Non-contact power feeding system

Abstract

To provide a non-contact power feeding system capable of preventing exceeding output power in a non-contact power feeding device, even if an inrush current occurs in a traveling vehicle when the power supply is turned on.SOLUTION: A non-contact power feeding device 1 of a non-contact power feeding system 110 executes a diagnostic process for confirming that no abnormal current flows when a power supply is turned on, and a through-up process for increasing a current value to a predetermined current value related to the power supplied to a ceiling transport vehicle 120 over a predetermined time after the diagnostic process, in which the predetermined time is set so that the output power set in the non-contact power feeding device 1 is not exceeded, even if an inrush current due to a capacitor component of the ceiling transport vehicle 120 flows.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-contact power supply system.

Background Art

[0002] The non-contact power supply system includes a non-contact power supply device that supplies power to a traveling vehicle running on a track in a non-contact manner. The non-contact power supply device includes a power supply unit that transmits power to the power receiving device of the traveling vehicle in a non-contact manner, an inverter that generates AC power for power transmission and supplies it to the power supply unit, a filter circuit provided between the inverter and the power supply unit, and a control device that controls the inverter (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a traveling vehicle system equipped with a non-contact power supply system, usually, after the power supply of the non-contact power supply device is turned on, the traveling vehicle is introduced into the traveling area (power supply area) of the track. However, in such a system, there may be a case where the power supply of the non-contact power supply device is turned on while the traveling vehicle is present in the power supply area of the track after an emergency stop or after maintenance. At this time, an inrush current may be generated due to the capacitor component of the traveling vehicle. Since the inrush current is larger than the current flowing during normal startup, there is a risk of exceeding the output power of the power supply device. If the output power is exceeded in the non-contact power supply device, a malfunction may occur in the non-contact power supply device.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a non-contact power supply system that can avoid exceeding the output power of the non-contact power supply device even if an inrush current occurs in the traveling vehicle during power-on.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A non-contact power supply system according to an aspect of the present invention is a non-contact power supply system including a non-contact power supply device that supplies power to a traveling vehicle having a capacitor component. The non-contact power supply device executes a first process of confirming that no abnormal current flows when power is turned on, and a second process of increasing a current value to a predetermined current value related to the power supplied to the traveling vehicle over a predetermined time after the first process. The predetermined time is set so as not to exceed the output power set in the non-contact power supply device even if an inrush current due to the capacitor component of the traveling vehicle flows.

[0007] In the non-contact power supply system according to an aspect of the present invention, the non-contact power supply device executes the second process after the first process. In the second process, the current value is increased to a predetermined current value related to the power supplied to the traveling vehicle over a predetermined time. In the non-contact power supply system, the power supplied to the traveling vehicle and the output current value of the non-contact power supply device are in a proportional relationship, and when the output current value is low, the power that can be output is also low. Therefore, by reducing the output current value at the timing when an inrush current may be generated by the capacitor component of the traveling vehicle, it is possible to control so as not to exceed the output power of the non-contact power supply device. The inrush current can occur in the traveling vehicle within a predetermined time from when the non-contact power supply device is turned on. Therefore, in the non-contact power supply system, the predetermined time in the second process is set so as not to exceed the output power set in the non-contact power supply device even if an inrush current due to the capacitor component of the traveling vehicle flows. That is, in the non-contact power supply system, since the predetermined current value has not been reached within the predetermined time, even if an inrush current occurs in the traveling vehicle, power exceeding the output capacity cannot be supplied from the non-contact power supply device. Therefore, in the non-contact power supply system, even if an inrush current occurs in the traveling vehicle at the time of power-on, it is possible to avoid an excess of the output power in the non-contact power supply device.

[0008] In one embodiment, when a current equal to or greater than an upper limit value set in the non-contact power supply device flows, the non-contact power supply device may stop supplying power to the traveling vehicle. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably avoid continuous excess of the output power in the non-contact power supply device.

[0009] In one embodiment, the non-contact power supply device includes a detection device that detects the current value of the power supplied to the traveling vehicle, an inverter that changes the magnitude of the power supplied to the traveling vehicle, and a control device that controls the operation of the inverter. The control device may control the inverter based on the current value detected by the detection device and increase the current value over a predetermined time to a predetermined current value. With this configuration, the second process can be realized by a configuration generally provided in the non-contact power supply device. Therefore, in the non-contact power supply system, since no additional hardware is required for the second process, it is possible to avoid complication of the configuration and an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0010] In one embodiment, the non-contact power supply device has a power supply line provided along the rail on which the traveling vehicle travels. When the power supply line and the traveling vehicle are electrically connected, the second process is executed after the first process. When the power supply line and the traveling vehicle are not electrically connected, the third process of increasing the current value in a time shorter than a predetermined time may be executed after the first process. With this configuration, when the power supply line and the traveling vehicle are not electrically connected, that is, in a situation where no inrush current is generated by the traveling vehicle (a situation where the traveling vehicle is not located within the power supply area), the current value is increased in a time shorter than a predetermined time. Therefore, in the non-contact power supply system, it is possible to shorten the time until the traveling vehicle becomes operable.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, even if an inrush current occurs in the traveling vehicle at the time of power-up, it is possible to avoid excess of the output power in the non-contact power supply device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0014] [Transport System] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a transport system including a non-contact power supply system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport system 100 is a system for transporting articles using a ceiling transport vehicle (traveling vehicle) 120 that can move along a rail T. The rail T is a member for running the ceiling transport vehicle 120 and is suspended from the ceiling.

[0015] The transport system 100 includes a non-contact power supply device 1, a ceiling transport vehicle 120, and a rail T. The non-contact power supply device 1 and the ceiling transport vehicle 120 (power receiving unit 121 described later) constitute a non-contact power supply system 110. In FIG. 1, three ceiling transport vehicles 120 are shown, but the transport system 100 may include one or more ceiling transport vehicles 120. In the transport system 100, power is supplied to the ceiling transport vehicle 120 non-contact from a power supply line 12 provided on the rail T. The ceiling transport vehicle 120 travels by the power supplied from the power supply line 12. The ceiling transport vehicle 120 drives various devices provided on the ceiling transport vehicle 120 by the power supplied from the power supply line 12. In FIG. 1, the rail T is shown by a dashed line, and the power supply line 12 is shown by a solid line.

[0016] The ceiling transfer vehicle 120 includes, for example, an OHT (Overhead Hoist Transfer), a ceiling-suspended crane, etc. The articles include, for example, a container for storing a plurality of semiconductor wafers, a container for storing a glass substrate, a reticle pod, general parts, etc.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the rail T includes a first rail T1, a second rail T2, a third rail T3, and a fourth rail T4. The first rail T1 and the second rail T2 are, for example, circular orbits. The ceiling transfer vehicle 120 travels clockwise on the first rail T1 and the second rail T2, for example. The third rail T3 and the fourth rail T4 connect the first rail T1 and the second rail T2. The ceiling transfer vehicle 120 can travel between the first rail T1 and the second rail T2 by the third rail T3 and the fourth rail T4. The power supply line 12 is supplied with power from the non-contact power supply device 1. The power supply line 12 is arranged below the rail T in the traveling direction of the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 and at least one of the right side and the left side with respect to the center of the track so that the forward path and the return path overlap vertically.

[0018] The arrangement of the power supply line 12 with respect to the rail T is changed by the switching unit 30. In the present embodiment, by switching the arrangement of the power supply line 12 by the switching unit 30, the power supply line 12 is provided over the first rail T1 and the third rail T3. Also, by switching the arrangement of the power supply line 12 by the switching unit 30, the power supply line 12 is provided over the second rail T2 and the fourth rail T4.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the transfer system 100 (non-contact power supply system 110) includes a plurality of non-contact power supply devices 1. The plurality of non-contact power supply devices 1 supply power to the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 in a non-contact manner. The non-contact power supply device 1 supplies a high-frequency current. The high frequency is, for example, 8.9 kHz. In the following description, the two non-contact power supply devices 1 may be distinguished and shown as the non-contact power supply device 1A and the non-contact power supply device 1B.

[0020] In this embodiment, the non-contact power supply device 1A supplies power to the power supply lines 12 provided on the first rail T1 and the third rail T3. That is, the power supply area of the non-contact power supply device 1A is the first rail T1 and the third rail T3. The non-contact power supply device 1B supplies power to the power supply lines 12 provided on the second rail T2 and the fourth rail T4. That is, the power supply area of the non-contact power supply device 1B is the second rail T2 and the fourth rail T4.

[0021] [Non-contact power supply device] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the non-contact power supply device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the non-contact power supply device 1 (1A, 1B) includes a power supply 2, a wiring circuit breaker 3, a noise filter 4, a power factor improvement device 5, a rectifier 6, a smoother 7, an inverter 8, a filter circuit 9, a first current sensor 10, a second current sensor (detection device) 11, a power supply line 12, and a control device 13. The noise filter 4, the power factor improvement device 5, the rectifier 6, and the smoother 7 constitute a power converter 16.

[0022] The power supply 2 is a facility that supplies an AC power supply such as a commercial power supply, and supplies AC power (three-phase 200V). The frequency of the AC power is, for example, 50 Hz or 60 Hz. The wiring circuit breaker 3 opens the circuit when an overcurrent flows. The noise filter 4 removes the noise of the AC power. The noise filter 4 is composed of, for example, a capacitor. The power factor improvement device 5 improves the power factor by making the input current approach a sine wave. The power factor improvement device 5 is composed of, for example, a reactor.

[0023] The rectifier 6 converts the AC power supplied from the power supply 2 (power factor improvement device 5) into DC power. The rectifier 6 is composed of, for example, a rectifying element such as a diode. The rectifier 6 may be composed of a switching element such as a transistor. The smoother 7 smoothes the DC power converted by the rectifier 6. The smoother 7 is composed of, for example, an electrolytic capacitor. The power converter 16 may further have a complete circuit, a step-up / down function, etc.

[0024] The inverter 8 converts the DC power output from the smoother 7 into AC power and outputs it to the filter circuit 9. The inverter 8 changes the magnitude of the AC power (current value) output to the filter circuit 9 by changing the switching frequency based on the control signal output from the control device 13. The inverter 8 has a plurality of switching elements 14. The switching element 14 is an element that can switch electrical opening and closing. As the switching element 14, for example, a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), a bipolar transistor, etc. are used.

[0025] The filter circuit 9 is provided between the inverter 8 and the power supply line 12. The filter circuit 9 suppresses harmonic noise. The filter circuit 9 has a reactor RT1, a capacitor C0, a capacitor C1, a reactor RT2, and a capacitor C2.

[0026] The capacitor C0 and the reactor RT1 are connected in series to form a first resonance circuit RC1. The reactor RT2 and the capacitor C2 are connected in series to form a second resonance circuit RC2. The first resonance circuit RC1 and the second resonance circuit RC2 are connected in series.

[0027] The first current sensor 10 detects the current I1 (inverter current) output from the inverter 8, that is, the current flowing through the inverter 8. The first current sensor 10 outputs a first current signal indicating the detected current I1 to the control device 13. The second current sensor 11 detects the current I2 (power supply current) of the AC power that has passed through the second resonance circuit RC2. The second current sensor 11 outputs a second current signal indicating the detected current I2 to the control device 13.

[0028] The control device 13 controls the operation of the inverter 8. The control device 13 is a computer system or a processor implemented on an integrated circuit. The control device 13 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and an input / output interface, etc. Various programs or data are stored in the ROM.

[0029] The control device 13 is connected to the first current sensor 10 and the second current sensor 11 of the filter circuit 9. The control device 13 inputs the first current signal and the second current signal output from each of the first current sensor 10 and the second current sensor 11.

[0030] By controlling the inverter 8, the control device 13 controls the magnitude of the AC power (AC current) supplied to the power supply line 12 and the magnitude of the power supplied to the ceiling carrier 120. In this embodiment, the power control is performed using, for example, phase shift control. In the phase shift control, the power control parameter for controlling the magnitude of the AC power is changed. The control unit 15 performs phase shift control to change the magnitude (frequency) of the AC power by changing the on-period of the inverter 8. The control device 13 adjusts the switching frequency of each switching element 14 of the inverter 8 using the drive signal to the plurality of switching elements 14 of the inverter 8 and changes the on-period of each switching element 14. The power control parameter in the phase shift control is the on-period of each switching element 14 of the inverter 8.

[0031] The non-contact power supply device 1 can switch the power supply process between the case where the power supply line 12 and the ceiling carrier 120 are electrically connected and the case where the power supply line 12 and the ceiling carrier 120 are not electrically connected. In this embodiment, the fact that the power supply line 12 and the ceiling carrier 120 are electrically connected means the case where they are connected by electromagnetic field coupling or magnetic coupling.

[0032] Whether the power supply line 12 and the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 are electrically connected, that is, whether the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 is located within the power supply area of the rail T, can be obtained by the following means. For example, it can be obtained based on the information input into the transfer system 100 based on the visual confirmation of the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 by the operator. The input by the operator may be an operation of a switching button (a switching button for "present" or "absent" of the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 within the power supply area), or may be by an operation such as a keyboard. Also, for example, it can be obtained based on the position information of the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 before the power of the non-contact power supply device 1 is turned off. The position information of the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 can be obtained from a management device or the like of the transfer system 100.

[0033] When the power supply line 12 and the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 are electrically connected, the non-contact power supply device 1 executes a through-up process after the diagnostic process as shown in FIG. 5. When the power supply line 12 and the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 are not electrically connected, the non-contact power supply device 1 executes a through-up process after the diagnostic process as shown in FIG. 4. Each process will be described in detail later.

[0034] When a current equal to or greater than the upper limit value set in the non-contact power supply device 1 flows, the control device 13 of the non-contact power supply device 1 stops the power supply to the ceiling transfer vehicle 120. The upper limit value is set based on the performance of the non-contact power supply device 1 and the like. The upper limit value is a value that can be changed. The control device 13 stops the power supply to the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 when a current equal to or greater than the upper limit value flows based on the second current signal output from the second current sensor 11. In this case, the control device 13 causes the fact that the power supply has been stopped to be notified by a predetermined method (for example, screen display, etc.).

[0035] [Ceiling transfer vehicle] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ceiling transfer vehicle. As shown in Figure 3, the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 includes a power receiving unit 121, a driving device 122, a transfer device 123, and a control device 124. Further, the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 has one or more capacitor components. The capacitor component may be constituted by a capacitor (for example, a smoothing capacitor) or may be constituted by other elements.

[0036] The power receiving unit 121 receives power transmitted from the non-contact power supply device 1 in a non-contact manner. The power receiving unit 121 is a coil for receiving power. When the magnetic flux generated by the power supply line 12 links with the power receiving unit 121, alternating current power is generated in the power receiving unit 121. The power receiving unit 121 supplies the alternating current power to the driving device 122, the transfer device 123, and the like. A capacitor and a reactor may be connected between the power receiving unit 121, the driving device 122, and the transfer device 123.

[0037] The driving device 122 rotationally drives a plurality of wheels (not shown). For the driving device 122, for example, an electric motor or a linear motor is used, and the power supplied from the power receiving unit 121 is used as the power for driving.

[0038] The transfer device 123 can hold and accommodate the articles to be transferred and transfers the articles. The transfer device 123 includes, for example, a lifting mechanism for moving the article downward and a lateral extension mechanism for moving the article in the lateral direction together with the lifting mechanism. By driving the lateral extension mechanism and the lifting mechanism, the article is delivered to a load port of a storage device such as a stocker or a load port of a processing device, which is the transfer destination. The transfer device 123 uses the power supplied from the power receiving unit 121 as the power for driving.

[0039] The control device 124 controls the driving device 122 and the transfer device 123. The control device 124 uses the power supplied from the power receiving unit 121 as the power for driving.

[0040] [Power Supply Method] Next, a power supply method in the contactless power supply system 110 will be described. Below, a power supply method during normal startup in the contactless power supply device 1A and a power supply method in the contactless power supply device 1B will be described.

[0041] <Power supply method in the contactless power supply device 1A> First, a power supply method during normal startup in the contactless power supply device 1A will be described. Specifically, when the power supply of the contactless power supply device 1A is started (when the power is turned on), a method of supplying power from the contactless power supply device 1A to the ceiling transfer cart 120 in a state where the ceiling transfer cart 120 is not located on the first rail T1 and the third rail T3 will be described. That is, a power supply method when the power supply line 12 and the ceiling transfer cart 120 are not electrically connected will be described.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a power supply method during normal startup in the contactless power supply device 1A of the contactless power supply system 110. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents time [sec], and the vertical axis represents the current value [A]. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the contactless power supply device 1A controls power supply in four periods. The four periods include "1: Diagnostic period", "2: Through-up period", "3: Power supply period", and "4: Through-down period". The contactless power supply device 1A executes processing in the order of "1: Diagnostic period", "2: Through-up period", "3: Power supply period", and "4: Through-down period".

[0043] When the power supply start button (not shown) of the contactless power supply device 1A is pressed, the "1: Diagnostic period" is started. When the power supply stop button (not shown) of the contactless power supply device 1A is pressed, the "4: Through-down period" is started. In the transfer system 100, after the completion of the "4: Through-down period", the running of the ceiling transfer cart 120 stops.

[0044] (1) Diagnostic period The diagnosis period is a period for diagnosing the state of the non-contact power supply device 1 when the non-contact power supply device 1A is powered on. During the diagnosis period, it is confirmed that no abnormal current flows in the non-contact power supply device 1A when the non-contact power supply device 1A is powered on. Specifically, it is confirmed that no current equal to or greater than a certain value flows in the non-contact power supply device 1A. The certain value is a preset value and is set based on the performance of the non-contact power supply device 1A and the like. The certain value is a value that can be changed. During the diagnosis period, for example, it is confirmed that no current (excessive current) equal to or greater than the certain value flows due to the occurrence of a short circuit or the like.

[0045] The control device 13 executes a diagnosis process (first process) during the diagnosis period. The control device 13 causes a current with a predetermined current value (for example, 10 A or less) to flow through the non-contact power supply device 1A, and based on the first current signal and the second current signal output from the first current sensor 10 and the second current sensor 11 respectively, it is confirmed that no current equal to or greater than the certain value flows. The diagnosis period is set to, for example, 1 second or less. That is, the control device 13 executes the diagnosis process within, for example, 1 second. When the control device 13 confirms that a current equal to or greater than the certain value flows, it stops the power supply. In this case, the control device 13 causes the fact that the power supply has been stopped to be notified by a predetermined method (for example, screen display or the like).

[0046] (2) Through-up period The through-up period is a period for increasing the current value in order to supply power to the ceiling carrier 120. During the through-up period, by increasing the current value, the power supplied to the ceiling carrier 120 also increases. During the through-up period, the current value is increased until the value of the power transmitted to the ceiling carrier 120 reaches the target value. The current value at which the power reaches the target value is, for example, 75 A.

[0047] During the ramp-up period, the control device 13 executes a ramp-up process (third process). The control device 13 increases the current value over a predetermined time to a predetermined current value related to the power supplied to the ceiling transfer vehicle 120. Based on the second current signal output from the second current sensor 11, the control device 13 performs power control of the inverter 8 so that the current value increases to the predetermined current value within the predetermined time. In the present embodiment, the control device 13 controls so that the current value increases linearly. Note that the control device 13 may control so that the current value increases non-linearly.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, during the normal power-up of the non-contact power supply device 1A, the ramp-up period is set shorter than the ramp-up period (see FIG. 5) in a state where the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 is located within the power supply area of the rail T (when the power supply line 12 and the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 are electrically connected). That is, during the normal power-up of the non-contact power supply device 1A, the time for increasing the current value is set short.

[0049] (3) Power supply period The power supply period is a period during which a constant power is supplied to the ceiling transfer vehicle 120. The control device 13 executes a power supply process during the power supply period. Based on the first current signal and the second current signal output from the first current sensor 10 and the second current sensor 11 respectively, the control device 13 performs power control (control of the inverter 8) so that the value of the power transmitted to the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 becomes the target value.

[0050] (4) Ramp-down period The ramp-down period is a period during which the current value is decreased to stop the power supply to the ceiling transfer vehicle 120. The control device 13 executes a ramp-down process during the ramp-down period. Based on the second current signal output from the second current sensor 11, the control device 13 performs power control of the inverter 8 so that the current value decreases to "0" within a predetermined time.

[0051] <Power supply method in the non-contact power supply device 1B> Next, the power supply method in the contactless power supply device 1B will be described. Specifically, when the power supply of the contactless power supply device 1B is turned on, a method of supplying power from the contactless power supply device 1B to the ceiling transfer cart 120 in a state where the ceiling transfer cart 120 is located on the second rail T2 or the fourth rail T4 will be described. That is, a power supply method when the power supply line 12 and the ceiling transfer cart 120 are electrically connected will be described.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a power supply method in the contactless power supply device 1B of the contactless power supply system 110. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents time [sec], and the vertical axis represents current value [A]. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the contactless power supply device 1B controls the power supply in four periods. The four periods include "1: diagnosis period", "2: ramp-up period", "3: power supply period", and "4: ramp-down period". The contactless power supply device 1 executes the processes in the order of "1: diagnosis period", "2: ramp-up period", "3: power supply period", and "4: ramp-down period".

[0053] The contactless power supply device 1B performs the same processes as the contactless power supply device 1A for the "1: diagnosis period", "3: power supply period", and "4: ramp-down period". The contactless power supply device 1B performs different processes from the contactless power supply device 1A for the "2: ramp-up period".

[0054] The control device 13 of the non-contact power supply device 1B executes a through-up process (second process) during the through-up period. The control device 13 increases the current value over a predetermined time to a predetermined current value related to the power supplied to the ceiling transfer vehicle 120. The predetermined time is set so that even if an inrush current due to the capacitor component of the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 flows, it does not exceed the output power (rated power) set in the non-contact power supply device 1B. The predetermined time can be set based on the time during which an inrush current can occur in the ceiling transfer vehicle 120. Specifically, the predetermined time is set to be longer than the time during which an inrush current can occur in the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 after the power supply of the non-contact power supply device 1B is turned on. The time during which an inrush current can occur can be obtained based on the capacitance of the capacitor component of the ceiling transfer vehicle 120. The predetermined time is set to be several times to several tens of times the time set during the through-up period at the normal power-on of the non-contact power supply device 1A.

[0055] As described above, in the non-contact power supply system 110 according to the present embodiment, the non-contact power supply device 1 executes a ramp-up process after the diagnosis process. In the ramp-up process, the current value is increased over a predetermined time to a predetermined current value related to the power supplied to the ceiling carrier 120. In the transport system 100, the power supplied to the ceiling carrier 120 and the output current value of the non-contact power supply device 1 are in a proportional relationship. When the output current value is low, the power that can be supplied is also low. Therefore, by keeping the output current value low at the timing when an inrush current may be generated by the capacitor component of the ceiling carrier 120, it is possible to control so as not to exceed the output power of the non-contact power supply device 1. An inrush current may occur in the ceiling carrier 120 within a predetermined time from the power-on of the non-contact power supply device 1. Therefore, in the non-contact power supply system 110, the above-mentioned predetermined time in the ramp-up process is set so that the inrush current flowing due to the capacitor component of the ceiling carrier 120 does not exceed the output power set in the non-contact power supply device 1. That is, in the non-contact power supply system 110, since the predetermined current value has not been reached within the predetermined time, even if an inrush current occurs in the ceiling carrier 120, it is made impossible to supply power exceeding the output capacity from the non-contact power supply device 1. Therefore, in the non-contact power supply system 110, even if an inrush current occurs in the ceiling carrier 120 at the time of power-on, it is possible to avoid exceeding the output power in the non-contact power supply device 1.

[0056] In order to cope with the inrush current of the ceiling carrier 120, a measure of increasing the output power of the non-contact power supply device 1 can also be considered. However, if the output power of the non-contact power supply device 1 is increased, the manufacturing cost and the running cost may increase. In the non-contact power supply system 110 according to the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to increase the output power of the non-contact power supply device 1, an increase in the manufacturing cost and the running cost can be avoided.

[0057] In the non-contact power supply system 110 according to this embodiment, when a current equal to or greater than the upper limit value set in the non-contact power supply device 1 flows, the non-contact power supply device 1 stops supplying power to the ceiling carrier 120. With this configuration, continuous excess of the output power in the non-contact power supply device 1 can be more reliably avoided.

[0058] In the non-contact power supply system 110 according to this embodiment, the non-contact power supply device 1 includes a second current sensor 11 that detects the current value of the power supplied to the ceiling carrier 120, an inverter 8 that changes the magnitude of the power supplied to the ceiling carrier 120, and a control device 13 that controls the operation of the inverter 8. The control device 13 controls the inverter 8 based on the current value detected by the second current sensor 11 and increases the current value over a predetermined time to a predetermined current value. With this configuration, the above-mentioned ramp-up process can be realized by the configuration generally provided in the non-contact power supply device 1. Therefore, in the non-contact power supply system 110, since additional hardware for the ramp-up process is not required, complication of the configuration and increase in manufacturing cost can be avoided.

[0059] In the non-contact power supply system 110 according to this embodiment, when the power supply line 12 and the ceiling carrier 120 are electrically connected, as shown in FIG. 5, the non-contact power supply device 1 executes the ramp-up process after the diagnosis process. When the power supply line 12 and the ceiling carrier 120 are not electrically connected, as shown in FIG. 4, the non-contact power supply device 1 executes the ramp-up process of increasing the current value in a short time after the diagnosis process. With this configuration, when the power supply line 12 and the ceiling carrier 120 are not electrically connected, that is, when there is no inrush current generated by the ceiling carrier 120 (a situation where the ceiling carrier 120 is not located within the power supply area of the rail T), the current value is increased in a time shorter than the predetermined time. Therefore, in the transport system 100, the time until the ceiling carrier 120 becomes operable can be shortened.

[0060] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist thereof.

[0061] In the above embodiment, as an example, a form in which the non-contact power supply device 1 switches the power supply process when the power supply line 12 and the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 are electrically connected and when the power supply line 12 and the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 are not electrically connected has been described. However, the non-contact power supply device 1 does not necessarily need to switch the power supply process. When the non-contact power supply device 1 is powered on, regardless of whether the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 is located within the power supply area of the rail T or not, as shown in FIG. 5, a through-up process may be executed after the diagnosis process. That is, in the through-up process, a predetermined time for increasing the current value to a predetermined current value related to the power supplied to the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 is set so that the inrush current due to the capacitor component of the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 does not exceed the output power (rated power) set in the non-contact power supply device 1.

[0062] In the above embodiment, a form in which the traveling vehicle is the ceiling transfer vehicle 120 has been described as an example. However, the traveling vehicle is not limited to the ceiling transfer vehicle, and any traveling vehicle that travels on the rail T may be used. For example, the traveling vehicle may be a floor transfer vehicle (floor traveling vehicle). When the traveling vehicle is a floor transfer vehicle, the track rail is laid on the floor surface.

[0063] The technical subject of one aspect of the present invention can be described as follows. [1] A non-contact power supply system including a non-contact power supply device that supplies power to a traveling vehicle having a capacitor component, wherein the non-contact power supply device performs a first process of confirming that no abnormal current flows when power is turned on, and after the first process, performs a second process of increasing the current value to a predetermined current value related to the power supplied to the traveling vehicle over a predetermined time. The non-contact power supply system, wherein the predetermined time is set so that even if an inrush current due to the capacitor component of the traveling vehicle flows, the output power set in the power supply device is not exceeded. [2] The non-contact power supply system according to [1], wherein the non-contact power supply device stops supplying power to the traveling vehicle when a current equal to or greater than an upper limit value set in the non-contact power supply device flows. [3] The non-contact power supply device includes a detection device that detects a current value of the power supplied to the traveling vehicle, an inverter that changes the magnitude of the power supplied to the traveling vehicle, and a control device that controls the operation of the inverter, wherein the control device controls the inverter based on the current value detected by the detection device and increases the current value over the predetermined time to the predetermined current value. The non-contact power supply system according to [1] or [2]. [4] The non-contact power supply device has a power supply line provided along a rail on which the traveling vehicle travels, when the power supply line and the traveling vehicle are electrically connected, the second process is executed after the first process, when the power supply line and the traveling vehicle are not electrically connected, a third process of increasing the current value in a time shorter than the predetermined time is executed after the first process. The non-contact power supply system according to any one of [1] to [3].

Explanation of symbols

[0064] 1, 1A, 1B... non-contact power supply device, 8... inverter, 11... second current sensor (detection device), 12... power supply line, 13... control device, 110... non-contact power supply system, 120... ceiling carrier (traveling vehicle).

Claims

1. A non-contact power supply system comprising a non-contact power supply device that supplies power to a traveling vehicle having a capacitor component, wherein the non-contact power supply device performs a first process of confirming that no abnormal current flows when the power supply is started up, and after the first process, performs a second process of increasing the current value to a predetermined current value related to the power supplied to the traveling vehicle over a predetermined time, wherein the predetermined time is set so as not to exceed the output power set in the non-contact power supply device even when an inrush current due to the capacitor component of the traveling vehicle flows. A non-contact power supply system.

2. The non-contact power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact power supply device stops supplying power to the traveling vehicle when a current equal to or greater than an upper limit value set in the non-contact power supply device flows.

3. The non-contact power supply device has a detection device that detects the current value of the power supplied to the traveling vehicle, an inverter that changes the magnitude of the power supplied to the traveling vehicle, and a control device that controls the operation of the inverter, wherein the control device controls the inverter based on the current value detected by the detection device and increases the current value to the predetermined current value over the predetermined time. The non-contact power supply system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The non-contact power supply device has a power supply line provided along a rail on which the traveling vehicle travels, when the power supply line and the traveling vehicle are electrically connected, the second process is executed after the first process, when the power supply line and the traveling vehicle are not electrically connected, a third process of increasing the current value in a time shorter than the predetermined time is executed after the first process. The non-contact power supply system according to claim 1 or 2.

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