Parking assist system

Abstract

To provide a parking assistance system that facilitates the guidance of a vehicle equipped with a power receiving device to a location where contactless charging is possible when parking in a parking space where a power transmission device is installed. [Solution] The parking assistance system of the present invention is a parking assistance system that assists a vehicle equipped with a power receiving device that receives power wirelessly from a power transmission device installed within a parking space in a parking space so that wireless charging is possible within the parking space, and a groove extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided within the parking space to guide the vehicle's wheels so that the relative position of the power transmission device and the power receiving device in the vehicle width direction is a position in which wireless charging is possible, and the width of the groove in the vehicle width direction perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear direction gradually narrows over a predetermined range from the entrance side where the wheels enter the groove in the vehicle front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a parking assistance system.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, in order to perform parking assistance, there is provided a touch display including a display unit for displaying the surrounding situation of a vehicle and an input unit for inputting a target parking position of the vehicle, a control device for calculating a route according to the target parking position and performing parking assistance control, and a back monitor camera for photographing the surrounding situation of the vehicle. When an identifier indicating a device-side power transmission / reception unit exists near the target parking position of the photographed surrounding situation, a parking assistance device that recognizes the position of the identifier and performs alignment assistance control is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in order to enable non-contact charging by parking the vehicle at a position where non-contact charging is possible within the parking space without the driver inputting the target parking position so as not to impair the convenience of non-contact charging, there is room for improvement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a parking assistance system capable of easily guiding a vehicle equipped with a power reception device to a position where non-contact charging is possible when the vehicle parks in a parking space where a power transmission device is installed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the parking assistance system according to the present invention is a parking assistance system that assists a vehicle equipped with a power receiving device that receives power non-contactually from a power transmission device installed in a parking space in such a way that contactless charging is possible within the parking space, wherein a groove extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is provided in the parking space to guide the wheels of the vehicle so that the relative position of the power transmission device and the power receiving device in the vehicle width direction is a position in which contactless charging is possible, and the width of the groove in the vehicle width direction perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction gradually narrows over a predetermined range from the entrance side where the wheels enter the groove in the vehicle longitudinal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The parking assistance system according to the present invention has the effect of making it easier for the wheels of a vehicle equipped with a power receiving device to enter the groove when the vehicle is parked in a parking space where a power transmission device is installed, and facilitating the guidance of the wheels by the groove to a position where contactless charging is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of a contactless power transmission system to which the parking assistance system according to Embodiment 1 is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the contactless power transmission system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a parking assistance system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) shows an example of the positional relationship between the left and right grooves and the left and right wheels at the position indicated by the line A1-A1 in Figure 3, which is the entrance side of the left and right grooves. Figure 4(b) shows an example of the positional relationship between the left and right grooves and the left and right wheels at the position indicated by the line B1-B1 in Figure 3. Figure 4(c) shows an example of the positional relationship between the left and right grooves and the left and right wheels at the position indicated by the line C1-C1 in Figure 3, which is the position equivalent to the width between the left and right wheels (vehicle width). [Figure 5]Figure 5 shows an example of a parking assistance system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove and the left and right wheels at the position indicated by line A2-A2 in Figure 5, which is the entrance side of the groove. Figure 6(b) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove and the left and right wheels at the position indicated by line B2-B2 in Figure 5. Figure 6(c) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove and the left and right wheels R at the position indicated by line C2-C2 in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the parking assistance system according to Embodiment 2 when parking a vehicle smaller than the vehicle shown in Figure 5 within a parking space. [Figure 8] Figure 8(a) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove and the left and right wheels at the position indicated by line A3-A3 in Figure 7, which is the entrance side of the groove. Figure 8(b) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove and the left and right wheels at the position indicated by line B3-B3 in Figure 7. Figure 8(c) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove and the left and right wheels at the position indicated by line C3-C3 in Figure 7. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of the parking assistance system according to the present invention will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a contactless power transmission system 2 to which the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 1 is applied. As shown in Figure 1, the contactless power transmission system 2 comprises a power transmission device 10 and a power receiving device 20. The power transmission device 10 is installed, for example, on the road surface 50 within a parking space 5 and receives power from a power supply device 3 having an AC power source via a power cable 30. The power transmission device 10 is configured to transmit power to the power receiving device 20 non-contact via a magnetic field when the vehicle 4 is aligned so that the power receiving device 20 mounted on the vehicle 4 faces the power transmission device 10. The power receiving device 20 is mounted on a vehicle 4 that can run using power stored in a battery storage device (BAT) 25 (see Figure 2). The power receiving device 20 is provided, for example, on the underside of the vehicle 4 (road surface 50 side) and is configured to receive power from the power transmission device 10 non-contact.

[0011] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a contactless power transmission system 2 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 2, the power transmission device 10 includes a PFC circuit 11, an inverter (INV) 12, a filter circuit 13, a power transmission unit 14, a communication unit 19, a power supply ECU 100, a voltage sensor 181, and a current sensor 182. The power receiving device 20 includes a power receiving unit 21, a filter circuit 22, a rectifier circuit 23, a relay circuit 24, a power storage device 25, a communication unit 29, a charging ECU 200, a current sensor 281, a voltage sensor 282, a current sensor 283, and a voltage sensor 284.

[0012] In the contactless power transmission system 2, power from the power supply unit 3 is supplied to the power transmission unit 14 via the PFC circuit 11, the inverter 12, and the filter circuit 13. Each of the power transmission unit 14 and the power receiving unit 21 has a coil and a capacitor and is designed to resonate at the transmission frequency. When power is supplied to the power transmission unit 14 from the power transmission device 10, power is supplied from the power transmission unit 14 to the power receiving unit 21 through the magnetic field formed between the power transmission coil of the power transmission unit 14 and the power receiving coil of the power receiving unit 21. The power supplied to the power receiving unit 21 is used to charge the energy storage device 25 via the filter circuit 22, the rectifier circuit 23, and the relay circuit 24.

[0013] The voltage sensor 181 detects the output voltage V1 of the inverter 12 and outputs the detected value to the power supply ECU 100. The current sensor 182 detects the output current I1 of the inverter 12 and outputs the detected value to the power supply ECU 100. Based on the detected values ​​of the voltage sensor 181 and the current sensor 182, the power supplied from the inverter 12 to the power transmission unit 14 can be detected. The communication unit 19 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the communication unit 29 of the power receiving device 20, and receives the target value of the power transmission power (target power) transmitted from the power receiving device 20, as well as information regarding the start and stop of power transmission, and information regarding the power receiving status of the power receiving device 20 (receiving voltage, receiving current, and receiving power, etc.) with the power receiving device 20. The power supply ECU 100 has a CPU, memory, and input / output buffers. The power supply ECU 100 receives signals from various sensors and devices and controls various devices in the power transmission device 10.

[0014] The power receiving unit 21 receives power supplied from the power transmission unit 14 of the power transmission device 10 via a magnetic field generated between it and the power transmission unit 14 in a non-contact manner. The power receiving unit 21 includes a resonant circuit for non-contact power reception from the power transmission unit 14. The resonant circuit is composed of a power receiving coil and a capacitor. The power receiving unit 21 then outputs the received power to the subsequent filter circuit 22. The filter circuit 22 is provided between the power receiving unit 21 and the rectifier circuit 23 to suppress harmonic noise generated during power reception. The rectifier circuit 23 is provided between the power receiving unit 21 and the relay circuit (charging relay) 24 to rectify the AC power received by the power receiving unit 21 and output it to the relay circuit 24. The relay circuit 24 is provided between the rectifier circuit 23 and the energy storage device 25 and is closed (turned on) when the energy storage device 25 is charged by the power transmission device 10. The energy storage device 25 is a rechargeable DC power source and is composed of secondary batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries. A large-capacity capacitor can also be used as the energy storage device 25. The energy storage device 25 stores the power output from the rectifier circuit 23. The energy storage device 25 then supplies the stored power to the drive motor for propulsion and other components.

[0015] The current sensor 281 detects the current I2 flowing through the power receiving unit 21 and outputs the detected value to the charging ECU 200. The voltage sensor 282 detects the output voltage (power receiving voltage) V2 from the power receiving unit 21. The current sensor 283 detects the output current I3 from the rectifier circuit 23. The voltage sensor 284 detects the output voltage V4 from the rectifier circuit 23. Each sensor outputs the detected value to the charging ECU 200. The communication unit 29 is configured to perform wireless communication with the communication unit 19 of the power transmission device 10, and transmits the target value (target power) of the power transmission power generated in the charging ECU 200 to the power transmission device 10. Further, the communication unit 29 exchanges information regarding the start and stop of power transmission with the power transmission device 10, or transmits information regarding the power receiving status of the power receiving device 20 to the power transmission device 10. The charging ECU 200 has a CPU, a memory, an input / output buffer, etc., receives signals from various sensors and devices, and controls various devices in the power receiving device 20.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the parking support system 1 according to Embodiment 1. In FIG. 3, the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction are the same as the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 4 parked in reverse in the parking frame 5 delimited by a pair of white lines 51L and 51R in the vehicle width direction. Further, in FIG. 3, the front and rear sides in the vehicle front-rear direction are the same as the front and rear sides in the vehicle front-rear direction of the vehicle 4 parked in reverse in the parking frame 5. Further, when the left front wheel 40FL and the left rear wheel 40RL, which are the left wheels in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 4, are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as the left wheel 40F. Further, when the right front wheel 40FR and the right rear wheel 40RR, which are the right wheels in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 4, are not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as the right wheel 40R.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, in the parking support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, left groove portions 53L and right groove portions 53R, which are groove portions extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, are provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction within the parking frame 5 where the power transmission device 10 is installed. The depth of the left groove portion 53L and the right groove portion 53R may be set to about 3 [cm] to 5 [cm], for example.

[0018] And in the parking support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, when the vehicle 4 parks within the parking frame 5, the left groove portion 53L and the right groove portion 53R guide the wheels 40FL, 40RL, 40FR, and 40RR of the vehicle 4 so that the relative positions of the power transmission device 10 and the power reception device 20 in the vehicle width direction are at positions where non-contact charging is possible.

[0019] Also, the interval in the vehicle width direction between the left groove portion 53L and the right groove portion 53R is narrower than the width (vehicle width) between the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4 assumed to park within the parking frame 5. From the entrance side where the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R at the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction enter, it gradually widens to a predetermined range that becomes equal to the width (vehicle width) between the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4 toward the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Further, the width (groove width) of each of the left groove portion 53L and the right groove portion 53R in the vehicle width direction gradually narrows over a predetermined range from the entrance side where the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R enter the left groove portion 53L and the right groove portion 53R in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Specifically, the width (groove width) of each of the left groove portion 53L and the right groove portion 53R in the vehicle width direction gradually narrows from the entrance side where it is widest toward the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction until the interval in the vehicle width direction between the left groove portion 53L and the right groove portion 53R becomes substantially equal to the width (vehicle width) between the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4.

[0020] Thereby, in the parking support system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4 that reverses and parks within the parking frame 5 are more likely to enter the left groove portion 53L and the right groove portion 53R, and are more likely to be guided by the left groove portion 53L and the right groove portion 53R.

[0021] Figure 4(a) shows an example of the positional relationship between the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R and the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R at the position of line A1-A1 in Figure 3, which is the entrance side of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R. As shown in Figure 4(a), at the entrance side of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R (position of line A1-A1 in Figure 3), the distance between the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R in the vehicle width direction is narrow, and the inside of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R are steeply sloped in the vehicle width direction. Also, as shown in Figure 4(a), at the entrance side of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R (position of line A1-A1 in Figure 3), the width of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R in the vehicle width direction (groove width) is widest. Then, at the entrance side of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R shown in Figure 4(a) (the position of the A1-A1 line in Figure 3), when at least one of the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R enters the left groove 53L or the right groove 53R, the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R, and consequently the vehicle 4, are guided in the vehicle width direction. In Figure 4(a), since the vehicle 4 (left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R) is positioned significantly to the left of the center of the parking space 5 in the vehicle width direction, the right wheel 40R first hits the inner edge of the right groove 53R in the vehicle width direction, and the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R, and consequently the vehicle 4, are guided to the right in the vehicle width direction.

[0022] Figure 4(b) shows an example of the positional relationship between the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R and the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R at the position of line B1-B1 in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4(b), the distance between the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R at the position of line B1-B1 in Figure 3 is slightly wider than the entrance side of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R (position of line A1-A1 in Figure 3). Also, as shown in Figure 4(b), the width in the vehicle width direction (groove width) of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R at the position of line B1-B1 in Figure 3 is slightly narrower than the entrance side of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R (position of line A1-A1 in Figure 3). Furthermore, at the position of line B1-B1 in Figure 3, as shown in Figure 4(b), the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R (vehicle 4) are guided to the right in the vehicle width direction compared to the entrance side of the left groove 53L and right groove 53R shown in Figure 4(a) (position of line A1-A1 in Figure 3). However, because vehicle 4 (left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R) is positioned slightly to the left of the center of the parking space 5 in the vehicle width direction, the right wheel 40R hits the inner edge of the right groove 53R in the vehicle width direction, further guiding the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R, and consequently vehicle 4, to the right in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] Figure 4(c) shows an example of the positional relationship between the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R and the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R at the position indicated by the C1-C1 line in Figure 3, which is equivalent to the width between the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R (vehicle width). As shown in Figure 4(c), at the position where the distance in the vehicle width direction between the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R of vehicle 4 is equivalent to the width between the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R (vehicle width), both the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R are located within the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R. Also, as shown in Figure 4(c), the width in the vehicle width direction of the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R at the position indicated by the C1-C1 line in Figure 3 is narrower than at the position indicated by the B1-B1 line in Figure 3, and is approximately equivalent to the width (wheel width) of the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R.

[0024] Then, with both the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R in the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R, the driver of the vehicle 4 parking in the parking space 5 reverses the vehicle 4 without causing the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R to deviate from the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the vehicle 4 can be guided so that the relative position of the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 in the vehicle width direction becomes a position where contactless charging is possible (the optimal position for contactless charging). Furthermore, in the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 1, by bringing the left rear wheel 40RL and the right rear wheel 40RR into contact with or close to the wheel stops 52L and 52R, the vehicle 4 can be guided so that the relative position of the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction becomes a position where contactless charging is possible (the optimal position for contactless charging). The position where contactless charging is possible (the optimal position for contactless charging) is, for example, as shown in Figure 3, a position where the center position P1 of the power transmission device 10 and the center position P2 of the power receiving device 20 are close to each other within a predetermined range, and contactless charging can be performed with a predetermined power transmission efficiency or higher.

[0025] As described above, in the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 1, when the vehicle 4 is parked in the parking space 5, the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4 are made more likely to enter the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R, and the left groove 53L and the right groove 53R guide the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R, making it easy to guide them to a position where contactless charging is possible (the optimal position for contactless charging). As a result, in the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the vehicle 4 can be parked in a position where contactless charging is possible (the optimal position for contactless charging) within the parking space 5 and contactless charging can be performed without the driver being aware of it, thus improving the convenience of contactless charging.

[0026] (Embodiment 2) The following describes Embodiment 2 of the parking assistance system according to the present invention. In Embodiment 2, descriptions similar to those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0027] Figure 5 shows an example of the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 5, in the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 3, a groove 53, which is a recess extending in the vehicle-rear direction, is provided on one side in the vehicle-width direction within the parking space 5 where the power transmission device 10 is installed. The groove 53 is located inside (to the left of) the white line 51R on the right side in the vehicle-width direction within the parking space 5, and is located near the white line 51R. The front side of the groove 53 in the vehicle-rear direction extends outside the parking space 5, and the rear side of the groove 53 in the vehicle-rear direction extends to the wheel stop 52R provided within the parking space 5. The depth of the groove 53 can be set to, for example, about 3 cm to 5 cm.

[0028] Furthermore, in the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 2, the groove 53 guides the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4 so that when the vehicle 4 is parked in the parking space 5, the relative position of the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 in the vehicle width direction is in a position where contactless charging is possible.

[0029] Furthermore, the inner position of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction is gradually positioned outward (to the right) over a predetermined range from the entrance side where the right wheel 40R enters (which is the front side of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction) toward the rear. Also, the width of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction (groove width) gradually narrows over a predetermined range from the entrance side where the right wheel 40R enters the groove 53 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Specifically, the width of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction (groove width) gradually narrows from the entrance side, which is the widest point, toward the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0030] As a result, in the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 2, the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4 that reverses into the parking space 5 is more likely to enter the groove 53 and is also more likely to be guided by the groove 53.

[0031] Figure 6(a) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove 53 and the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R at the position of line A2-A2 in Figure 5, which is the entrance side of the groove 53. As shown in Figure 6(a), at the entrance side of the groove 53 (position of line A2-A2 in Figure 5), the width of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction (groove width) is wide, so even if the vehicle 4 (left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R) is located to the left of the center of the parking space 5 in the vehicle width direction, the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4 that is reversing and parking in the parking space 5 can enter the groove 53. Immediately after the right wheel 40R enters the groove 53, the right wheel 40R is not guided by the groove 53, so the vehicle 4 reverses straight.

[0032] Figure 6(b) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove 53 and the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R at the position indicated by line B2-B2 in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6(b), the width of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction (groove width) at the position indicated by line B2-B2 in Figure 5 is slightly narrower than at the entrance side of the groove 53 (the position indicated by line A2-A2 in Figure 5). At the position indicated by line B2-B2 in Figure 5, as shown in Figure 6(b), the vehicle 4 (left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R) is positioned slightly to the left of the center of the parking space 5 in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the right wheel 40R hits the inner edge of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction, guiding the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R, and consequently the vehicle 4, to the right in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] Figure 6(c) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove 53 and the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R at the position of line C2-C2 in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6(c), the width of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction (groove width) at the position of line C2-C2 in Figure 5 is narrowest, and is approximately the same as the width of the right wheel 40R (wheel width). Also, at the position of line C2-C2 in Figure 5, the right wheel 40R is guided by the groove 53, and as shown in Figure 5, the vehicle 4 (left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R) can be guided so that the relative position of the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 in the vehicle width direction becomes a position where contactless charging is possible (optimal position for contactless charging). The driver of the vehicle 4 then moves the vehicle 4 further in reverse without deviating the right wheel 40R from the groove 53, so that at least the right rear wheel 40RR comes into contact with or close to the wheel stop 52R. This allows the vehicle 4 to be guided so that the relative position of the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is a position where contactless charging is possible (the optimal position for contactless charging).

[0034] Figure 7 shows an example of the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 2 when parking a vehicle 4 smaller than the vehicle 4 shown in Figure 5 within the parking space 5. Note that the smaller vehicle 4 has a narrower vehicle width (distance between the left wheel 40F and the right wheel 40R in the vehicle width direction) and a shorter vehicle length (length in the front-to-rear direction) than the vehicle 4.

[0035] Figure 8(a) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove 53 and the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R at the position of line A3-A3 in Figure 7, which is the entrance side of the groove 53. As shown in Figure 8(a), at the entrance side of the groove 53 (position of line A3-A3 in Figure 7), the width of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction (groove width) is widest, and the inside of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction has a steep slope shape. At the entrance side of the groove 53 shown in Figure 8(a) (position of line A3-A3 in Figure 7), the width of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction (groove width) is wide, and even if the vehicle 4 (left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R) is located to the left of the center of the parking space 5 in the vehicle width direction, the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4 can enter the groove 53 when reversing into the parking space 5. In Figure 8(a), since vehicle 4 (left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R) is positioned to the left in the vehicle width direction, the right wheel 40R hits the inner edge of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction, causing the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R, and consequently vehicle 4, to be guided to the right in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] Figure 8(b) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove 53 and the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R at the position indicated by line B3-B3 in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8(b), the width of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction (groove width) at the position indicated by line B3-B3 in Figure 7 is slightly narrower than at the entrance side of the groove 53 (position indicated by line A3-A3 in Figure 7). At the position indicated by line B3-B3 in Figure 7, as shown in Figure 8(b), the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R (vehicle 4) are guided to the right in the vehicle width direction compared to the entrance side of the groove 53 shown in Figure 8(a) (position indicated by line A3-A3 in Figure 7). However, because vehicle 4 (left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R) is positioned slightly to the left of the center of parking space 5 in the vehicle width direction, the right wheel 40R hits the inner edge of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction, and as a result, the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R, and consequently vehicle 4, are guided to the right in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] Figure 8(c) shows an example of the positional relationship between the groove 53 and the left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R at the position indicated by the C3-C3 line in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8(c), the width of the groove 53 in the vehicle width direction (groove width) at the position indicated by the C3-C3 line in Figure 7 is narrowest, and is approximately the same as the width of the right wheel 40R (wheel width). Also, at the position indicated by the C3-C3 line in Figure 7, the right wheel 40R is guided by the groove 53, and as shown in Figure 7, the vehicle 4 (left wheel 40F and right wheel 40R) can be guided so that the relative position of the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 in the vehicle width direction becomes a position where contactless charging is possible (optimal position for contactless charging). The driver of the vehicle 4 then moves the vehicle 4 further in reverse without deviating the right wheel 40R from the groove 53, so that at least the right rear wheel 40RR comes into contact with or close to the wheel stop 52R. This allows the vehicle 4 to be guided so that the relative position of the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is a position where contactless charging is possible (the optimal position for contactless charging).

[0038] As described above, in the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 2, when the vehicle 4 is parked in the parking space 5, the right wheel 40R of the vehicle 4 is made more likely to enter the groove 53, and the groove 53 guides the right wheel 40R, making it easy to guide the vehicle to a position where contactless charging is possible (the optimal position for contactless charging). As a result, in the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 2, the vehicle 4 can be parked in a position where contactless charging is possible (the optimal position for contactless charging) within the parking space 5 and contactless charging can be performed without the driver being aware of it, thus improving the convenience of contactless charging.

[0039] Furthermore, in the parking assistance system 1 according to Embodiment 2, it is desirable to position the power receiving device 20 on the vehicle 4 such that the distance from the groove 53 to the center position P2 of the power receiving device 20 in the vehicle width direction is the same as the distance from the groove 53 to the center position P1 of the power transmitting device 10 in the vehicle width direction. As a result, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the center position P2 of the power receiving device 20 on the vehicle 4 is set to the same position as the center position P1 of the power transmitting device 10 from the groove 53, and the vehicle 4 can be guided to the optimal position for contactless charging regardless of the width of the vehicle 4 parked in the parking space 5 (without fixing the type of vehicle parked in the parking space 5). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1. Parking Assist System 2. Contactless power transmission system 3 Power supply 4 vehicles 5 parking spaces 10 Power transmission equipment 20 Power receiving equipment 40F left wheel 40R right wheel 50 Road surface 51L,51R White line 52L, 52R Wheel chocks 53 Groove 53L Left groove 53R Right groove section

Claims

[Claim 1] A parking assistance system that assists a vehicle equipped with a power receiving device that receives power wirelessly from a power transmission device installed within a parking space, in order to enable wireless charging within the parking space, A groove extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is provided within the parking frame to guide the vehicle's wheels so that the relative position of the power transmission device and the power receiving device in the vehicle width direction is such that contactless charging is possible. The width of the groove in the vehicle width direction, which is perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction, gradually narrows over a predetermined range from the entrance side where the wheel enters the groove in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A parking assistance system characterized by the following features.

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