Power feeding device and power transmission system

Abstract

To suppress displacement of an electronic apparatus to be supplied with power.SOLUTION: A power supply apparatus 200 includes a housing portion 210 that houses an electronic apparatus 100 to supply power to the electronic apparatus 100 in a non-contact manner. The housing portion 210 includes a floor-portion 210B on which the electronic apparatus 100 is disposed, and a side-wall-portion 210A that surrounds the periphery of the electronic apparatus 100. The side-wall-portion 210A is provided with a plurality of wall-side protrusions 220 protruding toward the inside of the side-wall-portion 210A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply device and a power transmission system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electronic devices that receive wireless power from a power supply device to charge a built-in battery have come into use, and Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a power transmitting unit determines whether a power receiving unit is placed in an appropriate position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-119251 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 may not be able to sufficiently prevent the power receiving unit from being misaligned.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and aims to provide a power supply device and a power transmission system that suppress misalignment of an electronic device that is a power supply target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the power supply device of the present disclosure includes a storage section for storing an electronic device to supply power to the electronic device contactlessly, the storage section including a floor section on which the electronic device is placed and a wall section surrounding the electronic device, and the wall section is provided with a plurality of wall-side protrusions that protrude toward the inside of the wall section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the positional deviation of an electronic device receiving power supply. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device and a power supply device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main body of an electronic device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a top view of a power supply device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a top view of the electronic device and the power supply device according to the first embodiment in a stored state; [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of a wall-side protrusion according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] 1 is a configuration diagram of a power transmission system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] Cross section of line AA shown in Figure 4 [Figure 8] An enlarged view of the area enclosed by dashed line 50 shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a top view of a power supply device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) First, the appearance of an electronic device 100 and a power supply device 200 included in a power transmission system 1000 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The power transmission system 1000 is a system in which the power supply device 200 wirelessly supplies power to the electronic device 100. The power supply device 200 wirelessly supplies power to the electronic device 100 when the electronic device 100 is stored in a storage unit 210 included in the power supply device 200. "Wireless" means non-contact, meaning that there is no cable connection, no electrode contact, or the like.

[0011] The electronic device 100 is a device that operates using power stored in a built-in battery. The electronic device 100 charges the built-in battery with power supplied from the power supply device 200. In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 is a robot that operates autonomously without receiving direct operation from a user. More specifically, the electronic device 100 is a pet robot that resembles a small animal. The electronic device 100 includes a main body unit 110 and an exterior unit 120.

[0012] Main body 110 is a portion that houses various components necessary for the operation of electronic device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, main body 110 includes head 111, connecting portion 112, and body 113. Head 111 is a portion that corresponds to the head of a small animal. Connecting portion 112 is a portion that rotatably connects head 111 and body 113. Body 113 is a portion that corresponds to the body of a small animal.

[0013] The exterior part 120 is an exterior part that covers the main body part 110. The exterior part 120 is equipped with decorative parts that resemble eyes and fluffy fur. The outer surface of the exterior part 120 is made of, for example, an artificial pile fabric that resembles the fur of a small animal, in order to simulate the feel of the skin of a small animal. The lining of the exterior part 120 is made of, for example, fiber, leather, rubber, etc. Because the exterior part 120 is made of a flexible material, the exterior part 120 can follow the movement of the main body part 110.

[0014] The power supply device 200 is a device that wirelessly supplies power to the electronic device 100. The power supply device 200 functions as a charging station that charges a battery included in the electronic device 100. The power supply device 200 receives power from an AC (Alternating Current) adapter equipped with a DC (Direct Current) plug 310. The power supply device 200 includes a storage unit 210 for storing the electronic device 100. The storage unit 210 has a shape that resembles a small animal's house, and is shaped like a bowl. More specifically, the storage unit 210 has a shape like an egg divided in two by a plane including a central axis extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] Fig. 3 shows a top view of power supply device 200. Fig. 4 shows a top view of electronic device 100 and power supply device 200 in a stored state. In the stored state, electronic device 100 is stored in storage section 210 of power supply device 200, and power can be supplied to electronic device 100. In this embodiment, an axis extending in the vertical direction is defined as the Z-axis, an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis is defined as the X-axis, and an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and X-axis is defined as the Y-axis.

[0016] Moreover, in this embodiment, power supply device 200 is disposed so that the direction extending from the rear end to the front end in the longitudinal direction of storage unit 210 is the positive direction of the X-axis. The front end in the longitudinal direction of storage unit 210 is the sharper end of both ends in the longitudinal direction of storage unit 210. Moreover, in this embodiment, electronic device 100 is disposed so that the direction extending from body 113 to head 111 is the positive direction of the X-axis. That is, in this embodiment, electronic device 100 is disposed in storage unit 210 of power supply device 200 so that head 111 of main body 110 of electronic device 100 is disposed at the front end in the longitudinal direction of storage unit 210 of power supply device 200.

[0017] The electronic device 100 may be stored in the storage unit 210 automatically or manually. For example, the electronic device 100 may be automatically moved into the storage unit 210 in response to the remaining battery power falling below a reference value. Alternatively, the user may store the electronic device 100 in the storage unit 210 in response to a notification from the electronic device 100. This notification is a notification that the remaining battery power is low, and is issued by the electronic device 100 in response to the remaining battery power falling below a reference value.

[0018] A base 240 for placing the electronic device 100 is provided at the bottom of the storage unit 210. The base 240 has a disk shape. A power transmission coil 250 is provided below the base 240. The power supply device 200 wirelessly supplies power to the electronic device 100 when the electronic device 100 is placed on the base 240. An alternating current for power supply flows through the power transmission coil 250. The storage unit 210 includes a side wall 210A that surrounds the periphery of the electronic device 100, and a floor 210B on which the electronic device 100 is placed. The side wall 210A is an example of a wall. The side wall 210A is provided with a plurality of wall-side protrusions 220 that protrude toward the inside of the side wall 210A. In this embodiment, the plurality of wall-side protrusions 220 are eight in number, namely, wall-side protrusion 220A, wall-side protrusion 220B, wall-side protrusion 220C, wall-side protrusion 220D, wall-side protrusion 220E, wall-side protrusion 220F, wall-side protrusion 220G, and wall-side protrusion 220H. Furthermore, the floor 210B is provided with a plurality of floor-side protrusions 230 that protrude upward from the floor 210B. In this embodiment, the plurality of floor-side protrusions 230 are two in number, namely, floor-side protrusion 230A and floor-side protrusion 230B. The plurality of wall-side protrusions 220 and the plurality of floor-side protrusions 230 restrict movement of the electronic device 100 stored in the storage unit 210. In other words, the plurality of wall-side protrusions 220 and the plurality of floor-side protrusions 230 prevent the electronic device 100 from shifting position within the storage unit 210. The positional deviation of the electronic device 100 corresponds to the positional deviation between the central axis of the power transmitting coil 250 and the central axis of the power receiving coil 150. In other words, the wall-side protrusions 220 and the floor-side protrusions 230 restrict the movement of the electronic device 100 stored in the storage section 210 so that the positional deviation between the central axis of the power transmitting coil 250 and the central axis of the power receiving coil 150 falls within an allowable range.

[0019] In this embodiment, the floor-side protrusion 230A and the floor-side protrusion 230B have a shape that extends in a second direction that is approximately perpendicular to the first direction, and are arranged on a straight line that extends in the second direction. "Approximately perpendicular" means that they are generally perpendicular, and do not have to be strictly perpendicular. The first direction is the direction in which the X-axis extends, and the second direction is the direction in which the Y-axis extends. The floor-side protrusion 230A and the floor-side protrusion 230B limit movement of the electronic device 100 in a direction corresponding to a first orientation in the first direction.

[0020] The direction corresponding to the first orientation in the first direction is the positive direction of the X axis, and the direction corresponding to the second orientation in the first direction is the negative direction of the X axis. Floor-side protrusion 230A and floor-side protrusion 230B basically restrict movement of the portion corresponding to body 113 of electronic device 100 in the direction corresponding to the first orientation in the first direction.

[0021] The multiple wall protrusions 220 restrict movement of the electronic device 100 in a first direction or a second direction. Specifically, wall protrusions 220A, 220B, and 220C restrict movement of the electronic device 100 in a direction corresponding to a first orientation in the second direction. Wall protrusions 220F, 220G, and 220H restrict movement of the electronic device 100 in a direction corresponding to a second orientation in the second direction. Note that the direction corresponding to the first orientation in the second direction is the positive direction of the Y axis, and the direction corresponding to the second orientation in the second direction is the negative direction of the Y axis.

[0022] Wall-side protrusion 220C, wall-side protrusion 220D, wall-side protrusion 220E, and wall-side protrusion 220F restrict movement of electronic device 100 in a direction corresponding to the second orientation in the first direction. In this manner, the multiple wall-side protrusions 220 include a wall-side protrusion 220 that restricts movement of electronic device 100 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Therefore, the multiple wall-side protrusions 220 and the multiple floor-side protrusions 230 restrict movement of electronic device 100 in the first direction and the second direction.

[0023] The wall-side protrusions 220 and the floor-side protrusions 230 are preferably arranged so as not to excessively restrict movement of the electronic device 100, that is, so as to allow some movement of the electronic device 100. With such a configuration, for example, a movement simulating breathing by the electronic device 100 simulating a small animal in the storage section 210 simulating a small animal's home is not restricted. Note that the amount of protrusion of the wall-side protrusions 220 from the side wall 210A is determined according to the allowable amount of positional displacement of the electronic device 100 within the storage section 210. Basically, the smaller the allowable amount, the larger the protrusion amount, and the greater the allowable amount, the smaller the protrusion amount.

[0024] Here, a magnet 280 is installed inside floor-side protrusion 230A, and magnet 280 is used by electronic device 100 to determine whether power supply device 200 is an appropriate power supply device compatible with electronic device 100. In this way, floor-side protrusion 230A has a function of restricting movement of electronic device 100 and a function of fixing magnet 280.

[0025] In this embodiment, when the storage section 210 is viewed from above, the multiple wall-side protrusions 220 are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to the axis 30 extending in the first direction. Specifically, the wall-side protrusions 220A, 220B, 220C, and 220D are arranged line-symmetrically with the wall-side protrusions 220H, 220G, 220F, and 220E, respectively. Hereinafter, two wall-side protrusions 220 arranged line-symmetrically will be referred to as a pair of wall-side protrusions 220 as appropriate. The pair of wall-side protrusions 220 have the same X coordinate.

[0026] The electronic device 100 has a wide portion 113A that is longer in the width direction of the electronic device 100 than other portions. The width direction of the electronic device 100 is the Y-axis direction. The wide portion 113A is a part of the body portion 113. The storage section 210 stores the electronic device 100 so that the width direction of the electronic device 100 and the first direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0027] Here, the multiple wall-side protrusions 220 include a first protrusion, a second protrusion adjacent to the first protrusion, a third protrusion arranged in a position line-symmetrical with respect to the first protrusion with respect to axis 30 extending in the first direction as the axis of symmetry, and a fourth protrusion adjacent to the third protrusion and arranged in a position line-symmetrical with respect to the second protrusion with respect to axis 30 as the axis of symmetry. In this embodiment, wall-side protrusion 220A is the first protrusion, wall-side protrusion 220B is the second protrusion, wall-side protrusion 220H is the third protrusion, and wall-side protrusion 220G is the fourth protrusion.

[0028] Here, the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion, and the fourth protrusion are arranged so that when the storage section 210 stores the electronic device 100, the positions of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion, and the fourth protrusion in the first direction are between the positions in the first direction of both ends of the wide section 113A of the wide section 113A.

[0029] For example, of both ends of wide portion 113A in the first direction, the one with the larger X coordinate is defined as one end in the first direction of wide portion 113A, and the one with the smaller X coordinate is defined as the other end in the first direction of wide portion 113A. In this case, the X coordinates of wall-side protrusion 220A, wall-side protrusion 220B, wall-side protrusion 220G, and wall-side protrusion 220H are smaller than the X coordinate of one end in the first direction of wide portion 113A and larger than the X coordinate of the other end in the first direction of wide portion 113A.

[0030] That is, with respect to the arrangement in the X-axis direction, wall-side protrusion 220A, wall-side protrusion 220B, wall-side protrusion 220G, and wall-side protrusion 220H are arranged between both ends of wide portion 113A. In this case, movement of wide portion 113A in the positive direction of the Y-axis is suppressed by wall-side protrusion 220A and wall-side protrusion 220B. Movement of wide portion 113A in the negative direction of the Y-axis is suppressed by wall-side protrusion 220G and wall-side protrusion 220H. In this way, movement of electronic device 100 in the Y-axis direction is efficiently suppressed by the first protrusion, second protrusion, third protrusion, and fourth protrusion.

[0031] Furthermore, the distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion and the distance between the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion correspond to the thickness of the fingers. For example, it is preferable that these distances are approximately the same as the thickness of the fingers. With this configuration, for example, when a user holds the wide portion 113A of the electronic device 100 with his or her fingers and stores it in the storage unit 210, one finger fits between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, and the other finger fits between the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion. In this case, the user's fingers fit into the gap between the side wall portion 210A and the exterior portion 120, allowing the user to smoothly store the electronic device 100 in the storage unit 210.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferable that the wall protrusions 220 have a rounded shape. In other words, it is preferable that the wall protrusions 220 have a shape without corners. FIG. 5 shows a side view of the wall protrusion 220A as viewed from the positive direction of the X-axis. As shown in FIG. 5, the wall protrusion 220A has a shape that extends upward along the side wall 210A from the boundary between the side wall 210A and the floor 210B in a direction away from the floor 210B. Furthermore, the wall protrusion 220A has a rounded shape and does not have corners in the portion that is touched by the user's finger, the electronic device 100, etc.

[0033] The wall-side protrusions 220 other than the wall-side protrusion 220A also have the same shape as the wall-side protrusion 220A. With this configuration, when a user stores the electronic device 100 in the storage section 210, the user's fingers, the electronic device 100, etc. are prevented from getting caught on the wall-side protrusions 220, and smooth storage can be expected.

[0034] Next, the configuration of the power transmission system 1000 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The power transmission system 1000 includes an electronic device 100 and a power supply device 200. The electronic device 100 includes a power receiving coil 150, a power receiving circuit 160, a control circuit 170, a battery 171, a sensor 172, an actuator 173, a speaker 174, and a magnetic sensor 180. The power supply device 200 includes a power transmitting coil 250, a power transmitting circuit 260, a control circuit 270, a power supply circuit 271, a temperature sensor 272, and a magnet 280.

[0035] The power receiving coil 150 is a coil that is coupled with the power transmitting coil 250 and is used to receive power wirelessly. The power receiving coil 150 induces an electromotive force in response to changes in the magnetic flux induced by the power transmitting coil 250. The power receiving coil 150 is a conductive wire wound around an axis extending in the Z-axis direction. The power receiving coil 150 is placed below the base 240.

[0036] The power receiving circuit 160 is a circuit for receiving power wirelessly via the power receiving coil 150. The power receiving circuit 160 supplies DC power based on AC power supplied from the power supply device 200 via the power receiving coil 150 to the battery 171. The power receiving circuit 160 operates under the control of the control circuit 170. The power receiving circuit 160 communicates with the power transmitting circuit 260. For example, the power receiving circuit 160 transmits a power feeding request to the power transmitting circuit 260 in order to receive power from the power transmitting circuit 260. The power receiving circuit 160 includes a power receiving integrated circuit (IC) 161.

[0037] The power receiving IC 161 converts AC power generated by the electromotive force induced by the power receiving coil 150 into DC power and supplies the DC power to the battery 171. The power receiving IC 161 includes an operation control terminal 162 for controlling the operation of the power receiving IC 161. The power receiving IC 161 operates when a first voltage is applied to the operation control terminal 162, and stops operating when a second voltage is applied to the operation control terminal 162. In this embodiment, the first voltage is lower than the second voltage.

[0038] When the first voltage is applied to the operation control terminal 162, the power receiving IC 161 operates. Therefore, the power receiving circuit 160 transmits a power feeding request to the power transmitting circuit 260, and power feeding by the power feeding device 200 is performed. On the other hand, when the second voltage is applied to the operation control terminal 162, the power receiving IC 161 stops operating. Therefore, the power receiving circuit 160 does not transmit a power feeding request to the power transmitting circuit 260, and power feeding by the power feeding device 200 is not performed.

[0039] In this embodiment, the voltage output by magnetic sensor 180 is applied to operation control terminal 162. That is, in this embodiment, whether or not power supply device 200 supplies power is determined depending on the result of magnetic detection by magnetic sensor 180. Specifically, when magnetic sensor 180 detects a magnetic field, power supply device 200 supplies power. When magnetic sensor 180 does not detect a magnetic field, power supply device 200 does not supply power. In this case, operation control terminal 162 is an / EN terminal.

[0040] Control circuit 170 controls the overall operation of electronic device 100. For example, control circuit 170 operates actuator 173 based on the detection result of sensor 172, thereby operating electronic device 100. Furthermore, when control circuit 170 receives a notification from power supply device 200 that a foreign object has been detected, control circuit 170 controls speaker 174 to notify the user that a foreign object has been detected.

[0041] The battery 171 is a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged. The battery 171 is a power source for the electronic device 100. That is, the battery 171 supplies power to the power receiving circuit 160, the control circuit 170, the sensor 172, the actuator 173, the magnetic sensor 180, etc. The battery 171 is charged by the power supplied from the power receiving circuit 160.

[0042] The sensor 172 is a sensor for detecting various physical quantities. Possible examples of the sensor 172 include a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a sound sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a temperature sensor. The touch sensor detects, for example, a user's touch on the exterior part 120. The acceleration sensor detects, for example, an acceleration applied to all or part of the electronic device 100. The angular velocity sensor detects, for example, the angular velocity of all or part of the electronic device 100. The sound sensor detects, for example, a voice emitted by the user. The illuminance sensor detects, for example, the illuminance around the electronic device 100. The temperature sensor detects, for example, the temperature inside or outside the electronic device 100. The sensor 172 supplies an electrical signal indicating the detection result to the control circuit 170.

[0043] Actuator 173 is a mechanism for operating each part of electronic device 100. Actuator 173 operates under the control of control circuit 170. For example, actuator 173 is a mechanism for moving electronic device 100 forward and backward, or for rotating head 111 relative to body 113. Actuator 173 includes, for example, a stepping motor.

[0044] The speaker 174 emits a sound in accordance with the control of the control circuit 270. For example, when the power supply device 200 detects a foreign object, the speaker 174 outputs a sound in accordance with an audio signal supplied from the control circuit 270 to notify that a foreign object has been detected.

[0045] The magnetic sensor 180 is a sensor that detects magnetism. The magnetic sensor 180 detects magnetism generated by a magnet 280 provided at a predetermined location of the power supply device 200. In this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 180 includes a Hall element that detects a magnetic field using the Hall effect and detects the strength of the magnetic field and the orientation of the magnetic poles. However, in this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 180 outputs a voltage corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field, regardless of the orientation of the magnetic poles. Specifically, the magnetic sensor 180 outputs a first voltage when the strength of the detected magnetic field is equal to or greater than a reference value. Furthermore, the magnetic sensor 180 outputs a second voltage when the strength of the detected magnetic field is less than the reference value. In this manner, the magnetic sensor 180 outputs the first voltage when it detects magnetism and the second voltage when it does not detect magnetism. Note that the detection of magnetism by the magnetic sensor 180 corresponds to the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 180 being equal to or greater than a reference value. The voltage output by the magnetic sensor 180 is applied to the operation control terminal 162 of the power receiving IC 161. Therefore, when magnetism is detected, power feeding is permitted, and when magnetism is not detected, power feeding is not permitted. In this embodiment, power transmitting coil 250 provided in power feeding device 200 generates magnetism. Therefore, magnetic sensor 180 is installed at a position and angle where it does not detect the magnetism generated by power transmitting coil 250.

[0046] The power transmitting coil 250 is a coil that is coupled with the power receiving coil 150 and is a coil for wirelessly feeding power. The power transmitting coil 250 induces a magnetic flux whose magnitude changes when an alternating current flows through it. The power transmitting coil 250 is a conductor wound around an axis extending in the Z-axis direction. The power transmitting coil 250 is disposed at a predetermined position within the power feeding device 200 so that the power transmitting coil 250 faces the power receiving coil 150 in the stored state. In the stored state, the central axis of the power receiving coil 150 and the central axis of the power transmitting coil 250 are close to each other.

[0047] The power transmitting circuit 260 is a circuit for wirelessly feeding power via the power transmitting coil 250. The power transmitting circuit 260 supplies AC power based on DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 271 to the power transmitting coil 250. The power transmitting circuit 260 operates under the control of the control circuit 270. The power transmitting circuit 260 communicates with the power receiving circuit 160. Specifically, when the power transmitting circuit 260 receives a power feeding request from the power receiving circuit 160, the power transmitting circuit 260 starts feeding power to the power receiving circuit 160. In other words, the power transmitting circuit 260 feeds power to the electronic device 100 in response to a power feeding request issued by the electronic device 100 when the electronic device 100 detects magnetism emitted by the magnet 280. The power transmitting circuit 260 includes a power transmitting IC 261. The power transmitting IC 261 converts DC power generated by the power supply circuit 271 into AC power and supplies the AC power to the power transmitting coil 250.

[0048] The control circuit 270 controls the overall operation of the power supply device 200. For example, the control circuit 270 controls the power transmitting circuit 260 to supply power to the electronic device 100. The control circuit 270 also detects a foreign object based on the detection result by the temperature sensor 272. For example, the control circuit 270 determines that a foreign object is present around the power transmitting coil 250 when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 272 is equal to or higher than a reference value, or when the rate of increase in the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 272 is equal to or higher than a reference value. When the control circuit 270 determines that a foreign object is present, the control circuit 270 notifies the electronic device 100 that a foreign object has been detected, causing the electronic device 100 to notify the electronic device 100 of the presence of the foreign object.

[0049] The power supply circuit 271 generates various power supply voltages used by the power supply device 200. For example, the power supply circuit 271 steps down or steps up a DC voltage supplied from the AC adapter 300 to generate power supply voltages for the various components of the power supply device 200.

[0050] Temperature sensor 272 detects the temperature around power transmitting coil 250. If a foreign object containing metal is present around power transmitting coil 250, an eddy current flows in the foreign object due to a change in magnetic flux induced by power transmitting coil 250, causing the foreign object to generate heat. Temperature sensor 272 is used to detect the heat generated by the foreign object. Temperature sensor 272 supplies the temperature detection result to control circuit 270. Temperature sensor 272 includes, for example, a thermistor.

[0051] Magnet 280 is an object that emits magnetism. Magnet 280 has two poles, a north pole and a south pole, and is an object that serves as a source of generating a bipolar magnetic field. Magnet 280 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length in the width direction, and the length in the width direction is longer than the length in the thickness direction.

[0052] Magnet 280 is placed at a predetermined location on power supply device 200 to indicate that power supply device 200 is an appropriate power supply device suitable for supplying power to electronic device 100. In this embodiment, the predetermined location is floor-side protrusion 230A. Magnet 280 is installed at a position and angle that correspond to the position and angle of magnetic sensor 180. In other words, magnet 280 is placed at a position and angle that allows magnetic sensor 180 to detect the magnetism emitted by magnet 280 in the stored state. In this embodiment, magnet 280 is a permanent magnet.

[0053] AC adapter 300 is a device for converting AC power into DC power. In this embodiment, AC adapter 300 converts AC power supplied from a commercial power source into DC power and supplies the DC power to power supply circuit 271. AC adapter 300 includes a DC plug 310 that is connected to power supply circuit 271.

[0054] Next, the arrangement of magnetic sensor 180 and magnet 280 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Note that hatching of cross sections has been omitted in Figure 7 to facilitate understanding. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in the stored state, power receiving coil 150 and power transmitting coil 250 face each other, and magnetic sensor 180 and magnet 280 face each other. That is, power receiving coil 150 and power transmitting coil 250 are close to each other, and when viewed from the Z-axis direction, power receiving coil 150 and power transmitting coil 250 almost overlap. Furthermore, magnetic sensor 180 and magnet 280 are close to each other, and when viewed from the X-axis direction, magnetic sensor 180 and magnet 280 almost overlap.

[0055] The power receiving coil 150 is supported by a support member 151. The power receiving circuit 160 may be incorporated into the support member 151. The power transmitting coil 250 is supported by a support member 251. The power transmitting circuit 260 may be incorporated into the support member 251. The magnetic sensor 180 is supported by the support member 181. The magnet 280 is supported by the support member 281.

[0056] Support member 281 is a member that supports magnet 280. Support member 281 has a function of fixing the position and angle of magnet 280 so that, in the stored state, magnetic sensor 180 can detect the magnetism emitted by magnet 280. In this embodiment, support member 281 fixes magnet 280 so that the longitudinal direction of magnet 280 is the Y-axis direction, the width direction of magnet 280 is the Z-axis direction, and the thickness direction of magnet 280 is the X-axis direction.

[0057] In the stored state, the magnetic sensor 180 faces the magnet 280. The Y coordinate of the magnetic sensor 180 is approximately the same as the Y coordinate of the magnet 280, and the Z coordinate of the magnetic sensor 180 is approximately the same as the Z coordinate of the magnet 280. Furthermore, the difference between the X coordinate of the magnetic sensor 180 and the X coordinate of the magnet 280 is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. For example, this difference is preferably equal to or less than 20 millimeters.

[0058] When the electronic device 100 is placed in the power supply device 200, which is a power supply device suitable for supplying power to the electronic device 100 (hereinafter referred to as an "appropriate power supply device"), the magnetic field emitted by the magnet 280 provided at a predetermined position of the power supply device 200 is detected by the magnetic sensor 180 provided in the electronic device 100. In this case, the magnetic sensor 180 outputs a first voltage to the operation control terminal 162 of the power receiving IC 161, which enables the power receiving IC 161 to operate. As a result, a power supply request is transmitted from the power receiving circuit 160 to the power transmitting circuit 260, and power supply from the power supply device 200 to the electronic device 100 is realized.

[0059] On the other hand, when the electronic device 100 is placed in a power supply device that is not suitable for supplying power to the electronic device 100 (hereinafter referred to as an "inappropriate power supply device"), the magnet 280 is not provided in the predetermined position of the inappropriate power supply device, and therefore the magnetic sensor 180 included in the electronic device 100 does not detect magnetism. That is, in this case, the magnetic sensor 180 outputs the second voltage to the operation control terminal 162 of the power receiving IC 161, and the operation of the power receiving IC 161 stops. As a result, a power supply request is not transmitted from the power receiving circuit 160 to the power transmitting circuit 260, and power supply from the power supply device 200 to the electronic device 100 is not realized.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, power supply from an inappropriate power supply device to the electronic device 100 is suppressed, thereby suppressing various malfunctions. For example, if the inappropriate power supply device does not have a foreign object detection function, suppressing power supply suppresses heat generation due to the foreign object. Also, for example, if the amount of power transmitted by the inappropriate power supply device exceeds the amount of power that the electronic device 100 can receive, suppressing power supply suppresses power supply that exceeds the allowable amount of the electronic device 100. Also, for example, if the amount of power that the inappropriate power supply device can transmit is extremely small, suppressing power supply suppresses power supply for a long period of time.

[0061] In this embodiment, a side wall 210A of the storage unit 210 is provided with a plurality of wall protrusions 220 that protrude inward from the side wall 210A. The wall protrusions 220 prevent the electronic device 100 stored in the storage unit 210 from moving. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the electronic device 100 that receives wireless power from the power supply device 200 from shifting in position.

[0062] When the electronic device 100 is misaligned, various malfunctions occur due to the misalignment between the transmitting coil 250 and the receiving coil 150. Possible malfunctions include power supply stoppage, a decrease in power supply stability, an increase in power supply time, heat generation, and false detection of a foreign object. Power supply stoppage means, for example, that power supply is not possible due to a significant misalignment. Power supply stability decrease means, for example, that the misalignment causes frequent switching between a power supply state and a power supply stop state. An increase in power supply time means, for example, that the amount of power supplied per unit time decreases due to the misalignment, increasing the time required for power supply.

[0063] Heat generation refers to, for example, excessive heat generation in power transmitting coil 250 as a result of an increase in power during power supply in order to suppress a decrease in the amount of power supply due to misalignment. False detection of a foreign object refers to, for example, false detection of a foreign object that occurs due to the heat generation. For example, in a case where it is determined that a foreign object is present when the rate of increase in temperature detected by temperature sensor 272 is equal to or greater than a threshold, if power transmitting coil 250 is generating excessive heat due to misalignment, it may be determined that a foreign object is present even when no foreign object is present. In the present embodiment, these problems due to misalignment of electronic device 100 are suppressed.

[0064] Note that, as a method for suppressing misalignment of the electronic device 100, for example, a method for narrowing the width of the power supply device 200, a method for reducing the size of the power supply device 200, etc. However, the method for narrowing the width of the power supply device 200 changes the aspect ratio of the power supply device 200, which may impair the design of the power supply device 200. Furthermore, the method for reducing the size of the power supply device 200 changes the balance between the size of the electronic device 100 and the size of the power supply device 200, which may impair the design of the electronic device 100 and the power supply device 200 as a whole. Furthermore, the method for narrowing the width of the power supply device 200 or the method for reducing the size of the power supply device 200 may not provide enough space for a user to insert a finger between the exterior unit 120 of the electronic device 100 and the side wall 210A of the storage unit 210 of the power supply device 200, which may make it difficult for a user to store the electronic device 100 in the storage unit 210.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, the floor-side protrusion 230 restricts movement of the electronic device 100 in a first direction, and the wall-side protrusion 220 restricts movement of the electronic device 100 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. According to this embodiment, the wall-side protrusion 220 and the floor-side protrusion 230 appropriately restrict movement of the electronic device 100 in the first direction and the second direction.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power transmitting circuit 260 supplies power to the electronic device 100 in response to a power supply request issued when the electronic device 100 detects magnetism emitted by the magnet 280 installed inside the floor-side protrusion 230A. Therefore, in this embodiment, the floor-side protrusion 230A has a function of restricting movement of the electronic device 100 and a function of fixing the magnet 280 used to prevent inappropriate power supply. According to this embodiment, with a simple configuration, it is possible to prevent inappropriate power supply while preventing the electronic device 100 from shifting in position.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion, and the fourth protrusion are arranged so that, when the storage section 210 stores the electronic device 100, the positions of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion, and the fourth protrusion in the first direction are between the positions in the first direction of both ends of the wide section 113A of the electronic device 100. Therefore, according to this embodiment, movement of the electronic device 100 in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction is efficiently suppressed by the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion, and the fourth protrusion.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion and the distance between the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion are distances that correspond to the thickness of the fingers. In this embodiment, for example, when a user stores electronic device 100 in storage unit 210 while holding both ends of wide portion 113A with their fingers in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, one finger of the user is likely to fit between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, and another finger of the user is likely to fit between the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is likely that the user will be able to store electronic device 100 in storage unit 210 easily.

[0069] If the distance is too short compared to the thickness of a finger, there is insufficient space for the user's finger to fit in, making it difficult for the user to store the electronic device 100 in the storage unit 210. On the other hand, if the distance is too long compared to the thickness of a finger, there is a possibility that movement of the electronic device 100 may not be sufficiently prevented. Alternatively, instead of providing multiple wall-side protrusions 220 on the side wall 210A, it is possible to provide a protrusion around the entire inner surface of the side wall 210A. However, with this method, the user's finger would be pinched between the exterior 120 of the electronic device 100 and the protrusion around the entire surface, making it difficult for the user to store the electronic device 100 in the storage unit 210.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the wall-side protrusions 220 have a rounded shape. Therefore, in this embodiment, when storing the electronic device 100 in the storage unit 210, the user's fingers, the exterior unit 120 of the electronic device 100, etc. are less likely to get caught on the wall-side protrusions 220. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is considered that the user can easily store the electronic device 100 in the storage unit 210.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the storage section 210 stores a pet-type robot having a head section 111 and a body section 113, and the side wall section 210A is provided with a wall-side protrusion 220 that protrudes toward the inside of the side wall section 210A and is arranged to cover the body section 113, thereby restricting the movement of the body section 113 but not the movement of the head section 111. According to this embodiment, the biological movement related to the movement of the head section 111 is not restricted by the wall-side protrusion 220, so that the pet-type robot can maintain its animal-like movement. The biological movement is, for example, breathing movement realized by the movement of the head section 111.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, floor-side protrusion 230 is configured to support the portion between head 111 and body 113 of the robot, thereby not restricting the movement of head 111. According to this embodiment, the biological movements related to the movement of head 111 are not restricted by floor-side protrusion 230, so the animal-like movements of the pet-type robot can be maintained.

[0073] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the wall-side protrusion 220 and the floor-side protrusion 230 are provided in the storage section 210. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the wall-side protrusion 220 is provided in the storage section 210 and the floor-side protrusion 230 is not provided in the storage section 210. Note that the description of the same configurations and functions as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0074] 9 shows a top view of power feeding device 200C according to the present embodiment. Power feeding device 200C basically has the same configuration as power feeding device 200, except that it includes storage section 210C instead of storage section 210. Storage section 210C has the same configuration as storage section 210, except that it includes wall-side protrusions 220I and 220J instead of floor-side protrusions 230A and 230B.

[0075] In this embodiment, the multiple wall-side protrusions 220 include wall-side protrusions 220 that limit movement of the electronic device 100 in a first direction, and wall-side protrusions 220 that limit movement of the electronic device 100 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Specifically, movement of the electronic device 100 in a direction corresponding to a first orientation in the first direction is suppressed by the wall-side protrusions 220I and the wall-side protrusions 220J.

[0076] Furthermore, movement of electronic device 100 in a direction corresponding to the second orientation in the first direction is suppressed by wall-side protrusion 220C, wall-side protrusion 220D, wall-side protrusion 220E, and wall-side protrusion 220F. Movement of electronic device 100 in a direction corresponding to the first orientation in the second direction is suppressed by wall-side protrusion 220A, wall-side protrusion 220B, and wall-side protrusion 220C. Movement of electronic device 100 in a direction corresponding to the second orientation in the second direction is suppressed by wall-side protrusion 220F, wall-side protrusion 220G, and wall-side protrusion 220H.

[0077] In this embodiment, the multiple wall-side protrusions 220 include wall-side protrusions 220 that limit movement of the electronic device 100 in a first direction and wall-side protrusions 220 that limit movement of the electronic device 100 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment, movement of the electronic device 100 in the first direction and movement of the electronic device 100 in the second direction are suppressed without providing floor-side protrusions 230 on the floor 210B. In other words, according to this embodiment, movement of the electronic device 100 in the first direction and movement of the electronic device 100 in the second direction are suppressed with a simple configuration.

[0078] (Variation) Although the embodiments have been described above, modifications and applications in various forms are possible. It is up to the discretion of the individual to adopt any of the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments. Furthermore, in addition to the above-described configurations, functions, and operations, additional configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted. Furthermore, the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined.

[0079] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the power supply device 200 includes eight wall-side protrusions 220 and two floor-side protrusions 230. The number of wall-side protrusions 220 or floor-side protrusions 230 included in the power supply device 200 is not limited to this example. For example, the power supply device 200 may include seven or fewer wall-side protrusions 220 or nine or more wall-side protrusions 220, or one or fewer floor-side protrusions 230 or three or more floor-side protrusions 230.

[0080] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the wall-side protrusion 220 is provided at the boundary between the side wall 210A and the floor 210B. The wall-side protrusion 220 does not need to be provided at the boundary between the side wall 210A and the floor 210B, and may be provided above the boundary on the side wall 210A.

[0081] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the electronic device 100 is a robot modeled after a small animal. The electronic device 100 may be another robot or a device other than a robot. For example, the electronic device 100 may be a smartphone, an electronic dictionary, a game device, or the like.

[0082] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 electronic device, 200, 200C power supply device, 210, 210C storage section, 210A side wall section, 210B floor section, 220, 220A, 220B, 220C, 220D, 220E, 220F, 220G, 220H, 220I, 220J wall side protrusion section

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores an electronic device to supply power to the electronic device in a contactless manner; The storage section is a floor portion on which the electronic device is placed; a wall portion surrounding the periphery of the electronic device, The wall portion is provided with a plurality of wall-side protrusions that protrude toward the inside of the wall portion. Power supply device.

2. The floor portion is provided with a floor-side protrusion that protrudes upward from the floor portion, the floor-side protrusion limits movement of the electronic device in a first direction; the plurality of wall-side protrusions include a wall-side protrusion that limits movement of the electronic device in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; The power supply device according to claim 1 .

3. A magnet is installed inside the floor-side protrusion, the electronic device includes a power transmission circuit that supplies power to the electronic device in response to a power supply request issued when the electronic device detects the magnetic field emitted by the magnet; The power supply device according to claim 2 .

4. The plurality of wall-side protrusions include a wall-side protrusion that limits movement of the electronic device in a first direction and a wall-side protrusion that limits movement of the electronic device in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The power supply device according to claim 1 .

5. the electronic device includes a wide portion that is longer in a width direction of the electronic device than other portions, the plurality of wall-side protrusions include a first protrusion, a second protrusion adjacent to the first protrusion, a third protrusion disposed at a position symmetrical to the first protrusion with an axis extending in a first direction as an axis of symmetry, and a fourth protrusion adjacent to the third protrusion and disposed at a position symmetrical to the second protrusion with the axis as an axis of symmetry, the storage section stores the electronic device such that a width direction of the electronic device and the first direction are orthogonal to each other; the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion, and the fourth protrusion are arranged such that, when the storage section stores the electronic device, the positions of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, the third protrusion, and the fourth protrusion in the first direction are between the positions of both ends of the wide portion in the first direction. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The distance between the first protrusion and the second protrusion and the distance between the third protrusion and the fourth protrusion are determined according to the thickness of a finger. The power supply device according to claim 5 .

7. The plurality of wall-side protrusions have a rounded shape. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. a storage unit for storing a pet-type robot having a head and a body, The storage section is a floor on which the robot is placed; a wall portion surrounding the periphery of the robot, The wall portion is provided with a protrusion portion that protrudes toward the inside of the wall portion and is arranged to cover the torso portion, thereby restricting movement of the torso portion while not restricting movement of the head portion. Power supply device.

9. The floor portion is provided with a floor-side protrusion that protrudes upward from the floor portion, The floor-side protrusion is configured to support a portion between the head and the torso of the robot, thereby not restricting movement of the head. The power supply device according to claim 8.

10. A power transmission system including a power supply device and an electronic device, The power supply device is A transmitting coil; a power transmitting circuit that wirelessly supplies power to the electronic device via the power transmitting coil; a storage section for storing the electronic device when power is supplied, The electronic device includes: A battery, A receiving coil; a power receiving circuit that supplies the power wirelessly supplied from the power supply device via the power receiving coil to the battery, The storage section is a floor portion on which the electronic device is placed; a wall portion surrounding the periphery of the electronic device, The wall portion is provided with a plurality of wall-side protrusions that protrude toward the inside of the wall portion, When the electronic device is stored in the storage section, movement of the electronic device is restricted by the wall-side protrusions. Power transmission system.

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