Power receiving apparatus, sensor device, power supply system, and power receiving method

Abstract

To provide a power receiving device wirelessly fed from a power feeding device, a sensor device having the power receiving device and installed in a machine tool, a power feeding system having the power feeding device and the receiving device, and a power receiving method by the power receiving device.SOLUTION: In a power feeding system 1, a power receiving device 30 includes a power receiving antenna 310 that wirelessly receives electricity wirelessly fed by a power feeding device 40, a plurality of different converters 331, 332, 333, ... for converting voltage having different values respectively into a constant voltage, and an input switch unit 320 that inputs the electricity received by the power receiving antenna to the converter that can convert the voltage of the electricity. The input switch unit includes a plurality of different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323,... respectively connected to the plurality of different converters. The plurality of different Zener diodes respectively input the voltage that can be converted by the converter to each converter to which each Zener diode is connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power receiving device that is wirelessly powered from a power supplying device, a sensor device having a power receiving device and installed on a machine tool, a power supply system having the power supplying device and the power receiving device, and a power receiving method by the power receiving device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of machine tools, sensor devices are installed at various locations. The results of detection by the sensor devices are input to a dedicated controller or computer via a switchboard equipped with a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). In recent years, there has been a demand to collect ever-changing data in real time using various sensor devices (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-46293 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the field of machine tools, sensor devices are installed at each location, and multiple sensor devices are installed on each of the many machine tools in a factory. Therefore, the number of sensor devices in a factory becomes large. In order to constantly monitor the many machine tools in a factory, it is necessary to supply a stable power supply to the many sensor devices.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a stable power supply to a sensor device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A power receiving device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a power receiving antenna that wirelessly receives electricity wirelessly supplied from a power supply device; A number of different converters, each of which converts a different voltage to a constant voltage; an input switching unit that inputs the electricity received by the power receiving antenna to a converter capable of converting a voltage of the electricity; Equipped with:

[0007] According to this embodiment, the input switching unit switches the voltage input to a plurality of different converters that convert different voltage values ​​to a constant voltage, so that the plurality of different converters can convert a wide range of voltages to a constant voltage with high efficiency over the entire range, regardless of the value of the received voltage.

[0008] the input switching unit includes a plurality of different Zener diodes respectively connected to the plurality of different converters; The plurality of different Zener diodes may each input to a converter connected to the Zener diode a voltage that the converter can convert.

[0009] According to this embodiment, one Zener diode extracts a voltage according to the value of the receiving voltage and inputs the voltage to one converter. This allows the Zener diode to automatically input a voltage to one converter without the need for information processing to determine which converter should receive the voltage. Therefore, power related to information processing is not required.

[0010] The power receiving device may further include a storage device that stores the electricity of the constant voltage output from the plurality of different converters.

[0011] The storage element may be a capacitor.

[0012] According to this embodiment, the multiple different converters can convert a wide range of voltages to a constant voltage (a voltage suitable for a capacitor, which is a power storage device) with high efficiency over the entire range, regardless of the value of the received voltage.

[0013] A sensor device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a power receiving antenna for receiving electricity wirelessly supplied from a power supply device; A number of different converters, each of which converts a different voltage to a constant voltage; an input switching unit that inputs the electricity received by the power receiving antenna to a converter capable of converting a voltage of the electricity; a storage battery that stores electricity of the constant voltage output from the plurality of different converters; A power receiving device having a sensor element to which the electricity stored in the capacitor is supplied; Equipped with:

[0014] The sensor device is installed in a machine tool, The sensor element may detect vibration, acceleration, rotation speed and / or temperature of the machine tool.

[0015] A power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: A power supply device; a power receiving antenna for receiving electricity wirelessly supplied from the power supply device; A number of different converters, each of which converts a different voltage to a constant voltage; an input switching unit that inputs the electricity received by the power receiving antenna to a converter capable of converting a voltage of the electricity; A power receiving device having Equipped with:

[0016] The power receiving device is The power supply system further includes a storage device that stores electricity of the constant voltage output from the plurality of different converters, The power supply may be included in a sensor device having a sensor element to which the electricity stored in the capacitor is supplied.

[0017] The power supply system may include a plurality of the power receiving devices.

[0018] In a factory, a sensor device is installed at each part of a machine tool, and multiple sensor devices are installed on each of the many machine tools in the factory. Therefore, firstly, the number of sensor devices in the factory becomes large. Secondly, when wirelessly supplying power from one power supply device to power receiving devices built into each of the many sensor devices in the factory, the distance from the power supply device to each power receiving device is different. Even under such a situation, it is possible to stably supply power to many sensor devices that are at different distances from the power supply device, and it is possible to constantly monitor many machine tools in the factory.

[0019] A power receiving method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: The power receiving antenna receives the electricity wirelessly supplied by the power supply device, an input switching unit inputs the voltage of the electricity received by the power receiving antenna to a converter capable of converting the voltage among a plurality of different converters that convert different voltages into a constant voltage; The converter converts the input voltage to the constant voltage. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to stably supply power to a sensor device.

[0021] Note that the effects described herein are not necessarily limited to those described herein, and may be any of the effects described in this disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a plurality of sensor devices arranged on a machine tool; [Diagram 3] 1 shows the configuration of a sensor device incorporating a power receiving device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] 1. Power Supply System

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] The power supply system 1 is typically installed in a factory. The power supply system 1 includes a power supply device 40 and one or more power receiving devices 30.

[0027] The power supply device 40 wirelessly supplies electricity to the power receiving device 30 .

[0028] The one or more power receiving devices 30 are included in a sensor device 10 installed in one or more machine tools in a factory. The one or more power receiving devices 30 wirelessly receive and store electricity wirelessly supplied by a power supply device 40 (details will be described later). Typically, there are a plurality of the one or more power receiving devices 30, but hereinafter, a single power receiving device 30 will be described unless otherwise specified.

[0029] The sensor device 10 is installed in a machine tool including, for example, a spindle. A sensor element included in the sensor device 10 detects, for example, vibration, acceleration, rotation speed, and / or temperature of the machine tool including the spindle. Specific examples of the type and arrangement of the sensor device 10 are described below.

[0030] 2.Type and placement of sensor devices

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a plurality of sensor devices arranged on a machine tool.

[0032] One vibration sensor device 10A and four temperature sensor devices 10B are arranged on the front side 81F of the spindle 81. The vibration sensor device 10A is arranged, for example, on the front side of the rotation axis of the spindle 81. As the four temperature sensor devices 10B, for example, one contact type temperature sensor is arranged on the front side of the front inner wheel, another contact type temperature sensor is arranged on the rear side of the front inner wheel, one non-contact type temperature sensor is arranged on the front side of the front outer wheel, and another non-contact type temperature sensor is arranged on the rear side of the front outer wheel. These five sensor devices 10 are connected to one child tag 20A, for example, by wire. The child tag 20A wirelessly transmits the detection results of the connected multiple sensor devices 10 to a parent tag (not shown) connected to a personal computer (not shown) or the like.

[0033] One vibration sensor device 10A and four temperature sensor devices 10B are arranged on the rear side 81R of the spindle 81. The vibration sensor device 10A is arranged, for example, on the rear side of the rotation axis of the spindle 81. As the four temperature sensor devices 10B, for example, one contact type temperature sensor is arranged on the front side of the rear inner wheel, another contact type temperature sensor is arranged on the rear side of the rear inner wheel, one non-contact type temperature sensor is arranged on the front side of the rear outer wheel, and another non-contact type temperature sensor is arranged on the rear side of the rear outer wheel. These five sensor devices 10 are connected to separate child tags 20B, for example, by wires. The child tag 20B wirelessly transmits the detection results of the connected multiple sensor devices 10 to a parent tag (not shown) connected to a personal computer (not shown) or the like.

[0034] The sensor device 10 is typically a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System). In this embodiment, the sensor device 10 is configured using MEMS and the child tag 20 is made wireless, so that the sensor device 10 and the child tag 20 can be disposed on a rotating part such as a spindle 81 of a machine tool to detect vibration and / or acceleration and temperature of the spindle 81.

[0035] 3.Power Supply System Concept

[0036] In the above example, ten sensor devices 10 are installed at each part of the spindle 81. In this way, sensor devices are installed at each part of the machine tool, and multiple sensor devices 10 are installed in each of the many machine tools in the factory. Therefore, firstly, the number of sensor devices 10 in the factory becomes large. Secondly, when wirelessly supplying power from one power supply device 40 to the power receiving devices 30 built into each of the many sensor devices 10 in the factory, the distances from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving devices 30 are different. Even under such a situation, it is necessary to stably supply power to the many sensor devices 10 at different distances from the power supply device 40 in order to constantly monitor the many machine tools in the factory.

[0037] According to Coulomb's law, the electricity supplied from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30 is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30. In other words, when wirelessly supplying power from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30, the farther away from the power supply device 40 the power receiving device 30 is, the greater the loss of electricity output by the power receiving device 30. For example, if the distance from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30 doubles, the electricity output by the power supply device 40 attenuates to 1 / 4, and if the distance from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30 triples, the electricity output by the power supply device 40 attenuates to 1 / 9.

[0038] Furthermore, the voltage also varies depending on the distance from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30. For example, when the distance from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30 is 10 m or more, the voltage of the received electricity is significantly reduced. For this reason, each power receiving device 30 needs to be able to receive a wide range of voltages, for example, about 30 V to 2 V, that correspond to the variation in distance. Regardless of the distance from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30, the power receiving device 30 needs to convert a wide range of voltages, at least about 30 V to 2 V, using a DC / DC converter or the like, and efficiently receive power over the entire range of the wide range of voltages. However, a DC / DC converter that can convert a wide range of voltages with high efficiency over the entire range is not commercially available.

[0039] Meanwhile, when manufacturing the sensor device 10 incorporating the power receiving device 30, it is basically not determined where in which machine tool in a factory the sensor device 10 incorporating the power receiving device 30 will be installed, where in the factory the power supply device 40 will be installed, and ultimately, what the distance from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30 will be. For this reason, it is not realistic to uniquely determine in advance the voltage value of electricity input to the power receiving device 30 and incorporate a DC / DC converter corresponding to the voltage value in the power receiving device 30.

[0040] In view of the above circumstances, the present embodiment aims to realize a power receiving device 30 capable of efficiently receiving power supplied from a power supply device 40 over the entire wide range of voltages.

[0041] 4. Configuration of a sensor device with a built-in power receiving device

[0042] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a sensor device incorporating a power receiving unit.

[0043] The sensor device 10 includes a power receiving device 30 and a sensor element 110 .

[0044] The sensor element 110 has a sensor body for detecting vibration, acceleration, rotation speed, and / or temperature of a machine tool (for example, the spindle 81 in FIG. 2). The sensor element 110 further has a storage device for temporarily storing the detected value, a terminal (not shown) for connecting to the child tag 20 (FIG. 2), and the like.

[0045] The power receiving device 30 stores the electricity wirelessly fed by the power feeding device 40, and supplies the electricity to the sensor element 110. The power receiving device 30 includes a power receiving antenna 310, an input switching unit 320, a converter array 330, and a power storage device 340.

[0046] The power receiving antenna 310 wirelessly receives electricity wirelessly fed by the power feeding device 40. The power receiving antenna 310 is, for example, a planar metal plate having an enameled wire radially arranged from the center of the surface and attached to the surface.

[0047] The electricity wirelessly received by the power receiving antenna 310 is input to the input switching unit 320 .

[0048] The input switching unit 320 has a plurality of different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323, etc. The plurality of different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323, etc. are connected in parallel to the power receiving antenna 310. The Zener diodes 321, 322, 323, etc. are also called constant voltage diodes, and are diodes that extract only a target voltage (Zener voltage). The voltages extracted by the Zener diodes 321, 322, 323, etc. are all different. For example, the Zener diode 321 extracts a voltage of 0.5V or more and less than 2V from the voltage input from the power receiving antenna 310. The Zener diode 322 extracts a voltage of 2V or more and less than 5V from the voltage input from the power receiving antenna 310. The Zener diode 323 extracts a voltage of 5V or more and less than 10V from the voltage input from the power receiving antenna 310. The input switching unit 320 has one or more other Zener diodes (not shown) in addition to the Zener diodes 321, 322, and 323. The one or more other Zener diodes (not shown) extract a voltage of, for example, about 40V at maximum.

[0049] The maximum value of voltage extracted by the multiple different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323... is the value of voltage received from the power supply device 40 when the distance between the power supply device 40 and the power receiving device 30 is at its minimum. The minimum value of voltage extracted by the multiple different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323... is the value of voltage received from the power supply device 40 when the distance between the power supply device 40 and the power receiving device 30 is at its maximum. The multiple different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323... are capable of seamlessly extracting the entire range of voltage from the maximum voltage to the minimum voltage.

[0050] The voltages extracted by the multiple different Zener diodes 321 , 322 , 323 . . . included in the input switching unit 320 are input to the converter array 330 .

[0051] The converter array 330 has a plurality of different converters 331, 332, 333... The plurality of different converters 331, 332, 333... convert voltages of different values ​​into a constant voltage (a voltage suitable for the storage battery 340). For example, the converter 331 is a step-up DC / DC converter that converts a voltage of 0.5V or more and less than 2V to 5V. The converter 332 is a step-up / step-down DC / DC converter that converts a voltage of 2V or more and less than 5V to 5V. The converter 333 is a step-up / step-down DC / DC converter that converts a voltage of 5V or more and less than 10V to 5V. The converter array 330 has one or more other DC / DC converters in addition to the converters 331, 332, 333. The other one or more DC / DC converters (not shown) are, for example, step-down DC / DC converters that convert a voltage of up to about 40V to 5V.

[0052] The maximum value of the voltage converted by the multiple different converters 331, 332, 333... is the value of the voltage received from the power supply device 40 when the distance between the power supply device 40 and the power receiving device 30 is at its minimum. The minimum value of the voltage converted by the multiple different converters 331, 332, 333... is the value of the voltage received from the power supply device 40 when the distance between the power supply device 40 and the power receiving device 30 is at its maximum. The multiple different converters 331, 332, 333... can seamlessly convert the entire range of voltages, from the maximum voltage to the minimum voltage, into a constant voltage.

[0053] A plurality of different converters 331, 332, 333... are connected to a plurality of different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323... in a one-to-one correspondence. Specifically, a converter 331 that converts a voltage of 0.5V or more and less than 2V to 5V is connected to a Zener diode 321 that extracts a voltage of 0.5V or more and less than 2V. A converter 332 that converts a voltage of 2V or more and less than 5V to 5V is connected to a Zener diode 322 that extracts a voltage of 2V or more and less than 5V. A converter 332 that converts a voltage of 5V or more and less than 10V to 5V is connected to a Zener diode 323 that extracts a voltage of 5V or more and less than 10V. In this way, each of the Zener diodes 321, 322, 323... inputs a voltage input from the power receiving antenna 310 to each of the converters 331, 332, 333... that can convert the voltage.

[0054] For example, assume that a voltage of 1V is input from the power receiving antenna 310 to the input switching unit 320. In this case, among the multiple different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323, ... included in the input switching unit 320, only the Zener diode 321 capable of extracting a voltage of 0.5V or more and less than 2V extracts a voltage of 1V. The Zener diode 321 inputs the extracted voltage of 1V to the converter 331. The converter 331 converts the input voltage of 1V to 5V and outputs it. Due to the configuration of the input switching unit 320 and the converter array 330, the voltage output from the converter array 330 is made constant at 5V, regardless of the value of the voltage received by the power receiving antenna 310.

[0055] The electricity converted to a constant voltage (5 V in this example) by a plurality of different converters 331, 332, 333, . . . included in the converter array 330 is input to a capacitor 340.

[0056] The capacitor 340 is typically a capacitor. The capacitor 340 stores electricity of a constant voltage (5 V in this example) output from a plurality of different converters 331, 332, 333 . . . included in the converter array 330. The electricity stored in the capacitor 340 is supplied to the sensor element 110.

[0057] 5. Conclusion

[0058] According to this embodiment, the input switching unit 320 switches the voltage input to a plurality of different converters 331, 332, 333... each of which converts a different voltage value into a constant voltage. As a result, the plurality of different converters 331, 332, 333... can convert a wide range of voltages into a constant voltage (a voltage suitable for the power storage device 340) with high efficiency over the entire range, regardless of the value of the received voltage that varies depending on the distance from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30.

[0059] According to this embodiment, the input switching unit 320 has a plurality of different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323.... The plurality of different Zener diodes 321, 322, 323... respectively input a voltage that can be converted by each of the converters 331, 332, 333... to which the Zener diodes 321, 322, 323... are connected. As a result, one of the Zener diodes 321, 322, 323... extracts a voltage according to the value of the power receiving voltage that varies depending on the distance from the power supply device 40 to the power receiving device 30, and inputs the voltage to one of the converters 331, 332, 333.... As a result, the Zener diodes 321, 322, 323... can automatically input a voltage to one of the converters 331, 332, 333... without the need for information processing to determine one of the converters 331, 332, 333... to which the voltage should be input. Therefore, no power is required for information processing.

[0060] Although the embodiments and modified examples of the present technology have been described above, the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present technology. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Power Supply System 10 Sensor Devices 110 Sensor element 30 Power receiving device 310 Receiving antenna 320 Input switching section 321, 322, 323 Zener diodes 330 Converter Array 331, 332, 333 Converter 340 Capacitor 40 Power Supply Device

Claims

1. a power receiving antenna that wirelessly receives electricity wirelessly supplied from a power supply device; A number of different converters, each of which converts a different voltage to a constant voltage; an input switching unit that inputs the electricity received by the power receiving antenna to a converter capable of converting a voltage of the electricity; Equipped with the input switching unit includes a plurality of different Zener diodes respectively connected to the plurality of different converters; The plurality of different Zener diodes each input a voltage that the converter can convert to a corresponding converter to which the Zener diode is connected. Powered device.

2. The power receiving device according to claim 1 , A storage device that stores electricity of the constant voltage output from the plurality of different converters. The power receiving device further comprises:

3. The power receiving device according to claim 2, The storage device is a capacitor. Powered device.

4. a power receiving antenna for receiving electricity wirelessly supplied from a power supply device; A number of different converters, each of which converts a different voltage to a constant voltage; an input switching unit that inputs the electricity received by the power receiving antenna to a converter capable of converting a voltage of the electricity; a storage battery that stores electricity of the constant voltage output from the plurality of different converters; having the input switching unit includes a plurality of different Zener diodes respectively connected to the plurality of different converters; The plurality of different Zener diodes each input a voltage that the converter can convert to a corresponding converter to which the Zener diode is connected. A power receiving device; a sensor element to which the electricity stored in the capacitor is supplied; A sensor device comprising:

5. The sensor device according to claim 4, The sensor device is installed in a machine tool, The sensor element detects vibration, acceleration, rotation speed and / or temperature of the machine tool. Sensor device.

6. A power supply device; a power receiving antenna for receiving electricity wirelessly supplied from the power supply device; A number of different converters, each of which converts a different voltage to a constant voltage; an input switching unit that inputs the electricity received by the power receiving antenna to a converter capable of converting a voltage of the electricity; having the input switching unit includes a plurality of different Zener diodes respectively connected to the plurality of different converters; The plurality of different Zener diodes each input a voltage that the converter can convert to a corresponding converter to which the Zener diode is connected. A power receiving device; A power supply system comprising:

7. The power supply system according to claim 6, The power receiving device is The power supply system further includes a storage device that stores electricity of the constant voltage output from the plurality of different converters, The sensor device includes a sensor element that is supplied with electricity stored in the capacitor. Power supply system.

8. The power supply system according to claim 6 or 7, A plurality of the power receiving devices A power supply system comprising:

9. The power receiving antenna receives the electricity wirelessly supplied by the power supply device, an input switching unit inputs the voltage of the electricity received by the power receiving antenna to a converter capable of converting the voltage among a plurality of different converters that convert different voltages into a constant voltage; The converter converts the input voltage into the constant voltage. A power receiving method, comprising: the input switching unit includes a plurality of different Zener diodes respectively connected to the plurality of different converters; The plurality of different Zener diodes each input a voltage that the converter can convert to a corresponding converter to which the Zener diode is connected. How to receive power.

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