Rectifying cable and rectifying connector

Abstract

To provide a rectifying cable and a rectifying connector capable of improving power receiving efficiency.SOLUTION: As shown in FIG. 2, the rectifying cable 1 includes a cable body portion 3 that is electrically connected to the control board 95, and a rectifying portion 5 that is electrically connected to the cable body portion 3 and is electrically connected to an antenna 96 capable of transmitting and receiving microwaves 93, rectifies an AC signal S1 input from the antenna 96 into a DC signal S2, and outputs the DC signal LA to the cable body portion 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rectifying cable and a rectifying connector. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART As a conventional technique, a contactless power supply device that supplies power to a contactless power receiving device in a contactless manner is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] This contactless power supply device is configured to estimate the cable length from the frequency characteristics when oscillation is applied from the high-frequency oscillator to the cable, and to compensate for the effect of the cable length based on the estimated cable length when transmitting power from the power transmission tuning and combining unit to the power transmission antenna. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-204739 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional contactless power supply devices have a problem in that power transmission loss occurs on the contactless power receiving device side due to the length of the cable and the connector portion, resulting in reduced power receiving efficiency.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rectifying cable and a rectifying connector that can improve power receiving efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a rectifying cable comprising: a cable main body electrically connected to a control board; and a rectifying section electrically connected to the cable main body and to an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving power transmission signals, which rectifies an AC signal input from the antenna into a DC signal and outputs the DC signal to the cable main body.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention provides a rectifying connector comprising: a board-side connector electrically connected to a control board; an antenna-side connector electrically connected to an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving power transmission signals; and a rectifying unit having one end electrically connected to the board-side connector and the other end electrically connected to the antenna-side connector, rectifying an AC signal input from the antenna via the antenna-side connector to a DC signal, and outputting the DC signal to the control board via the board-side connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the power receiving efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless power supply system using a rectifying cable according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rectifying cable according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rectifying cable according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rectifying connector according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Summary of the embodiment) The rectifying cable of the embodiment is generally configured to include a cable main body that is electrically connected to a control board, and a rectifying section that is electrically connected to the cable main body and to an antenna that can send and receive power transmission signals, rectifying an AC signal input from the antenna into a DC signal and outputting it to the cable main body.

[0012] A rectifier device according to another embodiment is generally configured to include a board-side connector electrically connected to a control board, an antenna-side connector electrically connected to an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving power transmission signals, and a rectifier unit having one end electrically connected to the board-side connector and the other end electrically connected to the antenna-side connector, which rectifies an AC signal input from the antenna via the antenna-side connector into a DC signal and outputs the DC signal to the control board via the board-side connector.

[0013] This rectifying cable and rectifying connector rectify the AC signal output from the antenna into a DC signal and output it to the control board, thereby improving power receiving efficiency compared to when an AC signal flows through a transmission line to the control board.

[0014] [First embodiment] (Overview of Rectifier Cable 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless power supply system using a rectifying cable according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a rectifying cable according to the first embodiment. In the figures according to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes between figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. In FIG. 1, arrows indicate the flow of main signals, etc. Below, an overview of the rectifying cable 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0015] 1, the rectifier cable 1 is used as a cable that electrically connects the antenna 96 and the control board 95 in the wireless power supply system 9. Note that this electrical connection may be made with multiple conductors, such as electronic components, interposed between the rectifier cable 1 and the control board 95, as long as they are not insulated from each other. Furthermore, the electrical connection between the antenna 96 and the rectifier cable 1 may be made with multiple conductors, such as other cables, interposed between them, as long as the distance over which the AC signal S1, described below, flows is within an allowable range for power transmission loss.

[0016] The wireless power feeding system 9 is mainly roughly configured to include a power transmitting device 90 and a power receiving device 94 having a control board 95. The wireless power feeding system 9 converts, for example, a power transmission signal as high-frequency (RF: Radio Frequency / AC: Alternating Current) power output from the power transmitting device 90 into power S3 by the control board 95, and charges a charging device 97. The control board 95 is configured to perform control related to charging of the charging device 97.

[0017] In this embodiment, a power transmitting device 90 outputs microwaves 93 as a power transmission signal via a cable 91 and an antenna 92. A control board 95 of a power receiving device 94 converts the microwaves 93 into power S3, which charges a connected charging device 97. Note that the power receiving device 94 may supply power S3 to devices other than the charging device 97.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rectifying cable 1 of this embodiment is generally configured to include a cable main body 3 electrically connected to a control board 95, and a rectifying unit 5 electrically connected to the cable main body 3 and to an antenna 96 capable of transmitting and receiving microwaves 93, rectifying an AC signal S1 input from the antenna 96 to a DC signal S2 and outputting it to the cable main body 3.

[0019] The rectifying cable 1 of this embodiment also includes a board-side connector 2 electrically connected to a control board 95, and an antenna-side connector 4 electrically connected to an antenna 96 capable of transmitting and receiving microwaves 93. Note that the rectifying cable 1 may be configured such that at least the board-side connector 2 is attached to the cable main body 3 after the cable main body 3 is cut to a desired length.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the rectification unit 5 of this embodiment is disposed between the board-side connector 2 and the antenna-side connector 4 on the antenna-side connector 4 side.

[0021] As a modified example, the rectifying cable 1 is not limited to the control board 95 of the power receiving device 94, but may be the control board of the power transmitting device 90 or the control board of a power transmitting and receiving device. When the rectifying cable 1 is connected to the power transmitting device 90 or the power transmitting and receiving device, it has a switching unit that bypasses the rectifying unit 5 at the timing of power transmission.

[0022] (Configuration of rectifier cable 1) As described above, the rectifying cable 1 is generally configured to include the board-side connector 2, the cable main body 3, the antenna-side connector 4, and the rectifying section 5.

[0023] The board-side connector 2 and the antenna-side connector 4 are, for example, connectors such as SMA (Sub Miniature Type A), SMP (Sub Miniature Push-on), and U.FL (manufactured by Hirose Electric), but are not limited to these. The board-side connector 2 and the antenna-side connector 4 may be the same or different. The cable main body 3 is, for example, a coaxial cable, but may also be a conductor such as an IV cable.

[0024] 1, the antenna-side connector 4 is connected to an antenna 96. The antenna 96 may be any antenna that can receive the microwaves 93.

[0025] The rectifier unit 5 has, for example, a substrate 50 on which a rectifier circuit 51 having a transmission line, an impedance matching constant, a rectifier element, a smoothing capacitor, etc. is arranged, and is configured to rectify AC to DC. As shown in Fig. 2, for example, the transmission line is a transmission line 52 on the antenna 96 side and a transmission line 53 on the cable main body 3 side. The transmission line 52, the transmission line 53, and a transmission line 30 described later have an impedance of, for example, 50 Ω.

[0026] The transmission line 52 is a transmission line through which the AC signal S1 output from the antenna 96 flows. The transmission line 53 is a transmission line through which the rectified DC signal S2 flows. The transmission line 53 is electrically connected to the transmission line 30 of the cable main body 3. Therefore, the DC signal S2 flows mainly through the transmission line 53 and the transmission line 30.

[0027] When the rectifier 5 receives the AC signal S1 output from the antenna 96 via the antenna-side connector 4, it rectifies the received AC signal S1 and converts it into a DC signal S2, and outputs the converted DC signal S2 to the cable main body 3. The rectifier 5 may be configured to perform half-wave rectification or full-wave rectification.

[0028] Here, the rectifier circuit 51 is not limited to being implemented as an electronic component such as a capacitor, but may be formed as an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip and disposed on the substrate 50.

[0029] 2, the rectifying cable 1 may have an identification mark 10 on the cable main body 3 near the board-side connector 2 and an identification mark 11 on the cable main body 3 near the antenna-side connector 4 to distinguish between the antenna 96 side and the power receiving device 94 side, or may have an identification mark on either one side. Furthermore, the rectifying cable 1 may be partially colored to make it identifiable, and is not limited to this as long as it is identifiable.

[0030] (Effects of the first embodiment) The rectifying cable 1 according to this embodiment can improve power receiving efficiency. In the rectifying cable 1, a DC signal S2, not an AC signal S1, flows through the cable main body 3. This reduces power transmission line loss in the connector and the cable main body 3, and improves power receiving efficiency, compared to when an AC signal flows through the cable main body.

[0031] Rectifier cable 1 can output DC signal S2 to power receiving device 94 without using a specially designed rectenna, which allows for free replacement of antenna 96 within the range of compatible connector shapes, while reducing high-frequency power transmission line loss and suppressing costs. Furthermore, because rectifier cable 1 allows for free replacement of antenna 96 within the range of compatible connector shapes, it is more versatile than when a rectenna is used.

[0032] In the rectifying cable 1, the AC signal S1 is rectified to a DC signal S2 by the rectifying section 5 close to the antenna 96, and the transmission line 52 and the transmission line 30 through which the AC signal S1 flows are shortened, thereby reducing power transmission line loss compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0033] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the rectification unit is disposed between the antenna and the antenna-side connector.

[0034] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a rectifying cable according to the second embodiment. In the embodiments described below, parts having the same functions and configurations as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0035] 3, the rectification unit 5 of this embodiment is disposed on the antenna 96 side of the antenna-side connector 4. In other words, the rectification unit 5 is disposed between the antenna 96 and the antenna-side connector 4.

[0036] The rectifier unit 5 is configured so that the antenna 96 can be connected to the antenna-side connector 4. As an example, the rectifier unit 5 is configured so that the antenna 96 is directly connected to the rectifier circuit 51. Therefore, the rectifier cable 1 can minimize the length of the transmission line 52 through which the AC signal S1 flows.

[0037] (Effects of the second embodiment) In the rectifier cable 1 of the present embodiment, the length of the transmission line 52 through which the AC signal S1 flows can be minimized, and therefore, power transmission line loss can be reduced more than in the case where the transmission line is long.

[0038] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that the rectification unit is directly connected to the antenna-side connector and the board-side connector.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rectifying connector according to the third embodiment.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the rectifying connector 6 of this embodiment is generally configured to include a board-side connector 2 electrically connected to a control board 95, an antenna-side connector 4 electrically connected to an antenna 96 capable of transmitting and receiving microwaves 93, and a rectifying unit 5 having one end 54 electrically connected to the board-side connector 2 and the other end 55 electrically connected to the antenna-side connector 4, rectifying an AC signal S1 input from the antenna 96 via the antenna-side connector 4 into a DC signal S2 and outputting the DC signal S2 to the control board 95 via the board-side connector 2.

[0041] As long as the board-side connector 2 is not insulated from the control board 95, multiple conductors such as electronic components may be interposed between them. Furthermore, as long as the distance over which the AC signal S1 flows is within the allowable range for power transmission loss, multiple conductors such as other cables may be interposed between the antenna-side connector 4 and the antenna 96.

[0042] The board-side connector 2 and the antenna-side connector 4 may have the same connector shape, or may have different connector shapes.

[0043] As a variant, the rectifying connector 6 may be provided with the above-mentioned identification marks 10 and 11, or may be provided with a distinguishable color, so that the board-side connector 2 and the antenna-side connector 4 can be distinguished.

[0044] (Effects of the third embodiment) In the rectifying connector 6 of this embodiment, the transmission line 52 through which the AC signal S1 flows has a minimum length, so that power transmission line loss can be reduced and power receiving efficiency can be improved compared to when the transmission line is long.

[0045] Since the rectifying connector 6 does not have the cable main body 3, the distance from the antenna 96 to the power receiving device 94 can be shortened compared to when the cable main body 3 is included, thereby further improving the power receiving efficiency.

[0046] In the rectifying connector 6, the length of the transmission line 52 through which the AC signal S1 flows does not change even when a cable is connected to the board-side connector 2, so the increase in power transmission line loss can be suppressed compared to when the length is increased.

[0047] According to at least one of the rectifying cable 1 and rectifying connector 6 of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to improve the power receiving efficiency.

[0048] Although several embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. These novel embodiments and modifications may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1...rectifier cable, 2...board side connector, 3...cable main body, 4...antenna side connector, 5...rectifier section, 6...rectifier connector, 9...wireless power supply system, 10, 11...identification mark, 50...board, 51...rectifier circuit, 30, 52, 53...transmission line, 54...one end, 55...other end, 90...power transmitting device, 91...cable, 92...antenna, 93...microwave, 94...power receiving device, 95...control board, 96...antenna, 97...charging device

Claims

1. a cable main body electrically connected to the control board; a rectification unit electrically connected to the cable main body and to an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving power transmission signals, rectifying an AC signal input from the antenna into a DC signal and outputting the DC signal to the cable main body; Rectifier cable with.

2. a board-side connector electrically connected to the control board; an antenna-side connector electrically connected to the antenna; Equipped with The rectifier cable according to claim 1 .

3. the rectification unit is disposed between the board-side connector and the antenna-side connector and on the antenna-side connector side; The rectifier cable according to claim 2 .

4. The rectification unit is disposed on the antenna side of the antenna side connector. The rectifier cable according to claim 2 .

5. a board-side connector electrically connected to the control board; an antenna-side connector electrically connected to an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving a power transmission signal; a rectification unit having one end electrically connected to the board-side connector and the other end electrically connected to the antenna-side connector, rectifying an AC signal input from the antenna via the antenna-side connector into a DC signal, and outputting the DC signal to the control board via the board-side connector; Rectifier connector with

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