Power supply station

Abstract

To efficiently supply electric power to a vehicle.SOLUTION: A power supply station 3 includes at least one guide member 43, a power transmission device 44, and a controller 45. At least one guide member 43 guides a stop position to a vehicle 2. The power transmission device 44 supplies power to the vehicle 2 stopped at the stop position. The controller 45 acquires identification information of the vehicle 2 and controls operation of the at least one guide member 43 based on the acquired identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply station.

Background Art

[0002] Technologies related to power supply stations are known (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). These power supply stations are places for supplying power to vehicles. Vehicles such as cars stop at the power supply station. The power supply station automatically supplies power to the stopped vehicle, for example. For example, power is supplied from a power transmission device provided in the power supply station to a power reception device provided in the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to supply power from a power supply station to a vehicle, alignment between the power transmission connection part of the power transmission device of the power supply station and the power reception connection part of the power reception device of the vehicle is required. In Cited Documents 1 and 2, it is described that the power transmission connection part of the power supply station and the power reception connection part of the vehicle are aligned by a movable arm, and power is supplied from the power transmission device to the power reception device. In this case, due to the complexity of the arm mechanism, there is a possibility that the maintenance of the power supply station may be troublesome.

[0005] According to non-contact power supply, even if the power transmission device of the power supply station and the power reception device of the vehicle are separated, power can be supplied from the power supply station to the vehicle. In non-contact power supply, the power transmission device is provided with a power transmission coil, and the power reception device is provided with a power reception coil. In this case, power is supplied from the power transmission coil to the power reception coil. However, if the power transmission coil and the power reception coil are not aligned due to misalignment, the power supply efficiency from the power supply station to the vehicle decreases. Therefore, even when power is supplied by non-contact power supply, more accurate alignment is expected between the power transmission device of the power supply station and the power reception device of the vehicle.

[0006] The position where the power reception device is provided on the vehicle may vary depending on the vehicle. In this case, aligning the power transmission device of the power supply station and the power reception devices of each vehicle is even more difficult.

[0007] This disclosure describes a power supply station that can efficiently supply power to a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The power supply station of this disclosure includes at least one guide member, a power transmission device, and a controller. The at least one guide member guides the vehicle to a stop position. The power transmission device supplies power to the vehicle stopped at the stop position. The controller acquires the identification information of the vehicle and controls the operation of the at least one guide member based on the acquired identification information.

[0009] In this power supply station, the controller acquires the identification information of the vehicle and controls the operation of the at least one guide member based on the acquired identification information. In this case, for example, depending on the vehicle type of the vehicle, the vehicle is guided to an appropriate stop position. As a result, alignment between the power transmission device of the power supply station and the power reception device of the vehicle can be easily performed, and power can be efficiently supplied to the vehicle.

[0010] In the above-described power supply station, at least one guide member may include a lighting device. The controller may control the lighting device in at least one guide member based on the acquired identification information. In this case, while the cost is suppressed, based on the identification information of the vehicle, the vehicle can be easily and appropriately guided to the stop position.

[0011] In the above-described power supply station, at least one guide member may include a guide member that guides the vehicle to the stop position by contact with the vehicle. In this case, while the cost is suppressed, based on the identification information of the vehicle, the vehicle can be easily and appropriately guided to the stop position.

[0012] In the above-described power supply station, at least one guide member may include a plurality of first guide members arranged at different positions from each other in the traveling direction of the vehicle. In this case, each of a plurality of vehicles having different vehicle lengths can be appropriately guided to the stop position with respect to one power transmission device.

[0013] In the above-described power supply station, at least one guide member may further include a second guide member. Each of the plurality of first guide members may extend in a direction intersecting the traveling direction. The second guide member may extend in the traveling direction of the vehicle. In this case, in the left-right direction of the vehicle, the vehicle can be easily aligned with the power transmission device.

[0014] In the above-described power supply station, it may further include a platform arranged along the traveling direction of the vehicle for boarding and alighting from the vehicle stopped at the stop position.

[0015] In the above-described power supply station, the power transmission device may include a power transmission coil. The center of the power transmission coil may be farther from the boarding and alighting opening of the vehicle than the center line of the vehicle stopped at the stop position when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle. In this case, even when the vehicle is equipped with facilities such as a lift step, a wheelchair, or a luggage lifter, the power reception coil can be arranged on the vehicle while avoiding interference between these facilities and the power reception coil.

[0016] In the above power supply station, the power transmission device may include a power transmission coil. The center of the power transmission coil may be arranged to be located on the driver's seat side of the vehicle rather than on the center line of the vehicle stopped at the stop position when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle. In this case, even when the vehicle is provided with facilities such as a lifting step, a wheelchair, or a luggage lifter, the power receiving coil can be arranged on the vehicle while avoiding interference between these facilities and the power receiving coil.

[0017] In the above power supply station, the controller may control the power transmission device in response to the stop of the vehicle at the stop position guided by at least one guide member.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the power supply station of the present disclosure, power can be efficiently supplied to the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, the power supply system of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0021] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the schematic configuration of the power supply system 1 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the power supply system. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the power supply system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the power supply system.

[0022] The power supply system 1 includes a plurality of types of vehicles 2 and a power supply station 3. The power supply system 1 is a system that supplies power to the vehicle 2 parked at the power supply station 3. The vehicle 2 is equipped with electrical equipment to which power is supplied, for example, a battery that requires power supply from the outside for charging, or an air conditioner that requires power for driving. The vehicle 2 may be equipped with a plurality of electrical equipment to which power is supplied. For example, the vehicle 2 may be equipped with both a battery and an air conditioner. In this specification, "power transmission" means supplying power. Examples of the vehicle include an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle equipped with a battery. In the present embodiment, an electric vehicle will be described as an example of the vehicle.

[0023] Vehicle 2 is, for example, a vehicle for people to board and alight or load and unload luggage from a specific one side. Vehicle 2 is, for example, a bus or a truck. In this embodiment, a bus is taken as an example to describe Vehicle 2. For example, Vehicle 2 corresponding to left-hand traffic has an entrance / exit V on the left side. For example, Vehicle 2 corresponding to left-hand traffic is configured to allow people to board and alight or load and unload luggage from the left side. In Vehicle 2 corresponding to left-hand traffic, a driver's seat S is provided on the side opposite to where people board and alight or load and unload luggage, that is, on the right side of Vehicle 2. For example, Vehicle 2 corresponding to right-hand traffic has an entrance / exit V on the right side. For example, Vehicle 2 corresponding to right-hand traffic allows people to board and alight or load and unload luggage from the right side. In Vehicle 2 corresponding to right-hand traffic, a driver's seat S is provided on the side opposite to where people board and alight or load and unload luggage, that is, on the left side of Vehicle 2. The plurality of types of Vehicle 2 includes, for example, vehicles in which at least one of the vehicle width and the vehicle length is different from each other. "Vehicle width" corresponds to the overall width of the vehicle. "Vehicle length" corresponds to the overall length of the vehicle. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the case of left-hand traffic will be described. In the case of right-hand traffic, the left and right are reversed. In FIG. 1, a center line A1 of Vehicle 2 is shown.

[0024] In this specification, when Vehicle 2 is supplied with power from a power supply station 3, the direction in which Vehicle 2 moves before and after the start and end of power transmission is referred to as the "travel direction". The travel direction corresponds to the front-rear direction of Vehicle 2. The direction intersecting the vertical direction and the travel direction is referred to as the "left-right direction". In this embodiment, the travel direction and the left-right direction are perpendicular to the vertical direction. The travel direction is perpendicular to the left-right direction. The travel direction corresponds to the D1 direction, and the left-right direction corresponds to the D2 direction.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 2 includes a drive-steering mechanism 11, a communication device 12, a power receiving device 13, and a vehicle controller 14. The drive-steering mechanism 11 is a mechanism for causing the vehicle 2 to travel at a variable speed and to be steered. The drive-steering mechanism 11 is constituted by, for example, a traveling motor, a speed reducer, drive wheels, brakes, and a steering. When the vehicle 2 is manually operated, acceleration, deceleration, and route selection of the vehicle 2 are performed by an operation of the drive-steering mechanism 11 by a person. When the vehicle 2 is automatically operated, the drive-steering mechanism 11 is operated by an automatic driving device (not shown), and acceleration, deceleration, and route selection of the vehicle 2 are performed.

[0026] The communication device 12 communicates wirelessly with the power feeding station 3. The communication device 12 is constituted by, for example, a network card or a wireless communication module. The communication device 12 communicates directly with the power feeding station 3, for example. The communication device 12 may communicate with the power feeding station 3 via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0027] The power receiving device 13 is supplied with power from the power feeding station 3. In other words, power transmission from the power feeding station 3 to the vehicle 2 is performed in the power receiving device 13. The power receiving device 13 includes a power receiving coil 21 and a conversion circuit 22. The power receiving coil 21 corresponds to a power receiving connection portion. The power receiving device 13 is electrically connected to a battery 23. The power supplied from the power feeding station 3 to the power receiving device 13 is supplied to the battery 23, and the battery 23 is charged.

[0028] The power receiving coil 21 and the conversion circuit 22 are accommodated in one housing in an adjacent state, for example. The power receiving coil 21 and the conversion circuit 22 may be accommodated in respective independent housings. The power receiving coil 21 and the conversion circuit 22 may be accommodated in different housings spaced apart from each other and electrically connected to each other by a cable.

[0029] The power receiving coil 21 is a power receiving coil for non-contact power supply. Electric power is supplied to the vehicle 2 from the power supply station 3 by non-contact power supply via the power receiving coil 21. The power receiving coil 21 may be combined with a magnetic material such as ferrite.

[0030] The power receiving coil 21 is provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle 2 in order to perform non-contact power supply with the power supply station 3. The power receiving coil 21 performs magnetic coupling necessary for non-contact power supply with the power transmission coil 51 included in the power supply station 3. The vehicle 2 is provided with facilities for facilitating the boarding and alighting of people or the loading and unloading of luggage, such as, for example, a lift step, or a wheelchair or luggage lifter 24. In this case, the power receiving coil 21 is provided on the vehicle 2 so as not to physically interfere with these facilities and the tires T, etc.

[0031] When viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2, the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is farther from the boarding and alighting opening V than the center line A1 of the vehicle 2. For example, when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 in which the driver's seat S is provided on the right side, the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is located on the driver's seat S side of the center line A1 of the vehicle 2. For example, in the vehicle 2 corresponding to left-hand traffic, when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2, the power receiving coil 21 is closer to the right side surface than the left side surface of the vehicle 2. For example, in the vehicle 2 corresponding to left-hand traffic, the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is located on the right side surface side of the center line A1 of the vehicle 2 when viewed from the traveling direction. For example, when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2, the center of the power receiving coil 21 is farther from the boarding and alighting opening V than the center line A1 of the vehicle 2.

[0032] The reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 indicates the position of the power receiving coil 21. The reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 corresponds to, for example, the center of the power receiving coil 21. The power receiving coil 21 is, for example, a circular coil having a shape that is symmetric with respect to the front, rear, left, and right when viewed from the vertical direction. For example, when the power receiving coil 21 consists of one circular coil when viewed from the vertical direction, the position of the axis of one circular coil corresponds to the center of the power receiving coil 21 when viewed from the vertical direction. For example, when the power receiving coil 21 consists of a plurality of circular coils when viewed from the vertical direction, the geometric center of the axes of the plurality of circular coils corresponds to the center of the power receiving coil 21 when viewed from the vertical direction. The power receiving coil 21 may have a shape that is asymmetric in any of the front-rear, left-right, or front-rear-left-right directions, or may be a coil of a type other than a circular coil. In this case, the center of the power receiving coil 21 is the geometric centroid of the shape of the coil.

[0033] The power receiving coil 21 is provided such that the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is located at a fixed distance α from the side surface on which the boarding and alighting opening V of the vehicle 2 is provided, in all types of vehicles 2 corresponding to the power feeding station 3. The "vehicle corresponding to the power feeding station" means a vehicle that can stop at the power feeding station and receive power supply. The vehicle 2 that can stop at the power feeding station 3 and receive power supply is, for example, a vehicle in which the power receiving device 13 of the vehicle 2 adopts a power feeding method compatible with the power transmission device 44 of the power feeding station 3 and has a vehicle size that can stop within the area of the power feeding space 31 described later. The power receiving coil 21 is provided such that the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is located at a fixed distance α from the left side surface if the vehicle 2 corresponds to left-hand traffic.

[0034] The distance α is greater than, for example, half of the vehicle width of the vehicle 2. The distance α is greater than half of the vehicle width of the vehicle 2 with the smallest vehicle width among all types of vehicles 2. The power receiving coil 21 is arranged so that the edge of the power receiving coil 21 does not protrude from the bottom surface of the vehicle 2. Therefore, when the power receiving coil 21 is a rectangle with a width of 1 m in the vehicle width direction and a length of 1.2 m in the vehicle length direction as viewed from the vertical direction, and the reference point P1 is the center of the power receiving coil 21, the distance α is 1.5 m or less in the vehicle 2 with a vehicle width of 2 m. Further, the distance from the front surface of the vehicle body to the center of the power receiving coil 21 is 0.6 m or more and 9.4 m or less in the vehicle with a vehicle length of 10 m.

[0035] In any of the vehicles 2 with different sizes, while the power receiving coil 21 is stored in the bottom surface of the vehicle 2, the distance α is set as large as possible. If the power receiving coil 21 is arranged closer to the right side surface of the vehicle 2, by providing an inspection port on the right side surface of the vehicle 2, the distance from the inspection port to the power receiving coil 21 can be reduced. In this case, through the inspection port, the inspection or replacement of the power receiving coil 21 can be easily performed. Since the inspection port is located on the side opposite to the stop described later, even when the vehicle is stopped at the power supply station, the inspection or replacement of the power receiving coil can be easily performed through the inspection port without being obstructed by the stop.

[0036] The conversion circuit 22 converts the AC power supplied from the power receiving coil 21 into DC power and supplies it to the battery 23. The conversion circuit 22 includes, for example, a rectifier circuit such as a diode bridge and a DC-DC converter capable of voltage conversion. The conversion circuit 22 converts the AC power supplied from the power receiving coil 21 into DC power having a voltage suitable for charging the battery 23. The conversion circuit 22 is provided, for example, on the bottom surface of the vehicle 2. When the power receiving coil 21 and the conversion circuit 22 are installed separately, the conversion circuit 22 does not have to be provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle 2. In this case, the conversion circuit 22 may be provided, for example, on the ceiling of the vehicle 2.

[0037] The battery 23 stores the power supplied from the power receiving coil 21 via the conversion circuit 22. The battery 23 includes, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The battery 23 is charged by the DC power supplied from the conversion circuit 22. The power stored in the battery 23 is used, for example, for the running of the vehicle 2. The power stored in the battery 23 may be supplied to electrical equipment such as the air conditioning equipment of the vehicle 2. The power supplied from the power receiving coil 21 does not necessarily have to be supplied to the battery 23. For example, the power supplied from the power receiving coil 21 may be directly supplied to electrical equipment such as the air conditioning equipment of the vehicle 2 without passing through the battery.

[0038] The vehicle controller 14 controls the processes related to the non-contact power supply of the vehicle 2. The vehicle controller 14 refers to the information from the power supply station 3 obtained through the communication between the communication device 12 and the power supply station 3, and instructs each functional unit of the vehicle 2 about the processes related to the non-contact power supply. When the vehicle 2 is automatically driven, the vehicle controller 14 may instruct the drive steering mechanism 11 based on the communication result between the communication device 12 and the power supply station 3.

[0039] The vehicle controller 14 is composed of, for example, one or more computers. The vehicle controller 14 includes a microprocessor, a non-volatile memory storing a program for causing the vehicle controller 14 to execute operations, a memory storing data such as calculation results, and an input / output interface circuit.

[0040] The power supply station 3 supplies power to the vehicle 2. The power supply station 3 is compatible with a plurality of types of vehicles 2. The power supply station 3 performs, for example, processes according to the vehicle type of the vehicle 2 and supplies power to each vehicle 2.

[0041] The power supply station 3 includes a power supply space 31. The power supply space 31 is an area where the vehicle 2 stops when power is transmitted to the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 stops in the power supply space 31 when viewed from the vertical direction. The power supply space 31 extends in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 on the road surface RS. The power supply space 31 has a size greater than or equal to that of one vehicle 2 when viewed from the vertical direction. The length of the power supply space 31 in the D1 direction is greater than the vehicle length of the vehicle 2 with the largest vehicle length among all types of vehicles 2. The length of the power supply space 31 in the D2 direction is greater than the vehicle width of the vehicle 2 with the largest vehicle width among all types of vehicles 2. In the case of left-hand traffic, the left edge of the power supply space 31 overlaps the left edge of the road surface RS. In the case of left-hand traffic, the vehicle 2 stops so that the left side surface of the vehicle 2 overlaps the left edge of the power supply space 31, that is, the left edge of the road surface RS, when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0042] In addition, in FIG. 1, although the edge of the power supply space 31 is drawn with a line, it shows the area of the power supply space 31 in FIG. 1, and the actual appearance of the power supply space 31 may be different. For example, nothing may be drawn on the road surface RS, or the edge of the power supply space 31 may be painted white on the road surface RS, or the inside of the power supply space 31 may be painted white on the road surface RS.

[0043] The power supply station 3 is provided with a stop 32 adjacent to the power supply space 31. The stop 32 is, for example, a platform for getting on and off the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 stops in the power supply space 31 along the edge of the stop 32 when viewed from the vertical direction. The stop 32 has a top surface 32a at a position higher than the road surface RS in the vertical direction, for example. People getting on and off the vehicle 2 board the top surface 32a, or luggage to be loaded and unloaded from the vehicle 2 is placed thereon. A step is formed between the stop 32 and the road surface RS. The stop 32 is arranged along the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. The stop 32 extends in the D1 direction along the power supply space 31. The length of the stop 32 in the D1 direction is larger than the vehicle length of the vehicle 2, for example. The stop 32 is located on the same side as the boarding and alighting opening V side of the vehicle 2 stopped in the power supply space 31. The stop 32 is located on the side opposite to the driver's seat S side of the vehicle 2 stopped in the power supply space 31. In the case of left-hand traffic, the stop 32 is located on the left side of the power supply space 31 and the stopped vehicle 2. In the case of right-hand traffic, the stop 32 is located on the right side of the power supply space 31 and the stopped vehicle 2.

[0044] The power supply station 3 further includes a detector 41, a communicator 42, a plurality of guide members 43, a power transmission device 44, and a power supply station controller 45. The detector 41 detects the vehicle 2. The detector 41 includes, for example, a camera. The detector 41 may include a processing unit that recognizes the vehicle 2 by image processing of an image captured by the camera. The detector 41 may include various sensors such as an infrared sensor. The detector 41 is arranged outside the power supply space 31 of the power supply station 3 and is provided so as to have the power supply space 31 as a detection range, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. In the present embodiment, the detector 41 is provided so as to have the entire power supply space 31 as a detection range. The detector 41 may have the rear end side of the power supply space 31 as a detection range and detect the vehicle 2 entering the power supply space 31. The detector 41 determines whether a vehicle exists in the power supply station 3 based on, for example, a captured image or the like.

[0045] The communication device 42 communicates wirelessly with the communication device 12 of the vehicle 2. The communication device 42 is constituted by, for example, a network card or a wireless communication module. The communication device 42 communicates directly with the communication device 12 of the vehicle 2, for example. The communication device 42 may communicate with the communication device 12 of the vehicle 2 via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0046] The plurality of guide members 43 are arranged at different positions from each other and guide the vehicle 2 to a stop position. For example, after the vehicle 2 stops at the stop position guided by the guide member 43, power is supplied to the vehicle 2 from the power supply station 3. For example, the plurality of guide members 43 are visually recognized by the driver of the vehicle 2. For example, the plurality of guide members 43 are automatically recognized by a camera of the vehicle 2. For example, after the vehicle 2 stops at the stop position guided by the guide member 43, boarding and alighting or loading and unloading of luggage are performed between the bus stop 32 and the vehicle 2.

[0047] The plurality of guide members 43 are, for example, signs. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of guide members 43 are provided on the top surface 32a of the bus stop 32. Therefore, in the case of left-hand traffic, the plurality of guide members 43 are provided on the left side of the stop position, and in the case of right-hand traffic, the plurality of guide members 43 are provided on the right side of the stop position. In either case of left-hand traffic and right-hand traffic, the plurality of guide members 43 may be provided in front of the stop position. The plurality of guide members 43 may be provided at a position higher than the road surface RS. The plurality of guide members 43 have a columnar shape and may be erected so as to extend in the vertical direction at the bus stop 32 or the road surface RS. As a modification of the present embodiment, the plurality of guide members 43 may be, for example, white or fluorescent tapes.

[0048] The plurality of guide members 43 includes a plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C and a second guide member 43D. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C and the second guide member 43D are provided on the top surface 32a of the stop 32. The plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C are arranged at different positions in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. The plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C are arranged at different distances from the power transmission coil 51 in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. Each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C extends in a direction intersecting the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. For example, each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C extends in the D2 direction. The second guide member 43D extends in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. In other words, the second guide member 43D extends in the D1 direction. The second guide member 43D is provided, for example, along the edge of the stop 32 that contacts the road surface RS. As a modification of the present embodiment, the second guide member 43D may be arranged along the center line.

[0049] The vehicle 2 stops according to the positions of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C in the traveling direction. The vehicle 2 stops in accordance with the corresponding first guide member among the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C. For example, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 2 stops such that, when viewed from the vertical direction, the position of the front surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle 2 coincides with the position of the corresponding guide member 43 among the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C in the D1 direction. The vehicle 2 may stop such that, when viewed from the vertical direction, the distance between the position of the front surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle 2 and the position of the corresponding guide member 43 among the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C is a predetermined value other than zero. For example, the vehicle 2 may stop 0.5 m in front of the corresponding guide member 43 among the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C.

[0050] The vehicle 2 stops in the power supply space 31 such that the side surface of the vehicle 2 follows the second guide member 43D in the left - right direction. In the case of left - hand traffic, the vehicle 2 stops in the power supply space 31 such that the left side surface of the vehicle 2 follows the second guide member 43D.

[0051] Each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C and the second guide member 43D includes, for example, a lighting device L. In this case, each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C and the second guide member 43D may indicate the stop position of the vehicle 2 by turning on and off the lighting device L, that is, by the on - off of the lighting device L. In the present embodiment, the control of the operation of the first guide member corresponds to the control of the lighting state of the lighting device L included in the first guide member. The lighting device L includes, for example, a light emitter. The light emitter is, for example, an LED. The color of the light emitted by the lighting device L of the first guide member 43A, the color of the light emitted by the lighting device L of the first guide member 43B, and the color of the light emitted by the lighting device L of the first guide member 43C may be the same. In this case, the color of the light emitted by the lighting devices L of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C and the color of the light emitted by the lighting device L of the second guide member 43D may be the same or different. As a modification of the present embodiment, each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C and the second guide member 43D may indicate the stop position of the vehicle 2 by the color of the light emitted by the lighting device L.

[0052] The power transmission device 44 supplies power to the vehicle 2 stopped in the power supply space 31. The power transmission device 44 supplies power to the vehicle 2 stopped at the stop position guided by the guide member 43. The power transmission device 44 includes a power transmission coil 51 and a power transmission circuit 52. The power transmission coil 51 corresponds to the power transmission connection portion.

[0053] The power transmission coil 51 is a power transmission coil for non-contact power supply. The power transmission coil 51 is provided in the power supply space 31. The power transmission coil 51 is provided, for example, on the road surface RS. The power transmission coil 51 is, for example, buried in the road surface RS, and a part of it is exposed from the road surface RS. The power transmission coil 51 may be disposed on the road surface RS. Electric power is supplied from the power transmission coil 51 to the vehicle 2 via the power reception coil 21. When the high-frequency alternating magnetic field generated in the power transmission coil 51 intersects the power reception coil 21, AC power is supplied from the power reception coil 21 to the conversion circuit 22. The power transmission coil 51 may be combined with a magnetic material such as ferrite.

[0054] The power transmission coil 51 is provided such that the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 is located at a position of the above-described distance α from the left edge of the power supply space 31, that is, from the left edge of the road surface RS. In other words, the power transmission coil 51 is provided such that the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 is located at a position of the above-described distance α from the edge adjacent to the stop 32 of the power supply space 31.

[0055] The reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 indicates the position of the power transmission coil 51. The reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 corresponds to, for example, the center of the power transmission coil 51. The power transmission coil 51 is, for example, a circular coil having a shape symmetric in the front-back, left-right, or front-back and left-right directions when viewed from the vertical direction. For example, when the power transmission coil 51 consists of one circular coil when viewed from the vertical direction, the position of the axis of one circular coil when viewed from the vertical direction corresponds to the center of the power transmission coil 51. For example, when the power transmission coil 51 consists of a plurality of circular coils when viewed from the vertical direction, the geometric center of the axes of the plurality of circular coils when viewed from the vertical direction corresponds to the center of the power transmission coil 51. The power transmission coil 51 may have an asymmetric shape in any of the front-back, left-right, or front-back and left-right directions, or may be a coil of a form other than a circular coil. In this case, the center of the power transmission coil 51 is the geometric center of gravity of the coil shape.

[0056] As described above, the vehicle 2 stops at a stop position guided by the guide member 43. In a state where the vehicle 2 stops at a stop position guided by the first guide members 43A, 43B, and 43C, the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 and the reference point P2 of the power transmitting coil 51 coincide with each other in the traveling direction (D1 direction) when viewed from the vertical direction. In a state where the vehicle 2 stops at a stop position guided by the second guide member 43D, the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 and the reference point P2 of the power transmitting coil 51 coincide with each other in a direction (D2 direction) orthogonal to the traveling direction when viewed from the vertical direction. In a state where the vehicle 2 stops at a stop position guided by the guide member 43, the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is located directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmitting coil 51 when viewed from the vertical direction. For example, when the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is located directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmitting coil 51 when viewed from the vertical direction, non-contact power supply is performed most efficiently and power is supplied to the vehicle 2. For example, in this state, the center of the power receiving coil 21 and the center of the power transmitting coil 51 coincide with each other in both the D1 direction and the D2 direction when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0057] In this case, the power transmitting coil 51 is arranged so as to approach the side surface of the stopped vehicle 2 on the side opposite to the side of the stop 32. When viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2, the reference point P2 of the power transmitting coil 51 is farther from the boarding and alighting opening V of the vehicle 2 than the center line A1 of the stopped vehicle 2. For example, when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 in which the driver's seat S is provided on the right side, the reference point P2 of the power transmitting coil 51 is arranged so as to be located on the driver's seat S side of the vehicle 2 rather than the center line A1 of the stopped vehicle 2. For example, in the vehicle 2 corresponding to left-hand traffic, when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2, the reference point P2 of the power transmitting coil 51 is closer to the right side surface than the left side surface of the stopped vehicle 2. For example, in the vehicle 2 corresponding to left-hand traffic, the reference point P2 of the power transmitting coil 51 is located on the right side surface side rather than the center line A1 of the stopped vehicle 2. For example, when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2, the center of the power transmitting coil 51 is farther from the boarding and alighting opening V than the center line A1 of the stopped vehicle 2.

[0058] When the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is located directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51, the efficiency of non-contact power supply is improved compared to the case where the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is displaced from the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51. When viewed from the vertical direction, when the axis of the power receiving coil 21 overlaps with the axis of the power transmission coil 51, the efficiency of non-contact power supply is improved compared to the case where the axis of the power receiving coil 21 is displaced from the axis of the power transmission coil 51.

[0059] The distance from the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 to the front end of the power supply space 31 is larger than the distance from the front surface of the vehicle body in all types of vehicles 2 to the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21. The distance from the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 to the rear end of the power supply space 31 is larger than the distance from the rear surface of the vehicle body in all types of vehicles 2 to the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21. In a state where the vehicle 2 has stopped so that the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is located directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51, regardless of the vehicle type of the vehicle 2, when viewed from the vertical direction, the entire vehicle 2 is located within the power supply space 31. The vehicle 2 stops at a stop position guided by the guide member 43. The stop position of the vehicle 2 may vary, for example, from several centimeters to a dozen or so centimeters. The variation in the stop position is caused by, for example, a control error in the braking force, a recognition error of the driver, and a detection error of the sensor of the automatic driving device. The width of the power supply space 31 may be set so that the entire vehicle 2 is located within the power supply space 31 even if the variation in the stop position occurs.

[0060] The power transmission circuit 52 converts the power supplied from an external power source (not shown) into high-frequency alternating current power and supplies it to the power transmission coil 51. The external power source is, for example, a commercial power source. The frequency of the alternating current power supplied by the power transmission circuit 52 to the power transmission coil 51 is, for example, 100 kHz. The power transmission circuit 52 is composed of, for example, a rectifier circuit and an inverter. The rectifier circuit is, for example, a diode bridge. The inverter is composed of, for example, semiconductor power control elements. The semiconductor power control element is, for example, a power MOSFET.

[0061] The power transmission circuit 52 and the power transmission coil 51 are each housed in an independent housing. The power transmission circuit 52 and the power transmission coil 51 are housed in different housings spaced apart from each other and are electrically connected to each other by a cable. In this case, for example, the power transmission circuit 52 is provided below the top surface 32a of the stop 32. The power transmission circuit 52 and the power transmission coil 51 may be housed in one housing in an adjacent state, for example. In this case, the power transmission circuit 52 may be located below the power transmission coil 51.

[0062] The power supply station controller 45 controls the processes related to wireless power supply in the power supply station 3. The power supply station controller 45 instructs each functional unit of the power supply station 3 to perform processes related to wireless power supply based on the information from the vehicle 2 obtained through the communication between the communication device 42 and the communication device 12 of the vehicle 2 and the detection result of the detector 41. The power supply station controller 45 is provided, for example, at the stop 32. The power supply station controller 45 is provided, for example, below the top surface 32a of the stop 32. The power supply station controller 45 is connected to the detector 41, the communication device 42, the plurality of guide members 43, and the power transmission device 44 through the wiring W arranged underground, for example.

[0063] The power supply station controller 45 acquires the identification information of the vehicle 2 from the communication device 42 and the detector 41, and controls the operation of at least one of the plurality of guide members 43 based on the acquired identification information. The identification information is, for example, information indicating the vehicle type of the vehicle 2. The identification information is, for example, the vehicle type information of the vehicle 2. The identification information may be information for identifying the individual vehicle 2. The identification information may be the vehicle body number of the vehicle 2 or the automobile registration number. The power supply station controller 45 determines whether the vehicle 2 exists in the power supply space 31 based on the detection result of the detector 41. The power supply station controller 45 controls the operation of at least one of the plurality of guide members 43 to guide the vehicle 2 to a stop position where the reference point P1 of the power reception coil 21 is directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 when viewed from the vertical direction, for example.

[0064] The power supply station controller 45 controls the on / off of the lighting device L in at least one of the plurality of guide members 43, for example, based on the acquired identification information. The power supply station controller 45 turns on the lighting device L of the guide member 43 corresponding to the stop position where the vehicle 2 stops and turns off the lighting device L of the guide member 43 not corresponding to the stop position where the vehicle 2 stops according to the identification information of the vehicle 2, for example.

[0065] The power supply station controller 45 controls the power transmission device 44. The power supply station controller 45 controls the power transmission device 44 in response to the stop of the vehicle 2 at the stop position guided by the guide member 43. The power supply station controller 45 determines whether the vehicle 2 has stopped based on the information acquired from the communication device 42 or the detector 41, for example. The power supply station controller 45 instructs the power transmission device 44 to supply power to the vehicle 2 when it determines that the vehicle 2 has stopped, for example. The power supply station controller 45 instructs the power transmission device 44 to supply power to the vehicle 2 when it determines that the vehicle 2 has stopped at the stop position guided by the guide member 43, for example. The power supply station controller 45 instructs the power transmission circuit 52 to start and end power transmission, for example.

[0066] The power supply station controller 45 is constituted by one or a plurality of computers, for example. The power supply station controller 45 includes a microprocessor, a non-volatile memory storing a program for causing the power supply station controller 45 to execute operations, a memory for storing data such as calculation results, and an input / output interface circuit.

[0067] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the processing flow performed in the power supply station controller 45 of the power supply station 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed in the power supply station controller 45.

[0068] First, the power supply station controller 45 determines whether it has acquired a request from the vehicle 2 (process S1). The request from the vehicle 2 is, for example, a request indicating that the vehicle 2 requests power supply, and is acquired by the communication device 42. When the power supply station controller 45 determines that it has not acquired a request from the vehicle 2 (NO in process S1), it performs process S1 again. When the power supply station controller 45 determines that it has acquired a request from the vehicle 2 (YES in process S1), it advances the process to process S2.

[0069] When the power supply station controller 45 determines that it has acquired a request from the vehicle 2 (YES in process S1), it acquires the identification information of the vehicle 2 (process S2). The identification information of the vehicle 2 is acquired by, for example, the communication device 42. In the communication device 42, the vehicle type information transmitted from the vehicle 2 is acquired, and the acquired vehicle type information is acquired as the identification information. The identification information of the vehicle 2 may be acquired by a camera that images the vehicle 2 in the area in front of the power supply space 31. In this case, the camera identifies the license plate from the captured image and acquires the vehicle registration number as the identification information.

[0070] After process S2, the power supply station controller 45 determines whether the identification information corresponds to the power supply station 3 (process S3). For example, when the power supply station 3 cannot supply power to the vehicle 2 indicated by the identification information, the power supply station controller 45 determines that the identification information does not correspond to the power supply station 3. When the power supply station 3 can supply power to the vehicle 2 indicated by the identification information, the power supply station controller 45 determines that the identification information corresponds to the power supply station 3. When the identification information does not correspond to the power supply station 3 (NO in process S3), the power supply station controller 45 advances the process to process S4. When the identification information corresponds to the power supply station 3 (YES in process S3), the power supply station controller 45 advances the process to process S5.

[0071] When the power supply station controller 45 determines that the identification information does not correspond to the power supply station 3 (NO in process S3), it transmits information indicating non-correspondence of power supply to the vehicle 2 to the vehicle 2 (process S4). After process S4, the power supply station controller 45 returns the process to process S1.

[0072] When the power supply station controller 45 determines that the identification information corresponds to the power supply station 3 (YES in process S3), it determines whether the power supply space 31 is available (process S5). For example, when a vehicle is detected in the power supply space 31 by the detector 41, the power supply station controller 45 determines that the power supply space 31 is not available. When another vehicle is stopped in the power supply space 31, a vehicle is detected in the power supply space 31 by the detector 41. When no vehicle is detected in the power supply space 31 by the detector 41, the power supply station controller 45 determines that the power supply space 31 is available. When the power supply station controller 45 determines that the power supply space 31 is not available (NO in process S5), it proceeds with the process to process S6. When the power supply station controller 45 determines that the power supply space 31 is available (YES in process S5), it proceeds with the process to process S7.

[0073] When the power supply station controller 45 determines that the power supply space 31 is not available (NO in process S5), it transmits information indicating no availability of the power supply space 31 to the vehicle 2 (process S6). After process S6, the power supply station controller 45 returns the process to process S1.

[0074] When the power supply station controller 45 determines that the power supply space 31 is available (YES in process S5), it transmits information indicating availability of power supply to the vehicle 2 (process S7). After process S7, the power supply station controller 45 proceeds with the process to process S8.

[0075] After the process S7, the power supply station controller 45 instructs the guide member 43 to perform a first operation according to the identification information of the vehicle 2 (process S8). The first operation is an operation of guiding the vehicle 2 to a stop position where the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is located directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmitting coil 51 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0076] For example, FIG. 5 shows a state in which three types of vehicles 2A, 2B, and 2C with different vehicle widths and lengths are guided to their corresponding stop positions in the case of left-hand traffic. The vehicles 2A, 2B, and 2C are all included in the vehicle 2. In all types of the vehicles 2A, 2B, and 2C, the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is provided at a certain distance α from the left side surface of each vehicle 2A, 2B, and 2C. The vehicle lengths of the vehicles 2A, 2B, and 2C are LA, LB, and LC respectively, and the distances from the front surface of the vehicle body to the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 are DA, DB, and DC respectively. For example, DC>DB>DA holds. In the present embodiment, LB>LC>LA holds, but the magnitude relationship of LA, LB, and LC is not limited to this. LA, LB, and LC may have a different magnitude relationship or may be the same as each other.

[0077] In the case of left-hand traffic, each vehicle 2A, 2B, and 2C stops so that the second guide member 43D coincides with the left side surface of each vehicle 2A, 2B, and 2C when viewed in the vertical direction. Specifically, when the vehicle is manually driven, a person visually recognizes the second guide member 43D. While visually measuring the distance between the second guide member 43D and the left side surface of the vehicle, the person operates the drive steering mechanism 11. When the vehicle is automatically driven, the vehicle controller 14 recognizes the second guide member 2D by image processing from an image captured by a camera (not shown). This camera is mounted, for example, on the left front part of the vehicle and has a field of view including the left front and the left side of the vehicle. The vehicle controller 14 calculates the distance between the second guide member 2D and the left side surface of the vehicle and causes the automatic driving device to operate the drive steering mechanism 11.

[0078] When the identification information of the vehicle 2 is the vehicle 2A, the power supply station controller 45 operates the first guide member 43C so that the vehicle 2A stops at the stop position corresponding to the first guide member 43C. As a result, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle 2A stops such that the position of the front surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle 2A coincides with the position of the first guide member 43C in the D1 direction. When the identification information of the vehicle 2 is the vehicle 2B, the power supply station controller 45 operates the guide member 43 so that the vehicle 2B stops at the stop position corresponding to the first guide member 43B. As a result, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle 2B stops such that the position of the front surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle 2B coincides with the position of the first guide member 43B in the D1 direction. When the identification information of the vehicle 2 is the vehicle 2C, the power supply station controller 45 operates the guide member 43 so that the vehicle 2C stops at the stop position corresponding to the first guide member 43A. As a result, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle 2C stops such that the position of the front surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle 2C coincides with the position of the first guide member 43A in the D1 direction. In these cases, when viewed from the vertical direction, the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 of each of the vehicles 2A, 2B, 2C is located directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51.

[0079] In process S8, the power supply station controller 45 controls, for example, to turn on the lighting device L of the guide member 43 corresponding to the stop position where the vehicle 2 is to be stopped and turn off the lighting device L of the guide member 43 not corresponding to the stop position where the vehicle 2 is to be stopped according to the identification information of the vehicle 2. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the power supply station controller 45 acquires identification information indicating that the vehicle 2 is the vehicle 2A as the identification information of the vehicle 2. In this case, the power supply station controller 45 turns on the lighting device L of the first guide member 43C and the lighting device L of the second guide member 43D corresponding to the identification information of the vehicle 2, and turns off the lighting device L of the first guide members 43A and 43B.

[0080] For example, when the vehicle 2A is manually driven and a person visually recognizes the first guide member, the lighting device L of the first guide member 43C is turned on, and the first guide member 43C is recognized by the person. In this case, the person stops the vehicle so that the front surface of the first guide member 43C coincides with the front surface of the vehicle. When the vehicle 2A is automatically driven and the vehicle controller 14 recognizes the first guide member by image processing from an image captured by a camera (not shown), the first guide member 43C with the lighting device L turned on is recognized by the image processing. For example, the first guide members 43A and 43B with the lighting device L turned off are not recognized by the image processing. In this case, the vehicle controller 14 stops the vehicle so that the front surface of the first guide member 43C coincides with the front surface of the vehicle.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 5, the distance between the first guide member 43C and the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 is equal to the distance DA between the front surface of the vehicle 2A and the reference point P1 of the power reception coil 21. Therefore, the reference point P1 of the power reception coil 21 is located directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51. As a result, the efficiency of non-contact power supply from the power transmission coil 51 to the power reception coil 21 can be improved.

[0082] After the process S8, the power supply station controller 45 determines whether the vehicle 2 has stopped (process S9). The stop of the vehicle 2 is determined based on the information acquired from the detector 41 or the communicator 42. For example, in a plurality of images captured by the detector 41, when the position of the vehicle 2 has not changed, the power supply station controller 45 determines that the vehicle 2 has stopped. The detector 41 captures a plurality of images at time intervals of, for example, 0.1 seconds. For example, when the communicator 42 acquires information indicating stop from the vehicle 2, the power supply station controller 45 may determine that the vehicle 2 has stopped according to the information acquired by the communicator 42. When the power supply station controller 45 determines that the vehicle 2 has not stopped (NO in process S9), the process S9 is performed again. When the power supply station controller 45 determines that the vehicle 2 has stopped (YES in process S9), the process proceeds to process S10.

[0083] When the power supply station controller 45 determines that the vehicle 2 has stopped (YES in process S9), it causes the power supply device 44 to start power transmission to the vehicle 2 (process S10). The power supply device 44 starts supplying power to the vehicle 2 based on an instruction from the power supply station controller 45.

[0084] After process S10, the power supply station controller 45 determines whether to stop power transmission to the vehicle 2 (process S11). The determination of stopping power transmission is made based on, for example, information acquired from the communication device 42 or information within the power supply station 3. The power supply station controller 45 acquires, for example, the restart information of the vehicle 2 from the communication device 42 and determines whether to stop power transmission to the vehicle 2 based on the acquired information. The communication device 42 acquires the restart information of the vehicle 2 through wireless communication with the communication device 12. The vehicle controller 14 transmits the restart information to the communication device 42 via the communication device 12 when, for example, the vehicle 2 resumes running.

[0085] The power supply station controller 45 may acquire, for example, the remaining amount of the battery 23, the amount of power transmitted, the transmission time, a predetermined transmission time, or the stop time of the vehicle 2 from inside the power supply station 3 or the communication device 42. The remaining amount of the battery 23 corresponds to the charged amount. The communication device 42 acquires these information through wireless communication with the communication device 12. The power supply station controller 45 determines whether to stop power transmission to the vehicle 2 based on the acquired information above. The power supply station controller 45 determines whether to stop power transmission to the vehicle 2 based on any one or a combination of the above-described information. For example, when the remaining amount of the battery 23 exceeds the threshold value, the power supply station controller 45 determines to stop power transmission to the vehicle 2. This threshold value corresponds to, for example, the remaining amount of the battery 23 sufficient for the vehicle 2 to run. When the power supply station controller 45 does not determine to stop power transmission to the vehicle 2 (NO in process S11), it performs process S11 again. When the power supply station controller 45 determines to stop power transmission to the vehicle 2 (YES in process S11), it proceeds to process S12.

[0086] When the power supply station controller 45 determines to stop power transmission to the vehicle 2 (YES in process S11), it causes the power transmission device 44 to end power transmission to the vehicle 2 (process S12). Based on the instruction from the power supply station controller 45, the power transmission device 44 ends the power supply to the vehicle 2. The above is an example of the flow of the process performed in the power supply station controller 45.

[0087] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the flow of the process performed in the vehicle controller 14 of the vehicle 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process performed in the vehicle controller 14.

[0088] First, the vehicle controller 14 transmits a request and identification information to the power supply station 3 (process S21). The request transmitted in process S21 is, for example, a request indicating that the vehicle 2 requests power supply, and is transmitted by the communication device 12. The identification information transmitted in process S21 is the identification information of the vehicle 2. When the vehicle controller 14 of the vehicle 2 that intends to receive power supply approaches the power supply station 3, it transmits the above request to the power supply station 3.

[0089] Next, the vehicle controller 14 determines whether it has received a non - response to power supply (process S22). When the vehicle controller 14 determines that it has received from the power supply station 3 that power supply is not available (YES in process S22), it ends a series of processes. When the vehicle controller 14 does not determine that it has received from the power supply station 3 that power supply is not available (NO in process S22), it proceeds to process S23.

[0090] When the vehicle controller 14 does not determine that it has received information indicating that power supply from the power supply station 3 is not supported (NO in process S22), it determines whether it has received information indicating that there is no available space in the power supply space 31 (process S23). When the vehicle controller 14 determines that it has received information indicating that there is no available space in the power supply space 31 (YES in process S23), it advances the process to process S24. When the vehicle controller 14 does not determine that it has received information indicating that there is no available space in the power supply space 31 (NO in process S23), it advances the process to process S25. The vehicle controller 14 may advance the process to process S25 when it receives information indicating that power supply is possible.

[0091] When the vehicle controller 14 determines that it has received information indicating that there is no available space in the power supply space 31 (YES in process S23), it waits for a predetermined time (process S24). In process S24, the vehicle controller 14 does not enter the power supply space and stops or travels slowly in front of it. When process S24 ends, the vehicle controller 14 returns the process to process S21. Through the loop from process S21 to process S24, the vehicle controller 14 waits for the power supply space 31 to become available.

[0092] When the vehicle controller 14 does not determine that it has received information indicating that there is no space in the power supply space 31 (NO in process S23), it travels and stops in the power supply space 31 according to the guide member 43 (process S25). For example, when the vehicle 2 is automatically driven, the vehicle controller 14 controls the drive steering mechanism 11 to travel and stop according to the guide member 43. The vehicle controller 14 recognizes the guide member 43 by image processing from an image captured by a camera (not shown). For example, the guide member 43 with the lighting device L turned on is recognized by image processing. For example, the guide member 43 with the lighting device L turned off is not recognized by image processing. For example, the vehicle controller 14 controls the drive steering mechanism 11 to travel and stop the vehicle 2A so that the left side surface of the vehicle 2 is along the second guide member 43D and the front surface of the vehicle 2 is aligned with the first guide member 43C corresponding to the stop position. When the vehicle 2 is manually operated, the vehicle controller 14 may display that it should travel and stop according to the guide member 43. As a result, the vehicle 2 is guided by the guide member 43 and stops in the power supply space 31. The vehicle controller 14 transmits the completion of stopping to the power supply station 3 via the communication device 12.

[0093] When process S25 ends, the vehicle controller 14 transmits information indicating the completion of stopping to the power supply station 3 (process S26). In process S26, the vehicle controller 14 keeps the vehicle 2 stopped in the power supply space 31.

[0094] When process S26 ends, the vehicle controller 14 is supplied with power from the power supply station 3 (process S27). In this case, the power supply from the power transmission device 44 of the power supply station 3 to the power reception device 13 is started.

[0095] When process S27 ends, the vehicle controller 14 determines whether to resume the travel of the vehicle 2 (process S28). The vehicle controller 14 determines whether to resume the travel of the vehicle 2 based on, for example, an instruction from a person riding in the vehicle 2. The resumption of travel may be determined based on information obtained from the communication device 12 or information inside the vehicle 2.

[0096] The vehicle controller 14 may acquire the remaining amount of the battery 23, the amount of received power, the received time, a predetermined power reception time, or the stop time of the vehicle 2 from inside the vehicle 2 or the communication device 12. The remaining amount of the battery 23 corresponds to the charged amount. Also in this case, the vehicle controller 14 determines whether to resume the running of the vehicle 2 based on the acquired information.

[0097] When the vehicle controller 14 determines not to resume the running of the vehicle 2 (NO in process S28), it performs process S28 again. When the vehicle controller 14 determines to start the running of the vehicle 2 (YES in process S28), it proceeds with the process to process S29.

[0098] When the vehicle controller 14 determines to start the running of the vehicle 2 (YES in process S28), it executes a process for resuming the running of the vehicle 2 (process S29). For example, in the case of automatic driving, the vehicle controller 14 controls the drive steering mechanism 11 to resume running. When the vehicle controller 14 manually operates the vehicle 2, it may display that running can be resumed. As a result, the vehicle 2 resumes running and exits outside the power supply space 31. The above describes an example of the flow of the process performed in the vehicle controller 14.

[0099] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, a power supply system in a modification of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the power supply system. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the power supply system. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the vehicles are guided to their corresponding stop positions. This modification is generally similar or the same as the above-described embodiment. This modification is different from the above-described embodiment with respect to the configuration of the guide member 43. Hereinafter, the differences between the above-described embodiment and the modification will be mainly described.

[0100] In this modification example, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C are provided in the power supply space 31. For example, the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C indicate the stop position to the vehicle 2 by contacting the vehicle 2. In other words, the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C guide the stop position to the vehicle 2 by contacting the vehicle 2.

[0101] In this modification example, the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C operate mechanically. For example, the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C include a pneumatic cylinder that expands and contracts by air pressure and a lock plate connected to the pneumatic cylinder. For example, when the pneumatic cylinder extends, the lock plate rotates about an axis in contact with the road surface RS and rises with respect to the road surface RS. As a result, the lock plate is inclined with respect to the road surface RS and restricts the movement of the vehicle 2 by contacting the tire T of the vehicle 2. The plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C indicate the stop position to the vehicle 2 by the contact between the lock plate inclined with respect to the road surface RS and the tire T of the vehicle 2. When the pneumatic cylinder contracts from the extended state, the lock plate rotates about an axis in contact with the road surface RS and descends with respect to the road surface RS. As a result, the lock plate contacts the road surface RS in parallel and allows the vehicle 2 to move. Thus, in this modification example, the control of the operation of the first guide member corresponds to the switching control between the state where the lock plate is inclined with respect to the road surface RS and the state where the lock plate is parallel to the road surface RS.

[0102] In this modification example, the power supply station controller 45 switches, for example, at least one locking plate of the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, and 43C between a state in which the locking plate is inclined with respect to the road surface RS and a state in which the locking plate is parallel to the road surface RS based on the acquired identification information. The power supply station controller 45 inclines, for example, the locking plates of the first guide members 43A, 43B, and 43C corresponding to the stop position at which the vehicle 2 is to be stopped with respect to the road surface RS according to the identification information of the vehicle 2. The power supply station controller 45 makes, for example, the locking plates of the first guide members 43A, 43B, and 43C that do not correspond to the stop position at which the vehicle 2 is to be stopped parallel to the road surface RS according to the identification information of the vehicle 2.

[0103] In the power supply station controller 45 of this modification example, in the process S8 shown in FIG. 4, for example, the locking plates of the first guide members 43A, 43B, and 43C corresponding to the stop position at which the vehicle 2 is to be stopped are inclined with respect to the road surface RS, and the locking plates of the first guide members 43A, 43B, and 43C that do not correspond to the stop position at which the vehicle 2 is to be stopped are made parallel to the road surface RS.

[0104] For example, FIG. 9 shows, as in FIG. 5, a state in which three types of vehicles 2A, 2B, and 2C having different vehicle widths and vehicle lengths are each guided to the corresponding stop positions in the case of left-hand traffic. In all types of the vehicles 2A, 2B, and 2C, the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is provided at a fixed distance α from the left side surface of each vehicle 2A, 2B, and 2C. The vehicle lengths of the vehicles 2A, 2B, and 2C are LA, LB, and LC, respectively. The distance from the contact position of the front wheel tire TA of the vehicle 2A with the road surface RS to the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is EA. The distance from the contact position of the front wheel tire TB of the vehicle 2B with the road surface RS to the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is EB. The distance from the contact position of the front wheel tire TC of the vehicle 2C with the road surface RS to the reference point P1 of the power receiving coil 21 is EC. For example, EC>EB>EA holds. Also in this modification example, LB>LC>LA holds, but the magnitude relationship of LA, LB, and LC is not limited to this. LA, LB, and LC may have a different magnitude relationship or may be the same as each other.

[0105] In this modified example, in process S8 shown in FIG. 4, the power supply station controller 45 controls, for example, the lock plate of the guide member 43 corresponding to the stop position for stopping the vehicle 2 to be inclined with respect to the road surface RS according to the identification information of the vehicle 2, and the lock plate of the guide member 43 not corresponding to the stop position for stopping the vehicle 2 to be parallel to the road surface RS. For example, the power supply station controller 45 acquires identification information indicating that the vehicle is the vehicle 2A as the identification information of the vehicle 2. In this case, the power supply station controller 45 inclines the lock plate of the first guide member 43C corresponding to the identification information of the vehicle 2 with respect to the road surface RS, and makes the lock plates of the first guide members 43A and 43B parallel to the road surface RS.

[0106] For example, when the vehicle 2A is manually driven and a person visually recognizes the first guide member, the lock plate of the first guide member 43C is inclined with respect to the road surface RS, and the first guide member 43C is recognized by the person. When the vehicle 2A is automatically driven and the vehicle controller 14 recognizes the first guide member by image processing from an image captured by a camera (not shown), the first guide member 43C inclined with respect to the road surface RS is recognized by the image processing. In either the case where the vehicle 2A is manually driven or the case where it is automatically driven, the vehicle 2A travels toward the first guide member 43C, the first guide member 43C comes into contact with the front wheel tire TA of the vehicle 2A, and the vehicle 2A stops.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the first guide member 43C and the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 is equal to the distance EA from the contact position between the front wheel tire TA of the vehicle 2A and the road surface RS to the reference point P1 of the power reception coil 21. More precisely, there may be an offset of several centimeters to a dozen or so centimeters between the contact position between the first guide member 43C and the front wheel tire TA and the contact position between the front wheel tire TA of the vehicle 2A and the road surface RS. In this case, the distance between the first guide member 43C and the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51 and the distance EA from the contact position between the front wheel tire TA of the vehicle 2A and the road surface RS to the reference point P1 of the power reception coil 21 are arranged with an offset corresponding to the above offset. As a result, the reference point P1 of the power reception coil 21 is located directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51, and the efficiency of non-contact power supply from the power transmission coil 51 to the power reception coil 21 can be improved.

[0108] As a further modification of this modification example, each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C may be a liftable stop block. In this case, each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C is lifted and lowered by an electric jack mechanism. The stop block is lifted by the electric jack mechanism and protrudes from the road surface RS, and the movement of the vehicle 2 is restricted by contact with the tire T of the vehicle 2. The plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C indicate the stop position of the vehicle 2 by contact between the stop block protruding from the road surface RS and the tire T of the vehicle 2. The stop block is lowered by the electric jack mechanism to be flush with the road surface RS, allowing the vehicle 2 to move. In this case, the control of the operation of the first guide member corresponds to the switching control between the state where the stop block protrudes from the road surface RS and the state where the stop block is buried in the road surface RS and is flush with the road surface RS.

[0109] As a further modification of this modification example, each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C may be a shut-off device or the like. In this case, the stop position of the vehicle 2 is indicated by lowering the shut-off device in front of the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 may recognize the shut-off device from an image captured by a camera or may recognize the shut-off device by contact with the shut-off device. In this case, the control of the operation of the first guide member corresponds to the control of raising and lowering the shut-off device.

[0110] Next, the operation and effect of the power supply system 1 and the power supply station 3 of the present disclosure will be described.

[0111] In the power supply station 3 of the present disclosure, the power supply station controller 45 acquires the identification information of the vehicle 2 and controls the operation of the at least one guide member 43 based on the acquired identification information. In this case, for example, according to the vehicle type of the vehicle 2, the vehicle 2 is guided to an appropriate stop position. For this reason, the power transmission device 44 and the power reception device 13 are aligned without using a movable mechanism such as an arm for vehicles 2 having different sizes. For example, the reference point P1 of the power reception coil 21 of the stopped vehicle 2 is located directly above the reference point P2 of the power transmission coil 51. In this case, power can be efficiently transmitted to the vehicle 2. As a result, the alignment between the power transmission coil 51 of the power supply station 3 and the power reception coil 21 of the vehicle 2 can be easily performed, and power can be efficiently supplied to the vehicle 2.

[0112] In the power supply station 3, the at least one guide member 43 includes a lighting device L. The power supply station controller 45 controls the lighting device L in the at least one guide member 43 based on the acquired identification information. In this case, based on the identification information of the vehicle 2, the vehicle 2 can be easily and appropriately guided to the stop position while suppressing costs.

[0113] In the configuration of the power supply station 3 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the at least one guide member 43 includes a guide member 43 that guides the stop position to the vehicle 2 by contact with the vehicle 2. In this case, based on the identification information of the vehicle 2, the vehicle 2 can be easily and appropriately guided to the stop position while suppressing costs.

[0114] In the power supply station 3, the at least one guide member 43 includes a plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C arranged at different positions in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. In this case, each of the plurality of vehicles 2 having different vehicle lengths can be appropriately guided to the stop position with respect to one power transmission device 44.

[0115] In the power supply station 3, at least one guide member 43 further includes a second guide member 43D. Each of the plurality of first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C extends in a direction intersecting the traveling direction. The second guide member 43D extends in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. In this case, in the left - right direction of the vehicle 2, the vehicle 2 can be easily aligned with the power transmission device 44.

[0116] The power supply station 3 further includes a platform 32 that is arranged along the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 and is used for getting on and off the vehicle 2 stopped at the stop position. In this case, since people can get on and off the platform 32 or load and unload luggage simultaneously with power transmission, the operation rate of the vehicle 2 is improved.

[0117] In the above - mentioned power supply station 3, the power transmission device 44 includes a power transmission coil 51. The center of the power transmission coil 51 is farther from the boarding and alighting opening of the vehicle 2 than the center line of the vehicle 2 stopped at the stop position when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. For example, in the vehicle 2A, the center of the power transmission coil 51 is farther from the boarding and alighting opening of the vehicle 2A than the center line A1 of the vehicle 2A stopped at the stop position when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2A. In this case, even when the vehicle 2 is equipped with facilities such as a lift step, a wheelchair, or a luggage lifter, the power receiving coil 21 can be arranged on the vehicle 2 while avoiding interference between these facilities and the power receiving coil 21.

[0118] In the above - mentioned power supply station 3, the power transmission device 44 includes a power transmission coil 51. The center of the power transmission coil 51 is arranged to be located on the driver's seat S side of the vehicle 2 rather than the center line of the vehicle 2 stopped at the stop position when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. In this case, even when the vehicle 2 is equipped with facilities such as a lift step, a wheelchair, or a luggage lifter, the power receiving coil 21 can be arranged on the vehicle 2 while avoiding interference between these facilities and the power receiving coil 21.

[0119] As described above, the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes are possible without departing from the gist thereof.

[0120] For example, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the power receiving connection portion of the power receiving device 13 is the power receiving coil 21, the power transmitting connection portion of the power transmitting device 44 is the power transmitting coil 51, and the case where the power receiving coil 21 and the power transmitting coil 51 are in a non-contact power feeding method has been described. However, the power receiving connection portion may be supplied with power from the power transmitting connection portion by wire. When the power is supplied from the power transmitting connection portion by wire, the power receiving connection portion and the power transmitting connection portion may be physically contacted via a plug in power transmission at the stop position.

[0121] For example, a socket may be provided on the lower surface of the power receiving device 13 so as to be exposed from the bottom surface of the vehicle 2 and into which a plug is inserted from below, and a liftable plug may be provided upward at a position on the top surface of the power transmitting device 44 that is located on the road surface. In this case, when the vehicle 2 stops at the stop position, the plug rises and is inserted into the socket. As a result, power can be supplied by wire between the power transmitting device 44 and the power receiving device 13.

[0122] Also in the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C may include a lighting device L. For example, the lighting device L is provided at the tip of the lock plate, and the stop position of the vehicle 2 is indicated by turning on and off the lighting device L. For example, the power supply station controller 45 controls the lighting state of the lighting device L included in the first guide member together with the switching control between the state where the lock plate is inclined with respect to the road surface RS and the state where the lock plate is parallel to the road surface RS.

[0123] When each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C includes the lighting device L, each of the first guide members 43A, 43B, 43C may be buried in the road surface RS and formed flush with the road surface RS, and the stop position of the vehicle 2 may be indicated by turning on and off the lighting device L.

[0124] [Appendix]

[0125] The power supply system and power supply station of the present disclosure can contribute to the enrichment of public transportation, and thus contribute to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Therefore, the power supply system and power supply station of the present disclosure contribute to Goal 11, "Sustainable cities and communities," of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations.

Description of reference numerals

[0126] Vehicles 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Power supply station 3 Bus stop 32 Guide member 43 First guide members 43A, 43B, 43C Second guide member 43D Power transmission device 44 Power transmission coil 51 Lighting device L Driver's seat S Entrance / exit V

Claims

Claim 1: At least one guide member for guiding a stop position within a power supply space with respect to a vehicle, a power transmission device including a power transmission coil provided in the power supply space and supplying power to the vehicle stopped at the stop position, a controller that acquires identification information of the vehicle and controls the operation of the at least one guide member based on the acquired identification information, a stop where a person boarding or alighting from the vehicle stopped at the stop position or luggage to be loaded or unloaded is placed, adjacent to the power supply space, A power supply station in which the center of the power transmission coil is arranged so as to be farther from the stop than the center line of the vehicle stopped at the stop position when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle.

2. The at least one guide member includes a lighting device, The controller controls the lighting device in the at least one guide member based on the acquired identification information. The power supply station according to claim 1.

3. The at least one guide member includes a guide member that guides the stop position to the vehicle by contact with the vehicle. The power supply station according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The at least one guide member includes a plurality of first guide members arranged at different positions in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The power supply station according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The at least one guide member further includes a second guide member, Each of the plurality of first guide members extends in a direction intersecting the traveling direction, The second guide member extends in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The power supply station according to claim 4. Claim 6: The center of the power transmission coil is arranged so as to be located on the driver's seat side of the vehicle rather than the center line of the vehicle stopped at the stop position when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle. The power supply station according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The controller controls the power transmission device in response to the stop of the vehicle at the stop position guided by the at least one guide member. The power supply station according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images