementioned power supply device. The aforementioned control system has: The mobile body count information acquisition unit designates the area along the aforementioned movement path where the aforementioned power supply line is located as a power supply area, and acquires mobile body count information indicating the number of mobile bodies within the aforementioned power supply area; and The control execution unit performs the following variable power supply control: based on the aforementioned mobile body number information, it reduces the power supplied from the aforementioned power supply device to the aforementioned power supply line in accordance with the decrease in the number of the aforementioned mobile bodies in the aforementioned power supply area, and increases the power supplied from the aforementioned power supply device to the aforementioned power supply line in accordance with the increase in the number of the aforementioned mobile bodies in the aforementioned power supply area.

[0007] Based on this feature, by controlling the power supply variablely, the power supplied from the power supply device to the power line can be appropriately adjusted when the number of mobile bodies located in the power supply area increases or decreases. Therefore, for example, compared to a configuration that sets the power supplied from the power supply device to the power line based on the maximum number of mobile bodies that can be located in the power supply area, the power consumption in the power supply equipment can be reduced to a smaller level. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a top view of an article conveying device equipped with the power supply equipment involved in the implementation method.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a front view of the moving body involved in the implementation method.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the power supply equipment involved in the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of control processing using a control system.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of the first and second thresholds.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of control processing using a moving body control system.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the first and second limits for the number of operating units per power supply device. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Hereinafter, the power supply device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the power supply device 100 is provided in the article conveying device 200.

[0016] like Figure 1As shown, the article conveying device 200 includes a plurality of moving bodies 1 that move along a moving path P. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of moving bodies 1 is a conveyor vehicle for conveying articles. Articles may be, for example, FOUPs (Front Opening Unified Pods) that contain semiconductor substrates or glass substrates that become materials for displays.

[0017] In this embodiment, the mobile path P includes a main path Pa formed in a loop, multiple secondary paths Pb formed in a loop that pass through multiple stations S respectively, and multiple connecting paths Pc that connect the main path Pa with the multiple secondary paths Pb.

[0018] Station S is configured as follows: a mobile body 1 stops at a position corresponding to station S, and the exchange of items takes place between station S and the mobile body 1. The objects of item exchange at station S include, for example, the loading port of a processing device that sets items as processing objects, the inbound / outbound port of a storage device for storing items, and a storage rack for temporarily storing items.

[0019] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the article conveying device 200 further includes a pair of travel tracks 2 suspended from the ceiling. The pair of travel tracks 2 are arranged along the movement path P. When viewed along the vertical direction Z, which is the vertical direction, the pair of travel tracks 2 are arranged at intervals from each other along the path width direction H, which is orthogonal to the movement path P. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of moving bodies 1 is a ceiling-mounted conveyor vehicle that is guided by the pair of travel tracks 2 and travels along the movement path P.

[0020] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of moving bodies 1 includes a traveling part 11 and a transfer part 12.

[0021] The traveling unit 11 includes a plurality of traveling wheels 111 and a traveling motor 112. The plurality of traveling wheels 111 are configured to roll on a traveling surface formed by the upper surfaces of a pair of traveling tracks 2. The traveling motor 112 is a motor that drives the rotation of at least a portion of the plurality of traveling wheels 111.

[0022] In this embodiment, the traveling unit 11 also includes a plurality of guide wheels 113. The plurality of guide wheels 113 are supported to rotate freely about an axis along the vertical direction Z. The plurality of guide wheels 113 are arranged separately along the path width direction H such that they abut against a pair of inner surfaces facing each other along the path width direction H in a pair of traveling tracks 2.

[0023] The transfer unit 12 is configured to transfer items between the station S and the station S. Although detailed descriptions are omitted, the transfer unit 12 includes, for example: a holding part that holds the items; a lifting part that moves the holding part up and down relative to the traveling part 11; a horizontal moving part that moves the holding part horizontally relative to the traveling part 11; and a rotating part that rotates the holding part relative to the traveling part 11 about a rotation axis in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the transfer unit 12 is not limited to the configuration described above, as long as it has the necessary configuration for transferring items between the station S and the station S.

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, the power supply equipment 100 includes a power supply line 3, a power supply device 4, and a control system 5. In this embodiment, the power supply equipment 100 also includes a movement control system 6.

[0025] The power supply line 3 is arranged along the movement path P of the plurality of moving bodies 1. The power supply line 3 is configured to supply power to the plurality of moving bodies 1. In this embodiment, the plurality of power supply lines 3 are arranged along the movement path P.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the mobile body 1 further includes a power receiving device 13. The power receiving device 13 is a device that receives power from the power supply line 3 in a non-contact manner. In this embodiment, the power supply line 3 is supported by each of a pair of travel tracks 2 in such a way that it is located on both sides of the path width direction H relative to the power receiving device 13.

[0027] The power receiving device 13 includes a pickup coil 131. In the pickup coil 131, alternating current is induced by the magnetic field generated around the power supply line 3 to which alternating current is supplied. This alternating current is converted into direct current by the power receiving circuit of the power receiving device 13, which includes a rectifier circuit, a smoothing capacitor, etc., and is supplied to the travel motor 112, various actuators, etc. of the moving body 1.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the power supply device 4 is a device that is connected to the power supply line 3 and supplies power to the power supply line 3. In this embodiment, multiple power supply devices 4 are connected to multiple power supply lines 3 respectively. To explain, in this embodiment, the number of power supply devices 4 is the same as the number of power supply lines 3, with one power supply device 4 connected to one power supply line 3.

[0029] In this embodiment, the power supply device 4 includes N power supply units 41 (N being an integer of 2 or more). Each of the N power supply units 41 is configured to supply power to the power supply line 3. In this example, for one power supply device 4, four power supply units 41 are configured (N=4).

[0030] The control system 5 is configured to control the power supply devices 4. In this embodiment, multiple control systems 5 control multiple power supply devices 4 respectively. To explain, in this embodiment, the number of control systems 5 is the same as the number of power supply devices 4, with one control system 5 controlling one power supply device 4.

[0031] The control system 5 includes a mobile body count information acquisition unit 51. The mobile body count information acquisition unit 51 is configured to acquire mobile body count information, which shows the number of mobile bodies 1 within the power supply area A as X. In this embodiment, the mobile body count information acquisition unit 51 acquires the mobile body count information, showing the number of mobile bodies X, from the mobile body control system 6. Here, the power supply area A is the area in the movement path P where power supply lines 3 are arranged. In this embodiment, multiple power supply areas A are set up corresponding to multiple power supply lines 3.

[0032] The mobile body control system 6 is configured to control a plurality of mobile bodies 1. In this embodiment, the mobile body control system 6 stores the number X of mobile bodies at each of the plurality of power supply lines 3.

[0033] The control system 5 includes a control execution unit 52. The control execution unit 52 is configured to perform variable power supply control. The variable power supply control is as follows: based on the number of mobile bodies X, the power supplied from the power supply device 4 to the power supply line 3 decreases when the number of mobile bodies 1 in the power supply area A decreases, and the power supplied from the power supply device 4 to the power supply line 3 increases when the number of mobile bodies 1 in the power supply area A increases. Furthermore, multiple mobile bodies 1 enter and exit the power supply area A, thereby increasing or decreasing the number of mobile bodies 1 in that power supply area A. In this embodiment, multiple mobile bodies 1 move across multiple power supply areas A, thus increasing or decreasing the number of mobile bodies 1 in each power supply area A.

[0034] In this embodiment, the control execution unit 52 increases or decreases the number of operating units Na in the variable power supply control, thereby increasing or decreasing the power supplied from the power supply device 4 to the power supply line 3. Here, the number of operating units Na is the number of power supply devices 41 out of N power supply devices 41 that are currently supplying power to the power supply line 3.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control execution units 52 of the multiple control systems 5 independently perform variable power supply control.

[0036] The following is for reference Figure 4 The control processing using the control execution unit 52 of the control system 5 will be explained. Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of control processing using the control execution unit 52.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the control execution unit 52 first determines whether a predetermined set time T has elapsed since the start of the mobile body control system 6 (step #1). If the set time T has not elapsed since the start of the mobile body control system 6 (step #1: No), the control execution unit 52 terminates the control process. Furthermore, the set time T is set to a time during which the mobile body control system 6 can properly control the number of mobile bodies X.

[0038] On the other hand, if a set time T has elapsed since the start of the mobile body control system 6 (step #1: Yes), the control execution unit 52 obtains mobile body number information showing the number of mobile bodies X from the mobile body control system 6 (step #2).

[0039] Next, the control execution unit 52 determines whether the increase or decrease of the number of moving bodies 1 per unit time in the power supply area A (hereinafter referred to as "target power supply area A") where the power supply line 3 connected to the power supply device 4, which is the object controlled by the control execution unit 52, is located is above the predetermined change threshold TH (step #3). If the increase or decrease of the number of moving bodies 1 per unit time in the target power supply area A is above the change threshold TH (step #3: yes), the control execution unit 52 ends the control process.

[0040] On the other hand, if the increase or decrease of the number of moving bodies 1 per unit time in the target power supply area A is less than the change threshold TH (step #3: no), the control execution unit 52 performs variable control of the power supply (see steps #4 to #7 described later).

[0041] Thus, in this example, the control execution unit 52 does not perform variable power supply control until a set time T has elapsed since the start of the mobile body control system 6. Furthermore, the control execution unit 52 of the multiple control systems 5 does not perform variable power supply control in power supply areas A where the increase or decrease in the number of mobile bodies 1 per unit time is greater than or equal to the variation threshold TH. Alternatively, it can be configured such that power supply areas A where the increase or decrease in the number of mobile bodies 1 per unit time is greater than or equal to the variation threshold TH are specifically designated in advance through simulation or the like, and variable power supply control is not performed in these power supply areas A.

[0042] Next, the control execution unit 52 determines whether the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A has fallen below the predetermined first threshold TH1 (step #4). If the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A has fallen below the first threshold TH1 (step #4: yes), the control execution unit 52 reduces the number of operating units Na (step #5), and then ends the control process.

[0043] On the other hand, if the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A is greater than the first threshold TH1 (step #4: no), the control execution unit 52 determines whether the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A has reached or exceeded the predetermined second threshold TH2 (step #6).

[0044] If the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A becomes greater than or equal to the second threshold TH2 (step #6: Yes), the control execution unit 52 increases the number of operating units Na (step #7), and then ends the control process. On the other hand, if the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A is less than the second threshold TH2 (step #6: No), the control execution unit 52 ends the control process.

[0045] Thus, in this example, in the variable power supply control, the control execution unit 52 reduces the power supplied from the power supply device 4 to the power supply line 3 when the number of mobile bodies 1 in the power supply area A is below the first threshold TH1, and increases the power supplied from the power supply device 4 to the power supply line 3 when the number of mobile bodies 1 in the power supply area A is above the second threshold TH2. Here, the first threshold TH1 is a value smaller than the second threshold TH2.

[0046] exist Figure 5 In the example shown, the first threshold TH1 and the second threshold TH2, which control execution unit 52 adjusts the number of operating units Na between 3 and 4, are set to "18" and "20", respectively. That is, when the current number of operating units Na is 4, if the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A becomes less than "18" (as defined by the first threshold TH1), control execution unit 52 reduces the number of operating units Na to 3. Conversely, when the current number of operating units Na is 3, if the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A becomes more than "20" (as defined by the second threshold TH2), control execution unit 52 increases the number of operating units Na to 4.

[0047] Furthermore, in this example, the first threshold TH1 and the second threshold TH2, which control execution unit 52 adjusts the number of operating units Na between 2 and 3, are set to "5" and "8", respectively. That is, when the current number of operating units Na is 3, if the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A becomes less than "5" (as defined by the first threshold TH1), control execution unit 52 reduces the number of operating units Na to 2. Conversely, when the current number of operating units Na is 2, if the number of moving bodies X in the target power supply area A becomes more than "8" (as defined by the second threshold TH2), control execution unit 52 increases the number of operating units Na to 3.

[0048] Furthermore, in this example, the control execution unit 52 does not increase or decrease the number of operating units Na between 1 and 2. Moreover, the control execution unit 52 also does not increase or decrease the number of operating units Na between 0 and 1. That is, in this example, the first threshold TH1 for the current number of operating units Na being 2 or 1 is not set. Furthermore, the second threshold TH2 for the current number of operating units Na being 1 or 0 is not set.

[0049] The following is for reference Figure 6 The control processing using the moving body control system 6 will be explained. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of control processing using the moving body control system 6.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, the mobile control system 6 first determines whether the number of operating units Na has decreased (step #11). If the number of operating units Na has not decreased (step #11: no), the mobile control system 6 terminates the control process.

[0051] On the other hand, if the number of operating units Na decreases (step #11: Yes), the mobile unit control system 6 determines whether the decrease in the number of operating units Na is due to the execution of variable power supply control (step #12). If the decrease in the number of operating units Na is due to the execution of variable power supply control (step #12: Yes), the mobile unit control system 6 terminates the control process.

[0052] On the other hand, if the decrease in the number of operating units Na is not due to the implementation of variable power supply control (step #12: No), the mobile unit control system 6 determines that some of the power supply devices 41 among the N units have become unpowered, meaning they cannot supply power to the power supply line 3, and executes mobile unit number restriction control (step #13). Mobile unit number restriction control limits the number of mobile units 1 that can enter the power supply area A. In this example, the mobile unit control system 6, in the mobile unit number restriction control, limits the number of mobile units 1 that can enter the power supply area A where the power supply line 3 connected to the unpowered power supply device 41 is located.

[0053] Thus, in this example, when the number of operating units Na decreases due to a portion of the power supply devices 41 among the N units becoming unable to supply power to the power supply line 3, the mobile unit control system 6 performs mobile unit number limitation control, restricting the number of mobile units 1 that can enter the power supply area A. Furthermore, when the number of operating units Na decreases due to the implementation of variable power supply control, the mobile unit control system 6 does not perform mobile unit number limitation control.

[0054] exist Figure 7In the example shown, a first limit number LM1 and a second limit number LM2 are set for each number of operating units Na. The first limit number LM1 is the maximum number of mobile units 1 that can enter the power supply area A. The second limit number LM2 is a smaller value than the first limit number LM1. The second limit number LM2 is set so that if the number of mobile units 1 located in the power supply area A is close to the first limit number LM1, specially designated mobile units 1 (e.g., mobile units 1 in standby that are not performing operations) will be discharged from the power supply area A.

[0055] In this example, when the number of operating units Na does not decrease and the number of operating units Na is 4, the first limit number LM1 is set to "35". "35" is the maximum number of mobile bodies 1 that can be located in the power supply area A. Therefore, even when the number of operating units Na is 4, that is, when the number of operating units Na does not decrease, the number of mobile bodies 1 that can enter the power supply area A is limited to "35" or less. In addition, when the number of operating units Na is 4, the second limit number LM2 is set to "30".

[0056] In this example, when one power supply unit 41 is unable to supply power and the number of operating units Na is 3, the first limit number LM1 and the second limit number LM2 are set to "20" and "16" respectively. Moreover, when two power supply units 41 are unable to supply power and the number of operating units Na is 2, the first limit number LM1 and the second limit number LM2 are set to "10" and "8" respectively.

[0057] Furthermore, in this example, when all three power supply units 41 are unable to supply power and the number of operating units Na is 1, the first limit number LM1 and the second limit number LM2 are each set to "0". That is, in this case, the moving body 1 is prohibited from entering the power supply area A, and all moving bodies 1 are discharged from the power supply area A.

[0058] [Other Implementation Methods] (1) In the above embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example: the moving body 1 is a roof-mounted transport vehicle that is guided by a travel track 2 suspended from the roof and travels along the travel path P. However, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the moving body 1 may also be a rail transport vehicle that travels along a track provided on the floor.

[0059] (2) In the above embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example: the power receiving device 13 of the mobile body 1 receives power from the power supply line 3 in a non-contact manner. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and it may also be configured such that the power receiving device 13 of the mobile body 1 receives power in a state of contact with the power supply line 3.

[0060] (3) In the above embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example: the power supply device 4 has N power supply units 41 (N is an integer of 2 or more), and the control execution unit 52 increases or decreases the number Na of operating power supply units 41 in variable power supply control, thereby increasing or decreasing the power supplied from the power supply device 4 to the power supply line 3. However, this configuration is not limited to this one, and it may also be configured to have only one power supply unit 41. In this configuration, it is preferable that the control execution unit 52 increases or decreases the power supplied from the power supply unit 41 to the power supply line 3 in variable power supply control.

[0061] (4) In the above embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example: the power supply device 100 has multiple control systems 5 and a mobile body control system 6. However, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the multiple control systems 5 and the mobile body control system 6 can also be configured as a single control system.

[0062] (5) In the above embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example: the mobile body number information acquisition unit 51 acquires mobile body number information showing the number of mobile bodies X from the mobile body control system 6. However, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, it may also be configured such that the mobile body number information acquisition unit 51 uses a camera or sensor or the like to acquire the mobile body number information showing the number of mobile bodies X.

[0063] (6) In the above embodiment, the following configuration is described as an example: when the decrease in the number of operating units Na is not due to the execution of variable power supply control, the mobile unit control system 6 determines that some of the power supply devices 41 among the N units are in a state of not being able to supply power, and executes mobile unit number limit control. However, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, it can also be configured such that the control system 5 monitors the state of the power supply devices 41, and the mobile unit control system 6 obtains the state of the power supply devices 41 from the control system 5, thereby determining that some of the power supply devices 41 among the N units are in a state of not being able to supply power.

[0064] (7) In the above embodiment, the following configuration was described as an example: the mobile body 1 has a power receiving device 13 that receives power from the power supply line 3 in a non-contact manner, and moves by the power received by the power receiving device 13. However, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, it may be configured such that the mobile body 1 also has a power storage device that stores the power received by the power receiving device 13, and moves by the power of the power storage device. In this configuration, the mobile body 1 with a high charge level of the power storage device may be excluded from the number of mobile bodies X, and variable power supply control may be performed.

[0065] (8) Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments can be combined with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as they do not create contradictions. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various changes can be made appropriately without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0066] [Summary of this implementation method] The following is a summary of the power supply equipment described above.

[0067] A power supply device, which is a power supply device having the following: A power supply line is configured along the movement path of multiple mobile bodies and supplies power to the aforementioned mobile bodies; A power supply device, which is connected to the aforementioned power supply line and supplies power to the aforementioned power supply line; and The control system controls the aforementioned power supply device. The aforementioned control system has: The mobile body count information acquisition unit designates the area along the aforementioned movement path where the aforementioned power supply line is located as a power supply area, and acquires mobile body count information indicating the number of mobile bodies within the aforementioned power supply area; and The control execution unit performs the following variable power supply control: based on the aforementioned mobile body number information, it reduces the power supplied from the aforementioned power supply device to the aforementioned power supply line in accordance with the decrease in the number of the aforementioned mobile bodies in the aforementioned power supply area, and increases the power supplied from the aforementioned power supply device to the aforementioned power supply line in accordance with the increase in the number of the aforementioned mobile bodies in the aforementioned power supply area.

[0068] Based on this configuration, by controlling the power supply variablely, the power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line can be appropriately adjusted when the number of mobile bodies located in the power supply area increases or decreases. Therefore, for example, compared to a configuration that sets the power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line based on the maximum number of mobile bodies that can be located in the power supply area, the power consumption in the power supply equipment can be reduced to a smaller level.

[0069] Here, it is appropriate that, in the aforementioned variable power supply control, the control execution unit reduces the power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line when the number of the aforementioned moving bodies in the aforementioned power supply area is below a predetermined first threshold, and increases the power supplied from the aforementioned power supply device to the aforementioned power supply line when the number of the aforementioned moving bodies in the aforementioned power supply area is above a predetermined second threshold. The aforementioned first threshold is a smaller value than the aforementioned second threshold.

[0070] Based on this configuration, frequent increases and decreases in the power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line can be avoided.

[0071] Additionally, it is suitable that the aforementioned power supply device has N power supply units (N being an integer of 2 or more). The number of power supply devices that are currently supplying power to the aforementioned power supply line out of the aforementioned N power supply devices is defined as the number of operating devices. In the aforementioned variable power supply control, the aforementioned control execution unit increases or decreases the aforementioned number of operating units, thereby increasing or decreasing the power supplied from the aforementioned power supply device to the aforementioned power supply line.

[0072] Based on this configuration, the processing of the control system used for variable power supply can be easily simplified.

[0073] In the above configuration, it is appropriate that the aforementioned power supply equipment also includes a movement control system for controlling the plurality of the aforementioned moving bodies. The aforementioned mobile body control system: When the number of operating units decreases due to some of the aforementioned power supply devices becoming unable to supply power to the aforementioned power supply line, a movement number restriction control is implemented to limit the number of the aforementioned moving bodies that can enter the aforementioned power supply area. When the number of operating units decreases as a result of the aforementioned variable power supply control, the aforementioned movement number limit control is not implemented.

[0074] According to this configuration, when a portion of the power supply devices are unable to supply power to the power supply line, by using mobile body number limit control to limit the number of mobile bodies that can enter the power supply area, the possibility of insufficient power supply to the mobile bodies due to an increase in the number of mobile bodies in the power supply area can be reduced.

[0075] On the other hand, when the number of mobile bodies located in the power supply area increases during the implementation of variable power supply control, power can be appropriately supplied to all mobile bodies located in the power supply area by increasing the number of operating power supply units.

[0076] Additionally, it is suitable that the aforementioned power supply equipment includes a plurality of aforementioned power supply lines arranged along the aforementioned movement path, a plurality of aforementioned power supply devices respectively connected to the plurality of aforementioned power supply lines, and a plurality of aforementioned control systems respectively controlling the plurality of aforementioned power supply devices. Multiple power supply zones are set up corresponding to the aforementioned power supply lines respectively. The aforementioned control execution units of the multiple aforementioned control systems independently execute the aforementioned variable power supply control. In the aforementioned power supply areas where the increase or decrease of the number of the aforementioned moving bodies per unit time is above a predetermined change threshold, the aforementioned variable power supply control is not executed.

[0077] Based on this configuration, power can be supplied appropriately according to the number of mobile bodies located in each power supply area.

[0078] Furthermore, based on this configuration, the possibility that the power supply cannot keep up with the rapid increase in the number of mobile bodies located in the power supply area can be reduced, resulting in insufficient power supply to the mobile bodies.

[0079] Additionally, it is appropriate that the aforementioned power supply equipment also includes a movement control system for controlling multiple of the aforementioned moving bodies. The aforementioned mobile body number information acquisition unit is configured to acquire the aforementioned mobile body number information from the aforementioned mobile body control system. The aforementioned control execution unit does not perform the aforementioned variable power supply control until a predetermined set time has elapsed since the start of the aforementioned mobile body control system.

[0080] Before a set time has elapsed since the start of the mobile body control system, there is a possibility that the number of mobile bodies obtained by the mobile body control system may become inaccurate. According to this configuration, the possibility that the appropriate power supply to the mobile bodies may fail due to variable power control based on such inaccurate information can be reduced.

[0081] [Industry Applicability] The technology disclosed herein can be used in power supply equipment comprising: a power supply line configured along the movement path of a plurality of mobile bodies and supplying power to the plurality of mobile bodies; and a power supply device connected to the power supply line and supplying power to the power supply line.

[0082] [Symbol Explanation] 100: Power supply equipment 1: Moving body 3: Power supply line 4: Power supply equipment 41: Power supply device 5: Control System 51: Information Acquisition Department for Mobile Entities 52: Control Execution Unit 6: Movement Control System A: Power supply area P: Movement path.

Claims

1. A power supply device, comprising the following: A power supply line is configured along the movement path of the multiple mobile bodies and supplies power to the multiple mobile bodies; A power supply device, which is connected to the power supply line and supplies power to the power supply line; and The control system controls the power supply device. The power supply equipment has the following characteristics: The control system includes: The mobile body count information acquisition unit designates the area along the movement path where the power supply line is configured as a power supply area, and acquires mobile body count information indicating the number of mobile bodies within the power supply area; and The control execution unit performs the following variable power supply control: based on the number of mobile bodies, it reduces the power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line in accordance with the decrease in the number of mobile bodies in the power supply area, and increases the power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line in accordance with the increase in the number of mobile bodies in the power supply area.

2. The power supply equipment according to claim 1, wherein, In the variable power supply control, the control execution unit reduces the power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line when the number of moving bodies in the power supply area is below a predetermined first threshold, and increases the power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line when the number of moving bodies in the power supply area is above a predetermined second threshold. The first threshold is a value smaller than the second threshold.

3. The power supply equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The power supply device has N power supply units (N is an integer of 2 or more). The number of power supply devices that are currently supplying power to the power supply line out of the N power supply devices is defined as the number of operating devices. The control execution unit, in the variable power supply control, increases or decreases the number of operating units, thereby increasing or decreasing the power supplied from the power supply device to the power supply line.

4. The power supply equipment according to claim 3, It also has a movement control system for controlling multiple of the aforementioned moving bodies. The mobile body control system: When the number of operating units decreases due to a portion of the N power supply units becoming unable to supply power to the power supply line, a movement number limit control is implemented to restrict the number of moving bodies that can enter the power supply area. When the number of operating units decreases along with the implementation of the variable power supply control, the movement number limit control is not implemented.

5. The power supply equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The device comprises a plurality of power supply lines configured along the movement path, a plurality of power supply devices respectively connected to the plurality of power supply lines, and a plurality of control systems respectively controlling the plurality of power supply devices. Multiple power supply zones are set up corresponding to the multiple power supply lines respectively. The control execution units of the multiple control systems execute the variable power supply control independently. In the power supply areas where the number of increases or decreases of the moving bodies per unit time in the multiple power supply areas is above a predetermined change threshold, the variable power supply control is not executed.

6. The power supply equipment according to claim 1 or 2, It also has a movement control system for controlling multiple of the aforementioned moving bodies. The mobile body number information acquisition unit is configured to acquire the mobile body number information from the mobile body control system. The control execution unit does not perform the variable power supply control until a predetermined set time has elapsed since the start of the mobile body control system.

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