Power supply control device

Abstract

To provide a power supply control device capable of reducing the effect of leakage magnetic field on luggage while power is supplied from a power supply device to a mobile object carrying luggage in a contactless manner.SOLUTION: The power supply control device controls the power supplied from a power supply unit to a mobile body capable of electric driving in a contactless manner. The power supply control device is configured so as to, in the case that the mobile body is carrying a load that is affected by leakage magnetic field when the power is supplied from the power supply unit, control the amount of power supplied to the mobile body to be smaller than the power supply when the mobile body is not carrying a load that is affected by leakage magnetic fields.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a contactless power supply system equipped with a power supply device that supplies power contactlessly to a power receiving device mounted on an electric vehicle. This power supply device includes a power supply mat having a power transmission coil. This power supply mat is formed in a portable rectangular sheet shape and can be placed on the road surface on which the electric vehicle runs. When the electric vehicle passes over the power supply mat, power is supplied contactlessly from the power transmission coil on the road surface side to the power receiving coil on the vehicle side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-236540 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a contactless power supply system in which a power supply device is installed on the road surface, it is possible to supply power to not only electric vehicles such as those described in Patent Document 1, but also vehicles capable of autonomous driving, mobile objects that are too small for a person to ride in, mobile objects for transporting luggage, and the like.

[0005] For example, in a mobile body that carries luggage, it is assumed that the luggage will be charged on the power supply device while it is still on the mobile body. However, since a leakage magnetic field is generated during power supply in a non-contact power supply, if the luggage being carried by the mobile body includes electronic devices, the electronic devices may be affected by the leakage magnetic field.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a power supply control device that can reduce the effect of leakage magnetic fields on luggage when power is supplied contactlessly from a power supply device to a mobile object carrying luggage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is a power supply control device that controls the amount of power supplied when power is supplied contactlessly from a power supply device to a mobile body capable of electrically propelled travel, and is characterized in that, when the mobile body is carrying luggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field when power is supplied from the power supply device, the amount of power supplied to the mobile body is made smaller than the amount of power supplied to a mobile body that is not carrying luggage that is affected by the leakage magnetic field. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the present invention, when power is supplied in a non-contact manner to a moving body carrying luggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field, the effect of the leakage magnetic field on the luggage can be reduced by suppressing the amount of power supply. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a contactless power supply system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a small moving object and a power supply device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing control in a small moving object. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the control in the power supply device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a small moving object and a power supply device in a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing control in a small moving body in a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing control in the power supply device in the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing a wireless power supply system according to an embodiment. In the wireless power supply system 1, a power supply device 3 is placed on a road surface on which a small mobile object 2 travels, and when the small mobile object 2 passes over the power supply device 3, power is supplied from the power supply device 3 to the small mobile object 2 in a wireless manner. The small mobile object 2 is a mobile object capable of electrically running and being charged with power supplied from the power supply device 3 in a wireless manner.

[0012] The small mobile object 2 is a mobile object that transports luggage. For example, the small mobile object 2 can travel automatically and transport luggage to a specified location. It is assumed that the small mobile object 2, with luggage on it, will supply power on the power supply device 3. In this case, the luggage may be affected by a leakage magnetic field during power supply. An example of luggage that may be affected by a leakage magnetic field during power supply is an electronic device 4.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that there are two small mobile bodies 2A and 2B, one of which, the small mobile body 2A, is carrying an electronic device 4, and the other small mobile body 2B is not carrying an electronic device 4. In this embodiment, the small mobile body 2 determines the required power supply amount and transmits a signal indicating the required power supply amount to the power supply device 3, and the power supply device 3 supplies power according to the required power supply amount. At that time, the power supply amount of the small mobile body 2A carrying the electronic device 4 is configured to be smaller than the power supply amount of the small mobile body 2B not carrying the electronic device 4, under the control of the power supply control device. In this way, the power supply control device is a control device applied to the non-contact power supply system 1, and is a device that controls the amount of power (power supply amount) supplied non-contact from the power supply device 3 to the small mobile body 2 according to the type of luggage carried by the small mobile body 2.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a small moving object and a power supply device.

[0015] The small mobile object 2 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a power receiving unit 23, and a drive unit 24.

[0016] The communication unit 21 performs wireless communication with the power supply device 3. The communication unit 21 receives a signal transmitted from the power supply device 3, and transmits a signal from the small moving object 2 to the power supply device 3.

[0017] The control unit 22 is an electronic control device that controls the small moving body 2. This electronic control device is configured to include a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, and an input / output interface. In other words, the control unit 22 performs signal processing according to a program pre-stored in the ROM. The control unit 22 then executes various controls for controlling the small moving body 2. For example, the control unit 22 executes non-contact charging control for controlling non-contact charging by the power receiving unit 23, and drive control for controlling electric traveling by the drive unit 24.

[0018] In the non-contact charging control, a control signal from the control unit 22 is output to the power receiving unit 23, and the power receiving unit 23 is controlled to a state in which it can receive power non-contact. The power receiving unit 23 receives power supplied from the power supply device 3 non-contact, and charges the received power to a battery. Specifically, the power receiving unit 23 has a power receiving coil that receives power supplied from the power supply device 3 non-contact. Furthermore, the power receiving unit 23 functions as a charger that charges the battery with the power received by the power receiving coil. This battery is a secondary battery that can discharge and store power, and is composed of, for example, a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. The non-contact power supply system 1 including the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil may be either of a magnetic resonance type or an electromagnetic induction type.

[0019] In the drive control, a control signal from the control unit 22 is output to the drive unit 24, which controls the drive unit 24 so that the traveling state of the small mobile body 2 becomes a desired state. The drive unit 24 has a motor that serves as a power source for traveling. When the small mobile body 2 travels, the motor is driven by power supplied from a battery to generate a driving force for the small mobile body 2.

[0020] The control unit 22 also includes a baggage determination unit 22a, a required power supply amount determination unit 22b, an approach signal creation unit 22c, and a drive control unit 22d.

[0021] The baggage determination unit 22a determines the type of baggage being carried by the small mobile body 2. By determining the type of baggage, the baggage determination unit 22a determines whether the baggage currently being carried includes an electronic device 4. For example, an IC tag is attached to the baggage. The small mobile body 2 is also equipped with an RFID reader. Therefore, the small mobile body 2 can determine that the baggage being carried includes an electronic device 4 by acquiring information from the IC tag.

[0022] The required power supply amount determining unit 22b determines the amount of power to be supplied from the power supply device 3 to the small mobile body 2 by non-contact power supply. This required power supply amount determining unit 22b determines the required power supply amount according to the judgment result of the baggage judgment unit 22a. For example, if the baggage includes baggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field such as electronic device 4, the required power supply amount is determined to be a small value. On the other hand, if the baggage does not include baggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field such as electronic device 4, the required power supply amount is determined to be a large value. In other words, the required power supply amount determining unit 22b determines the required power supply amount so that the power supply amount of the small mobile body 2 carrying baggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field is smaller than the power supply amount of the small mobile body 2 not carrying baggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field. In addition, the required power supply amount is determined to be a value larger than zero. In other words, although power is supplied to the small mobile body 2 carrying the electronic device 4, the power supply amount is configured to be small.

[0023] The approach signal generating unit 22c generates an approach signal. The approach signal generating unit 22c generates an approach signal including information on the required power supply amount determined by the required power supply amount determining unit 22b. The small moving object 2 transmits the approach signal including the information on the required power supply amount generated by the approach signal generating unit 22c from the communication unit 21 to the surroundings.

[0024] The drive control unit 22d executes drive control.

[0025] The power supply device 3 includes a communication unit 31 , a control unit 32 , and a power supply unit 33 .

[0026] The communication unit 31 performs wireless communication with the small mobile object 2. The communication unit 31 receives a signal transmitted from the small mobile object 2, and transmits a signal from the power supply device 3 to the small mobile object 2.

[0027] The control unit 32 is an electronic control device that controls the power supply device 3. This electronic control device is configured to include a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, and an input / output interface. That is, the control unit 32 performs signal processing according to a program prestored in the ROM. The control unit 32 then executes various controls based on a signal input from the communication unit 31. For example, the control unit 32 executes non-contact power supply control to control the power supply unit 33. At that time, a control signal is output from the control unit 32 to the power supply unit 33. The power supply unit 33 is configured to include a power transmission coil. For example, the power supply unit 33 is configured by a sheet-like power supply mat that can be carried around.

[0028] The control unit 32 also includes a moving object detection unit 32a and a power supply control unit 32b.

[0029] The moving body detection unit 32a detects a small moving body 2 approaching the power supply device 3. A small moving body 2 approaching the power supply device 3 for power supply transmits an approaching signal to the surroundings. Therefore, when the communication unit 31 of the power supply device 3 receives an approaching signal from the small moving body 2, the moving body detection unit 32a detects the approaching small moving body 2. In this embodiment, power is supplied to all small moving bodies 2 for which an approaching signal is detected, so the moving body detection unit 32a detects the power supply target by receiving an approaching signal.

[0030] The power supply control unit 32b executes non-contact power supply control. In the non-contact power supply control, the power supply unit 33 is controlled by the control unit 32, so that power is transmitted from the power supply unit 33 to the small mobile object 2 in a non-contact manner. The power supply control unit 32b controls the amount of power supply to the small mobile object 2 that has transmitted the approach signal according to the requested amount of power supply included in the approach signal. That is, the power supply control unit 32b supplies power to the small mobile object 2 based on the requested amount of power supply. That is, since the requested amount of power supply is set to a value greater than zero, the power supply control unit 32b supplies power to all small mobile objects 2 that have received the approach signal.

[0031] In the contactless power supply system 1 configured as above, the power supply control device of this embodiment is configured to include the control unit 22 of the small mobile object 2 and the control unit 32 of the power supply device 3.

[0032] 3 is a flow chart showing the control in the small moving body 2. The control shown in FIG.

[0033] The control unit 22 of the small moving object 2 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the previous transmission of the approach signal (step S1). The control unit 22 can grasp the elapsed time from the previous transmission based on the history information of the previous transmission of the approach signal.

[0034] If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous transmission of the approach signal (step S1: No), this control routine ends.

[0035] When a predetermined time has passed since the previous timing of transmitting the approach signal (step S1: Yes), the small mobile object 2 calculates the required power supply amount based on the baggage information (step S2). In step S2, a calculation is performed by the required power supply amount determination unit 22b. When information indicating that a baggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field is being carried is detected, the required power supply amount is determined to be a value smaller than the normal amount. On the other hand, when information indicating that a baggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field is not being carried is detected, the required power supply amount is determined to be the normal amount.

[0036] Then, the small mobile object 2 transmits an approach signal including information on the required power supply amount (step S3). In step S3, the approach signal including information on the required power supply amount created by the approach signal creation unit 22c is transmitted from the communication unit 21 to the surroundings. Furthermore, when the approach signal is transmitted in step S3, the control unit 22 stores history information including the transmission time in the storage unit. After the process of step S3 is performed, this control routine ends.

[0037] 4 is a flow chart showing the control in the power supply device 3. The control shown in FIG.

[0038] The control unit 32 of the power supply device 3 determines whether or not an approaching signal has been received (step S11). In step S11, it is determined whether or not the approaching signal has been received by the communication unit 31. If a small mobile object 2 is present near the power supply device 3, the approaching signal can be received, and if a small mobile object 2 is not present near the power supply device 3, the approaching signal is not received.

[0039] If the approach signal is not received (step S11: No), this control routine ends.

[0040] When an approach signal is received (step S11: Yes), the control unit 32 prepares to feed power according to the requested power supply amount (step S12). In step S12, the power supply unit 33 is controlled to feed power according to the power supply preparation information based on the information on the requested power supply amount included in the approach signal. This makes it possible to feed power from the power supply device 3 to the small moving object 2 at an amount according to the requested power supply amount. After the process of step S12 is performed, this control routine ends.

[0041] In the power supply control device of the contactless power supply system 1 configured in this manner, if the luggage is affected by a leakage magnetic field during power supply, the amount of power supplied to the small moving object 2 can be reduced to reduce the effect.

[0042] As described above, according to the embodiment, in a power supply control device applied to a non-contact power supply system 1, the effect of the leakage magnetic field on luggage can be reduced by suppressing the amount of power supplied to a small mobile body 2 while carrying luggage that is affected by the leakage magnetic field.

[0043] In the above example, the small moving object 2 is configured to determine the required power supply amount, but the present invention is not limited to this. As a modified example, the power supply device 3 may be configured to determine the power supply amount. The configuration of this modified example is illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7. In the description of the modified example, the same components as those in the above embodiment will be referred to by their reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a small moving object and a power supply device in a modified example.

[0045] In the small moving object 2, the control unit 22 includes a baggage determination unit 22a, an approach signal generation unit 22c, and a drive control unit 22d.

[0046] The approach signal creation unit 22c creates an approach signal including baggage information on the type of baggage being transported and identification information of the small mobile object 2. The baggage information is information that can be identified as information indicating that an electronic device 4 is loaded or information indicating that an electronic device 4 is not loaded based on information indicating the type of baggage. Then, the small mobile object 2 outputs an approach signal including the baggage information and the identification information from the communication unit 21.

[0047] Moreover, in the power supply device 3, the control unit 32 includes a moving object detection unit 32a, a power supply control unit 32b, and a power supply amount determination unit 32c.

[0048] The mobile object detector 32a receives an approach signal including baggage information and identification information, and thereby detects that the small mobile object 2 carrying the electronic device 4 is approaching the power supply device 3 for power supply.

[0049] The power supply amount determination unit 32c determines the amount of power to be supplied to the small mobile body 2. This power supply amount determination unit 32c determines the amount of power to be supplied based on the baggage information included in the approach signal. The power supply device 3 has a map showing the relationship between the type of baggage and the amount of power to be supplied. The power supply amount determination unit 32c uses this map when determining the amount of power to be supplied. That is, the power supply amount determination unit 32c determines the amount of power to be supplied by referring to this map based on the type of baggage included in the baggage information. For example, when the received baggage information includes information about a baggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field, the power supply amount of the small mobile body 2 is determined to be a value smaller than the power supply amount of a small mobile body 2 that is not carrying a baggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field. On the other hand, when the received baggage information does not include information about a baggage that is affected by a leakage magnetic field, the power supply amount of the small mobile body 2 is determined to be a normal amount. In addition, the power supply amount is determined to be a value larger than zero. That is, although power is supplied to the small mobile body 2 carrying the electronic device 4, the power supply amount is configured to be small.

[0050] The power supply control unit 32b controls the amount of power supply to the small moving object 2 according to the amount of power supply determined by the power supply amount determination unit 32c.

[0051] 6 is a flow chart showing the control of the small moving body in the modified example. The control of FIG. 6 is repeatedly performed by the control unit 22 of the small moving body 2.

[0052] The control unit 22 of the small moving object 2 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous timing of transmitting an approach signal (step S21).

[0053] If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous transmission of the approach signal (step S21: No), this control routine ends.

[0054] When a predetermined time has passed since the previous timing of transmitting the approach signal (step S21: Yes), the small mobile object 2 transmits the approach signal created by the approach signal creation unit 22c (step S22). The approach signal creation unit 22c creates an approach signal based on the determination result by the baggage determination unit 22a, and therefore may create an approach signal including baggage information and identification information, or may create an approach signal not including baggage information. Therefore, step S22 includes a case where an approach signal including baggage information and identification information is transmitted from the communication unit 21 to the surroundings, and a case where an approach signal not including baggage information is transmitted from the communication unit 21 to the surroundings. After the process of step S22 is performed, this control routine ends.

[0055] 7 is a flow chart showing control in the power supply device in the modified example. Note that the control shown in FIG.

[0056] The control unit 32 of the power supply device 3 determines whether or not an approach signal has been received (step S31).

[0057] If the approach signal is not received (step S31: No), this control routine ends.

[0058] When an approach signal is received (step S31: Yes), the control unit 32 determines the amount of power to be fed based on the baggage information included in the approach signal (step S32). In step S32, the amount of power to be fed is determined by the power feed amount determination unit 32c. For example, when the approach signal includes baggage information on baggage affected by a leakage magnetic field, the amount of power to be fed is determined to be smaller than when the approach signal does not include baggage information on baggage affected by a leakage magnetic field. On the other hand, when the approach signal does not include baggage information on baggage affected by a leakage magnetic field, the amount of power to be fed is determined to be normal. In other words, when the approach signal includes baggage information on baggage affected by a leakage magnetic field, the amount of power to be fed is determined to be smaller than the normal amount. In this way, the power feed amount determination unit 32c determines the amount of power to be fed (required amount of power to be fed) requested by the small moving object 2 that transmitted the approach signal.

[0059] Then, the control unit 32 performs power supply preparation according to the power supply amount (step S33). In step S33, the power supply control unit 32b controls the power supply unit 33 to perform power supply preparation. In this case, the small mobile object 2 that transmitted the reply signal will pass over the power supply device 3 to be supplied with power, so power supply preparation is performed in preparation for this. Therefore, for the small mobile object 2 that transmitted the approach signal including the baggage information affected by the leakage magnetic field, power supply preparation is performed to reduce the amount of power supply. On the other hand, for the small mobile object 2 that transmitted the approach signal including the baggage information not affected by the leakage magnetic field, power supply preparation is performed to set the amount of power supply to the normal level. That is, the power supply control unit 32b performs power supply preparation according to the requested power supply amount requested by the small mobile object 2. After performing the process of step S33, this control routine ends.

[0060] According to this modified example, if the luggage is affected by a leakage magnetic field when power is being supplied, the power supply device 3 determines the amount of power to be supplied to be a small value, and by supplying power according to that amount, the effect of the leakage magnetic field on the luggage can be reduced.

[0061] The power supply control device applied to the contactless power supply system 1 may be configured to include a control unit provided in a server. For example, the contactless power supply system 1 includes a server, and the server is connected to the small mobile object 2 and the power supply device 3 via a network so as to be able to transmit and receive information. In this case, the small mobile object 2 transmits an approach signal including baggage information to the server, and the server determines a required power supply amount based on the received approach signal. The determined required power supply amount is output to the power supply device 3 under the control of the server, and the power supply device 3 prepares for power supply according to the required power supply amount received from the server.

[0062] Although the small moving body 2 has been described, the moving body to be supplied with power is not limited to this. In other words, the contactless power supply system 1 can be applied to an electric car, a moving body that is not small, or the like to be supplied with power.

[0063] Furthermore, the timing of transmitting the approach signal is not limited to the timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous transmission, and may be, for example, transmitted periodically or according to other conditions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Wireless power supply system 2 Small mobile object 3 Power supply device 21 Communications Department 22 Control section 22a Baggage Check Section 22b Required power supply amount determination unit 22c Approach signal generator 22d Drive control unit 23 Power receiving section 24 Drive unit 31 Communications Department 32 Control section 32a Moving object detection unit 32b Power supply control section 33 Power supply unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A power supply control device that controls the amount of power supplied when supplying power from a power supply device to a small mobile object capable of electrically traveling and carrying luggage, The power supply device is disposed on a road surface on which the small moving object travels, and supplies power to the small moving object in a non-contact manner when the small moving object passes over the power supply device; The small moving body is An RFID reader that reads information from an IC tag attached to the luggage; A communication unit that performs wireless communication with the power supply device; A control unit for controlling the small moving body, The control unit is a determination unit that determines the type of luggage being carried by the small mobile object based on information on the IC tag acquired by the RFID reader, and determines whether or not the luggage currently being carried includes luggage that will be affected by a leakage magnetic field when power is supplied from the power supply device; a determination unit that determines a required power supply amount as the power supply amount to be supplied from the power supply device to the small moving body; a generation unit that generates an approach signal including information about the required power supply amount, The communication unit transmits the approach signal to the power supply device, The required power supply amount is determined to be a value greater than zero; The determination unit is If the currently transported luggage does not include luggage that is affected by the leakage magnetic field, the requested power supply amount is determined to be a normal amount; When the currently transported luggage includes luggage that is affected by the leakage magnetic field, the requested power supply amount is determined to be a value smaller than the normal amount. A power supply control device comprising:

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