In-vehicle wireless power transmission system

Abstract

To make the total length of the electrical cables small, and reliably supply power from the battery installed below the floor to each of various electrical devices even when the various electrical devices are installed inside a vehicle cabin.SOLUTION: A vehicle is provided with a plurality of transmitters which are respectively provided on a plurality of floor mounting members 16, 17 provided on a floor 14B and connected via an electric cable to a battery provided below the floor, capable of wirelessly transmitting battery power, and a control device 15 that determines a selected transmitter, which is a transmitter that wirelessly transmits the battery power to a receiver, on the basis of determination information including the required power amount of a receiving battery electrically connected to the receiver located within the vehicle and electrically connected to electrical equipment 40, 46, 50, 56, 63, and distance information regarding the distance between each transmitter and the receiver, and issues a wireless power transmission command to the selected transmitter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle power wireless transmission system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle including a power receiving device provided at the bottom of the vehicle body that non-contact receives microwaves output from power supply equipment provided outside the vehicle.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Vehicles are provided with various electrical devices. It is possible to configure the vehicle of Patent Document 1 above to connect the power receiving device and each electrical device with an electrical cable and supply the power stored in the power receiving device to each electrical device via the electrical cable. However, in this case, as the number of electrical devices increases, the total extension distance of the electrical cable increases. Due to recent social demands, it is preferable that the total extension distance of the electrical cables provided in the vehicle is short.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an in-vehicle power wireless transmission system that can reduce the total extension distance of electrical cables even when various electrical devices are provided in the vehicle interior and can reliably supply the power of a battery provided below the floor to each electrical device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to the invention described in claim 1 is provided on each of a plurality of floor installation members including a seat provided on the floor of the vehicle, and is connected to a battery provided below the floor via an electric cable, and includes a plurality of transmitters capable of wirelessly transmitting the power of the battery, and a control device that determines a selected transmitter that wirelessly transmits the power of the battery to the receiver based on determination information including the required power amount of a receiving-side battery electrically connected to a receiver located in the vehicle and electrically connected to an electrical device and distance information regarding the distance between each transmitter and the receiver, and issues a wireless transmission command for power to the selected transmitter.

[0007] The in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 1 is provided on each of a plurality of floor installation members provided on the floor of the vehicle, and includes a plurality of transmitters capable of wirelessly transmitting power, which are connected to a battery provided below the floor via an electric cable. Since the battery and the transmitters are connected via an electric cable, the power of the battery can be reliably supplied to each transmitter.

[0008] Furthermore, a selected transmitter, which is a predetermined transmitter, wirelessly transmits the power of the battery to the receiver. Based on determination information including the required power amount of a receiving-side battery electrically connected to a receiver located in the vehicle and electrically connected to an electrical device and distance information regarding the distance between each transmitter and the receiver, a selected transmitter that wirelessly transmits the power of the battery to the receiver is determined. Therefore, the selected transmitter can reliably supply the power of the battery to each receiver. Therefore, the power of the battery is reliably supplied to each electrical device.

[0009] Furthermore, power is supplied from the transmitter to the receiver via wireless communication, and the battery and each transmitter battery are connected via an electrical cable. Therefore, for example, when the transmitter is provided on the ceiling of the vehicle, or compared to the case where the transmitter and the receiver are connected by an electrical cable, the total extension distance of the electrical cable in the vehicle can be reduced. Accordingly, the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 1 can reduce the total extension distance of the electrical cable even when various electrical devices are provided in the vehicle interior.

[0010] The in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to the invention described in claim 2 is the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is capable of transmitting a specific electromagnetic wave that is an electromagnetic wave in a frequency band of 10 kHz to 300 GHz, the selected transmitter is capable of receiving the specific electromagnetic wave from the receiver, and when the specific electromagnetic wave is received, the power of the battery is wirelessly transmitted to the receiver.

[0011] In the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 2, when the selected transmitter receives a specific electromagnetic wave from the receiver, the selected transmitter wirelessly transmits the power of the battery to the receiver. In other words, when the selected transmitter does not receive the specific electromagnetic wave from the receiver, the selected transmitter does not wirelessly transmit the power of the battery to the receiver. Therefore, for example, when a passenger is present between the selected transmitter and the receiver, the selected transmitter is prevented from transmitting an electromagnetic wave that includes power for supplying to an electrical device and may interfere with the passenger, toward the electrical device.

[0012] The in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to the invention described in claim 3 is the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the SOC of the receiving-side battery is equal to or less than a first threshold value, the receiver is capable of wirelessly transmitting a power request signal, and the selected transmitter that has received the power request signal wirelessly transmits the power of the battery to the receiver.

[0013] In the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 3, the selected transmitter can wirelessly transmit the power of the battery to the receiver corresponding to the receiving-side battery whose SOC is equal to or less than the first threshold value.

[0014] The in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to the invention described in claim 4 is the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control device determines a specific transmitter, which is the transmitter having the shortest distance from the receiver, as the selected transmitter.

[0015] According to the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system described in claim 4, since the distance between the specific transmitter (selected transmitter) and the receiver can be shortened, the power of the battery provided below the floor can be more reliably supplied to each electrical device.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] As described above, according to the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to the present invention, even when various electrical devices are provided in the vehicle interior, the total extended distance of the electrical cables can be reduced, and the power of the battery provided below the floor can be reliably supplied to each electrical device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system 10 (hereinafter, system 10) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the arrow FR appropriately shown indicates the vehicle front direction, the arrow UP indicates the vehicle upward direction, and the arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle left-right direction (vehicle width direction). Hereinafter, when simply using the directions of front and rear, left and right, and up and down for explanation, the front and rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, the left and right in the vehicle left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and the up and down in the vehicle up-down direction are indicated.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a battery 11 is provided in a lower space 14B1 formed below a floor 14B that constitutes the lower surface of a passenger compartment 14A of a vehicle body 14 of a vehicle 12 on which the system 10 is mounted. The battery 11 is a rechargeable lithium-ion secondary battery. Charging of the battery 11 from a power source provided outside the vehicle 12 can be performed using, for example, an electric cable. Also, the power of a power source provided outside the vehicle 12 may be supplied to the battery 11 using electromagnetic induction or magnetic field resonance. The battery 11 can supply power to, for example, an electric motor (not shown) that is a drive source of the vehicle 12.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 12 is provided with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (control device) 15. The ECU 15 is connected to a battery 11 via a first electric cable 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the ECU 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 15A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 15C, a storage 15D, a communication I / F (Inter Face) 15E, and an input / output I / F 15F. The CPU 15A, the ROM 15B, the RAM 15C, the storage 15D, the communication I / F 15E, and the input / output I / F 15F are communicably connected to each other via a bus 15Z. The ECU 15 can acquire information regarding the date and time from a timer (not shown).

[0021] The CPU 15A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 15A reads a program from the ROM 15B or the storage 15D and executes the program using the RAM 15C as a work area. The CPU 15A performs control of each component and various arithmetic processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 15B or the storage 15D.

[0022] The ROM 15B stores various programs and various data. The RAM 15C temporarily stores a program or data as a work area. The storage 15D is composed of a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs and various data. The communication I / F 15E is an interface for the ECU 15 to communicate with other devices. The input / output I / F 15F is an interface for communicating with various devices.

[0023] The functional configuration of the ECU 15 will be described later.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of left and right front seats (seats) (floor installation members) 16 and a rear seat (seat) (floor installation member) 17 located behind the front seat 16 are provided on the upper surface of the floor 14B. The left and right front seats 16 are supported by an electric slide rail device 16S provided on the upper surface of the floor 14B. The left and right front seats 16 include a seat cushion 16A fixed to the upper rail of the slide rail device 16S, a seat back 16B rotatably connected to the seat cushion 16A via an electric reclining mechanism (not shown), and a headrest 16C connected to the upper end of the seat back 16B. The rear seat 17 includes a seat cushion 17A provided on the upper surface of the floor 14B via a support member 17X, a seat back 17B connected to the seat cushion 17A, a headrest 17C provided at the upper end of the seat back 17B, and an armrest 17D rotatably provided in the front-rear direction in a recess formed on the front surface of the seat back 17B. The armrest 17D is rotatable between a storage position (the phantom line in FIG. 1 and the position in FIG. 2) where the whole is stored in the recess and a use position (the solid line position in FIG. 1) where a portion excluding the base end portion (lower end portion) is located in front of the recess.

[0025] Power transmitters (transmitters) 20 are provided on the headrests 16C of the left and right front seats 16. As shown in FIG. 4, a power transmitter 20 is provided in the internal space 16C1 of the headrest 16C. The power transmitter 20 includes a first control device 22, a rotating device 23, and an antenna 24 that are connected to each other. The first control device 22 is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage, a communication I / F, and an input / output I / F, similar to the ECU 15. The rotating device 23 includes a fixed portion fixed to the bottom surface of the internal space 16C1, a support portion forming the upper part of the rotating device 23 and rotatable relative to the fixed portion, and an electric motor (not shown) for rotating the support portion relative to the fixed portion. The rotating device 23 is rotatable 360° around a predetermined X-axis with respect to the fixed portion and 360° around a Y-axis orthogonal to the X-axis with respect to the fixed portion. The antenna 24 is fixed to the support portion. The opening end of the internal space 16C1 is covered by a cover 16C2 that forms the surface of the headrest 16C.

[0026] The antenna 24 can transmit and receive specific electromagnetic waves that are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths included in the frequency band of 10 kHz to 300 GHz. Such electromagnetic waves include, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark). The cover 16C2 and the covers 16B1, 17C1, 17D1, 18A described later can transmit specific electromagnetic waves and various types of electromagnetic waves with frequencies different from the specific electromagnetic waves.

[0027] Power transmitters (transmitters) 26 are provided in the internal spaces (not shown) on the outer sides of the seatbacks 16B of the left and right front seats 16. The power transmitter 26 includes a first control device 22, a rotating device 23, and an antenna 24. The rotating device 23 of the power transmitter 26 has a fixed portion fixed to the bottom surface of the internal space of the seatback 16B, a support portion rotatable relative to the fixed portion, and an electric motor, and the antenna 24 is fixed to the support portion. The opening end (outer end) of the internal space of the seatback 16B is covered by a cover 16B1 that forms the surface of the seatback 16B.

[0028] Inside the internal space (not shown) of the headrest 17C of the rear seat 17, a power transmitter (transmitter) 28 is provided. The power transmitter 28 includes a first control device 22, a rotating device 23, and an antenna 24. The rotating device 23 of the power transmitter 28 has a fixed part fixed to the bottom surface of the internal space of the headrest 17C, a support part rotatable relative to the fixed part, and an electric motor, and the antenna 24 is fixed to the support part. The opening end (upper end) of the internal space of the headrest 17C is covered by a cover 17C1 that constitutes the surface of the headrest 17C.

[0029] Inside the internal space (not shown) near the tip of the armrest 17D of the rear seat 17, a power transmitter (transmitter) 30 is provided. The power transmitter 30 includes a first control device 22, a rotating device 23, and an antenna 24. The rotating device 23 of the power transmitter 30 has a fixed part fixed to the bottom surface of the internal space of the armrest 17D, a support part rotatable relative to the fixed part, and an electric motor, and the antenna 24 is fixed to the support part. The opening end of the internal space of the armrest 17D is covered by a cover 17D1 that constitutes the surface of the armrest 17D.

[0030] The vehicle 12 includes a console (floor-mounted member) 18 provided on the floor 14B so as to be located between the left and right front seats 16. A power transmitter (transmitter) 32 is provided in the internal space near the front end of the console 18. The power transmitter 32 includes a first control device 22, a rotating device 23, and an antenna 24. The rotating device 23 of the power transmitter 32 has a fixed part fixed to the bottom surface of the internal space of the console 18, a support part rotatable relative to the fixed part, and an electric motor, and the antenna 24 is fixed to the support part. The opening end of the internal space of the console 18 is covered by a cover 18A that constitutes the surface of the console 18.

[0031] The power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 are connected to the ECU 15 via a plurality of second electric cables 35 (see FIG. 1). The functional configuration of the first control device 22 of the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 will be described later.

[0032] System 10 is provided with various electrical devices. These electrical devices include electronic devices. Furthermore, these electrical devices include electrical devices provided in vehicle 12 and electrical devices movable between passenger compartment 14A and the outside of vehicle 12.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a lighting unit (electrical device) 40 is provided on ceiling portion 14C of vehicle body 14. Lighting unit 40 includes a receiving-side battery 41, a second control device 42, an antenna (receiver) 43, and a lighting fixture 44 that are electrically connected to each other. Receiving-side battery 41 is a rechargeable lithium-ion secondary battery, and its electric capacity is smaller than that of battery 11. Second control device 42, like ECU 15, is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage, a communication I / F, and an input / output I / F. Antenna 43 can transmit and receive specific electromagnetic waves with antenna 24. Lighting fixture 44 emits light using the power of receiving-side battery 41.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, a slide roof 14D that can open and close an opening 14C1 formed in ceiling portion 14C is provided on ceiling portion 14C of vehicle body 14. Furthermore, a roof drive unit (electrical device) 46 for sliding slide roof 14D to open and close opening 14C1 is provided on ceiling portion 14C. Roof drive unit 46 includes a receiving-side battery 41, a second control device 42, an antenna 43, and an electric motor 47 (illustrations of receiving-side battery 41, second control device 42, and antenna 43 are omitted). Electric motor 47 operates using the power of receiving-side battery 41 of roof drive unit 46 and generates a driving force for sliding slide roof 14D.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, a camera unit (electrical equipment) 50 is provided above the front part of the passenger compartment 14A. The camera unit 50 includes a receiving-side battery 41, a second control device 42, an antenna 43, and a camera 51 (illustrations of the receiving-side battery 41, the second control device 42, and the antenna 43 are omitted). The camera 51 is a digital camera that operates using the power of the receiving-side battery 41 of the camera unit 50 and captures an object in the passenger compartment 14A.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, side doors 14E that can open and close these openings are provided in the openings formed in the left and right side walls of the vehicle body 14. The left side door 14E faces the left front seat 16 in the left-right direction, and the right side door 14E faces the right front seat 16 in the left-right direction. Slide glasses (illustrations omitted) that can move in the vertical direction are provided on the left and right side doors 14E. Further, glass drive units (electrical equipment) 53 are provided on the left and right side doors 14E. The glass drive unit 53 includes a receiving-side battery 41, a second control device 42, an antenna 43, and an electric motor 54 (illustrations of the receiving-side battery 41, the second control device 42, and the antenna 43 are omitted). The electric motor 54 operates using the power of the receiving-side battery 41 of the glass drive unit 53 and generates a driving force for sliding the slide glass.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, a display unit (electrical equipment) 56 is provided on an instrument panel 14F provided at the front end of the passenger compartment 14A of the vehicle body 14. The display unit 56 includes a receiving-side battery 41, a second control device 42, an antenna 43, and a display 57 (illustrations of the receiving-side battery 41, the second control device 42, and the antenna 43 are omitted). The display 57 operates using the power of the receiving-side battery 41 of the display unit 56.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, an audio unit (electrical device) 60 is provided on the rear end surface of the console 18. The audio unit 60 includes a receiving-side battery 41, a second control device 42, an antenna 43, and an audio device 61 (the illustration of the receiving-side battery 41, the second control device 42, and the antenna 43 is omitted). The audio device 61 operates using the power of the receiving-side battery 41 of the audio unit 60.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, a passenger P1 is seated on the rear seat 17. This passenger P1 is holding a notebook personal computer (electrical device) (hereinafter referred to as a notebook PC) 63 in his / her hand. The notebook PC 63 includes a receiving-side battery 41, a second control device 42, and an antenna 43 (the illustration of the receiving-side battery 41, the second control device 42, and the antenna 43 is omitted). The notebook PC 63 operates using the power of its own receiving-side battery 41.

[0040] In the following description, the lighting unit 40, the roof drive unit 46, the camera unit 50, the glass drive unit 53, the display unit 56, the audio unit 60, and the notebook PC 63 may be collectively referred to as electrical devices.

[0041] Subsequently, the functional configurations of the ECU 15, the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32, the first control device 22, and the second control device 42 of the electrical devices will be described.

[0042] First, the functional configuration of the second control device 42 of the electrical devices will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, each second control device 42 has, as a functional configuration, an SOC determination unit 421, a power request transmission unit 422, an antenna control unit 423, an electrical device control unit 424, and a battery control unit 425. The SOC determination unit 421, the power request transmission unit 422, the antenna control unit 423, the electrical device control unit 424, and the battery control unit 425 are realized by the CPU of the second control device 42 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM.

[0043] The SOC determination unit 421 monitors the SOC (State of Charge) of the receiving - side battery 41 electrically connected to the second control device 42, and determines whether the SOC is less than or equal to the first threshold value based on the information regarding this SOC and the information regarding the first threshold value recorded in the ROM of the second control device 42. The first threshold value is, for example, 70%.

[0044] When the SOC determination unit 421 determines that the SOC is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the power - demand transmission unit 422 generates a power - demand signal. This power - demand signal includes information regarding the SOC of the receiving - side battery 41, as well as ID information of the electrical equipment corresponding to the power - demand transmission unit 422 and information regarding the required power amount.

[0045] When the power - demand transmission unit 422 generates a power - demand signal, the antenna control unit 423 controls the antenna 43 to wirelessly transmit a specific electromagnetic wave including the power - demand signal toward the passenger compartment 14A.

[0046] The electrical - equipment control unit 424 controls the corresponding electrical equipment. For example, the electrical - equipment control unit 424 of the lighting unit 40 controls the lighting on and off of the lighting fixture 44. The electrical - equipment control unit 424 of the roof drive unit 46 controls the electric motor 47. The electrical - equipment control unit 424 of the camera unit 50 controls the camera 51. The electrical - equipment control unit 424 of the glass drive unit 53 controls the electric motor 54. The electrical - equipment control unit 424 of the display unit 56 controls the display 57. The electrical - equipment control unit 424 of the audio unit 60 controls the audio device 61. The electrical - equipment control unit 424 of the notebook PC 63 controls the notebook PC 63.

[0047] When the antenna 43 receives power via wireless as described later, the battery control unit 425 stores the received power in the receiving - side battery 41.

[0048] Next, the functional configuration of the first control device 22 of the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, each first control device 22 includes, as a functional configuration, a distance calculation unit 221, an information generation unit 222, and an antenna control unit 223. The distance calculation unit 221, the information generation unit 222, and the antenna control unit 223 are realized by the CPU 22 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM.

[0049] The distance calculation unit 221 calculates the distance between the antenna 43 that transmitted the specific electromagnetic wave and the antenna 24 that received the specific electromagnetic wave based on the specific electromagnetic wave received from the electrical device. That is, the distance calculation unit 221 acquires distance information, which is information regarding the distance between the antenna 43 that transmitted the specific electromagnetic wave and the antenna 24 that received the specific electromagnetic wave. Since such a distance calculation method is well-known, a detailed description of the calculation method will be omitted. For example, the distance calculation unit 221 can calculate the distance based on the position information of the electrical device that transmitted the specific electromagnetic wave and the position information of the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 that received the specific electromagnetic wave, which is included in the specific electromagnetic wave. Also, for example, the distance calculation unit 221 can calculate the distance based on the wavelength of the received specific electromagnetic wave and the wave number of the specific electromagnetic wave.

[0050] The information generation unit 222 generates determination information including the ID information of the electrical device that transmitted the power request signal, the required power amount (of the receiving-side battery 41), and the distance information. Further, the information generation unit 222 transmits the generated determination information to the ECU 15 via the second electric cable 35.

[0051] When the antenna control unit 223 receives a power transmission command signal (wireless transmission command) described later from the ECU 15, it controls the antenna 24 to wirelessly transmit a specific electromagnetic wave including power to the electrical device that transmitted the power request signal. At this time, the antenna control unit 223 controls the electric motor of the corresponding rotating device 23 to direct the antenna 24 toward the electrical device that transmitted the power request signal. Note that the antenna control unit 223 can recognize the position of the electrical device that transmitted the power request signal based on the position information of the electrical device included in the specific electromagnetic wave.

[0052] Next, the functional configuration of the ECU 15 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the ECU 15 includes a transmitter selection unit 151, a transmission command unit 152, and a power supply control unit 153 as its functional configuration. The transmitter selection unit 151, the transmission command unit 152, and the power supply control unit 153 are realized by the CPU 15A reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 15B.

[0053] When the ECU 15 receives determination information from at least one of the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32, the transmitter selection unit 151 determines a selection transmitter that wirelessly transmits power to the electrical device that has transmitted the power request signal based on the distance information. The transmitter selection unit 151 determines the specific transmitter, which is the power transmitter closest to the electrical device that has transmitted the power request signal, as the selection transmitter.

[0054] The transmission command unit 152 transmits a power transmission command signal to the selection transmitter determined by the transmitter selection unit 151 via the second electrical cable 35.

[0055] The power supply control unit 153 transmits the power of the battery 11 corresponding to the required power amount included in the determination information to the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 via the second electrical cable 35.

[0056] (Operation and Effect) Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

[0057] First, the operation of the CPU of the second control device 42 of each electrical device will be described. The CPU of each second control device 42 repeatedly executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 every time a predetermined time elapses.

[0058] First, in step S10 (the characters of the step are omitted in the following description), the CPU determines whether the SOC of the receiving battery 41 is less than or equal to the first threshold value.

[0059] If it is determined as Yes in S10, the CPU proceeds to S11 and wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal to the antenna 43 toward the passenger compartment 14A.

[0060] After finishing the process of S11, the CPU proceeds to S12 and determines whether the antenna 43 has received a specific electromagnetic wave including the power transmitted from the selection transmitter.

[0061] If it is determined as Yes in S12, the CPU proceeds to S13 and stores the power received by the antenna 43 in the receiving - side battery 41.

[0062] When the CPU finishes the process of step S13, or when it is determined as No in steps S10 and 12, the CPU temporarily ends the process of the flowchart in FIG. 9.

[0063] Subsequently, the operations of the CPUs of the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, and 32 will be described. Each CPU repeatedly executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 every time a predetermined time elapses.

[0064] In S20, the CPU determines whether the antenna 24 has received a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal.

[0065] If it is determined as Yes in S20, the CPU proceeds to S21 and transmits the determination - use information to the ECU 15 via the second electric cable 35.

[0066] After finishing the process of S21, the CPU proceeds to S22 and determines whether it has received a power transmission command signal and power corresponding to the required power amount from the ECU 15.

[0067] If it is determined as Yes in S22, the CPU proceeds to S23 and wirelessly transmits power corresponding to the required power amount to the electrical device that transmitted the power request signal.

[0068] When the CPU finishes the process of step S23, or when it is determined as No in steps S20 and 22, the CPU temporarily ends the process of the flowchart in FIG. 10.

[0069] Next, the operation of the CPU 15A of the ECU 15 will be described. Each CPU repeatedly executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 every time a predetermined time elapses.

[0070] In S30, the CPU 15A determines whether or not determination information has been received.

[0071] If it is determined Yes in S30, the CPU proceeds to S31, determines the selection transmitter, and transmits a power transmission command signal and power corresponding to the required power amount to the selection transmitter.

[0072] When the CPU 15A finishes the processing of step S31 or when it is determined No in step S30, the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 11 is temporarily terminated.

[0073] The system 10 of the present embodiment described above includes a plurality of power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 that are respectively provided on the front seat 16, rear seat 17, and console 18 provided on the floor 14B of the vehicle 12 and are capable of wirelessly transmitting power, a battery 11 provided in the lower space 14B1 formed below the floor 14B, and power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 connected to the battery 11 via a first electric cable 13. Therefore, the power of the battery 11 can be reliably supplied to each of the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32. Further, a selection transmitter that is a part of the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 wirelessly transmits the power of the battery 11 to the electric device. Based on the determination information including the required power amount of the receiving-side battery 41 and the distance information regarding the distance between each antenna 24 of the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 and each antenna 43, a selection transmitter that is one of the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 that wirelessly transmits power to the antenna 43 (electric device) is determined. That is, the power transmitter 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 having the shortest distance to the electric device that has transmitted the power request signal is selected as the selection transmitter.

[0074] For example, when the antenna 43 of the lighting unit 40 wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal, the power transmitter 20 provided on the headrest 16C of the left front seat 16 becomes the specific transmitter, and this power transmitter 20 becomes the selected transmitter. Also, when the antenna 43 of the roof drive unit 46 wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal, the power transmitter 20 provided on the headrest 16C of the right front seat 16 becomes the specific transmitter, and this power transmitter 20 becomes the selected transmitter. Also, when the antenna 43 of the camera unit 50 wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal, the power transmitter 20 provided on the headrest 16C of the left front seat 16 becomes the specific transmitter, and this power transmitter 20 becomes the selected transmitter. Also, when the antenna 43 of the left glass drive unit 53 wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal, the power transmitter 26 provided on the seat back 16B of the left front seat 16 becomes the specific transmitter, and this power transmitter 26 becomes the selected transmitter. Also, when the antenna 43 of the right glass drive unit 53 wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal, the power transmitter 26 provided on the seat back 16B of the right front seat 16 becomes the specific transmitter, and this power transmitter 26 becomes the selected transmitter. Also, when the antenna 43 of the display unit 56 wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal, the power transmitter 32 provided on the console 18 becomes the specific transmitter, and this power transmitter 32 becomes the selected transmitter. Also, when the antenna 43 of the audio unit 60 wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal and the armrest 17D is in the use position, the power transmitter 30 provided on the armrest 17D becomes the specific transmitter, and this power transmitter 30 becomes the selected transmitter. Also, when the antenna 43 of the notebook PC 63 supported by the passenger P1 sitting on the rear seat 17 wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal and the armrest 17D is in the use position, the power transmitter 30 provided on the armrest 17D becomes the specific transmitter, and this power transmitter 30 becomes the selected transmitter.

[0075] Since the selection transmitter, which is the power transmitter with the shortest distance from the electrical device that wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power demand signal, wirelessly transmits power to this electrical device, the power that can be wirelessly transmitted is increased compared to the case where other power transmitters wirelessly transmit power to this electrical device. That is, if the distance between the two devices for power transmission and reception is d [m], the power density per unit area is P0 [W / m 2 , and the transmitted and received power is P [W], then P0 = P / 4πd 2 . As is clear from this formula, the shorter the distance between the electrical device and the selection transmitter, the more power the selection transmitter can transmit to the electrical device while reducing power loss. Therefore, the selection transmitter can surely supply the power of the battery 11 to each antenna 43 (reception-side battery 41). Therefore, the power of the battery 11 is surely supplied to each electrical device.

[0076] Furthermore, in the system 10, power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 connected via the battery 11, the first electrical cable 13, and the second electrical cable 35 are provided on the front seat 16, the rear seat 17, and the console 18 provided on the floor 14B, and power is supplied from the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 to each electrical device via wireless. Therefore, for example, when the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 are provided on the ceiling part 14C far from the floor 14B, or compared to the case where the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 and each electrical device are connected by an electrical cable, the system 10 can reduce the total extension distance of the electrical cable in the vehicle 12. Therefore, the system 10 can reduce the total extension distance of the electrical cable even when various electrical devices are provided in the vehicle 12.

[0077] Furthermore, when the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 of the system 10 receive specific electromagnetic waves which are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths included in the frequency band from 10 kHz to 300 GHz from an electrical device (antenna 43), they wirelessly transmit the power of the battery 11 to the electrical device (antenna 43). In other words, when the specific electromagnetic waves are not received from the electrical device, the power transmitters 20, 26, 28, 30, 32 do not wirelessly transmit the power of the battery 11 to the electrical device (antenna 43). Therefore, for example, when there is an occupant between the selection transmitter and the electrical device, it is prevented that the selection transmitter transmits an electromagnetic wave which includes power for supplying to the electrical device and may interfere with the occupant, toward the electrical device.

[0078] Furthermore, the selection transmitter of the system 10 wirelessly transmits the power of the battery 11 to the antenna 43 connected to the receiving - side battery 41 whose SOC is equal to or lower than the first threshold value. Therefore, the system 10 can supply power to the receiving - side battery 41 whose SOC is decreasing.

[0079] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0080] The electrical device may transmit a power request signal by using an electromagnetic wave in a frequency band different from the specific electromagnetic wave to the power transmitter, and the power transmitter (selection transmitter) may transmit power to the electrical device by using an electromagnetic wave in a frequency band different from the specific electromagnetic wave. However, in this case, before the selection transmitter transmits power to the electrical device, it is preferable that the selection transmitter transmits the specific electromagnetic wave to the electrical device, the electrical device which has received this specific electromagnetic wave transmits the specific electromagnetic wave to the selection transmitter, and when the selection transmitter receives this specific electromagnetic wave, the selection transmitter transmits power to the electrical device by using an electromagnetic wave in a frequency band different from the specific electromagnetic wave. In other words, after confirming that there is no occupant between the selection transmitter and the electrical device by using the specific electromagnetic wave, it is preferable that the selection transmitter transmits power to the electrical device by using an electromagnetic wave in a frequency band different from the specific electromagnetic wave.

[0081] The Lotman lens technology and the power - receiving rectenna technology may be applied to the electrical device and the power transmitter.

[0082] When the selection transmitter is provided on the movable device, before the selection transmitter wirelessly transmits power to the electrical device, the movable device may be moved to further shorten the distance between the selection transmitter and the electrical device. For example, when no occupant is seated on the front seat 16 on the left side and the antenna 43 of the camera unit 50 wirelessly transmits a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal, the control device for the slide rail device 16S on the left side operates the slide rail device 16S to move the front seat 16 on the left side forward, and the control device for the electric reclining mechanism operates the reclining mechanism to rotate the seat back 16B on the left side forward. By doing so, the distance between the selection transmitter (the power transmitter 20 on the left side) and the electrical device (the camera unit 50) becomes shorter, so that power transmission from the power transmitter 20 on the left side to the camera unit 50 is more reliably executed.

[0083] Furthermore, one end of an emergency power supply cable (not shown) may be connected to each power transmitter. For example, when wireless transmission and reception between the power transmitter 20 on the left side, which is the selection transmitter, and the camera unit 50 becomes impossible due to a failure of the antenna 24 of the power transmitter 20, while the occupant holds the power supply cable by hand, the other end of the power supply cable is connected to a cable connection portion (not shown) provided on the camera unit 50. Thereby, the power of the battery 11 transmitted to the power transmitter 20 is supplied to the receiving-side battery 41 of the camera unit 50 via the cable connection portion.

[0084] A power transmitter (transmitter) may be provided on a floor installation member different from the front seat 16, the rear seat 17, and the console 18.

[0085] Each power transmitter has a transmission-side battery capable of storing the power transmitted from the battery 11. When the power transmitter receives a specific electromagnetic wave including a power request signal from a predetermined electrical device, the power stored in the transmission-side battery may be wirelessly transmitted to the electrical device that transmitted the power request signal.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 10 In-vehicle power wireless transmission system (system) 11 Battery 12 Vehicle 14B Floor 15 ECU (control device) 16 Front seat (seat) (floor-mounted member) 17 Rear seat (seat) (floor-mounted member) 18 Console (floor-mounted member) 20 Power transmitter (transmitter) 21 First battery 26 Power transmitter (transmitter) 28 Power transmitter (transmitter) 30 Power transmitter (transmitter) 32 Power transmitter (transmitter) 40 Lighting unit (electrical equipment) 41 Receiver-side battery 43 Antenna (receiver) 46 Roof drive unit (electrical equipment) 50 Camera unit (electrical equipment) 53 Glass drive unit (electrical equipment) 56 Display unit (electrical equipment) 60 Audio unit (electrical equipment) 63 Notebook personal computer (electrical equipment)

Claims

1. A plurality of transmitters respectively provided on a plurality of floor installation members including a seat provided on the floor of a vehicle, connected to a battery provided below the floor via an electric cable, and capable of wirelessly transmitting the power of the battery; Based on determination information including the required power amount of a receiving-side battery electrically connected to a receiver located inside the vehicle and electrically connected to an electrical device, and distance information regarding the distance between each transmitter and the receiver, a control device that determines a selected transmitter that wirelessly transmits the power of the battery to the receiver and issues a wireless transmission command for power to the selected transmitter; An in-vehicle power wireless transmission system comprising the above.

2. The receiver is capable of transmitting a specific electromagnetic wave that is an electromagnetic wave in a frequency band of 10 kHz to 300 GHz; The selected transmitter is capable of receiving the specific electromagnetic wave from the receiver, and the in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the power of the battery is wirelessly transmitted to the receiver when the specific electromagnetic wave is received.

3. When the SOC of the receiving-side battery is equal to or lower than a first threshold value, the receiver is capable of wirelessly transmitting a power request signal; The in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the selected transmitter that has received the power request signal wirelessly transmits the power of the battery to the receiver.

4. The in-vehicle power wireless transmission system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control device determines a specific transmitter, which is the transmitter having the shortest distance from the receiver, as the selected transmitter.

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