Power supply module and power supply system

Abstract

To provide a power supply module and a power supply system which can more simply charge a storage battery of an EV.SOLUTION: A power supply module supplies power to a vehicle comprising: a transmission unit which transmits vehicle information; a power reception coil; and a storage battery which can be charged by power received by the power reception coil, and comprises: a power transmission coil to be arranged toward the power reception coil of the vehicle to be parked at a parking lot; a reception unit which receives the vehicle information from the transmission unit; and a control unit which transmits power to be supplied from an external power supply from the power transmission coil toward the power reception coil to charge the storage battery when the vehicle information is received by the reception unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply module and a power supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] With the spread of electric vehicles (EVs), a technique for adjusting the charging schedule of an EV's storage battery according to the electricity rate has been proposed as a technique for charging a storage battery mounted on an EV (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-141465 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When charging an EV's battery, the EV and the charging facility must be connected with a power cable. This connection must be made every time the EV is charged, which can be a cumbersome task for EV users.

[0005] One aspect of the disclosed technology aims to provide a power supply module and a power supply system that can more easily charge a storage battery of an EV. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the disclosed technology is exemplified by the following power supply module. The power supply module supplies power to a vehicle having a transmitter that transmits vehicle information, a power receiving coil, and a storage battery that can be charged with power received by the power receiving coil. The power supply module includes a power transmitting coil arranged facing the power receiving coil of the vehicle parked in a parking lot, a receiver that receives the vehicle information from the transmitter, and a controller that, when the receiver receives the vehicle information, transmits power supplied from an external power source from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil to charge the storage battery.

[0007] In this power supply module, when the receiving unit receives the vehicle information, power is transmitted from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil. When the receiving unit receives the vehicle information, it is considered that the vehicle is parked in the parking lot. With this power supply module, there is no need to connect the power supply module and the vehicle with a power cable, and there is no need to issue a command to start charging, making it easier to charge the storage battery of the vehicle.

[0008] Here, the vehicle information may include vehicle model information indicating a vehicle model of the vehicle, and the control unit may transmit power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil when the vehicle model information is received by the receiving unit. Also, the vehicle information may include storage battery information related to the storage battery, and the control unit may transmit power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil when the storage battery information is received by the receiving unit.

[0009] When the vehicle information includes vehicle model information indicating a vehicle model of the vehicle, the control unit may transmit power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil when the vehicle model indicated by the vehicle model information received by the receiving unit matches a registered vehicle model. With this power supply module, the target of power transmission from the power transmitting coil is limited to registered vehicle models, thereby reducing the risk of power theft.

[0010] In addition, when the storage battery information includes remaining capacity information indicating a remaining capacity of the storage battery, the control unit may control the power transmission by the power transmitting coil based on the remaining capacity information. With this power supply module, it is possible to control the power transmission by the power transmitting coil in accordance with the remaining capacity of the storage battery.

[0011] The power supply module may further include the following feature: the power transmitting coil is disposed underground in the parking lot. By disposing the power transmitting coil underground, the risk of electricity theft is reduced.

[0012] The power supply module may further include the following feature: the power supply module is disposed underground in the parking lot, and the power transmitting coil is disposed closer to the vehicle than the control unit. With this feature, the power supply module does not have to be disposed between the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil, thereby reducing power transmission loss between the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil.

[0013] The power supply module may have the following feature: a detection sensor that detects the vehicle parked in the parking lot, wherein the control unit transmits power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil when the detection sensor detects that the vehicle has parked in the parking lot and the receiving unit receives the vehicle information. This power supply module can more reliably detect that the vehicle has parked in the parking lot and start transmitting power by transmitting power from the power transmitting coil when both detection by the detection sensor and reception of the vehicle information are established.

[0014] The disclosed technology can also be understood from the aspect of a power supply system including the vehicle and the power supply module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The disclosed technology makes it easier to charge an EV's storage battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a charging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing block of a control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of the control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a charging system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] <Application example> An application example of the present invention will be described. An application example of the present invention is, for example, a charging facility 260 as shown in Fig. 1. The charging facility 260 is a system that charges a storage battery 233 of an EV 230 parked in a parking lot 800 in a wireless manner.

[0018] Charging facility 260 includes power transmitting coil 220 that wirelessly transmits power from AC power source 210. Power transmitting coil 220 is placed with its power transmission direction facing power receiving coil 231 of EV 230 parked in parking lot 800.

[0019] In this application example, the charging facility 260 transmits power contactlessly via the power transmitting coil 220 and the power receiving coil 231. Therefore, according to this application example, the owner of the EV 230 does not need to perform the work of connecting the charging facility 260 and the EV 230 with a power cable. Therefore, according to this application example, the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 can be charged more easily.

[0020] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a charging system 300 according to an embodiment. The charging system 300 is a contactless power transfer system that charges a storage battery 233 of an EV 230 with power supplied from an AC power source 210 via a power transmitting coil 220 and a power receiving coil 231 of a charging facility 260. The charging system 300 includes a management system 250, a charging facility 260, an AC power source 210, and a network NT1. In Fig. 1, the power receiving coil 231, a wireless communication module 232, and a storage battery 233 arranged in the EV 230 are illustrated by dotted lines. The storage battery 233 is charged with power received by the power receiving coil 231.

[0021] The charging equipment 260 includes a relay 21, a measurement unit 22, a communication unit 23, a control unit 24, a wireless communication module 25, and a power transmitting coil 220. The power transmitting coil 220 transmits power contactlessly to a power receiving coil 231 of the EV 230. The power transmitting coil 220 is disposed (buried), for example, underground 810 in a parking lot 800. The power transmitting coil 220 is disposed so that the power transmitting direction is directed toward the power receiving coil 231 of the EV 230 parked in the parking lot 800. In the EV 230, the power received by the power receiving coil 231 is used to charge the storage battery 233 of the EV 230. The power switching module 200 is disposed between the AC power source 210 and the power transmitting coil 220, which are connected by an electric circuit PL1. The power switching module 200 opens and closes the electric circuit PL1 and controls charging from the AC power source 210 to the storage battery 233 of the EV 230.

[0022] The relay 21 opens and closes the electric circuit PL1 that connects the AC power supply 210 and the power transmitting coil 220. The relay 21 switches the electric circuit PL1 between a conductive state and a non-conductive state, for example, by opening and closing a mechanical contact. When the relay 21 is turned on, the contact closes and the electric circuit PL1 enters a conductive state. When the relay 21 is turned off, the contact opens and the electric circuit PL1 enters a non-conductive state.

[0023] Measurement unit 22 is, for example, a device that is disposed on electric line PL1 that supplies AC power from AC power supply 210 to EV 230, and measures the power or amount of power supplied from AC power supply 210 to EV 230.

[0024] Communication unit 23 is an interface that transmits and receives information using a predetermined communication method between charging facility 260 and management system 250. Wireless communication module 25 is a module that wirelessly communicates with wireless communication module 232 of EV 230. Examples of communication methods between wireless communication module 25 and wireless communication module 232 include infrared communication and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0025] The control unit 24 includes a processor such as an MPU and memory, and controls the relay 21, the measurement unit 22, the communication unit 23, and the wireless communication module 25. The control unit 24 controls the relay 21 in response to, for example, a relay-on command or a relay-off command from the management system 250. The control unit 24 also transmits the power or amount of power measured by the measurement unit 22 to the management system 250 via the communication unit 23. The control unit 24 also acquires information related to the EV 230 from the wireless communication module 232 via the wireless communication module 232 and the wireless communication module 25, and controls charging of the wireless communication module 232 based on the acquired information.

[0026] The EV 230 includes a power receiving coil 231 and a wireless communication module 232. The power receiving coil 231 receives the power transmitted by the power transmitting coil 220 and charges the storage battery 233 of the EV 230. The wireless communication module 232 is a module that communicates wirelessly with the wireless communication module 25. The EV 230 transmits information related to the EV 230 to the charging facility 260 via the wireless communication module 232, for example. Examples of the information related to the EV 230 include vehicle model information indicating the vehicle model of the EV 230, characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the storage battery 233, and remaining capacity information indicating the remaining capacity of the storage battery 233. The characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the storage battery 233 includes: For example, information indicating the type of storage battery 233 (lead storage battery, nickel metal hydride battery, lithium ion battery, etc.) can be given.

[0027] <Processing blocks of the control unit 24> 2 is a diagram showing an example of processing blocks of the control unit 24 according to the embodiment. The control unit 24 includes an acquisition unit 241, an instruction unit 242, and a notification unit 243. The control unit 24 executes the processes of each unit, such as the acquisition unit 241, the instruction unit 242, and the notification unit 243, by causing a processor, such as an MPU, to execute a computer program loaded in memory.

[0028] The acquisition unit 241 acquires information related to the EV 230 via the wireless communication module 25 and the wireless communication module 232 .

[0029] For example, when it is determined that EV 230 is parked in parking lot 800, instructing unit 242 turns on relay 21 to bring electric circuit PL1 into a conductive state. When electric circuit PL1 is brought into a conductive state, power supplied from AC power supply 210 is transmitted to power receiving coil 231 via power transmitting coil 220. Instructing unit 242 may, for example, control the amount of electric power transmitted from power transmitting coil 220 based on information related to EV 230 acquired by acquiring unit 241. For example, when acquiring unit 241 receives characteristic information (information related to EV 230) indicating that storage battery 233 is a lithium-ion battery and the remaining capacity of storage battery 233, instructing unit 242 may control the amount of electric power transmitted from power transmitting coil 220 so that the remaining capacity becomes a predetermined value (for example, approximately 80%) lower than 100% (full charge). By preventing storage battery 233 from becoming fully charged, deterioration of storage battery 233, which is a lithium-ion battery, is suppressed. Alternatively, the vehicle type information and the type of storage battery 233 may be stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 24, and the instruction unit 242 may control the amount of power transmitted from the power transmitting coil 220 according to the type of storage battery 233 identified based on the received vehicle type information. The determination that the EV 230 has been parked in the parking lot 800 may be made, for example, when the acquisition unit 241 acquires information related to the EV 230.

[0030] The notification unit 243 transmits the power or amount of power measured by the measurement unit 22 to the management system 250 via the communication unit 23. The management system 250 bills the owner of the EV 230 based on the transmitted power or amount of power, for example.

[0031] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the control unit 24 according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, an example of the processing flow of the control unit 24 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] In step S1, the instruction unit 242 determines whether the EV 230 is parked in the parking lot 800. As described above, this determination may be made based on whether information related to the EV 230 has been acquired by the acquisition unit 241. If the EV 230 is parked in the parking lot 800 (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. If the EV 230 is not parked in the parking lot 800 (NO in step S1), the process of step S1 is repeated.

[0033] In step S2, the instruction unit 242 turns on the relay 21 to bring the electric circuit PL1 into a conductive state, and starts transmitting power from the power transmitting coil 220. While the power transmitting coil 220 is transmitting power, the acquisition unit 241 continuously or intermittently acquires information related to the EV 230.

[0034] In step S3, the instructing unit 242 determines whether the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 is fully charged. The instructing unit 242 determines whether the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 is fully charged, for example, based on information about the EV 230 acquired by the acquiring unit 241 while power is being transmitted by the power transmitting coil 220. If the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 is fully charged (YES in step S3), the process ends. If the storage battery 233 is not fully charged (NO in step S3), power transmission by the power transmitting coil 220 continues until the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 is fully charged.

[0035] <Effects of the embodiment> In this embodiment, power is transmitted contactlessly from the power transmitting coil 220 to the power receiving coil 231. That is, according to this embodiment, the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 is charged without connecting the EV 230 with a power cable. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 can be charged more easily without the trouble of connecting a power cable.

[0036] In this embodiment, when the instructing unit 242 determines that the EV 230 has been parked in the parking lot 800, charging of the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 starts without an instruction from the owner of the EV 230. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 can be charged more easily without the trouble of issuing an instruction to start charging. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power transmitting coil 220 is buried underground 810, which reduces the risk of electricity theft.

[0037] In this embodiment, the charging facility 260 acquires information related to the EV 230 via the wireless communication module 25 and the wireless communication module 232, and the acquiring unit 241 detects that the EV 230 has parked in the parking lot 800. Therefore, the charging facility 260 can detect that the EV 230 has parked in the parking lot 800 without adding a sensor for detecting the EV 230 in addition to the wireless communication module 25.

[0038] <Modification> In the embodiment described above, charging of the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 starts when the EV 230 is parked in the parking lot 800. However, charging of the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 may start upon receiving an instruction from the owner of the EV 230. For example, the owner of the EV 230 may operate a mobile terminal such as a smartphone to instruct the management system 250 to start charging, and the management system 250, upon receiving the instruction, may instruct the control unit 24 to start charging. Then, upon receiving the instruction to start charging from the management system 250, the control unit 24 may turn on the relay 21 to bring the electrical circuit PL1 into a conductive state, thereby transmitting power to the power transmitting coil 220. By employing such a configuration, charging of the storage battery 233 of the EV 230 can be started according to the will of the EV 230.

[0039] In the embodiment described above, the power transmitting coil 220 is buried underground 810 in the parking lot 800, but the power transmitting coil 220 may be set in a location other than underground 810 in the parking lot 800 as long as it is in a position where it can transmit power to the power receiving coil 231 of the EV 230. For example, the power transmitting coil 220 may be placed on the side of the parking lot 800, and transmit power to the power receiving coil 231 from the side of the EV 230 parked in the parking lot 800.

[0040] Furthermore, charging facility 260 may be buried underground 810. In this case, it is preferable that power transmitting coil 220 is disposed closest to EV 230 (closest to the ground) in buried underground 810. By disposing power transmitting coil 220 closest to EV 230, other objects interposed between power receiving coil 231 and power transmitting coil 220 can be reduced, and a decrease in power transmission efficiency can be suppressed.

[0041] In the embodiment described above, the acquisition unit 241 detects that the EV 230 has parked in the parking lot 800 by acquiring information related to the EV 230 via the wireless communication module 25 and the wireless communication module 232, but the instruction unit 242 may detect that the EV 230 has parked in the parking lot 800 by other methods. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a charging system 300A according to a modified example. The charging system 300A includes a charging facility 260A instead of the charging facility 260. The charging facility 260A further includes an object detection sensor 26. In the example of FIG. 4, the object detection sensor 26 is installed underground 810 in the parking lot 800, but the object detection sensor 26 may be installed underground 810 if it is located in a position where it can suitably detect that the EV 230 has parked in the parking lot 800. 0. Object detection sensor 26 detects EV 230 parked in parking lot 800 using, for example, radar, sound waves, light waves, ultrasonic waves, electromagnetic waves, etc. Then, when object detection sensor 26 detects an object, control unit 24 may cause instruction unit 242 to detect that EV 230 has parked in parking lot 800.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, when information related to EV 230 is acquired via wireless communication module 25 and wireless communication module 232 and EV 230 parked in parking lot 800 is detected by object detection sensor 26, instruction unit 242 may detect that EV 230 has parked in parking lot 800. Parking of EV 230 in parking lot 800 is detected when both acquisition of information related to EV 230 and detection by object detection sensor 26 are established, so that parking of EV 230 in parking lot 800 can be detected more reliably.

[0043] Furthermore, for example, information related to the user of charging system 300 (such as vehicle model information indicating the vehicle model of EV 230 to be charged) may be stored (registered) in advance in the memory of control unit 24 or management system 250. Control unit 24 receives the vehicle model information of EV 230 via wireless communication modules 25 and 232 of EV 230. Then, when the received vehicle model information matches the registered vehicle model information, control unit 24 transmits power from power transmitting coil 220 to power receiving coil 231. By performing such control, power transmission from power transmitting coil 220 is limited to registered vehicle models, and control unit 24 can reduce the risk of power theft.

[0044] The embodiments and modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other.

[0045] <Appendix 1> A power supply module (260) for supplying power to a vehicle (230) having a transmitter (232) for transmitting vehicle information, a power receiving coil (231), and a storage battery (233) that can be charged by power received by the power receiving coil (231), a power transmitting coil (220) arranged facing the power receiving coil (231) of the vehicle (230) parked in a parking lot (800); a receiving unit (25) that receives the vehicle information from the transmitting unit (232); and a control unit (24) that, when the receiving unit (25) receives the vehicle information, transmits power supplied from an external power source (210) from the power transmitting coil (220) to the power receiving coil (231) to charge the storage battery (233). A power supply module (260). <Appendix 2> the vehicle information includes vehicle model information indicating a vehicle model of the vehicle, When the vehicle type information is received by the receiving unit, the control unit transmits power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil. 2. The power supply module (260) of claim 1. <Appendix 3> When the vehicle model indicated by the vehicle model information received by the receiving unit (25) matches a registered vehicle model, the control unit (24) transmits power from the power transmitting coil (220) to the power receiving coil (231). 1. The power supply module according to claim 2. <Appendix 4> the vehicle information includes storage battery information related to the storage battery, When the storage battery information is received by the receiving unit, the control unit transmits power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil. 4. The power supply module (260) of any one of claims 1 to 3. <Appendix 5> the storage battery information includes remaining capacity information indicating a remaining capacity of the storage battery, The control unit (24) controls the power transmission by the power transmission coil (220) based on the remaining capacity information. The power supply module described in Appendix 4. <Appendix 6> The power transmission coil (220) is disposed underground (810) in the parking lot (800). 6. The power supply module (260) of any one of claims 1 to 5. <Appendix 7> The power supply module (260) is disposed underground (810) of the parking lot (800); The power transmission coil (220) is disposed closer to the vehicle (230) than the control unit (24). 6. The power supply module (260) of any one of claims 1 to 5. <Appendix 8> a detection sensor (26) for detecting the vehicle (230) parked in the parking lot (800); When the detection sensor (26) detects that the vehicle (230) has been parked in the parking lot and the receiving unit (25) receives the vehicle information, the control unit (24) transmits power from the power transmitting coil (220) to the power receiving coil (231). 8. The power supply module (260) of any one of claims 1 to 7. <Appendix 9> A power supply system including a vehicle (230) and a power supply module (260), The vehicle (230) a transmitter that transmits vehicle information; A receiving coil (231), a storage battery that can be charged by the power received by the power receiving coil (231); The power supply module (260) a power transmitting coil (220) arranged facing the power receiving coil (231) of the vehicle (230) parked in a parking lot (800); a receiving unit that receives the vehicle information from the transmitting unit; and a control unit that, when the vehicle information is received by the receiving unit, transmits power supplied from an external power source (210) from the power transmitting coil (220) to the power receiving coil (231) to charge the storage battery (233). A power supply system (300).

[0046] 21 Relay 22...Measuring part 23. Communications Department 24 Control Unit 25 Wireless communication module 26. Object detection sensor 200 Power Switching Module 210 AC power supply 220 Transmission coil 230 EV 231 Receiving coil 232 Wireless communication module 233 Storage battery 241··Acquisition Department 242·Instruction section 243·Notification Department 250··Management System 260·Charging equipment 300··Charging System 300A charging system 800··Parking lot 810...underground NT1 Network PL1·Electric circuit

Claims

1. A power supply module for supplying power to a vehicle, the power supply module having a transmitter for transmitting vehicle information, a power receiving coil, and a storage battery that can be charged by power received by the power receiving coil, a power transmitting coil disposed facing the power receiving coil of the vehicle parked in a parking lot; a receiving unit that receives the vehicle information from the transmitting unit; a control unit that, when the receiving unit receives the vehicle information, transmits power supplied from an external power supply from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil to charge the storage battery, Power supply module.

2. the vehicle information includes vehicle model information indicating a vehicle model of the vehicle, When the vehicle model information is received by the receiving unit, the control unit transmits power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil. The power supply module according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit transmits power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil when the vehicle model indicated by the vehicle model information received by the receiving unit matches a registered vehicle model. The power supply module according to claim 2 .

4. the vehicle information includes storage battery information related to the storage battery, When the storage battery information is received by the receiving unit, the control unit transmits power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil. The power supply module according to claim 1 .

5. the storage battery information includes remaining capacity information indicating a remaining capacity of the storage battery, the control unit controls the power transmission by the power transmission coil based on the remaining capacity information. The power supply module according to claim 4 .

6. The power transmission coil is disposed underground in the parking lot. The power supply module according to claim 1 .

7. the power supply module is disposed underground in the parking lot; The power transmission coil is disposed closer to the vehicle than the control unit. The power supply module according to claim 1 .

8. Further, a detection sensor is provided to detect the vehicle parked in the parking lot. the control unit transmits power from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil when the detection sensor detects that the vehicle has been parked in the parking lot and the receiving unit receives the vehicle information. The power supply module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A power supply system including a vehicle and a power supply module, The vehicle is a transmitter that transmits vehicle information; A receiving coil; a storage battery that can be charged by the power received by the power receiving coil, The power supply module includes: a power transmitting coil disposed facing the power receiving coil of the vehicle parked in a parking lot; a receiving unit that receives the vehicle information from the transmitting unit; a control unit that, when the vehicle information is received by the receiving unit, transmits power supplied from an external power supply from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil to charge the storage battery, Power supply system.

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