Vehicle power supply system
The vehicle power supply system efficiently recovers and utilizes heat generated during power supply by integrating a heat recovery and distribution system, improving energy efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021183918
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-11-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-11-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle power supply systems inefficiently recover and utilize the heat generated during power supply to vehicles.
A vehicle power supply system that includes a power supply unit and a heat supply unit, with a heat recovery section installed within a storage unit to capture heat, a heat release section outside to distribute the heat, and a heat transfer mechanism to efficiently transfer heat to a heat supply target, utilizing a heat pump for efficient heat recovery and distribution.
The system effectively recovers and utilizes heat generated during power supply, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing energy waste.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle power supply system that supplies power to a vehicle. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there are systems for charging the batteries of vehicles such as electric vehicles. When charging such batteries, heat is generated in the batteries. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a system for recovering and utilizing the heat generated in the battery. In this system, heat is recovered from the vehicle by connecting a conduit to the vehicle for drawing in air heated by the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-143509 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In such a system for supplying power to a vehicle, it is required to more efficiently recover and utilize the generated heat. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle power supply system that can efficiently recover and utilize the heat generated when power is supplied to a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle power supply system that supplies power to a vehicle, comprising: a power supply unit that supplies power to the vehicle; and a heat supply unit that recovers heat and supplies the recovered heat to a heat supply target; the power supply unit comprises a storage section that stores the vehicle; and a power supply section that supplies power to the vehicle stored in the storage section; and the heat supply unit comprises: a heat recovery section that is installed within the storage section and recovers heat within the storage section; a heat release section that is installed outside the storage section and releases the heat recovered by the heat recovery section to the heat supply target; and a heat transfer mechanism that transfers the heat recovered by the heat recovery section to the heat release section.
[0006] This vehicle power supply system includes a storage unit for storing the vehicle, which separates the space inside the storage unit from the space outside. This allows the vehicle power supply system to retain heat generated during power supply to the vehicle within the storage unit and efficiently recover the heat within the storage unit using a heat recovery unit. The vehicle power supply system then transfers the recovered heat to a heat release unit, which then supplies the heat to a heat supply target. In this way, the vehicle power supply system can efficiently recover and utilize the heat generated during power supply to the vehicle.
[0007] In the vehicle power supply system, the heat transfer mechanism may have a heat medium that moves between a heat recovery unit and a heat release unit, the heat recovery unit transfers heat in the storage unit to the heat medium, and the heat release unit releases the heat from the heat medium to the heat supply target. In this case, the heat supply unit can supply heat in the storage unit to the heat supply target by moving the heat medium from the heat recovery unit to the heat release unit.
[0008] In the vehicle power supply system, the heat supply unit is a heat pump that performs a heat cycle including an evaporation process, a compression process, and a condensation process of a heat medium and transfers heat to be supplied to a heat supply target, the heat recovery unit includes an evaporator that performs an evaporation process of recovering heat in a storage unit and evaporating the heat medium, the heat transfer mechanism includes piping that transfers the heat medium from the heat recovery unit to a heat release unit and a compressor that performs a compression process of compressing and heating the heat medium evaporated in the evaporator, and the heat release unit may include a condenser that releases heat from the heat medium heated by the compressor to the heat supply target and performs a condensation process of condensing the heat medium. In this case, the vehicle power supply system can use the heat pump as the heat supply unit to more efficiently recover heat from the storage unit and supply heat to the heat supply target even when the temperature of the heat supply target is higher than the temperature inside the storage unit.
[0009] In the vehicle power supply system, the heat recovery unit may be installed closer to the ceiling of the storage unit than to the floor of the storage unit. Warm air tends to accumulate in the upper part of the storage unit. Therefore, in the vehicle power supply system, by installing the heat recovery unit closer to the ceiling, heat can be recovered more efficiently from the storage unit.
[0010] In the vehicle power supply system, the power supply unit may include a coil unit that transmits power to the vehicle in a wireless manner, and at least the coil unit may be installed in the storage unit. Here, when power is supplied to the vehicle in a wireless manner, the coil unit may generate heat. Therefore, by installing the coil unit that generates heat when supplying power in the storage unit, the vehicle power supply system can efficiently recover the heat generated by the coil unit using the heat recovery unit.
[0011] In the vehicle power supply system, the storage unit may be provided with an entrance for vehicles to enter and exit, and may further be provided with a door for opening and closing the entrance. In this case, the vehicle power supply system can allow vehicles to enter and exit the storage unit through the entrance by opening the door, and can suppress heat from inside the storage unit from being released to the outside through the entrance by closing the door.
[0012] The vehicle power supply system may further include an emergency light provided in the storage unit for guiding vehicles, and a lighting control unit that controls lighting of the emergency light, wherein the lighting control unit turns on the emergency light so that the emergency light is on when the door unit is open and no vehicle is present in the storage unit, and turns off the emergency light so that the emergency light is off when the door unit is closed. In this case, the vehicle power supply system turns on the emergency light only when it is necessary to guide vehicles using the emergency light, and turns off the emergency light in other cases, thereby reducing the energy required to light the emergency light.
[0013] The vehicle power supply system may further include a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature inside the storage unit and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening and closing of the door unit, and the opening / closing control unit may control the door unit to an open state when the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold. In this case, the vehicle power supply system can exhaust hot air inside the storage unit to the outside by opening the door unit to open the entrance and exit, thereby preventing the temperature inside the storage unit from rising too high.
[0014] The vehicle power supply system may further include a battery information acquisition unit that acquires battery status information, including the status of the on-board battery, from the vehicle in the storage unit, and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening and closing operation of the door unit, and the opening / closing control unit may control the door unit to an open state when the status of the on-board battery indicated by the battery status information acquired by the battery information acquisition unit is in a predetermined abnormal state. In this case, the vehicle power supply system can open the door unit to open the entrance and exit, making it easier to check the status of the vehicle in the storage unit from the outside.
[0015] The vehicle power supply system may further include a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature inside the storage unit, a ventilation fan that exhausts air inside the storage unit to the outside, and a ventilation control unit that controls the operation of the ventilation fan, and the ventilation control unit may operate the ventilation fan to exhaust the air inside the storage unit to the outside when the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold. In this case, the vehicle power supply system can operate the ventilation fan to exhaust the hot air inside the storage unit to the outside, thereby preventing the temperature inside the storage unit from rising too high.
[0016] The vehicle power supply system may further include a standby list generation unit that generates a standby list of vehicles waiting for power supply when the power supply unit continuously supplies power to a plurality of vehicles, and a heat supply control unit that controls the supply of heat to the heat supply target in the heat supply unit, and the heat supply control unit may maintain the supply of heat to the heat supply target in the heat supply unit when there is a vehicle waiting for power supply on the standby list. In this case, the vehicle power supply system can continue to supply heat to the heat supply target even when the vehicle is moved into the storage unit if there is a vehicle waiting for power supply. [Effects of the Invention]
[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, heat generated when power is supplied to a vehicle can be efficiently recovered and utilized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the layout of the components related to the movement of a vehicle in a vehicle power supply system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle power supply system. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the storage unit of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(a) is a view of the storage section as seen from the exit door side, Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view from the side showing the internal configuration of the storage section, and Fig. 4(c) is a view of the storage section as seen from the entrance door side. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration for recovering heat within the storage section. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a heat pump. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of task 1 of the power supply process executed by the power supply control device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of task 2 of the power supply process executed by the power supply control device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the charging process executed by the vehicle. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a storage section according to the first modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a storage section according to the second modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a storage section according to the second modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of the configuration around the piping of the storage section according to the second modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of the configuration around the piping of the storage section according to the second modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of the configuration around the piping of the storage section according to the second modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of the configuration around the piping of the storage section according to the second modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the layout of the configuration related to vehicle movement in a vehicle power supply system having a plurality of storage units. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle power supply system 1 is a system that supplies power to a vehicle V. In this embodiment, the vehicle V is an autonomous vehicle that travels automatically. The vehicle V can travel automatically based on instructions from the vehicle power supply system 1. Furthermore, the vehicle V can travel automatically based on instructions from the vehicle power supply system 1, reach a certain location, and receive power. In other words, the vehicle V can automatically receive power in an unmanned state.
[0021] In this embodiment, the vehicle V is, for example, an electric vehicle that runs on power from an on-board battery (vehicle battery) 53 (see FIG. 5). Note that the electric vehicle here includes vehicles equipped with only an electric motor as a power source, and plug-in hybrid vehicles equipped with an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as power sources. The vehicle V receives power from the vehicle power supply system 1 to charge the battery 53.
[0022] When vehicle V attempts to charge battery 53, it waits in power supply waiting area A1. Vehicle power supply system 1 guides vehicle V waiting in power supply waiting area A1 to temporary stopping area A2 and further into storage unit 10. Vehicle power supply system 1 supplies power to vehicle V in storage unit 10. After power supply is completed, vehicle power supply system 1 guides vehicle V to power supply completion area A3.
[0023] In this embodiment, the power supply waiting area A1 and the power supply end vehicle area A3 can each accommodate multiple vehicles V. The temporary stopping area A2 is an area where vehicles entering the storage unit 10 can temporarily wait, and can accommodate one vehicle V. The power supply waiting area A1, the temporary stopping area A2, and the power supply end vehicle area A3 are set in advance on a road surface on which the vehicle V travels. This road surface may be any surface on which the vehicle V can travel, and may be, for example, a floor surface inside a building or a road surface provided on the ground.
[0024] 1, the ranges of the power supply waiting area A1, the temporary stop area A2, and the power supply completion area A3 are indicated by dashed lines, but the boundaries of some or all of these areas may be indicated by white lines or the like, or may not be indicated by any boundaries. Also, some or all of the power supply waiting area A1, the temporary stop area A2, and the power supply completion area A3 may be painted with paint or the like.
[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle power supply system 1 includes a power supply unit 2, a heat pump (heat supply unit) 3, a power supply control device 4, a thermometer (temperature measurement unit) S1, a vehicle sensor S2, a storage section guide light (guide light) L1, a temporary stop guide light L2, and a power supply end guide light L3.
[0026] The power supply unit 2 supplies power to the vehicle V. The power supply unit 2 includes a storage section 10 and a power supply section 20. The storage section 10 is provided at a power supply position where power is supplied to the vehicle V, and stores the vehicle V. The storage section 10 may be a building installed on the road surface, or may be a simple structure that covers the vehicle V. In this embodiment, the storage section 10 is large enough to store one vehicle V. The inner walls and the underside of the ceiling of the storage section 10 may be provided with insulating material such as glass wool. In this case, the storage section 10 can improve the insulation between the inside and outside of the storage section 10.
[0027] 3 and 4, the storage unit 10 is provided with an entrance (entrance / exit) 10a through which the vehicle V enters the storage unit 10, and an exit (entrance / exit) 10b through which the vehicle V exits the storage unit 10. In this embodiment, the entrance 10a and the exit 10b are provided at positions facing each other in the storage unit 10.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage section 10 is provided with an entrance door (door section) 11, an entrance door drive mechanism 12, an exit door (door section) 13, an exit door drive mechanism 14, and a ventilation fan 15.
[0029] The entrance door 11 opens and closes the entrance 10a. When the entrance door 11 is in an open state, the entrance 10a is in an open state. When the entrance door 11 is in a closed state, the entrance 10a is in a closed state. The entrance door drive mechanism 12 is a drive unit that opens and closes the entrance door 11. The exit door 13 opens and closes the exit 10b. When the exit door 13 is in an open state, the exit 10b is in an open state. When the exit door 13 is in a closed state, the exit 10b is in a closed state. The exit door drive mechanism 14 is a drive unit that opens and closes the exit door 13.
[0030] The configuration of the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 is not particularly limited. The entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 may be formed, for example, of a plate-shaped door member or a shutter. The configuration of the entrance door drive mechanism 12 and the exit door drive mechanism 14 is not particularly limited. For example, the entrance door drive mechanism 12 and the exit door drive mechanism 14 may open and close their respective doors using power from an electric motor or compressed air, etc. The entrance door drive mechanism 12 and the exit door drive mechanism 14 can open and close the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 independently, based on instructions from the power supply control device 4.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage section 10 is provided between the temporary stopping area A2 and the power supply end vehicle area A3. The entrance 10a of the storage section 10 faces the temporary stopping area A2, and the exit 10b faces the power supply end vehicle area A3. The floor surface R of the storage section 10 is smoothly connected to the road surface outside the storage section 10. This allows the vehicle V to easily move from the temporary stopping area A2 into the storage section 10 and from the storage section 10 to the power supply end vehicle area A3.
[0032] 2 and 5, the ventilation fan 15 can exhaust the air inside the storage unit 10 to the outside of the storage unit 10. The ventilation fan 15 operates based on an instruction from the power supply control device 4.
[0033] The power supply unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 supplies power to the vehicle V stored in the storage unit 10. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 20 supplies power to the vehicle V in a contactless manner. The power supply unit 20 may use an electromagnetic induction method. However, the power supply unit 20 is not limited to this method, and may supply power in a contactless manner using other methods such as a magnetic resonance method. As shown in FIG. 3, a power supply area P is set in advance on the floor R of the storage unit 10. The power supply unit 20 contactlessly supplies power to the vehicle V parked in the power supply area P in a predetermined orientation (the front side of the vehicle V faces the exit door 13 and the rear side of the vehicle V faces the entrance door 11).
[0034] More specifically, the power supply unit 20 includes a power transmission circuit unit 21, a power transmission coil unit (coil unit) 22, and a cable 23. The power transmission circuit unit 21, the power transmission coil unit 22, and the cable 23 are provided at positions that do not interfere with the movement of the vehicle V entering and leaving the storage unit 10.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 5 , for example, the power transmission circuit unit 21 is installed at a low position within the storage unit 10 or on the inner wall of the storage unit 10 above the floor R, facing the side of the vehicle V. This is not a limitation, and the power transmission circuit unit 21 may be embedded in the floor R. For example, the power transmission coil unit 22 is installed on the floor R of the storage unit 10. This is not a limitation, and the power transmission coil unit 22 may be embedded in the floor R. Note that the power transmission coil unit 22 is provided at a position facing the power receiving coil unit 51 mounted on the vehicle V when the vehicle V is parked within a power supply area P defined within the storage unit 10. For example, the cable 23 is embedded in the floor R. This is not a limitation, and the cable 23 may be laid on the floor R if the cable has sufficient strength to allow the tires of the vehicle V to run over it. In this way, at least the power transmission coil unit 22 of the power supply unit 20 is stored within the storage unit 10.
[0036] The power transmission circuit unit 21 converts power supplied from an external power source (not shown) into high-frequency AC power and supplies the converted high-frequency AC power to the power transmission coil unit 22 via a cable 23. The external power source may be, for example, a 50 Hz or 60 Hz commercial power source. Alternatively, the external power source may be power generated by solar power generation, wind power generation, or the like, or may be power generated by solar power generation, wind power generation, or the like combined with power from a storage battery for stabilization. The power transmission circuit unit 21 receives AC or DC power from the external power source as input, converts it into DC power of a predetermined voltage using a power factor correction circuit, a rectifier, a DC-DC converter, or the like, and may further convert it into high-frequency AC power using an inverter. The frequency of the AC power supplied by the power transmission circuit unit 21 to the power transmission coil unit 22 may be, for example, 100 kHz.
[0037] Furthermore, the power transmission circuit unit 21 can start and stop power supply to the vehicle V based on an instruction from the power supply control device 4. Note that the power transmission circuit unit 21 may determine to stop power supply to the vehicle V based on a predetermined condition such as the state of the power transmission coil unit 22, and stop the power supply.
[0038] The power transmission coil unit 22 transmits power to the vehicle V in a contactless manner. The power transmission coil unit 22 converts high-frequency AC power supplied via the cable 23 into a magnetic field. The magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil unit 22 generates an electromotive force by electromagnetic induction in the coil of the power receiving coil unit 51 mounted on the vehicle V, thereby transmitting power in a contactless manner. The power transmission coil unit 22 is configured, for example, by combining a circular coil with a capacitor and an inductor for improving the efficiency of contactless power transmission. However, the internal configuration of the power transmission coil unit 22 may be other configurations as long as contactless power transmission is possible.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the heat pump 3 is a heat supply unit that recovers heat and supplies the recovered heat to a heat supply target. The heat pump 3 recovers heat generated when the power supply unit 2 supplies power to the vehicle V. In this embodiment, the heat pump 3 supplies heat to a building T as a heat supply target, as shown in FIG. 5, as an example. The building T is installed outside the storage section 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heat pump 3 may also supply heat to a heat supply target other than the building T. The heat supplied to the building T is used, for example, for heating the interior of the building T.
[0040] In this embodiment, the heat pump 3 does not care whether the temperature of the storage unit 10, which recovers heat, is higher or lower than the temperature of the building T side that supplies heat. The heat pump 3 only needs to recover heat from the storage unit 10 and supply it to the building T. For example, if the temperature inside the storage unit 10 is higher than the temperature on the building T side, the temperature of the condenser (heat release unit) 33, which will be described later, may become even higher than the temperature inside the storage unit 10. However, since the temperature of the condenser 33 is higher than the temperature on the building T side, heat is released from the condenser 33 to the building T side, and heat is transferred from the storage unit 10 to the building T side.
[0041] As shown in Fig. 6, the heat pump 3 includes an evaporator (heat recovery section) 31, a compressor (heat transfer mechanism) 32, a condenser 33, an expansion valve (heat transfer mechanism) 34, and a pipe (heat transfer mechanism) K. The heat pump 3 also includes a refrigerant (heat medium) (not shown) that circulates through the pipe K. The pipe K connects the evaporator 31 and the compressor 32, connects the compressor 32 and the condenser 33, connects the condenser 33 and the expansion valve 34, and connects the expansion valve 34 and the evaporator 31. This allows the refrigerant to circulate through the evaporator 31, compressor 32, condenser 33, expansion valve 34, and evaporator 31 in that order.
[0042] The heat pump 3 repeatedly performs a heat cycle including an evaporation process, a compression process, a condensation process, and an expansion process of the refrigerant, absorbing heat from within the containment unit 10 and dissipating it to the building T, thereby transferring heat from within the containment unit 10 to the building T. That is, the heat pump 3 operates to cool the inside of the containment unit 10 and heat the building T. As shown in FIG. 5 , the evaporator 31 is installed within the containment unit 10. In this embodiment, the evaporator 31 is installed in a position close to the ceiling 10c of the containment unit 10 (a position closer to the ceiling 10c of the containment unit 10 than the floor R of the containment unit 10). The evaporator 31 is attached to, for example, an inner wall of the containment unit 10. The evaporator 31 recovers heat within the containment unit 10. Here, the evaporator 31 performs an evaporation process in which the refrigerant is evaporated (vaporized) by the heat within the containment unit 10.
[0043] The compressor 32 performs a compression process in which the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 31 is compressed and heated. The installation location of the compressor 32 is not particularly limited. In Fig. 5, the compressor 32 is not shown because the installation location of the compressor 32 is not limited. The refrigerant heated by compression is sent to the condenser 33 through a pipe K.
[0044] The condenser 33 is installed in the building T outside the storage unit 10. The condenser 33 releases the heat recovered by the evaporator 31 to the building T. More specifically, the condenser 33 releases heat from the refrigerant heated by the compressor 32 to the building T, and performs a condensation process to condense the refrigerant. In the condensation process, the refrigerant returns from a gas state to a liquid state.
[0045] The expansion valve 34 performs an expansion stroke to cool the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 33. The installation location of the expansion valve 34 is not particularly limited. In FIG. 5, the expansion valve 34 is not shown because the installation location of the expansion valve 34 is not limited. The refrigerant cooled in the expansion stroke is sent to the evaporator 31, where the evaporation process described above is performed again. In this way, the compressor 32, the expansion valve 34, and the piping K function as a heat transfer mechanism that transfers the heat recovered in the evaporator 31 to the condenser 33.
[0046] 2, the thermometer S1 measures the temperature inside the storage unit 10. The type of the thermometer S1 is not particularly limited. The detection result of the thermometer S1 is transmitted to the power supply control device 4.
[0047] The vehicle sensor S2 detects whether or not a vehicle V is present in the storage unit 10. For example, the vehicle sensor S2 may be a sensor that is embedded in the floor surface R of the storage unit 10 and is capable of detecting metal within a predetermined range on the floor surface R (for example, a range up to several tens of centimeters above the floor surface R). When metal is detected by this vehicle sensor S2, it can be determined that a vehicle V is present in the storage unit 10. However, the type of the vehicle sensor S2 is not particularly limited. The detection result of the vehicle sensor S2 is transmitted to the power supply control device 4.
[0048] The storage section guide light L1 serves as a landmark for guiding the vehicle V to the power supply area P set within the storage section 10. In this embodiment, the storage section guide light L1 is provided on the floor R of the storage section 10. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , for example, the storage section guide light L1 is installed in the shape of a rectangular frame on the floor R so as to surround the power supply area P set on the floor R. The storage section guide light L1 may be, for example, a white light-emitting diode that emits light in a planar manner. In this case, the storage section guide light L1 forms a white line surrounding the power supply area P by emitting light. When the storage section guide light L1 is a light-emitting diode, the storage section guide light L1 is driven by a power source and an electronic control element such as a power MOSFET.
[0049] The vehicle V can travel automatically based on the captured image of the camera 71 that captures the surroundings of the vehicle V. The vehicle V can recognize the illuminated storage section guide light L1 from the captured image of the camera 71, and can automatically travel to the power supply area P based on the recognized storage section guide light L1. Note that since the storage section guide light L1 emits light when guiding the vehicle V, there is no need to provide lighting equipment inside the storage section 10. Even if lighting equipment is not provided inside the storage section 10, the vehicle V can recognize the illuminated storage section guide light L1 from the captured image of the camera 71. The storage section guide light L1 switches on and off based on instructions from the power supply control device 4.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 1 , the temporary stop guide light L2 serves as a landmark for guiding the vehicle V from the power supply waiting area A1 to the temporary stop area A2. In this embodiment, the temporary stop guide light L2 is provided on the road surface of the temporary stop area A2. In this embodiment, the temporary stop guide light L2 is provided in the shape of a square frame indicating the temporary stop area A2. The temporary stop guide light L2 has a configuration similar to that of the storage section guide light L1. Like the storage section guide light L1, the vehicle V can recognize the illuminated temporary stop guide light L2 from the image captured by the camera 71 and automatically travel from the power supply waiting area A1 to the temporary stop area A2. The temporary stop guide light L2 switches between on and off based on instructions from the power supply control device 4.
[0051] The positional relationship between the power supply waiting area A1 and the temporary stop area A2 is such that the temporary stop guide light L2 of the temporary stop area A2 is within the imaging field of view of the camera 71 of the vehicle V stopped in the power supply waiting area A1. This allows the vehicle V stopped in the power supply waiting area A1 to recognize the illumination of the temporary stop guide light L2 of the temporary stop area A2 and drive to the temporary stop area A2.
[0052] Furthermore, the positional relationship between the temporary stopping area A2 and the storage unit 10 (power supply area P) is such that when the entrance 10a of the storage unit 10 is open, the storage unit guide light L1 in the storage unit 10 is within the imaging field of view of the camera 71 of the vehicle V stopped in the temporary stopping area A2. This allows the vehicle V stopped in the temporary stopping area A2 to recognize the light emitted by the storage unit guide light L1 and drive to the power supply area P.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 , the power supply termination guide light L3 serves as a landmark for guiding the vehicle V from the power supply area P to the power supply termination vehicle area A3. In this embodiment, the power supply termination guide light L3 is provided on the road surface of the power supply termination vehicle area A3. In this embodiment, the power supply termination guide light L3 is provided in the shape of a square frame that indicates the stopping area for the vehicle V within the power supply termination vehicle area A3. In this embodiment, the stopping area within the power supply termination vehicle area A3 is provided for three vehicles. In other words, three power supply termination guide lights L3 are provided within the power supply termination vehicle area A3.
[0054] Each of the three power feeding end guide lights L3 indicates the stopping area of the vehicle V by using a rectangular frame. The power feeding end guide lights L3 have a configuration similar to that of the storage section guide light L1. Like the storage section guide light L1, the vehicle V can recognize the emitting power feeding end guide light L3 from the image captured by the camera 71 and automatically travel from the storage section 10 (power feeding area P) to the stopping area provided in the power feeding end vehicle area A3. The power feeding end guide light L3 switches between on and off based on instructions from the power feeding control device 4. Also, any one of the three power feeding end guide lights L3 will emit light based on instructions from the power feeding control device 4. The vehicle V travels toward the stopping area indicated by the emitting power feeding end guide light L3.
[0055] Furthermore, the positional relationship between the storage section 10 (power supply area P) and the power supply end vehicle area A3 is such that, when the exit 10b of the storage section 10 is in an open state, the power supply end guide light L3 in the power supply end vehicle area A3 is within the imaging field of view of the camera 71 of the vehicle V parked in the storage section 10. As a result, the vehicle V parked in the storage section 10 can recognize the light emitted by the power supply end guide light L3 and drive to the stopping area indicated by the illuminated power supply end guide light L3.
[0056] In addition, the storage section guide light L1, temporary stop guide light L2, and power supply end guide light L3 are not limited to being arranged in a square frame shape, as long as they can guide and stop the vehicle V to their respective designated positions.
[0057] 2, the power supply control device 4 performs various controls such as power supply to the vehicle V in the vehicle power supply system 1. The power supply control device 4 may be provided, for example, inside the storage unit 10 or outside the storage unit 10. The power supply control device 4 is configured as a computer including, for example, a communication unit 40, a power supply control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 41, input / output devices (not shown), and the like.
[0058] The communication unit 40 is a communication device that communicates with each part of the vehicle power supply system 1 and the vehicle V. The communication unit 40 is equipped with a wireless communication device and performs wireless communication with the vehicle V. The communication unit 40 may perform wired communication or wireless communication with each part of the vehicle power supply system 1.
[0059] Here, there are cases where radio waves for communication are difficult to transmit because the wall surface of the storage section 10 contains, for example, metal. In this case, to enable wireless communication with the communication unit 40 whether the vehicle V is located inside or outside the storage section 10, wireless communication antennas for the communication unit 40 may be provided both inside and outside the storage section 10, or wireless communication devices may be provided both inside and outside the storage section 10.
[0060] The power supply control ECU 41 is a processing unit that executes various controls such as power supply to the vehicle V. The power supply control ECU 41 is configured by an electronic control unit that includes, for example, a microprocessor, a memory, a storage device that stores programs that define operations, etc. In the power supply control ECU 41, for example, a program stored in the storage device is loaded into the memory, and the program loaded into the memory is executed by the microprocessor, thereby realizing various functions.
[0061] When the communication unit 40 receives a power supply request signal from the vehicle V, the power supply control ECU 41 guides the vehicle V to the power supply area P in the storage unit 10 and executes a process of supplying power to the vehicle V. When the power supply ends, the power supply control ECU 41 guides the vehicle V from the storage unit 10 to the power supply end vehicle area A3. In order to perform these processes, the power supply control ECU 41 functionally includes a standby list generation unit 42, a guidance control unit (lighting control unit) 43, an opening / closing control unit 44, a power supply control unit 45, a heat supply control unit 46, a battery information acquisition unit 47, and a ventilation control unit 48.
[0062] When a power supply request signal is received from a vehicle V, the standby list generation unit 42 generates a standby list of vehicles V waiting for power supply. This standby list is a list of vehicles V waiting for power supply when the power supply unit 2 continuously supplies power to multiple vehicles V. When a vehicle V wishes to receive power supply, it moves to the power supply standby area A1 and waits there. The vehicle V that has entered the power supply standby area A1 transmits its own vehicle ID along with a power supply request signal to the power supply control device 4. For example, when a power supply request signal is received, the standby list generation unit 42 adds the vehicle ID received together with the power supply request signal to the standby list. When multiple vehicles V are present in the power supply standby area A1, multiple vehicle IDs are stored in the standby list. The standby list is stored, for example, in a memory of the power supply control ECU 41.
[0063] When the power supply unit 2 is in a state where power can be supplied to the vehicle V, the standby list generation unit 42 selects one vehicle ID stored in the standby list and deletes the selected vehicle ID from the standby list. The vehicle V whose vehicle ID has been deleted from the standby list becomes a vehicle V to be supplied with power.
[0064] If the vehicle V is not present in the storage unit 10, the vehicle V can enter the power supply area P in the storage unit 10 and receive power. Therefore, the standby list generation unit 42 can use the state in which the vehicle sensor S2 detects that the vehicle V is not present in the storage unit 10 as a state in which power supply by the power supply unit 2 is possible.
[0065] On the other hand, when the vehicle sensor S2 detects that the vehicle V is present in the storage unit 10, the power supply area P in the storage unit 10 is occupied, that is, the vehicle V is receiving power in the power supply area P. Therefore, when the vehicle sensor S2 detects the vehicle V, the standby list generation unit 42 waits until the vehicle sensor S2 detects that the vehicle V is not present.
[0066] Furthermore, when multiple vehicle IDs are stored in the waiting list, the waiting list generation unit 42 selects and deletes one vehicle ID from among these. For example, the waiting list generation unit 42 may select vehicle V with the vehicle ID that was stored earliest in the waiting list and delete this vehicle ID. For example, the waiting list generation unit 42 may randomly select one vehicle ID from among the multiple vehicle IDs and delete this vehicle ID. There are no limitations on the method used by the waiting list generation unit 42 to select a vehicle ID.
[0067] The guidance control unit 43 controls the lighting of the storage section guidance light L1, the temporary stop guidance light L2, and the power supply end guidance light L3, and instructs the vehicle V to enter, thereby guiding the vehicle V to each of the temporary stop area A2, the power supply area P, and the power supply end vehicle area A3. The guidance control unit 43 can instruct the vehicle V to enter each area by transmitting an entry instruction signal or an exit instruction signal to the vehicle V via the communication unit 40.
[0068] First, a case where a vehicle V is guided from the power supply waiting area A1 to the temporary stop area A2 will be described. When the waiting list generating unit 42 selects the vehicle V to be supplied with power (when the vehicle ID is deleted), the guidance control unit 43 turns on the temporary stop guide light L2. As a result, the vehicle V to be supplied with power that is stopped in the power supply waiting area A1 can capture the image of the illuminated temporary stop guide light L2 with the mounted camera 71 and recognize the temporary stop guide light L2. After turning on the temporary stop guide light L2, the guidance control unit 43 transmits a signal to the vehicle V to be supplied with power to instruct it to enter the temporary stop area A2.
[0069] When the vehicle V to be supplied with power, which is parked in the power supply waiting area A1, receives the entry instruction signal, it automatically drives to the temporary stop area A2 indicated by the illuminated temporary stop guidance light L2. When the vehicle V arrives at the temporary stop area A2, it stops there and transmits an arrival signal to the power supply control device 4 indicating that it has arrived at the temporary stop area A2.
[0070] Next, a case will be described where the vehicle V is guided from the temporary stop area A2 to the power supply area P in the storage unit 10. When the communication unit 40 receives an arrival signal indicating that the vehicle V has arrived at the temporary stop area A2, the guidance control unit 43 turns on the storage unit guide light L1. Then, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls the entrance door 11 to be in an open state. In other words, the guidance control unit 43 controls the lighting of the storage unit guide light L1 so that the storage unit guide light L1 is turned on when the entrance 10a is open and there is no vehicle V in the storage unit 10.
[0071] As a result, the vehicle V to be supplied with power that is parked in the temporary stop area A2 can use the mounted camera 71 to capture an image of the illuminated storage section guide light L1 through the entrance 10a of the storage section 10, and recognize the storage section guide light L1. After turning on the storage section guide light L1, the guidance control unit 43 transmits a signal to instruct the vehicle V to be supplied with power to enter the power supply area P. After transmitting the signal to instruct the vehicle V to enter the power supply area P, the guidance control unit 43 turns off the temporary stop guide light L2.
[0072] When the vehicle V to be supplied with power that is stopped in the temporary stopping area A2 receives the entry instruction signal, it automatically travels to the power supply area P indicated by the illuminated storage section guide light L1. When the vehicle V arrives at the power supply area P, it stops in the power supply area P and transmits an arrival signal indicating that it has arrived at the power supply area P to the power supply control device 4. When the communication unit 40 receives the arrival signal indicating that it has arrived at the power supply area P, the guidance control unit 43 turns off the storage section guide light L1. Then, in the power supply area P, the vehicle V receives power supply.
[0073] Next, a case where the vehicle V is guided from the power feeding area P to the power feeding end vehicle area A3 will be described. When power feeding to the vehicle V has ended, the guidance control unit 43 turns on the power feeding end guidance light L3. Here, the guidance control unit 43 can determine that power feeding has ended when a power feeding end condition is met. For example, the guidance control unit 43 can determine that power feeding has ended when the communication unit 40 receives from the vehicle V a charge completion signal indicating that charging of the battery 53 has been completed. The guidance control unit 43 may also determine that the power feeding end condition has been met when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of power feeding to the vehicle V. Note that the power transmission circuit unit 21 may decide to stop power feeding and stop power feeding to the vehicle V. In this case, the guidance control unit 43 may determine that the power feeding end condition has been met when the power transmission circuit unit 21 stops power feeding.
[0074] Furthermore, the guidance control unit 43 turns on one selected power feeding end guide light L3 from the multiple power feeding end guide lights L3. Here, the guidance control unit 43 selects and turns on a power feeding end guide light L3 where no other vehicles V are parked. Then, the opening / closing control unit 44 opens the exit door 13. As a result, the vehicle V parked in the power feeding area P can capture an image of the emitting power feeding end guide light L3 through the exit 10b of the storage unit 10 with the mounted camera 71, and recognize the power feeding end guide light L3. After turning on the power feeding end guide light L3, the guidance control unit 43 transmits an exit instruction signal to the vehicle V for which power feeding has been completed, instructing it to exit the power feeding area P.
[0075] When the vehicle V that has stopped in the power supply area P and for which power supply has finished receives the exit instruction signal, it automatically travels to the stopping area indicated by the power supply completion guide light L3 that is lit in the power supply completion vehicle area A3. When the vehicle V arrives at the power supply completion vehicle area A3, it stops there and notifies the guidance control unit 43 that it has arrived at the power supply completion vehicle area A3.
[0076] In this way, the guidance control unit 43 can guide the vehicle V to each area by turning on the storage section guidance light L1, temporary stop guidance light L2, and power supply end guidance light L3, and by giving instructions to the vehicle V.
[0077] The opening / closing control unit 44 controls the opening and closing operations of the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13. Here, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls the opening and closing operation of the entrance door 11 by issuing instructions to the entrance door drive mechanism 12. In addition, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls the opening and closing operation of the exit door 13 by issuing instructions to the exit door drive mechanism 14.
[0078] The opening / closing control unit 44 controls the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 to be in a closed state when the vehicle V is present in the storage unit 10. In other words, the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 are in a closed state while power is being supplied to the vehicle V. The opening / closing control unit 44 controls the entrance door 11 to be in an open state when the vehicle V enters the storage unit 10. For example, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls the entrance door 11 to be in an open state when the communication unit 40 receives an arrival signal indicating that the vehicle V has arrived at the temporary stopping area A2. Furthermore, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls the exit door 13 to be in an open state when power supply to the vehicle V ends and the vehicle V exits the storage unit 10. For example, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls the exit door 13 to be in an open state when the power supply end condition is met and power supply ends.
[0079] Incidentally, even when a vehicle V is present in the storage section 10, the opening / closing control section 44 can control at least one of the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 to be in an open state based on the battery state information acquired by the battery information acquisition section 47. Here, when the state of the battery 53 of the vehicle V indicated by the battery state information is in a predetermined abnormal state, the opening / closing control section 44 controls at least one of the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 to be in an open state, and sets at least one of the entrance 10a and the exit 10b to an open state.
[0080] The predetermined abnormal state may be determined based on the temperature of the battery 53 or the amount of charge of the battery 53 relative to the charging time. Various states can be set in advance as this abnormal state. When it is determined that the battery 53 is in an abnormal state, the power feeding control unit 45 stops the power feeding unit 20 from feeding power to the vehicle V.
[0081] Furthermore, even when a vehicle V is present in the storage unit 10, the opening / closing control unit 44 can control at least one of the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 to be in an open state based on the temperature inside the storage unit 10 measured by the thermometer S1. For example, when the temperature measured by the thermometer S1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls at least one of the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 to be in an open state, thereby opening at least one of the entrance 10a and the exit 10b. Note that the predetermined temperature threshold here may be, for example, an upper limit value of the rated temperature of equipment mounted on the vehicle V, the charging unit 5, etc.
[0082] The power feeding control unit 45 controls the power feeding to the vehicle V performed by the power feeding unit 20. The power feeding control unit 45 controls the power feeding by instructing the power transmission circuit unit 21 of the power feeding unit 20 to start and stop power feeding. Here, when the communication unit 40 receives from the vehicle V an arrival signal indicating that the vehicle has arrived at the power feeding area P, the power feeding control unit 45 instructs the power feeding unit 20 to start power feeding. Furthermore, when the above-mentioned power feeding end condition is met, the power feeding control unit 45 determines that power feeding should be ended and instructs the power feeding unit 20 to stop power feeding.
[0083] The power supply control unit 45 can instruct the power supply unit 20 to stop power supply based on the battery state information acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 47. Here, the power supply control unit 45 can instruct the power supply unit 20 to stop power supply when the state of the battery 53 of the vehicle V indicated by the battery state information is a predetermined abnormal state.
[0084] Furthermore, the power supply control unit 45 can instruct the power supply unit 20 to stop power supply based on the temperature inside the storage unit 10 measured by the thermometer S1. For example, the power supply control unit 45 can instruct the power supply unit 20 to stop power supply when the temperature measured by the thermometer S1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold.
[0085] The heat supply control unit 46 controls the operation of the heat pump 3 to supply heat to the building T. When power is supplied to a vehicle V within the storage unit 10, the heat supply control unit 46 operates the heat pump 3 to supply heat to the building T. The power supply unit 2 may also supply power continuously to multiple vehicles V. That is, this is the case when the vehicle ID of a vehicle V waiting for power supply is present in the waiting list generated by the waiting list generation unit 42. In this case, the heat supply control unit 46 maintains the supply of heat to the building T from the heat pump 3 (continues to operate) even when power supply is stopped to replace the vehicle V to be supplied with power within the storage unit 10.
[0086] The battery information acquisition unit 47 acquires battery status information, including the status of the battery 53, from the vehicle V in the storage unit 10 via the communication unit 40. As described above, the acquired battery status information is used by the guidance control unit 43 to guide the vehicle V and by the opening / closing control unit 44 to open and close the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13.
[0087] The ventilation control unit 48 controls the operation of the ventilation fan 15. When the temperature inside the storage unit 10 measured by the thermometer S1 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, the ventilation control unit 48 activates the ventilation fan 15 to exhaust the air inside the storage unit 10 to the outside.
[0088] Next, the configuration of vehicle V will be described. As shown in Fig. 7 , vehicle V includes a charging unit 5, a charging control device 6, and an automatic driving device 7. When vehicle V is parked in a power supply area P, charging unit 5 contactlessly receives power transmitted from power transmission coil unit 22 of power supply unit 20 of vehicle power supply system 1. Charging unit 5 includes a power receiving coil unit 51, a power receiving circuit unit 52, and a battery 53.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 5 , the power receiving coil unit 51 is provided on the underside of the vehicle V. More specifically, the power receiving coil unit 51 is provided in a position that faces the power transmitting coil unit 22 in the up-down direction when the vehicle V is parked in the power supply area P. The power receiving coil unit 51 receives power contactlessly from the power transmitting coil unit 22 of the power supply unit 20. The power receiving coil unit 51 has a configuration that combines, for example, a circular coil with a capacitor and an inductor for improving the efficiency of contactless power reception. However, the internal configuration of the power receiving coil unit 51 may be other configurations as long as contactless power reception is possible.
[0090] The power transmitting coil unit 22 of the power feeding unit 20 generates a magnetic field while facing the power receiving coil unit 51 of the vehicle V. The magnetic field generated by the power transmitting coil unit 22 interlinks with the coil of the power receiving coil unit 51, thereby generating an electromotive force in the coil of the power receiving coil unit 51. This allows the power receiving coil unit 51 to receive power from the power transmitting coil unit 22 in a contactless manner. The power generated in the power receiving coil unit 51 is input to the power receiving circuit unit 52.
[0091] The power receiving circuit section 52 includes a rectifier circuit that converts the AC power received by the power receiving coil section 51 into DC, and a DC-DC converter that converts the DC voltage into a voltage suitable for charging the battery 53. The output from the power receiving circuit section 52 is input to the battery 53 to charge it. In this way, the charging unit 5 receives power from the power supply section 20 in a wireless manner and charges the battery 53. The battery 53 is used, for example, as a power source for an electric motor or the like mounted on the vehicle V.
[0092] The mounting positions of the power receiving circuit unit 52 and the battery 53 within the vehicle V are not particularly limited. For example, the power receiving circuit unit 52 and the battery 53 may be mounted in a low position close to the floor of the vehicle V in order to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle V and stabilize the running of the vehicle V.
[0093] 7, the charge control device 6 controls the charging of the battery 53 of the vehicle V. The charge control device 6 is configured as a computer including, for example, a communication unit 60, a charge control ECU 61, and input / output devices (not shown).
[0094] The communication unit 60 is a communication device that communicates with each part of the vehicle V and the power supply control device 4 of the vehicle power supply system 1. The communication unit 60 is equipped with a wireless communication device and performs wireless communication with the communication unit 40 of the power supply control device 4. The communication unit 60 may perform wired communication or wireless communication with the charging unit 5 and the automatic driving device 7 in the vehicle V.
[0095] The charging control ECU 61 is a processing unit that executes various controls such as charging of the battery 53. The charging control ECU 61 is configured by an electronic control unit that includes, for example, a microprocessor, a memory, and a storage device that stores programs that define its operations. The charging control ECU 61 realizes various functions by, for example, loading a program stored in the storage device into the memory and executing the program loaded into the memory by the microprocessor.
[0096] The charging control ECU 61 functionally includes a charging control unit 62 and a battery information transmission unit 63. When the vehicle V arrives at the power supply waiting area A1 to charge the battery 53, the charging control unit 62 transmits a power supply request signal to the power supply control device 4 via the communication unit 60. When transmitting the power supply request signal, the charging control unit 62 transmits a vehicle ID for identifying the vehicle V in which the charging control device 62 is mounted, together with the power supply request signal. A vehicle ID for identifying the charging control device 6 from other charging control devices 6 (vehicles V) is assigned in advance to the charging control device 6. A vehicle ID is assigned to each vehicle V. For example, a mobile phone number, an IP address for internet communication, or identification information equivalent to these can be used as this vehicle ID. The power supply control device 4 can identify a vehicle V to communicate with from among multiple vehicles V by using the vehicle ID, and perform wireless communication.
[0097] Furthermore, when the vehicle V arrives at the temporary stop area A2 or the power supply area P due to guidance from the power supply control device 4, the charging control unit 62 transmits an arrival signal indicating arrival at each area to the power supply control device 4 via the communication unit 60. When transmitting the arrival signal, the charging control unit 62 can also transmit a vehicle ID. This allows the power supply control device 4 to identify the vehicle V that transmitted the arrival signal.
[0098] Furthermore, when charging of the battery 53 is completed, for example, when the battery 53 is fully charged, the charging control unit 62 transmits a charging completion signal indicating that charging of the battery 53 is completed to the power supply control device 4 via the communication unit 60. Note that the charging control unit 62 can determine whether charging is completed by, for example, monitoring the state of the battery 53.
[0099] The battery information transmitting unit 63 generates battery state information including the state of the battery 53 and transmits the generated battery state information to the power supply control device 4 via the communication unit 60. The battery state information includes, for example, information for determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the battery 53, i.e., whether or not the battery 53 is in an abnormal state. The battery information transmitting unit 63 can generate the battery state information by, for example, monitoring the state of the battery 53.
[0100] The automatic driving device 7 is a device for automatically driving the vehicle V. For example, the automatic driving device 7 recognizes the external situation based on the detection results of a detection sensor (camera, LiDAR, etc.) that detects the external situation of the vehicle V, and controls the steering mechanism, drive motor, etc. of the vehicle V to automatically drive the vehicle V. Various well-known devices can be used as the automatic driving device 7.
[0101] In this embodiment, the automatic driving device 7 is equipped with a camera 71 that captures an image of the area ahead of the vehicle V. The automatic driving device 7 recognizes the situation ahead based on the image captured by the camera 71 and can automatically drive the vehicle V based on the recognition result. The field of view of the camera 71 extends in the left-right direction, and the field of view may include a range in which the vehicle V can steer and change its direction of travel. As described above, the automatic driving device 7 recognizes the illuminated storage section guide lights L1 and the like based on the image captured by the camera 71 and automatically drives the vehicle V based on the positions of the recognized storage section guide lights L1 and the like. Here, the automatic driving device 7 automatically drives the vehicle V to the temporary stop area A2, the power supply area P, and the power supply end vehicle area A3 based on an entry instruction signal or an exit instruction signal transmitted from the power supply control device 4.
[0102] Each vehicle V receiving power supply in the vehicle power supply system 1 has the charging unit 5, the charging control device 6, and the automatic driving device 7 described with reference to FIG.
[0103] Next, we will explain the heat generated in the storage section 10 when power is supplied to the vehicle V, and the heat recovery in the heat pump 3. As shown in FIG. 4(b), when power is supplied to the vehicle V, the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 are closed. This prevents the heated air (heat) in the storage section 10 from flowing out to the outside when power is supplied to the vehicle V.
[0104] 5, when power is fed, the power transmission circuit unit 21, the power transmission coil unit 22, and the cable 23 of the power feed unit 20 generate heat. Here, the power transmission circuit unit 21 is provided at a low position within the storage unit 10 or on the floor R. The power transmission coil unit 22 and the cable 23 are provided on the floor R or buried in the floor R. Therefore, the cold air near the floor R of the storage unit 10 is warmed by the heat generated by the power transmission circuit unit 21, the power transmission coil unit 22, and the cable 23, and rises due to convection.
[0105] Also, on the vehicle V side, the power receiving coil unit 51, the power receiving circuit unit 52, and the battery 53 generate heat when receiving power from the power supply unit 20. The power receiving coil unit 51 is provided on the underside of the vehicle V. Furthermore, the power receiving circuit unit 52 and the battery 53 are often also provided in low positions on the vehicle V. For this reason, the cold air near the floor R of the storage unit 10 is warmed by the power receiving coil unit 51, the power receiving circuit unit 52, and the battery 53, and rises due to convection.
[0106] Note that, depending on the vehicle V, there may be cases where the air heated by the power receiving coil unit 51, the power receiving circuit unit 52, and the battery 53 is forcibly discharged to the outside of the vehicle by a fan. Even in this case, the heated air discharged to the outside of the vehicle rises due to convection within the storage unit 10. Furthermore, depending on the vehicle V, there may be cases where the heat generated by the power receiving coil unit 51, the power receiving circuit unit 52, and the battery 53 is absorbed by a refrigerant such as water, and the heat absorbed by the refrigerant is dissipated by a radiator facing the outside of the vehicle. Even in this case, the air within the storage unit 10 is heated by the heat dissipated by the radiator, and the heated air rises due to convection within the storage unit 10.
[0107] In this way, all of the heat generated when power is supplied to the vehicle V (heat generated in the power transmission circuit unit 21, the power transmission coil unit 22, the cable 23, the power receiving coil unit 51, the power receiving circuit unit 52, and the battery 53) is used to warm the air inside the storage unit 10. Then, the warmed air rises inside the storage unit 10 due to convection.
[0108] The evaporator 31 of the heat pump 3 is installed in a position close to the ceiling 10c inside the storage section 10. Therefore, the evaporator 31 comes into contact with the heated air that has risen due to convection, and can recover heat from the heated air. The recovered heat is radiated from the condenser 33 of the heat pump 3, and can heat the building T.
[0109] When heat is collected by the evaporator 31, the air is cooled, and the cooled air convects downward to the vicinity of the floor R of the storage section 10. In this way, the change in air temperature causes the air to convect and circulate within the storage section 10. Therefore, the evaporator 31 can efficiently collect both the heat generated in the power supply section 20 (power transmission circuit section 21, power transmission coil section 22, and cable 23) when power is supplied to the vehicle V and the heat generated in the charging unit 5 (power receiving coil section 51, power receiving circuit section 52, and battery 53) of the vehicle V.
[0110] When there are multiple vehicles V waiting for power supply, the vehicle power supply system 1 continuously supplies power to the multiple vehicles V in the storage unit 10. Therefore, the air in the storage unit 10 is always heated, and the heat can be efficiently recovered by the evaporator 31 of the heat pump 3.
[0111] Next, the flow of the power supply process to vehicle V executed by the power supply control device 4 of the vehicle power supply system 1 will be described. Note that, below, the process executed by the power supply control device 4 will be described by dividing it into two tasks, task 1 and task 2. Task 1 is a process of managing vehicles V waiting for power supply and guiding them to the power supply area P. Task 2 is a process of supplying power to vehicles V that have arrived at the power supply area P and causing them to exit to the power supply completion vehicle area A3. By dividing the power supply process into task 1 and task 2, it is possible to appropriately manage vehicles V waiting for power supply that have arrived at the power supply waiting area A1 during power supply while power is being supplied to the vehicle V (management when the number of vehicles V waiting for power supply increases). Task 1 and task 2 can be executed in parallel. Task 2 is executed when the activation condition for task 2 is satisfied in task 1.
[0112] First, task 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 8. Note that when the processing shown in FIG. 8 reaches an end, the processing restarts from the start after a predetermined time. Note that the predetermined time may be zero, and the processing may restart from the start immediately after reaching an end. As shown in FIG. 8, the standby list generation unit 42 determines whether or not the communication unit 40 has received a power supply request signal transmitted from the vehicle V (S101). If a power supply request signal has been received (S101: YES), the standby list generation unit 42 adds the vehicle ID received together with the power supply request signal to the standby list (S102).
[0113] On the other hand, if a power supply request signal has not been received (S101: NO), the standby list generation unit 42 determines whether the standby list is empty (S103). If the standby list is empty (S103: YES), the power supply control device 4 ends the current process and restarts the process from the start after a predetermined time.
[0114] After the vehicle ID is added to the standby list in S102, or if the standby list is not empty (S103: NO), the standby list generation unit 42 determines whether the vehicle sensor S2 has detected that the vehicle V is not present in the storage unit 10 (power supply area P) (S104). If the vehicle V is detected to be present (S104: NO), the power supply control device 4 ends the current process and restarts the process from the start after a predetermined time.
[0115] On the other hand, if it is detected that the vehicle V does not exist (S104: YES), the standby list generation unit 42 selects one vehicle ID to be supplied with power from the vehicle IDs recorded in the standby list (S105). After selecting the vehicle ID, the standby list generation unit 42 deletes the selected vehicle ID from the standby list (S106).
[0116] Next, the guidance control unit 43 turns on the temporary stop guidance light L2 indicating the temporary stop area A2 (S107). Furthermore, the guidance control unit 43 transmits an entry instruction signal to the temporary stop area A2 to the vehicle V having the vehicle ID selected by the waiting list generation unit 42 (S108). This allows the vehicle V to be supplied with power to automatically travel from the power supply waiting area A1 to the temporary stop area A2 using the illuminated temporary stop guidance light L2 as a landmark.
[0117] The guidance control unit 43 determines whether the vehicle V to be supplied with power has arrived at the temporary stop area A2 (S109). The guidance control unit 43 can determine whether the vehicle V has arrived at the temporary stop area A2 based on an arrival signal transmitted by the vehicle V. If the vehicle V has not arrived at the temporary stop area A2 (S109: NO), the guidance control unit 43 repeatedly executes the process of S109 until the vehicle V arrives.
[0118] When the vehicle V to be supplied with power arrives at the temporary stop area A2 (S109: YES), the guidance control unit 43 turns on the storage section guide light L1 (S110). Then, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls the entrance door 11 to be in an open state (S111). As a result, the entrance door 11 is opened, and the storage section guide light L1 can be seen from the vehicle V to be supplied with power stopped in the temporary stop area A2. The guidance control unit 43 transmits a signal to instruct the vehicle V to be supplied with power stopped in the temporary stop area A2 to enter the power supply area P (S112). Then, the guidance control unit 43 turns off the temporary stop guide light L2 (S113).
[0119] Next, the guidance control unit 43 determines whether the vehicle V to be supplied with power has arrived at the power supply area P (S114). The guidance control unit 43 can determine whether the vehicle V has arrived at the power supply area P based on an arrival signal transmitted by the vehicle V. If the vehicle V has not arrived at the power supply area P (S114: NO), the guidance control unit 43 repeatedly executes the process of S114 until the vehicle V arrives.
[0120] When the vehicle V to be supplied with power arrives at the power supply area P (S114: YES), the opening / closing control unit 44 controls the entrance door 11 to be in a closed state (S115). Then, the guidance control unit 43 turns off the storage section guide light L1 (S116). That is, the guidance control unit 43 turns off the storage section guide light L1 so that the storage section guide light L1 is in an off state when the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 are in a closed state. This completes preparations for power supply to the vehicle V. Next, the power supply control device 4 starts task 2 (S117). Then, the power supply control device 4 starts processing task 2 in parallel with processing task 1. After the processing of S117 is completed, the power supply control device 4 starts processing task 1 again from the start after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0121] Next, task 2 will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 9. When task 2 is started in S117 of task 1, it executes the process shown in FIG. 9, and ends the process when the process reaches End. Since task 1 is executed repeatedly, task 2 is started and executed once each time S117 of task 1 is executed. As shown in FIG. 9, when task 2 is started, the power feeding control unit 45 instructs the power feeding unit 20 to start feeding power to the vehicle V, and starts feeding power to the vehicle V (S201). The power feeding control unit 45 determines whether or not power feeding has ended based on whether or not a power feeding end condition is satisfied (S202). If power feeding has not ended (S202: NO), the power feeding control unit 45 repeatedly executes the process of S202 until it is determined that power feeding has ended.
[0122] If power feeding has ended (S202: YES), the power feeding control unit 45 instructs the power feeding unit 20 to stop power feeding (S203). Then, the guidance control unit 43 turns on the power feeding end guidance light L3 in the power feeding end vehicle area A3 (S204). The opening / closing control unit 44 controls the exit door 13 to be in an open state (S205). As a result, the exit door 13 is opened, and the power feeding end guidance light L3 can be seen from the vehicle V after power feeding that is stopped in the power feeding area P.
[0123] The guidance control unit 43 transmits an exit instruction signal to the vehicle V for which power feeding has been completed (S206). As a result, the vehicle V for which power feeding has been completed can automatically travel to the power feeding completed vehicle area A3 using the illuminated power feeding completed guidance light L3 as a landmark.
[0124] The opening / closing control unit 44 determines whether the vehicle sensor S2 has detected that the vehicle V is not present in the storage unit 10 (power supply area P) (S207). If the vehicle V is detected to be present (S207: NO), the opening / closing control unit 44 repeatedly executes the process of S207 until the vehicle V is detected to be absent. If the vehicle V is detected to be absent (S207: YES), the opening / closing control unit 44 controls the exit door 13 to be in a closed state (S208).
[0125] The guidance control unit 43 determines whether the vehicle V, for which power feeding has finished, has arrived at the power feeding finish vehicle area A3 (S209). The guidance control unit 43 can determine whether the vehicle V has arrived at the power feeding finish vehicle area A3 based on an arrival signal transmitted by the vehicle V. If the vehicle V has not arrived at the power feeding finish vehicle area A3 (S209: NO), the guidance control unit 43 repeatedly executes the process of S209 until the vehicle V arrives. If the vehicle V has arrived at the power feeding finish vehicle area A3 (S209: YES), the guidance control unit 43 turns off the power feeding finish guidance light L3 (S210). Then, the power feeding control device 4 ends the processing of task 2.
[0126] Next, a flow of the charging process executed by the vehicle V will be described. The charging process shown in Fig. 10 is started when the vehicle V, which is to charge the battery 53, arrives at the power supply waiting area A1. When the process shown in Fig. 10 reaches an end, one iteration of the process is completed.
[0127] When the vehicle V arrives at the power supply waiting area A1, as shown in Fig. 10, the charging control unit 62 of the charging control device 6 transmits a power supply request signal to the power supply control device 4 (S301). At that time, the charging control unit 62 also transmits the vehicle ID together with the power supply request signal. The automatic driving device 7 determines whether the communication unit 60 has received an entry instruction signal for entering the temporary stop area A2 from the power supply control device 4 (S302). If the entry instruction signal has not been received (S302: NO), the automatic driving device 7 repeatedly executes the process of S302 until the entry instruction signal is received.
[0128] If an entry instruction signal is received (S302: YES), the automatic driving device 7 automatically drives the vehicle V to the temporary stop area A2 based on the image of the temporary stop guide light L2 captured by the camera 71 (S303). When the vehicle V arrives at the temporary stop area A2, the charging control unit 62 transmits an arrival signal indicating arrival at the temporary stop area A2 to the power supply control device 4 (S304). Next, the automatic driving device 7 determines whether or not an entry instruction signal to enter the power supply area P has been received (S305). If an entry instruction signal is not received (S305: NO), the automatic driving device 7 repeatedly executes the process of S305 until an entry instruction signal is received.
[0129] If an instruction signal to enter the power supply area P is received (S305: YES), the automatic driving device 7 automatically drives the vehicle V to the power supply area P based on the captured image of the storage section guide light L1 captured by the camera 71 (S306). When the vehicle V arrives at the power supply area P, the charging control unit 62 transmits an arrival signal indicating that the vehicle V has arrived at the power supply area P to the power supply control device 4 (S307).
[0130] The charging control unit 62 controls the charging unit 5 so that the power receiving coil unit 51 receives power from the power supply unit 20, and the power receiving circuit unit 52 converts the power to an appropriate voltage and supplies the converted power to the battery 53, thereby charging the battery 53 (S308). Then, the charging control unit 62 determines whether or not an exit instruction signal has been received from the power supply control device 4 (S309). If the exit instruction signal has not been received (S309: NO), the charging control unit 62 repeatedly executes the process of S309 until the exit instruction signal is received.
[0131] When an exit instruction signal is received (S309: YES), the automatic driving device 7 automatically drives the vehicle V to the power feeding end vehicle area A3 based on the image of the power feeding end guide light L3 captured by the camera 71 (S310). When the vehicle V arrives at the power feeding end vehicle area A3, the charging control unit 62 transmits an arrival signal indicating arrival at the power feeding end vehicle area A3 to the power feeding control device 4 (S311). After transmitting the arrival signal, the vehicle V terminates the charging process.
[0132] As described above, the vehicle power supply system 1 includes the storage unit 10 that stores the vehicle V, thereby separating the space inside the storage unit 10 from the space outside. This allows the vehicle power supply system 1 to store heat generated when power is supplied to the vehicle V within the storage unit 10, and the heat inside the storage unit 10 can be efficiently recovered by the evaporator 31 of the heat pump 3. The vehicle power supply system 1 then transfers the recovered heat to the condenser 33 of the heat pump 3, and can supply the heat from the condenser 33 to the building T. In this way, the vehicle power supply system 1 can efficiently recover and utilize the heat generated when power is supplied to the vehicle V.
[0133] Furthermore, the vehicle V can travel automatically and receive power within the storage unit 10. Therefore, the vehicle power supply system 1 can recover heat generated during power supply and supply it to the building T without human intervention. Also, there is no need for a person to enter the storage unit 10 to operate the vehicle V. Therefore, during power supply, the temperature inside the storage unit 10 may rise to a temperature that makes a person feel hot. This makes it possible to increase the temperature around the evaporator 31, improving the efficiency of the heat pump 3 and enabling heat to be supplied to the building T efficiently.
[0134] The vehicle power supply system 1 uses a heat pump 3 as a device that recovers heat within the storage unit 10 and supplies it to the building T. In this case, the vehicle power supply system 1 can use the heat pump 3 to more efficiently recover heat within the storage unit 10 and supply heat to the building T even when the temperature of the building T is higher than the temperature within the storage unit 10.
[0135] The evaporator 31 of the heat pump 3 is installed at a position closer to the ceiling 10c of the storage unit 10 than to the floor R of the storage unit 10. Here, warm air tends to accumulate in an upper position within the storage unit 10. For this reason, in the vehicle power supply system 1, by installing the evaporator 31 at a position closer to the ceiling 10c, heat within the storage unit 10 can be recovered more efficiently.
[0136] The power transmission coil section 22 of the power supply section 20 is installed in the storage section 10. Here, when power is supplied to the vehicle V in a contactless manner, the power transmission coil section 22 may generate heat. Therefore, by installing the power transmission coil section 22, which generates heat during power supply, in the storage section 10, the vehicle power supply system 1 can efficiently recover the heat generated in the power transmission coil section 22 by the evaporator 31. In this embodiment, the power transmission circuit section 21 and the power transmission coil section 22 are also installed in the storage section 10. Therefore, the vehicle power supply system 1 can efficiently recover the heat generated in the power transmission circuit section 21 and the power transmission coil section 22 by the evaporator 31.
[0137] An entrance door 11 and an exit door 13 are provided at the entrance 10a and the exit 10b of the storage unit 10, respectively. In this case, the vehicle power supply system 1 allows the vehicle V to enter and exit the storage unit 10 through the entrance 10a and the exit 10b by opening the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13, and can prevent heat from being released to the outside through the entrance 10a and the exit 10b by closing the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13.
[0138] The guidance control unit 43 turns on the storage unit guide light L1 so that the storage unit guide light L1 is turned on when the entrance door 11 is open and there is no vehicle V in the storage unit 10. The guidance control unit 43 also turns off the storage unit guide light L1 so that the storage unit guide light L1 is turned off when the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 are closed. In this case, the vehicle power supply system 1 turns on the storage unit guide light L1 only when it is necessary to guide the vehicle V using the storage unit guide light L1, and turns off the guide light in other cases, thereby reducing the energy required to turn on the guide light.
[0139] When the temperature measured by the thermometer S1 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls at least one of the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 to an open state. In this case, the vehicle power supply system 1 opens at least one of the entrance 10a and the exit 10b to discharge hot air inside the storage unit 10 to the outside (to ventilate the storage unit 10). This allows the vehicle power supply system 1 to prevent the temperature inside the storage unit 10 from rising too much.
[0140] In this embodiment, the entrance 10a and the exit 10b are opposite to each other. Therefore, the opening / closing control unit 44 can efficiently exhaust hot air from the storage section 10 by opening the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 at the same time.
[0141] When the temperature measured by thermometer S1 reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold, ventilation control unit 48 activates ventilation fan 15 to exhaust air from storage unit 10 to the outside. In this case, by activating ventilation fan 15, vehicle power supply system 1 can prevent the temperature in storage unit 10 from rising too much.
[0142] When the temperature measured by thermometer S1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, power supply control unit 45 may reduce the power supply capacity from power supply unit 20 to vehicle V. In this case, vehicle power supply system 1 can suppress heat generation in power supply unit 20 and charging unit 5.
[0143] In addition, when the temperature measured by the thermometer S1 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold, the vehicle power supply system 1 may perform a combination of one or more of the above-mentioned controls: opening the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13; operating the ventilation fan 15; and reducing the power supply capacity.
[0144] The opening / closing control unit 44 determines whether the battery 53 mounted on the vehicle V is in an abnormal state based on the battery state information acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 47. If the battery 53 is in an abnormal state, the opening / closing control unit 44 controls at least one of the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 to be in an open state. In this case, the vehicle power supply system 1 can open at least one of the entrance 10a and the exit 10b, making it easier to check the state of the vehicle V inside the storage unit 10 from the outside. Furthermore, the vehicle power supply system 1 can ventilate the inside of the storage unit 10 by opening at least one of the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13.
[0145] If it is determined that the battery 53 is in an abnormal state, the ventilation control unit 48 may operate the ventilation fan 15 to ventilate the inside of the storage unit 10.
[0146] The vehicle power supply system 1 can continuously supply power to multiple vehicles V. The standby list generation unit 42 generates a standby list of vehicles V waiting for power supply. If a vehicle V waiting for power supply is present on the standby list, the heat supply control unit 46 maintains the heat pump 3 in a state of supplying heat to the building T. In other words, the heat supply control unit 46 maintains the heat pump 3 in a state of supplying heat to the building T (continues to operate) even when power supply is stopped in order to replace the vehicle V to be supplied with power within the storage unit 10. In this case, if a vehicle V waiting for power supply is present, the vehicle power supply system 1 can continue to supply heat to the building T even when the vehicle is being replaced within the storage unit 10.
[0147] When there is a vehicle V waiting for power supply, the time during which power supply is stopped (the time during which the air in the storage section 10 is not heated) is the sum of the time (called T1) from when the vehicle V that has finished power supply starts moving from the power supply area P to the power supply completed vehicle area A3 and exits the storage section 10 (the vehicle sensor S2 no longer detects the vehicle V) (corresponding to the processing steps from S203 to S208 in FIG. 9) and the time (called T2) from when the vehicle V waiting for power supply leaves the power supply waiting area A1 and arrives at the power supply area P and starts receiving power (corresponding to the processing steps from S105 to S117 in FIG. 8 and the processing step of S201 in FIG. 9), i.e., T1+T2. If the power supply waiting area A1, the temporary stopping area A2, and the storage section 10 are located within a range of 100 m and the vehicle V travels at a speed of 3 m per second, this time (T1+T2) is short, less than one minute. Furthermore, the time it takes for the heated air inside storage unit 10 to flow out of storage unit 10 through inlet 10a or outlet 10b is the sum of the time (called T3) that exit door 13 is open (corresponding to processing steps S205 to S208 in FIG. 9) and the time (called T4) that entrance door 11 is open (corresponding to processing steps S111 to S115 in FIG. 8), i.e., T3 + T4. Because there are fewer processing steps, T3 is shorter than T1, and T4 is shorter than T2, so T3 + T4 is even shorter than T1 + T2. Therefore, even when vehicles are shunted into storage unit 10, the temperature inside storage unit 10 drops only slightly, allowing the efficient supply of heat to building T to continue.
[0148] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, a fan may be provided near the ceiling 10c inside the storage section 10, and by operating the fan, warm air from the upper part of the storage section 10 may be directed toward the evaporator 31. In this case, the vehicle power supply system 1 can promote heat recovery by the evaporator 31.
[0149] Furthermore, for example, while the entrance door 11 is open, warm air inside the storage unit 10 may flow out through the entrance 10a. For this reason, the vehicle power supply system 1 may be provided with an air curtain near the entrance 10a to prevent the warm air from flowing out through the entrance 10a while the entrance door 11 is open. Similarly, the vehicle power supply system 1 may be provided with an air curtain near the exit 10b to prevent the warm air from flowing out. Alternatively, the vehicle power supply system 1 may be provided with double doors for the entrance door 11 and the exit door 13. In this case as well, the outflow of warm air is prevented.
[0150] It is possible that the temperature inside the vehicle V immediately after power supply is terminated and the vehicle V leaves the storage unit 10 may be higher than what humans would find comfortable. In this case, the vehicle V may automatically open the windows after leaving the storage unit 10 to ventilate the vehicle and lower the temperature inside the vehicle.
[0151] Next, various modified examples of the storage unit 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 11 , a storage unit 10A according to a first modified example may be realized by enclosing a portion of the interior of a large building X, such as an outdoor parking lot, with a simple structure. The storage unit 10A has a ceiling 10c and walls made of, for example, highly insulating sheets. Like the storage unit 10 in the embodiment, the storage unit 10A is also provided with an entrance 10a and an exit 10b, and further includes an entrance door 11 for opening and closing the entrance 10a and an exit door 13 for opening and closing the exit 10b. The entrance door 11 and the exit door 13 may be doors that open the entrance 10a and the exit 10b, respectively, by rolling up a sheet from above. The sheet constituting the storage unit 10A may be made of, for example, an aluminum-deposited heat-resistant foam sheet.
[0152] Furthermore, the ceiling 10c of the storage unit 10A may be inclined, for example, so that the side where the evaporator 31 is provided is higher. In this case, by providing the inclined ceiling 10c of the storage unit 10A, the heated and rising air can be efficiently guided to the evaporator 31 without using a fan or the like.
[0153] 12 and 13, the storage unit 10B according to the second modified example has a shape that covers the vehicle V from above and may be capable of being raised and lowered. Note that FIG. 12 shows the storage unit 10B in a lowered state, and FIG. 13 shows the storage unit 10B in a lifted state. As shown in FIG. 13, the bottom of the storage unit 10B is open. In other words, the opening at the bottom of the storage unit 10B serves as an entrance / exit 10d for the vehicle V. A wire 81 is connected to the top of the storage unit 10B. A hoist 80 winds up the wire 81 at a position above the storage unit 10B, thereby lifting the storage unit 10B.
[0154] In this way, the hoist 80 can raise and lower the storage section 10B. As shown in Fig. 13 , the hoist 80 lifts the storage section 10B so that the lower opening of the storage section 10B is higher than the roof of the vehicle V, and the entrance / exit 10d of the storage section 10B is opened. This allows the vehicle V to enter and exit the power supply area P.
[0155] For example, a hoist 80 that hoists the storage section 10B is installed at a position above the storage section 10B by a support member 82 installed on the building T. However, the hoist 80 may be supported by an independent support pillar or the like that is different from the building T.
[0156] The ceiling of the storage section 10B is higher at the center in the width direction of the vehicle V to be stored. The evaporator 31 is installed on the underside of the ceiling of the storage section 10B in a part where the ceiling is higher. In other words, the evaporator 31 moves up and down together with the storage section 10B. The piping K (piping connecting the evaporator 31 and the condenser 33) provided in the heat pump 3 is flexible piping. The cover constituting the storage section 10B may be made of, for example, an aluminum-deposited heat-resistant foam sheet or the like.
[0157] When the storage unit 10B according to the second modification is used, as shown in Fig. 12, power is supplied to the vehicle V while the vehicle V is covered from above by the storage unit 10B. This prevents air heated by heat generated during power supply from leaking out of the storage unit 10B. Therefore, the storage unit 10B according to the second modification can recover heat even more efficiently.
[0158] Here, the cable 23 connecting the power transmission circuit unit 21 and the power transmission coil unit 22 is shown buried in the floor surface R in Fig. 12 and other figures, but may be laid on the floor surface R to facilitate installation of the cable 23. In this case, the cable 23 only needs to have a strength that allows the vehicle V to run over it.
[0159] 14 and 15, the piping K connecting the evaporator 31 and the condenser 33 may be configured as a fixed piping that is fixed to the support member 82 and the building T from the hoisting machine 80 to the condenser 33. In this case, the piping K is configured as a flexible piping that is flexible from the hoisting machine 80 to the evaporator 31. FIG. 14 shows the state in which the storage unit 10B is lowered, and FIG. 15 shows the state in which the storage unit 10B is lifted up (the entrance 10d of the storage unit 10B is open).
[0160] 16 and 17, the evaporator 31 may be supported by a support column 35 so as to be located in a high portion of the ceiling within the storage unit 10B. In this case, the pipe K connecting the evaporator 31 and the condenser 33 may be a fixed pipe fixed to the support column 35. In other words, as shown in FIG. 17, the evaporator 31 does not move with the storage unit 10B even when the storage unit 10B is lifted up. Even in this case, the evaporator 31 can efficiently recover heat within the storage unit 10B. FIG. 16 shows the storage unit 10B in a lowered state, and FIG. 17 shows the storage unit 10B in a lifted state (with the entrance / exit 10d of the storage unit 10B open).
[0161] Furthermore, in the vehicle power supply system 1 according to the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, an example has been described in which one storage unit 10 is provided, but the number of storage units 10 is not limited to one. For example, as in the vehicle power supply system 1A shown in Fig. 18, a plurality of storage units 10 that supply power may be provided. In this case, a plurality of temporary stop areas A2 and a plurality of temporary stop guide lights L2 are provided in front of the plurality of storage units 10.
[0162] 18, for example, three storage units 10 are provided, and three temporary stop areas A2 and three temporary stop guide lights L2 are provided corresponding to the number of storage units 10. In this case, the three temporary stop guide lights L2 may emit light in different colors (e.g., white, red, and green) so that they can be distinguished from the vehicles V parked in the power supply waiting area A1. This makes it possible for the vehicle power supply system 1A to simultaneously supply power to multiple vehicles V from multiple storage units 10.
[0163] Furthermore, the storage unit 10 according to the above-described embodiment does not have to be configured to include the entrance 10a and the exit 10b. For example, the storage unit 10 may be configured to include one entrance / exit. In this case, the storage unit 10 may be configured to include one door for opening and closing the entrance / exit. Similarly, the storage unit 10A according to the modified example may be configured to include one entrance / exit and one door.
[0164] The storage unit 10 may be an independent building or may be constituted by one room in a building having multiple rooms.
[0165] 1, the vehicle power supply system 1 is provided with the temporary stopping area A2, but the temporary stopping area A2 does not have to be provided. Also, the vehicle power supply system 1 is provided with the power supply waiting area A1 and the power supply completion area A3, but the power supply waiting area A1 and the power supply completion area A3 may share the same area. The vehicle power supply system 1A described as a modified example can also have a similar configuration.
[0166] For example, part or all of the storage section 10, 10A or 10B and the entrance door 11 may be made of a material (for example, double-pane glass or a transparent heat-shielding sheet) that is transparent to light in the wavelength band that can be detected by the camera 71 (for example, visible light or near-infrared light) and has high thermal insulation properties, so that the storage section guide light L1 can be recognized from a vehicle V located outside the storage section even when the entrance door 11 is closed.
[0167] For example, vehicle power supply systems 1 and 1A may be implemented using multiple parking lots attached to a shopping mall or a large-scale apartment complex. In this case, power supply units 2 (storage unit 10, power supply unit 20) for supplying power may be installed in some of the multiple parking lots, and the remaining parking lots may be designated as a power supply waiting area A1 and a power supply end area A3. The recovered heat may then be supplied to the shopping mall or large-scale apartment complex.
[0168] Although the example has been described in which the heat recovered by the heat pump 3 is used to heat the building T, there are no particular limitations on how the heat can be used. For example, the recovered heat may be used to heat water, melt snow, dry water, or the like.
[0169] In the above, an example has been described in which the vehicle V recognizes an area surrounded by illuminating storage section guide lights L1, etc. as an area where the vehicle should stop and travels automatically. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there are no particular limitations on the method of automatic driving of the vehicle V and the method of specifying the area where the vehicle should stop, as long as the vehicle V can automatically travel to and stop at a predetermined position, such as a position for wireless power supply.
[0170] Furthermore, although the power supply unit 20 has been described as contactlessly supplying power to the vehicle V, power may be supplied to the vehicle V by automatically connecting a cable. In this case, for example, a socket may be provided on the bottom surface of the vehicle V instead of the power receiving coil unit 51. The power supply unit 20 includes a plug instead of the power transmitting coil unit 22. This plug is capable of being raised and lowered in the vertical direction. As a result, when the vehicle V arrives at the power supply area P and is stopped, the plug of the power supply unit 20 can be raised and inserted into the socket of the vehicle V. As a result, power is supplied from the power supply unit 20 to the charging unit 5 of the vehicle V via a wired connection.
[0171] Furthermore, although the heat pump 3 has been used as an example of a heat supply unit that recovers heat within the containment unit 10 and supplies it to the building T, the heat supply unit may have a configuration other than the heat pump 3 as long as it can supply heat. For example, the heat supply unit may be configured to send heated air (heat) from the containment unit 10 to the building T via a duct. In this case, the inlet of the duct installed within the containment unit 10 serves as a heat recovery unit that recovers heat within the containment unit 10. The outlet of the duct installed within the building T serves as a heat release unit that releases the heat recovered in the heat recovery unit to the building T. The duct serves as a heat transfer mechanism that transfers the heat recovered in the heat recovery unit to the heat release unit. Note that if the vehicle V is an electric vehicle, no exhaust gas is generated. Therefore, the air heated within the containment unit 10 has the same composition as the outside air. Therefore, the heated air within the containment unit 10 can be introduced into an environment where people live (such as the building T). In addition, instead of supplying heated air to the building T, the heat supply unit may heat a heat medium such as water and supply it to the building T.
[0172] The heat supply unit may also be, for example, a heat pipe that circulates a heat medium to supply heat from inside the containment unit 10 to the building T. In this case, the portion of the heat pipe installed inside the containment unit 10 serves as a heat recovery section that transfers heat from inside the containment unit 10 to a heat medium such as oil. The portion of the heat pipe installed inside the building T serves as a heat release section that releases heat from the heat medium to the building T. Furthermore, the heat medium that moves between the heat recovery section and the heat release section inside the heat pipe serves as a heat transfer mechanism. In this case, the heat supply unit can supply heat from inside the containment unit to the building T by moving the heat medium from the heat recovery section to the heat release section.
[0173] In this way, even when a duct or a heat pipe is used as the heat supply unit, the heat inside the storage section 10 can be efficiently recovered and supplied to the building T.
[0174] In the storage section 10, 10A or 10B, a fan may be provided to move the air heated by the power transmission coil section 22 and the power receiving coil section 51 between the bottom surface of the vehicle V and the floor surface R in the left-right direction of the vehicle V, generating an air flow that escapes to the side of the vehicle V.
[0175] In either case of contactless power supply or wired power supply, power can be supplied from the battery 53 of the vehicle V, and a bidirectional power supply configuration may be possible.
[0176] The ceiling and walls of storage section 10, 10A or 10B may contain, for example, ferrite to function as an electromagnetic shield, thereby reducing the propagation of electromagnetic waves generated during power supply outside storage section 10, 10A or 10B.
[0177] If contactless power supply from the power transmitting coil unit 22 to the power receiving coil unit 51 is possible in the power supply area P, the power receiving coil unit 51 does not have to be provided on the underside of the vehicle V. For example, the power transmitting coil unit 22 may be provided elevated above the floor surface R, and the power receiving coil unit 51 may be provided on a side of the vehicle V, so that when the vehicle V is parked in the power supply area P, the power transmitting coil unit 22 and the power receiving coil unit 51 face each other in the horizontal direction.
[0178] [Note] The vehicle power supply system disclosed herein can contribute to the spread of electric vehicles, and therefore contributes to Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations, which is to take urgent action to combat climate change. [Explanation of symbols]
[0179] 1. 1A Vehicle Power Supply System 2 Power Supply Unit 3 Heat pump (heat supply unit) 10, 10A, 10B storage area 10a Entrance (entrance / exit) 10b Exit (entrance / exit) 10c ceiling 11 Entrance door (door section) 13 Exit door (door section) 15 Ventilation fan 20 Power supply unit 22 Power transmission coil section (coil section) 31 Evaporator (heat recovery section) 32 Compressor (heat transfer mechanism) 33 Condenser (heat release section) 34 Expansion valve (heat transfer mechanism) 42 Waiting list generation unit 43 Guidance control unit (lighting control unit) 44 Opening and closing control section 46 Heat supply control unit 47 Battery information acquisition unit 48 Ventilation control unit K Piping (heat transfer mechanism) L1 Storage area exit light (exit light) R Floor surface S1 Thermometer (temperature measurement part) V vehicle
Claims
1. A vehicle power supply system that supplies power to a vehicle, a power supply unit that supplies power to the vehicle; a heat supply unit that recovers heat and supplies the recovered heat to a heat supply target; Equipped with The power supply unit is a storage unit for storing the vehicle; a power supply unit that supplies power to the vehicle stored in the storage unit; Equipped with The heat supply unit comprises: a heat recovery unit installed in the containment unit and configured to recover heat from within the containment unit; a heat release unit that is installed outside the storage unit and releases the heat recovered by the heat recovery unit to the heat supply target; a heat transfer mechanism that transfers the heat recovered by the heat recovery unit to the heat release unit; A vehicle power supply system comprising:
2. the heat transfer mechanism has a heat medium that moves between the heat recovery section and the heat release section, the heat recovery unit transfers the heat in the storage unit to the heat medium; The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation unit dissipates the heat from the heat medium to the heat supply target.
3. the heat supply unit is a heat pump that executes a heat cycle including an evaporation process, a compression process, and a condensation process of a heat medium and transfers the heat to be supplied to the heat supply target, the heat recovery unit includes an evaporator that performs the evaporation step of recovering the heat in the storage unit and evaporating the heat medium, the heat transfer mechanism includes a pipe that transfers the heat medium from the heat recovery section to the heat release section, and a compressor that performs the compression step of compressing and raising the temperature of the heat medium evaporated in the evaporator, 2. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the heat release unit releases the heat from the heat medium heated by the compressor to the heat supply target and includes a condenser that performs the condensing step of condensing the heat medium.
4. The vehicle power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat recovery unit is installed at a position closer to a ceiling of the storage unit than to a floor surface of the storage unit.
5. the power supply unit includes a coil unit that transmits power to the vehicle in a non-contact manner, The vehicle power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least the coil unit is installed inside the storage unit.
6. The vehicle power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the storage section is provided with an entrance / exit for the vehicle to enter and exit, and further provided with a door section for opening and closing the entrance / exit.
7. an escort light provided in the storage section for guiding the vehicle; A lighting control unit that controls lighting of the guide light, 7. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 6, wherein the lighting control unit turns on the guide light so that the guide light is in a lit state when the door unit is in an open state and the vehicle is not present in the storage unit, and turns off the guide light so that the guide light is in an unlit state when the door unit is in a closed state.
8. a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature inside the storage unit; An opening / closing control unit that controls the opening and closing operation of the door unit, 8. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 6, wherein the opening / closing control unit controls the door unit to an open state when the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold value.
9. a battery information acquisition unit that acquires battery status information including a status of an on-board battery from the vehicle in the storage unit; An opening / closing control unit that controls the opening and closing operation of the door unit, 8. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 6, wherein the opening / closing control unit controls the door unit to an open state when a state of the in-vehicle battery indicated by the battery state information acquired by the battery information acquisition unit is a predetermined abnormal state.
10. a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature inside the storage unit; a ventilation fan that exhausts air from the storage section to the outside; A ventilation control unit that controls the operation of the ventilation fan, 10. The vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation control unit activates the ventilation fan to exhaust the air in the storage section to the outside when the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold.
11. a standby list generation unit that generates a standby list of the vehicles waiting for power supply when the power supply unit continuously supplies power to a plurality of the vehicles; a heat supply control unit that controls the supply of heat to the heat supply target in the heat supply unit, The vehicle power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heat supply control unit maintains the heat supply state to the heat supply target in the heat supply unit when there is a vehicle waiting for power supply in the waiting list.
Citation Information
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