Auxiliary power receiving device

Abstract

To provide an auxiliary power receiving device capable of notifying a user of the presence or absence of a power transmission signal.SOLUTION: An auxiliary power receiving device 30 includes: an antenna 31 that receives power by a power transmission signal associated with power feeding from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device; a notification unit 33 provided on a main surface of a plate-shaped member; and a notification control unit 410 that controls notification by the notification unit 33 according to the power reception status of the power transmission signal by the antenna 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary power receiving device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique relating to a paint that is applied to the surface of an object irradiated with microwaves and changes color with an increase in temperature of the object caused by the microwave irradiation (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-120627 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In wireless power transmission using a microwave method for non-contact power supply, a user may want to visually confirm a power transmission signal such as a microwave. On the other hand, the power transmission signal used in wireless power transmission for non-contact power supply may have a low output in consideration of biological effects. However, in the conventional technology, when a power transmission signal with a low output is used, the temperature rise of the irradiated body due to irradiation of the power transmission signal is small, and the presence or absence of the power transmission signal may not be indicated to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The auxiliary power receiving device that achieves the above-mentioned objective is characterized in that it comprises a power receiving unit that receives power through a power transmission signal related to power supply from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device, a notification unit provided on a main surface of a plate-shaped member, and a notification control unit that controls notification by the notification unit depending on the reception status of the power transmission signal by the power receiving unit.

[0006] According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the presence or absence of a power transmission signal. The auxiliary power receiving device may include a plurality of notification units and a plurality of power receiving units, each of which is provided at a position corresponding to the position at which the plurality of notification units are provided, and the notification control unit may notify the notification unit at a position corresponding to the power receiving unit that has received the power transmission signal, among the plurality of power receiving units, that the power transmission signal has been received.

[0007] According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the position where the power transmission signal is received within the range in which a plurality of power receiving units are provided. In the above-mentioned auxiliary power receiving device, the notification control unit may notify the notification unit that the power transmission signal has been received when the power receiving unit receives the power transmission signal reflected by a metal reflective member provided in the transmission path of the power transmission signal.

[0008] According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the position where the power transmission signal was received and the position where the power transmission signal was reflected. In the auxiliary power receiving device, the notification unit may be provided on a main surface of the plate-like member.

[0009] According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the position on the main surface of the plate-shaped member where the power transmission signal is received. In the auxiliary power receiving device, the notification unit may be provided on a surface of a structure that can be installed vertically from the ground surface.

[0010] According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the position in the vertical direction where the power transmission signal is received. In the auxiliary power receiving device, the notification unit may be realized by at least one of a light emitting unit, a display unit, a sound output unit, a vibration unit, and a communication unit.

[0011] According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user that a power transmission signal has been received by at least one of visual, auditory, and tactile methods. In the auxiliary power receiving device, the notification control unit may change a notification mode by the notification unit depending on a strength of the power transmission signal received by the power receiving unit.

[0012] According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the strength of the received power transmission signal. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to notify a user of the presence or absence of a power transmission signal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a contactless power supply system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an auxiliary power receiving device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an auxiliary power receiving device provided on a table. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of an auxiliary power receiving device. [Diagram 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a power transmission signal reflected by a reflecting member. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an auxiliary power receiving device provided at a station. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing another configuration of the auxiliary power receiving device. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the auxiliary power receiving device will be described with reference to the drawings. [Overall configuration of non-contact power supply system 1] As shown in FIG. 1, the contactless power supply system 1 includes a power transmission device 10, a plurality of power receiving devices 20, and a plurality of auxiliary power receiving devices 30. The power transmission device 10 supplies power to the power receiving device 20 by contactless power supply using a power transmission signal, for example. In detail, the contactless power supply system 1 performs wireless power transmission using a microwave method for contactless power supply. That is, the power transmission device 10 and the power receiving device 20 transmit and receive a power transmission signal for contactless power supply between a power receiving antenna of the power receiving device 20 and a power transmitting antenna of the power transmission device 10. Note that the wireless power transmission method (contactless power transmission method) applied to this system is not limited to the microwave method, and may be a method using an electromagnetic induction method, a magnetic field resonance method, an electric field resonance method, a laser, or the like. In addition, in this embodiment, the transmission and reception of the power transmission signal is used for contactless power supply, but the transmission and reception of the power transmission signal may be performed wirelessly for purposes other than contactless power supply. The power receiving device 20 receives the power transmission signal transmitted from the power transmitting device 10, and operates using the received power and charges a battery provided in the device itself.

[0016] Among the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 that exists on the path of the power transmission signal transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 receives the power transmission signal and notifies the user of the reception. The user refers to the notification from the auxiliary power receiving device 30 and checks whether or not the power transmission signal is present.

[0017] [Configuration of auxiliary power receiving device 30] The following describes in detail the configuration of the auxiliary power receiving device 30. As shown in Fig. 2, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 includes an antenna 31, a conversion unit 32, a notification unit 33, and a control unit 40, for example.

[0018] The antenna 31 is used to receive a power transmission signal. The conversion unit 32 converts the power transmission signal received by the antenna 31 into DC power. When the power transmission signal is received by the antenna 31, the notification unit 33 notifies the user of the reception. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the notification unit 33 is realized by an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The LED is an example of a "light emitting unit." The auxiliary power receiving device 30 lights up the notification unit 33 with the power converted by the conversion unit 32.

[0019] The antenna 31 is an example of a "power receiving unit," and the antenna 31 receiving a power transmission signal transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 is an example of "receiving power via a power transmission signal related to power supply from the power transmitting device to the power receiving device."

[0020] The control unit 40 controls each unit included in the power transmitting device 10. The control unit 40 is realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (not shown) including a non-transitory storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory included in the auxiliary power receiving device 30.

[0021] The control unit 40 includes, for example, a notification control unit 410. The notification control unit 410 controls the notification by the notification unit 33 depending on the reception status of the power transmission signal by the antenna 31. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the notification control unit 410 turns on the notification unit 33 when the power transmission signal is received by the antenna 31, and turns off the notification unit 33 when the power transmission signal is not received by the antenna 31.

[0022] [Installation example of auxiliary power receiving device 30] An example of installation of the auxiliary power receiving device 30 will be described below. As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of auxiliary power receiving devices 30 are provided on the main surface of a plate-shaped member in a configuration including a plate-shaped member. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the configuration including the plate-shaped member is a table 60, and the surface 60a of the table 60 is the main surface of the plate-shaped member. In other words, the notification unit 33 included in the auxiliary power receiving device 30 is provided on the surface 60a of the table 60.

[0023] 3, a plurality of auxiliary power receiving devices 30 are provided at predetermined intervals on a surface 60a of a table 60. Among the plurality of auxiliary power receiving devices 30 provided on the surface 60a, an auxiliary power receiving device 30 that receives a power transmission signal transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 turns on a notification unit 33 to notify a user of the reception of the power transmission signal. Also, among the plurality of auxiliary power receiving devices 30, an auxiliary power receiving device 30 that does not receive a power transmission signal transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20 turns off the notification unit 33 and does not notify a user of the reception of the power transmission signal.

[0024] [Operation flow] Hereinafter, the details of the process of the notification control unit 410 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. First, the notification control unit 410 determines whether or not a power transmission signal has been received by the antenna 31 (step S100). If the notification control unit 410 determines that the power transmission signal has not been received by the antenna 31, it does not cause the notification unit 33 to notify the reception of the power transmission signal (step S102). That is, the notification control unit 410 turns off the notification unit 33. If the notification control unit 410 determines that the power transmission signal has been received by the antenna 31, it causes the notification unit 33 to notify the reception of the power transmission signal (step S104). That is, the notification control unit 410 turns on the notification unit 33.

[0025] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the above embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained. (1) The auxiliary power receiving device 30 includes an antenna 31, a notification unit 33, and a notification control unit 410. The antenna 31 receives power through a power transmission signal related to power supply from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20. The notification unit 33 is provided on the front surface 60a of the table 60. The notification control unit 410 controls the notification by the notification unit 33 depending on the power reception state of the power transmission signal by the antenna 31.

[0026] In the present embodiment, when the antenna 31 receives a power transmission signal, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user of the reception of the power transmission signal through the notification unit 33, and when the antenna 31 does not receive a power transmission signal, the notification control unit 410 does not notify the user of the reception of the power transmission signal through the notification unit 33. With this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 can notify the user of the presence or absence of a power transmission signal.

[0027] (2) When multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 are provided on the surface 60a of the table 60, multiple notification units 33 may be provided on the surface 60a of the table 60. According to this configuration, the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 can notify the user of the positions on the surface 60a of the table 60 where they have received a power transmission signal.

[0028] (3) The notification unit 33 is realized by a light-emitting unit such as an LED. With this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 can visually notify the user that it has received a power transmission signal.

[0029] The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows: The above-described embodiments and the following examples may be combined with each other as long as they are not technically inconsistent. In the above, a case has been described in which the notification control unit 410 does not notify the notification unit 33 of the reception of a power transmission signal when the antenna 31 does not receive a power transmission signal, but this is not limited thereto. The notification control unit 410 may notify the notification unit 33 that the antenna 31 does not receive a power transmission signal in a manner different from that when the signal is received. For example, the notification control unit 410 may light up the notification unit 33 in blue when notifying that the antenna 31 has received a power transmission signal, and may light up the notification unit 33 in red when notifying that the antenna 31 has not received a power transmission signal.

[0030] Although the notification unit 33 is implemented by an LED in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this. The notification unit 33 may be implemented by, for example, a display unit, a sound output unit, a vibration unit, a communication unit, etc.

[0031] When the notification unit 33 is realized by an audio output unit such as a speaker, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user that the power transmission signal has been received by the antenna 31 by causing the notification unit 33 to output a notification sound, a notification message, or the like. On the other hand, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user that the power transmission signal has not been received by the antenna 31 by causing the notification unit 33 to output a notification sound, a notification message, or the like, or by not causing the notification unit 33 to output these. With this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 can visually notify the user that a power transmission signal has been received.

[0032] When the notification unit 33 is realized by a display unit such as a display, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user that a power transmission signal has been received by the antenna 31 by causing the notification unit 33 to display a notification message or a notification image. On the other hand, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user that a power transmission signal has not been received by the antenna 31 by causing the notification unit 33 to display a notification message or a notification image, or by not displaying them. With this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 can visually notify the user that a power transmission signal has been received.

[0033] When the notification unit 33 is realized by a vibration unit such as a motor, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user that a power transmission signal has been received by the antenna 31 by vibrating the notification unit 33. On the other hand, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user that a power transmission signal has not been received by the antenna 31 by vibrating the notification unit 33 in a manner different from that in the case where the power transmission signal has been received, or by not vibrating the notification unit 33. With this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 can tactilely notify the user that a power transmission signal has been received.

[0034] When the notification unit 33 is realized by a communication unit or the like, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user by making the notification unit 33 transmit information indicating that the power transmission signal has been received to the power receiving device 20 connected to the auxiliary power receiving device 30 via a network. In this case, the network connecting the auxiliary power receiving device 30 and the power receiving device 20 is realized by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, ZigBee (registered trademark), or the like. On the other hand, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user by making the notification unit 33 transmit information indicating that the power transmission signal has not been received to the power receiving device 20 connected to the auxiliary power receiving device 30 via a network, or by not making the notification unit 33 transmit information. In addition, the device connected to the auxiliary power receiving device 30 via a network may be the power receiving device 20 itself, or may be a terminal device in which the power receiving device 20 is implemented. The terminal device is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. According to this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 can visually notify the user that the power transmission signal has been received by information such as a message. In addition, if the power receiving device 20 or a terminal device implementing the power receiving device 20 has a visual, auditory, or tactile configuration for notifying that information has been received, the user can be notified visually, auditory, or tactilely that a power transmission signal has been received.

[0035] Although the notification unit 33 is described as being provided on the surface 60a of the table 60, this is not limiting. As shown in FIG. 5, the notification unit 33 may be provided between the surface 60a and a metallic reflective member 70 provided on the transmission path of the power transmission signal. When the notification unit 33 is realized by a device that visually notifies the user, the surface 60a is realized by a material that transmits visible light. When the notification unit 33 is realized by a device that audibly notifies the user, the surface 60a is realized by a material that does not hinder or does not hinder easily the propagation of vibrations caused by the output of sound from the notification unit 33. When the notification unit 33 is realized by a device that tactilely notifies the user, the surface 60a is realized by a material that does not hinder or does not hinder easily the propagation of vibrations caused by the notification unit 33.

[0036] The reflecting member 70 reflects the power transmission signal. In the example shown in Fig. 5, among the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 of the auxiliary power receiving devices 30-1 to 30-5, the auxiliary power receiving devices 30-2 and 30-3 receive an incident signal MW1 of the power transmission signal transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20. Also, among the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 of the auxiliary power receiving devices 30-1 to 30-5, the auxiliary power receiving devices 30-3 and 30-4 receive a reflected signal MW2 of the power transmission signal transmitted from the power transmitting device 10 to the power receiving device 20. Therefore, the notification control units 410 of the auxiliary power receiving devices 30-2 and 30-3 of the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 of the auxiliary power receiving devices 30-1 to 30-5 notify the notification unit 33 that the power transmission signal has been received. Furthermore, among the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 of the auxiliary power receiving devices 30-1 to 30-5, the notification control units 410 of the auxiliary power receiving devices 30-3 and 30-4 cause the notification units 33 to notify that the power transmission signal has been reflected. With this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 can notify the user of the position where the power transmission signal was received and the position where the power transmission signal was reflected.

[0037] Although the notification unit 33 has been described as being provided on the surface 60a of the table 60, this is not limiting. As shown in Fig. 6, the notification unit 33 may be provided on the surface 80a of a structure such as a stand 80 that can be installed vertically from the ground. With this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 can notify the user of the position in the vertical direction where the power transmission signal has been received. The surface 80a is an example of a "principal surface of a plate-like member."

[0038] Although the auxiliary power receiving device 30 has been described as having one antenna 31 and one notification unit 33, this is not limiting. The auxiliary power receiving device 30 may have a plurality of antennas 31 and a plurality of notification units 33. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, an auxiliary power receiving device 30a having a plurality of notification units 33 will be described. The auxiliary power receiving device 30a has the antenna 31, a conversion unit 32, four notification units 33 including notification units 33-1 to 33-4, and a control unit 40. The antenna 31 is provided at a position corresponding to the positions at which the plurality of notification units 33 are provided. In this case, the antenna 31 is provided at the center of the notification units 33-1 to 33-4. When a power transmission signal is received by the antenna 31, the notification control unit 410 of the auxiliary power receiving device 30a causes the notification units 33-1 to 33-4 to notify the reception of the power transmission signal. According to this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30a can notify the user of the reception of the power transmission signal in a wider range in an easily understandable manner than when a single notification unit 33 is provided.

[0039] The auxiliary power receiving device 30b includes four antennas 31, antennas 31-1 to 31-4, a converter 32, a notification unit 33, and a control unit 40. The converter 32 is provided at a position corresponding to the position where the multiple antennas 31 are provided. In this case, the notification unit 33 is provided in the center of the antennas 31-1 to 31-4. When a power transmission signal is received by any of the antennas 31, antennas 31-1 to 31-4, the notification control unit 410 of the auxiliary power receiving device 30b causes the notification unit 33 to notify the reception of the power transmission signal. With this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30b can detect whether or not a power transmission signal is received over a wider range than when the auxiliary power receiving device 30b includes a single antenna 31.

[0040] The notification units 33 of the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 or the multiple notification units 33 of the auxiliary power receiving device 30a may be provided at predetermined intervals on the surface 60a. The notification units 33 of the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 or the multiple notification units 33 of the auxiliary power receiving device 30a may be provided at predetermined intervals on the surface 80a. With this configuration, the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 or the auxiliary power receiving device 30a can uniformly notify the user of the presence or absence of a power transmission signal on the surface on which the notification units 33 are provided.

[0041] The notification units 33 of the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 or the multiple notification units 33 of the auxiliary power receiving device 30a may be provided on the surface 60a of the table 60 or the surface 80a of the stand 80, or on the surface of a structure such as a wall, ceiling, or floor that constitutes the space in which the contactless power transfer system 1 is provided. The surface of a structure such as a wall, ceiling, or floor is an example of a "main surface of a plate-like member". The notification units 33 of the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 or the multiple notification units 33 of the auxiliary power receiving device 30a are provided at predetermined intervals on the surface of a wall, ceiling, floor, or the like. With this configuration, the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 or the auxiliary power receiving device 30a can uniformly notify the user of the presence or absence of a power transmission signal on the surface on which the notification units 33 are provided.

[0042] In addition, when the notification units 33 of the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 or the multiple notification units 33 included in the auxiliary power receiving device 30a are provided at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction on a wall surface, the user can be notified of the position where the power transmission signal is received in the horizontal direction. In addition, when the notification units 33 of the multiple auxiliary power receiving devices 30 or the multiple notification units 33 included in the auxiliary power receiving device 30a are provided at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction on a wall surface, the user can be notified of the position where the power transmission signal is received in the vertical direction.

[0043] The notification control unit 410 may change the notification mode of the notification unit 33 depending on the reception strength of the power transmission signal received by the antenna 31. For example, the notification control unit 410 may increase the degree of notification as the reception strength of the power transmission signal received by the antenna 31 increases, and decrease the degree of notification as the reception strength of the power transmission signal received by the antenna 31 decreases.

[0044] For example, when the notification unit 33 is realized by an audio output unit such as a speaker, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user with a louder volume as the reception strength is stronger, and notifies the user with a lower volume as the reception strength is weaker. When the notification unit 33 is realized by a display unit such as a display, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user with a more prominent notification message or notification image as the reception strength is stronger, and notifies the user with a less prominent notification message or notification image as the reception strength is weaker. When the notification unit 33 is realized by a vibration unit such as a motor, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user with a stronger vibration as the reception strength is stronger, and notifies the user with a weaker vibration as the reception strength is weaker. When the notification unit 33 is realized by a communication unit or the like, the notification control unit 410 notifies the user with more prominent information as the reception strength is stronger, and notifies the user with less prominent information as the reception strength is weaker.

[0045] In addition, the notification control unit 410 may notify the user more frequently as the reception strength is stronger, and may notify the user less frequently as the reception strength is weaker. With this configuration, the auxiliary power receiving device 30 can notify the user of the strength of the power transmission signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Wireless power supply system 10...Power transmission device 20...Power receiving device 30, 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, 30-4, 30-5, 30a, 30b... Auxiliary power receiving device 31, 31-1, 31-2, 31-3, 31-4...Antenna 32...Conversion section 33,33-1,33-2,33-3,33-4…Notification section 40...Control unit 60…Table 60a…Surface 70...Reflective material 80…Stand 80a…Surface 410...Notification control unit.

Claims

1. a power receiving unit that receives power by a power transmission signal related to power supply from the power transmitting device to the power receiving device; A notification section provided on a main surface of the plate-like member; a notification control unit that controls a notification by the notification unit in accordance with a reception state of the power transmission signal by the power receiving unit; Equipped with The auxiliary power receiving device is characterized in that the notification control unit notifies the notification unit that the power transmission signal has been received when the power receiving unit receives the power transmission signal reflected by a metal reflective member provided in the transmission path of the power transmission signal.

2. A power supply unit including a plurality of notification units and a plurality of power receiving units, The power receiving units are provided at positions corresponding to the positions of the plurality of notification units, The notification control unit notifies the notification unit at a position corresponding to the power receiving unit that has received the power transmission signal, among the plurality of power receiving units, that the power transmission signal has been received. The auxiliary power receiving device according to claim 1 .

3. The notification unit is provided on a main surface of the plate-like member. The auxiliary power receiving device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The notification unit is provided on a surface of a structure that can be installed vertically from the ground surface. The auxiliary power receiving device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The notification unit is realized by at least one of a light-emitting unit, a display unit, a sound output unit, a vibration unit, and a communication unit. The auxiliary power receiving device according to claim 1 .

6. A power receiving unit that receives power by a power transmission signal related to power supply from a power transmitting device to a power receiving device; A notification section provided on a main surface of the plate-like member; a notification control unit that controls a notification by the notification unit in accordance with a reception state of the power transmission signal by the power receiving unit; Equipped with The auxiliary power receiving device, wherein the notification control unit changes a notification mode by the notification unit depending on a strength of the power transmission signal received by the power receiving unit.

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