Power transmission device, manufacturing method, and non-contact power supply system

Abstract

To provide a power transmission device that allows for free arrangement of the position of a power transmission coil in accordance with the position of a power reception coil.SOLUTION: A power transmission device 10 supplies electric power in a non-contact manner to a mobile object VE having a power reception coil Lr. The power transmission device 10 comprises: a housing 30 that is placed on a traveling road surface RS; and at least one power transmission coil Ls that is housed in the housing. The housing includes: a housing upper surface 32 that supports the mobile body; and an internal space 33 that is formed below the housing upper surface. The at least one power transmission coil Ls is placed in the internal space, and the entire region of the housing upper surface is larger than the at least one power transmission coil in top view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power transmission device, a manufacturing method, and a contactless power supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a system for contactless power supply to an automated guided vehicle (for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, a power transmission coil is disposed on the floor surface of a travel path. The power reception device is contactlessly powered at a position where the power reception coil faces the power transmission coil.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the position of the power reception coil in the automated guided vehicle varies depending on the specifications. On the other hand, the width of the moving passage in the facility where the automated guided vehicle travels may be limited to the width that the automated guided vehicle can travel. Therefore, when installing a power transmission device in a facility, there is a need for a power transmission device that can be freely arranged with the position of the power transmission coil adjusted to the position of the power reception coil.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a power transmission device (10, 210, 310) for non-contact power supply to a moving body (VE) having a power receiving coil (Lr). The power transmission device includes a housing (30) disposed on a traveling road surface (RS), and at least one power transmission coil (Ls) housed in the housing. The housing has a housing upper surface (32) that supports the moving body and an internal space (33) formed below the housing upper surface. The at least one power transmission coil (Ls) is disposed in the internal space, and the entire area of the housing upper surface is larger than the size of the at least one power transmission coil as viewed from above.

[0007] According to this embodiment, by disposing the housing on the traveling road surface, the power transmission device can be easily installed. And since the entire area of the housing upper surface is larger than the size of the at least one power transmission coil as viewed from above, the position of the power transmission coil with respect to the housing can be adjusted. Therefore, the position of the power transmission coil can be freely arranged according to the position of the power receiving coil.

[0008] According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a power transmission device (10, 210) for non-contact power supply to a moving body (VE) having a power receiving coil (Lr). The manufacturing method includes: a first step (S1) of preparing a pre-adjustment housing (130) including a housing lower surface (31), a housing upper surface (32) disposed above the housing lower surface, an internal space (33) partitioned by the housing lower surface and the housing upper surface, and a plurality of support members (38) disposed between the housing lower surface and the housing upper surface for supporting the housing upper surface, the plurality of support members being filled in the internal space; a second step (S2) of marking an opposing position (131) on the housing lower surface that opposes the power receiving coil when the moving body travels along a predetermined moving route (RO) on the pre-adjustment housing; and a third step (S3) of removing some of the support members disposed at the opposing position from the internal space and disposing a power transmission coil (Ls) below the opposing position.

[0009] According to this embodiment, since the power transmission coil can be arranged according to various positions of the power reception coil with respect to the movement path, it is possible to provide a power transmission device that suppresses misalignment of the position of the power transmission coil with respect to the power reception coil.

[0010] According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-contact power supply system (301) for non-contact power supply to a moving body (VE) having a power reception coil Lr. This non-contact power supply system includes a first power transmission device (310A) and a second power transmission device (310B) different from the first power transmission device. Each of the first power transmission device and the second power transmission device includes a housing (30) disposed on a traveling road surface, and at least one power transmission coil (Ls) housed in the housing. The housing has a housing bottom surface (31) disposed along the traveling road surface, a housing top surface (32) disposed above the housing bottom surface, the housing top surface supporting the moving body, an internal space (33) partitioned by the housing bottom surface, the housing top surface, and the housing bottom surface. The at least one power transmission coil is disposed in the internal space. The size of the housing of the first power transmission device is the same as the size of the housing of the second power transmission device. The position of the at least one power transmission coil of the first power transmission device on the housing bottom surface is different from the position of the at least one power transmission coil of the second power transmission device on the housing bottom surface.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the position of the power transmission coil of the first power transmission device on the housing bottom surface is different from the position of the power transmission coil of the second power transmission device on the housing bottom surface. Therefore, it is possible to provide a power transmission device that corresponds to two types of power reception devices in which the positions of the power reception coils with respect to the movement path are different from each other while using a common housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] A. First Embodiment: A1. Outline of the Non-Contact Power Supply System: As shown in FIG. 1, the non-contact power supply system 1 includes a management device 3, a power transmission device 10, and a power reception device 80. The power transmission device 10 performs non-contact power supply to the power reception device 80. In this embodiment, the non-contact power supply system 1 is arranged in a warehouse. The power transmission device 10 is arranged on the floor surface RS as the traveling road surface of the warehouse. The power reception device 80 is mounted on an automated guided vehicle VE as a moving body that travels on the floor surface RS. The automated guided vehicle VE is an automated guided vehicle (AGV: Automatic Guided Vehicle) that transports a load LO. The automated guided vehicle VE travels according to the instructions of the management device 3.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the warehouse is provided with a load placement area AE1 and a work area AE2. The load placement area AE1 is an area where loads LO are arranged. The work area AE2 is an area where the unmanned transport vehicle VE loaded with the load LO stops for the operator OP to work. The unmanned transport vehicle VE travels along a predetermined travel route RO.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the load LO has a shelf and goods stored in the shelf. The unmanned transport vehicle VE transports the target load LO and stops in the work area AE2. The operator OP takes out the target goods from the load LO stopped in the work area AE2. Or, the operator OP stores the target goods in the load LO stopped in the work area AE2. Then, the unmanned transport vehicle VE moves to the load placement area AE1.

[0016] The power transmission coil Ls is arranged along the travel route RO. In the present embodiment, the power transmission coil Ls is arranged in the work area AE2. Therefore, non-contact power supply can be performed from the power supply device 10 to the power receiving device 80 using the period during which the operator OP is performing the work of taking out or storing goods.

[0017] The unmanned transport vehicle VE travels along a plurality of position markers MK arranged on the floor surface RS. In the present embodiment, the position marker MK is a visually recognizable mark. For example, a two-dimensional code can be used as the position marker MK. The position marker MK includes coordinate information.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the automated guided vehicle VE includes a plurality of wheels 90, an opening 94, and a marker sensor 95. The direction shown in FIG. 3 is the direction based on the automated guided vehicle VE. The plurality of wheels 90 includes a pair of drive wheels 92 and a pair of steering wheels 93. The pair of drive wheels 92 are arranged at the central position in the front-rear direction of the automated guided vehicle VE, respectively at the left and right ends. The pair of drive wheels 92 rotate by the driving force transmitted from a motor generator (not shown). Thereby, the automated guided vehicle VE moves forward or backward. The pair of drive wheels 92 and the pair of steering wheels 93 are driven according to the commands of a control circuit 86 described later. The pair of steering wheels 93 are arranged at the respective ends in the front-rear direction of the automated guided vehicle VE. Also, the pair of steering wheels 93 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the automated guided vehicle VE. When the automated guided vehicle VE turns, a difference in the rotational speed of the pair of drive wheels 92 is generated. Also, when the automated guided vehicle VE rotates, the rotational directions of the two drive wheels 92 of the pair of drive wheels 92 are made different from each other.

[0019] The opening 94 is arranged at the center of the bottom surface of the automated guided vehicle VE. The marker sensor 95 is arranged at the center of the opening 94. The marker sensor 95 includes a camera. The marker sensor 95 images the position marker MK and acquires the information included in the position marker MK.

[0020] A2. Electrical Configuration of the Contactless Power Supply System: As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the above-described power transmission coil Ls, the power transmission device 10 has a power supply circuit 11 as an electric circuit and a power transmission circuit 12 as an electric circuit. The power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission circuit 12 are circuits for supplying power to the power transmission coil Ls.

[0021] The power supply circuit 11 has an AC / DC converter 14 and an inverter 15. The AC / DC converter 14 converts the commercial power supplied from the utility power supply GP into a DC voltage of a target voltage. The inverter 15 converts the DC voltage supplied from the AC / DC converter 14 into an AC voltage of an operating frequency. The power supply circuit 11 is controlled by a control circuit 16 described later.

[0022] The power transmission circuit 12 includes a power transmission resonance capacitor Cs as a resonance capacitor, a first switch SW1, a control circuit 16, and a communication unit 17. The power transmission resonance capacitor Cs is electrically connected to the power transmission coil Ls. The power transmission resonance capacitor Cs includes a first power transmission capacitor Cs1 and a second power transmission capacitor Cs2. The capacitance value of the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs can be changed between a first capacitance value and a second capacitance value larger than the first capacitance value. The capacitance value of the first power transmission capacitor Cs1 is larger than the capacitance value of the second power transmission capacitor Cs2. The first switch SW1, the first power transmission capacitor Cs1, and the power transmission coil Ls are connected in series in this order. The second power transmission capacitor Cs2 is connected in parallel with the connection body of the first switch SW1 and the first power transmission capacitor Cs1.

[0023] The first switch SW1 is a bidirectional switch to which the source electrodes of two transistors are connected. A switching signal Sig1 is input to the first switch SW1 from the control circuit 16. When a high-level switching signal Sig1 is input to the first switch SW1, the first switch SW1 becomes conductive, and a current flows through the first power transmission capacitor Cs1, entering a conductive state. Here, the combined capacitance of the first power transmission capacitor Cs1 and the second power transmission capacitor Cs2, and the inductance of the power transmission coil Ls are set to values that result in a resonant state at the operating frequency. As a result, when the first switch SW1 becomes conductive, a power transmission resonant circuit 13, which is a series resonant circuit, is formed by the first power transmission capacitor Cs1, the second power transmission capacitor Cs2, and the power transmission coil Ls. On the other hand, when a low-level switching signal Sig1 is input to the first switch SW1, the first switch SW1 becomes non-conductive, and the first power transmission capacitor Cs1 becomes non-conductive. Then, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit formed by the second power transmission capacitor Cs2, which is in a conductive state, and the power transmission coil Ls deviates from the operating frequency. Also, since the capacitance value of the second power transmission capacitor Cs2 is smaller than the capacitance value of the first power transmission capacitor Cs1, when the first switch SW1 is in a non-conductive state, the impedance of the power transmission circuit 12 with respect to the input AC power increases, and the current flowing through the power transmission resonant circuit 13 is suppressed. Note that the above-mentioned first capacitance value is the capacitance value of the power transmission resonant capacitor Cs when the first switch SW1 is in a non-conductive state. The above-mentioned second capacitance value is the capacitance value of the power transmission resonant capacitor Cs when the first switch SW1 is in a conductive state.

[0024] The communication unit 17 is communicably connected to the control circuit 16. The communication unit 17 has an antenna for wireless communication (not shown) and performs wireless communication with a communication unit 87 (described later) of the power receiving device 80.

[0025] The power receiving device 80 includes a power receiving circuit 82 in addition to the above-described power receiving coil Lr and marker sensor 95. The power receiving circuit 82 includes a power receiving capacitor Cr, a rectifier circuit 84, a battery 85, a control circuit 86, and a communication unit 87. The power receiving capacitor Cr is connected in series to the power receiving coil Lr. The power receiving coil Lr and the power receiving capacitor Cr constitute a power receiving resonance circuit 83, which is a series resonance circuit. The rectifier circuit 84 rectifies the AC power received by the power receiving resonance circuit 83 and supplies the rectified DC power to the battery 85. The battery 85 stores the supplied power. Power is supplied from the battery 85 to the motor generator.

[0026] Each of the communication unit 87 and the marker sensor 95 is communicably connected to the control circuit 86. The communication unit 87 has an antenna for wireless communication (not shown) and performs wireless communication with each of the communication unit 17 of the power transmission device 10 and the management device 3.

[0027] When AC power is supplied to the power transmission coil Ls, non-contact power feeding is performed to the power receiving device 80 by magnetic field resonance between the power transmission coil Ls and the power receiving coil Lr. As described above, the AC power output from the power receiving resonance circuit 83 is rectified by the rectifier circuit 84 and supplied to the battery 85.

[0028] The control circuit 16 sets the power transmission coil Ls to either a standby state or a power feeding state. Specifically, the standby state is a state in which the power transmission resonance circuit 13 is set to a non-resonant state by setting the first switch SW1 to a non-conductive state. On the other hand, the power feeding state is a state in which the power transmission resonance circuit 13 is set to a resonant state by setting the first switch SW1 to a conductive state, and a current for power feeding flows through the power transmission coil Ls. In the power feeding state, the current flowing through the power transmission coil Ls is larger than the current flowing through the power transmission coil Ls in the standby state.

[0029] In this embodiment, the power transmission device 10 sets the power transmission coil Ls to the power feeding state when the automated guided vehicle VE is located in the work area AE2. Thereby, power saving of the power transmission device 10 can be achieved.

[0030] The management device 3 instructs the target automated guided vehicle VE to move to the work area AE2. When instructed by the management device 3, the automated guided vehicle VE moves to the work area AE2 along the movement route RO specified by the management device 3 by detecting the position marker MK with the marker sensor 95. When the automated guided vehicle VE enters the work area AE2, the power receiving device 80 transmits a signal instructing the start of power transmission to the power transmission device 10. When receiving the signal instructing the start of power transmission, the power transmission device 10 switches the power transmission resonance circuit 13 from the standby state to the power supply state. Thereby, non-contact power supply is performed to the power receiving device 80.

[0031] When the work by the operator OP is completed, the management device 3 instructs the power receiving device 80 to move to the load placement area AE1. When instructed by the management device 3, the power receiving device 80 transmits a signal instructing the end of power transmission to the power transmission device 10. When receiving the signal instructing the end of power transmission, the power transmission device 10 switches the power transmission resonance circuit 13 from the power supply state to the standby state. The automated guided vehicle VE moves to the load placement area AE1 along the movement route RO specified by the management device 3 by detecting the position marker MK with the marker sensor 95.

[0032] Note that the conditions for the power transmission resonance circuit 13 to switch states between the standby state and the power supply state are not limited to the above. As another embodiment, the power transmission resonance circuit 13 may switch from the standby state to the power supply state on the condition that the power transmission device 10 detects that the power receiving device 80 is located within the position range where non-contact power supply is possible without communicating with the management device 3. Specifically, when the power receiving coil Lr that generates magnetic flux approaches the power transmission coil Ls and the power receiving coil Lr enters the position range where non-contact power supply is possible, the magnetic flux linking with the power transmission coil Ls increases. Therefore, by detecting the change in the magnitude of the magnetic flux linking with the power transmission coil Ls, the power transmission resonance circuit 13 may switch from the standby state to the power supply state. Note that the power transmission device 10 may separately include a coil for detecting magnetic flux instead of the power transmission coil Ls as a coil for detecting the change in the magnitude of the magnetic flux. Also, the change in the magnitude of the magnetic flux can be detected as a change in voltage or current.

[0033] A3. Structure of the power transmission device: As shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the above configuration, the power transmission device 10 includes a housing 30 and a plurality of support members 38. The housing 30 houses the power transmission coil Ls. The housing 30 has a housing bottom surface 31, a housing top surface 32, and an internal space 33. As shown in FIG. 6, the housing top surface 32 is disposed above the housing bottom surface 31 in the vertical direction. The internal space 33 is formed below the housing top surface 32. The internal space 33 is a space partitioned by the housing bottom surface 31 and the housing top surface 32. Inside the internal space 33, the power transmission coil Ls, the power supply circuit 11, the power transmission circuit 12, and a plurality of support members 38 are arranged. In the following description, the power transmission coil Ls, the power supply circuit 11, and the power transmission circuit 12 may be collectively referred to as arranged components.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, each arranged component is arranged so as not to overlap each other in the vertical direction. Thereby, the thickness of the power transmission device 10 in the vertical direction can be reduced.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the housing top surface 32 includes a top surface main body portion 32a and two top surface inclined portions 32b. Each of the two top surface inclined portions 32b is disposed opposite to each other with the top surface main body portion 32a interposed therebetween. The top surface main body portion 32a is disposed substantially parallel to the housing bottom surface 31. On the contrary, the two top surface inclined portions 32b are disposed inclined with respect to the housing bottom surface 31. The housing bottom surface 31 is disposed on the floor surface RS along the floor surface RS. Therefore, the power transmission device 10 can be easily installed. The housing top surface 32 supports the automated guided vehicle VE. Specifically, the automated guided vehicle VE travels on the housing top surface 32. The top surface main body portion 32a is above the floor surface RS in the vertical direction. And the two top surface inclined portions 32b function as a slope for the automated guided vehicle VE to ascend to the top surface main body portion 32a, or a slope for the automated guided vehicle VE to descend from the top surface main body portion 32a.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 7, the entire areas of the lower surface 31 and the upper surface 32 of the housing are larger than the size of the upper surface view of the power transmission coil Ls. Further, in the present embodiment, the entire area of the upper surface 32 of the housing is larger than the size of the upper surface view of the power transmission coil Ls plus the total size of the upper surface view of the power supply circuit 11 and the upper surface view of the power transmission circuit 12. Thereby, the degree of freedom in arranging the power transmission coil Ls, the power supply circuit 11, and the power transmission circuit 12 in the housing 30 can be improved. Note that the "size of the upper surface view" is the size of the arranged components when the upper surface 32 of the housing is viewed from above along the normal direction of the lower surface 31 of the housing.

[0037] The system power supply GP and the power supply circuit 11 are electrically connected by a cable 25 as wiring. The power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission circuit 12 are electrically connected by the cable 25. The power transmission circuit 12 and the power transmission coil Ls are electrically connected by the cable 25.

[0038] The plurality of support members 38 are arranged below the upper surface 32 of the housing, specifically, between the lower surface 31 and the upper surface 32 of the housing, and support the upper surface 32 of the housing. In the present embodiment, the support member 38 is columnar. In the present embodiment, the material of the support member 38 is an elastomer. Thereby, the vibration generated when the automated guided vehicle VE travels on the power transmission device 10 can be reduced. Note that the shape and material of the support member 38 are not limited to this. The plurality of support members 38 are arranged in an area excluding the occupied area of the power transmission coil Ls on the upper surface 32 of the housing and the occupied area of the electric circuit on the upper surface 32 of the housing in the entire area of the upper surface 32 of the housing. Thereby, the strength against the load received by the upper surface 32 of the housing can be improved. Note that the "occupied area" is the area of the shadow of the projected arranged member when the arranged member is projected onto the upper surface 32 of the housing along the normal direction of the lower surface 31 of the housing.

[0039] The size of the power transmission coil Ls in a top view is set to be an area in units of unit areas LR obtained by dividing the entire area of the lower surface 31 of the housing into a plurality of parts. In the present embodiment, the unit area LR is a square. Specifically, the length of the long side of the power transmission coil Ls is an integral multiple of the length of one side of the unit area LR, and the length of the short side of the power transmission coil Ls is an integral multiple of the length of one side of the unit area LR. Note that the power transmission coil Ls is formed by winding a coil wire. The size of the power transmission coil Ls is the size of a rectangle that encloses and contacts the power transmission coil Ls. Note that the power transmission coil Ls is not limited to the form formed by winding a coil wire, and may be in a form formed by printed wiring on a printed circuit board. In this case, the size of the power transmission coil Ls is the size of the printed circuit board on which the power transmission coil Ls is formed.

[0040] The size of the power supply circuit 11 in a top view is set to be an area in units of unit areas LR. Specifically, the length of the long side of the power supply circuit 11 is an integral multiple of the length of one side of the unit area LR, and the length of the short side of the power supply circuit 11 is an integral multiple of the length of one side of the unit area LR. In the present embodiment, the size of the power supply circuit 11 is the size of a rectangle that encloses and contacts the substrate on which the electrical components constituting the power supply circuit 11 are mounted.

[0041] The size of the power transmission circuit 12 in a top view is set to be an area in units of unit areas LR. Specifically, the length of each side of the power transmission circuit 12 is an integral multiple of the length of one side of the unit area LR. In the present embodiment, it is the size of a rectangle that encloses and contacts the substrate on which the electrical components constituting the power transmission circuit 12 are mounted. By setting the power transmission coil Ls, the power supply circuit 11, and the power transmission circuit 12 to sizes in units of the unit area LR, it is possible to easily adjust the positions of the components arranged with respect to the lower surface 31 of the housing.

[0042] Further, each support member 38 is arranged in the unit area LR. As a result, the support members 38 can be arranged in an area of the entire lower surface 31 of the housing excluding the area where the components are arranged. Therefore, when a load is applied to the upper surface 32 of the housing, the plurality of support members 38 can support the upper surface 32 of the housing, so that the strength of the power transmission device 10 can be improved.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the unmanned carrier vehicle VE travels straight above the power transmission device 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the unmanned carrier vehicle VE travels along the movement path RO, the orbit LT drawn by the wheels 90 is a straight line. The support member 38 is arranged at a position overlapping the orbit LT in a top view. The power transmission coil Ls and the electric circuit are arranged at positions excluding the orbit LT in a top view. Therefore, when the unmanned carrier vehicle VE travels above the upper surface 32 of the housing, the load received by the components can be reduced, and the strength when a load is applied to the upper surface 32 of the housing of the power transmission device 10 can be improved.

[0044] A4. Manufacturing method of the power transmission device: The width of the passage that becomes the movement path RO for the unmanned carrier vehicle VE to travel in the warehouse is limited to the width that the unmanned carrier vehicle VE can travel. Also, the position of the power reception coil Lr in the unmanned carrier vehicle VE varies depending on the specifications. Therefore, it is required that the position of the power transmission coil Ls be arranged according to the position of the power reception coil Lr. In the manufacturing process that realizes the manufacturing method of the power transmission device 10 described below, a device for arranging the power transmission coil Ls corresponding to the position of the power reception coil Lr is provided.

[0045] In the first step S1 of FIG. 8, a pre-adjustment housing 130 is prepared. As shown in FIG. 9, the pre-adjustment housing 130 includes a housing 30 and a plurality of support members 38. The main difference between the power transmission device 10 and the pre-adjustment housing 130 is that components are arranged in the power transmission device 10, while no components are arranged in the pre-adjustment housing 130. The internal space 33 of the pre-adjustment housing 130 is filled with support members 38. The support members 38 are arranged in the unit area LR.

[0046] In the second step S2 of FIG. 8, at the facing position 131 which is the position on the lower surface 31 of the housing facing the power receiving coil Lr of the power transmission device 10 to be powered, and at the position on the lower surface 31 of the housing facing the track LT, marks are made on the pre-adjustment housing 130. As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, with the pre-adjustment housing 130 actually arranged on the movement path RO of the warehouse, the automated guided vehicle VE is arranged above the pre-adjustment housing 130, so that the facing position 131 and the position of the track LT are marked on the pre-adjustment housing 130. In FIG. 9, the illustration of the position of the track LT is omitted. Note that the method of actually arranging the pre-adjustment housing 130 is not limited. For example, by collating the drawing of the warehouse and the drawing of the automated guided vehicle VE, the facing position 131 and the position of the track LT may be marked on the pre-adjustment housing 130.

[0047] In the third step S3 of FIG. 8, among the plurality of support members 38 filled in the pre-adjustment housing 130, some of the support members 38 arranged at the facing position 131 are removed from the internal space 33, and a power transmission coil Ls is arranged at the facing position 131. In step S4, the arrangement positions of the power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission circuit 12 are determined in any region of the lower surface 31 of the housing excluding the position facing the track LT.

[0048] In step S5, after the support members 38 arranged at the determined arrangement positions are removed from the internal space 33, the power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission circuit 12 are arranged on the lower surface 31 of the housing. Then, the power transmission coil Ls, the power transmission circuit 12, and the power supply circuit 11 are electrically connected to each other by a cable 25, the upper surface 32 of the housing is fixed, and the power transmission device 10 is completed.

[0049] According to the first embodiment described above, the power transmission device 10 includes a housing 30 and a power transmission coil Ls. The housing 30 has a housing upper surface 32 and an internal space 33. The power transmission coil Ls is disposed within the internal space 33. The entire area of the housing upper surface 32 is larger than the size of the power transmission coil Ls as viewed from above. Therefore, by placing the housing 30 on the floor surface RS, the power transmission device 10 can be easily installed. And since the entire area of the housing upper surface 32 is larger than the size of the power transmission coil Ls as viewed from above, the position of the power transmission coil Ls with respect to the housing 30 can be adjusted. Thus, the position of the power transmission coil Ls can be freely arranged in accordance with the position of the power receiving coil Lr.

[0050] In addition, the power transmission device 10 includes a power supply circuit 11 and a power transmission circuit 12 disposed in the internal space 33, and a plurality of support members 38. The power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission circuit 12 are circuits for supplying power to the power transmission coil Ls. The plurality of support members 38 are disposed in a region excluding the occupied region of the power transmission coil Ls on the housing upper surface 32 and the occupied region of the power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission circuit 12 on the housing upper surface 32 among the entire area of the housing upper surface 32. Since the plurality of support members 38 are disposed in a region excluding the power transmission coil Ls, the power supply circuit 11, and the power transmission circuit 12, the strength of the power transmission device 10 when a load is applied to the housing upper surface 32 can be improved.

[0051] In addition, since the power supply circuit 11 is disposed in the internal space 33, the power transmission device 10 can be disposed more simply as compared with the case where the power supply circuit 11 is disposed outside the housing 30. Also, since the power transmission circuit 12 including the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs is disposed in the internal space 33, the power transmission device 10 can be disposed more simply as compared with the case where the power transmission circuit 12 is disposed outside the housing 30.

[0052] Also, the power transmission resonant capacitor Cs includes a first power transmission capacitor Cs1 and a second power transmission capacitor Cs2. The control circuit 16 switches the capacitance of the power transmission resonant capacitor Cs between a first capacitance and a second capacitance, thereby switching the state of the power transmission coil Ls between a power supply state and a standby state. Thus, by changing the capacitance of the power transmission resonant capacitor Cs, the state of the power transmission coil Ls can be switched.

[0053] Also, the size of the power transmission coil Ls when viewed from above is set to be a size with the unit region LR as a unit. Each of the plurality of support members 38 is arranged in the unit region LR. Thereby, a plurality of support members 38 can be arranged in the region of the lower surface 31 of the housing excluding the power transmission coil Ls. Therefore, when a load is applied to the upper surface 32 of the housing, the upper surface 32 of the housing can be supported by the plurality of support members 38, so that the strength of the power transmission device 10 can be improved. Also, since the arrangement position of the power transmission coil Ls on the lower surface 31 of the housing can be determined to conform to the unit region LR, the manufacturing efficiency of the power transmission device 10 can be improved.

[0054] Also, the size of the power supply circuit 11 is set such that the size of the power supply circuit 11 when viewed from above is a region with the unit region LR as a unit. Thereby, a plurality of support members 38 can be arranged in the region of the lower surface 31 of the housing excluding the power supply circuit 11. Therefore, when a load is applied to the upper surface 32 of the housing, the upper surface 32 of the housing can be supported by the plurality of support members 38, so that the strength of the power transmission device 10 can be improved.

[0055] Also, the power transmission coil Ls is arranged along the movement path RO of the automated guided vehicle VE. Thereby, non-contact power supply can be performed in a state where the power transmission coil Ls and the power reception coil Lr overlap, so that the power supply efficiency can be improved.

[0056] Further, the support member 38 is arranged at a position that overlaps with the track LT in a top view when the automated guided vehicle VE travels along the travel path RO. The power transmission coil Ls, the power supply circuit 11, and the power transmission circuit 12 are arranged at positions excluding the track LT in a top view. Therefore, the loads on the power transmission coil Ls, the power supply circuit 11, and the power transmission circuit 12 can be reduced, and the strength when a load is applied to the upper surface 32 of the housing of the power transmission device 10 can be improved.

[0057] Moreover, the manufacturing method of the power transmission device 10 includes a first step S1, a second step S2, and a third step S3. In the first step S1, a pre-adjustment housing 130 is prepared. In the second step S2, the facing position 131 on the lower housing surface 31 facing the power reception coil Lr is marked on the pre-adjustment housing 130. In the third step S3, among the support members 38 filled in the pre-adjustment housing 130, a part of the support members 38 arranged at the facing position 131 is removed from the internal space 33, and the power transmission coil Ls is arranged at the facing position 131. Therefore, when the housing 30 is arranged on the travel path RO, the power transmission coil Ls can be arranged according to the position of the power reception coil Lr, so that a power transmission device 10 with suppressed positional deviation of the power transmission coil Ls with respect to the power reception coil Lr can be provided.

[0058] B. Second Embodiment: The main difference between the power transmission device 210 of the present embodiment and the power transmission device 10 of the first embodiment is that the power transmission device 210 includes two power transmission resonance circuits 13. The same components and processing steps as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 10, the power transmission device 210 includes two power transmission resonance circuits 13. To distinguish each of the two power transmission resonance circuits 13, one is referred to as the first power transmission resonance circuit 13A, and the other is referred to as the second power transmission resonance circuit 13B. The first power transmission resonance circuit 13A includes two first power transmission capacitors Cs1. The two first power transmission capacitors Cs1 are connected in series. Since the second power transmission resonance circuit 13B is the same as the power transmission resonance circuit 13 of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0060] The first power transmission resonance circuit 13A and the second power transmission resonance circuit 13B are connected in parallel to the power supply circuit 11. In the present embodiment, the first power transmission resonance circuit 13A and the second power transmission resonance circuit 13B are set to the power supply state in the same period. Thereby, power can be supplied to the two unmanned transport vehicles VE in the same period.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the electrical components constituting the power transmission circuit 12 are fixed in position relative to each other, and the power transmission circuit 12 is integrally housed in the housing 30. Specifically, the power transmission circuit 12 is formed on a substrate, and this substrate is housed in the housing 30. In contrast, in the present embodiment, a plurality of electrical components constituting the power transmission circuit 12 are individually arranged. In FIG. 11, for the sake of convenience, the illustration of the cable 25 that electrically connects each electrical component is omitted.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 11, the size of the upper surface view of the first switch SW1 is set to be an area with the unit region LR as the unit. The same applies to the size of the upper surface view of each of the other electrical components constituting the power transmission resonance circuit 13, namely the first power transmission capacitor Cs1, the second power transmission capacitor Cs2, the control circuit 16, and the communication unit 17.

[0063] The power transmission coil Ls of the first power transmission resonance circuit 13A and the power transmission coil Ls of the second power transmission resonance circuit 13B are arranged side by side along the movement path RO. Thereby, non-contact power supply can be performed on the two unmanned transport vehicles VE in the same period.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 11, the distance from the power supply circuit 11 to the power transmission coil Ls of the second power transmission resonance circuit 13B is shorter than the distance from the power supply circuit 11 to the power transmission coil Ls of the first power transmission resonance circuit 13A. For this reason, the parasitic impedance of the cable 25 from the power supply circuit 11 to the power transmission coil Ls of the first power transmission resonance circuit 13A is smaller than the parasitic impedance of the cable 25 from the power supply circuit 11 to the power transmission coil Ls of the second power transmission resonance circuit 13B. Therefore, in the first power transmission resonance circuit 13A, by providing two first power transmission capacitors Cs1, the impedance is compensated so that the first power transmission resonance circuit 13A is adjusted to be in a resonant state at the operating frequency. That is, one of the two first power transmission capacitors Cs1 is a compensating capacitor. Here, the two first power transmission capacitors Cs1 are capacitors having the same capacitance value. In this way, by using the first power transmission capacitors Cs1 having the same capacitance and adjusting the number of capacitors to be arranged, the working efficiency of manufacturing the power transmission device 10 can be improved.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 12, similarly to the first embodiment, after the third step S3 is performed, in the fourth step S14, the arrangement position of the power supply circuit 11 on the lower surface 31 of the housing is determined.

[0066] In the fifth step S15, it is determined whether the length of the cable 25 as the wiring from the power supply circuit 11 to the power transmission coil Ls is shorter than a predetermined reference wiring length. If it is determined that the length of the cable 25 is shorter than the predetermined reference wiring length, in the sixth step S16, it is determined that a plurality of first power transmission capacitors Cs1 as reference capacitors having a predetermined reference capacitance are to be arranged as the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs. The reference wiring length is the length at which the power transmission resonance circuit 13 can be set in a resonant state when one first power transmission capacitor Cs1 is arranged, and is obtained in advance by experiments. If it is determined that the length of the cable 25 is not shorter than the predetermined reference wiring length, the processing proceeds to the seventh step S17.

[0067] In the seventh step S17, the support member 38 in the planned region where the power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission resonance circuit 13 are to be arranged is removed from the internal space 33, and the power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission resonance circuit 13 are arranged in the planned region.

[0068] In the case of the power transmission device 210 shown in FIG. 11, for the second power transmission resonance circuit 13B, the length of the cable 25 is not shorter than the reference wiring length. For the first power transmission resonance circuit 13A, the length of the cable 25 is shorter than the predetermined reference wiring length. In this embodiment, the reference capacitor arranged for compensation is the first power transmission capacitor Cs1. As another embodiment, the reference capacitor arranged for compensation may be the second power transmission capacitor Cs2.

[0069] According to the second embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved. Also, the size of the first power transmission capacitor Cs1 in a top view is set to be an area in units of the unit region LR. The size of the second power transmission capacitor Cs2 in a top view is set to be an area in units of the unit region LR. Thereby, a plurality of support members 38 can be arranged in the region of the lower surface 31 of the housing excluding the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs. Therefore, when a load is applied to the upper surface 32 of the housing, the upper surface 32 of the housing can be supported by the plurality of support members 38, so that the strength of the power transmission device 10 can be improved.

[0070] Also, the power transmission device 210 includes a plurality of power transmission coils Ls. And the plurality of power transmission coils Ls are arranged along the movement path RO. Therefore, non-contact power supply can be performed to a plurality of automated guided vehicles VE simultaneously.

[0071] The manufacturing process of the power transmission device 210 includes a fourth step S14, a fifth step S15, a sixth step S16, and a seventh step S17. In the fifth step S15, it is determined whether the length of the cable 25 from the power supply circuit 11 to the power transmission coil Ls is shorter than a predetermined reference wiring length. When it is determined that the length is shorter than the reference wiring length, in the sixth step S16, it is determined that a plurality of first power transmission capacitors Cs1 are to be arranged. By adding the first power transmission capacitor Cs1, the shortage of the impedance of the power transmission resonance circuit 13 can be compensated, and the power transmission resonance circuit 13 can be set to a resonance state at the operating frequency. By adjusting the number of the first power transmission capacitors Cs1 and adjusting the circuit constants of the power transmission resonance circuit 13, the manufacturing efficiency of the power transmission device 210 can be improved.

[0072] C. Third Embodiment: As shown in FIG. 13, the non-contact power supply system 301 of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it includes two types of power receiving devices 80. The same components as those in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate. The positions of the power receiving coils Lr with respect to the movement path RO of the two types of power receiving devices 80 are different from each other. To distinguish the two types of power receiving devices 80, one power receiving device 80 is referred to as a first power receiving device 80A, and the other power receiving device 80 is referred to as a second power receiving device 80B.

[0073] The non-contact power supply system 301 is provided with two types of power transmission devices 310 in accordance with the two types of power receiving devices 80. To distinguish the two types of power transmission devices 310, one power transmission device 310 is referred to as a first power transmission device 310A, and the other power transmission device 310 is referred to as a second power transmission device 310B. The positions of the power transmission coils Ls with respect to the movement path RO of the first power transmission device 310A and the second power transmission device 310B are different from each other.

[0074] The first power transmission device 310A and the second power transmission device 310B use a common housing 30. However, the position of the power transmission coil Ls of the first power transmission device 310A on the lower surface 31 of the housing is different from the position of the power transmission coil Ls of the second power transmission device 310B on the lower surface 31 of the housing. Thereby, a power transmission device 10 corresponding to two types of power receiving devices 80 can be provided. The power transmission device 310 can be manufactured using the manufacturing method of the first embodiment. According to this manufacturing method, two types of power transmission devices 310 with different positions with respect to the movement path RO of the power transmission coil Ls can be efficiently manufactured using a common housing 30.

[0075] According to the third embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the above embodiments are achieved. Also, the position of the power transmission coil Ls of the first power transmission device 310A on the lower surface 31 of the housing is different from the position of the power transmission coil Ls of the second power transmission device 310B on the lower surface 31 of the housing. Therefore, a power transmission device 10 corresponding to two types of power receiving devices 80 can be provided while using a common housing 30.

[0076] D. Other Embodiments of the Power Transmission Resonance Circuit: (D1) In the first embodiment, the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs includes a first power transmission capacitor Cs1 and a second power transmission capacitor Cs2. And, by switching the state of the first switch SW1 between the conducting state and the non-conducting state, the capacitance value of the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs is changed. The form of changing the capacitance value of the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs is not limited to the first embodiment. As shown in "D1" of FIG. 15, the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs40 of the power transmission resonance circuit 413 of this embodiment is a variable capacitance capacitor. The capacitance value of the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs40 is switched between a first capacitance value and a second capacitance value by a switching signal Sig2 input from the control circuit 16. Also in this embodiment, when the capacitance value of the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs40 is changed, the state of the power transmission resonance circuit 413 is switched between the resonance state and the non-resonance state.

[0077] (D2) The power transmission resonant circuit 13 of the first embodiment is formed as a series resonant circuit with a power transmission resonant capacitor Cs and a power transmission coil Ls. As shown in "D2" of Fig. 15, the power transmission resonant circuit 513 may be a parallel resonant circuit including a power transmission coil Ls and a power transmission resonant capacitor Cs50 connected in parallel to the power transmission coil Ls. The power transmission resonant capacitor Cs50 includes a first power transmission capacitor Cs51 and a second power transmission capacitor Cs52. A third switch SW3 is connected in series to the second power transmission capacitor Cs52. When the third switch SW3 is set to the conductive state, the power transmission resonant circuit 513 is set to the resonant state. When the third switch SW3 is set to the non-conductive state, the power transmission resonant circuit 513 is set to the non-resonant state. Also in this embodiment, by changing the capacitance value of the power transmission resonant capacitor Cs50, the state of the power transmission resonant circuit 513 is switched between the resonant state and the non-resonant state.

[0078] (D3) In the second embodiment, the power transmission device 210 includes two power transmission resonant circuits 13, namely a first power transmission resonant circuit 13A and a second power transmission resonant circuit 13B. And the first power transmission resonant circuit 13A and the second power transmission resonant circuit 13B are set to the power supply state simultaneously. As another embodiment, the first power transmission resonant circuit 13A and the second power transmission resonant circuit 13B may be sequentially switched from the standby state to the power supply state. Specifically, the power transmission device 210 is arranged on a movement path RO other than the work area AE2 shown in Fig. 2. And the first power transmission resonant circuit 13A and the second power transmission resonant circuit 13B are sequentially switched from the standby state to the power supply state in accordance with the passage of the target automated guided vehicle VE. Thereby, the automated guided vehicle VE can be non-contact power-fed during the period of traveling instead of the period of stopping. The number of power transmission coils Ls provided in the power transmission device 210 may be three or more. Further, as shown in Fig. 13, the power transmission device 10 may be arranged at a corner 320 where the automated guided vehicle VE changes its traveling direction or an intersection 321 in the movement path RO. At the corner, by utilizing the period when the automated guided vehicle VE changes its traveling direction, non-contact power feeding can be performed for a longer time than when the automated guided vehicle VE travels straight.

[0079] E. Other Embodiments: (E1) In the above-described first embodiment, no component is arranged below the upper surface inclined portion 32b. As another embodiment, components may be arranged below the upper surface inclined portion 32b. Further, the housing 30 of the first embodiment has the upper surface inclined portion 32b, but it may not have the upper surface inclined portion 32b. In this case, it is preferable to provide a slope adjacent to the housing 30. Further, the housing 30 of the first embodiment has the housing lower surface 31, but it may not have the housing upper surface 32. Also, in the first embodiment, the unit area LR is square, but the shape of the unit area LR may be rectangular or other polygons.

[0080] (E2) In the above-described first embodiment, the power transmission device 10 has the power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission circuit 12 arranged in the internal space 33 of the housing 30. As another embodiment, the power supply circuit 11 may be arranged outside the housing 30, or both the power supply circuit 11 and the power transmission circuit 12 may be arranged outside the housing 30. Also, in the first embodiment, the power transmission circuit 12 includes the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs, the first switch SW1, the control circuit 16, and the communication unit 17. As another embodiment, the power transmission circuit 12 may include other circuits. Specifically, the power transmission circuit 12 may include a filter and a protection circuit. The protection circuit is, for example, a circuit for cutting off the current to the power receiving coil Lr when an overcurrent flows through the power receiving coil Lr. Also, the power transmission circuit 12 sets the power transmission coil Ls to the standby state by setting the power transmission resonance circuit 13 to the non-resonant state using the first switch SW1. As another embodiment, the current to the power transmission resonance circuit 13 may be limited by controlling the inverter 15 of the power supply circuit 11 to set the power transmission coil Ls to the standby state.

[0081] (E3) In the above first embodiment, the moving body on which the power receiving device 80 is mounted is the automated guided vehicle VE. The moving body on which the power receiving device 80 is mounted is not limited to the automated guided vehicle VE, and may be a traveling robot or the like. Further, in the above first embodiment, the power transmission device 10 is disposed on the floor surface RS in the warehouse. As another embodiment, the power transmission device 10 may be disposed on the traveling road surface on which the outdoor automated guided vehicle VE travels. Specifically, the power transmission device 10 may be disposed on a paved road. Regardless of whether the location where the power transmission device 10 is disposed is indoors or outdoors, according to the present disclosure, the position of the power transmission coil Ls can be freely disposed in accordance with the position of the power receiving coil Lr.

[0082] (E4) In the above first embodiment, the automated guided vehicle VE travels by detecting a visible position marker MK with the marker sensor 95. As another form in which the automated guided vehicle VE travels along the travel route RO, it may be a form in which a tape that can be detected magnetically or optically, such as a magnetic tape, disposed on the travel route RO is detected by the marker sensor 95 and the vehicle travels. Further, it may be a form in which an RFID (radio frequency identification) disposed on the travel route RO is detected by the marker sensor 95 and the vehicle travels. Further, without disposing the position marker MK on the travel route RO, a distance measuring device such as LiDAR (Light Detection And Rangin) or image recognition mounted on the automated guided vehicle VE is used to detect the distance from surrounding objects and estimate the current position while the automated guided vehicle VE travels. This form is also acceptable.

[0083] (E5) In the above-described first embodiment, in the power transmission resonance circuit 13, the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs is connected in series to the power transmission coil Ls, and in the power reception resonance circuit, the power reception capacitor Cr is connected in series to the power reception coil Lr, which is a so-called S-S type circuit configuration. The circuit configurations of the power transmission resonance circuit 13 and the power reception resonance circuit 83 are not limited to the S-S type. (a) For example, in the power transmission resonance circuit 13, the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs may be connected in parallel to the power transmission coil Ls, and in the power reception resonance circuit 83, the power reception capacitor Cr may be connected in series to the power reception coil Lr, which is a so-called P-S type circuit configuration. (b) Also, in addition to the power transmission resonance capacitor Cs connected in series to the power transmission coil Ls, a capacitor connected in parallel to the power transmission coil Ls may be provided, and in the power reception resonance circuit 83, each of the two power reception capacitors may be connected in series to each of the two terminals of the power reception coil Lr, which is a so-called P-SS type circuit configuration. (c) Further, the power transmission resonance circuit 13 may include a closed circuit in which a coil and a capacitor are connected in series. The coil of this closed circuit is arranged at a position where it can be magnetically coupled to the power reception coil Lr when the power transmission coil Ls is magnetically coupled to the power reception coil Lr. (d) Furthermore, the capacitor of the closed circuit may be connected in parallel instead of in series with the coil. (e) Also, the power transmission resonance circuit 13 may include a coil connected in series to the power transmission coil Ls and a capacitor connected in parallel to the coil. This coil is arranged at a position where it can be magnetically coupled to the power reception coil Lr when the power transmission coil and the power reception coil are magnetically coupled.

[0084] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the embodiments and modifications corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Also, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0085] F. Other Forms: The features of the present disclosure are shown as follows. (Form 1) A power transmission device (10, 210, 310) for non-contact power supply to a moving body (VE) having a power receiving coil (Lr), A housing (30) disposed on a floor surface (RS), At least one power transmission coil (Ls) housed in the housing, The housing is A housing upper surface (32) that supports the moving body, An internal space (33) formed below the housing upper surface, The at least one power transmission coil (Ls) is disposed in the internal space, The entire area of the housing upper surface is larger than the size of the at least one power transmission coil as viewed from above, a power transmission device. (Form 2) The power transmission device according to Form 1, An electric circuit (11, 12) for supplying power to the at least one power transmission coil, A plurality of support members (38) disposed below the housing upper surface for supporting the housing upper surface, The plurality of support members are disposed in an area excluding the occupied area of the at least one power transmission coil on the housing upper surface and the occupied area of the electric circuit on the housing upper surface in the entire area of the housing upper surface, a power transmission device. (Form 3) The power transmission device according to Form 1 or 2, The electric circuit is A power supply circuit (11) that supplies AC power of an operating frequency to the at least one power transmission coil, a power transmission device. (Form 4) The power transmission device according to Form 2 or 3, The electric circuit is A resonance capacitor (Cs) electrically connected to the at least one power transmission coil, a power transmission device. (Form 5) The power transmission device according to Form 4, The resonance capacitor is capable of changing the capacitance value between a first capacitance value and a second capacitance value greater than the first capacitance value. The electric circuit further includes a control circuit (16) for switching the capacitance value between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value to switch the state of the power transmission coil between a power supply state of non-contact power supply to the power reception coil and a standby state of stopping non-contact power supply to the power reception coil. (Embodiment 6) A power transmission device according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, The housing further has a housing lower surface (31) disposed along the floor surface. The size of the at least one power transmission coil in the top view is set to be a size in units of unit regions (LR) obtained by dividing the entire region of the housing lower surface into a plurality of parts. Each of the plurality of support members is disposed in the unit region. (Embodiment 7) A power transmission device according to Embodiment 6, The electric circuit includes a power supply circuit (11) that supplies AC power with an operating frequency to the at least one power transmission coil. The size of the power supply circuit in the top view is set to be a size in units of the unit region. (Embodiment 8) A power transmission device according to Embodiment 6 or 7, The electric circuit includes a resonance capacitor (Cs) electrically connected to the at least one power transmission coil. The size of the resonance capacitor in the top view is set to be a size in units of the unit region. (Embodiment 9) A power transmission device according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, The at least one power transmission coil is disposed along a predetermined movement path (RO) of the moving body. (Embodiment 10) A power transmission device according to any one of Forms 1 to 9, wherein the at least one power transmission coil includes a plurality of power transmission coils, and the plurality of power transmission coils are arranged along the movement path, the power transmission device. (Form 11) A power transmission device according to Form 9 or 10, further comprising an electric circuit (11, 12) for supplying power to the at least one power transmission coil, and a plurality of support members (38) disposed under the upper surface of the housing and for supporting the upper surface of the housing, wherein the moving body includes a plurality of wheels (90), and the plurality of support members are arranged at positions overlapping, in a top view, a track (LT) through which the plurality of wheels pass when the moving body travels along the movement path, and the at least one power transmission coil and the electric circuit are arranged at positions excluding the track in the top view, the power transmission device. (Form 12) A manufacturing method of a power transmission device (10, 210) for non-contact power supply to a moving body (VE) having a power reception coil (Lr), (a) a housing (30) having a lower surface (31) of the housing, an upper surface (32) of the housing disposed above the lower surface of the housing, and an internal space (33) defined by the lower surface of the housing and the upper surface of the housing; and (b) a plurality of support members (38) disposed between the lower surface of the housing and the upper surface of the housing and for supporting the upper surface of the housing, the plurality of support members being filled in the internal space, a first step (S1) of preparing a pre-adjustment housing (130); a second step (S2) of marking a facing position (131) on the lower surface of the housing facing the power reception coil when the moving body travels along a predetermined movement path (RO) on the pre-adjustment housing; and a third step (S3) of removing, from the internal space, some of the support members disposed at the facing position and disposing a power transmission coil (Ls) below the facing position, the manufacturing method. (Form 13) The manufacturing method according to form 12, wherein the power transmission device a resonance capacitor (Cs) electrically connected to the power transmission coil, a power supply circuit (11) that supplies AC power of an operating frequency to the power transmission coil, and further includes an electric circuit (11, 12, 25) having wiring (25) for supplying power from the power supply circuit to the power transmission coil, the manufacturing method after the third step, a fourth step (S14) of determining the arrangement position of the power supply circuit on the lower surface of the housing, a fifth step (S15) of determining whether the length of the wiring from the power supply circuit to the power transmission coil is shorter than a predetermined reference wiring length, in the fifth step, when it is determined that the length is shorter than the reference wiring length, a sixth step (S16) of determining to arrange a plurality of reference capacitors (Cs1) having a predetermined reference capacitance as the resonance capacitor, and further includes a seventh step (S17) of removing some of the plurality of support members, which are part of the support members in a planned area where the electric circuit is to be arranged, from the internal space and arranging the electric circuit in the planned area. A manufacturing method. (Form 14) A non-contact power supply system (301) for non-contact power supply to a moving body (VE) having a power receiving coil (Lr), comprising a first power transmission device (310A) and a second power transmission device (310B) different from the first power transmission device, each of the first power transmission device and the second power transmission device a housing (30) disposed on a floor surface (RS), and at least one power transmission coil (Ls) housed in the housing, the housing a housing lower surface (31) disposed along the floor surface, a housing upper surface (32) disposed above the housing lower surface and supporting the moving body, It has an internal space (33) defined by the lower surface of the housing and the upper surface of the housing. The at least one power transmission coil is disposed within the internal space. The size of the housing of the first power transmission device is the same as the size of the housing of the second power transmission device. A non-contact power supply system in which the position of the at least one power transmission coil of the first power transmission device on the lower surface of the housing is different from the position of the at least one power transmission coil of the second power transmission device on the lower surface of the housing.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 1,301... Non-contact power supply system, 10,210,310... Power transmission device, 310A... First power transmission device, 310B... Second power transmission device, 11... Power supply circuit, 12... Power transmission circuit, 16... Control circuit, 25... Cable, 30... Housing, 31... Lower surface of the housing, 32... Upper surface of the housing, 33... Internal space, 38... Support member, 80... Power receiving device, 90... Wheel, 130... Pre-adjustment housing, 131... Opposite position, Cs... Power transmission resonance capacitor, LR... Unit area, LT... Track, Lr... Power receiving coil, Ls... Power transmission coil, RO... Movement path, RS... Floor surface, VE... Automated guided vehicle

Claims

1. A power transmission device (10, 210, 310) that wirelessly supplies power to a moving object (VE) having a power receiving coil (Lr), a housing (30) placed on a travel surface (RS); At least one power transmitting coil (Ls) housed in the housing; an electric circuit (11, 12) for supplying power to the at least one power transmitting coil; a plurality of support members (38); The housing includes: A housing upper surface (32) that supports the moving body; an internal space (33) formed below the upper surface of the housing; the at least one power transmitting coil (Ls) is disposed in the interior space; the entire area of ​​the upper surface of the housing is larger than the size of the at least one power transmitting coil in a top view; The plurality of support members are arranged below the top surface of the housing, support the top surface of the housing, and are arranged in an area of ​​the entire top surface of the housing excluding an area occupied by the at least one power transmission coil on the top surface of the housing and an area occupied by the electrical circuit on the top surface of the housing.

2. The power transmitting device according to claim 1 , The electrical circuit comprises: A power transmission device including a power supply circuit (11) that supplies AC power at an operating frequency to the at least one power transmission coil.

3. The power transmitting device according to claim 1 , The electrical circuit comprises: a resonant capacitor (Cs) electrically connected to the at least one power transmitting coil;

4. The power transmitting device according to claim 3, the resonant capacitor has a capacitance that is changeable between a first capacitance value and a second capacitance value that is greater than the first capacitance value; The electric circuit further includes a control circuit (16) for switching the capacitance value between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value to switch the state of the power transmitting coil between a power supply state in which power is supplied to the power receiving coil in a wireless manner and a standby state in which power supply to the power receiving coil in a wireless manner is stopped.

5. The power transmitting device according to claim 1 , The housing further has a housing lower surface (31) arranged along the road surface, a size of the at least one power transmitting coil in a top view is set to a size defined by a unit area (LR) obtained by dividing an entire area of ​​the bottom surface of the housing into a plurality of unit areas, A power transmission device, wherein each of the plurality of support members is arranged in the unit area.

6. The power transmitting device according to claim 5, The electrical circuit comprises: a power supply circuit (11) that supplies AC power at an operating frequency to the at least one power transmitting coil; The size of the power supply circuit in a top view is set to be equal to the size of the unit area.

7. The power transmitting device according to claim 5, The electrical circuit comprises: a resonant capacitor (Cs) electrically connected to the at least one power transmitting coil; The size of the resonant capacitor in a top view is set to be equal to the size of the unit area.

8. The power transmitting device according to claim 1 , The at least one power transmitting coil is arranged along a predetermined movement path (RO) of the moving object.

9. The power transmitting device according to claim 8, The power transmitting device, wherein the at least one power transmitting coil includes a plurality of power transmitting coils.

10. The power transmitting device according to claim 8, The moving body has a plurality of wheels (90); the plurality of support members are disposed at positions overlapping with a track (LT) on which the plurality of wheels pass when the moving body travels along the movement path, in the top view; The power transmitting device, wherein the at least one power transmitting coil and the electric circuit are arranged at positions excluding the track when viewed from above.

11. A method for manufacturing a power transmission device (10, 210) that wirelessly supplies power to a moving body (VE) having a power receiving coil (Lr), comprising: (a) a housing (30) having a housing lower surface (31), a housing upper surface (32) disposed above the housing lower surface, and an internal space (33) defined by the housing lower surface and the housing upper surface; and (b) a first step (S1) of preparing an unadjusted housing (130) including a plurality of support members (38) disposed between the housing lower surface and the housing upper surface for supporting the housing upper surface, the plurality of support members filling the internal space; a second step (S2) of marking, on the pre-adjustment housing, a facing position (131) on the underside of the housing that faces the power receiving coil when the moving body travels along a predetermined moving path (RO); and a third step (S3) of removing some of the plurality of support members that are arranged at the opposing positions from the internal space and arranging a power transmission coil (Ls) below the opposing positions.

12. The method of claim 11, The power transmission device is a resonant capacitor (Cs) electrically connected to the power transmitting coil; a power supply circuit (11) for supplying AC power at an operating frequency to the power transmission coil; and wiring (25) for supplying power from the power supply circuit to the power transmitting coil, The manufacturing method includes: a fourth step (S14) of determining a placement position of the power supply circuit on the bottom surface of the housing after the third step; a fifth step (S15) of determining whether the length of the wiring from the power supply circuit to the power transmitting coil is shorter than a predetermined reference wiring length; a sixth step (S16) of determining, when it is determined in the fifth step that the wiring length is shorter than the reference wiring length, that a plurality of reference capacitors (Cs1) having a predetermined reference capacitance are to be arranged as the resonant capacitors; The manufacturing method further comprises a seventh step (S17) of removing from the internal space some of the plurality of support members, which are some of the support members in a planned area where the electrical circuit is to be placed, and placing the electrical circuit in the planned area.

13. A contactless power supply system (301) that contactlessly supplies power to a moving object (VE) having a power receiving coil (Lr), a first power transmission device (310A) and a second power transmission device (310B) different from the first power transmission device; Each of the first power transmission device and the second power transmission device a housing (30) placed on a travel surface (RS); At least one power transmitting coil (Ls) housed in the housing, The housing includes: A housing lower surface (31) disposed along the running road surface; a housing upper surface (32) disposed above the housing lower surface, the housing upper surface supporting the moving body; an internal space (33) defined by the lower surface of the housing and the upper surface of the housing; the at least one transmitting coil is disposed within the interior space; and the size of the housing of the first power transmission device is the same as the size of the housing of the second power transmission device; a contactless power supply system in which the position of the at least one power transmission coil of the first power transmission device on the underside of the housing is different from the position of the at least one power transmission coil of the second power transmission device on the underside of the housing.

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