Communication control device

Abstract

To provide a communication control device capable of pairing with a contactless power supply at the closest position in the same hierarchy in response to an inquiry from an in-vehicle communication device without pairing with the contactless power supply in the upper and lower layers of the same latitude and longitude neighboring points due to the occurrence of radio wave interference when the contactless power supplies in multiple layers communicate with the vehicle at the same time.SOLUTION: In a communication control device 1, an activation control unit 11 is configured to activate a series of signal output processing of each first communication unit so as not to interfere with each other the signals output from the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n of the plurality of contactless power supplies 30-1 to 30-n present in the height direction. A pairing control unit 12 of a vehicle 2 is configured to pair the vehicle 2 with a contactless power supply that has the first communication unit corresponding to the signal with the strongest radio field strength out of the signals output from each of the first communication units received by the second communication unit 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a contactless power supply system that uses a transmission method such as magnetic field coupling (electromagnetic induction), electric field coupling, magnetic field resonance coupling (magnetic resonance), and electric field resonance coupling (electric field resonance) to supply power contactlessly from a contactless power supply device installed on the ground to a parked vehicle. In such a contactless power supply system, one of a plurality of installed contactless power supply devices is paired with the vehicle using wireless communication, and contactless power supply is performed between the paired contactless power supply device and the vehicle. For example, an in-vehicle communication device and a communication method are known that transmit an inquiry signal from the vehicle to an unspecified number of contactless power supply devices, gradually reduce the transmission output, and when a response signal is received only from one contactless power supply device, pair the one contactless power supply device with the vehicle (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-017747 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when multiple wireless power supply devices simultaneously communicate with a vehicle in response to an inquiry from an in-vehicle communication device, radio interference occurs, and as a result, the vehicle may erroneously pair with a wireless power supply device located on a nearby level above or below the vehicle, rather than with a wireless power supply device located closest to the vehicle on the same level. In addition, the in-vehicle communication device needs to have a function for changing the directivity of the inquiry signal, which increases costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The gist of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0006] an activation control unit that activates a signal output process of each of the first communication units so that signals output from the first communication units of each of a plurality of non-contact power supply devices present in the height direction do not interfere with each other by radio waves; a pairing control unit that pairs the non-contact power supply device with the vehicle, the pairing control unit including a first communication unit corresponding to a signal having the strongest radio wave intensity among signals output from the first communication units and received by a second communication unit of the vehicle; A communication control device comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the possibility of erroneous pairing can be reduced by activating the signal output process of each of the multiple non-contact power supply devices present in the height direction so that the signals output from each of the non-contact power supply devices do not interfere with each other, and pairing the non-contact power supply device that outputs the strongest signal with the vehicle. In addition, since there is no need to perform directional communication, costs can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a contactless power supply system having a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a contactless power supply device in the contactless power supply system illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle in the contactless power supply system illustrated in FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an operation flow of a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an operation flow of a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a pairing process between the non-contact power supply device 30 and the vehicle 2. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a start-up pattern on the same floor in the charging station shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of activation patterns on upper and lower floors in the charging station shown in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The communication control device will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for the same components. In addition, the scale of these drawings is appropriately changed to facilitate understanding. The illustrated embodiment is one example for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0010] <Overall configuration of the wireless power supply system> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a contactless power supply system having a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] In the contactless power supply system, each of the contactless power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n (where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2; the same applies below) is installed corresponding to each vehicle parking bay in the charging station 3, which is structured like a multi-storey car park with multiple parking bays provided in the horizontal and vertical directions (i.e., in the height direction). In order to simplify the drawing, FIG. 1 shows only the contactless power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n provided in the height direction (up and down direction) of the n-story charging station 3, and does not show that multiple contactless power supply devices 30 are provided on the same floor. In the drawing, the long dashed lines 60-1 to 60-n indicate the ground (floor surface) on each floor.

[0012] Each of the non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n includes a first communication unit and a power transmission circuit. In the illustrated example, the sub-numbers in the reference numbers of the first communication unit and the power transmission circuit are assigned in correspondence with the sub-numbers in the reference numbers of the non-contact power supply devices. For example, the non-contact power supply device 30-1 provided on the first floor having the ground 60-1 includes the first communication unit 31-1 and the power transmission circuit 32-1, the non-contact power supply device 30-2 provided on the second floor having the ground 60-2 includes the first communication unit 31-2 and the power transmission circuit 32-2, and the non-contact power supply device 30-3 provided on the third floor having the ground 60-3 includes the first communication unit 31-3 and the power transmission circuit 32-3. Similarly, the non-contact power supply device 30-n provided on the nth floor having the ground 60-n includes the first communication unit 31-n and the power transmission circuit 32-n. The reference number of the first communication unit of the non-contact power supply device 30 provided on the nth floor may be written as 31-nm (m is a natural number). In the following description, any one of the non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n is referred to as the non-contact power supply device 30. Similarly, any one of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n is referred to as the first communication unit 31. Similarly, any one of the power transmission circuits 32-1 to 32-n is referred to as the power transmission circuit 32.

[0013] A signal output from each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n is referred to as an "inquiry signal." Each inquiry signal is output from each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n with the same radio wave intensity. Each of the power transmission circuits 32-1 to 32-n is configured to transmit power to the paired vehicle 2 in a non-contact manner. Each of the power transmission circuits 32-1 to 32-n is, for example, embedded in the ground (underground) of the corresponding parking space.

[0014] The vehicle 2 includes a second communication unit 21, a power receiving circuit 22, and a pairing control unit 12 described later. The second communication unit 21 is configured to receive signals output from each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n. The power receiving circuit 22 is configured to receive power in a wireless manner from the paired wireless power supply device 30.

[0015] For example, short-range wireless communication is used as communication between each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n and the second communication unit 21. The short-range wireless communication refers to communication with a shorter communication distance than the wide-area wireless communication, specifically, communication with a communication distance of, for example, less than 10 meters. As the short-range wireless communication, various short-distance wireless communication with a short communication distance can be used, and for example, communication conforming to any communication standard (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), etc.) established by IEEE, ISO, IEC, etc. is used. In addition, for example, DSRC (dedicated short range communication), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), etc. are used as a technology for performing the short-range wireless communication.

[0016] <Configuration of communication control device> A communication control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure pairs one of a plurality of non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n installed in a charging station 3 with a vehicle 2. Non-contact power supply is performed between the paired non-contact power supply device and the vehicle 2. The communication control device 1 includes a start control unit 11 and a pairing control unit 12.

[0017] The start-up control unit 11 starts the signal output process of each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n so that signals output from the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n of the multiple non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n do not interfere with each other by radio waves. The first communication units 31 whose signal output process has been started by the start-up control unit 11 (i.e., the first communication units 31 that are ON) output an inquiry signal having a predetermined level of radio wave intensity, but the first communication units 31 whose signal output process has not been started by the start-up control unit 11 (i.e., the first communication units 31 that are OFF) do not output an inquiry signal. The start-up control unit 11 is provided in the charging station 3 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but may be provided in the vehicle 2.

[0018] The inquiry signals output from the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n so as not to cause radio wave interference with each other are received by the second communication unit 21 of the vehicle 2. The inquiry signals are output from the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n with the same radio wave intensity, but the radio wave intensity of the inquiry signal received by the second communication unit 21 becomes stronger as the distance between the second communication unit 21 and the first communication unit 31 becomes shorter. The pairing control unit 12 pairs the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that has output the inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity received by the second communication unit 21 of the vehicle 2 with the vehicle 2. Any method may be used as the pairing method as long as it allows mutual authentication, and for example, a three-way handshake or the like may be used.

[0019] <Configuration of the non-contact power supply device> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a contactless power supply device in the contactless power supply system illustrated in FIG.

[0020] The non-contact power supply device 30 includes a controller 33 and a power source 34 in addition to the first communication unit 31 and the power transmission circuit 32. Since latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the non-contact power supply device 30 are required for pairing processing, the non-contact power supply device 30 may be provided with a GNSS receiver (not shown) for detecting the current position of the vehicle 2 based on positioning information obtained from a plurality of (e.g., three or more) positioning satellites. For example, a GPS receiver is used as the GNSS receiver. The controller 33, the power source 34, and the GNSS receiver may be embedded in the ground (underground) of the corresponding parking space, or may be arranged on the ground near the parking space.

[0021] The power source 34 supplies power to the power transmission circuit 32. The power source 34 is, for example, a commercial AC power source that supplies single-phase AC power. The power source 34 may be another AC power source that supplies three-phase AC power, or may be a DC power source such as a fuel cell or a solar power generation device. The power source 34 may be provided individually for each of the non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n, or may be shared by the non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n.

[0022] The power transmission circuit 32 transmits power supplied from the power source 34 to the vehicle 2. The power transmission circuit 32 has a rectifier circuit 321, an inverter 322, and a power transmission side resonant circuit 323. In the power transmission circuit 32, AC power supplied from the power source 34 is rectified in the rectifier circuit 321 and converted into DC current, and the DC current is converted into AC power in the inverter 322. The AC power is supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 323.

[0023] The rectifier circuit 321 is electrically connected to the power supply 34 and the inverter 322. The rectifier circuit 321 rectifies AC power supplied from the power supply 34 to convert it into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the inverter 322. The rectifier circuit 321 is, for example, an AC / DC converter. Note that when the power supply 34 is a DC power supply, the rectifier circuit 321 may be omitted.

[0024] The inverter 322 is electrically connected to the rectifier circuit 321 and the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323. The inverter 322 converts the DC power supplied from the rectifier circuit 321 into AC power (high frequency power) having a higher frequency than the AC power of the power source 34, and supplies the high frequency power to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323.

[0025] The power transmitting side resonant circuit 323 has a resonator composed of a coil 41 and a capacitor 42. Various parameters of the coil 41 and the capacitor 42 (such as the outer diameter and inner diameter of the coil 41, the number of turns of the coil 41, and the capacitance of the capacitor 42) are determined so that the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323 becomes a predetermined set value. The predetermined set value is, for example, 10 kHz to 100 GHz, and is preferably 85 kHz, which is determined by the SAE TIR J2954 standard as a frequency band for contactless power transmission. When high-frequency power supplied from the inverter 322 is applied to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323, the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323 generates an AC magnetic field for transmitting power.

[0026] The controller 33 is, for example, a general-purpose computer, and performs various controls of the contactless power supply device 30. For example, the controller 33 is electrically connected to the inverter 322 of the power transmission circuit 32, and controls the inverter 322 to control power transmission by the power transmission circuit 32. Furthermore, the controller 33 controls the first communication unit 31 under the control of the start-up control unit 11.

[0027] The controller 33 includes a communication interface 331, a memory 332, and a processor 333. The communication interface 331, the memory 332, and the processor 333 are electrically connected to each other via a bus.

[0028] The communication interface 331 has an interface circuit for electrically connecting the controller 33 to various devices (for example, the inverter 322, the first communication unit 31, and the start-up control unit 11) constituting the contactless power supply device 30. The controller 33 communicates with other devices via the communication interface 331.

[0029] The memory 332 includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory (for example, a RAM), a non-volatile semiconductor memory (for example, a ROM), etc. The memory 332 stores computer programs for executing various processes in the processor 333, various data used when the processor 333 executes various processes, etc.

[0030] The processor 333 has one or more central processing units (CPUs) and their peripheral circuits. The processor 333 may further have an arithmetic circuit such as a logical arithmetic unit or a numerical arithmetic unit. The processor 333 executes various processes based on the computer programs stored in the memory 332.

[0031] <Vehicle configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle in the contactless power supply system illustrated in FIG.

[0032] In addition to the second communication unit 21, the power receiving circuit 22, and the pairing control unit 12, the vehicle 2 has an electronic control unit (ECU) 23, a battery 24, a power control unit (PCU) 25, and a motor 26. Since latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the vehicle 2 are required for pairing processing, the vehicle 2 is provided with a GNSS receiver (not shown) for detecting the current position of the vehicle 2 based on positioning information obtained from a plurality of (e.g., three or more) positioning satellites. As the GNSS receiver, for example, a GPS receiver is used.

[0033] The battery 24 is a rechargeable secondary battery, and is, for example, a lithium ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, or the like. The battery 24 stores the electric power required for the vehicle 2 to travel (for example, the driving power of the motor 26). When the electric power received by the power receiving circuit 22 from the power transmitting circuit 32 is supplied, the battery 24 is charged. When the regenerative power generated by the motor 26 is supplied to the battery 24, the battery 24 is charged. When the battery 24 is charged, the charging rate (SOC: State Of Charge) of the battery 24 is restored. The battery 24 may also be chargeable by an external power source other than the contactless power supply device 30 via a charging port provided in the vehicle 2.

[0034] The motor 26 is, for example, an AC synchronous motor, and functions as both an electric motor and a generator. When functioning as an electric motor, the motor 26 is driven using the electric power stored in the battery 24 as a power source. The output of the motor 26 is transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle 2 via a reduction gear and an axle. On the other hand, when the vehicle 2 decelerates, the motor 26 is driven by the rotation of the wheels, and functions as a generator to generate regenerative electric power.

[0035] The PCU 25 is electrically connected to the battery 24 and the motor 26. The PCU 25 has an inverter, a boost converter, and a DC / DC converter. The inverter converts DC power supplied from the battery 24 into AC power and supplies the AC power to the motor 26. Meanwhile, the inverter converts AC power (regenerative power) generated by the motor 26 into DC power and supplies the DC power to the battery 24. The boost converter boosts the voltage of the battery 24 as necessary when the power stored in the battery 24 is supplied to the motor 26. The DC / DC converter lowers the voltage of the battery 24 when the power stored in the battery 24 is supplied to electronic devices such as headlights.

[0036] The power receiving circuit 22 receives power from the power transmitting circuit 32 of the paired non-contact power feeding device 30, and supplies the received power to the battery 24. The power receiving circuit 22 includes a rectifier circuit 221, a charging circuit 222, and a power receiving side resonant circuit 223.

[0037] The power receiving side resonant circuit 223 is disposed at the bottom of the vehicle 2 so as to reduce the distance from the ground. The power receiving side resonant circuit 223 has a configuration similar to that of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323, and has a resonator including a coil 51 and a capacitor 52. Various parameters of the coil 51 and the capacitor 52 (such as the outer diameter and inner diameter of the coil 51, the number of turns of the coil 51, and the capacitance of the capacitor 52) are determined so that the resonant frequency of the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 matches the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323. Note that if the deviation between the resonant frequency of the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 and the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323 is small, for example, if the resonant frequency of the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 is within a range of ±20% of the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323, the resonant frequency of the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 does not necessarily have to match the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323.

[0038] When the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 faces the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323 and an AC magnetic field is generated by the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323, the vibration of the AC magnetic field is transmitted to the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 which resonates at the same resonant frequency as the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323. As a result, an induced current flows in the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 due to electromagnetic induction, and an induced electromotive force is generated in the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 due to the induced current. That is, the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323 transmits power to the power receiving side resonant circuit 223, and the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 receives power from the power transmitting side resonant circuit 323.

[0039] The rectifier circuit 221 is electrically connected to the charging circuit 222 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 223. The rectifier circuit 221 rectifies the AC power supplied from the power receiving side resonant circuit 223 to convert it into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the charging circuit 222. The rectifier circuit 221 is, for example, an AC / DC converter.

[0040] The charging circuit 222 is electrically connected to the rectifier circuit 221 and the battery 24. The charging circuit 222 converts the DC power supplied from the rectifier circuit 221 to a voltage level of the battery 24 and supplies it to the battery 24. When the power transmitted from the power transmitting circuit 32 is supplied to the battery 24 by the power receiving circuit 22, the battery 24 is charged. The charging circuit 222 is, for example, a DC / DC converter.

[0041] The ECU 23 performs various controls of the vehicle 2. For example, the ECU 23 is electrically connected to the charging circuit 222 of the power receiving circuit 22, and controls the charging circuit 222 to control charging of the battery 24 with power transmitted from the power transmitting circuit 32. The ECU 23 is also electrically connected to the PCU 25, and controls the PCU 25 to control the exchange of power between the battery 24 and the motor 26. Furthermore, the ECU 23 controls the second communication unit 21 and the pairing control unit 12.

[0042] The ECU 23 includes a communication interface 231, a memory 232, and a processor 233. The communication interface 231, the memory 232, and the processor 233 are connected to each other via signal lines.

[0043] The communication interface 231 has an interface circuit for connecting the ECU 23 to an in-vehicle network that complies with standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network). The ECU 23 communicates with other devices via the communication interface 231.

[0044] The memory 232 includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory (for example, a RAM) and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (for example, a ROM). The memory 232 stores computer programs for executing various processes in the processor 233, various data used when the processor 233 executes various processes, and the like.

[0045] The processor 233 has one or more central processing units (CPUs) and their peripheral circuits. The processor 233 may further have an arithmetic circuit such as a logical arithmetic unit or a numerical arithmetic unit. The processor 233 executes various processes based on the computer programs stored in the memory 232.

[0046] <Operation of the communication control device> 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an operation flow of the communication control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] First, a user (driver) parks the vehicle 2 in one of a plurality of parking spaces provided in the charging station 3 having a structure like a multi-storey parking lot. Then, when a user (driver or passenger) in the vehicle 2 instructs the communication control device 1 to start an operation by, for example, operating a predetermined operation button provided in the vehicle 2, a start signal is transmitted to the start control unit 11 in the charging station 3 via the second communication unit 21 or another communication unit provided in the vehicle 2. The start signal includes data on the latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the vehicle 2. Alternatively, a signal on the data on the latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the vehicle 2 is transmitted from the vehicle 2 to the start control unit 11 together with the start signal. In response to this, the start control unit 11 transmits data on the floor latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the non-contact power supply device 30 in the charging station 3 to the vehicle 2. Furthermore, the start control unit 11 that has received the start signal selects the non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n in the same layer as the vehicle 2 based on data related to latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the vehicle 2, and in step S101 starts the signal output process of each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n in a specific start pattern so that signals output from the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n of the multiple non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n provided in the same layer do not interfere with each other by radio waves. The specific start pattern refers to a combination of a first communication unit 31 in which the signal output process is started and a first communication unit 31 in which the signal output process is not started at a certain point in time.

[0048] As an alternative example, in a state in which the start-up control unit 11 has already started the signal output processing of each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n in a specific start-up pattern in step S101, a user (driver or passenger) in the vehicle 2 may start the processing of step S201 (receiving and storing the inquiry signal) by operating a predetermined operation button provided in the vehicle 2.

[0049] In step S101, the first communication units 31 whose signal output processing has been started by the start-up control unit 11 (i.e., the first communication units 31 that are ON) output an inquiry signal, but the first communication units 31 whose signal output processing has not been started by the start-up control unit 11 (i.e., the first communication units 31 that are OFF) do not output an inquiry signal. Each inquiry signal is output with the same radio wave intensity from each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n.

[0050] Note that the non-contact power supplying devices 30 that have already been paired are already being used for non-contact power supplying to another vehicle 2. Therefore, in step S101, the start-up control unit 11 does not start the signal output process of the first communication units 31 of the non-contact power supplying devices 30 that have already been paired among the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n. The start-up control unit 11 starts the signal output process at least once for all of the first communication units 31 of the non-contact power supplying devices 30 that have not yet been paired among the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n.

[0051] Here, some of the activation patterns of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n by the activation control unit 11 will be listed.

[0052] In the activation pattern according to the first embodiment, activation control unit 11 activates the signal output process of each of first communication units 31-1 to 31-n in sequence so that the activation timings do not overlap. By preventing the activation timings of the signal output processes of each of first communication units 31-1 to 31-n from overlapping, it is possible to prevent radio interference between the inquiry signals output from each of first communication units 31-1 to 31-n.

[0053] In addition, the start-up pattern according to the second form is to simultaneously start some of the first communication units 31 provided at positions where they do not interfere with each other by radio waves. That is, in the start-up pattern according to the second form, the start-up control unit 11 sequentially starts the signal output process for each group of the first communication units 31 provided at positions where they do not interfere with each other by not overlapping the start-up timing between the groups. The first communication units 31 do not interfere with radio waves within the same group, and by making the start-up timing of the signal output process between different groups not overlap, it is possible to prevent the inquiry signals output from the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n from interfering with each other by radio waves. In addition, in the start-up pattern according to the second form, the signal output process of the multiple first communication units 31 is started at the same time, so that the time to complete the start-up of the signal output process of all the first communication units 31 can be shortened compared to the start-up pattern according to the first form. Therefore, the start-up pattern according to the second form is more effective in shortening the processing time as the number of the first communication units 31 (i.e., the number of the non-contact power supply devices 30) increases.

[0054] Returning to Fig. 4 for explanation, in step S101 in Fig. 4, the first communication unit 31 that outputs an inquiry signal is switched every time the activation pattern is switched, but in step S201, the second communication unit 21 of the vehicle 2 receives the inquiry signal every time the activation pattern is switched, and stores the radio wave intensity of the received inquiry signal in a storage unit (for example, memory 232 in Fig. 3) in the vehicle 2. The radio wave intensity of the inquiry signal is stored in the storage unit in association with identification information of the contactless power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that output the inquiry signal.

[0055] Here, several methods for identifying the contactless power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that has output the inquiry signal will be listed.

[0056] The first identification method involves including data on identification information for the contactless power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that has output the inquiry signal, in the inquiry signal output from the first communication unit 31. In this case, the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 extracts the data on the identification information included in the inquiry signal received by the second communication unit 21, and stores the radio wave intensity of the inquiry signal in a storage unit in association with the identification information.

[0057] In the second identification method, when an inquiry signal is output from the first communication unit 31, data on identification information of the contactless power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that output the inquiry signal is transmitted using wireless communication (for example, wide-area wireless communication) on a path different from that of the inquiry signal. In this case, the contactless power supply device 30 is provided with a communication unit for wide-area wireless communication different from the first communication unit 31. Similarly, the vehicle 2 is provided with a communication unit for wide-area wireless communication different from the second communication unit 21. The ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 extracts identification information included in the data received via wide-area wireless communication, and stores the radio wave intensity of the inquiry signal in a storage unit in association with the identification information. Wide-area wireless communication is communication with a longer communication distance than narrow-area wireless communication, and specifically, for example, communication with a communication distance of 10 meters to 10 kilometers. As the wide-area wireless communication, various wireless communication with a long communication distance can be used, and for example, communication conforming to any communication standard such as 4G, LTE, 5G, WiMAX, etc. established by 3GPP and IEEE is used.

[0058] In the third identification method, the activation patterns and the execution order of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n are grasped in advance on the ECU 23 side in the vehicle 2, and the identification information is grasped by matching the switching cycle of the activation pattern with the reception cycle (sampling cycle) of the second communication unit 21 by the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2. Since the switching cycle of the activation pattern and the reception cycle by the second communication unit 21 match and the ECU 23 is aware of the activation patterns and the execution order of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n, the ECU 23 can store the radio wave intensity of the received inquiry signal in a memory unit together with the identification information of the first communication unit 31 that output the inquiry signal.

[0059] In step S201 of Fig. 4, according to any one of the above-mentioned first to third identification methods, each time the activation pattern of the first communication unit 31 is switched, the radio wave intensity of the received inquiry signal and the identification information of the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that output the inquiry signal are stored in association with each other. When the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n are activated sequentially according to the activation pattern of the first form, the radio wave intensity of the received inquiry signal and the identification information of the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that output the inquiry signal are stored in association with each other for each activation pattern. When a group of the first communication units 31 is activated sequentially according to the activation pattern of the second form, since an inquiry signal is output from a plurality of first communication units 31 in a certain activation pattern, the radio wave intensity of the received plurality of inquiry signals and the identification information of each of the non-contact power supply devices 30 having the first communication units 31 that output the inquiry signal are stored in association with each other for each activation pattern.

[0060] In step S202, the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 determines whether the activation pattern of the first communication unit 31 is in the first cycle. Whether the activation pattern is in the first cycle can be determined based on whether identification information that matches the identification information related to the received inquiry signal has already been stored in the storage unit. If the identification information related to the received inquiry signal is not yet included in the identification information stored in the storage unit, the activation pattern is still in the first cycle, so the process returns to step S201. If the identification information related to the received inquiry signal has already been included in the identification information stored in the storage unit, the activation pattern is in the second cycle, so the process proceeds to step S203. Completion of the first cycle of the activation pattern means that the signal output process has been activated at least once for all of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n, except for the first communication unit 31 of the non-contact power supply device 30 that has already been paired.

[0061] In step S203, the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 finds the strongest radio wave intensity from among the radio wave intensities stored in the storage unit, and identifies the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that outputs the inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity based on the identification information stored in association with the strongest radio wave intensity. Although the inquiry signals are output with the same radio wave intensity from each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n, the radio wave intensity of the inquiry signal received by the second communication unit 21 becomes stronger as the distance between the second communication unit 21 and the first communication unit 31 is shorter. In step S203, if the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that outputs the inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity can be identified, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S203, if the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that outputs the inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity cannot be identified, the process proceeds to step S405 in FIG. 5. Alternatively, if it is not possible to identify the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that has output an inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity, steps S101, S201, and S202 may be executed again.

[0062] In step S204, the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 determines whether or not the non-contact power supply device 30 is present in a story above or below a point in the vicinity of the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked, based on data related to floor latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the non-contact power supply device 30 in the charging station 3. If it is determined that the non-contact power supply device 30 is present in a story above or below a point in the vicinity of the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked, the process proceeds to steps S301 and S401 in Fig. 5. If it is not determined that the non-contact power supply device 30 is present in a story above or below a point in the vicinity of the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked, the process proceeds to step S404 in Fig. 5.

[0063] In step S404, if it is determined that the non-contact power supply device 30 exists in a hierarchical level above and below the point near the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked, a start signal is transmitted to the activation control unit 11 in the charging station 3 via the second communication unit 21 or another communication unit provided in the vehicle 2. The activation control unit 11 that has received the start signal selects the non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n in the hierarchical level above and below the point near the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked, based on data related to the latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the vehicle 2, and in step S301, activates the signal output processing of each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n in a specific activation pattern so that signals output from the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n of the multiple non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n provided in the hierarchical levels above and below the point near the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked do not interfere with each other by radio waves. The first and second forms of the activation patterns of each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n by the activation control unit 11 have already been described.

[0064] In step S301, the first communication units 31 whose signal output processing has been started by the start-up control unit 11 (i.e., the first communication units 31 that are ON) output an inquiry signal, but the first communication units 31 whose signal output processing has not been started by the start-up control unit 11 (i.e., the first communication units 31 that are OFF) do not output an inquiry signal. Each inquiry signal is output with the same radio wave intensity from each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n.

[0065] In step S301, the first communication unit 31 that outputs the inquiry signal is switched every time the activation pattern is switched, but in step S401, the second communication unit 21 of the vehicle 2 receives the inquiry signal every time the activation pattern is switched and stores the radio wave intensity of the received inquiry signal in a storage unit (for example, memory 232 in FIG. 3) in the vehicle 2. The radio wave intensity of the inquiry signal is stored in the storage unit in association with identification information of the contactless power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that output the inquiry signal. The first to third identification methods of the contactless power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that output the inquiry signal have been described above.

[0066] In step S402, the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 determines whether the activation pattern of the first communication unit 31 is in the first cycle. Whether the activation pattern is in the first cycle can be determined based on whether identification information that matches the identification information related to the received inquiry signal has already been stored in the storage unit. If the identification information related to the received inquiry signal is not yet included in the identification information stored in the storage unit, the activation pattern is still in the first cycle, so the process returns to step S401. If the identification information related to the received inquiry signal has already been included in the identification information stored in the storage unit, the activation pattern is in the second cycle, so the process proceeds to step S403. Completion of the first cycle of the activation pattern means that the signal output process has been activated at least once for all of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n, except for the first communication unit 31 of the non-contact power supply device 30 that has already been paired.

[0067] In step S403, the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 finds the strongest radio wave intensity from among the radio wave intensities stored in the storage unit, and identifies the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that outputs the inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity based on the identification information stored in association with the strongest radio wave intensity. Although the inquiry signals are output from each of the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n with the same radio wave intensity, the radio wave intensity of the inquiry signal received by the second communication unit 21 becomes stronger as the distance between the second communication unit 21 and the first communication unit 31 becomes shorter. In step S403, if the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that outputs the inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity can be identified, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S403, if the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that outputs the inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity cannot be identified, the process proceeds to step S405. Alternatively, if it is not possible to identify the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that has output an inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity, steps S301, S401, and S402 may be executed again.

[0068] In step S404, the pairing control unit 12 in the vehicle 2 pairs the non-contact power supply device 30 identified in step S203 with the vehicle 2. Thereafter, charging processing is started between the paired non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 on the second floor and the vehicle 2. In this manner, the pairing control unit 12 pairs the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 corresponding to the inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity among the signals output from the first communication units 31-1 to 31-n received by the second communication unit 21 of the vehicle 2 with the vehicle 2. Therefore, since there is no need to perform communication of an inquiry signal with directionality between the first communication unit 31 in the non-contact power supply device 30 and the second communication unit 21 in the vehicle 2, the cost of the communication control device 1 can be suppressed.

[0069] Here, a specific example of the pairing process between the non-contact power supply device 30 and the vehicle 2 will be illustrated.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of pairing processing between the non-contact power supply device 30 and the vehicle 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an activation pattern in the same floor in the charging station illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an activation pattern in upper and lower floors in the charging station illustrated in FIG. 6. Note that in FIGS. 6 to 8, configurations related to power transmission and reception are omitted. As an example, in a three-story charging station 3 having four parking spaces arranged in a row per floor, a non-contact power supply device having a first communication unit 31-1-1, a non-contact power supply device having a first communication unit 31-1-2, a non-contact power supply device having a first communication unit 31-1-3, and a non-contact power supply device having a first communication unit 31-1-4 are provided on the first floor. On the second floor, a contactless power supply device having a first communication unit 31-2-1, a contactless power supply device having a first communication unit 31-2-2, a contactless power supply device having a first communication unit 31-2-3, and a contactless power supply device having a first communication unit 31-2-4 are provided. On the third floor, a contactless power supply device having a first communication unit 31-3-1, a contactless power supply device having a first communication unit 31-3-2, a contactless power supply device having a first communication unit 31-3-3, and a contactless power supply device having a first communication unit 31-3-4 are provided. The vehicle 2 is parked in parking space C among four parking spaces A to D on the second floor that are lined up in a row on the same floor.

[0071] First, the user (driver) parks the vehicle C in one parking space on the second floor among a plurality of parking spaces provided in the three-story charging station 3. Then, when the user (driver or passenger) in the vehicle 2 instructs the communication control device 1 to start an operation by, for example, operating a predetermined operation button provided in the vehicle 2, a start signal and data related to latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the vehicle 2 are transmitted to the activation control unit 11 in the charging station 3 via the second communication unit 21 or another communication unit provided in the vehicle 2. In response to this, the activation control unit 11 transmits data related to floor latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the non-contact power supply device 30 in the charging station 3 to the vehicle 2. In addition, the activation control unit 11 that has received the start signal selects the non-contact power supply devices 30-2-1 to 30-2-4 on the second floor, which is the same floor as the vehicle 2, based on the data related to the latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the vehicle 2, and the activation control unit 11 activates the first communication unit 31 in the order of, for example, patterns 1 to 4 (step S101). Here, as an example, a case where a start-up pattern according to a first mode in which the first communication units are started up sequentially will be described, but a start-up pattern according to a second mode in which the first communication units are started up sequentially for each group may be applied. Each of patterns 1 to 4 is executed at least once, but is not executed while overlapping with one another in time. In pattern 1, the start-up control unit 11 starts (ON) the first communication unit 31-2-1 in the parking section A, and does not start the first communication units 31-2-2, 31-2-3, and 31-2-4. In pattern 2, the start-up control unit 11 starts (ON) the first communication unit 31-2-2 in the parking section B, and does not start the first communication units 31-2-1, 31-2-3, and 31-2-4. In pattern 3, the start-up control unit 11 starts (ON) the first communication unit 31-2-3 in the parking section C, and does not start the first communication units 31-2-1, 31-2-2, and 31-2-4. In pattern 4, the activation control unit 11 activates (ON) the first communication unit 31-2-4 in the parking space D, and does not activate the first communication units 31-2-1, 31-2-2, and 31-2-3. In this manner, the signal output process is activated at least once for all of the first communication units 31-2-1 to 31-2-4, except for the first communication unit 31 of the non-contact power supply device 30 that has already been paired.It should be noted that the execution order of patterns 1 to 4 shown in Fig. 7 is merely an example, and they do not necessarily have to be executed in this order. For example, pattern 3 may be executed first, then pattern 1, then pattern 4, and then pattern 2. Also, for example, pattern 4 may be executed first, then pattern 3, then pattern 2, and then pattern 1. Alternatively, patterns 1 to 4 may be executed in an order other than the above.

[0072] For each of patterns 1 to 4, the inquiry signal and the identification information of the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that outputs the inquiry signal are stored in association with each other (step S201). After pattern 4 is executed, when pattern 1 is executed again, the identification information related to the inquiry signal received by the second communication unit 21 matches the identification information related to the first communication unit 31-2-1 that was already stored in the storage unit, so it is determined that the activation pattern is the second round (step S202). Since the vehicle 2 is parked in the parking space C on the second floor, the radio wave intensity α1 of the inquiry signal output from the first communication unit 31-2-1 in pattern 1 is the weakest, followed by the radio wave intensity α2 of the inquiry signal output from the first communication unit 31-2-2 in pattern 2 and the radio wave intensity α4 of the inquiry signal output from the first communication unit 31-2-4 in pattern 4, and the radio wave intensity α3 of the inquiry signal output from the first communication unit 31-2-3 in pattern 3 is the strongest (α1<α2=α4<α3). Therefore, the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 identifies the contactless power supply device 30-3 having the first communication unit 31-3 as the device that has output an inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity (step S203).

[0073] Next, the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 determines whether or not the non-contact power supply device 30 exists in a tier above or below the point near the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked, based on data related to floor surface latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the non-contact power supply device 30 in the charging station 3. After it is determined that the non-contact power supply device 30 exists in a tier above or below the point near the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked, a start signal is transmitted to the activation control unit 11 in the charging station 3 via the second communication unit 21 or another communication unit provided in the vehicle 2. The activation control unit 11 that has received the start signal selects the non-contact power supply devices 30-1 to 30-n in the tier above or below the point near the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked, based on data related to the latitude and longitude information and altitude information of the vehicle 2, and activates the first communication unit 31 at the point near the latitude and longitude where the vehicle 2 is parked, for example, in the order of patterns 5 to 7 (step S301). Here, as an example, a case where a start-up pattern according to a first mode in which the first communication units are started up sequentially will be described, but a start-up pattern according to a second mode in which the first communication units are started up sequentially by group may also be applied. Each of patterns 5 to 7 is executed at least once, but they are not executed while overlapping with each other in time. In pattern 5, the start-up control unit 11 starts (ON) the first communication unit 31-2-3 in the parking space C on the second floor, and the first communication units 31-1-3 and 31-3-3 are not started. In pattern 6, the start-up control unit 11 starts (ON) the first communication unit 31-3-3 in the parking space C' on the third floor, and the first communication units 31-1-3 and 31-2-3 are not started. In pattern 7, the start-up control unit 11 starts (ON) the first communication unit 31-1-3 in parking space C" on the first floor, and does not start the first communication units 31-2-3 and 31-3-3. In this way, for all of the first communication units 31-1-3 to 31-3-3 in upper and lower floors at nearby points of the same latitude and longitude, the signal output process is started at least once, except for the first communication unit 31 possessed by the contactless power supply device 30 with which pairing has already been completed. Note that the execution order of patterns 5 to 7 shown in FIG. 8 is merely an example, and the execution does not necessarily have to be in this order. For example, pattern 6 may be executed first, then pattern 5, and then pattern 7. Alternatively, for example, pattern 7 may be executed first, then pattern 6, and then pattern 5.Alternatively, patterns 5 and 6 may be executed in an order other than that described above.

[0074] For each of patterns 5 to 7, the inquiry signal and the identification information of the non-contact power supply device 30 having the first communication unit 31 that outputs the inquiry signal are stored in association with each other (step S401). After pattern 7 is executed, when pattern 5 is executed again, the identification information related to the inquiry signal received by the second communication unit 21 matches the identification information related to the first communication unit 31-2-3 that was already stored in the storage unit, so it is determined that the activation pattern is the second round (step S402). Since the vehicle 2 is parked in the parking space C on the second floor, the radio wave intensity α6 of the inquiry signal output from the first communication unit 31-3-3 in pattern 6 and the radio wave intensity α7 of the inquiry signal output from the first communication unit 31-1-3 in pattern 7 are the weakest, and the radio wave intensity α5 (=α3) of the inquiry signal output from the first communication unit 31-2-3 in pattern 5 is the strongest (α6=α7<α5=α3). Therefore, the ECU 23 in the vehicle 2 identifies the non-contact power supply device having the first communication unit 31-2-3 on the second floor as the device that has output an inquiry signal with the strongest radio wave intensity (step S403). Then, the pairing control unit 12 in the vehicle 2 pairs the non-contact power supply device having the first communication unit 31-2-3 on the second floor with the vehicle 2 (step S404). After that, charging processing is started between the paired non-contact power supply device having the first communication unit 31-2-3 on the second floor and the vehicle 2.

[0075] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1. Communication control device 2 Vehicles 3. Charging Station 11 Start control section 12 Pairing control section 21 Second Communications Department 22 Receiving circuit 23 ECU 24 Battery 25 PCU 26 Motor 30, 30-1 to 30-n Non-contact power supply device 31, 31-1 to 31-n, 31-1-1 to 31-3-4 First Communications Department 32, 32-1 to 32-n Power transmission circuit 33 Controller 34 Power supply 41 Coil 42 Capacitor 51 Coil 52 Capacitor 221 Rectifier circuit 222 Charging circuit 223 Receiving side resonant circuit 231 Communication Interface 232 Memory 233 processor 321 Rectifier circuit 322 Inverter 323 Power transmission side resonant circuit 331 Communication Interface 332 Memory 333 Processor

Claims

[Claim 1] an activation control unit that activates a signal output process of each of the first communication units so that signals output from the first communication units of each of the plurality of non-contact power supply devices present in the height direction do not interfere with each other by radio waves; a pairing control unit that pairs the non-contact power supply device with the vehicle, the pairing control unit including a first communication unit corresponding to a signal having the strongest radio wave intensity among signals output from the first communication units and received by a second communication unit of the vehicle; A communication control device comprising:

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