Ground power supply equipment
The ground power supply device with a resonant circuit and advanced control system addresses the issue of prolonged downtime in contactless power supply systems by allowing quick resumption of power transmission to vehicles.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021101170
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-22
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-06-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing contactless power supply systems require restarting power transmission from the beginning when interrupted, leading to prolonged downtime before resuming power delivery to vehicles.
A ground power supply device with a resonant circuit and a control system that allows for shifting between standby, power transmission active, and main transmission states, enabling quick resumption of power transmission by maintaining a weak power supply to the resonant circuit.
Enables rapid resumption of power transmission to vehicles when interrupted, reducing downtime and improving efficiency in contactless power supply systems.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a ground power supply device. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there is known a contactless power supply system that transmits power contactlessly from a ground power supply device provided on the ground to a running vehicle using 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).As such a contactless power supply system, Patent Document 1 discloses a contactless power supply system that, when a plurality of processes related to power supply are interrupted while the processes are being executed in a predetermined order by transmitting and receiving data to and from the ground power supply device, resumes the plurality of processes from the beginning if the interruption point is before the completion of a predetermined process, and, on the other hand, executes the plurality of processes from the beginning up to the predetermined process and then resumes the process from the interruption point if the interruption point is after the completion of the predetermined process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-127313 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, when power transmission is to be resumed after being interrupted, if the processing for performing power transmission must be performed from the beginning, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to resume power transmission.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to make it possible to quickly resume power transmission when the power transmission is interrupted. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a ground power supply device that transmits power to a vehicle in a non-contact manner includes a power transmission device having a resonant circuit and transmitting power to the vehicle, and a control device configured to transition the state of the ground power supply device to a standby state when a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied while the state of the ground power supply device is in a main power transmission state or a power transmission active state, and to transition the state of the ground power supply device to a power transmission active state when the interruption condition is no longer satisfied while the state of the ground power supply device is in the standby state. The main power transmission state is a state in which power is supplied to the resonant circuit and power is transmitted to the vehicle, the power transmission active state is a state in which weak power is supplied to the resonant circuit and power can be transmitted to the vehicle, and the standby state is a state in which power supply to the resonant circuit is stopped and a transition to the power transmission active state is possible by supplying weak power to the resonant circuit. Effect of the Invention
[0007] According to this aspect of the present invention, when power transmission is interrupted, it is possible to quickly resume power transmission. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a contactless power supply system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the controller and devices connected to the controller. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the ECU and devices connected to the ECU. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of magnetic field detectors provided on a road. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system used in the contactless power supply system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of the server. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is an operation sequence diagram regarding communication among a vehicle, a server, and a ground power supply device using wide-area wireless communication. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an operation sequence diagram similar to FIG. 7, relating to communication among a vehicle, a server, and a ground power supply device using wide-area wireless communication. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process flow for communication using wide area wireless communication in the server. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow for communication using wide-area wireless communication in the ground power feeding device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the transition of operations and states of a vehicle and a ground power feeding device when a vehicle approaches the ground power feeding device and power feeding is performed. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the transition of states and operations of the ground power supply device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the transition of states and operations of the ground power supply device. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic transition of vehicle states and operations. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing the power reception end process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, like elements are designated by like reference numerals.
[0010] <Overall configuration of non-contact power supply system 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a schematic configuration of a contactless power supply system 1. The contactless power supply system 1 includes a ground power supply device 2 and a vehicle 3 traveling on a road 100, and performs contactless power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 by magnetic field resonant coupling (magnetic field resonance). In particular, in this embodiment, the contactless power supply system 1 performs contactless power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 when the vehicle 3 is traveling. Therefore, the ground power supply device 2 transmits power to the vehicle 3 in a contactless manner when the vehicle 3 is traveling, and the vehicle 3 receives power from the ground power supply device 2 in a contactless manner when the vehicle 3 is traveling. The ground power supply device 2 includes a power transmission device 4 configured to transmit power to the vehicle 3 in a contactless manner, and the vehicle 3 includes a power receiving device 5 configured to receive power from the power transmission device 4 in a contactless manner. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the power transmission device 4 is embedded in (underground) the road 100 on which the vehicle 3 travels, for example, in the center of the lane on which the vehicle 3 travels.
[0011] The term "driving" refers to a state in which the vehicle 3 is located on a road in order to drive. Therefore, the term "driving" includes not only a state in which the vehicle 3 is actually driving at any speed greater than zero, but also a state in which the vehicle 3 is stopped on the road, for example, while waiting for a traffic light. On the other hand, even if the vehicle 3 is located on the road, for example, when it is parked or stopped, it is not included in the "driving" state.
[0012] <Configuration of Ground Power Supply Equipment> 1, the ground power supply device 2 includes, in addition to the power transmission device 4, a power source 21 and a controller 22. The power source 21 and the controller 22 may be embedded in the road 100, or may be located at a location other than the road 100 (including on the ground).
[0013] The power source 21 supplies power to the power transmission device 4. The power source 21 is, for example, a commercial AC power source that supplies single-phase AC power. Note that the power source 21 may be another AC power source that supplies three-phase AC power, or may be a DC power source such as a fuel cell.
[0014] The power transmission device 4 transmits the electric power supplied from the power source 21 to the vehicle 3. The power transmission device 4 has a power transmission side rectifier circuit 41, an inverter 42, and a power transmission side resonant circuit 43. In the power transmission device 4, the AC power supplied from the power source 21 is rectified in the power transmission side rectifier circuit 41 and converted into a DC current, and the DC current is converted into AC power in the inverter 42. The AC power is supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43.
[0015] The power transmission side rectifier circuit 41 is electrically connected to the power source 21 and the inverter 42. The power transmission side rectifier circuit 41 rectifies AC power supplied from the power source 21 and converts it into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the inverter 42. The power transmission side rectifier circuit 41 is, for example, an AC / DC converter.
[0016] The inverter 42 is electrically connected to the power transmitting side rectifier circuit 41 and the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43. The inverter 42 converts the DC power supplied from the power transmitting side rectifier circuit 41 into AC power (high frequency power) having a higher frequency than the AC power of the power source 21, and supplies the high frequency power to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43.
[0017] The power transmission side resonant circuit 43 has a resonator composed of a coil 44 and a capacitor 45. Various parameters of the coil 44 and the capacitor 45 (such as the outer diameter and inner diameter of the coil 44, the number of turns of the coil 44, and the capacitance of the capacitor 45) are determined so that the resonant frequency of the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 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.
[0018] The power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 is disposed in the center of a lane on which the vehicle 3 passes so that the center of the coil 44 is located in the center of the lane. When high frequency power supplied from the inverter 42 is applied to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43, the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 generates an AC magnetic field for power transmission. Note that when the power source 21 is a DC power source, the power transmitting side rectifier circuit 41 may be omitted.
[0019] The controller 22 is, for example, a general-purpose computer, and performs various controls of the ground power supply device 2. For example, the controller 22 is electrically connected to an inverter 42 of the power transmission device 4, and controls the inverter 42 to control power transmission by the power transmission device 4. Furthermore, the controller 22 controls a ground-side first communication device 81 and a ground-side second communication device 82, which will be described later.
[0020] 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the controller 22 and devices connected to the controller 22. The controller 22 includes a communication interface 221, a memory 222, and a processor 223. The communication interface 221, the memory 222, and the processor 223 are connected to each other via signal lines.
[0021] The communication interface 221 has an interface circuit for connecting the controller 22 to various devices (e.g., the inverter 42, a ground sensor 23 described later, a ground first communication device 81, and a ground second communication device 82) constituting the ground power supply device 2. The controller 22 communicates with other devices via the communication interface 221.
[0022] The memory 222 includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory (for example, RAM), a non-volatile semiconductor memory (for example, ROM), etc. The memory 222 stores computer programs for executing various processes in the processor 223, various data used when the various processes are executed by the processor 223, etc. The memory 222 stores, for example, a list of vehicle identification information of vehicles that may receive power supply from the ground power supply device 2 (hereinafter referred to as an "identification information list"), and the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 currently being supplied with power.
[0023] The processor 223 has one or more central processing units (CPUs) and their peripheral circuits. The processor 223 may further have an arithmetic circuit such as a logical arithmetic unit or a numerical arithmetic unit. The processor 223 executes various processes based on computer programs stored in the memory 222.
[0024] 2, the ground power supply device 2 further includes a ground side sensor 23. The ground side sensor 23 detects the state of the ground power supply device 2. In this embodiment, the ground side sensor 23 includes, for example, a power transmission device current sensor that detects a current flowing through various devices of the power transmission device 4 (particularly, the power transmission side resonant circuit 43, the inverter 42, and the power transmission side rectifier circuit 41), a power transmission device voltage sensor that detects a voltage applied to the various devices of the power transmission device 4, a power transmission device temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the various devices of the power transmission device 4, a foreign object sensor that detects a foreign object on the road in which the power transmission device 4 is embedded, and a biological body sensor that detects a biological body on the road in which the power transmission device 4 is embedded. An output of the ground side sensor 23 is input to the controller 22.
[0025] The power transmitting device 4 may be configured to receive power from the vehicle 3. In this case, the power transmitting device 4 has a device or circuit for supplying the received power to the power source 21, similar to the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3 described below. In this case, the power transmitting device 4 may use a resonator constituted by the coil 44 and the capacitor 45 described above to receive power from the vehicle 3.
[0026] <Vehicle configuration> 1, the vehicle 3 has a motor 31, a battery 32, a power control unit (PCU) 33, and an electronic control unit (ECU) 34 in addition to the power receiving device 5. In this embodiment, the vehicle 3 is an electric vehicle (EV) in which the motor 31 drives the vehicle 3. However, the vehicle 3 may be a hybrid vehicle (HV) in which an internal combustion engine drives the vehicle 3 in addition to the motor 31.
[0027] The motor 31 is, for example, an AC synchronous motor, and functions as an electric motor and a generator. When functioning as an electric motor, the motor 31 is driven by electricity stored in a battery 32 as a power source. The output of the motor 31 is transmitted to the wheels 30 via a reduction gear and an axle. On the other hand, when the vehicle 3 decelerates, the motor 31 is driven by the rotation of the wheels 30, and functions as a generator to generate regenerative power.
[0028] The battery 32 is a rechargeable secondary battery, and is, for example, a lithium ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, or the like. The battery 32 stores power required for the vehicle 3 to travel (for example, driving power for the motor 31). When power received by the power receiving device 5 from the power transmitting device 4 is supplied, the battery 32 is charged. When regenerative power generated by the motor 31 is supplied to the battery 32, the battery 32 is charged. When the battery 32 is charged, the charging rate (SOC: State Of Charge) of the battery 32 is restored. The battery 32 may also be chargeable by an external power source other than the ground power supply device 2 via a charging port provided in the vehicle 3.
[0029] The PCU 33 is electrically connected to the battery 32 and the motor 31. The PCU 33 has an inverter, a boost converter, and a DC / DC converter. The inverter converts DC power supplied from the battery 32 into AC power and supplies the AC power to the motor 31. Meanwhile, the inverter converts AC power (regenerative power) generated by the motor 31 into DC power and supplies the DC power to the battery 32. The boost converter boosts the voltage of the battery 32 as necessary when the power stored in the battery 32 is supplied to the motor 31. The DC / DC converter lowers the voltage of the battery 32 when the power stored in the battery 32 is supplied to electronic devices such as headlights.
[0030] The power receiving device 5 receives power from the power transmitting device 4 and supplies the received power to the battery 32. The power receiving device 5 includes a power receiving side resonant circuit 51, a power receiving side rectifier circuit 54, and a charging circuit 55.
[0031] The power receiving side resonant circuit 51 is disposed at the bottom of the vehicle 3 so as to reduce the distance from the road surface. In this embodiment, the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 is disposed at the center of the vehicle 3 in the vehicle width direction. The power receiving side resonant circuit 51 has a configuration similar to that of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43, and has a resonator composed of a coil 52 and a capacitor 53. Various parameters of the coil 52 and the capacitor 53 (outer diameter and inner diameter of the coil 52, the number of turns of the coil 52, the capacitance of the capacitor 53, etc.) are determined so that the resonant frequency of the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 matches the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43. Note that if the deviation between the resonant frequency of the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 is small, for example, if the resonant frequency of the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 is within a range of ±20% of the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43, the resonant frequency of the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 does not necessarily need to match the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43.
[0032] 1, when the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 faces the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and an AC magnetic field is generated by the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43, the vibration of the AC magnetic field is transmitted to the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 which resonates at the same resonant frequency as the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43. As a result, an induced current flows in the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 due to electromagnetic induction, and an induced electromotive force is generated in the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 due to the induced current. That is, the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 transmits power to the power receiving side resonant circuit 51, and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 receives power from the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43.
[0033] The power receiving side rectifier circuit 54 is electrically connected to the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and the charging circuit 55. The power receiving side rectifier circuit 54 rectifies the AC power supplied from the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and converts it into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the charging circuit 55. The power receiving side rectifier circuit 54 is, for example, an AC / DC converter.
[0034] The charging circuit 55 is electrically connected to the power receiving side rectifier circuit 54 and the battery 32. In particular, the charging circuit 55 is connected to the battery 32 via a relay 38. The charging circuit 55 converts the DC power supplied from the power receiving side rectifier circuit 54 to a voltage level of the battery 32 and supplies the converted power to the battery 32. When the power transmitted from the power transmitting device 4 is supplied to the battery 32 by the power receiving device 5, the battery 32 is charged. The charging circuit 55 is, for example, a DC / DC converter.
[0035] The ECU 34 performs various controls of the vehicle 3. For example, the ECU 34 is electrically connected to a charging circuit 55 of the power receiving device 5, and controls the charging circuit 55 to control charging of the battery 32 with power transmitted from the power transmitting device 4. The ECU 34 is also electrically connected to the PCU 33, and controls the PCU 33 to control the exchange of power between the battery 32 and the motor 31. Furthermore, the ECU 34 controls a first vehicle-side communication device 71 and a second vehicle-side communication device 72, which will be described later.
[0036] 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ECU 34 and devices connected to the ECU 34. The ECU 34 has a communication interface 341, a memory 342, and a processor 343. The communication interface 341, the memory 342, and the processor 343 are connected to each other via signal lines.
[0037] The communication interface 341 has an interface circuit for connecting the ECU 34 to an in-vehicle network that complies with standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network). The ECU 34 communicates with other devices via the communication interface 341.
[0038] The memory 342 includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory (for example, a RAM) and a non-volatile semiconductor memory (for example, a ROM). The memory 342 stores computer programs for executing various processes in the processor 343, various data used when the processor 343 executes various processes, and the like.
[0039] The processor 343 has one or more central processing units (CPUs) and their peripheral circuits. The processor 343 may further have an arithmetic circuit such as a logical arithmetic unit or a numerical arithmetic unit. The processor 343 executes various processes based on the computer programs stored in the memory 342.
[0040] 3, the vehicle 3 further includes a GNSS receiver 35, a storage device 36, a plurality of vehicle-side sensors 37, and a relay 38. The GNSS receiver 35, the storage device 36, the vehicle-side sensors 37, and the relay 38 are electrically connected to the ECU 34 via an in-vehicle network.
[0041] The GNSS receiver 35 detects the current position of the vehicle 3 (e.g., the latitude and longitude of the vehicle 3) based on positioning information obtained from a plurality of (e.g., three or more) positioning satellites. Specifically, the GNSS receiver 35 captures a plurality of positioning satellites and receives radio waves transmitted from the positioning satellites. The GNSS receiver 35 then calculates the distance to the positioning satellite based on the difference between the transmission time and reception time of the radio waves, and detects the current position of the vehicle 3 based on the distance to the positioning satellite and the position (orbit information) of the positioning satellite. The output of the GNSS receiver 35, i.e., the current position of the vehicle 3 detected by the GNSS receiver 35, is transmitted to the ECU 34. For example, a GPS receiver is used as the GNSS receiver 35.
[0042] The storage device 36 stores data. The storage device 36 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or an optical recording medium. In this embodiment, the storage device 36 stores map information. The map information includes information about roads as well as information about the installation position of the ground power supply device 2. The ECU 34 acquires the map information from the storage device 36. Note that the storage device 36 does not necessarily need to include the map information. In this case, the ECU 34 may acquire the map information from outside the vehicle 3 (for example, a server 91 described later) via the vehicle-side first communication device 71.
[0043] The vehicle-side sensor 37 detects the state of the vehicle 3. In this embodiment, the vehicle-side sensor 37 includes, as sensors for detecting the state of the vehicle 3, a speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle 3, a battery temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the battery 32, a power receiving device temperature sensor for detecting the temperatures of various devices of the power receiving device 5 (particularly, the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and the power receiving side rectifier circuit 54), a battery current sensor for detecting the charging current value and the discharging current value of the battery 32, a power receiving device current sensor for detecting the current flowing through the various devices of the power receiving device 5, and a power receiving device voltage sensor for detecting the voltage applied to the various devices of the power receiving device 5. An output of the vehicle-side sensor 37 is input to the ECU 34.
[0044] The relay 38 is disposed between the battery 32 and the power receiving device 5, and connects / disconnects the battery 32 and the power receiving device 5. When the relay 38 is connected, the power received by the power receiving device 5 is supplied to the battery 32. However, when the relay 38 is disconnected, no current flows from the power receiving device 5 to the battery 32, and therefore the power receiving device 5 is substantially unable to receive power.
[0045] The power receiving device 5 may be configured to transmit power to the ground power supply device 2. In this case, the power receiving device 5 has a configuration for transmitting power from the battery 32 to the ground power supply device 2, similar to the power transmitting device 4 of the ground power supply device 2. In this case, the power receiving device 5 may use a resonator constituted by the coil 52 and the capacitor 53 described above to transmit power to the ground power supply device 2.
[0046] <Configuration of lateral deviation detection device> In order to efficiently perform contactless power transmission, it is necessary that the positional deviation between the power transmission device 4 of the ground power supply device 2 and the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3 is small. For this reason, in this embodiment, the contactless power supply system 1 has a lateral deviation detection device for detecting the positional deviation (hereinafter referred to as "lateral deviation") between the power transmission device 4 and the power receiving device 5 in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle 3. In particular, in this embodiment, the lateral deviation detection device includes an AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 and an AC power generating circuit 64 provided in the vehicle 3, and a magnetic field detector 66 provided in the ground power supply device 2.
[0047] The AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 generates an AC magnetic field (hereinafter referred to as "AC magnetic field for lateral displacement detection") for detecting the relative positional relationship between the power transmitting device 4 (particularly, the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43) and the power receiving device 5 (particularly, the power receiving side resonant circuit 51). The AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 is disposed at the bottom of the vehicle 3 so as to reduce the distance from the road surface. In this embodiment, the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 is disposed at the center of the vehicle 3 in the vehicle width direction, and disposed forward of the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 3. The AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 may be disposed at the same position as the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 or behind the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 3.
[0048] The AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 has a configuration similar to that of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43, and includes a resonator including a coil 62 and a capacitor 63. Various parameters of the coil 62 and the capacitor 63 (such as the outer diameter and inner diameter of the coil 62, the number of turns of the coil 62, and the capacitance of the capacitor 63) are determined so that the resonant frequency of the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 becomes a predetermined set value. The predetermined set value is set to a value different from the resonant frequency of the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43, i.e., the resonant frequency of the magnetic field resonant coupling. Note that the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 does not necessarily need to generate a magnetic field by resonance, and therefore does not necessarily need to include the capacitor 63.
[0049] The AC power generating circuit 64 is electrically connected to the battery 32 and the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61. The AC power generating circuit 64 generates AC power and supplies the AC power to the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61. For example, the AC power generating circuit 64 has an oscillation circuit and an amplifier. The oscillation circuit is composed of, for example, an inverter, and converts the DC power supplied from the battery 32 into AC power of a predetermined frequency. The amplifier amplifies the output power (AC power) of the oscillation circuit.
[0050] 1, the AC power generating circuit 64 is electrically connected to the ECU 34, and the ECU 34 controls the AC power generating circuit 64. Based on a command from the ECU 34, the AC power generating circuit 64 converts the DC power supplied from the battery 32 into AC power, and supplies the AC power to the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61.
[0051] The magnetic field detector 66 detects the surrounding magnetic field. The magnetic field detector 66 is, for example, a magneto-impedance (MI) sensor. Driving power for the magnetic field detector 66 is supplied to the magnetic field detector 66 from, for example, the power source 21 via a driving circuit. The magnetic field detector 66 may be a hall sensor, a magneto-resistive (MR) sensor, or the like.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of magnetic field detectors 66 provided on a road 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic field detector 66 is arranged on the road on which the power transmitting device 4 is provided, in front of the power transmitting side resonance circuit 43 of the power transmitting device 4 in the traveling direction of the vehicle 3. A plurality of magnetic field detectors 66 are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle 3. Particularly, in this embodiment, the plurality of magnetic field detectors 66 are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle 3, and are arranged at equal intervals in this direction, for example. The magnetic field detectors 66 are arranged underground (under the road surface) or on the road surface. When an AC magnetic field for detecting lateral deviation is emitted from the vehicle 3 around the magnetic field detector 66, the magnetic field detector 66 detects the AC magnetic field for detecting position deviation.
[0053] The magnetic field detector 66 is electrically connected to the controller 22, and the output of the magnetic field detector 66 is transmitted to the controller 22. Therefore, in this embodiment, the output from the magnetic field detector 66 is input to the controller 22, and the controller 22 detects the presence or absence of lateral misalignment between the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43, i.e., the presence or absence of lateral misalignment between the power transmitting device 4 and the power receiving device 5, based on this output.
[0054] In the lateral deviation detection device configured in this manner, a lateral deviation between the power receiving resonant circuit 51 and the power transmitting resonant circuit 43 in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle 3 is detected according to the strength of the magnetic field detected by the multiple magnetic field detectors 66 arranged when the vehicle 3 passes over the ground power supply device 2. When the lateral deviation between the power receiving resonant circuit 51 and the power transmitting resonant circuit 43 is small, that is, when the vehicle 3 is traveling near the center of the lane, the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detector 66 arranged at the center of the lane is the strongest. On the other hand, when the lateral deviation between the power receiving resonant circuit 51 and the power transmitting resonant circuit 43 is large, that is, when the vehicle 3 is traveling deviated from the center of the lane, the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detector 66 arranged away from the center of the lane is the strongest. In this way, the lateral deviation detection device can detect the presence or absence of a lateral deviation between the power receiving resonant circuit 51 and the power transmitting resonant circuit 43, that is, the presence or absence of a lateral deviation between the power transmitting device 4 and the power receiving device 5.
[0055] In this embodiment, the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 is provided in the vehicle 3, and the magnetic field detector 66 is provided in the ground power feeding device 2. However, the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 may be provided in the ground power feeding device 2, and the magnetic field detector may be provided in the vehicle 3. In this case, the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 detects the presence or absence of a lateral misalignment between the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 based on the output of the magnetic field detector provided in the vehicle 3.
[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, the lateral deviation detection device detects the presence or absence of lateral deviation using a magnetic field. However, the lateral deviation detection device may detect lateral deviation using something other than a magnetic field, for example, sonar using ultrasonic waves. In addition, in this embodiment, the lateral deviation detection device detects the presence or absence of lateral deviation, but may also detect the amount of lateral deviation of the vehicle 3 from the center of the lane. In this case, if the amount of lateral deviation detected by the lateral deviation detection device is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the lateral deviation detection device determines that lateral deviation has occurred.
[0057] <Communication system configuration> 1, in order to perform contactless power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3, the ground power supply device 2 needs to identify the vehicle 3 traveling on the power transmission device 4 and needs information such as the required power supply of the vehicle 3. Therefore, in order to perform such contactless power transmission, various types of vehicle information including vehicle identification information needs to be transmitted from the vehicle 3 to the ground power supply device 2, and the ground power supply device 2 needs to receive the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle 3.
[0058] In order to identify the vehicle 3 traveling on the power transmission device 4, the ground power supply device 2 needs to receive vehicle identification information only from the vehicle 3 traveling near the ground power supply device 2. On the other hand, if the speed of the vehicle 3 increases, there is a risk that it will not be possible to receive all vehicle information, including the requested power supply, from the vehicle 3 while traveling near the ground power supply device 2.
[0059] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle 3 is some distance away from the installation position of the ground power supply device 2, the vehicle 3 transmits the vehicle information linked to the vehicle identification information from the vehicle 3 to the ground power supply device 2 by wide-area wireless communication. Then, when the vehicle 3 approaches the installation position of the ground power supply device 2 or when the vehicle 3 reaches the power transmission device 4 of the ground power supply device 2, the vehicle 3 transmits the vehicle identification information from the vehicle 3 to the ground power supply device 2 by short-range wireless communication. That is, in this embodiment, after the vehicle information is transmitted in advance from the vehicle 3 to the ground power supply device 2 by wide-area wireless communication, the vehicle identification information is transmitted from the vehicle 3 to the ground power supply device 2 by short-range wireless communication.
[0060] Here, the vehicle identification information is information for identifying the vehicle 3, for example, a vehicle ID. This vehicle identification information is stored in advance in the memory 342 of the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3.
[0061] The vehicle information is information of the vehicle 3 related to power transmission and includes vehicle identification information. The vehicle information includes, for example, power (or power amount) requested to be received from the ground power supply device 2, that is, the vehicle required power (or vehicle required power amount). The vehicle required power is calculated in the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3. The vehicle information may also include information on the vehicle state such as the state of the power receiving device 5 (connection state between the battery 32 and the power receiving device 5), the charging rate SOC of the battery 32, the temperature of the battery 32, and the allowable charging power Win. In this case, the charging rate SOC of the battery 32 is calculated in the ECU 34 based on the charging current value and discharging current value of the battery 32 detected by the vehicle side sensor 37 (battery current sensor). The temperature of the battery 32 is detected by the vehicle side sensor 37 (battery temperature sensor). In addition, the allowable charging power Win indicates the maximum charging power for preventing the deposition of metallic lithium on the negative electrode surface of the lithium-ion battery, and this allowable charging power Win is calculated in the ECU 34 based on the charging history of the battery 32, the charging rate SOC of the battery 32, and the temperature of the battery 32.
[0062] In addition, the vehicle information includes current position information of the vehicle 3. The current position information of the vehicle 3 is calculated in the ECU 34 based on the output of the GNSS receiver 35. Furthermore, the vehicle information may include information about the power receiving device 5, such as various parameters of the coil 44 and the capacitor 45 of the power receiving device 5 (such as the outer diameter and inner diameter of the coil 44, the number of turns of the coil 44, and the capacitance of the capacitor 45), the height of the coil 44 from the ground, and the resonant frequency of the power receiving side resonant circuit 51. Such vehicle information is pre-stored in the memory 342 of the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3. Furthermore, the vehicle information may include user information required for billing the usage fee, such as authentication information for identifying the user's payment account. Such vehicle information is, for example, pre-registered by the user using an input device of the vehicle 3, or pre-registered by inserting a card having authentication information into a card reading device provided in the vehicle 3.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system used in the contactless power supply system 1. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the vehicle 3 has a vehicle-side first communication device 71 that performs wide-area wireless communication and a vehicle-side second communication device 72 that performs short-range wireless communication. The vehicle-side first communication device 71 and the vehicle-side second communication device 72 are connected to the ECU 34 via an in-vehicle network. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the ground power supply device 2 has a ground-side first communication device 81 that performs wide-area wireless communication and a ground-side second communication device 82 that performs short-range wireless communication. The ground-side first communication device 81 and the ground-side second communication device 82 are electrically connected to the controller 22 by wire. In particular, in this embodiment, the vehicle-side first communication device 71 and the ground-side first communication device 81 directly or indirectly perform one-way or two-way communication using wide-area wireless communication. The vehicle-side second communication device 72 and the ground-side second communication device 82 directly perform one-way or two-way communication using short-range wireless communication.
[0064] Wide-area wireless communication has a longer communication distance than narrow-area wireless communication, and specifically, the communication distance is, for example, 10 meters to 10 kilometers. As the wide-area wireless communication, various wireless communication having 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. As described above, in this embodiment, vehicle information linked to vehicle identification information is transmitted from the vehicle 3 to the ground power supply device 2 using wide-area wireless communication.
[0065] In this embodiment, the vehicle-side first communication device 71 of the vehicle 3 and the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2 communicate with each other via a server 91. Specifically, the server 91 is connected to a plurality of wireless base stations 93 via a communication network 92 configured with optical communication lines or the like. The vehicle-side first communication device 71 and the ground-side first communication device 81 communicate with the wireless base station 93 using wide-area wireless communication. Therefore, the vehicle-side first communication device 71 of the vehicle 3 and the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2 communicate with each other using wide-area wireless communication.
[0066] The ground-side first communication device 81 may be connected to the communication network 92 by wire. Therefore, the ground-side first communication device 81 may be connected to the server 91 by wire rather than wirelessly. Furthermore, the vehicle-side first communication device 71 may communicate with the ground-side first communication device 81 directly by wireless communication or via a communication network without going through the server 91. Therefore, the server 91 communicates with the vehicle 3 by wide-area wireless communication and also communicates with the ground power supply device 2 wirelessly or by wire.
[0067] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of the server 91. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the server 91 includes an external communication module 911, a storage device 912, and a processor 913. The server 91 may also include input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a display.
[0068] The external communication module 911 communicates with devices (such as the ground power supply device 2 and the vehicle 3) outside the server 91. The external communication module 911 includes an interface circuit for connecting the server 91 to the communication network 92. The external communication module 911 is configured to be able to communicate with each of the multiple vehicles 3 and the ground power supply devices 2 via the communication network 92 and the wireless base station 93.
[0069] The storage device 912 includes a volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM), a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or an optical recording medium. The storage device 912 stores computer programs for executing various processes by the processor 913, and various data used when the various processes are executed by the processor 913. In this embodiment, the storage device 912 also stores map information. The map information includes information about roads, as well as information about the installation position of the ground power supply device 2.
[0070] The processor 913 has one or more CPUs and their peripheral circuits. The processor 913 may further have an arithmetic circuit such as a GPU, a logical arithmetic unit, or a numerical arithmetic unit. The processor 913 executes various arithmetic processes based on computer programs stored in the storage device 912 of the server 91.
[0071] The short-range wireless communication refers to communication with a shorter communication distance than the wide-area wireless communication, and specifically refers to communication with a communication distance of less than 10 meters, for example. As the short-range wireless communication, various short-distance wireless communication with a short communication distance can be used, for example, communication conforming to any communication standard (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark)) established by IEEE, ISO, IEC, etc. is used. In addition, as a technology for performing the short-range wireless communication, for example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), DSRC (dedicated Short Range Communication), etc. are used. As described above, in this embodiment, the vehicle identification information is transmitted from the vehicle 3 to the ground power supply device 2 by using the short-range wireless communication.
[0072] In this embodiment, the vehicle-side second communication device 72 of the vehicle 3 and the ground-side second communication device 82 of the ground power supply device 2 communicate directly with each other through short-range wireless communication. In this embodiment, the vehicle-side second communication device 72 transmits a signal including vehicle identification information, and the ground-side second communication device 82 receives the signal including the vehicle identification information.
[0073] The vehicle-side second communication device 72 has an antenna that generates radio waves or a magnetic field, and a transmission circuit that supplies power or current to the antenna. The transmission circuit has an oscillation circuit, a modulation circuit, and an amplification circuit, and the modulation circuit modulates a carrier wave generated by the oscillation circuit according to the vehicle identification information, and the modulation circuit amplifies the carrier wave to generate an AC current (AC power) that is supplied to the antenna. As a result, the antenna generates radio waves or a magnetic field.
[0074] The ground side second communication device 82 has an antenna for receiving radio waves or magnetic fields, and a receiving circuit for extracting information from the radio waves or magnetic fields received by the antenna. The receiving circuit has an amplifier circuit and a demodulator circuit, and extracts information (here, vehicle identification information) contained in the signal by amplifying a weak current generated by the radio waves or magnetic fields received by the antenna in the amplifier circuit and demodulating the amplified signal in the demodulator circuit.
[0075] The communication between the vehicle-side second communication device 72 and the ground-side second communication device 82 may be performed by radio waves or by magnetic fields (i.e., by electromagnetic induction). In particular, when the frequency of the carrier wave is low (for example, 50 Hz to 50 kHz), communication is performed by magnetic fields. In this case, a coil is used as the antenna.
[0076] In the present embodiment, the vehicle-side second communication device 72 is configured to transmit signals, and the ground-side second communication device 82 is configured to receive signals. However, the vehicle-side second communication device 72 may have a receiving circuit so as to be able to receive signals in addition to transmitting signals, and the ground-side second communication device 82 may have a transmitting circuit so as to be able to transmit signals in addition to receiving signals.
[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle-side second communication device 72 and the ground-side second communication device 82 are provided in the vehicle 3 and the ground power supply device 2 as devices separate from the lateral deviation detection device. However, the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 of the lateral deviation detection device may be used as the vehicle-side second communication device 72, and the magnetic field detector 66 of the lateral deviation detection device may be used as the ground-side second communication device 82. In this case, the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 generates an AC magnetic field by an AC current modulated according to the vehicle identification information, and the magnetic field detector 66 extracts the vehicle identification information by demodulating the AC current generated by the detected AC magnetic field. Therefore, in this case, the lateral deviation is detected based on the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detector 66, and the vehicle identification information is extracted from a signal included in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detector 66.
[0078] <Outline of power supply flow> Next, a schematic flow of control when wireless power transfer is performed from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 in the wireless power supply system 1 of this embodiment will be described.
[0079] When performing contactless power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3, first, the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 causes the vehicle-side first communication device 71 to transmit vehicle information linked with the vehicle identification information to the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2. When the vehicle-side first communication device 71 transmits the vehicle information linked with the vehicle identification information, the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2 receives the vehicle information via wide-area wireless communication. In particular, in this embodiment, for a vehicle 3 located within a predetermined vicinity area around the ground power supply device 2, the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2 receives the vehicle information of the vehicle 3.
[0080] As described above, the memory 222 of the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 stores an identification information list of vehicle identification information of vehicles 3 that may receive power from the ground power supply device. When the ground-side first communication device 81 receives vehicle information linked to the vehicle identification information from the vehicle 3, the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 registers the vehicle identification information linked to the vehicle information in the identification information list. In particular, in this embodiment, since the ground-side first communication device 81 receives vehicle information of the vehicle 3 located within the vicinity area, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 located within the vicinity area is registered in the identification information list.
[0081] When at least one vehicle identification information of a vehicle 3 is registered in the identification information list, the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 operates the ground side second communication device 82 (sets the ground side second communication device 82 to a "reception standby state" described later) so as to be able to communicate with the vehicle side second communication device 72, i.e., so as to be able to receive vehicle identification information from the vehicle side second communication device 72. When the ground side second communication device 82 is operated in this manner, when a vehicle 3 that is transmitting a signal including vehicle identification information from the vehicle side second communication device 72 approaches, the ground side second communication device 82 can receive the signal including vehicle identification information transmitted from the vehicle side second communication device 72.
[0082] Furthermore, when the vehicle identification information is registered in the identification information list, the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 causes the ground-side first communication device 81 to transmit a notification that the vehicle identification information has been registered in the identification information list to the vehicle 3 identified by the vehicle identification information. Note that, when the vehicle identification information is registered in the identification information list as described above, the ground-side second communication device 82 is activated. Therefore, the notification that the vehicle identification information has been registered in the identification information list can be said to be a notification indicating that the ground-side second communication device 82 will be activated or has been activated so that the ground power supply device 2 can receive the vehicle identification information using short-range wireless communication.
[0083] When the vehicle-side first communication device 71 receives a notification from the ground-side first communication device 81 via wide-area wireless communication that the vehicle identification information has been registered in the identification information list, the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 supplies power to the vehicle-side second communication device 72 to operate it so that it can transmit a signal including the vehicle identification information to the ground-side second communication device 82 of the ground power supply device 2 when the vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supply device 2, and also supplies power to the power receiving device 5 to operate it so that it can receive power from the ground power supply device 2 when the vehicle 3 runs over the ground power supply device 2 (the "power receiving active signal transmitting state" described later).
[0084] When the vehicle-side second communication device 72 is activated to transmit a signal including vehicle identification information and the ground-side second communication device 82 is activated so as to be able to communicate with the vehicle-side second communication device 72, when the vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supply device 2, the ground-side second communication device 82 receives the signal including the vehicle identification information transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 of the vehicle 3.
[0085] When the ground-side second communication device 82 receives the vehicle identification information, the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 checks the received vehicle identification information against the identification information list. When the received vehicle identification information is registered in the identification information list, the controller 22 supplies power to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 so that power can be transmitted to the vehicle 3 when the vehicle 3 travels on the ground power supply device 2 (sets the controller 22 to a "power transmission active state" to be described later). When the vehicle 3 moves with power supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2 and the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3 in an activated state, the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 is positioned above the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2, power is supplied from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3. When the vehicle 3 moves and the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3 moves away from the power transmitting device 4 of the ground power supply device 2, power supply is terminated.
[0086] As described above, in this embodiment, when the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 receives power from the ground power supply device 2, the ECU 34 causes the vehicle-side first communication device 71 to transmit the vehicle information linked to the vehicle identification information to the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2. In addition, after the vehicle-side first communication device 71 transmits the vehicle information, the ECU 34 causes the vehicle-side second communication device 72 to transmit the vehicle identification information to the ground-side second communication device 82 of the ground power supply device 2. As a result, while the vehicle 3 is traveling near the ground power supply device 2, the ground power supply device 2 needs to receive only the vehicle identification information via short-range wireless communication, and does not need to receive other vehicle information via short-range wireless communication. Therefore, even if the speed of the vehicle 3 is somewhat high, it is possible to transmit necessary information to the ground power supply device 2.
[0087] <Communications using wide-area wireless communication> Next, communication between the vehicle 3, the server 91, and the ground power supply device 2 using wide-area wireless communication and operations of the vehicle 3, the server 91, and the ground power supply device 2 related to this communication will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 10. Fig. 7 is an operation sequence diagram related to communication between the vehicle 3, the server 91, and the ground power supply device 2 using wide-area wireless communication.
[0088] 7, the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 acquires vehicle information and causes the vehicle-side first communication device 71 to transmit the acquired vehicle information to the server 91 via wide-area wireless communication (step S11). As described above, the vehicle information includes vehicle identification information, various parameters of the power receiving device 5, current position information of the vehicle 3, vehicle required power, and other information of the vehicle 3 related to power transmission. The ECU 34 acquires the vehicle identification information and various parameters of the power receiving device 5 from the memory 342, and acquires current position information of the vehicle 3 from the GNSS receiver 35. The ECU 34 also calculates the vehicle required power based on various states of the vehicle 3. Specifically, the ECU 34 sets the vehicle required power to be smaller as the charging rate SOC of the battery 32 is higher, and sets the vehicle required power to be smaller as the temperature of the battery 32 is higher.
[0089] Furthermore, the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 causes the vehicle-side first communication device 71 to transmit vehicle information at predetermined time intervals. This time interval is always constant. Alternatively, this time interval may change depending on the situation. In this case, specifically, for example, this time interval is set to be shorter as the distance from the current position of the vehicle 3 acquired from the GNSS receiver 35 to the installation position of the ground power supply device 2 stored in the storage device 36 becomes shorter.
[0090] When the server 91 receives vehicle information from a plurality of vehicles 3 capable of communicating with the server 91, the server 91 identifies vehicle identification information of the vehicles 3 located within a vicinity area of each ground power supply device 2 based on the current position information of each vehicle 3 included in the vehicle information (step S12). Specifically, the server 91 identifies vehicle identification information of the vehicles 3 located within a predetermined vicinity area around each ground power supply device 2 based on the current position information of each vehicle 3 included in the vehicle information received from each vehicle 3 and the installation position information of each ground power supply device 2 stored in the storage device 912 of the server 91.
[0091] The "vicinity area" is set, for example, as an area within a predetermined distance (e.g., 500 m) from the target ground power supply device 2. Alternatively, the "vicinity area" may be set as an area within a predetermined first distance from the target ground power supply device 2 for a lane on which vehicles 3 heading toward the ground power supply device 2 travel, and within a predetermined second distance, shorter than the first distance, from the target ground power supply device 2 for a lane on which vehicles 3 moving away from the ground power supply device 2 travel.
[0092] Furthermore, the "vicinity area" may be an area that expands as the speed of the vehicle 3 increases. Specifically, for example, when a certain area is set as the "predetermined area" for a vehicle 3 whose speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference speed, an area that includes the certain area and is wider than the certain area is set as the "vicinity area" for a vehicle whose speed is faster than the predetermined reference speed. In this case, the faster the speed of the vehicle 3, the longer the distance from the current position of the vehicle 3 to the installation position of the ground power supply device 2 when the vehicle information is transmitted to the ground power supply device 2 by the vehicle-side first communication device 71 via the server 91.
[0093] The server 91 identifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 located within the vicinity area of each ground power supply device 2 at each predetermined time interval. This time interval is preferably approximately the same as the shortest time interval at which the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 transmits vehicle information to the server 91.
[0094] When the server 91 specifies the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 located within the vicinity area of each ground power supply device 2, the server 91 transmits the vehicle information of the vehicle 3 linked to the specified vehicle identification information to each ground power supply device 2 via the communication network 92 (step S13). Therefore, the server 91 transmits the vehicle information of the vehicle 3 located within the vicinity area around the ground power supply device 2 to each ground power supply device 2. The vehicle information transmitted at this time includes information necessary for the ground power supply device 2 to supply power to the vehicle 3 in addition to the vehicle identification information.
[0095] When the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2 receives the vehicle information from the server 91, the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 registers or deletes the vehicle identification information in the identification information list based on the vehicle identification information linked to the received vehicle information (step S14). Specifically, in this embodiment, the controller 22 registers or deletes the vehicle identification information in the identification information list so that the vehicle identification information linked to the received vehicle information is registered in the identification information list without excess or deficiency.
[0096] When the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 registers / deletes the vehicle identification information in the identification information list, it causes the server 91 to transmit the vehicle identification information registered in the identification information list to the ground-side first communication device 81 via the communication network 92 (step S15). The controller 22 transmits the vehicle identification information to the server 91 at predetermined time intervals. At this time, the controller 22 transmits all of the vehicle identification information registered in the identification information list. Note that the controller 22 may transmit only the vehicle identification information newly registered in the identification information list and the vehicle identification information deleted from the identification information list. In this case, the controller 22 may transmit the vehicle identification information to the server 91 every time the vehicle identification information listed in the identification information list changes, rather than at predetermined time intervals.
[0097] When the server 91 receives the vehicle identification information registered in the identification information list from the ground power supply device 2, the server 91 transmits a notification that the vehicle identification information is registered in the identification information list (hereinafter, referred to as a "list registration notification") to the vehicle 3 corresponding to the vehicle identification information registered in the identification information list (step S16). In this embodiment, the list registration notification is transmitted at regular time intervals. The list registration notification may include the identification information or installation location information of the ground power supply device 2 whose vehicle identification information is registered in the identification information list. As a result, when the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 is registered in the identification information list of any of the ground power supply devices 2, the list registration notification is transmitted to the vehicle 3. On the other hand, when the vehicle identification information list of the vehicle 3 is not registered in the identification information list of any of the ground power supply devices 2, the list registration notification is not transmitted to the vehicle 3. Therefore, each vehicle 3 can always know whether its own vehicle identification information is registered in any of the ground power supply devices 2. In addition, when receiving only newly registered or deleted vehicle identification information from the server 91, the server 91 transmits a notification to the vehicle 3 corresponding to this vehicle identification information that the vehicle identification information has been registered in or deleted from the identification information list.
[0098] Incidentally, in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 7, registration / deletion of the vehicle identification information in the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2 is determined based only on whether the vehicle 3 is located in the vicinity area of the ground power supply device 2. Therefore, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 is basically deleted from the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2 when the vehicle 3 moves out of the vicinity area of the ground power supply device 2. However, registration / deletion of the vehicle identification information in the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2 may be performed based on other factors. Specifically, for example, when power supply to the vehicle 3 is terminated in a certain ground power supply device 2, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 may be deleted from the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2. In addition, when a request is made from the vehicle 3 to delete the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 from the identification information list of a specific ground power supply device 2, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 may be deleted from the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2.
[0099] Fig. 8 is an operation sequence diagram similar to Fig. 7, which relates to communication among the vehicle 3, the server 91, and the ground power supply device 2 using wide-area wireless communication. In particular, Fig. 8 shows the operation after power supply from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is completed.
[0100] When the vehicle 3 ends receiving power from the ground power supply device 2 (step S21), the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3 causes the vehicle-side first communication device 71 to transmit power reception end information to the server 91 (step S22). The power reception end information includes information related to the power reception from the ground power supply device 2. Specifically, the power reception end information includes, for example, vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3, the received power from the ground power supply device 2, the power reception efficiency, and anomaly detection results related to the power reception of the vehicle 3 during and before and after the power reception. The power reception end information may also include a power reception period (for example, a start time and an end time), the amount of power received from the ground power supply device 2, and the like. Values of various parameters included in the power reception end information are calculated by the ECU 34 based on the output of the vehicle-side sensor 37 during the power reception from the ground power supply device 2, and the like.
[0101] When the power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 ends (step S23), the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 causes the ground-side first communication device 81 to transmit power transmission end information to the server 91 (step S24). The power transmission end information includes information related to the power transmission to the vehicle 3. Specifically, the power transmission end information includes, for example, the identification information of the ground power supply device 2, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3, the power transmitted to the vehicle 3, the power transmission efficiency, and anomaly detection results related to the power transmission of the vehicle 3 during and before and after the power transmission. The power transmission end information may also include a power transmission period (for example, a start time and an end time), the amount of power transmitted to the vehicle 3, and the like. Values of various parameters included in the power transmission end information are calculated by the controller 22 based on the output of the ground-side sensor 23 during the power transmission to the vehicle 3, and the like.
[0102] When the server 91 receives the power reception end information and the power transmission end information for the same period of the same vehicle 3 from the vehicle 3 and the ground power supply device 2, respectively, the server 91 performs a power supply end process for the corresponding power supply from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 (step S25). In the power supply end process, calculation of the amount of power supply from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 based on the power reception end information and the power transmission end information, billing process for the user of the vehicle 3 based on the calculated amount of power supply, abnormality diagnosis of the power transmission device 4 of the ground power supply device 2 and the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3, etc. are performed. The amount of power supply from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is calculated based on, for example, the time transition of the received power from the ground power supply device 2 and the power transmitted to the vehicle 3. In addition, in the billing process for the user of the vehicle 3, for example, billing is performed to the user's settlement account according to the amount of power supply from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3. In addition, in the abnormality diagnosis of the power transmission device 4 and the power receiving device 5, for example, if there is a large difference between the received power included in the power reception end information and the transmitted power included in the power transmission end information, it is diagnosed that there is an abnormality in the power transmission device 4 or the power receiving device 5.
[0103] The power supply end process is performed every time power supply to the vehicle 3 is ended in one ground power supply device 2, i.e., every time the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3 passes over one power transmission device 4. For this reason, in the power supply end process, the amount of power supply, etc., for power supply to the vehicle 3 in one ground power supply device 2 is calculated. However, the power supply end process may be performed every time power supply to the vehicle 3 is ended in multiple ground power supply devices 2, i.e., every time the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3 passes over multiple power transmission devices 4. In this case, in the power supply end process, the total amount of power supply, etc., supplied to the vehicle 3 in the multiple ground power supply devices 2 is calculated.
[0104] Regardless of the power supply end process, vehicle information is transmitted from the vehicle 3 to the server 91 as in step S11 of Fig. 7 (step S26), and the server 91 identifies vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 located within the vicinity of each ground power supply device 2 based on the vehicle information as in step S12 of Fig. 7 (step S27). Then, when a power supply end process to a certain vehicle 3 has already been performed in a certain ground power supply device 2, the server 91 deletes the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 for which the power supply end process has already been performed from the vehicle identification information of the vehicles 3 within the vicinity of the ground power supply device 2 identified in step S27 (step S28).
[0105] Thereafter, the server 91 transmits to each ground power supply device 2 vehicle information associated with the vehicle identification information that has not been deleted in step S28 among the vehicle identification information of the vehicles 3 identified as being located within the vicinity area of each ground power supply device 2 (step S29). When the vehicle information is transmitted to each ground power supply device 2, the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 registers or deletes the vehicle identification information in the identification information list in the same manner as in step S14 of Fig. 7 (step S30). Thereafter, the vehicle identification information registered in the identification information list is transmitted in the same manner as in step S15 of Fig. 7 (step S31), and a list registration notification is transmitted in the same manner as in step S16 of Fig. 7 (step S32).
[0106] In addition, when the server 91 receives a request from a vehicle 3 to erase the vehicle identification information of a specific ground power supply device 2 from the identification information list of that vehicle 3 (for example, an "identification information erasure request" described later with reference to Figure 14), the vehicle identification information of that vehicle 3 may be deleted from the vehicle identification information of vehicles 3 within the vicinity of that ground power supply device 2, as in step S28.
[0107] 8 is performed, the vehicle identification information list contains registered therein the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 that is located within the vicinity of each ground power supply device 2, that has not finished supplying power from the ground power supply device 2, and that has not received a request for erasure of the identification information. When the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 is registered in the identification information list of any ground power supply device 2, the vehicle 3 receives a list registration notification.
[0108] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing related to communication using wide-area wireless communication in the server 91. The processing shown in Fig. 9 is executed by the processor 913 of the server 91 at regular time intervals.
[0109] First, the processor 913 of the server 91 acquires various information received from the vehicle 3 and the ground power supply device 2 (step S41). The various information includes vehicle information and power reception end information linked to the vehicle identification information received from each vehicle 3 and stored in the storage device 912 of the server 91. The various information also includes power transmission end information linked to the vehicle identification information received from each ground power supply device 2 and stored in the storage device 912 of the server 91.
[0110] Next, the processor 913 of the server 91 determines whether or not the power reception end information and the power transmission end information associated with the same vehicle identification information have been received from the vehicle 3 and the ground power supply device 2, respectively (step S42). If it is determined in step S42 that the corresponding power reception end information and the power transmission end information have been received, the processor 913 of the server 91 executes the above-mentioned power supply end process (step S43). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the corresponding power reception end information and the power transmission end information have not been received, step S43 is skipped.
[0111] Next, the processor 913 of the server 91 identifies vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 located within the vicinity of each ground power supply device 2 based on the vehicle information (particularly, the current position information) of the vehicle 3 acquired in step S41 and the installation position information of each ground power supply device 2, etc. (step S44). The vicinity area of each ground power supply device 2 is stored in advance in the storage device 912 of the server 91, for example.
[0112] Next, when a power supply termination process to a certain vehicle 3 has already been performed in a certain ground power supply device 2, the processor 913 of the server 91 deletes the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 for which the power supply termination process has already been performed from the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 located within the vicinity area of the ground power supply device 2 identified in step S44 (step S45). After that, the processor 913 of the server 91 transmits to each ground power supply device 2 the vehicle information linked to the vehicle identification information not deleted in step S45 among the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 identified as located within the vicinity area of each ground power supply device 2 (step S46).
[0113] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing related to communication using wide-area wireless communication in the ground power supply device 2. The processing shown in Fig. 10 is executed by the processor 223 of the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2 every time the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2 receives vehicle information linked to vehicle identification information from the server 91.
[0114] When the ground side first communication device 81 receives vehicle information linked to the vehicle identification information of a vehicle 3 located within the vicinity of the ground power supply device 2 (step S51), the processor 223 compares the vehicle identification information included in the received vehicle information with the vehicle identification information in the identification information list stored in the memory 342 (step S52).
[0115] Thereafter, the processor 223 newly registers in the identification information list, among the vehicle identification information included in the received vehicle information as a result of checking the vehicle identification information in step S52, the vehicle identification information that has not yet been registered in the identification information list (step S53). In addition, the processor 223 deletes from the identification information list, among the vehicle identification information already registered in the identification information list, the vehicle identification information that is not included in the vehicle identification information included in the vehicle information received from the server 91 (step S54). As a result, the identification information list always includes the vehicle identification information of the vehicles 3 located within the vicinity of each ground power supply device 2. Thereafter, the processor 223 causes the ground-side first communication device 81 to transmit the vehicle identification information registered in the identification information list to the server 91 via the communication network 92 (step S55).
[0116] <Status and operation of vehicle and ground power supply equipment related to power supply> Next, states and operations of the vehicle 3 and the ground power feeding device 2 regarding power feeding from the ground power feeding device 2 to the vehicle 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0117] First, referring to Fig. 11, a rough transition of the operation and state of the vehicle 3 and the ground power feeding device 2 when power is fed from the ground power feeding device 2 to the vehicle 3 will be described. Fig. 11 is a diagram that shows a schematic diagram of the transition of the operation and state of the vehicle 3 and the ground power feeding device 2 when the vehicle 3 approaches the ground power feeding device 2 and power feeding is performed. Note that, for ease of explanation, the example shown in Fig. 11 shows the transition when there is only one vehicle 3 and only one ground power feeding device 2. In Fig. 11, rectangles represent the state of the vehicle 3 or the ground power feeding device 2, and squares with rounded corners represent the operation of the vehicle 3 or the ground power feeding device 2.
[0118] 11, in an initial state, the vehicle 3 is located quite far away from the ground power supply device 2 and is outside the vicinity area of the ground power supply device 2. Therefore, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 is not registered in the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2. Therefore, the list registration notification is not transmitted to the vehicle 3 either.
[0119] In this state, power supply from the ground power supplying device 2 to the vehicle 3 is not started for the time being. Therefore, the state of the vehicle 3 is set to a sleep state in which only standby power is supplied to the power receiving related devices and no power is supplied to the vehicle side second communication device 72 (step S61). The state of the ground power supplying device 2 is also set to a sleep state in which only standby power is supplied and no power is supplied to the ground side second communication device 82 (step S81).
[0120] Thereafter, when the vehicle 3 enters the vicinity area of the ground power supply device 2, as described above, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 is registered in the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2 (step S82). In addition, the vehicle 3 receives a list registration notification notifying that the vehicle identification information has been registered in the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2 (step S62).
[0121] When the vehicle identification information is registered in the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2, the state of the ground power supply device 2 is set to a reception standby state in which power is supplied to the ground-side second communication device 82 (step S83). In the reception standby state, when a signal is transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 at a short distance from the ground-side second communication device 82, the ground-side second communication device 82 can receive the signal. In addition, when the vehicle 3 receives the list registration notification, the state of the vehicle 3 is set to a power reception active signal transmission state in which operating power is supplied to the power reception-related equipment of the vehicle 3 and power is supplied to the vehicle-side second communication device 72 to transmit a signal including the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 (step S63). In the power reception active signal transmission state, when the power reception side resonant circuit 51 of the power reception device 5 of the vehicle 3 is located on the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 of the power transmission device 4 of the ground power supply device 2, the power reception side resonant circuit 51 can receive power from the power transmission side resonant circuit 43.
[0122] Thereafter, when the vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supply device 2 and the ground-side second communication device 82 is able to receive the signal transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 (step S64), a signal including vehicle identification information is transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 to the ground-side second communication device 82, and the ground-side second communication device 82 receives this signal transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 (step S84).
[0123] Since the communication range is narrow in short-range wireless communication, the ground-side second communication device 82 receiving a signal transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 indicates that the vehicle 3 identified by the received vehicle identification information has reached close to the ground power feeding device 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the ground-side second communication device 82 receives a signal including the vehicle identification information, the state of the ground power feeding device 2 is set to a power transmission active state (step S85). In the power transmission active state, weak power is supplied to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power feeding device 2.
[0124] Thereafter, when the state of the vehicle 3 is set to the power receiving active state and the state of the ground power feeding device 2 is set to the power transmitting active state, if the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 approaches the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power feeding device 2 and is positioned above the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 (step S65), magnetic field resonant coupling occurs between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51, and the current flowing through the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power feeding device 2 increases. When the current flowing through the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 increases in this way, the state of the ground power feeding device 2 is set to the main power transmission state in which a large amount of power is supplied to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 (step S86). At this time, a strong magnetic field resonant coupling occurs between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51, and therefore power is supplied from the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 to the power receiving side resonant circuit 51, and therefore power is supplied from the ground power feeding device 2 to the vehicle 3.
[0125] Thereafter, when the vehicle 3 moves and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 moves away from the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power feeding device 2 (step S66), the magnetic field resonant coupling generated between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 weakens, and the current flowing through the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power feeding device 2 decreases. When the current flowing through the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 decreases in this manner, the power supplied to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 is reduced, and the state of the ground power feeding device 2 is returned to the power transmitting active state (step S87).
[0126] Thereafter, when the vehicle 3 moves further away from the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2 and the magnetic field resonant coupling between the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 and the power reception side resonant circuit 51 disappears, the vehicle 3 performs a power reception end process (step S67). In the power reception end process, the values of parameters constituting the power reception end information are calculated, and the calculated power reception end information is transmitted from the vehicle 3 to the server 91. At this time, the ground power supply device 2 performs a power transmission end process (step S88). In the power transmission end process, the values of parameters constituting the power transmission end information are calculated, and the calculated power transmission end information is transmitted from the ground power supply device 2 to the server 91. When the power transmission end process is performed, the ground power supply device 2 stops supplying current to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43, and the state of the ground power supply device 2 is thereby set to the reception standby state again (step S89).
[0127] Thereafter, when the vehicle 3 leaves the vicinity of the ground power supply device 2, as described above, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 is deleted from the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2 (step S90). In addition, accompanying this, the vehicle 3 stops receiving a list registration notice notifying that the vehicle identification information is registered in the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2 (step S68). When the conductor identification information of the vehicle 3 is deleted from the identification information list, there is no vehicle 3 in need of power supply near the ground power supply device 2, so the state of the ground power supply device 2 is returned to a sleep state (step S91). In addition, when the vehicle 3 stops receiving the list registration notice, there is no ground power supply device 2 near the vehicle 3, so the state of the vehicle 3 is also returned to a sleep state (step S69).
[0128] <State and operation transition of ground power supply equipment> Next, the transition of states and operations of the ground power supply device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are diagrams that show the transition of states and operations of the ground power supply device 2. In particular, Fig. 12 shows the transition of states and operations when the vehicle 3 is not located near the ground power supply device 2, specifically, the transition of states and operations between a sleep state and a reception waiting state. On the other hand, Fig. 13 shows the transition of states and operations when the vehicle 3 is located near the ground power supply device 2, specifically, the transition of states and operations between a reception waiting state, a power transmission active state, a main power transmission state, and a standby state. Note that in Figs. 12 and 13 as well, rectangles represent states of the ground power supply device 2, and squares with rounded corners represent operations of the ground power supply device 2, respectively.
[0129] When the ground power supply device 2 is in the sleep state (A11, the state in steps S81 and S91 in FIG. 11) shown in FIG. 12, only standby power is supplied to the ground power supply device 2. Therefore, at this time, the minimum standby power is supplied only to the controller 22 of the ground power supply device 2, and power is not supplied to other devices related to power transmission to the vehicle 3. For example, power is not supplied to the power transmission side resonance circuit 43, the ground side second communication device 82, the ground side sensor 23, and the magnetic field detector 66, and only a small amount of power is also supplied to the controller 22. Therefore, when the ground power supply device 2 is in the sleep state, the power consumption by the devices related to power transmission of the ground power supply device 2 is small. However, even when the ground power supply device 2 is in the sleep state, power is supplied to the ground side first communication device 81. Therefore, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 located within the vicinity of the ground power supply device 2 can be received from the server 91.
[0130] When the ground power supplying device 2 is in a sleep state (A11), if the ground-side first communication device 81 receives vehicle information and vehicle identification information included in the vehicle information is registered in the identification information list (C11), power supply to devices related to power transmission of the ground power supplying device 2 is started, and these devices are started up and self-diagnosed (B12). Specifically, the controller 22 is supplied with enough power to fully operate, and power is supplied to the ground-side second communication device 82, the ground-side sensor 23, the magnetic field detector 66, etc. Also, a self-diagnosis program is executed in the controller 22, and self-diagnosis of the controller 22, the ground-side second communication device 82, the ground-side sensor 23, etc. is performed.
[0131] When the start-up and self-diagnosis of such devices are completed (C12), the state of the ground power supply device 2 becomes a reception standby state (A13, the state in steps S83 and S89 in FIG. 11). When the state of the ground power supply device 2 is in the reception standby state (A13), power is supplied to the ground-side second communication device 82, and the ground-side second communication device 82 becomes able to receive a signal. In addition, in this embodiment, when the state of the ground power supply device 2 is in the reception standby state, sufficient power is also supplied to the controller 22, the ground-side sensor 23, the magnetic field detector 66, and the like. Therefore, when the state of the ground power supply device 2 is in the reception standby state, if a signal is transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 at a short distance from the ground-side second communication device 82, the ground-side second communication device 82 can receive this signal. On the other hand, when the state of the ground power supply device 2 is in the reception standby state (A13), power is not supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2. Therefore, even if the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 approaches the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power feeding device 2, power is not fed from the ground power feeding device 2 to the vehicle 3. Furthermore, when the ground power feeding device 2 is in the reception standby state, power is not supplied to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power feeding device 2, so that the power consumption of the ground power feeding device 2 is not so large.
[0132] When the ground power supply device 2 is in a reception waiting state (A13), if no vehicle identification information is registered in the identification information list of the ground power supply device 2 (C13), the state of the ground power supply device 2 is returned to the sleep state (A11) because a vehicle 3 is not expected to come near the ground power supply device 2 for the time being.
[0133] 13, when the ground power supply device 2 is in a reception standby state (A13) and a vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supply device 2, the ground-side second communication device 82 of the ground power supply device 2 receives a signal including vehicle identification information transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 (C14). When the ground-side second communication device 82 receives the signal including the vehicle identification information, the vehicle identification information included in the signal is stored in the memory 222 of the controller 22 as the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power. In addition, the vehicle identification information included in the signal is compared with the vehicle identification information registered in the identification information list stored in the memory 222 (B14).
[0134] Since the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 is transmitted in advance to the ground power supply device 2 via the vehicle-side first communication device 71 and the ground-side first communication device 81, the vehicle identification information included in the signal transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 is basically registered in the identification information list. However, for example, due to a failure of the vehicle-side first communication device 71, such vehicle identification information may not be registered in the identification information list in advance. When the vehicle identification information is not registered in the identification information list (C19) in this way, power is not supplied from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3, and a power transmission end process is performed to end the power transmission (B19). Also, when an end condition described later is satisfied during the comparison between the vehicle identification information included in the signal and the vehicle identification information registered in the identification information list (C19), a power transmission end process is performed to end the power transmission (B19). Details of the power transmission end process will be described later.
[0135] On the other hand, if the vehicle identification information included in the signal received from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 is registered in the identification information list as a result of the comparison (C15), then the lateral deviation detection device detects whether or not there is a lateral deviation between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 (B15). If a lateral deviation occurs between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51, the power supply efficiency between them decreases. Therefore, if the lateral deviation detection device detects that a lateral deviation occurs between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 (C20), a power transmission end process is performed to end the power transmission without feeding power from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 (B19). Also, if an end condition described later is established while the lateral deviation detection device is detecting whether or not there is a lateral deviation (C20), a power transmission end process is performed to end the power transmission (B19).
[0136] On the other hand, if the lateral deviation detection device detects that no lateral deviation has occurred between the transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the receiving side resonant circuit 51 (C16), it is determined whether or not the interruption condition described below is satisfied, and if the interruption condition is not satisfied (C18), the state of the ground power supply device 2 is switched from the reception standby state (A13) to the power transmission active state (A16; the state in steps S85 and S87 in Figure 11).
[0137] When the ground power supply device 2 is in the power transmission active state (A16), power is supplied to the ground-side second communication device 82, the controller 22, the ground-side sensor 23, the magnetic field detector 66, etc., in the same manner as when the ground power supply device 2 is in the reception standby state (A13). In addition, at this time, weak power is supplied to the power transmission-side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2. When the power receiving-side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 approaches the power transmission-side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2 and is positioned above the power transmission-side resonant circuit 43 due to the supply of weak power to the power transmission-side resonant circuit 43, magnetic field resonant coupling is generated between the power transmission-side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving-side resonant circuit 51, and the current flowing through the power transmission-side resonant circuit 43 increases.
[0138] Therefore, when the state of the ground power supply device 2 is the power transmission active state (A16) and the current flowing through the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 increases (C21), this means that the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 has moved above the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2. In this case, the state of the ground power supply device 2 is switched to the main power transmission state (A17, the state in step S86 in FIG. 11).
[0139] When the ground power supply device 2 is in the actual power transmission state (A17), power is supplied to the ground-side second communication device 82, the controller 22, the ground-side sensor 23, the magnetic field detector 66, and the like, in the same manner as when the ground power supply device 2 is in the reception standby state (A13). In addition, at this time, a larger amount of power than that in the power transmission active state (A16) is supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2 for power transmission to the vehicle 3. As a result, a strong magnetic field resonant coupling is generated between the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51, and a large amount of power is supplied from the power transmission device 4 of the ground power supply device 2 to the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3. In particular, in this embodiment, the power supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 at this time is set based on the requested power supply included in the vehicle information linked to the vehicle identification information. Specifically, the larger the requested power supply, the larger the power supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43. The requested supply power changes during power supply from the power transmitting device 4 to the power receiving device 5, for example, when the speed of the vehicle 3 is slow and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 is located on the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 for a long time. In this case, the power supplied to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 also changes in response to the change in the requested supply power.
[0140] When the ground power supply device 2 is in the main power transmission state (A17), if the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 moves away from the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2, the current flowing through the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2 decreases as described above. When the current flowing through the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2 decreases (C22) in this way, the state of the ground power supply device 2 is switched from the main power transmission state (A17) to the power transmitting active state (A16). In addition, when the ground power supply device 2 is in the main power transmission state, if a termination condition described later is satisfied or an interruption condition described later is satisfied, the state of the ground power supply device 2 is also switched to the power transmitting active state (A16). As a result, when the termination condition is satisfied to terminate power transmission or when the interruption condition is satisfied to interrupt power transmission, the state of the ground power supply device 2 temporarily becomes the power transmitting active state (A16), and thus the power supplied to the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 is prevented from suddenly decreasing to zero. Therefore, the load on devices such as the power transmitting resonant circuit 43, which is caused when the power supplied to the power transmitting resonant circuit 43 suddenly drops to zero, is reduced.
[0141] If the interruption condition is satisfied (C23) when the state of the ground power supply device 2 is in the power transmission active state (A16), or if the interruption condition is satisfied when the lateral deviation detection device detects that no lateral deviation is occurring (C17), the state of the ground power supply device 2 is switched to the standby state (A18).
[0142] The standby state of the ground power supply device 2 is basically the same as the reception standby state. Therefore, when the ground power supply device 2 is in the standby state (A18), sufficient power is supplied to the ground-side second communication device 82, the controller 22, the ground-side sensor 23, the magnetic field detector 66, etc., while no power is supplied to the power transmission-side resonant circuit 43. Therefore, when the ground power supply device 2 is in the standby state (A18), power is not supplied from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3, and, like the reception standby state, power consumption is not so large.
[0143] Here, the interruption condition is a condition that requires temporarily interrupting power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3. Specific examples of the interruption condition are listed below. All of the interruption conditions listed below may be used, or some of the interruption conditions may not be used. In this embodiment, when any one of the following interruption conditions is satisfied, the state of the ground power supply device 2 is switched to the standby state (A18).
[0144] The first interruption condition is that the lateral misalignment detection device detects a lateral misalignment between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51. As described above, when a lateral misalignment occurs, the power supply efficiency decreases, so when a lateral misalignment is detected, the power supply is interrupted.
[0145] Here, as described above, the lateral deviation detection device detects the lateral deviation when the vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supply device 2 (B15). In this case, the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 may be significantly deviated from the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2. In contrast, if it is detected that the lateral deviation does not occur once when the vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supply device 2 (C16), even if a lateral deviation occurs between the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 after that, the lateral deviation is unlikely to be large. For this reason, the detection of the lateral deviation between the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 by the lateral deviation detection device is regarded as an interruption condition, not an end condition for ending the power transmission. However, the detection of the lateral deviation may be regarded as an end condition for ending the power transmission.
[0146] The second interruption condition is that communication between the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2 and the server 91 is interrupted. Here, the ground-side first communication device 81 periodically communicates with the server 91 to receive, for example, vehicle information (particularly, requested power supply) of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power. Then, the ground power supply device 2 transmits power to the vehicle 3 based on the received vehicle information. Therefore, if it becomes impossible to receive the vehicle information of the vehicle 3, the ground power supply device 2 becomes unable to appropriately control the power supply. For this reason, when communication is interrupted, power transmission to the vehicle 3 is temporarily interrupted.
[0147] The third interruption condition is that the temperature of the power transmission device 4 of the ground power supply device 2, particularly the temperature of the power transmission side rectifier circuit 41, the inverter 42, or the power transmission side resonant circuit 43, is equal to or higher than a predetermined interruption reference temperature. In order to prevent the temperature of the power transmission device 4 from becoming excessively high, when such an interruption condition is established, power transmission to the vehicle 3 is temporarily interrupted. The temperature of the power transmission device 4 is detected by the ground side sensor 23 (power transmission device temperature sensor).
[0148] The fourth interruption condition is that the speed of the vehicle 3 traveling on the power transmission device 4 is equal to or higher than a predetermined interruption reference speed. If the speed of the vehicle 3 is equal to or higher than the interruption reference speed, the power supply efficiency decreases, so if such an interruption condition is met, power transmission to the vehicle 3 is temporarily interrupted. The speed of the vehicle 3 is calculated, for example, based on the transition of the power supply from the power transmission device 4 to the power receiving device 5.
[0149] The fifth interruption condition is that a foreign object or a living body is detected on the road where the power transmission device 4 is embedded. If a foreign object or a living body is present on the power transmission device 4, the AC magnetic field generated by the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 changes, which may result in a decrease in power supply efficiency. Therefore, when such an interruption condition is met, power transmission to the vehicle 3 is temporarily interrupted. A foreign object or a living body on the road where the power transmission device 4 is embedded is detected by the ground side sensor 23 (foreign object sensor, living body sensor).
[0150] The sixth interruption condition is that the power (or current, voltage) supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 of the power transmission device 4 is equal to or greater than a predetermined interruption reference value. If the power supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 becomes excessively large, there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the power transmission side resonant circuit 43, and therefore, if such an interruption condition is established, power transmission to the vehicle 3 is temporarily interrupted. The power supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 is calculated based on the output of the ground side sensor 23 (power transmission device current sensor, power transmission device voltage sensor).
[0151] If none of the above-mentioned interruption conditions are satisfied (C24) while the ground power supply device 2 is in the standby state (A18), the state of the ground power supply device 2 is switched to the power transmission active state (A16).
[0152] When a termination condition is satisfied (C25) when the ground power supply device 2 is in a power transmission active state (A16), or when a termination condition is satisfied (C26) when the ground power supply device 2 is in a standby state (A18), for example, a power transmission termination process is performed (B19; operation in step S88 in FIG. 11).
[0153] In the power transmission end process, power transmission end information is transmitted from the ground-side first communication device 81 of the ground power supply device 2 to the server 91. As described above, the power transmission end information includes information related to power transmission to the vehicle 3. Values of various parameters included in the power transmission end information are calculated based on the output of the ground-side sensor 23 and the like. In addition, in the power transmission end process, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power, which has been stored in the memory 222 of the ground power supply device 2, is erased from the memory 222 by the operation shown in B14. When the power transmission end process is completed, the state of the ground power supply device 2 is switched to a reception standby state (A13).
[0154] Here, the termination condition is a condition that requires the termination of power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3. Specific examples of the termination conditions are listed below. All of the termination conditions listed below may be used, or some of the termination conditions may not be used. In this embodiment, when any one of the following termination conditions is satisfied, the power transmission termination process is performed.
[0155] The first end condition is that it is detected that the vehicle 3 approaching the ground power supply device 2 has left the ground power supply device 2. When the vehicle 3 passes the power transmission device 4 of the ground power supply device 2, the ground power supply device 2 does not transmit power to the vehicle 3 any more, and therefore, when the end condition is satisfied, power transmission to the vehicle 3 is terminated. The fact that the vehicle 3 has left the ground power supply device 2 is detected by any method. Specifically, for example, the fact that the vehicle 3 has left the ground power supply device 2 is detected when the signal transmitted by the vehicle-side second communication device 72 is no longer received by the ground-side second communication device 82. In addition, for example, a magnetic field detector such as that used in a lateral deviation detection device may be disposed behind the power transmission device 4 in the traveling direction of the vehicle 3, and the fact that the vehicle 3 has left the ground power supply device 2 may be detected by detecting an AC magnetic field generated by the AC magnetic field generating circuit 61 of the vehicle 3 with this magnetic field detector.
[0156] The second termination condition is that the ground-side second communication device 82 of the ground power supplying device 2 receives a signal including vehicle identification information different from the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power stored in the memory 222 of the ground power supplying device 2 in the operation shown in B14. In other words, the second termination condition is that the ground-side second communication device 82 receives vehicle identification information of a vehicle different from the vehicle 3 being supplied with power or the vehicle 3 to which power transmission was completed immediately before. In this way, when the following vehicle is approaching so close that the ground-side second communication device 82 receives a signal including the vehicle identification information, it is necessary to avoid confusion of the power transmission information of the vehicle being supplied with power and the following vehicle, so that power transmission to the vehicle 3 is terminated. As described above, if the power transmission termination process is performed early due to the establishment of such a termination condition, the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power stored in the memory 222 of the ground power supplying device 2 can be deleted early from the memory 222, and therefore the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power can be deleted before power transmission to the following vehicle is started.
[0157] The third termination condition is that the elapsed time since the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power is registered in the memory 222 of the ground power supply device 2 is equal to or longer than a predetermined termination reference time. If the elapsed time is too long, there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred, such as the ground power supply device 2 not being able to detect that the vehicle 3 has left, and therefore, when the termination condition is established, power transmission to the vehicle 3 is terminated. Note that the third termination condition may be any other condition as long as it is a condition that indicates that the vehicle 3 has occupied the power transmission device of the ground power supply device 2 for a long period of time. Therefore, for example, the third termination condition may be that the time during which the state of the ground power supply device 2 has been in a power transmission active state or a standby state is equal to or longer than a predetermined time during the time that has elapsed since the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power was registered in the memory 222.
[0158] The fourth termination condition is that a failure has occurred in equipment related to the power transmission of the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3. When a failure has occurred in the ground power supply device 2, power cannot be properly supplied from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3, and therefore, when such a termination condition is established, power transmission to the vehicle 3 is terminated. The failure of the ground power supply device 2 is detected, for example, by self-diagnosis of equipment related to the power transmission of the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 (which is also performed in the operation represented by B12).
[0159] The fifth termination condition is that there is a termination request from outside the contactless power supply system 1. For example, when road construction is started near the ground power supply device 2 or when a disaster occurs, a termination request is transmitted from outside the contactless power supply system 1 to the ground power supply device 2. Such a termination request is transmitted from a system outside the contactless power supply system 1 to the server 91, and then transmitted from the server 91 to the first ground communication device 81.
[0160] The sixth termination condition is that the coupling coefficient between the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power supply device 2 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, or that the power transmitted from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined termination reference value. Here, if the coupling coefficient is very large or the transmitted power is very large, an excessive current may flow to the power transmission device 4 or the power receiving device 5. For this reason, if the coupling coefficient is equal to or greater than the reference value or if the transmitted power is equal to or greater than the reference value, power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is terminated, thereby preventing an excessive current from flowing to the power transmission device 4 or the power receiving device 5. The power transmitted from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is calculated based on the output of the ground side sensor 23 (the power transmission device current sensor and the power transmission device voltage sensor), for example.
[0161] The seventh termination condition is that the amount charged to the user of the vehicle 3, calculated based on the power transmitted from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3, becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined upper limit charge amount. The amount charged to the user is calculated by the controller based on the transition of the transmitted power during transmission to the vehicle 3 and the fee per unit power at that time. The upper limit charge amount may be a predetermined fixed value, or may be a value set by the user of the vehicle 3. If it is a value set by the user, the upper limit charge amount is included in the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle 3.
[0162] The eighth end condition is that a power transmission stop request, which will be described later, has been received from the vehicle 3. As will be described later, when a stop condition or a cut-off condition for stopping or cutting off power reception by the power receiving device 5 in the vehicle 3 is satisfied, the power transmission stop request is transmitted from the vehicle-side first communication device 71 of the vehicle 3. When such a stop condition or cut-off condition is satisfied, the vehicle 3 will not receive any more power, and therefore there is no need to maintain the ground power supply device 2 in a state in which it can transmit power to the vehicle 3, and therefore power transmission to the vehicle 3 is terminated.
[0163] The state and operation of the ground power supply device 2 are controlled by the controller 22. Therefore, for example, when the state of the ground power supply device 2 is in a standby state, the controller 22 determines whether or not an interruption condition is satisfied and whether or not an end condition is satisfied based on the output of the ground side sensor 23, etc. Then, when the controller 22 determines that the interruption condition is not satisfied, it controls the inverter 42 so that a weak current is supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43.
[0164] <Vehicle state and operation transitions> Next, the transition of states and operations of the vehicle 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. Fig. 14 is a diagram that shows a schematic transition of states and operations of the vehicle 3. In Fig. 14 as well, rectangles represent states of the vehicle 3, and squares with rounded corners represent operations of the vehicle 3.
[0165] As shown in FIG. 14, the state of the vehicle 3 can be one of two sleep states (states in steps S61 and S69 in FIG. 11), a first sleep state (A31) and a second sleep state (A35). When the state of the vehicle 3 is in the first sleep state (A31), only standby power is supplied to the devices related to power reception of the vehicle 3. Therefore, at this time, the minimum standby power is supplied only to the ECU 34 of the vehicle 3, and power is not supplied to other devices related to power reception from the ground power supply device 2. Therefore, for example, power is not supplied to the vehicle-side second communication device 72, the AC power generating circuit 64, and the vehicle-side sensor 37, and only a small amount of power is also supplied to the ECU 34. Therefore, when the state of the vehicle 3 is in the first sleep state (A31), the power consumption by the devices related to power reception of the vehicle 3 is small. However, power is supplied to the vehicle-side first communication device 71 even when the state of the vehicle 3 is in the first sleep state (A31). Therefore, the vehicle-side first communication device 71 can receive from the server 91 a list registration notification notifying that the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 has been registered in the identification information list of any one of the ground power supply devices 2.
[0166] In the first sleep state (A31), the relay 38 between the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32 is connected. Therefore, when the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32 are connected and the power receiving device 5 receives power, power is supplied to the battery 32.
[0167] When the state of the vehicle 3 is the first sleep state (A31), if the vehicle-side first communication device 71 receives a list registration notification notifying that the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 has been registered in the identification information list of any of the ground power supply devices 2 and a stop condition and a cutoff condition (described later) are not satisfied (C31), power supply to devices related to power reception from the ground power supply device 2 of the vehicle 3 is started, and these devices are started up and self-diagnosis of these devices is performed (B32). Specifically, the ECU 34 is supplied with enough power for the ECU 34 to fully operate, and power is supplied to the vehicle-side second communication device 72, the AC power generation circuit 64, the vehicle-side sensor 37, etc. Also, a self-diagnosis program is executed in the ECU 34 to perform self-diagnosis of the ECU 34, the vehicle-side second communication device 72, the AC power generation circuit 64, the vehicle-side sensor 37, etc.
[0168] When the startup and self-diagnosis of such devices are completed, the state of the vehicle 3 becomes the power receiving active state (A33) or the power receiving active signal transmission state (A34, the state in step S63 in FIG. 11). When the state of the vehicle 3 is the power receiving active state (A33) or the power receiving active signal transmission state (A34), sufficient power is supplied to the ECU 34, the vehicle side sensor 37, etc.
[0169] Therefore, when the vehicle 3 is in the power receiving active state (A33) or the power receiving active signal transmission state (A34), if the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 of the vehicle 3 approaches the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 of the ground power feeding device 2 and is positioned above the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43, strong magnetic field resonant coupling is generated between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51, and a large amount of power is received from the ground power feeding device 2. On the other hand, when the vehicle 3 is in the power receiving active state (A33) or the power receiving active signal transmission state (A34), if the vehicle 3 moves from a state in which strong magnetic field resonant coupling was generated between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 moves away from the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43, the magnetic field resonant coupling is released and power feeding from the ground power feeding device 2 to the vehicle 3 ends.
[0170] Moreover, when the state of the vehicle 3 is in the power receiving active state (A33), power is not supplied to the vehicle-side second communication device 72 and the AC power generating circuit 64. Therefore, the vehicle-side second communication device 72 cannot transmit a signal including the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3. Furthermore, the AC power generating circuit 64 cannot generate an AC magnetic field for lateral deviation detection. On the other hand, when the state of the vehicle 3 is in the power receiving active signal transmission state (A34), power is supplied to the vehicle-side second communication device 72 and the AC power generating circuit 64. Therefore, the vehicle-side second communication device 72 transmits a signal including the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3, and the AC power generating circuit 64 generates an AC magnetic field for lateral deviation detection. Therefore, at this time, when the vehicle 3 travels near the ground power feeding device 2, a signal including the vehicle identification information is transmitted from the vehicle-side second communication device 72 to the ground-side second communication device 82.
[0171] When the vehicle 3 is in the power receiving active state (A33), power is not supplied to the vehicle-side second communication device 72 and the AC power generating circuit 64, so the power consumption of the vehicle 3 is not very large. On the other hand, when the vehicle 3 is in the power receiving active / signal transmitting state (A34), power is supplied to the vehicle-side second communication device 72 and the AC power generating circuit 64, so the power consumption is larger than in the power receiving active state (A33).
[0172] When vehicle 3 is in the power receiving active state (A33), if all transmission stop conditions are no longer met (C33), the state of vehicle 3 is switched to the power receiving active / signal transmitting state (A34). On the other hand, when vehicle 3 is in the power receiving active / signal transmitting state (A34), if the transmission stop condition is met (C34), the state of vehicle 3 is switched to the power receiving active state (A33).
[0173] Here, the transmission stop condition is a condition that requires temporarily stopping transmission of a signal from the vehicle-side second communication device 72. By temporarily stopping transmission of a signal from the vehicle-side second communication device 72, a signal including vehicle identification information is not transmitted to the ground-side second communication device 82, and therefore power is not transmitted from the ground power supply device 2. Specific examples of the transmission stop condition are listed below. All of the transmission stop conditions listed below may be used, or some of the starting stop conditions may not be used. In this embodiment, if any one of the following transmission stop conditions is satisfied, the state of the vehicle 3 is set to a power receiving active state (A33), and if none of the following transmission stop conditions are satisfied, the state of the vehicle 3 is set to a power receiving active-signal transmitting state (A34).
[0174] The first transmission stop condition is that another process that causes a large amount of power to flow into the battery 32 is being performed in the vehicle 3. When the battery 32 is being rapidly charged by a method other than contactless power transmission, it is difficult to simultaneously supply power to the battery 32 by contactless power transmission, so signal transmission is temporarily stopped to temporarily stop power transmission from the ground power supply device 2. For example, if the vehicle 3 is a hybrid vehicle that is also driven by an internal combustion engine, an example of the other process is starting or stopping the internal combustion engine. Such other process is detected, for example, from the output of a vehicle-side sensor 37 provided in the vehicle 3 or a control command from the ECU 34 to the internal combustion engine, etc.
[0175] The second transmission stop condition is that the vehicle 3 is undergoing sudden braking. When the vehicle 3 is undergoing sudden braking, the battery 32 is charged by regenerative power, and it is difficult to simultaneously and efficiently supply power to the battery 32 by non-contact power transmission. Therefore, the signal transmission is temporarily stopped to temporarily stop power transmission from the ground power supply device 2. Whether the vehicle 3 is undergoing sudden braking is detected based on, for example, the amount of depression of the brake pedal of the vehicle 3.
[0176] The third transmission stop condition is that the vehicle 3 is changing lanes. When the vehicle 3 is changing lanes, even if the vehicle 3 is traveling near the ground power feeding device 2, the lateral deviation between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 is large, so that the signal transmission is temporarily stopped to temporarily stop the power transmission from the ground power feeding device 2. The fact that the vehicle 3 is changing lanes is detected based on, for example, an image captured by a front camera or the like (not shown) provided on the vehicle 3.
[0177] The fourth transmission stop condition is that the vehicle 3 is approaching the left or right demarcation lines or has deviated from the left or right demarcation lines. In this case, even if the vehicle 3 is traveling near the ground power supply device 2, the lateral deviation between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 is large, so that the signal transmission is temporarily stopped to temporarily stop the power transmission from the ground power supply device 2. Whether the vehicle 3 is approaching the left or right demarcation lines or has deviated from the demarcation lines is detected based on, for example, an image captured by a front camera or the like (not shown) provided on the vehicle 3.
[0178] The fifth transmission stop condition is that, in the case where a magnetic field detector of a lateral misalignment detection device is provided on the vehicle 3, the lateral misalignment detection device detects a lateral misalignment between the power transmitting side resonant circuit 43 and the power receiving side resonant circuit 51. As described above, when a lateral misalignment occurs, the power supply efficiency decreases, so when a lateral misalignment is detected, signal transmission is temporarily stopped to temporarily stop power transmission from the ground power supply device 2.
[0179] The sixth transmission stop condition is that communication between the vehicle-side first communication device 71 of the vehicle 3 and the server 91 is interrupted for less than a certain period of time. Here, the vehicle-side first communication device 71 periodically communicates with the server 91, and transmits, for example, vehicle information (particularly, requested power supply, etc.) of the vehicle 3 that is being supplied with power. If it becomes impossible to transmit the vehicle information of the vehicle 3, it becomes impossible to appropriately control the power supply. For this reason, when communication is interrupted, signal transmission is temporarily stopped in order to temporarily stop the power transmission from the ground power supply device 2.
[0180] If the vehicle 3 is provided with a magnetic field detector of the lateral deviation detection device and a magnetic field generating circuit is embedded at a position somewhat forward of the power transmission device 4 of the ground power supply device 2 in the running direction of the vehicle 3, the magnetic field detector can be used to detect that the vehicle 3 has approached the ground power supply device 2. In such a case, the transmission stop condition may be that the magnetic field detector of the ground power supply device 2 has not detected that the vehicle 3 has approached the power transmission device 4 of the ground power supply device 2 (seventh transmission stop condition). This allows the vehicle-side first communication device 71 to transmit a signal only when the vehicle 3 approaches the ground power supply device 2.
[0181] When the state of vehicle 3 is the power receiving active state (A33) or the power receiving active signal transmission state (A34), if the vehicle side first communication device 71 of vehicle 3 stops receiving the list registration notification, that is, if the vehicle identification information of vehicle 3 is no longer registered in the identification information list of any of the ground power supply devices 2 (C35), the state of vehicle 3 is returned to the first sleep state (A31).
[0182] On the other hand, when the state of the vehicle 3 is the power receiving active state (A33) or the power receiving active signal transmitting state (A34), if the cancellation condition described later is satisfied and the power receiving device 5 is not receiving power from the power transmitting device 4 of the ground power supply device 2, or if the interruption condition described later is satisfied (C36), an identification information erasure request and a power transmission stop request are transmitted from the vehicle-side first communication device 71 to the server 91, and ultimately to the corresponding ground power supply device 2.
[0183] The identification information erasure request is a request to erase the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 from the identification information list of the corresponding ground power supply device 2. The ground power supply devices 2 that are the target of the erasure request may be all ground power supply devices 2 for which the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 is registered in the identification information list, or may be only ground power supply devices 2 located near the current position of the vehicle 3. The ground power supply device 2 that has received the identification information erasure request erases the vehicle identification information of the vehicle 3 from the identification information list stored in the memory 222 of the ground power supply device 2.
[0184] The power transmission stop request is a request to stop power supply from the corresponding ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3. The ground power supply device 2 that is the target of the stop request is the ground power supply device 2 located near the current position of the vehicle 3. The ground power supply device 2 that receives the power transmission stop request stops power transmission if it is transmitting power to the vehicle 3.
[0185] By sending a request to erase identification information and a request to stop power transmission to the ground power supply device 2 in this manner, it is no longer necessary to unnecessarily switch the state of the ground power supply device 2 from the sleep state (A11) to the reception waiting state (A13) or the power transmission active state (A16), thereby reducing the power consumption of the ground power supply device 2.
[0186] When an identification information erasure request and a power transmission stop request are transmitted from the vehicle-side first communication device 71 (B13), if the cutoff condition is satisfied (C37), the state of the vehicle 3 is switched to the second sleep state (A35). Also, when the vehicle state is in the first sleep state (A31), if the cutoff condition is satisfied (C38), the state of the vehicle 3 is switched to the second sleep state (A35).
[0187] When the vehicle 3 is in the second sleep state (A35), only standby power is supplied to the vehicle 3, similarly to when the vehicle 3 is in the first sleep state (A31). However, when the vehicle 3 is in the second sleep state (A35), the relay 38 is cut off. Therefore, the connection between the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32 is cut off, and the power receiving device 5 cannot substantially receive power.
[0188] If the disconnection condition is no longer satisfied (C39) while the state of the vehicle 3 is in the second sleep state (A35), the state of the vehicle 3 is switched to the first sleep state (A31).
[0189] Here, the cutoff condition is a condition that requires not only stopping the reception of power from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3, but also cutting off the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32. Specific examples of the cutoff condition are listed below. All of the cutoff conditions listed below may be used, or some of the cutoff conditions may not be used. In this embodiment, when any one of the following cutoff conditions is met, the state of the vehicle 3 is set to the second sleep state (A35).
[0190] The first cutoff condition is that the charging rate SOC of the battery 32 is equal to or higher than a charging rate limit value. The charging rate limit value is a predetermined value at which it becomes difficult to charge the battery 32 further due to the structure of the battery 32, and is, for example, 95% or higher. When the charging rate SOC of the battery 32 is equal to or higher than the charging rate limit value, charging of the battery 32 is not possible for the time being, and therefore the connection between the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32 is cut off. The charging rate SOC of the battery 32 is calculated by the ECU 34 based on the charging current value and the discharging current value of the battery 32 detected by the vehicle-side sensor 37 (current sensor).
[0191] The second cutoff condition is that the temperature of the battery 32 is equal to or higher than the battery limit temperature. The limit temperature is a temperature at which the deterioration of the battery 32 advances when the temperature of the battery 32 reaches or exceeds the battery limit temperature. When the temperature of the battery 32 reaches or exceeds the battery limit temperature, charging the battery 32, which would cause the temperature of the battery 32 to rise, cannot be performed for the time being, and therefore the connection between the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32 is cut off. The temperature of the battery 32 is detected by a vehicle-side sensor 37 (battery temperature sensor).
[0192] The third cutoff condition is that the temperature of the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3, particularly the temperature of the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 and the power receiving side rectifier circuit 54, is equal to or higher than a predetermined power receiving device limit temperature. The power receiving device limit temperature is a temperature above which an abnormality may occur in the power receiving device 5 if the temperature of the power receiving device 5 rises above the power receiving device limit temperature. When the temperature of the power receiving device 5 reaches or exceeds the power receiving device limit temperature, the power receiving device 5 cannot be used for the time being, which would cause the temperature of the power receiving device 5 to rise, and therefore the connection between the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32 is cut off. The temperature of the power receiving device 5 is detected by the vehicle side sensor 37 (power receiving device temperature sensor).
[0193] The fourth cutoff condition is that the current flowing through the power receiving device 5 is equal to or greater than a current limit value or the voltage applied to the power receiving device 5 is equal to or greater than a voltage limit value. If the current flowing through or the voltage applied to the power receiving device 5 becomes excessively large, an abnormality may occur in the power receiving device 5, and therefore the connection between the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32 is cut off. The current flowing through and the voltage applied to the power receiving device 5 are detected by vehicle-side sensors 37 (current sensor, voltage sensor).
[0194] The fifth disconnection condition is that communication between the vehicle-side first communication device 71 of the vehicle 3 and the server 91 has been cut off for a certain period of time or more. As described above, the vehicle-side first communication device 71 periodically communicates with the server 91, and transmits, for example, vehicle information (particularly, requested power supply, etc.) of the vehicle 3 being supplied with power. If it becomes impossible to transmit the vehicle information of the vehicle 3, it becomes impossible to appropriately control the power supply. In particular, when such communication has been cut off for a certain period of time or more, this does not mean that a temporary communication failure has occurred, and therefore the connection between the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32 is cut off.
[0195] The interruption condition is a condition that is met less frequently than a cancellation condition, which will be described later. Here, if the relay 38, to which a high voltage is applied, is frequently turned on and off, this can cause an abnormality to occur in the relay 38. In this embodiment, the interruption condition for turning off the relay 38 is set to a condition that is met less frequently, thereby suppressing the occurrence of an abnormality in the relay 38.
[0196] On the other hand, when an identification information erasure request and a power transmission stop request are transmitted from the vehicle-side first communication device 71 (B13), if the stop condition is met (C40), the state of the vehicle 3 is switched to the first sleep state (A31).
[0197] Here, the stop condition is a condition that requires the stopping of power reception from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3. Specific examples of the stop condition are listed below. All of the stop conditions listed below may be used, or some of the stop conditions may not be used. In this embodiment, when any one of the following stop conditions is satisfied, the state of the vehicle 3 is set to the first sleep state (A31).
[0198] The first cancellation condition is that the charging rate SOC of the battery 32 is equal to or higher than a charging rate reference value and lower than a charging rate limit value. The charging rate reference value is a predetermined value lower than the above-mentioned charging rate limit value, for example, 80% or higher. When the charging rate SOC of the battery 32 is equal to or higher than the charging rate reference value, basically, there is no need to charge the battery 32, so the reception of power from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is stopped.
[0199] The second suspension condition is that the temperature of the battery 32 is equal to or higher than the battery reference temperature and lower than the battery limit temperature. The battery reference temperature is a predetermined temperature lower than the battery limit temperature described above. When the temperature of the battery 32 is equal to or higher than the battery reference temperature, charging of the battery 32 needs to be suppressed so that the temperature of the battery 32 does not reach the battery limit temperature, and therefore, power reception from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is suspended.
[0200] The third cancellation condition is that the temperature of the power receiving device 5 of the vehicle 3, particularly the temperature of the power receiving side resonant circuit 51 or the power receiving side rectifier circuit 54, is equal to or higher than a predetermined power receiving device reference temperature and lower than the power receiving device limit temperature. The power receiving device reference temperature is a predetermined temperature lower than the power receiving device limit described above. When the temperature of the power receiving device 5 is equal to or higher than the power receiving device reference temperature, the reception of power from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is cancelled since it is necessary to restrict the use of the power receiving device 5 so that the temperature of the power receiving device 5 does not reach the power receiving device reference temperature.
[0201] The fourth suspension condition is that the allowable charging power of the battery 32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined charging power reference value. If the allowable charging power of the battery 32 is small, even if the power receiving device 5 receives power from the power transmitting device 4, the power may not be appropriately supplied to the battery, and therefore, power reception from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is suspended. The allowable charging power of the battery 32 is calculated based on the output of the vehicle-side sensors 37 (battery temperature sensor, battery current sensor, etc.).
[0202] The fifth interruption condition is that the speed of the vehicle 3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined interruption reference speed. If the speed of the vehicle 3 is equal to or greater than the interruption reference speed, power supply efficiency decreases, and therefore power reception from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is interrupted. The interruption reference speed may be the same as the interruption reference speed in the fifth interruption condition described above. The speed of the vehicle 3 is detected by the vehicle-side sensor 37 (speed sensor).
[0203] The sixth cancellation condition is that the amount of charge to the user of the vehicle 3, calculated based on the power received by the vehicle 3 from the ground power supply device 2, becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined upper limit charge amount. The amount of charge to the user is calculated by the ECU 34 based on the transition of the received power during reception of power from the ground power supply device 2 and the fee per unit power at that time. The upper limit charge amount may be a fixed value determined in advance, or may be a value set for the user of the vehicle 3.
[0204] The seventh stop condition is when there is a stop request from the user. The stop request from the user is output, for example, from a switch provided in the vehicle 3 for inputting the necessity of power supply during traveling.
[0205] The state and operation of the vehicle 3 are controlled by the ECU 34. Therefore, for example, when the state of the vehicle 3 is in the second sleep state (A35), the ECU 34 determines whether or not the cutoff condition is satisfied based on the output of the vehicle-side sensor 37, etc. Then, when the ECU 34 determines that the cutoff condition is not satisfied, it controls the relay 38 so that the power receiving device 5 and the battery 32 are connected.
[0206] Next, the power reception end process will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations related to the execution of the power reception end process. The illustrated process is performed at regular time intervals.
[0207] 15, first, the ECU 34 acquires current position information and map information (step S101). The ECU 34 acquires current position information of the vehicle 3 from the GNSS receiver 35. In addition, the ECU 34 acquires map information from the storage device 36. Particularly, in this embodiment, the ECU 34 acquires map information including installation position information of the ground power supply device 2 around the current position of the vehicle 3.
[0208] Next, the ECU 34 determines whether the vehicle 3 has passed over any ground power supply device 2, based on the current position information and the installation position information of the ground power supply device 2 acquired in step S101 (step S102).
[0209] When it is determined in step S102 that the vehicle 3 has passed over any ground power supply device 2, the ECU 34 performs a power reception end process (step S103). In the power reception end process, power reception end information is transmitted from the vehicle-side first communication device 71 to the server 91. The power reception end information includes information related to power reception from the ground power supply device 2. Values of various parameters included in the power reception end information are calculated based on the output of the vehicle-side sensor 37, etc. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S102 that the vehicle 3 has not passed over any ground power supply device 2, step S103 is skipped.
[0210] According to the present embodiment described above, the ground power supply device 2 that transmits power to the vehicle 3 in a non-contact manner has a power transmission side resonant circuit 43 (resonant circuit), and is equipped with a power transmission device 4 that transmits power to the vehicle 3, and a controller 22 (control device) configured to transition the state of the ground power supply device 2 to a standby state when a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied while the state of the ground power supply device 2 is in a main power transmission state or a power transmission active state, and to transition the state of the ground power supply device 2 to a power transmission active state when the interruption condition is no longer satisfied while the state of the ground power supply device 2 is in the standby state.
[0211] The power transmission state is a state in which power is supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 and power is transmitted to the vehicle 3, the power transmission active state is a state in which weak power is supplied to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 and power can be transmitted to the vehicle 3, and the standby state is a state in which power supply to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 is stopped and the power transmission active state can be entered by supplying weak power to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43.
[0212] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when an interruption condition is met that requires the power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 to be temporarily interrupted, the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 can be immediately switched to a standby state in which the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 can be immediately switched to a power transmission active state by supplying weak power to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43. Therefore, when the power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3 is interrupted, the power transmission can be quickly resumed.
[0213] In addition, in this embodiment, the ground power supply device 2 is equipped with a ground-side second communication device 82 (short-range communication device) that communicates directly with the vehicle 3 using short-range wireless communication, and the controller 22 (control device) is configured to transition the state of the ground power supply device 2 to a reception waiting state (second standby state) when a predetermined termination condition is met when the state of the ground power supply device 2 is the main power transmission state, the power transmission active state or the standby state.
[0214] The reception standby state is a state in which power supply to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 (resonant circuit) is stopped, and when vehicle identification information is received from a vehicle 3 by the ground side second communication device 82, the state is transitioned to the power transmission active state if the vehicle identification information is registered in a list of vehicle identification information of vehicles 3 that may receive power from the ground power supply device 2 stored in the controller 22.
[0215] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a termination condition is met that requires the termination of power transmission from the ground power supply device 2 to the vehicle 3, the power supply to the power transmission side resonant circuit 43 is stopped to suppress the power consumption of the ground power supply device 2, while the ground power supply device 2 can immediately transition to a power transmission active state when new vehicle identification information is received.
[0216] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]
[0217] 1. Wireless power supply system 2 Ground power supply equipment 3. Vehicle 4 Power transmission equipment 5 Power receiving device 22 Controller 34 ECU 71 Vehicle-side first communication device 72 Vehicle-side second communication device 81 Ground-side first communication device 82 Ground-side second communication device
Claims
1. A ground power supply device that transmits electric power to a vehicle in a non-contact manner, a power transmitting device having a resonant circuit and configured to transmit electric power to the vehicle; a control device configured to transition a state of the ground power feeding apparatus to a standby state when a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied while the state of the ground power feeding apparatus is in a main power transmission state or a power transmission active state, and to transition a state of the ground power feeding apparatus to the power transmission active state when the interruption condition is no longer satisfied while the state of the ground power feeding apparatus is in the standby state; Equipped with the main power transmission state is a state in which power is supplied to the resonant circuit and power is transmitted to the vehicle, the power transmission active state is a state in which weak power is supplied to the resonant circuit and power can be transmitted to the vehicle; The standby state is a state in which power supply to the resonant circuit is stopped, and the power transmission active state can be transitioned to by supplying weak power to the resonant circuit. Ground power supply equipment.
2. The interruption condition is a condition that requires temporary interruption of power transmission from the ground power supply device to the vehicle. The ground power supply device according to claim 1 .
3. a positional deviation detection device that detects a positional deviation between the power transmitting device and a power receiving device mounted on the vehicle in a direction perpendicular to a traveling direction of the vehicle, The interruption condition is that the positional deviation is detected. The ground power supply device according to claim 1 or 2.
4. Further comprising a communication device for communicating with the server, the interruption condition being that communication between the server and the communication device is interrupted; The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The interruption condition is that the temperature of the power transmitting device is equal to or higher than a predetermined interruption reference temperature. The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The interruption condition is that the speed of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined interruption reference speed. The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The interruption condition is the presence of a foreign object or a living body on a road on which the ground power supply device is installed. The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The interruption condition is that the power supplied to the resonant circuit is equal to or greater than a predetermined interruption reference value. The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. The vehicle further includes a short-range communication device that directly communicates with the vehicle using short-range wireless communication. The control device includes: when a predetermined termination condition is satisfied while the state of the ground power supply apparatus is the main power transmission state, the power transmission active state, or the standby state, the state of the ground power supply apparatus is transitioned to a second standby state, The second standby state is a state in which the power supply to the resonant circuit is stopped, and when vehicle identification information is received from the vehicle by the short-range communication device, the state is transitioned to the power transmission active state if the vehicle identification information is registered in a list of vehicle identification information of vehicles that may receive power from the ground power supply device, the list being stored in the control device. The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. the termination condition is a condition that requires termination of power transmission from the ground power supply device to the vehicle. The ground power supply device according to claim 9.
11. the termination condition is that it is detected that the vehicle has passed through a road on which the ground power supply device is provided; The ground power supply device according to claim 9 or 10.
12. the termination condition being that one of the vehicles receives vehicle identification information from another of the vehicles via the short-range communication device before passing through a road on which the ground power supply device is provided, The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 9 to 11.
13. The termination condition is that the time during which the power transmission is in the active state or the standby state is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 9 to 12.
14. The termination condition is that a failure of the ground power supply device is detected. The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 9 to 13.
15. The termination condition is that a coupling coefficient between the resonant circuit of the power transmitting device and a resonant circuit of a power receiving device mounted on the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined termination reference value. The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 9 to 14.
16. the termination condition being that a charge to a user of the vehicle calculated based on power transmitted from the ground power supply device to the vehicle becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined upper charge limit; The ground power supply device according to any one of claims 9 to 15.
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