Power transmission equipment, non-contact power supply systems

Abstract

To provide a power transmission device that suppresses or prevents a problem in which power supply does not start when a power receiving device is opposite a power transmission device.SOLUTION: A power transmission device 100 is for non-contact power supply to a movable power receiving device 200. The power transmission device 100 includes an end coil unit 120P, an adjacent coil unit, and an adjacent power transmission control unit 182. The end coil unit 120P includes an end resonant circuit 110P and an end current switching unit 124P. The end resonant circuit 110P has an end coil 112P and an end resonant capacitor 116P. The end current switching unit 124P switches the power supply to the end resonant circuit. The adjacent coil unit has an end power transmission signal receiving unit 172, an end power transmission control unit 174, an adjacent resonant circuit 110Q, and an adjacent current switching unit 124Q. The end power transmission signal receiver 172 receives an end power transmission request signal to initiate power transmission by the end coil unit. The end power transmission control unit 174 controls the power supply to the end resonant circuit. The adjacent resonant circuit 110Q has an adjacent coil 112Q and an adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q. The adjacent current switching unit 124Q switches the power supply to the adjacent resonant circuit. The adjacent power transmission control unit 182 controls on / off of the power supply to the adjacent resonant circuit by the adjacent current switching unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power transmission device and a contactless power supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] A wireless power transfer system is known that includes multiple power transmission coils connected in parallel to a high-frequency power source and a power receiving coil mounted on a mobile object (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this wireless power transfer system, a saturable reactor is disposed between the high-frequency power source and each power transmission coil. When the power transmission coil and the power receiving coil are facing each other, the current flowing from the high-frequency power source to the power transmission coil exceeds a threshold, resulting in a decrease in impedance. When the power transmission coil and the power receiving coil are not facing each other, the current flowing from the high-frequency power source to the power transmission coil is less than the threshold, resulting in an increase in impedance. As a result, the power supply to the power transmission coil is suppressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-71719 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, due to variations in the size and shape of the receiving coil, variations in the relative position of the receiving coil with respect to the transmitting coil, etc., the change in magnetic flux generated in the transmitting coil may be small even when the receiving coil changes from a non-facing state to a facing state with respect to the transmitting coil. In this case, the transmitting coil and the receiving coil may not resonate, and power supply from the power transmitting device to the power receiving device may not start. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a power transmission device (100, 100b) for contactlessly supplying power to a mobile power reception device (200). The power transmission device includes end coil units (120P, 120P2, 120Pb, 120P3) and end coils (112P )of and an end coil unit including an end resonant circuit (110P, 110Pd, 110Pe) having the end resonant circuit and an end current switching unit (124P, 124P2) for switching on and off the power supply from a power source to the end resonant circuit; and an end power transmission request signal for starting power transmission by the end coil unit. By communication an end power transmission signal receiving unit (172) for receiving the end power transmission signal; detecting the power receiving device by receiving the edge power transmission request signal via the communication; an edge power transmission control unit (174) that controls on / off of the power supply from the power source to the edge resonant circuit by the edge current switching unit using the edge power transmission request signal; and an adjacent coil unit (120Q, 120Qb) adjacent to the edge coil unit, )of an adjacent coil unit having an adjacent resonant circuit (110Q) having a power supply and an adjacent current switching unit (124Q) for switching on and off the power supply from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit; and an adjacent power transmission control unit (182) for controlling the on and off of the power supply from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit by the adjacent current switching unit.

[0007] With this type of power transmission device, the power supply to the end resonant circuit can be switched on and off by receiving an end power transmission request signal, and problems such as power supply from the power transmission device to the power receiving device not starting when the power receiving coil changes from a non-facing state to a facing state with respect to the end coil can be suppressed or prevented. The present disclosure can also be realized in various forms other than a power transmission device and a contactless power supply system, such as a coil unit, a contactless power supply method, a control method for a power transmission device, a control method for a contactless power supply system, a computer program for realizing the control method, a non-transitory recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a power transmitting device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a circuit configuration of a power transmitting device. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of an end coil unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of an end coil unit in another embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the simulation results of the current values ​​flowing through adjacent coil units. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a switching process of a power transmitting device. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for transitioning the power transmitting device to a standby state. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for transitioning the power transmitting device to a power-on state. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for energizing an end coil. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for adjacent coil energization processing. [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for transitioning the power transmitting device to a stopped state. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a first explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a traveling vehicle and a power transmission device. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a second explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a traveling vehicle and a power transmission device. [Figure 14] FIG. 3 is a third explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a traveling vehicle and a power transmitting device. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a fourth explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a traveling vehicle and a power transmitting device. [Figure 16] FIG. 5 is a fifth explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a running vehicle and a power transmitting device. [Figure 17] FIG. 6 is a sixth explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a running vehicle and a power transmitting device. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of a power transmitting device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for energizing an end coil in the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for adjacent coil current application processing in the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for energizing an end coil in the third embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for adjacent coil current application processing in the third embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a power transmitting device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of an end coil unit in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a second explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of an end coil unit in another embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a third explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of an end coil unit in another embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 4 is a fourth explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of an end coil unit in another embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 5 is a fifth explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of an end coil unit in another embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 6 is a sixth explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of an end coil unit in another embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 7 is a seventh explanatory diagram showing the circuit configuration of an end coil unit in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A. First embodiment: FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a contactless power supply system including a power transmission device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The contactless power supply system includes the power transmission device 100 and a power receiving device 200, and is a system capable of contactlessly supplying power from the power transmission device 100 to the power receiving device 200. X, Y, and Z shown in FIG. 1 and the subsequent figures represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes are also referred to as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. In the example of FIG. 1, the X-axis direction coincides with the traveling direction of a vehicle CR along the lane of the vehicle travel path RS, the Y-axis direction coincides with the width direction of the vehicle travel path RS, and the Z-axis direction coincides with the direction of gravity.

[0010] The power receiving device 200 can be mounted on various devices that operate using electric power, such as electronic devices and electric vehicles. The power receiving device 200 is configured to be movable, and in this embodiment, is mounted on a vehicle CR. The vehicle CR is, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like, that is equipped with a drive motor that uses electric power as its power source. The power receiving device 200 includes a power receiving resonance circuit 210, a power receiving circuit 220, a battery 230, and a power receiving-side short-range communication unit 270.

[0011] The power receiving resonant circuit 210 includes a power receiving coil 212. The power receiving coil 212 is installed at the bottom of the vehicle CR in a position that allows it to face the power transmitting coil of the resonant circuit of the power transmitting device 100. As shown on the right side of Fig. 2, the power receiving resonant circuit 210 is a resonant circuit that has the power receiving coil 212 and a power receiving resonant capacitor 216 connected in series.

[0012] When the power receiving coil 212 faces the power transmitting coil, the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil 212 are electromagnetically coupled and resonate with the resonant circuit. In a resonant coupled state in which the power receiving coil 212 and the power transmitting coil are magnetically coupled, the power receiving resonant circuit 210 receives, in a wireless manner, AC power induced in the power receiving coil 212 from the power transmitting device 100. Note that in Fig. 2, the inductance of the power receiving coil 212 is represented by Lr, and the capacitance of the power receiving resonant capacitor 216 is represented by Cr.

[0013] The power receiving circuit 220 converts the AC power output from the power receiving resonant circuit 210 into DC power. The power receiving circuit 220 includes, for example, a filter circuit, a rectifier circuit that converts the AC power into DC power, and a power conversion circuit that converts the AC power into DC power suitable for charging the battery 230. The DC power output from the power receiving circuit 220 can be used for charging the battery 230, for example. The battery 230 is, for example, a secondary battery that outputs DC power for driving a drive motor that is the drive source of the vehicle CR. The DC power from the power receiving circuit 220 may be used for driving the drive motor, charging an auxiliary battery (not shown), driving auxiliary equipment, etc.

[0014] The power receiving side short range communication unit 270 functions as an end portion power transmission request signal transmitting unit that transmits an end portion power transmission request signal to the power transmitting device 100 by short range communication. In the present disclosure, "short range communication" means wireless communication with a communication distance of 5 meters or less. The communication distance in short range communication is more preferably about 10 to 100 centimeters from the viewpoints of improving the identifiability of one vehicle CR among multiple traveling vehicles, improving the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the power transmitting device 100, and suppressing unnecessary power consumption and generation of unnecessary magnetic flux when not facing the power receiving device 200.

[0015] As will be described later, the "edge power transmission request signal" is a control signal used to switch the edge coil unit 120P of the power transmission device 100 to a conducting state in which power can be supplied. In this embodiment, the edge power transmission request signal may include position information and ID information of the vehicle CR. The "position information of the vehicle CR included in the edge power transmission request signal" includes a case in which it is detected that the vehicle CR is located within a predetermined distance from the edge power transmission control device 170 based on the establishment of short-range communication between the power receiving-side short-range communication unit 270 and the edge power transmission control device 170. However, without being limited to this, the "position information of the vehicle CR included in the edge power transmission request signal" may include information on the absolute position of the vehicle CR and information on the relative position of the vehicle CR with respect to the power transmission device 100.

[0016] The "ID information" is identification information of the power receiving device 200 or the vehicle CR that mounts the power receiving device 200. However, it is not limited to these, and may be identification information of the power receiving coil 212 included in the power receiving device 200 or identification information of the user of the power receiving device 200, or may be a combination of these pieces of information, or may be various pieces of information associated with them.

[0017] In this embodiment, the power receiving side short range communication unit 270 employs an active type RF-ID (Radio Frequency-Identification) tag that uses a radio wave method in the 900 MHz band or the 2.45 GHz band. In the following description, the RF-ID tag is also referred to as an "RF tag." By employing an active type RF tag, the power receiving side short range communication unit 270 can perform periodic communication at predetermined unit time intervals and periodically transmit an end power transmission request signal. However, the power receiving side short range communication unit 270 may also be a passive type RF tag. The power receiving side short range communication unit 270 may also be an RF tag that uses an electromagnetic induction method instead of a radio wave method. Furthermore, the receiving-side narrow-range communication unit 270 is not limited to RF-ID tags, and may be, for example, a short-range wireless communication technology that uses a loop antenna, or a short-range wireless communication technology that applies "Wavelet OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing)" as an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing method to a communication method using a magnetic field, or wireless communication that uses a two-way wireless communication method that uses the 5.8 GHz band, such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the vehicle CR further includes a vehicle information acquisition unit 260, a vehicle control unit 280, and a power receiving-side wide-area communication unit 290. The vehicle control unit 280 is a circuit including a CPU and a memory. The vehicle control unit 280 controls the power receiving device 200 and each unit of the vehicle CR. The vehicle control unit 280 executes various controls for driving the vehicle CR and is used in both automatic driving and manual driving. Various programs for realizing the functions provided in this embodiment are stored in the memory, and the vehicle control unit 280 realizes the functions of the vehicle information acquisition unit 260 and the vehicle control unit 280 by the CPU executing the computer programs stored in the memory. Note that some of the functions of the vehicle control unit 280 may be realized by a hardware circuit.

[0019] The vehicle information acquisition unit 260 acquires various types of support information related to the contactless power transfer system and the traveling of the vehicle CR. The vehicle information acquisition unit 260 includes a GNSS receiver 262 and a navigation device 264. The GNSS receiver 262 measures the current position (longitude and latitude) of the vehicle CR based on navigation signals received from artificial satellites that make up the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The navigation device 264 has a function of determining a planned traveling route based on a destination and the vehicle's own position detected by the GNSS receiver 262. In addition to the GNSS receiver 262, other sensors such as a gyroscope may be used to determine or correct the planned traveling route.

[0020] The power receiving side wide area communication unit 290 performs wide area communication to request a reservation for use of the power transmitting device 100. "Wide area communication" means wireless communication having a communication distance greater than that of short range communication, which will be described later. Wide area communication can be realized by, for example, a mobile communication system such as a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G, Local 5G), a fourth generation mobile communication system (LTE-Advanced, 4G), or LTE, or wireless communication using a wireless local network (LAN) conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Wireless communication with the power transmitting device 100 includes indirect wireless communication with the power transmitting device 100 via a base station, a server, or the like.

[0021] When requesting a usage reservation, the power receiving side wide area communication unit 290 transmits information necessary for requesting a usage reservation for the power transmitting device 100, such as the vehicle position and planned driving route of the vehicle CR, and ID information of the vehicle CR, to the power transmitting device 100. For verification, the ID information of the vehicle CR uses the same information as the ID information transmitted by the power receiving side narrow area communication unit 270 described above.

[0022] 1, the power transmitting device 100 includes a plurality of coil units 120P, 120Q, a power transmitting circuit 130, and a power supply circuit 140. In this embodiment, the plurality of coil units 120P, 120Q, the power transmitting circuit 130, and the power supply circuit 140 are embedded inside the vehicle road RS. Note that the plurality of coil units 120P, 120Q, the power transmitting circuit 130, and the power supply circuit 140 are not limited to being located inside the vehicle road RS, and may be exposed on the vehicle road RS. The power transmitting circuit 130 and the power supply circuit 140 may be located, for example, on a side road, or may be located in a position on the vehicle road RS that does not interfere with the travel of the vehicle CR.

[0023] The power supply circuit 140 is, for example, an AC / DC converter circuit, which converts AC power from an AC power supply such as a system power supply into DC power and supplies it to the power transmission circuit 130. The power transmission circuit 130 is a device including an inverter and the like that converts the DC power supplied from the power supply circuit 140 into AC power of an operating frequency and supplies it to the multiple coil units 120P, 120Q. The power transmission circuit 130 may also include a rectifier circuit, a filter circuit, and the like.

[0024] The multiple coil units 120P, 120Q and one power transmission circuit 130 form one power transmittable area SC1 that is substantially linear and that follows the vehicle road RS. In the example of Fig. 1, a power transmittable area SC2 configured similarly to the power transmittable area SC1 is provided at a position a predetermined distance away from the power transmittable area SC1. Note that, in the example of Fig. 1, one power supply circuit 140 is provided for the power transmittable area SC1 and the power transmittable area SC2, but different power supply circuits 140 may be provided for the power transmittable area SC1 and the power transmittable area SC2.

[0025] The multiple coil units 120P, 120Q include an end coil unit 120P located at the end of the power transmission area SC1 and an adjacent coil unit 120Q. The "coil unit located at the end of the power transmission area SC1" refers to a coil unit located at the end of the arrangement of the multiple coil units forming the power transmission area SC1 that can be the first to face the power receiving coil 212 when the power receiving device 200 enters the power transmission area SC1. In the example of FIG. 1 , of the four coil units included in the power transmission area SC1, only the end coil unit 120P is the first to face the power receiving device 200 when the vehicle CR traveling in the X-axis direction travels on the vehicle travel path RS and enters the power transmission area SC1. However, the coil unit located at the end of the power transmission area SC1 is not limited to one of the coil units included in the power transmission area SC1, and may be multiple coil units. For example, if the power transmission area SC1 is located at an intersection, and the power receiving device 200 can enter the power transmission area SC1 from multiple directions, the "coil units located at the end of the power transmission area SC1" include each of the coil units that can be initially opposed to each other in each direction when the power receiving device 200 enters from each direction.

[0026] The adjacent coil unit 120Q is a coil unit adjacent to the end coil unit 120P. When the power transmittable area SC1 includes multiple coil units, the "coil unit adjacent to the end coil unit 120P" includes not only the coil unit directly adjacent to the end coil unit 120P, but also the coil unit arranged contiguous to the coil unit directly adjacent to the end coil unit 120P. In the example of Fig. 1, in the power transmittable area SC1, all of the coil units 120P other than the leftmost end coil unit 120P correspond to the adjacent coil unit 120Q.

[0027] 1, an example will be described in which end coil 112P and the plurality of adjacent coils 112Q are arranged in contact with each other, but they do not necessarily have to be in contact with each other and may be spaced apart. However, to facilitate smooth power supply to power receiving coil 212 while vehicle CR is traveling, end coil 112P and the plurality of adjacent coils 112Q are preferably in contact with each other. If end coil 112P and the plurality of adjacent coils 112Q are spaced apart from each other, the separation distance is preferably equal to or less than half the width of end coil 112P and the plurality of adjacent coils 112Q (or the radius if they are circular), for example.

[0028] 2, the edge coil unit 120P includes an edge resonant circuit 110P, an edge current sensor 122P, and an edge current switching unit 124P. The edge current switching unit 124P is provided between the power transmitting circuit 130 and the edge resonant circuit 110P, and switches on and off the power supply from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the edge resonant circuit 110P. The edge current sensor 122P detects the current value of the power supplied from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the edge resonant circuit 110P (hereinafter also referred to as the "edge current value"). Instead of or together with the edge current sensor 122P, a shunt resistor or a relatively small inductance such as wiring inductance may be provided, and instead of or together with the current value, a voltage generated by the flow of current may be detected.

[0029] The end resonant circuit 110P has an end coil 112P and an end resonant capacitor 116P that functions as a resonant capacitor. The end resonant circuit 110P transmits AC power induced in the end coil 112P to the power receiving resonant circuit 210 by utilizing the electromagnetic induction phenomenon.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the edge resonant circuit 110P is a parallel resonant circuit in which an edge coil 112P and an edge resonant capacitor 116P are connected in parallel. In this embodiment, a primary-parallel-secondary-series configuration (also called a "PS configuration") is applied to the edge resonant circuit 110P. The edge resonant capacitor 116P is a resonant capacitor for resonating the power supplied to the edge coil 112P. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the edge coil 112P and the power receiving coil 212 provided in the power receiving device 200 face each other. In the facing state, the power receiving coil 212 is electromagnetically coupled to the edge coil 112P.

[0031] In the facing state, the capacitance Ct of the edge resonant capacitor 116P and the inductance Lt of the edge coil 112P are set so that the edge resonant circuit 110P resonates in parallel. In the facing state, the edge resonant circuit 110P and the power receiving resonant circuit 210 are electromagnetically coupled, and in the equivalent circuit, the battery 230 is connected in parallel to the edge resonant circuit 110P as a secondary-side load, and the input impedance Z1 of the edge resonant circuit 110P as seen from the power source is smaller than in the non-resonant state. As a result, AC power is supplied from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the edge coil 112P, and the AC power is supplied to the power receiving device 200 via the power receiving coil 212.

[0032] In this embodiment, the end coil unit 120P further includes an end resonance switching unit 126P and an end power transmission control device 170, which will be described later. The end resonance switching unit 126P is controlled by the end power transmission control device 170. The end resonance switching unit 126P switches between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P by changing the impedance between the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P.

[0033] The adjacent coil unit 120Q includes an adjacent resonant circuit 110Q and an adjacent current switching unit 124Q. The adjacent current switching unit 124Q is provided between the power transmitting circuit 130 and the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q, and switches on / off the power supply from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q. The adjacent current sensor 122Q detects the current value of the power supplied from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q (hereinafter also referred to as the "adjacent current value"). The adjacent current sensor 122Q has the same configuration as the edge current sensor 122P. However, instead of or together with the adjacent current sensor 122Q, a shunt resistor or a relatively small inductance such as wiring inductance may be disposed, and instead of or together with the current value, a voltage generated by the current flow may be detected.

[0034] The adjacent resonant circuit 110Q includes an adjacent coil 112Q and an adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q that functions as a resonant capacitor. The adjacent resonant circuit 110Q transmits AC power induced in the adjacent coil 112Q to the power receiving resonant circuit 210 by utilizing the electromagnetic induction phenomenon. As shown in Fig. 1, the end resonant circuit 110P and the multiple adjacent resonant circuits 110Q are continuously laid out in a straight line along the traveling direction (X-axis direction) of the vehicle CR on the vehicle travel path RS.

[0035] 2 shows a non-facing state in which the adjacent coil 112Q and the power receiving coil 212 do not face each other. In the non-facing state, the power receiving coil 212 is not electromagnetically coupled to the adjacent coil 112Q, and the resonant state of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q is disrupted. As a result, the input impedance Z1 of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q becomes a high impedance state of approximately infinity, and the input current I1 of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q can approach zero. In this way, the edge resonant circuit 110P and the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q using parallel resonant circuits can reduce the current from the power transmitting circuit 130, i.e., standby power, compared to resonant circuits using series resonant circuits.

[0036] In this embodiment, the adjacent coil unit 120Q further includes an adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q and an adjacent power transmission control device 180. The adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q is controlled by the adjacent power transmission control device 180. The adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q switches between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q by changing the impedance between the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q.

[0037] The adjacent power transmission control device 180 includes an adjacent power transmission control unit 182 and an adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184. The adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 detects an electrical characteristic value of the adjacent coil 112Q. The "electrical characteristic value of the adjacent coil 112Q" includes, for example, a voltage applied to the adjacent coil 112Q, a current flowing through the adjacent coil 112Q, and a magnetic field generated in the adjacent coil 112Q. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 is a current sensor for measuring the value of the current flowing through the adjacent coil 112Q as the electrical characteristic value.

[0038] The adjacent power transmission control unit 182 has a CPU and a memory, and controls the on / off of the adjacent current switching unit 124Q and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q. In this embodiment, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 controls the on / off of the adjacent current switching unit 124Q and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q using the electrical characteristic value (current value in this embodiment) of the adjacent coil 112Q acquired by the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 , the edge current switching unit 124P and the edge resonance switching unit 126P are semiconductor elements for controlling current, such as IGBTs, MOSFETs, or FETs. A saturable reactor, however, requires a large inductance to increase impedance, which increases the size of the edge current switching unit 124P. Furthermore, since the saturable reactor can have a large inductance component to increase impedance, the inductance component of the saturable reactor becomes dominant in the load seen from the power transmitting circuit 130. This may result in a decrease in the resonance characteristics of the edge resonant circuit 110P. According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, by using a semiconductor element for the edge current switching unit 124P, the resonance characteristics of the edge resonant circuit 110P can be improved compared to when a saturable reactor is used.

[0040] 3, the end current switching unit 124P and the end resonance switching unit 126P are configured as bidirectional switches using AC power semiconductor elements. The end resonance switching unit 126P is disposed between the end resonant capacitor 116P and the end coil 112P and is connected in parallel to the end coil 112P. The end power transmission control unit 174 short-circuits (turns on) the end resonance switching unit 126P to bring the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P into a non-resonant state, and opens (turns off) the end resonance switching unit 126P to bring the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P into a resonant state in which they can resonate. In Figure 3, the end current switching unit 124P and the end resonance switching unit 126P are used as examples for explanation, but the adjacent current switching unit 124Q and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q are configured in the same way as the end current switching unit 124P and the end resonance switching unit 126P, except that they are controlled by the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 instead of the end power transmission control unit 174, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0041] The edge power transmission control unit 174 shorts (turns on) the edge current switching unit 124P to turn on the power supply from the power transmission circuit 130 to the edge resonant circuit 110P, and opens (turns off) the edge current switching unit 124P to turn off the power supply from the power transmission circuit 130 to the edge resonant circuit 110P. In the example of FIG. 3, the bidirectional switch serving as the edge current switching unit 124P is arranged only on the positive side between the power transmission circuit 130 and the edge resonant circuit 110P. However, as in the edge coil unit 120P2 shown in FIG. 4, an edge current switching unit 124P2 in which bidirectional switches are arranged separately on the positive side and the negative side may also be used. With the power transmission device 100 configured in this manner, the cutoff point of the power supply from the power transmission circuit 130 to the edge resonant circuit 110P is divided into the positive side and the negative side, thereby suppressing or preventing so-called common-mode noise occurring on the positive side and the negative side.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the power transmitting device 100 further includes a power transmitting-side wide-area communication unit 190, a power transmitting circuit control unit 192, and an end-portion power transmitting control device 170. The power transmitting-side wide-area communication unit 190 receives a usage reservation request from the vehicle CR via wide-area communication. Information acquired by the power transmitting-side wide-area communication unit 190 is output to the power transmitting circuit control unit 192. The power transmitting circuit control unit 192 is a circuit including a CPU and a memory. The power transmitting circuit control unit 192 controls the power transmitting circuit 130 based on information received from the vehicle CR via the power transmitting-side wide-area communication unit 190, and switches the power transmitting device 100 between a stopped state and a standby state. The "stopped state of the power transmitting device 100" refers to a state in which the power transmitting circuit 130 is stopped and the supply of power from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the end-portion resonant circuit 110P is stopped. The "standby state of the power transmitting device 100" refers to a state in which the power transmitting circuit 130 is driven but power is not supplied to the power receiving device 200.

[0043] The end power transmission control device 170 receives an end power transmission request signal and the like transmitted from the power receiving side short range communication unit 270 via short range communication, and changes the input impedance Z1 of the end resonant circuit 110P based on the received end power transmission request signal. As shown in FIG. 2, the end power transmission control device 170 includes an end power transmission signal receiving unit 172 and an end power transmission control unit 174.

[0044] The end power transmission signal receiving unit 172 acquires an end power transmission request signal and the like transmitted from the power receiving-side short-range communication unit 270. The end power transmission signal receiving unit 172 may be, for example, a receiver or a reader compatible with the wireless communication method used by the power receiving-side short-range communication unit 270. In this embodiment, the end power transmission signal receiving unit 172 employs an RF reader capable of recognizing RF tags. However, the end power transmission signal receiving unit 172 may also be a receiver compatible with the communication method using a magnetic field with a loop antenna as described above.

[0045] The edge power transmission control unit 174 is a circuit for switching the value of a current flowing through the edge resonant circuit 110P. Specifically, when the edge power transmission signal receiving unit 172 acquires a power transmission request signal from the power receiving-side short-range communication unit 270, the edge power transmission control unit 174 switches the edge current switching unit 124P and the edge resonance switching unit 126P provided in the edge resonant circuit 110P to change the input impedance Z1 of the edge resonant circuit 110P and switch the value of a current flowing through the edge coil 112P to a current value that allows power to be supplied to the power receiving device 200. In this embodiment, the edge power transmission control unit 174 is disposed, for example, at the center of the edge coil 112P and is provided integrally with the edge coil 112P.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the edge power transmission control device 170 is included in the edge coil unit 120P in the power transmittable region SC1. However, it is sufficient that the edge power transmission control device 170 is included in the power transmission device 100. It may be part of the adjacent coil unit 120Q, or may be located at any position different from the edge coil unit 120P or the adjacent coil unit 120Q. For example, it may be located inside the vehicle road RS or on the vehicle road RS. From the viewpoint of improving the identification of the vehicle CR and improving the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the power transmission device 100, it is preferable to be able to detect with high accuracy that the vehicle CR has approached the edge coil 112P. Therefore, it is preferable that the edge power transmission signal receiving unit 172 is located close to the edge coil 112P. For example, it is more preferable that the edge power transmission signal receiving unit 172 and the edge coil 112P have their coordinates overlapping in a planar view, such as by arranging the edge power transmission signal receiving unit 172 within the coil plane of the edge coil 112P.

[0047] 5 shows the results of a simulation using the contactless power transfer system according to this embodiment. More specifically, when the end coil 112P faces the power receiving coil 212 and the adjacent coil 112Q does not face the power receiving coil 212, the adjacent current value and the current value of the coil current (hereinafter also referred to as "adjacent coil current") flowing through the adjacent coil 112Q are shown when the adjacent current switching unit 124Q and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q are short-circuited (ON) or opened (OFF). As shown on the left side of FIG. 5, when the end coil 112P faces the power receiving coil 212, the end current switching unit 124P is short-circuited (ON), power supply from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the end coil unit 120P is turned on, and the end resonance switching unit 126P is opened (OFF), causing the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P to resonate. According to the simulation results, the edge current value at this time was approximately 60A, and the current value of the coil current flowing through the edge coil (hereinafter also referred to as "edge coil current") was approximately 100A.

[0048] 5, when the adjacent current switching unit 124Q is short-circuited (on) and the power supply from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the adjacent coil unit 120Q is on, and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q is open (off) and the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonance capacitor 116Q are in a resonant state, the adjacent current value is 10 A and the adjacent coil current is 200 A. From this, it can be understood that even when the adjacent coil unit 120Q is not contributing to power transmission to the power receiving device 200, when the power supply to the adjacent coil unit 120Q is on and in a resonant state, a current flows from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the adjacent coil unit 120Q, and a coil current in a non-facing state (hereinafter also referred to as a "standby current") flows, resulting in excess power loss.

[0049] 5, when the adjacent current switching unit 124Q is open (off) and the power supply from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the adjacent coil unit 120Q is off, and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q is open (off) and the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonance capacitor 116Q are in a resonant state, the adjacent current value is approximately 0 A and the adjacent coil current is approximately 50 A. According to the simulation results, as can be seen by comparing with the results of the upper column #1, it can be seen that by turning off the adjacent current switching unit 124Q, the power supply from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the adjacent coil unit 120Q can be made approximately zero and the standby current can be reduced.

[0050] 5, when the adjacent current switching unit 124Q is open (off) and the power supply to the adjacent coil unit 120Q is off, and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q is short-circuited (on) and the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonance capacitor 116Q are in a non-resonant state, the adjacent current value and the adjacent coil current are approximately 0 A. According to the simulation results, it can be seen that in the non-facing state, if the adjacent current switching unit 124Q is open (off) and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q is short-circuited (on), the power supply to the adjacent coil unit 120Q and the standby current can be reduced to approximately zero.

[0051] The power supply process executed by the power transmission device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 17. FIGS. 12 to 17 show a vehicle CR equipped with a power receiving device 200 traveling toward and passing through the power transmission area SC1 of the power transmission device 100. For ease of illustration, FIGS. 12 to 17 show the end power transmission control device 170 separated from the end coil 112P. However, in reality, the coordinates of the end coil 112P and the end power transmission control device 170 coincide with each other in a plan view. In FIGS. 12 to 17, hatching is used to indicate active functions to facilitate understanding of the technology. For ease of illustration, the names of some components are abbreviated in FIGS. 12 to 17.

[0052] 12 to 17 schematically show the current supply start distance DT2 from the end coil 112P of the power transmitting device 100 and the preparation distance DT1 from the end coil 112P. The current supply start distance DT2 can be set, for example, using the distance over which a power transmission request signal can be exchanged between the power receiving-side short-range communication unit 270 and the end power transmission signal receiving unit 172 of the end power transmission control device 170. In this embodiment, the current supply start distance DT2 is set to 100 centimeters, which is the communication distance of the power receiving-side short-range communication unit 270. The preparation distance DT1 is longer than the current supply start distance DT2 and defines an area within which the power transmitting device 100 transitions to the preparation state when a vehicle CR enters. The preparation distance DT1 is sufficient if the power transmission circuit 130 can be transitioned to a standby state while the vehicle CR is traveling a distance (DT1-DT2) obtained by subtracting the power supply start distance DT2 from the preparation distance DT1, and can be derived, for example, from the time required to transition the power transmission circuit 130 to the standby state, the separation distance between the vehicle CR and the power transmission device 100, and the traveling speed of the vehicle CR.

[0053] 6, in the process of power supply from the power transmitting device 100 to the power receiving device 200, the power transmitting device 100 transitions from a stopped state to a standby state in step S10. In the standby state and the stopped state of the power transmitting device 100, the end current switching unit 124P and the adjacent current switching unit 124Q are open (off), and the end resonance switching unit 126P and the end resonance switching unit 126Q are short-circuited (on).

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7 , in step S110, the vehicle CR starts a request for a reservation to use the power transmission device 100. The reservation to use the power transmission device 100 means a request to the power transmission device 100 or the administrator of the power transmission device 100 to supply power to the power receiving device 200 from the power transmission device 100. The reservation to use the power transmission device 100 may be made, for example, by the vehicle control unit 280 or manually by the user of the vehicle CR. The vehicle control unit 280 makes the request for a reservation to use the power transmission device 100, for example, upon acquiring, from the vehicle information acquisition unit 260, information that indicates that the power transmission available area SC1 is included in the planned driving route generated by the navigation device 264. Alternatively, regardless of whether a reservation to use has been made from the vehicle CR, the power transmission device 100 may accept the reservation when it detects that the vehicle CR is within a predetermined range from the power transmission device 100 based on the location information of the vehicle CR transmitted from the vehicle CR to the power transmission device 100 via the power receiving-side wide-area communication unit 290. The vehicle control unit 280 may apply for a reservation to use the power transmitting device 100 depending on the state of charge of the battery 230, for example, by determining that the SOC of the battery 230 is low.

[0055] When a request for a use reservation for the power transmitting device 100 is initiated, in step S120, as shown in FIG. 12 , the vehicle control unit 280 of the vehicle CR transmits the request for use reservation, together with location information of the vehicle CR and ID information of the vehicle CR, to the power transmitting side wide-area communication unit 190 via the power receiving side wide-area communication unit 290. This information may be transmitted periodically at predetermined time intervals after the request is initiated. The location information of the vehicle CR transmitted by wide-area communication is current location information of the vehicle CR acquired by the GNSS receiver 262 or the navigation device 264. However, the location information of the vehicle CR transmitted by wide-area communication is not limited to this, and may include information that the vehicle CR has been detected within the communication distance of the power transmitting side wide-area communication unit 190 based on the establishment of wide-area communication based on the communication distance between the power receiving side wide-area communication unit 290 and the power transmitting side wide-area communication unit 190.

[0056] In step S130, when the transmission side wide area communication unit 190 of the power transmission device 100 acquires the current location information of the vehicle CR and the ID information of the vehicle CR, the power transmission circuit control unit 192 accepts an application by the vehicle CR to reserve the use of the power transmission device 100, and stores the acquired ID information of the vehicle CR, for example, in the memory of the end power transmission control unit 174.

[0057] In step S140, the power transmission circuit control unit 192 uses the acquired current position information of the vehicle CR to determine whether the vehicle CR has reached a range from the end coil 112P to the preparation distance DT1. If the distance from the end coil 112P to the vehicle CR is equal to or greater than the preparation distance DT1 (S140: NO), the power transmission circuit control unit 192 continues to acquire the current position information of the vehicle CR and waits until the vehicle CR has reached a range from the end coil 112P to the preparation distance DT1. If the distance from the end coil 112P is shorter than the preparation distance DT1 (S140: YES), the power transmission circuit control unit 192 proceeds to step S150, where, as shown in FIG. 13 , the power transmission circuit 130 is driven to switch the power transmitting device 100 from the stopped state to the standby state, thereby completing the process.

[0058] Returning to FIG. 6 , in step S20, the power transmitting device 100 transitions from the standby state to the energized state. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 , in step S22, an edge coil energization process is performed, and in step S24, an adjacent coil energization process is performed. As shown in FIG. 9 , in the edge coil energization process, in step S220, the edge power transmission control unit 174 uses the acquired current position information of the vehicle CR to determine whether the vehicle CR has reached a range from the edge coil 112P to the energization start distance DT2. If the distance from the edge coil 112P to the vehicle CR is equal to or greater than the energization start distance DT2 (S220: NO), the edge power transmission control unit 174 continues to acquire the current position information of the vehicle CR and waits until the vehicle CR reaches a range from the edge coil 112P to the energization start distance DT2. If the distance from the edge coil 112P has become shorter than the energization start distance DT2 (S220: YES), the edge power transmission control unit 174 proceeds to step S222.

[0059] In step S222, the vehicle control unit 280 starts a request to start power feeding to the power transmitting device 100. When the current position of the vehicle CR reaches the range of the power distribution start distance DT2, the vehicle control unit 280 starts a request to start power feeding, and transmits the position information of the vehicle CR and the ID information of the vehicle CR using short-range communication by the power receiving side short-range communication unit 270.

[0060] In step S224, the end portion power transmission signal receiving unit 172 acquires the position information of the vehicle CR and the ID information of the vehicle CR transmitted from the power receiving side short range communication unit 270. The end portion power transmission control unit 174 compares the ID information of the vehicle CR stored in the memory in the application for reservation of use of the power transmitting device 100 described above with the ID information of the vehicle CR acquired via the power receiving side short range communication unit 270. If the ID information of the vehicles CR matches each other, the end portion power transmission control unit 174 approves the application to start power feeding, and proceeds to step S226.

[0061] 14, when the vehicle CR moves along the X-axis direction, which is the direction of travel, the vehicle CR first reaches the end coil unit 120P in the power transmittable area SC1. The vehicle CR transmits, to the power transmitting device 100 via the power receiving-side short-range communication unit 270, position information of the vehicle CR, i.e., information that the vehicle CR is close to the end coil unit 120P, and completes the power supply start request using the ID information.

[0062] In step S226, the edge power transmission control unit 174 executes edge power transmission control to transition the edge resonant circuit 110P from a standby state to a conducting state. Specifically, the edge power transmission control unit 174 short-circuits (turns on) the edge current switching unit 124P to switch on the power supply from the power transmission circuit 130 to the edge resonant circuit 110P, and opens (turns off) the edge resonance switching unit 126P to switch the edge coils 112P and 114P to a resonant state. As a result, the input impedance Z1 of the edge resonant circuit 110P changes to a small value, and a large current for power supply flows through the edge coil 112P.

[0063] In step S228, the edge power transmission control unit 174 acquires an edge current value from the edge current sensor 122P and compares the edge current value with a threshold value TH1. The threshold value TH1 is a threshold value for determining whether the power receiving coil 212 changes from a facing state to a non-facing state with the edge coil 112P. The threshold value TH1 can be set arbitrarily using a value lower than the edge current value that flows when power is supplied from the edge coil 112P to the power receiving coil 212. When the edge power transmission control unit 174 confirms that the edge current value has become equal to or less than the threshold value TH1, the process proceeds to step S230.

[0064] In step S230, the end power transmission control unit 174 executes end power transmission stop control to transition the end resonant circuit 110P from a conducting state to a standby state. Specifically, the end power transmission control unit 174 opens (turns off) the end current switching unit 124P to switch off the power supply from the power transmission circuit 130 to the end resonant circuit 110P, and shorts (turns on) the end resonance switching unit 126P to switch the end coil 112P and end resonant capacitor 116P to a non-resonant state. As a result, the input impedance Z1 of the end resonant circuit 110P becomes a high impedance state of approximately infinity, and the end coil current of the end coil 112P hardly flows.

[0065] Here, for example, if the end resonance switching unit 126P is short-circuited before the end current switching unit 124P is opened, there is a possibility that a short-circuit current will flow in the end coil unit 120P. In this embodiment, in the end power transmission stop control described above, the end power transmission control unit 174 first opens (turns off) the end current switching unit 124P and then shorts (turns on) the end resonance switching unit 126P. This configuration can suppress or prevent the occurrence of a short-circuit current in the end coil unit 120P. However, if the short-circuit current is not a problem, the end resonance switching unit 126P may be short-circuited and the end current switching unit 124P may be opened simultaneously or in any order.

[0066] 15, vehicle CR completes the power feeding start request while traveling and reaches above end coil 112P, which is in a powered state and through which a current for power feeding is flowing. When power receiving coil 212 approaches end coil 112P and faces end coil 112P, magnetic flux G1 of power receiving coil 212 is induced by resonance due to magnetic flux G2 generated from end coil 112P, resulting in magnetic coupling. As a result, power feeding from power transmitting device 100 to power receiving device 200 begins.

[0067] 10 , in the adjacent coil energization process, in step S240, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 acquires an adjacent coil current value from the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 and compares the adjacent coil current value with a first characteristic value CV1. The first characteristic value CV1 is a threshold value for determining whether the adjacent coil 112Q is in a state in which it can be magnetically coupled to the power receiving coil 212. The first characteristic value CV1 is set using a value smaller than a second characteristic value CV2 (described later), and can be set using a value smaller than the adjacent coil current value in the opposing state, for example. Here, when the end coil 112P is in an opposing state with the power receiving coil 212 and magnetically coupled to start power feeding, an adjacent coil current begins to flow through the adjacent coil 112Q due to magnetic flux generated in the power receiving coil 212, even before the adjacent state is established. The first characteristic value CV1 is a threshold value used to detect that adjacent coil current has begun to be generated in adjacent coil 112Q, or in other words, a threshold value used to determine whether or not the receiving coil 212 is approaching adjacent coil 112Q and may be in an opposing state.

[0068] If the adjacent coil current value detected by the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 is equal to or greater than the first characteristic value CV1 (S240: YES), the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 proceeds to step S242 and controls the adjacent current switching unit 124Q to switch the adjacent coil 112Q to a conducting state. More specifically, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 executes adjacent power transmission control to switch the adjacent current switching unit 124Q to a short-circuited state (ON) and switch the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q to an open state (OFF).

[0069] In step S244, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 compares the adjacent coil current value with a second characteristic value CV2. The second characteristic value CV2 is a threshold value for determining whether a large adjacent coil current value for supplying power to the power receiving coil 212 flows through the adjacent coil 112Q, in other words, a threshold value for determining whether the adjacent coil 112Q is opposed to the power receiving coil 212. The second characteristic value CV2 can be set using, for example, an average value, a lower limit, or a lower specification limit of the current value flowing through the adjacent coil 112Q while power is being supplied to the power receiving coil 212.

[0070] If the adjacent coil current value detected by the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 is equal to or greater than the second characteristic value CV2 (S244: YES), the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 proceeds to step S246. In step S246, if the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 confirms that the adjacent coil current value has become equal to or less than the threshold value TH2, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 proceeds to step S250. The threshold value TH2 is a threshold value used to detect that the adjacent coil current has stopped flowing through the adjacent coil 112Q. In other words, it is a threshold value used to determine whether the power receiving coil 212 has moved away from the adjacent coil 112Q and changed from an opposing state to a non-opposing state. The threshold value TH2 can be set, for example, in the same way as the threshold value TH1 described above.

[0071] In step S250, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 executes adjacent power transmission stop control to transition the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q from a conducting state to a standby state. Specifically, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 opens (turns off) the adjacent current switching unit 124Q to switch off the power supply from the power transmission circuit 130 to the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q, and shorts (turns on) the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q to switch the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q to a non-resonant state. As a result, the input impedance Z1 of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q becomes a high impedance state of approximately infinity, and no coil current flows through the adjacent coil 112Q.

[0072] Here, for example, if the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q is short-circuited (turned on) first, there is a possibility that a short-circuit current will flow in the adjacent coil unit 120Q. In this embodiment, in the adjacent power transmission stop control described above, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 first opens (turns off) the adjacent current switching unit 124Q and then shorts (turns on) the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q. This configuration can suppress or prevent the occurrence of a short-circuit current in the adjacent coil unit 120Q. However, if the short-circuit current is not a problem, the short-circuiting of the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q and the opening of the adjacent current switching unit 124Q may be performed in any order.

[0073] In step S244, if the adjacent coil current value is less than the second characteristic value CV2 (S244: NO), the process proceeds to step S248, where the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 checks whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the adjacent power transmission control was executed. Note that the "time when adjacent power transmission control was executed" includes the time when it was confirmed in step S240 that the adjacent coil current value is equal to or greater than the first characteristic value CV1. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S248: NO), the process returns to step S244. Note that the processes of steps S244 and S248 can also be applied to the end coil energization process. Specifically, for example, the processes of steps S244 and S248 can be applied between step S226 and step S228 shown in FIG. 9.

[0074] If the predetermined time has elapsed without the adjacent coil current value becoming equal to or greater than the second characteristic value CV2 (S248: YES), the process proceeds to step S250, and adjacent power transmission stop control is executed, as described below. With this configuration, if power receiving coil 212 passes over end coil 112P and switches adjacent coil 112Q to the energized state, but does not come to face adjacent coil 112Q because, for example, vehicle CR passing end coil 112P changes lanes or stops, by switching adjacent coil 112Q to the standby state, it is possible to suppress or prevent unnecessary continuation of energization to adjacent coil 112Q.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 16, when the vehicle CR continues traveling from the opposing state of the power receiving coil 212 and the end coil 112P shown in FIG. 15, a current flows through the adjacent coil 112Q due to magnetic flux G3 generated in the power receiving coil 212. The adjacent power transmission control unit 182 detects that the adjacent coil current of the adjacent coil 112Q detected by the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 has become equal to or greater than the first characteristic value CV1, and executes adjacent power transmission control of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q. As a result, the input impedance Z1 of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q is changed to a small value, and a large current for power feeding flows through the adjacent coil 112Q. When the vehicle CR continues traveling and the power receiving coil 212 and the adjacent coil 112Q come into an opposing state, power feeding begins due to magnetic coupling between the adjacent coil 112Q and the power receiving coil 212. When power feeding begins, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 detects that the adjacent coil current of the adjacent coil 112Q has become equal to or greater than the second characteristic value CV2. In this way, after power supply by the end coil 112P is started in the power transmission area SC1, the adjacent coil 112Q adjacent to the end coil 112P and the adjacent coil 112Q adjacent to it can start power supply without using short-range communication.

[0076] Returning to FIG. 6 , in step S30, the power transmitting device 100 transitions from the energized state to the stopped state, and the process is completed. As shown in FIG. 11 , in step S310, the power transmitting circuit control unit 192 confirms that power feeding in the power transmittable region SC1 has ended, that is, that the power transmitting device 100 has switched from the energized state to the standby state. In the example of FIG. 17 , the power transmitting circuit control unit 192 confirms that power feeding by all power transmitting resonant circuits included in the power transmittable region SC1 has ended. More specifically, the power transmitting circuit control unit 192 confirms that the end coil current value of the end coil 112P has become equal to or less than the threshold value TH1 and that the adjacent coil current values ​​of all adjacent coils 112Q have become equal to or less than the threshold value TH2, thereby confirming the end of power feeding in the power transmittable region SC1.

[0077] When the vehicle CR travels and the power receiving device 200 moves away from the power transmitting device 100 to a position farther than the communication distance between the end power transmission control device 170 and the power receiving-side short-range communication unit 270, the end power transmission control device 170 can no longer receive the power transmission request signal from the vehicle CR. Therefore, instead of or in addition to the method of using the current flowing through the coil unit, the end power transmission control device 170 may detect that it no longer receives the power transmission request signal, or may determine that power feeding has ended when a predetermined time has passed during which the vehicle CR can pass through the power transmittable area SC1. With the power transmitting device 100 configured in this manner, the end current sensor 122P and the adjacent current sensor 122Q can be omitted, thereby suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0078] In step S320, the power transmission circuit control unit 192 counts time from the point in time when the power transmission device 100 is switched to the standby state, and waits for a predetermined standby time to elapse. By waiting in the standby state before transitioning to the stopped state, the transition period to the energized state can be shortened when the next vehicle enters the power transmittable area SC1. When the standby time has elapsed, in step S330, the power transmission circuit control unit 192 stops driving the power transmission circuit 130, switches the power transmission device 100 to the stopped state, and ends the process. Note that the process may also end upon detecting that wide-area communication between the power receiving side wide-area communication unit 290 and the power transmitting side wide-area communication unit 190 has been interrupted.

[0079] As described above, the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment includes an end coil unit 120P, an adjacent coil unit 120Q adjacent to the end coil unit 120P, an end power transmission signal receiving unit 172 that receives an end power transmission request signal for starting power transmission by the end coil unit 120P, an end power transmission control unit 174 that uses the end power transmission request signal to control on / off the power supply from the power source to the end resonant circuit 110P by the end current switching unit 124P, and an adjacent power transmission control unit 182 that controls on / off the power supply from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q by the adjacent current switching unit 124Q. The end coil unit 120P includes an end resonant circuit 110P having an end coil 112P and an end resonant capacitor 116P, and an end current switching unit 124P that switches on / off the power supply from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the end resonant circuit 110P. The adjacent coil unit 120Q includes an adjacent resonant circuit 110Q having an adjacent coil 112Q and an adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q, and an adjacent current switching unit 124Q for switching on and off the power supply from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q. The edge power transmission control unit 174 can switch on and off the power supply to the edge resonant circuit 110P upon receiving an edge power transmission request signal from the power receiving device 200. This makes it possible to more reliably switch the edge coil unit 120P, and ultimately the power transmitting device 100, to a power supply-enabled state than when switching on and off the power supply using electrical characteristic values ​​of the edge coil 112P, such as a current value or magnetic flux. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent a malfunction, such as failure to start power supply from the power transmitting device 100 to the power receiving device 200, when the power receiving coil 212 changes from a non-facing state to a facing state with respect to the edge coil 112P. According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, the end coil unit 120P includes the end current switching unit 124P, which can suppress or prevent unnecessary standby current from flowing through the end coil unit 120P. Also, the adjacent coil unit 120Q includes the adjacent current switching unit 124Q, which can suppress unnecessary standby current from flowing when the adjacent coil 112Q is in a non-opposing state.

[0080] According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, the end coil unit 120P includes an end resonance switching unit 126P that switches between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P by changing the impedance between the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P. The end power transmission control unit 174 further uses an end power transmission request signal to control switching between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P by the end resonance switching unit 126P. Because the end resonance switching unit 126P can switch between the resonant state and the non-resonant state of the end resonant circuit 110P as a parallel resonant circuit, the standby current can be reduced when the end coil 112P is not contributing to power transmission, such as in a non-facing state, compared to when the end coil unit 120P is a series resonant circuit, and power loss can be reduced.

[0081] According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, when the end power transmission signal receiving unit 172 receives an end power transmission request signal, the end power transmission control unit 174 controls the end current switching unit 124P to supply power from the power supply to the end resonant circuit 110P, and controls the end resonance switching unit 126P to execute end power transmission control to bring the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P into a resonant state. Simple control using the end current switching unit 124P and the end resonance switching unit 126P makes it possible to switch between a standby state and a conducting state.

[0082] According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, the edge coil unit 120P further includes an edge current sensor 122P for detecting an edge current value of the power supplied from the power source to the edge resonant circuit 110P. When the edge current value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold TH1, the edge power transmission control unit 174 controls the edge current switching unit 124P to stop the supply of power from the power source to the edge resonant circuit 110P, and controls the edge resonance switching unit 126P to execute edge power transmission stop control to put the edge coil 112P and the edge resonant capacitor 116P into a non-resonant state. Switching between a standby state and a conducting state can be achieved through simple control using the detection value of the current sensor, the edge current switching unit 124P, and the edge resonance switching unit 126P.

[0083] According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, in the end power transmission stop control, the end power transmission control unit 174 controls the end current switching unit 124P to stop the supply of power from the power source to the end resonant circuit 110P, and then controls the end resonance switching unit 126P to put the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P into a non-resonant state. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent a short-circuit current from occurring in the end coil unit 120P.

[0084] According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, the adjacent coil unit 120Q includes an adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q controlled by the adjacent power transmission control unit 182. The adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q switches between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q by changing the impedance between the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q. Because the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q can switch between the resonant state and the non-resonant state of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q as a parallel resonant circuit, the standby current can be reduced in a state in which the adjacent coil 112Q is not contributing to power transmission, such as a non-facing state, compared to when the adjacent coil unit 120Q is a series resonant circuit, and power loss can be reduced.

[0085] The power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment further includes an adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 that detects an electrical characteristic value of the adjacent coil 112Q, which is any one of the voltage applied to the adjacent coil 112Q, the current flowing through the adjacent coil 112Q, and the magnetic field generated by the adjacent coil 112Q. When the electrical characteristic value is equal to or greater than a predetermined first characteristic value CV1, the adjacent power transmitting control unit 182 controls the adjacent current switching unit 124Q to supply power from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q and controls the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q to perform adjacent power transmitting control to bring the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q into a resonant state. By using the electrical characteristic value of the adjacent coil 112Q, it is possible to determine the opposition state between the adjacent coil 112Q and the power receiving coil 212 in a simple manner without communicating with the power receiving device 200.

[0086] According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, the adjacent coil unit 120Q further includes an adjacent current sensor 122Q for detecting an adjacent current value of power supplied from a power source to the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q. When the adjacent current value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold TH2, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 controls the adjacent current switching unit 124Q to stop the supply of power from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q, and controls the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q to execute adjacent power transmission stop control to put the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q into a non-resonant state. Switching between a standby state and a conducting state can be performed by simple control using the detected value of the current sensor, the adjacent current switching unit 124Q, and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q.

[0087] According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, in the adjacent power transmission stop control, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 controls the adjacent current switching unit 124Q to stop the supply of power from the power transmitting circuit 130 to the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q, and then controls the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q to put the adjacent coil 112Q and the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q into a non-resonant state. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent a short-circuit current from occurring in the adjacent coil unit 120Q.

[0088] According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 executes adjacent power transmission stop control when the electrical characteristic value is equal to or greater than a predetermined second characteristic value CV2 that is higher than the first characteristic value CV1 after executing adjacent power transmission control. If the electrical characteristic value is less than the second characteristic value CV2 after executing adjacent power transmission control, the adjacent power transmission stop control is executed when a predetermined period has elapsed since the execution of the adjacent power transmission control. According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress or prevent unnecessary continuous current flow to the adjacent coil 112Q, for example, when the adjacent coil 112Q is switched to a current-carrying state but is not opposed to the adjacent coil 112Q.

[0089] According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, the end power transmission signal receiving unit 172 receives a short-range communication signal with a communication distance of 5 meters or less as an end power transmission request signal. Therefore, by utilizing the communication distance of short-range communication to narrow the detection range of a vehicle to which power is to be transmitted, it is possible to improve the identification of one vehicle among multiple vehicles that can use the power transmitting device 100. Furthermore, it is possible to control the on / off of power transmission over a short distance, which improves the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the power transmitting device 100 and suppresses unnecessary power consumption and generation of unnecessary magnetic flux when the power transmitting device 100 is not facing the power receiving device 200.

[0090] The power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment further includes a power transmitting circuit 130 for supplying AC power to the end coil unit 120P and the adjacent coil unit 120Q, a power transmitting circuit control unit 192 capable of driving the power transmitting circuit 130, and a power transmitting-side wide-area communication unit 190 for receiving a wide-area communication signal having a communication distance longer than 5 meters. The power transmitting circuit control unit 192 drives the power transmitting circuit 130 when the power transmitting-side wide-area communication unit 190 receives the wide-area communication signal. Therefore, the power transmitting device 100 can be placed in a standby state before starting power feeding, and the time required to switch to a conducting state when the power receiving device 200 approaches can be shortened.

[0091] B. Second embodiment: As shown in Fig. 18, the power transmission device 100b according to the second embodiment differs from the power transmission device 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes an end coil unit 120Pb instead of the end coil unit 120P and an adjacent coil unit 120Qb instead of the adjacent coil unit 120Q, but the rest of the configuration is the same. In this embodiment, the end coil unit 120Pb and the adjacent coil unit 120Qb are configured to be able to communicate with each other. Note that although the power receiving device 200 is not shown in Fig. 18, the power receiving coil 212 faces the end coil 112P.

[0092] The end coil unit 120Pb is different from the end coil unit 120P in that it has an end power transmission control device 170b instead of the end power transmission control device 170, but is otherwise similar in configuration. The adjacent coil unit 120Qb is different from the adjacent coil unit 120Q in that it has an adjacent power transmission control device 180b instead of the adjacent power transmission control device 180, but is otherwise similar in configuration.

[0093] The adjacent power transmission control device 180b includes an adjacent communication unit 186 instead of the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184. The end power transmission control device 170b further includes an end communication unit 176. The end communication unit 176 and the adjacent communication unit 186 are wired to each other and configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally. The end communication unit 176 and the adjacent communication unit 186 may also be wirelessly connected to each other. The end power transmission control device 170b does not need to be included in the end coil unit 120Pb as long as the end current switching unit 124P and the end resonance switching unit 126P of the end resonant circuit 110P are switchable. Similarly, the adjacent power transmission control device 180b does not need to be included in the adjacent coil unit 120Qb as long as the adjacent current switching unit 124Q and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q are switchable. The adjacent power transmission control device 180b may also include an adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 such as a current sensor in addition to the adjacent communication unit 186.

[0094] In this embodiment, the end communication unit 176 functions as an adjacent power transmission signal transmitter that transmits an adjacent power transmission request signal for starting power transmission by the adjacent coil unit 120Q, and the adjacent communication unit 186 functions as an adjacent power transmission signal receiver that receives the adjacent power transmission request signal. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the adjacent communication unit 186 can further transmit an adjacent power transmission supply signal for starting power transmission by another adjacent coil unit 120Q under the control of the adjacent power transmission control unit 182. Under the control of the end power transmission control unit 174, the end communication unit 176 transmits the adjacent power transmission request signal to the adjacent power transmission signal receiver when power transmission by the end coil unit 120P to the power receiving device 200 is started. Upon receiving the adjacent power transmission request signal, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 executes adjacent power transmission control. The adjacent power transmission request signal may be transmitted from a component other than the end communication unit 176, such as the power transmission circuit control unit 192.

[0095] 19, the edge coil energization process of this embodiment differs from the edge coil energization process of the first embodiment in that step S227b is further executed after step S226, but the rest of the configuration is the same. When the edge power transmission control unit 174 executes edge power transmission control to transition the edge resonant circuit 110P from the standby state to the energized state in step S226, the process proceeds to step S227b and controls the edge communication unit 176 to transmit an adjacent power transmission request signal to the adjacent communication unit 186.

[0096] 20, the adjacent coil energization process of this embodiment differs from the adjacent coil energization process of the first embodiment in that step S240b is provided instead of step S240 and step S245b is further executed after step S244, but the rest of the configuration is the same. In step S240b, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 waits for reception of an adjacent power transmission request signal. When the adjacent communication unit 186 receives the adjacent power transmission request signal (S240b: YES), the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 proceeds to step S242 and executes adjacent power transmission control.

[0097] In step S244, if the adjacent coil current value detected by the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 is equal to or greater than the second characteristic value CV2 (S244: YES), the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 proceeds to step S245b. In step S245b, under the control of the adjacent power transmission control unit 182, the adjacent communication unit 186 further transmits an adjacent power transmission supply signal to start power transmission by another adjacent coil unit 120Q. In this embodiment, the adjacent communication unit 186 transmits an adjacent power transmission supply signal to the adjacent coil unit 120Q adjacent to the adjacent coil unit 120Q for which adjacent power transmission control has been executed according to this flow. This allows the other adjacent coil unit 120Q to also be switched to a state where it can transmit power. The "adjacent coil unit 120Q adjacent to the adjacent coil unit 120Q" refers to the adjacent coil unit 120Q that may next be opposed to the power receiving coil 212 according to the traveling direction of the vehicle CR. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the adjacent power transmission supply signal may be transmitted from the adjacent coil unit 120Q for which adjacent power transmission control has been executed to all adjacent coil units 120Q.

[0098] The power transmitting device 100b of this embodiment further includes an adjacent communication unit 186 as an adjacent power transmission signal receiving unit that receives an adjacent power transmission request signal for starting power transmission by the adjacent coil unit 120Q. When the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 receives the adjacent power transmission request signal, it controls the adjacent current switching unit 124Q to perform adjacent power transmission control. Therefore, the adjacent coil unit 120Q can be switched to a state where power can be supplied more reliably than a power transmitting device that switches on and off power supply using electrical characteristic values ​​of the end coil 112P, such as a current value or magnetic flux. Furthermore, the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 can be omitted, thereby reducing the number of parts of the adjacent coil unit 120Q.

[0099] The power transmitting device 100b of this embodiment further includes an end communication unit 176 as an adjacent power transmission signal transmitter that transmits an adjacent power transmission request signal. When power transmission by the end coil unit 120P starts, the end communication unit 176 transmits the adjacent power transmission request signal to the adjacent power transmission signal receiver. The adjacent coil unit 120Q can be switched to a state where it can supply power at an appropriate timing when power transmission by the adjacent coil unit 120Q may be necessary, and unnecessary power supply that does not contribute to power transmission can be suppressed or prevented.

[0100] C. Third embodiment: The power transmitting device according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the power transmitting device 100b according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 18. In this embodiment, the adjacent communication unit 186 functions as an end stop signal transmitting unit that transmits an end power transmission stop signal for stopping power transmission from the end coil unit 120Pb to the power receiving device 200, and the end communication unit 176 functions as an end stop signal receiving unit that receives the end power transmission stop signal transmitted from the adjacent communication unit 186.

[0101] This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that, in the end coil energization process, step S228c is provided instead of step S227b and step S228, as shown in Fig. 21. Also, as shown in Fig. 22, this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that, in the adjacent coil energization process, step S240, the same as in the first embodiment, is provided instead of step S240b, and step S245c is provided instead of step S245b.

[0102] 21, when power transmission by the end coil unit 120P is started, in step S240 shown in FIG. 22, the adjacent coil current value detected by the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 becomes equal to or greater than the first characteristic value CV1 (S240: YES), and the process proceeds to step S242. The adjacent power transmission control unit 182 controls the adjacent current switching unit 124Q to switch the adjacent coil 112Q to a state in which it can be energized. If the adjacent coil current value becomes equal to or greater than the second characteristic value CV2 (S244: YES), the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 proceeds to step S245c, and transmits an end power transmission stop signal to the end communication unit 176 via the adjacent communication unit 186.

[0103] 21, in step S228c, the end power transmission control unit 174 acquires an end power transmission stop signal from the adjacent communication unit 186 via the end communication unit 176. Having acquired the end power transmission stop signal, in step S230, the end power transmission control unit 174 executes end power transmission stop control to transition the end resonant circuit 110P from the conducting state to the standby state.

[0104] According to the power transmission device of this embodiment, the adjacent communication unit 186 functions as an end stop signal transmitter that transmits an end power transmission stop signal to stop power transmission by the end coil unit 120P, and the end communication unit 176 functions as an end stop signal receiver that receives the end power transmission stop signal. When power transmission by the adjacent coil unit 120Q starts, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 controls the adjacent communication unit 186 to transmit the end power transmission stop signal. When the end power transmission control unit 174 receives the end power transmission stop signal, the end current switching unit 124P controls the end power transmission stop control. This makes it possible to stop power transmission by the end coil unit 120P more reliably than when using electrical characteristic values, etc. Furthermore, power transmission by the end coil unit 120P can be stopped when power supply by the end coil unit 120P is completed, thereby suppressing or preventing unnecessary power supply that does not contribute to power transmission.

[0105] D. Fourth embodiment: 23, a power transmitting device 100d according to the fourth embodiment differs from the power transmitting device 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes an end coil unit 120Pd instead of the end coil unit 120P and an adjacent coil unit 120Qd instead of the adjacent coil unit 120Q, but otherwise has the same configuration. The end coil unit 120Pd includes an end resonant circuit 110Pd instead of the end resonant circuit 110P, and the adjacent coil unit 120Qd includes an adjacent resonant circuit 110Qd instead of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q.

[0106] In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which a primary-parallel-secondary-series configuration was applied to the edge resonant circuit 110P and the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q. In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, a primary-parallel-series-secondary-series configuration (also called a "PSS configuration") is adopted for the edge resonant circuit 110Pd and the adjacent resonant circuit 110Qd, as shown in Fig. 23. The configuration of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Qd differs from that of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q in the first embodiment in that it is a PSS configuration like the edge resonant circuit 110Pd. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the adjacent resonant circuit 110Q, a description thereof will be omitted and the following description will be given taking the edge coil unit 120Pd as an example.

[0107] Like the end coil unit 120P in the first embodiment, the end coil unit 120Pd includes an end coil 112P and an end resonant capacitor 116P, and also includes an end series capacitor disposed between the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P. In this embodiment, the end coil unit 120Pd includes two end series capacitors 116PA, end series capacitor 116PA and end series capacitor 116PB, connected in series to both ends of the end coil 112P. Note that only one of the end series capacitor 116PA and the end series capacitor 116PB may be provided, or any number of end series capacitors greater than or equal to three may be provided. The end resonant capacitor 116P, end series capacitor 116PA, and end series capacitor 116PB are set so that their combined value resonates with the end coil 112P, and function as a resonant capacitor for resonating the power supplied to the end coil 112P. Similar to adjacent coil unit 120Q in the first embodiment, adjacent coil unit 120Qd includes adjacent coil 112Q and adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q, and also includes an adjacent series capacitor arranged between adjacent coil 112Q and adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q. In the example of Fig. 23, the adjacent series capacitors include adjacent series capacitor 116QA and adjacent series capacitor 116QB, which are configured similarly to end series capacitor 116PA and end series capacitor 116PB described above.

[0108] As shown in Fig. 24, in this embodiment, the end coil unit 120Pd includes an end resonance switching section 126P and an end current switching section 124P2 in which bidirectional switches are arranged separately on the positive and negative sides, similar to the end coil unit 120P2 shown in Fig. 4. In this embodiment, the end resonance switching section 126P is provided between the end resonant capacitor 116P and the end series capacitors 116PA and 116PB, and is connected in parallel to the end coil 112P. When the end resonance switching section 126P is open (off), the end resonant circuit 110Pd is in a resonant state, and when the end resonance switching section 126P is short-circuited (on), the end resonant circuit 110Pd is in a non-resonant state. However, this is not limiting. In other embodiments, when the end resonant circuit 110Pd2 is a bidirectional switch using two semiconductor elements, such as the end resonant circuit 110Pd2 included in the end coil unit 120Pd2 shown in FIG. 25, an end resonant switching unit 126Pd2 may be used, in which one switch is arranged on the positive side and the other switch is arranged on the negative side, between the end resonant capacitor 116P and the end coil 112P. This configuration also makes it possible to switch the end resonant circuit 110Pd2 between a resonant state and a non-resonant state, and to suppress or prevent common-mode noise generated in the end resonant circuit 110Pd2. In this case, when the end resonant switching unit 126Pd2 is open (off), the end resonant circuit 110Pd2 is in a resonant state, and when the end resonant switching unit 126Pd2 is shorted (on), the end resonant circuit 110Pd2 is in a non-resonant state.

[0109] 24 shows an example in which the end resonant switching unit 126P is provided between the end resonant capacitor 116P and the end series capacitor 116PA. In contrast, in other embodiments, like the end resonant circuit 110Pd3 provided in the end coil unit 120Pd3 shown in FIG. 26, the end resonant switching unit 126Pd3 may be connected in parallel to the end coil 112P and provided between the end series capacitors 116PA, 116PB and the end coil 112P. Even with this configuration, the end resonant circuit 110Pd3 can be switched between a resonant state and a non-resonant state by shorting and opening the end resonant switching unit 126Pd3. When the end resonant switching unit 126Pd3 is open (off), the end resonant circuit 110Pd3 is in a resonant state, and when the end resonant switching unit 126Pd3 is shorted (on), the end resonant circuit 110Pd3 is in a non-resonant state.

[0110] In another embodiment, the end resonance switching unit may be connected in parallel to the end series capacitor, as in the end resonant circuit 110Pd4 included in the end coil unit 120Pd4 shown in FIG. 27 . A separate end resonance switching unit may be provided for each end series capacitor. For example, as shown in FIG. 27 , the end resonance switching unit 126Pd4 includes an end resonance switching unit 126Pd41 connected in parallel to the end series capacitor 116PA and an end resonance switching unit 126Pd42 connected in parallel to the end series capacitor 116PB. When multiple end series capacitors are provided, the end resonance switching unit 126Pd4 does not necessarily have to be connected to all of the end series capacitors; instead, the end resonance switching unit 126Pd4 may be connected to any number of the multiple end series capacitors. Even with this configuration, the end resonant state and non-resonant state of the end resonant circuit 110Pd4 can be switched by shorting and opening the end resonance switching unit 126Pd4. When the end resonance switching unit 126Pd4 is open (off), the end resonance circuit 110Pd2 is in a resonant state, and when the end resonance switching unit 126Pd2 is short-circuited (on), the end resonance circuit 110Pd2 is in a non-resonant state.

[0111] In another embodiment, like the end resonant circuit 110Pd5 included in the end coil unit 120Pd5 shown in Fig. 28, the end resonant switching unit 126Pd5 may be connected in series with the end resonant capacitor 116P between the end resonant capacitor 116P and the end coil 112P. Even with this configuration, the end resonant circuit 110Pd5 can be switched between a resonant state and a non-resonant state. When the end resonant switching unit 126Pd5 is open (off), the end resonant circuit 110Pd5 enters a non-resonant state, and when the end resonant switching unit 126Pd2 is short-circuited (on), the end resonant circuit 110Pd2 enters a resonant state.

[0112] E. Other Embodiments: (E1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the multiple end coils 112P are arranged in contact with one another. In contrast, the multiple end coils 112P do not necessarily need to be in contact with one another, and the multiple end coils 112P may be spaced apart from one another. However, to facilitate smooth power supply from the multiple end coils 112P to the power receiving coil 212 while the vehicle CR is traveling, it is preferable that the end coils 112P be in contact with one another. If the end coils 112P are spaced apart, the distance between them is preferably equal to or less than half the width of the end coils 112P (or the radius of the end coils 112P if they are circular).

[0113] (E2) In the third embodiment, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 controls the end stop signal transmission unit to transmit an end power transmission stop signal to the end coil unit 120Pb when power transmission by the adjacent coil unit 120Qb is started. In contrast, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 may transmit an end power transmission stop signal at any timing, for example, when an abnormality in the power transmission device is detected, regardless of whether power transmission by the adjacent coil unit 120Qb is started. Furthermore, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 may transmit an adjacent power transmission stop signal for stopping power transmission by another adjacent coil unit 120Qb instead of or in addition to the end power transmission stop signal. Having acquired the end power transmission stop signal, the end power transmission control unit 174 may switch the power transmission device 100 to a stopped state by stopping the power transmission circuit 130 in addition to the end power transmission stop control. Furthermore, having acquired the end power transmission stop signal, the end power transmission control unit 174 may stop the power transmission circuit 130 instead of the end power transmission stop control. The phrase "the end power transmission control unit 174 stops the power transmission circuit 130" includes the end power transmission control unit 174, which has acquired the end power transmission stop signal, sending a control signal to the power transmission circuit control unit 192, thereby causing the power transmission circuit control unit 192 to stop the power transmission circuit 130. Furthermore, the end power transmission control unit 174, which has acquired the end power transmission stop signal, may execute the end power transmission stop control, or may execute adjacent power transmission control instead of the end power transmission stop control. In this case, the end power transmission control unit 174 may transmit an adjacent power transmission stop signal from the end communication unit 176 to cause the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 to execute the adjacent power transmission stop control, or the end power transmission control unit 174 may directly switch the adjacent current switching unit 124Q and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q to execute the adjacent power transmission stop control.

[0114] (E3) In the above embodiments, examples have been shown in which the edge current switching unit 124P is a semiconductor element. However, the edge current switching unit 124P can be made of various components that can switch between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the edge coil 112P and the edge resonant capacitor 116P by changing the impedance between the edge coil 112P and the edge resonant capacitor 116P. Instead of a semiconductor element, the edge current switching unit 124P may be made of, for example, a variable capacitor. The same applies to the adjacent current switching unit 124Q.

[0115] (E4) As shown in Fig. 29, an end resonant circuit 110Pe including a relay resonant circuit 310P can also be employed. The relay resonant circuit 310P is configured as a closed circuit in which a relay coil 312P and a relay capacitor 316P, which is a resonant capacitor, are connected in parallel. In this case, the end resonant switching unit 126P is provided in the relay resonant circuit 310P. In the relay resonant circuit 310P, the capacitance of the relay capacitor 316P is set to a capacitance that causes resonance between the relay capacitor 316P and the relay coil 312P.

[0116] When power is supplied from the power transmitting device 100 to the power receiving device 200, the power receiving resonant circuit 210 is arranged so that the power receiving coil 212 is magnetically coupled to the end coil 112P. The relay resonant circuit 310P is arranged so that the relay coil 312P is magnetically coupled to both the end coil 112P and the power receiving coil 212. Therefore, in the equivalent circuit, the end resonant circuit 110P and the relay resonant circuit 310P function as if they were parallel resonators when viewed from the power source. Therefore, the relay coil 312P and the relay capacitor 316P can be considered to be included in the end resonant circuit based on their function and operation. Note that in FIG. 29, two parallel lines indicate that the coils are magnetically coupled to each other. The power transmitting device 100 configured in this manner can also achieve the same effects as the power transmitting device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0117] (E5) In each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the vehicle CR includes one power receiver resonant circuit 210. However, the vehicle CR may include two or more power receiver resonant circuits 210. In this case, the power receiver-side short-range communication unit 270 is preferably provided near the power receiver coil 212 located at the front of the vehicle CR in the traveling direction. By arranging the power receiver-side short-range communication unit 270 at the front of the vehicle CR, short-range communication can be performed with the power transmitter 100 early while the vehicle CR is traveling. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent delays in energizing the end coil 112P of the power transmitter 100 due to delays in short-range communication, for example.

[0118] (E6) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 is the current sensor 322 for measuring the value of the current flowing through the adjacent coil 112Q. In contrast, because the coil voltage applied to the end coil 112P also changes in the same way as the coil current, the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 may be a voltage sensor for detecting the voltage applied to the adjacent coil 112Q. Furthermore, the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 may be a magnetic flux detection element, such as a magnetic sensor or coil, for detecting a magnetic field (magnetic flux) in the vicinity of the end coil 112P. Note that, when the power transmitting device 100 does not include the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q, the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 may be a voltage sensor for detecting a change in the voltage of the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q. When the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q is not included and a current flows through the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q, a voltage corresponding to the current (charge) is generated in the adjacent resonant capacitor 116Q. In this case, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 can use the voltage generated in the adjacent coil 112Q to determine whether the adjacent coil 112Q is in a state where it can be magnetically coupled to the receiving coil 212, and can control the on / off of the adjacent current switching unit 124Q and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q.

[0119] (E7) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the end coil unit 120P and the multiple adjacent coil units 120Q are continuously laid out in a straight line along the traveling direction (X-axis direction) of the vehicle CR on the vehicle travel path RS, thereby forming a single power transmittable area SC1 arranged in a substantially straight line. In contrast, the end coil unit 120P and the multiple adjacent coil units 120Q are not limited to being laid out in a straight line. For example, in addition to being laid out in a straight line along the traveling direction of the vehicle CR, they may also be continuously laid out in a direction intersecting the traveling direction of the vehicle CR on the vehicle travel path RS, i.e., along the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the vehicle CR. By configuring in this manner, a single power transmittable area SC1 arranged in a substantially planar manner can be formed. Furthermore, the number of coil units included in the power transmittable area SC1 is not limited to four, and any number of coil units equal to or greater than two may be provided.

[0120] When the end coil unit 120P and the plurality of adjacent coil units 120Q are further laid out along the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the vehicle CR to form a substantially planar power transmittable region SC1, the "coil units located at the end of the power transmittable region SC1" refer to coil units located on the periphery of the rectangular, planar power transmittable region SC1. In this case, by providing the end power transmission control device 170 to the end coil 112P located on the periphery of the planar power transmittable region SC1, even if there are multiple directions in which the vehicle CR can enter the power transmittable region SC1, such as when the vehicle CR changes lanes or direction of travel, or when the power receiving device 200 enters the power transmittable region SC1, the end coil 112P included in the power transmittable region SC1 can be reliably switched to a state in which power can be supplied.

[0121] (E8) In the above embodiments, the case where power is transmitted from the end coil 112P to the receiving coil 212 has been described as an example. However, if the power transmitting device 100 and the power receiving device 200 include other resonant coils, such as relay coils, that can be used when power is supplied from the power transmitting device 100 to the power receiving device 200, the configuration of the end power transmission control unit 174 and the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 can be applied as a switching unit that switches the resonant state of the other resonant coils.

[0122] (E9) In the above embodiments, an example has been described in which a power transmittable area SC2 configured similarly to the power transmittable area SC1 is provided at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the power transmittable area SC1. Here, when the power transmitting device 100 has multiple power transmittable areas SC1 and SC2, a power transmission request signal receiving unit provided in one of the multiple power transmittable areas SC1 and SC2 and a power transmission request signal receiving unit provided in another power transmittable area SC2 adjacent to the one power transmittable area SC1 may be separated from each other. The separation distance is preferably set to, for example, a distance greater than the communication distance of short-range communication. The "other power transmittable area adjacent to one power transmittable area" is not limited to only adjacent areas along the traveling direction of the vehicle CR shown in FIG. 1, but may also include a power transmittable area provided in another adjacent lane when the vehicle travel path RS has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction, and may also include a power transmittable area provided in an adjacent oncoming lane. According to the power transmitting device 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress or prevent interference in short-range communications between the plurality of power transmittable areas SC1 and SC2.

[0123] (E10) In the first embodiment, after the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 executes the adjacent power transmission control in step S242, if the adjacent coil current value is less than the second characteristic value CV2, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 executes the adjacent power transmission stop control when a predetermined period has elapsed since the adjacent power transmission control was executed. Alternatively, the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 may execute the adjacent power transmission stop control when a predetermined period has elapsed since the adjacent power transmission control was executed in step S242. In this case, the predetermined period can be set using an estimated value of the time from the start of the adjacent power transmission control to the execution of power supply to the moving power receiving device 200, such as the time elapsed until the vehicle CR passes through the power transmission enabled area SC1 at a normal vehicle speed. According to this embodiment of the power transmitting device 100, the adjacent power transmission stop control can be executed without checking the adjacent coil current value. Therefore, the adjacent coil characteristic detection unit 184 can be omitted, or the processing of the adjacent power transmission control unit 182 can be simplified. This configuration can also be applied to the current supply process for the end coils.

[0124] (E11) In the above embodiments, the power transmission circuit control unit 192 drives the power transmission circuit 130 when the power transmission-side wide-area communication unit 190 receives a wide-area communication signal. In contrast, for example, in a case where the standby state of the power transmission device 100 can be omitted, the power transmission circuit control unit 192 may drive the power transmission circuit 130 when the end portion power transmission signal receiving unit 172 receives an end portion power transmission request signal. According to the power transmission device 100 configured in this manner, wide-area communication is not performed, which simplifies processing and shortens the period during which the power transmission circuit 130 is driven.

[0125] (E12) In the above embodiments, an example was shown in which the end coil unit 120P includes both 124P and 126P, and the adjacent coil unit 120Q includes both the adjacent current switching unit 124Q and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q. However, it is also possible to omit at least one of the end resonance switching unit 126P and the adjacent resonance switching unit 126Q.

[0126] (E13) In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , an example was shown in which a bidirectional switch serving as the end resonance switching unit 126P is arranged between the end resonant capacitor 116P and the end coil 112P and is connected in parallel to the end coil 112P. Alternatively, an end resonance switching unit 126P3 in which bidirectional switches are arranged separately on the positive and negative sides, as in an end coil unit 120P3 shown in FIG. 30 , may be used. The end resonance switching unit 126P3 is arranged between the end resonant capacitor 116P and the end coil 112P and is connected in series to the end coil 112P. According to the power transmitting device 100 configured as described above, by switching the end resonance switching unit 126P3 to the open (off) state, the end coil 112P and the end resonant capacitor 116P are not electrically connected to each other, and the end resonant circuit 110P is placed in a non-resonant state.

[0127] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0128] The controller and methods described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer configured with a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the controller and methods described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer configured with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the controller and methods described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured with one or more hardware-programmed processors and memories in combination with a processor configured with one or more hardware memories. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by a computer on a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 100, 100b, 100d... power transmitting device, 110P, 110Pd to 110Pd5, 110Pe... edge resonant circuit, 110Q... adjacent resonant circuit, 112P... edge coil, 112Q... adjacent coil, 116P, 116P2, 116P3, 316P... edge resonant capacitor, 116Q... adjacent resonant capacitor, 120P, 120P2, 120P3, 120Pb, 120Pd to 120Pd5... edge coil unit, 120Q, 120Qb... adjacent coil unit, 124P, 124P2... edge current switching unit, 124Q... adjacent current switching unit, 172... edge power transmission signal receiving unit, 174... edge power transmission control unit, 182... adjacent power transmission control unit, 200... power receiving device

Claims

1. A power transmission device (100, 100b, 100d) for contactlessly supplying power to a mobile power receiving device (200), An end coil unit (120P, 120P2, 120P3, 120Pb, 120Pd to 120Pd5), an end resonant circuit (110P, 110Pd to 110Pd5, 110Pe) having an end coil (112P); an end coil unit including an end current switching unit (124P, 124P2) for switching on and off the power supply from a power source to the end resonant circuit; an end power transmission signal receiving unit (172) that receives, via communication, an end power transmission request signal for starting power transmission by the end coil unit; an edge power transmission control unit (174) that detects the power receiving device by receiving the edge power transmission request signal via the communication, and further controls on / off of the power supply from the power source to the edge resonant circuit by the edge current switching unit using the edge power transmission request signal; An adjacent coil unit (120Q, 120Qb) adjacent to the end coil unit, an adjacent resonant circuit (110Q) having an adjacent coil (112Q); an adjacent coil unit including an adjacent current switching unit (124Q) for switching on and off the power supply from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit; an adjacent power transmission control unit (182) that controls on / off of the power supply from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit by the adjacent current switching unit, Power transmission equipment.

2. The power transmitting device according to claim 1 , The end resonant circuit has end resonant capacitors (116P, 116P2, 116P3, 316P) connected in parallel to the end coil, the end coil unit includes an end resonance switching unit (126P) that switches between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the end coil and the end resonance capacitor by changing the impedance between the end coil and the end resonance capacitor, the end power transmission control unit further controls switching between a resonant state and a non-resonant state of the end coil and the end resonant capacitor by the end resonance switching unit using the end power transmission request signal. Power transmission equipment.

3. The power transmitting device according to claim 2, the end resonant circuit further includes an end series capacitor disposed between the end coil and the end resonant capacitor and connected in series with the end coil; the end series capacitor causes the end coil to resonate in parallel together with the end resonant capacitor; Power transmission equipment.

4. The power transmitting device according to claim 3, the end resonance switching unit is provided between the end resonance capacitor and the end series capacitor and is connected in parallel to the end coil; Power transmission equipment.

5. The power transmitting device according to claim 3, The end resonance switching unit is a bidirectional switch using two semiconductor elements, and one switch is arranged on the positive side and the other switch is arranged on the negative side between the end resonance capacitor and the end coil. Power transmission equipment.

6. The power transmitting device according to claim 3, the end resonance switching unit is provided between the end series capacitor and the end coil and is connected in parallel to the end coil; Power transmission equipment.

7. The power transmitting device according to claim 3, the end resonance switching unit is connected in parallel to the end series capacitor; Power transmission equipment.

8. The power transmitting device according to claim 3, the end resonance switching unit is provided between the end resonance capacitor and the end coil and is connected in series to the end resonance capacitor; Power transmission equipment.

9. The power transmitting device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, When the end power transmission signal receiving unit receives the end power transmission request signal, the end power transmission control unit supplying power from the power source to the edge resonant circuit by controlling the edge current switching unit; executes end power transmission control for switching the end coil and the end resonant capacitor to a resonant state by controlling the end resonance switching unit; Power transmission equipment.

10. The power transmitting device according to claim 9, The end coil unit further includes an end current sensor (122P) for detecting an end current value of the power supplied from the power source to the end resonant circuit, When the end current value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (TH1), the end power transmission control unit: Stopping the power supply from the power source to the edge resonant circuit by controlling the edge current switching unit; executes end power transmission stop control for switching the end coil and the end resonant capacitor to a non-resonant state by controlling the end resonance switching unit; Power transmission equipment.

11. The power transmitting device according to claim 10, In the end power transmission stop control, the end power transmission control unit controls the end current switching unit to stop the supply of power from the power source to the end resonant circuit, and then controls the end resonance switching unit to put the end coil and the end resonant capacitor into a non-resonant state. Power transmission equipment.

12. The power transmitting device according to claim 1 , The adjacent resonant circuit has an adjacent resonant capacitor (116Q) connected in parallel to the adjacent coil, The adjacent coil unit includes an adjacent resonance switching unit (126Q) controlled by the adjacent power transmission control unit, which switches between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor by changing the impedance between the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor. Power transmission equipment.

13. The power transmitting device according to claim 12, the adjacent resonant circuit further includes an adjacent series capacitor disposed between the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor and connected in series to the adjacent coil; the adjacent series capacitor causes the adjacent coil to resonate in parallel together with the adjacent resonant capacitor; Power transmission equipment.

14. The power transmitting device according to claim 1 , Further, an adjacent coil characteristic detection unit (184) is provided which detects a change in an electrical characteristic value of the adjacent coil, which is any one of a voltage applied to the adjacent coil, a current flowing through the adjacent coil, a magnetic field generated in the adjacent coil, and a voltage generated in an adjacent resonant capacitor connected in parallel to the adjacent coil, When the electrical characteristic value is equal to or greater than a predetermined first characteristic value (CV1), the adjacent power transmission control unit: performing adjacent power transmission control to supply power from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit by controlling the adjacent current switching unit; Power transmission equipment.

15. The power transmitting device according to claim 14, The adjacent coil unit further includes an adjacent current sensor (122Q) for detecting an adjacent current value of power supplied from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit, When the adjacent current value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (TH2), the adjacent power transmission control unit: executing adjacent power transmission stop control for stopping the power supply from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit by controlling the adjacent current switching unit; Power transmission equipment.

16. The power transmitting device according to claim 15, The adjacent resonant circuit has the adjacent resonant capacitor (116Q) connected in parallel to the adjacent coil, the adjacent coil unit includes an adjacent resonance switching unit (126Q) controlled by the adjacent power transmission control unit, the adjacent resonance switching unit switching between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor by changing the impedance between the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor, In the adjacent power transmission stop control, the adjacent power transmission control unit controls the adjacent current switching unit to stop the supply of power from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit, and then controls the adjacent resonance switching unit to put the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor into a non-resonant state. Power transmission equipment.

17. The power transmitting device according to claim 15, When the electrical characteristic value is less than a predetermined second characteristic value (CV2) that is higher than the first characteristic value after the adjacent power transmission control is executed, the adjacent power transmission control unit executes the adjacent power transmission stop control when a predetermined period has elapsed since the adjacent power transmission control was executed. Power transmission equipment.

18. The power transmitting device according to claim 15, the adjacent power transmission control unit executes the adjacent power transmission stop control when a predetermined period has elapsed since the adjacent power transmission control was executed. Power transmission equipment.

19. The power transmitting device according to claim 12 or 13, Further, an adjacent power transmission signal receiving unit (186) is provided for receiving an adjacent power transmission request signal for starting power transmission by the adjacent coil unit, When the adjacent power transmission control unit receives the adjacent power transmission request signal, supplying power from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit by controlling the adjacent current switching unit; performing adjacent power transmission control for switching the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor to a resonant state by controlling the adjacent resonance switching unit; Power transmission equipment.

20. The power transmitting device according to claim 19, Further, an adjacent power transmission signal transmitting unit (176) is provided for transmitting the adjacent power transmission request signal, the adjacent power transmission signal transmitter transmits the adjacent power transmission request signal to the adjacent power transmission signal receiver when power transmission by the end coil unit is started. Power transmission equipment.

21. The power transmitting device according to claim 9, Furthermore, an end stop signal transmitting unit (186) that transmits an end power transmission stop signal for stopping power transmission by the end coil unit; an end stop signal receiving unit (176) for receiving the end power transmission stop signal, When the end power transmission control unit receives the end power transmission stop signal, Stopping the power supply from the power source to the edge resonant circuit by controlling the edge current switching unit; executes end power transmission stop control for switching the end coil and the end resonant capacitor to a non-resonant state by controlling the end resonance switching unit; Power transmission equipment.

22. The power transmitting device according to claim 21, The adjacent resonant circuit has an adjacent resonant capacitor (116Q) connected in parallel to the adjacent coil, the adjacent coil unit includes an adjacent resonance switching unit (126Q) controlled by the adjacent power transmission control unit, the adjacent resonance switching unit switching between a resonant state and a non-resonant state between the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor by changing the impedance between the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor, When the end power transmission control unit receives the end power transmission stop signal, the end power transmission control unit further Stopping the power supply from the power source to the adjacent resonant circuit by controlling the adjacent current switching unit; execute adjacent power transmission stop control to switch the adjacent coil and the adjacent resonant capacitor to a non-resonant state by controlling the adjacent resonance switching unit; Power transmission equipment.

23. The power transmitting device according to claim 9, Furthermore, an end stop signal transmitting unit (186) that transmits an end power transmission stop signal to stop power transmission by the end coil unit; an end stop signal receiving unit (176) for receiving the end power transmission stop signal; a power transmission circuit (130) controlled by the end power transmission control unit for supplying AC power to the end coil unit and the adjacent coil unit; The end power transmission control unit stops the power transmission circuit (130) when the end power transmission stop signal is received. Power transmission equipment.

24. The power transmitting device according to claim 1 , the end-portion power transmission signal receiving unit receives a short-range communication signal having a communication distance of 5 meters or less as the end-portion power transmission request signal; Power transmission equipment.

25. The power transmitting device according to claim 24, Furthermore, a power transmission circuit (130) for supplying AC power to the end coil unit and the adjacent coil unit; a power transmission circuit control unit (192) capable of driving the power transmission circuit, the power transmission circuit control unit drives the power transmission circuit when the end power transmission signal receiving unit receives the end power transmission request signal. Power transmission equipment.

26. The power transmitting device according to claim 1 , Furthermore, a power transmission circuit (130) for supplying AC power to the end coil unit and the adjacent coil unit; a power transmission circuit control unit (192) capable of driving the power transmission circuit; a wide-area communication unit (190) for receiving a wide-area communication signal having a communication distance longer than 5 meters; the power transmission circuit control unit drives the power transmission circuit when the wide-area communication unit receives the wide-area communication signal; Power transmission equipment.

27. A contactless power supply system, The power transmitting device according to claim 1 ; The power receiving device includes a power transmission request signal transmitting unit (270) for transmitting the end power transmission request signal. Contactless power supply system.

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