Power Supply System

Abstract

To achieve appropriate thermal insulation of a vehicle battery by a simple facility configuration.SOLUTION: A power feeding system 1 feeds power to a vehicle V mounting a battery 73. The power feeding system 1 comprises: a housing part 10 configured to include a heat insulation material, and housing the vehicle V; a power feeding device 20 that feeds power to the battery 73 of the vehicle V housed in the housing part 10; a power feeding control part 8 that controls power feeding to the battery 73 by the power feeding device 20; and a temperature sensor 60 that detects a temperature inside the housing part 10. The power feeding control part 8 controls the power feeding to the battery 73 so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is within a temperature range suitable for thermal insulation of the battery 73.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] As a technology related to a power supply system that supplies power to a vehicle, for example, a building structure described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this building structure, an air conditioning system supplies cold or warm air to a vehicle that is being charged. Furthermore, as technology that focuses on batteries installed in such vehicles, for example, technologies described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 are known. Patent Document 2 describes an openable / closable battery storage device that is installed in a vehicle and stores batteries inside the vehicle. Patent Document 3 describes a battery storage cabinet that is installed in the space under the floor of a building and stores storage batteries. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-038365 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-327223 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-192409 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the power supply system described above, power is supplied to a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, parked in a parking facility. Because electric devices such as heaters are usually not operating in a parked vehicle, the temperature of the vehicle can vary significantly depending on changes in the ambient temperature. Such temperature changes can significantly affect the performance of the battery installed in the vehicle. Therefore, in order to maintain battery performance, it is important to properly keep the battery warm. Meanwhile, the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, for example, require separate equipment to suppress changes in the ambient temperature of the battery, which can lead to complex equipment configurations. In particular, when an air conditioning system is used as in Patent Document 1, a separate energy supply to the air conditioning system is required, which can result in increased energy consumption.

[0005] The present disclosure describes a power supply system that can appropriately keep a vehicle battery warm with a simple equipment configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A power supply system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a power supply system that supplies power to a vehicle equipped with a battery, and is configured to include a heat insulating material and includes a housing section that houses the vehicle, a power supply section that supplies power to the battery of the vehicle housed in the housing section, a power supply control section that controls the power supply to the battery by the power supply section, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the housing section, and the power supply control section controls the power supply to the battery so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery warm.

[0007] In the above-described power supply system, the housing that houses the vehicle is configured to include a thermal insulating material. This allows heat generated from the battery or other devices when power is supplied to the vehicle to be contained within the housing. Furthermore, in the above-described power supply system, power supply to the battery is controlled so that the temperature inside the housing is within a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery warm. By controlling the power supply to the battery, a change in the amount of heat inside the housing due to heat generated by the battery or other devices can be caused. This change in heat can be used to adjust the temperature inside the housing to be within a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery warm. This configuration that uses the heat generated during power supply to adjust the temperature inside the housing makes it possible to properly keep the vehicle's battery warm with simple equipment, without requiring additional equipment for adjusting the temperature inside the housing.

[0008] In some embodiments, the power supply control unit may instruct the power supply unit to stop supplying power to the battery when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than the upper limit of the temperature range. In this case, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise inside the storage compartment due to heat generated when power is supplied to the battery. This allows the temperature inside the storage compartment to be adjusted so as not to exceed the upper limit of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery warm.

[0009] In some embodiments, the power supply control unit may instruct the power supply unit to start supplying power to the battery when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the lower limit of the temperature range. In this case, the temperature increase inside the storage compartment due to the heat generated when power is supplied to the battery can be promoted. This allows the temperature inside the storage compartment to be adjusted so that it does not fall below the lower limit of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery warm.

[0010] In some embodiments, the power supply control unit may output a signal instructing the start of discharging the battery when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the lower limit of the temperature range and the battery's charging rate is higher than a predetermined threshold. With this configuration, even when the battery's charging rate is high, discharging the battery can promote a temperature increase inside the storage unit using the heat generated during discharging. This makes it possible to more reliably adjust the temperature inside the storage unit so that it does not fall below the lower limit of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery warm.

[0011] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor may be installed inside the storage compartment closer to the ceiling wall of the storage compartment than to the floor of the storage compartment. In this case, the temperature sensor is less likely to interfere with vehicle movement than when the temperature sensor is installed on the floor of the storage compartment. Furthermore, since air heated by heat generated from the battery during power supply tends to rise due to convection and accumulate near the ceiling wall, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor installed near the ceiling wall can be appropriately used as the ambient temperature of the battery.

[0012] In some embodiments, the power supply unit may include a coil unit that is installed on the floor of the storage unit and that transmits power to the battery in a non-contact manner. In this case, during power supply, heat generated by the coil unit, in addition to heat generated by the battery, can also be used to adjust the temperature inside the storage unit.

[0013] In some embodiments, the coil may be exposed from the floor to the interior of the housing. In this case, heat generated from the coil during power supply tends to remain inside the housing, and the temperature inside the housing can be efficiently adjusted by utilizing the heat generated from the coil.

[0014] In some embodiments, the power supply unit further includes a power transmission circuit unit electrically connected to the coil unit and transmitting power to the coil unit, and the power transmission circuit unit may be installed inside the housing unit at a position closer to the floor than to the ceiling wall of the housing unit. In this case, during power supply, heat generated by the power transmission circuit unit, in addition to heat generated by the battery and the coil unit, can also be used to adjust the temperature inside the housing unit. Furthermore, by installing the power transmission circuit unit close to the floor of the housing unit, the heat generated by the power transmission circuit unit can be used to efficiently adjust the temperature inside the housing unit.

[0015] In some embodiments, the power supply system may include a first power supply unit and a second power supply unit, which are power supply units, and the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit may be installed at a distance from each other in a direction along the floor surface of the storage unit. In this case, multiple power supply units installed in the storage unit can be used to simultaneously supply power to multiple vehicles. This allows the temperature inside the storage unit to be efficiently adjusted using heat generated when power is supplied to the batteries of each vehicle. Furthermore, by allowing multiple vehicles to be powered by the storage unit in this manner, the likelihood that a vehicle requiring power supply will be present inside the storage unit can be increased. As a result, it becomes possible to continuously adjust the temperature inside the storage unit using heat generated when power is supplied.

[0016] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor may be located between the first and second power supply units along the floor of the housing. In this case, the temperature sensor can be positioned within the housing so as not to interfere with the movement of the vehicle, while being close to the vehicle battery. As a result, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor can be more appropriately used as the ambient temperature of the battery.

[0017] In some embodiments, the power supply system further includes a guidance control unit that guides the vehicle into the storage unit, the storage unit being provided with an opening through which the vehicle can pass, a door unit that can open and close the opening, and a passage sensor that detects whether the vehicle has passed through the opening, and the guidance control unit may control the door unit to an open state when the vehicle enters the storage unit through the opening, and control the door unit to a closed state when the passage sensor detects that the vehicle has passed through the opening. In this case, the time that the opening of the storage unit is in an open state can be minimized, thereby preventing the heated air inside the storage unit from being released to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a power supply system that can appropriately keep a vehicle battery warm with a simple equipment configuration is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a parking facility provided with a power supply system according to one embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the parking facility. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the parking facility as seen from the opening side of the storage section. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle parked in a storage section as seen from the side, and Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle parked in a storage section as seen from the rear. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking facility and a parking facility control device provided in the power supply system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a parking list to which the parking facility control device refers. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the entry process executed by the parking facility control device. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the power supply process executed by the parking facility control device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the exit process executed by the parking facility control device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the charging process executed by the vehicle control device. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the power supply process executed by the parking facility control device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the parking facility as viewed from above. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the parking facility of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0021] <Power supply system configuration> The power supply system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for supplying power to a vehicle V equipped with a battery 73 (see FIG. 4(b)). The vehicle V is an electric vehicle that runs on power from the battery 73. The electric vehicle here may be a vehicle equipped with only an electric motor as a power source, or may be a plug-in hybrid vehicle equipped with an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as power sources. In this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the vehicle V is an autonomously driven vehicle that runs autonomously. The vehicle V runs autonomously and reaches a predetermined position based on instructions from the power supply system 1, and can receive power at that position. In other words, the vehicle V can automatically receive power even when unmanned.

[0022] In the following description, the term "below" refers to the direction from the vehicle V toward the road surface R (vertically downward) when the vehicle V is placed on the road surface R in a drivable state, and the term "up" refers to the direction from the road surface R toward the vehicle V (vertically upward). Furthermore, one direction along the road surface R is referred to as "direction D1," and a direction along the road surface R and intersecting with this one direction is referred to as "direction D2."

[0023] The power supply system 1 includes a parking facility 2 and a parking facility control device 3 (see FIG. 5). The parking facility 2 is a facility where a vehicle V parks and receives power. As shown in FIG. 1, the parking facility 2 includes, for example, a storage unit 10, a plurality of power supply devices 20 (power supply units), a plurality of lights 30, a passage sensor 40, a vehicle sensor 50, and a temperature sensor 60. The storage unit 10 is a storage facility capable of storing a vehicle V. The storage unit 10 has a size capable of storing at least one vehicle V. In this embodiment, the storage unit 10 can store a plurality of vehicles V (four vehicles in one example). The storage unit 10 is, for example, a building installed on a road surface R. The storage unit 10 may be an independent building or may be configured as a room in a building having a plurality of rooms. The storage unit 10 may be a structure that simply covers the vehicle V.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage unit 10 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped appearance with a longitudinal direction in direction D1. The storage unit 10 includes a floor 11 and walls 12. The floor 11 is, for example, a floor surface constituting the interior of a building and extends along directions D1 and D2. The floor 11 may be formed by a road surface R provided on the ground. The walls 12 define an interior space between the floor 11 and the floor 11 that can accommodate at least one vehicle V. The walls 12 include, for example, a ceiling wall 13 (see FIG. 2) and four side walls 14, 15, 16, and 17. The side walls 14, 15, 16, and 17 have, for example, a rectangular shape extending upward from the floor 11. The side walls 14 and 15 are arranged to face each other in direction D1, and the side walls 16 and 17 are arranged to face each other in direction D2. As shown in FIG. 2, the ceiling wall 13 is provided so as to close the openings formed at the upper ends of the side walls 14, 15, 16, and 17, and faces the floor surface 11 from above to below.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an opening 18 is formed in the side wall 14 to allow a vehicle V to enter or exit the storage unit 10. The opening 18 is, for example, a rectangular through-hole that penetrates the side wall 14 (see FIG. 3). The opening 18 is large enough to allow one vehicle V to pass through, and connects the inside and outside of the storage unit 10. The floor surface 11 of the storage unit 10 and the external road surface R are smoothly connected (i.e., without any significant steps) via the opening 18. This allows the vehicle V to easily move from the road surface R to the floor surface 11 and from the floor surface 11 to the road surface R. Note that the road surface R is not limited to a road surface on the ground, and may be, for example, a floor surface inside a building, as long as the vehicle V can travel on it.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the storage unit 10 is provided with a door unit 19 for opening and closing the opening 18. The door unit 19 is, for example, an electrically operated door unit that can be opened and closed based on instructions from the parking facility control device 3. The opening and closing operation of the door unit 19 is powered, for example, by an electric motor or compressed air. When the door unit 19 is in an open state, the opening 18 is open, and the interior and exterior of the storage unit 10 are connected via the opening 18. On the other hand, when the door unit 19 is in a closed state, the opening 18 is closed, and the interior of the storage unit 10 is blocked by the floor 11, the wall 12, and the door unit 19. The configuration of the door unit 19 is not particularly limited as long as it can open and close the opening 18. For example, the door unit 19 may be formed of a pair of door elements that are electrically slid left and right to perform the opening and closing operation, or may be formed of a single door element that is electrically rotated about a vertical axis to perform the opening and closing operation. The door unit 19 does not have to be an electrically operated door unit and may be, for example, a manual door unit that can be opened and closed manually.

[0027] The wall 12 of the storage unit 10 is configured to include an insulating material that suppresses heat transfer between the inside and outside of the storage unit 10. The insulating material is, for example, glass wool. The insulating material is provided on part or all of the wall 12. In this embodiment, the insulating material is provided on the entire inner surface of the wall 12 and the entire inner surface of the door 19. This ensures thermal insulation between the inside and outside of the storage unit 10. When the door 19 is closed, the inside of the storage unit 10 is sealed, thereby improving thermal insulation between the inside and outside of the storage unit 10. In this state, small gaps may occur in the storage unit 10, such as gaps between the door 19 and the side wall 14 due to opening and closing operations and gaps due to dimensional errors in the components that make up the wall 12. However, other than these small gaps, no air path exists through which air can flow between the inside and outside of the storage unit 10. Therefore, when the door 19 is in the closed state, the amount of air that can flow between the inside and outside of the storage unit 10 is extremely small, so the storage unit 10 can exhibit high thermal insulation properties.

[0028] A plurality of parking sections P are set in advance on the floor surface 11 of the storage section 10. Each parking section P is a section that defines the position where a vehicle V that enters the storage section 10 will stop. Each parking section P can accommodate one vehicle V. The parking sections P are arranged, for example, side by side in direction D1 on the floor surface 11. The parking sections P are separated by a plurality of section boundary lines L1 that are arranged at intervals in the direction D1. The section boundary lines L1 extend, for example, linearly in direction D2 and are arranged at equal intervals in the direction D1. The section boundary lines L1 may be, for example, lines drawn in a different color than the floor surface 11 (for example, white lines).

[0029] Each parking section P is defined as an area sandwiched between two section boundary lines L1 adjacent to each other in direction D1. The vehicle V can extract the two adjacent section boundary lines L1 from an image captured by the mounted camera 91 (see FIG. 7) and recognize the area sandwiched between the two extracted section boundary lines L1 as the parking section P. Therefore, the section boundary line L1 serves as a landmark for guiding the vehicle V to the parking section P. The parking section P is set so that the two section boundary lines L1 indicating the parking section P are within the field of view of the camera 91 of the vehicle V parked in a stopping section PX set outside the storage section 10. Each parking section P may have the same color as the floor surface 11 (i.e., have a uniform appearance with the floor surface 11) or may be painted in a color different from the floor surface 11 and the section boundary lines L1.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 1, four parking sections P are set, but the number of parking sections P is not particularly limited. Only one parking section P may be set on floor surface 11, or two, three, or five or more parking sections P may be set. Note that in FIG. 1, for convenience, each parking section P is shown with a dashed line, but the dashed lines do not actually need to be drawn on floor surface 11. In the following, when the four parking sections P are described separately, they will be described as "parking section PA," "parking section PB," "parking section PC," and "parking section PD," in that order from the side wall 15 side. When the four parking sections P are described without distinguishing between them, they will be described collectively as "parking section P."

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, one stop section PX is set in advance on the road surface R outside the storage section 10. The stop section PX is a section that defines a position where a vehicle V requesting to enter the storage section 10 must stop temporarily. One vehicle V can be stopped in the stop section PX. The stop section PX is set at a position on the road surface R adjacent to the opening 18 of the storage section 10 in the direction D1. The stop section PX is defined by two section boundary lines L2 provided on both sides in the direction D2. In other words, the stop section PX is defined as an area sandwiched between the two section boundary lines L2. The two section boundary lines L2 are arranged side by side with a gap in between in the direction D2 and extend linearly in the direction D1. The two section boundary lines L2 are, for example, lines drawn in a color different from that of the road surface R (e.g., white lines).

[0032] The vehicle V can extract two division boundary lines L2 from an image captured by the mounted camera 91 (see FIG. 7) and recognize the area between the two extracted division boundary lines L2 as the stop division PX. The stop division PX may have the same color as the road surface R (i.e., a uniform appearance with the road surface R), or may be painted in a color different from the road surface R and the division boundary line L2. Note that, for convenience, the stop division PX is shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1, but the dashed line does not need to actually be drawn on the road surface R.

[0033] The multiple power supply devices 20 are installed side by side in direction D1 corresponding to the multiple parking spaces P. In this embodiment, the multiple power supply devices 20 are installed in some of the multiple parking spaces P, but not in the other parking spaces P. Therefore, in this embodiment, the accommodation unit 10 includes parking spaces P in which power supply devices 20 are installed and parking spaces P in which no power supply device 20 is installed. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , power supply device 20A is installed in parking space PA, power supply device 20B is installed in parking space PB, power supply device 20C is installed in parking space PC, and no power supply device 20 is installed in parking space PD. In the following description, when the three power supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C are not to be distinguished from one another, they will be collectively referred to as "power supply device 20." Note that one power supply device 20 may be installed in each of the parking spaces P.

[0034] The power supply device 20 is a device that supplies power to a vehicle V parked in a parking space P. In this embodiment, a case where the power supply device 20 supplies power to the vehicle V in a contactless manner is illustrated. The power supply method of the power supply device 20 may be an electromagnetic induction method or another method such as a magnetic resonance method. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the power supply device 20 has, for example, a power transmission coil unit 21 (coil unit), a power transmission circuit unit 22, and a cable 23. The power transmission coil unit 21, the power transmission circuit unit 22, and the cable 23 are arranged so as not to interfere with the movement of the vehicle V entering and leaving the parking space P.

[0035] The power transmission coil unit 21 is installed, for example, on the floor surface 11 of the parking space P. Specifically, the power transmission coil unit 21 is installed so as to protrude upward from the floor surface 11 and is exposed inside the accommodation unit 10. When the vehicle V is parked in the parking space P, the power transmission coil unit 21 is provided in a position that is opposite in the vertical direction to the power receiving coil unit 71 mounted on the vehicle V. The power transmission coil unit 21 may be buried in the floor surface 11, and may not be exposed inside the accommodation unit 10.

[0036] The power transmission circuit unit 22 is installed, for example, on the inner surface 16a of the side wall 16 of the parking space P. Specifically, the power transmission circuit unit 22 is installed so as to protrude from the inner surface 16a in direction D2 and is exposed inside the storage unit 10. The power transmission circuit unit 22 is installed, for example, on the inner surface 16a at a height closer to the floor surface 11 than the ceiling wall 13 and faces the vehicle V parked in the parking space P in direction D1. The power transmission circuit unit 22 may be installed so as to be in contact with the floor surface 11. The power transmission circuit unit 22 may be embedded in the floor surface 11 or the side wall 16 and may not be exposed inside the storage unit 10.

[0037] The cable 23 connects the power transmitting coil unit 21 and the power transmitting circuit unit 22. The cable 23 is laid on, for example, the floor surface 11 and the inner surface 16a and exposed inside the accommodation unit 10. The cable 23 extends from the power transmitting coil unit 21 on the floor surface 11 toward the side wall 16 and then extends upward along the inner surface 16a to reach the power transmitting circuit unit 22. The cable 23 has a strength that allows the tires of the vehicle V to run over it, for example. The cable 23 may be buried in the floor surface 11 or the side wall 16 and may not be exposed inside the accommodation unit 10. Note that a state in which a certain component is exposed inside the accommodation unit 10 does not necessarily mean that the certain component protrudes from the floor surface 11, the inner surface 16a, etc., as long as at least a part of the certain component is in contact with the internal space of the accommodation unit 10. The certain component may be partially embedded in the floor surface 11 or the side wall 16. The portion exposed to the inside of the housing 10 may be the outermost portion of a certain configuration. For example, if the power transmitting coil unit 21 has a housing at the outermost portion, it is sufficient that at least a part of the housing is exposed to the inside of the housing 10.

[0038] The power transmission circuit unit 22 converts power supplied from an external power source into high-frequency AC power and supplies the converted high-frequency AC power to the power transmission coil unit 21 via the cable 23. The external power source may be, for example, a 50 Hz or 60 Hz commercial power source. The external power source may be power generated by solar power generation, wind power generation, or the like, or may be power generated by solar power generation, wind power generation, or the like combined with power from a storage battery for stabilization. The power transmission circuit unit 22 receives AC or DC power from the external power source as input, converts the input power into DC power of a predetermined voltage using a power factor correction (PFC) circuit, a rectifier, a DC-DC converter, or the like, and may further convert the input power into high-frequency AC power using an inverter. The frequency of the AC power supplied by the power transmission circuit unit 22 to the power transmission coil unit 21 may be, for example, 100 kHz. If the power supplied from the external power source is DC power, the power factor correction circuit may be omitted. The power transmission circuit unit 22 can start and stop power supply to the vehicle V based on instructions from the parking facility control device 3.

[0039] The power transmission coil unit 21 transmits power to the vehicle V in a contactless manner. The power transmission coil unit 21 converts high-frequency AC power supplied via the cable 23 into a magnetic field. The magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil unit 21 generates an electromotive force by electromagnetic induction in the power receiving coil unit 71 mounted on the vehicle V. This allows power to be transmitted to the power receiving coil unit 71 in a contactless manner. The power transmission coil unit 21 includes, for example, a circular coil, and a capacitor and an inductor for improving the efficiency of power transmission in a contactless manner. However, the internal configuration of the power transmission coil unit 21 may be different as long as power can be transmitted to the power receiving coil unit 71 in a contactless manner.

[0040] 1 and 2, the multiple lights 30 are arranged at positions corresponding to the multiple parking spaces P, respectively. The positions corresponding to the multiple parking spaces P may be, for example, positions that face the floor surfaces 11 of the multiple parking spaces P, respectively, in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the lights 30 are installed on the inner surface 13a of the ceiling wall 13 so as to be aligned at equal intervals in the direction D1, and are arranged so as to face the center of the floor surface 11 of each parking space P in the vertical direction (i.e., the midpoint between the two space boundary lines L1 that sandwich each parking space P).

[0041] In this embodiment, lighting 30A is installed above the center of parking space PA, lighting 30B is installed above the center of parking space PB, lighting 30C is installed above the center of parking space PC, and lighting 30D is installed above the center of parking space PD. In the following description, when the four lightings 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D are not to be distinguished from one another, they will be collectively referred to as "lighting 30."

[0042] The light 30 may be, for example, a white light-emitting diode. In this case, the light 30 is driven by a power source and an electronic control element such as a power MOSFET. The light 30 is switched on and off based on instructions from the parking facility control device 3. Specifically, one of the multiple lights 30 is controlled to be on and the other lights 30 are controlled to be off based on instructions from the parking facility control device 3. Each lit light 30 illuminates two section boundary lines L1 that sandwich the corresponding parking section P. The vehicle V can recognize the two section boundary lines L1 illuminated by the lit light 30 from an image captured by the mounted camera 91, and automatically travel to the parking section P sandwiched between the recognized two section boundary lines L1 as a target position.

[0043] The passage sensor 40 is installed around the opening 18 in the storage section 10 and detects whether or not a vehicle V has passed through the opening 18. As shown in FIG. 3 , the passage sensor 40 has, for example, a plurality of sensor units 41 (three in this embodiment). The plurality of sensor units 41 are installed, for example, at the edge of the opening 18, spaced apart vertically so that they are at different heights from each other. The height of each sensor unit 41 is set according to the height of a vehicle V that may pass through the opening 18. At least one of the plurality of sensor units 41 is installed at a position lower than the shortest vehicle V that may pass through the opening 18.

[0044] Each sensor unit 41 is composed of an irradiation unit 42 that irradiates a laser beam B and a light-receiving unit 43 that receives the laser beam B from the irradiation unit 42. The irradiation unit 42 and the light-receiving unit 43 are arranged to face each other in direction D2 across the opening 18. When the vehicle V is not passing through the opening 18, the laser beam B irradiated from the irradiation unit 42 is received by the corresponding light-receiving unit 43 in all sensor units 41. On the other hand, when the vehicle V is passing through the opening 18, the laser beam B irradiated from the irradiation unit 42 in at least one sensor unit 41 is blocked by the vehicle V passing through the opening 18 and is therefore not received by the light-receiving unit 43. Then, after the vehicle V passes through the opening 18, the laser beam B that was blocked by the vehicle V is again received by the light-receiving unit 43.

[0045] Therefore, the passage sensor 40 determines that the vehicle V has not passed through the opening 18 while the laser beam B is being received by the light receiving section 43 in all sensor units 41. On the other hand, the passage sensor 40 determines that the vehicle V is in the middle of passing through the opening 18 while the reception of the laser beam B by the light receiving section 43 is blocked in at least one sensor unit 41. The passage sensor 40 then determines that the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18 (i.e., that the passage of the vehicle V through the opening 18 has finished) when the light receiving section 43, which had been blocked from receiving the laser beam B, is able to receive the laser beam B again. Therefore, the passage sensor 40 detects that the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18 when the light receiving section 43 is able to receive the laser beam B again after the reception of the laser beam B by the light receiving section 43 is blocked in at least one sensor unit 41. The detection result of the passage sensor 40 is transmitted to the parking facility control device 3.

[0046] The configuration of the passage sensor 40 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the passage sensor 40 may be configured to have only one sensor unit 41. Alternatively, the passage sensor 40 may be configured to have a camera instead of the sensor unit 41. In this case, the passage sensor 40 detects whether the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18 from an image captured by the camera.

[0047] The vehicle sensor 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is installed inside the storage unit 10 and detects whether a vehicle V is parked in a parking space P inside the storage unit 10. The vehicle sensor 50 recognizes the presence or absence of a vehicle V in each parking space P, for example, by using a camera that can capture images of all parking spaces P. The vehicle sensor 50 detects that the vehicle V is parked in the parking space P if it can recognize the presence of the vehicle V in the parking space P from the image captured by the camera. On the other hand, if the vehicle sensor 50 cannot recognize the presence of the vehicle V in the parking space P from the image captured by the camera, it does not detect that the vehicle V is parked in the parking space P. The detection result of the vehicle sensor 50 is transmitted to the parking facility control device 3.

[0048] The type of vehicle sensor 50 is not particularly limited. For example, the vehicle sensor 50 may be a sensor that is embedded in the floor surface 11 of each parking space P and detects metal within a predetermined range on the floor surface 11 (for example, a range up to several tens of centimeters above the floor surface 11). In this case, if the vehicle sensor 50 detects a metal portion provided on the underside of the vehicle V, it detects that the vehicle V is stopped in the parking space P. On the other hand, if the vehicle sensor 50 does not detect a metal portion provided on the underside of the vehicle V, it does not detect that the vehicle V is stopped in the parking space P.

[0049] The temperature sensor 60 is installed inside the storage unit 10 and detects the temperature inside the storage unit 10. The temperature inside the storage unit 10 is the temperature of the air present inside the storage unit 10. As shown in FIG. 2 , the temperature sensor 60 is installed, for example, at a position closer to the inner surface 13a of the ceiling wall 13 than to the floor surface 11. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 60 is installed on the inner surface 13a of the ceiling wall 13 via a support portion 61, and is positioned downwardly relative to the inner surface 13a of the ceiling wall 13. The height of the temperature sensor 60 may be, for example, lower than the inner surface 13a of the ceiling wall 13 and higher than the tallest vehicle V that can enter the storage unit 10.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature sensor 60 is disposed, for example, at a position overlapping the section boundary line L1 between two adjacent parking sections P when viewed from above. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the temperature sensor 60 is disposed above the section boundary line L1 between the parking section PB where the power supply device 20B is installed and the parking section PC where the power supply device 20C is installed. In this manner, by disposing the temperature sensor 60 between the adjacent power supply device 20B (first power supply unit) and the power supply device 20C (second power supply unit), the possibility that the temperature sensor 60 will interfere with the movement of the vehicle V is reduced. As will be described later, air heated by heat generated in the battery 73 and the like when power is supplied to the vehicle V rises by convection inside the accommodation section 10. Therefore, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 disposed above can be appropriately used as the ambient temperature around the battery 73. The detection result of the temperature sensor 60 (i.e., the temperature inside the accommodation section 10 detected by the temperature sensor 60) is transmitted to the parking facility control device 3.

[0051] The configuration of the temperature sensor 60 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the temperature sensor 60 may be installed between the parking space PB and the parking space PC at a position lower than the height of the vehicles V that may be parked in the parking space PB and the parking space PC (for example, at a position closer to the floor surface 11 than the inner surface 13a of the ceiling wall 13). In this case, the temperature sensor 60 can be placed closer to the battery 73 mounted on the vehicle V parked in the parking space P, while avoiding a situation in which the temperature sensor 60 interferes with the movement of the vehicle V. This allows the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 to be more appropriately used as the ambient temperature of the battery 73.

[0052] Multiple temperature sensors 60 may be installed inside the accommodation unit 10. For example, one temperature sensor 60 may be installed on the section boundary line L1 between the parking sections PA and PB, and another temperature sensor 60 may be installed on the section boundary line L1 between the parking sections PC and PD. In this case, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 between the parking sections PA and PB may be used as the ambient temperature of the battery 73 of the vehicle V parked in the parking section PA or PB, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 between the parking sections PC and PD may be used as the ambient temperature of the battery 73 of the vehicle V parked in the parking section PC or PD. Alternatively, the average value of the temperatures detected by the multiple temperature sensors 60 may be used as the ambient temperature of the battery 73 of the vehicle V parked in any of the parking sections P.

[0053] The parking facility control device 3 shown in FIG. 5 performs various controls on the parking facility 2. The parking facility control device 3 may be provided inside or outside the storage unit 10. The parking facility control device 3 is configured, for example, as a computer including a communication unit 4 and a general control unit 5. The communication unit 4 is a communication device that communicates with the parking facility 2 and the vehicle V. The communication unit 4 is equipped with a wireless communication device and performs wireless communication with the vehicle V. The communication unit 4 also performs wired or wireless communication with the parking facility 2. If the storage unit 10 is poorly resistant to radio waves for communication (for example, if the wall 12 of the storage unit 10 contains metal), wireless communication devices may be provided both inside and outside the storage unit 10. In this case, wireless communication between the vehicle V and the communication unit 4 is possible regardless of whether the vehicle V is located inside or outside the storage unit 10.

[0054] The overall control unit 5 is a processing unit that executes various controls such as guiding the vehicle V and power supply. The overall control unit 5 is configured by an electronic control unit that includes, for example, a microprocessor, a memory, and a storage device that stores programs that define its operations. The overall control unit 5 realizes various functions, for example, by loading a program stored in the storage device into the memory and executing the program loaded into the memory with the microprocessor. The overall control unit 5 guides the movement of the vehicle V between the parking space P and the stopping space PX, and controls the supply of power to the vehicle V in the parking space P. To perform these processes, the overall control unit 5 has, as its functional configuration, for example, a parking management unit 6, a guidance control unit 7, and a power supply control unit 8.

[0055] The parking management unit 6 manages information related to the parking status of the vehicle V in the parking space P. When the vehicle V attempts to enter the storage unit 10, it stops at a stopping space PX and transmits an entry request signal to the parking facility control device 3. At this time, the driver gets out of the vehicle V, and the vehicle V becomes capable of automatic driving. The parking management unit 6 includes a parking list PL (see FIG. 6) that indicates the parking status of the vehicle V in the parking space P. The parking list PL is stored, for example, in the memory of the overall control unit 5.

[0056] The parking list PL shown in Fig. 6 has storage fields CA, CB, CC, and CD corresponding to the parking spaces PA, PB, PC, and PD, respectively. The storage fields CA, CB, CC, and CD store information indicating whether a vehicle V is parked in the corresponding parking space PA, PB, PC, and PD, respectively. When a vehicle V is parked in each of the parking spaces PA, PC, and PD as shown in Fig. 1, the IDs of the vehicles V parked in the parking spaces PA, PC, and PD are written into the storage fields CA, CC, and CD, respectively, as shown in Fig. 6. The ID of the vehicle V is transmitted from the vehicle V, for example, together with an entry request signal.

[0057] On the other hand, since no vehicle V is parked in the parking space PC, "Vacant" is written in the storage field CB. The parking management unit 6 determines whether or not a vehicle V is parked in each parking space P by referring to such parking list PL. The parking management unit 6 may obtain a detection result from the vehicle sensor 50 at a predetermined timing, such as when an entry request signal is received from the vehicle V, and update the parking list PL based on the detection result.

[0058] If the parking management unit 6 determines that all parking spaces P are occupied by vehicles V, that is, if it determines that there are no parking spaces P stored as "vacant" in the parking list PL, it determines that the vehicle V is not allowed to enter the parking space P. In this case, the parking management unit 6 transmits an entry-prohibited signal to the vehicle V indicating that the vehicle V is not allowed to enter the parking space P. The entry-prohibited signal may be a signal notifying the vehicle V that there are no parking spaces P that the vehicle V can enter, or may be a signal instructing the vehicle V not to proceed toward the parking space P.

[0059] On the other hand, if the parking management unit 6 determines that at least one parking section P does not have a vehicle V parked therein, that is, if it determines that there is a parking section P for which "vacant" is stored in the parking list PL, it determines that the vehicle V can enter the parking section P. In this case, the parking management unit 6 selects one vacant parking section P. In the case where only one parking section PC is vacant as in this embodiment, the parking management unit 6 selects one vacant parking section PC. On the other hand, if multiple parking sections P are vacant, the parking management unit 6 selects one parking section P from among the multiple vacant parking sections P, for example, by the following method.

[0060] For example, when all vacant parking spaces P have power supply devices 20 installed, or when all vacant parking spaces P do not have power supply devices 20 installed, the parking management unit 6 selects any one parking space P from all vacant parking spaces P. For example, when the parking spaces PA, PB, and PC in which power supply devices 20 are installed are numbered 1, 2, and 3, respectively, the any one parking space P may be the parking space PA with the smallest number. On the other hand, when multiple vacant parking spaces P include a mixture of parking spaces P in which power supply devices 20 are installed and parking spaces P in which power supply devices 20 are not installed, the parking management unit 6 selects any one parking space P from all parking spaces P in which power supply devices 20 are installed (for example, when each parking space P is numbered, the parking space P with the smallest number). In other words, the parking management unit 6 preferentially selects a parking space P in which a power supply device 20 is installed over a parking space P in which a power supply device 20 is not installed.

[0061] When a plurality of vacant parking spaces P include a mixture of parking spaces P with power supply devices 20 installed and parking spaces P without power supply devices 20 installed, the parking management unit 6 may select one of the parking spaces P based on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 73 of the vehicle V. In this case, the parking management unit 6 acquires battery information indicating the state of charge of the battery 73 from the vehicle V. The parking management unit 6 then determines whether the state of charge of the battery 73 is high by referring to the battery information. For example, the parking management unit 6 may determine that the state of charge of the battery 73 is high if the state of charge of the battery 73 is higher than 95%, and may determine that the state of charge of the battery 73 is low if the state of charge of the battery 73 is 95% or lower.

[0062] When the parking management unit 6 determines that the state of charge of the battery 73 is high, it selects any one of the available parking spaces P in which a power supply device 20 is not installed. On the other hand, when the parking management unit 6 determines that the state of charge of the battery 73 of the vehicle V is low, it selects any one of the available parking spaces P in which a power supply device 20 is installed. In other words, the parking management unit 6 preferentially selects a parking space P in which a power supply device 20 is installed for a vehicle V in which the state of charge of the battery 73 is low. This makes it possible to supply power preferentially to a vehicle V in which a low state of charge is low over a vehicle V in which a high state of charge is high, thereby preventing a situation in which the vehicle V cannot travel due to an insufficient remaining charge of the battery 73.

[0063] Furthermore, when power supply devices 20 are installed in all available parking spaces P, a situation is assumed in which multiple vehicles V attempt to enter the storage unit 10 in succession. For example, when all parking spaces PA, PB, and PC in which power supply devices 20 are installed are available and two vehicles V attempt to enter the storage unit 10, the parking management unit 6 selects any two of the parking spaces PA, PB, and PC in succession. In this case, the parking management unit 6 may select two parking spaces P in consideration of the arrangement of each parking space P. In other words, the parking management unit 6 may select the two parking spaces P so that the two parking spaces P are evenly distributed horizontally inside the storage unit 10.

[0064] For example, the parking management unit 6 may select two parking spaces PA and PC on either side of the parking space PB, rather than two adjacent parking spaces PA and PB (or parking spaces PB and PC). As will be described later, the power supply device 20 installed in the parking space P where power is supplied to the vehicle V serves as a heat source that generates heat when power is supplied to the vehicle V. By distributing the two parking spaces PA and PC that serve as heat sources in this manner in the horizontal direction (direction D1 in this embodiment), the temperature inside the storage unit 10 can be raised evenly. This selection method is also effective when sufficient power cannot be supplied to all of the power supply devices 20. For example, if sufficient power can only be supplied to two power supply devices 20, the parking management unit 6 may select two parking spaces PA and PC that are spaced apart from each other to distribute the heat source in the horizontal direction, thereby raising the temperature inside the storage unit 10 evenly.

[0065] The guidance control unit 7 guides the vehicle V by controlling the lighting 30, controlling the opening and closing of the door unit 19, and instructing the vehicle V to enter or exit. The guidance control unit 7 can instruct the vehicle V to enter or exit by transmitting an entry permission signal or an exit permission signal to the vehicle V.

[0066] When the parking management unit 6 selects a parking space P, the guidance control unit 7 first controls so that only the lights 30 corresponding to the selected parking space P are turned on. As a result, the lights 30 corresponding to the other parking spaces P that were not selected are turned off. Next, the guidance control unit 7 controls so that the door 19 of the storage unit 10 is opened, and then transmits an entry permission signal to the vehicle V parked in the parking space PX, permitting the vehicle V to enter the selected parking space P. The entry permission signal may be a signal notifying the vehicle V that the selected parking space P is vacant, or may be a signal instructing the vehicle V to move toward the selected parking space P. At this time, the guidance control unit 7 may obtain the detection result of a human presence sensor that may be installed inside the vehicle V to confirm that the vehicle V is unoccupied. In this case, the guidance control unit 7 may confirm that the vehicle V is unoccupied based on the detection result of the human presence sensor before transmitting the entry permission signal to the vehicle V.

[0067] When the vehicle V receives the entry permission signal, the vehicle V uses the mounted camera 91 to recognize the two section boundary lines L1 illuminated by the lit lights 30. The vehicle V then automatically drives to the parking section P indicated by the recognized section boundary line L1. At this time, the other lights 30 are turned off, so the vehicle V can recognize the two section boundary lines L1 illuminated by the lit lights 30. When the vehicle V passes through the opening 18 while moving from the stopping section PX to the parking section P, the guidance control unit 7 receives a detection result from the passage sensor 40 indicating that the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18. Upon receiving the detection result from the passage sensor 40, the guidance control unit 7 controls the door 19 of the storage section 10 to be in a closed state. The vehicle V automatically drives inside the storage section 10 with the door 19 closed, and arrives at the selected parking section P.

[0068] When the vehicle V arrives at the parking space P to be selected, it transmits an entry end signal to the parking facility control device 3, indicating that it has finished entering the parking space P. When the guidance control unit 7 receives the entry end signal from the vehicle V, it controls the lights 30 to be turned off. At this time, the parking management unit 6 writes the ID of the vehicle V parked in the parking space P to be selected in the storage field corresponding to the parking space P to be selected in the parking list PL. When the vehicle V arrives at the parking space P to be selected, it receives power supply in the parking space P.

[0069] When causing a vehicle V to exit a parking space P, the guidance control unit 7 transmits an exit permission signal to the vehicle V parked in any parking space P. In this case, the guidance control unit 7 determines whether or not it has received an exit request signal requesting the exit of the vehicle V from the parking facility 2. The exit request signal is transmitted to the parking facility control device 3 from outside the parking facility 2 by, for example, the user of the vehicle V. When the guidance control unit 7 receives the exit request signal, it identifies the vehicle V to be exited by referencing its ID. At this time, the parking management unit 6 writes "vacant" in the storage field in the parking list PL corresponding to the parking space P where the vehicle V to be exited is parked.

[0070] Next, the guidance control unit 7 controls the door unit 19 of the storage unit 10 to be in an open state, and then transmits an exit permission signal to the vehicle V to be exiting, permitting it to exit the parking space P. The exit permission signal may be, for example, a signal notifying that exit from the parking space P is permitted, or a signal instructing the vehicle V to head toward the stopping space PX. Upon receiving the exit permission signal, the vehicle V to be exiting recognizes the two space boundary lines L2 on the outside of the opening 18 using the camera 91 mounted thereon. The vehicle V then automatically travels to the stopping space PX indicated by the recognized space boundary line L2.

[0071] When the vehicle V passes through the opening 18 while moving from the parking section P to the stopping section PX, the guidance control section 7 receives a detection result from the passage sensor 40 indicating that the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18. Upon receiving the detection result from the passage sensor 40, the guidance control section 7 controls the door section 19 of the storage section 10 to be in a closed state. When the vehicle V arrives at the stopping section PX, the user who sent the exit request signal gets into the vehicle V. As described above, the guidance control section 7 can guide the movement of the vehicle V between the stopping section PX and the parking section P by controlling the lighting 30, controlling the opening and closing of the door section 19, and instructing the vehicle V to enter or exit.

[0072] The power supply control unit 8 controls power supply to a vehicle V parked in a parking space P in which a power supply device 20 is installed. The power supply control unit 8 controls power supply to the vehicle V by instructing the power transmission circuit unit 22 of the power supply device 20 to start and stop power supply. First, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether the vehicle V is parked in the parking space P in which the power supply device 20 is installed. If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the vehicle V is not parked in the parking space P in which the power supply device 20 is installed, it instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that the vehicle V is parked in the parking space P in which the power supply device 20 is installed, it acquires the ID of the vehicle V parked in that parking space P. At this time, the power supply control unit 8 also acquires battery information from the vehicle V that indicates the charging rate of the battery 73 of the vehicle V.

[0073] Next, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether the state of charge of the battery 73 of the vehicle V parked in the parking space P where the power supply device 20 is installed is higher than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be a value of the state of charge at which the battery 73 is considered to be in a fully charged state (for example, 95%). If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the state of charge of the battery 73 is higher than the predetermined threshold (for example, greater than 95%), it considers the battery 73 to be in a fully charged state and instructs the power supply device 20 to stop supplying power to the vehicle V. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that the state of charge of the battery 73 is not higher than the predetermined threshold (for example, 95% or less), it acquires the detection result of the temperature sensor 60.

[0074] Next, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether the temperature inside the housing unit 10 detected by the temperature sensor 60 is higher than the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range. The predetermined temperature range is a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm. A secondary battery that operates at room temperature is typically used as the battery 73 installed in a vehicle V, such as an electric vehicle. Under room temperature, such a battery 73 stably exhibits performance (e.g., life characteristics and output characteristics) required by its specifications. Therefore, the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm may be a room temperature range in which the required desired performance can be exhibited. The room temperature range may be, for example, a range of 20°C ± 15°C (i.e., a range of 5°C to 35°C). The temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm may vary depending on the type of battery 73, etc. For example, if a lithium secondary battery is used as the battery 73, the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm may be a range of 20°C to 30°C.

[0075] If the ambient temperature of the battery 73 is outside the above-mentioned temperature range, the battery 73 will not be able to stably exhibit the performance required by its specifications. For example, the battery 73 will suffer from phenomena such as a decrease in charge capacity due to natural discharge and a shortened lifespan. The further the ambient temperature of the battery 73 deviates from the above-mentioned temperature range, the more pronounced the decrease in performance of the battery 73 will be. Such phenomena will also occur in batteries other than lithium secondary batteries that are used at room temperature (for example, lead-acid batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries).

[0076] When the power supply control unit 8 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is higher than the upper limit (e.g., 30°C) of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply to the vehicle V. On the other hand, when the power supply control unit 8 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is not higher than the upper limit of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether the temperature is lower than the lower limit (e.g., 20°C) of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm. When the power supply control unit 8 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is lower than the lower limit of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to start power supply to the vehicle V. On the other hand, when the power supply control unit 8 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is not lower than the lower limit of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm, the power supply control unit 8 does not issue a power supply start or stop instruction to the power supply device 20. In this case, if the power supply device 20 is supplying power to the vehicle V, the power supply device 20 continues to supply power to the vehicle V, and if the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, the power supply device 20 does not supply power to the vehicle V. Furthermore, when the power supply control unit 8 receives an exit request signal, it instructs the power supply device 20 to stop supplying power to the vehicle V that is to exit.

[0077] The power supply control unit 8 repeatedly executes the above process for each parking space P. To summarize the above process, if the charging rate of the battery 73 is higher than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 95%), or if the charging rate of the battery 73 is not higher than the predetermined threshold and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is higher than the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range (e.g., 30°C), the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply. On the other hand, if the charging rate of the battery 73 is not higher than the predetermined threshold and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range (e.g., 20°C), the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to start power supply.

[0078] When the power supply device 20 is supplying power to the vehicle V, the amount of heat inside the accommodation unit 10 increases due to heat generated by the battery and other components inside the accommodation unit 10 when power is being supplied to the vehicle V, and the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 rises accordingly. On the other hand, when the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, the increase in the amount of heat inside the accommodation unit 10 is suppressed, and the temperature rise inside the accommodation unit 10 is suppressed. In this case, the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 may decrease due to the influence of the outside air temperature. In this way, the power supply control unit 8 can adjust the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 by controlling the power supply device 20 to start or stop power supply.

[0079] While the power supply control unit 8 repeats the above process, if the temperature inside the housing unit 10 rises and becomes higher than the upper limit of the predetermined temperature range after the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to start power supply, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply. Conversely, if the temperature inside the housing unit 10 drops and becomes lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range after the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply. In this way, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to switch between starting and stopping power supply to the vehicle V depending on the change in the temperature inside the housing unit 10. In this way, the power supply control unit 8 can adjust the temperature inside the housing unit 10 to be within a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm by using heat generated from the battery 73 and the like when power is supplied to the vehicle V. The power supply control unit 8 uses the upper limit of the temperature range (for example, 30°C) as the reference when stopping power supply, and the lower limit of the temperature range (for example, 20°C) as the reference when starting power supply. In this way, by making sure that the reference value is not the same when stopping power supply and when starting power supply, it is possible to avoid a phenomenon (hunting) in which power supply is stopped and started repeatedly in a short period of time.

[0080] The temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm is not limited to the example numerical range described above. For example, the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm may be changed as appropriate, taking into account the environment in which the battery 73 is used. For example, the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm may be changed depending on the air temperature outside the housing section 10. For example, when the air temperature outside the housing section 10 is low, such as below 0°C, the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm may be set to between 10°C and 20°C. In this case, a temperature sensor that acquires the air temperature outside the housing section 10 may be separately installed, and the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm may be adjusted depending on the detection result of the temperature sensor.

[0081] Even in such a case, deterioration in the performance of the battery 73 can be suppressed compared to when the vehicle V is placed outside the accommodation portion 10. Furthermore, by setting the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm low in this way, the amount of power required to raise the temperature to that temperature range (i.e., the power supplied from the power supply device 20 to the battery 73 in order to raise the temperature inside the accommodation portion to that temperature range) can be suppressed. Note that a temperature sensor that measures the air temperature outside the accommodation portion 10 does not need to be installed, and the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm may be changed, for example, depending on the season. For example, since it is possible to predict that the air temperature outside the accommodation portion 10 will drop in winter (for example, when it is determined by referring to calendar information that the period is from December to March), the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm during the winter may be set low, such as from 10°C to 20°C.

[0082] Next, the configuration of vehicle V will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, vehicle V includes a charging unit 70, a vehicle control device 80, and an automatic parking control device 90. When vehicle V is parked in a parking space P, charging unit 70 receives power transmitted from a power transmission coil unit 21 of parking facility 2 in a wireless manner. Charging unit 70 includes, for example, a power receiving coil unit 71, a power receiving circuit unit 72, and a battery 73.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the power receiving coil unit 71 is provided, for example, on the underside of the vehicle V. More specifically, the power receiving coil unit 71 is provided in a position that vertically faces the power transmitting coil unit 21 when the vehicle V is parked in the parking space P. The power receiving coil unit 71 receives power from the power transmitting coil unit 21 in a wireless manner. The power receiving coil unit 71 includes, for example, a circular coil and a capacitor and an inductor for improving the efficiency of power reception in a wireless manner. However, the internal configuration of the power receiving coil unit 71 may be other as long as it is possible to receive power from the power transmitting coil unit 21 in a wireless manner. The power transmitting coil unit 21 generates a magnetic field while facing the power receiving coil unit 71 of the vehicle V. The magnetic field generated by the power transmitting coil unit 21 interlinks with the power receiving coil unit 71, thereby generating an electromotive force in the power receiving coil unit 71. This allows the power receiving coil unit 71 to receive power from the power transmitting coil unit 21 in a wireless manner. The power generated in the power receiving coil section 71 is input to the power receiving circuit section 72 .

[0084] The power receiving circuit unit 72 and the battery 73 are mounted in a position close to the underside of the vehicle V, for example, in order to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle V and stabilize the running of the vehicle V. The battery 73 is disposed, for example, in a position facing above the power receiving coil unit 71. The power receiving circuit unit 72 is electrically connected to the battery 73 and the power receiving coil unit 71 via a cable. The power receiving circuit unit 72 includes, for example, a rectifier circuit that converts AC power received by the power receiving coil unit 71 into DC, and a DC-DC converter that converts the DC voltage into a voltage suitable for charging the battery 73. The output from the power receiving circuit unit 72 is input to the battery 73 to charge it. The battery 73 is used, for example, as a power source for an electric motor or the like mounted on the vehicle V. The mounting positions of the power receiving circuit unit 72 and the battery 73 in the vehicle V are not particularly limited.

[0085] Referring again to Figure 7, the vehicle control device 80 controls the charging of the battery 73 of the vehicle V, etc. The vehicle control device 80 is configured as a computer including, for example, a communication unit 81 and an overall control unit 82. The communication unit 81 is a communication device that communicates with each part of the vehicle V and the parking facility control device 3. The communication unit 81 is equipped with a wireless communication device and communicates wirelessly with the communication unit 4 of the parking facility control device 3. The communication unit 81 may communicate with the charging unit 70 and the automatic parking control device 90 via wired or wireless communication.

[0086] The overall control unit 82 is a processing unit that executes various controls such as charging of the battery 73. The overall control unit 82 is configured by an electronic control unit that includes, for example, a microprocessor, a memory, a storage device that stores programs that define operations, etc. The overall control unit 82 realizes various functions by, for example, loading a program stored in the storage device into the memory and executing the program loaded into the memory by the microprocessor.

[0087] The integrated control unit 82 has, as its functional configuration, for example, a charging control unit 83 and an information processing unit 84. When the vehicle V arrives at the parking space PX to charge the battery 73, the information processing unit 84 transmits an entry request signal to the parking facility control device 3. The entry request signal is a signal requesting entry of the vehicle V into the parking space P. When transmitting the entry request signal, the information processing unit 84 transmits the ID of the vehicle V for identifying the vehicle V along with the power supply request signal. The ID of the vehicle V is identification information that can identify each individual vehicle V and is different for each vehicle V. The ID of the vehicle V can be a mobile phone number, an IP address for internet communication, or identification information equivalent to these. By referring to the ID of the vehicle V, the parking facility control device 3 can identify the vehicle V to communicate with from among multiple vehicles V and perform wireless communication.

[0088] When the vehicle V arrives at the parking space P guided by the parking facility controller 3, the information processing unit 84 transmits an entry completion signal to the parking facility controller 3. The entry completion signal is a signal indicating that the entry of the vehicle V into the parking space P has ended. When transmitting the entry completion signal, the information processing unit 84 also transmits the ID of the vehicle V. This allows the parking facility controller 3 to identify the vehicle V that transmitted the entry completion signal. In addition, in response to a request from the parking facility controller 3, the information processing unit 84 transmits battery information indicating the charge rate of the battery 73 to the parking facility controller 3. The information processing unit 84 can generate the battery information, for example, by monitoring the charge state of the battery 73.

[0089] The charging control unit 83 controls the charging unit 70 so that the power receiving coil unit 71 receives power from the power transmitting coil unit 21, and the power receiving circuit unit 72 converts the power to an appropriate voltage and supplies the power to the battery 73. The charging control unit 83 may determine whether charging is complete by monitoring the charging state of the battery 73. In this case, when charging of the battery 73 is completed, such as when the battery 73 reaches a fully charged state, the charging control unit 83 may transmit a charging completion signal indicating that charging of the battery 73 is completed to the parking facility control device 3.

[0090] The automatic parking control device 90 is a control device for automatically parking the vehicle V. For example, the automatic parking control device 90 recognizes the external situation based on the detection results of a sensor (such as a camera or LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)) that detects the external situation of the vehicle V, and controls the steering mechanism, drive motor, etc. of the vehicle V to automatically drive the vehicle V. Various well-known devices can be used as the automatic driving device.

[0091] In this embodiment, the automatic parking control device 90 has a camera 91 that captures images in front of the vehicle V. The automatic parking control device 90 recognizes the situation ahead based on the image captured by the camera 91, and can automatically drive the vehicle V based on the recognition result. The automatic parking control device 90 automatically drives the vehicle V between the stopping section PX and the parking section P based on an entry permission signal or an exit permission signal transmitted from the parking facility control device 3. Specifically, the automatic parking control device 90 recognizes the parking section P or the stopping section PX based on the image captured by the camera 91. Then, the automatic parking control device 90 automatically drives the vehicle V with the recognized parking section P or the stopping section PX as a target position.

[0092] Next, heat generated inside the accommodation unit 10 when power is supplied to the vehicle V will be described. When the power supply device 20 supplies power to the vehicle V, the power transmitting coil unit 21, the power transmitting circuit unit 22, and the cable 23 shown in FIG. 4(a) generate heat. These components are provided in a low position inside the accommodation unit 10 or on the floor 11. Also, in the vehicle V, when power is supplied from the power supply device 20, the power receiving coil unit 71, the power receiving circuit unit 72, and the battery 73 shown in FIG. 4(b) generate heat. The power receiving coil unit 71 is provided on the underside of the vehicle V, and the power receiving circuit unit 72 and the battery 73 are often also provided in a low position on the vehicle V. Therefore, the cold air near the floor 11 of the accommodation unit 10 is warmed by the heat generated by the power transmitting coil unit 21, the power transmitting circuit unit 22, the cable 23, the power receiving coil unit 71, the power receiving circuit unit 72, and the battery 73. The warmed air then rises inside the accommodation unit 10 due to convection. In this embodiment, when power is supplied to the vehicle V, the door section 19 is in a closed state, so that when power is supplied to the vehicle V, the heated air (heat) inside the storage section 10 is prevented from flowing out to the outside.

[0093] Note that, depending on the vehicle V, there are cases where the air heated by the power receiving coil unit 71, the power receiving circuit unit 72, and the battery 73 is forcibly discharged to the outside of the vehicle by a fan. Even in this case, the heated air discharged to the outside of the vehicle rises due to convection inside the accommodation unit 10. Furthermore, depending on the vehicle V, there are cases where the heat generated by the power receiving coil unit 71, the power receiving circuit unit 72, and the battery 73 is absorbed by a refrigerant such as water, and the heat absorbed by the refrigerant is dissipated by a radiator facing the outside of the vehicle. Even in this case, the air inside the accommodation unit 10 is heated by the heat dissipated by the radiator, and the heated air rises due to convection inside the accommodation unit 10.

[0094] <Processing performed by the power supply system> Next, the flow of processing executed by the parking facility control device 3 will be explained. Below, the processing executed by the parking facility control device 3 will be explained by dividing it into three processing: entry processing, power supply processing, and exit processing. The entry processing is processing for allowing a vehicle V parked in a stopping section PX to enter a parking section P. The power supply processing is processing for supplying power to a vehicle V that has arrived at a parking section P. The exit processing is processing for allowing a vehicle V parked in a parking section P to exit to a stopping section PX.

[0095] The parking facility controller 3 executes an entry process when it receives an entry request signal from the vehicle V, and executes an exit process when it receives an exit request signal. The parking facility controller 3 does not execute the entry process and the exit process simultaneously, but executes the entry process and the exit process at different times. On the other hand, the parking facility controller 3 executes a power supply process independently of the entry process and the exit process. Therefore, the power supply process can be executed simultaneously (in parallel) with the entry process or the exit process.

[0096] First, the entry process will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the parking management unit 6 determines whether or not an entry request signal has been received from the vehicle V (step S101). If the parking management unit 6 determines that an entry request signal has not been received (step S101: No), it repeatedly executes step S101 until an entry request signal is received. On the other hand, if the parking management unit 6 determines that an entry request signal has been received (step S101: YES), it determines whether or not there is a vacant parking space P (step S102). If the parking management unit 6 determines that there is no vacant parking space P (step S102: No), it transmits an entry prohibition signal to the vehicle V. In this case, the parking management unit 6 returns to step S101 again.

[0097] On the other hand, if the parking management unit 6 determines that there is a vacant parking space P (step S102: Yes), it selects one vacant parking space P (step S103). In this case, the guidance control unit 7 turns on only the light 30 corresponding to the parking space P selected by the parking management unit 6 (step S104). Next, the guidance control unit 7 opens the door 19 of the storage unit 10 (step S105). Next, the guidance control unit 7 transmits an entry permission signal for the parking space P to be selected to the vehicle V parked in the stopping space PX (step S106). This allows the vehicle V to automatically drive to the parking space P to be selected, indicated by the two space boundary lines L1 illuminated by the light 30, as a landmark.

[0098] Next, the guidance control unit 7 determines whether or not the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18 of the storage unit 10 (step S107). If the guidance control unit 7 determines that the vehicle V has not passed through the opening 18 (step S107: No), it repeatedly executes step S107 until the vehicle V passes through the opening 18. On the other hand, if the guidance control unit 7 determines that the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18 (step S107: Yes), it closes the door unit 19 of the storage unit 10 (step S108). Next, the guidance control unit 7 determines whether or not an entry end signal has been received from the vehicle V (step S109). If the guidance control unit 7 determines that an entry end signal has not been received (step S109: No), it repeatedly executes step S109 until an entry end signal is received.

[0099] On the other hand, if the guidance control unit 7 determines that it has received the entry end signal (step S109: Yes), it turns off the light 30 corresponding to the selected parking space P (step S110). Next, the parking management unit 6 writes the ID of the vehicle V that has entered the parking space P in the storage field corresponding to the selected parking space P in the parking list PL (step S111). Through the above entry process, the vehicle V is guided to the selected parking space P, and preparations for power supply to the vehicle V are completed. After step S111 is completed, the entry process is started again from step S101 after a predetermined time has passed.

[0100] Next, the power supply process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 9. The power supply control unit 8 repeatedly executes the power supply process shown in Fig. 9 for the parking space P in which the power supply device 20 is installed.

[0101] First, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether or not a vehicle V is parked in the parking space P in which the power supply device 20 is installed (step S201). If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the vehicle V is not parked in the parking space P in which the power supply device 20 is installed (step S201: No), the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 in the parking space P to stop supplying power to the vehicle V (step S202). At this time, if the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, power is not supplied to the vehicle V. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that the vehicle V is parked in the parking space P in which the power supply device 20 is installed (step S201: Yes), the power supply control unit 8 acquires the ID of the vehicle V parked in the parking space P (step S203). Furthermore, the power supply control unit 8 acquires the charging rate of the battery 73 of the vehicle V identified by the acquired ID (step S204).

[0102] Next, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether the acquired state of charge of the battery 73 is higher than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 95%) (step S205). If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the state of charge of the battery 73 is higher than the predetermined threshold (step S205: Yes), it instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply (step S202). At this time, if the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, power is not supplied to the vehicle V. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that the state of charge of the battery 73 is not higher than the predetermined threshold (step S205: No), it acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 (step S206). Next, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether the acquired temperature is higher than an upper limit of a predetermined temperature range (e.g., 30°C) (step S207). As described above, the predetermined temperature range is a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm, and may be set to, for example, 20°C to 30°C.

[0103] If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the acquired temperature is higher than the upper limit of the predetermined temperature range (step S207: Yes), it instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply (step S202). At this time, if the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, power is not supplied to the vehicle V. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that the acquired temperature is not higher than the upper limit of the predetermined temperature range (step S207: No), it determines whether the acquired temperature is lower than the lower limit (e.g., 20°C) of the predetermined temperature range (step S208).

[0104] If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the acquired temperature is lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range (step S208: Yes), it instructs the power supply device 20 to start power supply (step S209). At this time, if the power supply device 20 is supplying power to the vehicle V, the power supply to the vehicle V continues. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that the acquired temperature is not lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range (step S208: No), it does not instruct the power supply device 20 to start or stop power supply. In this case, if the power supply device 20 is supplying power to the vehicle V, the power supply to the vehicle V continues, and if the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, the power supply to the vehicle V is not performed.

[0105] Next, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether or not an exit request signal has been received (step S210). If the power supply control unit 8 determines that an exit request signal has been received (step S210: Yes), it instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply (step S211). At this time, if the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, power is not supplied to the vehicle V. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that an exit request signal has not been received (step S210: No), it does not instruct the power supply device 20 to start or stop power supply. In this case, if the power supply device 20 is supplying power to the vehicle V, power supply to the vehicle V continues, and if the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, power supply to the vehicle V is not performed. After step S202, step S210, or step S211 is completed, the power supply process is started again from step S201 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0106] Next, the exit process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. First, the guidance control unit 7 determines whether or not an exit request signal has been received (step S301). If the guidance control unit 7 determines that an exit request signal has not been received (step S301: No), it repeatedly executes step S301 until an exit request signal is received. On the other hand, if the guidance control unit 7 determines that an exit request signal has been received (step S301: YES), the guidance control unit 7 acquires the ID of the vehicle V to be exited (step S302). Next, the parking management unit 6 deletes the ID of the vehicle V to be exited from the storage field in the parking list PL where the ID of the vehicle V to be exited is stored, and writes "vacant" in the storage field (step S303).

[0107] Next, the guidance control unit 7 opens the door 19 of the storage unit 10 (step S304). Next, the guidance control unit 7 transmits an exit permission signal to the vehicle V to be exited (step S305). This allows the vehicle V to automatically travel to the stop zone PX indicated by the two zone boundary lines L2 outside the opening 18, using the two zone boundary lines L2 as landmarks. Next, the guidance control unit 7 determines whether the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18 of the storage unit 10 (step S306). If the guidance control unit 7 determines that the vehicle V has not passed through the opening 18 (step S306: No), it repeatedly executes step S306 until the vehicle V passes through the opening 18. On the other hand, if the guidance control unit 7 determines that the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18 (step S306: Yes), it closes the door 19 of the storage unit 10 (step S307). Then, the guidance control unit 7 ends the series of exit processes.

[0108] Next, the flow of the charging process executed by the vehicle control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11. First, when the vehicle V arrives at the parking space PX, the information processing unit 84 transmits an entry request signal to the parking facility control device 3 (step S401). At this time, the information processing unit 84 also transmits the ID of the vehicle V along with the entry request signal. Next, the information processing unit 84 determines whether or not an entry permission signal has been received from the parking facility control device 3 (step S402). If the information processing unit 84 determines that an entry permission signal has not been received (S402: NO), it repeatedly executes step S402 until the entry permission signal is received. On the other hand, if the information processing unit 84 determines that an entry permission signal has been received (step S402: YES), the automatic parking control device 90 automatically drives the vehicle V to the parking space P indicated by the two space boundary lines L1 based on the image captured by the camera 91 (step S403). When the vehicle V arrives at the parking space P, the information processing unit 84 transmits an entry completion signal to the parking facility control device 3 (step S404).

[0109] Next, the charging control unit 83 controls the charging unit 70 to charge the battery 73 (step S405). Specifically, the charging control unit 83 controls the charging unit 70 so that the power receiving coil unit 71 receives power from the power transmitting coil unit 21, and the power receiving circuit unit 72 converts the power to an appropriate voltage and supplies the power to the battery 73 (step S405). Next, the information processing unit 84 determines whether or not an exit permission signal has been received (step S406). If the information processing unit 84 determines that an exit permission signal has not been received (step S406: NO), the information processing unit 84 repeatedly executes step S406 until the exit permission signal is received. On the other hand, if the information processing unit 84 determines that an exit permission signal has been received (step S406: YES), the automatic parking control device 90 automatically drives the vehicle V to the stopping section PX based on the image captured by the camera 91 (step S407). Then, the vehicle V ends the series of charging processes.

[0110] <Action and effect> The effects of the power supply system 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, will now be described. In the power supply system 1 according to the present embodiment, the accommodation unit 10 that accommodates the vehicle V is configured to include a thermal insulating material. This allows heat (air heated by the heat) generated when power is supplied to the battery 73 of the vehicle V to be contained within the accommodation unit 10. Furthermore, in the power supply system 1, the power supply to the vehicle V is controlled so that the temperature (air temperature) inside the accommodation unit 10 is within a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm. By controlling the power supply to the vehicle V, it is possible to cause a change in the amount of heat inside the accommodation unit 10 (the amount of heat held by the thermal capacity of the air) due to heat generation by the battery 73, etc., and this change in the amount of heat can be used to adjust the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 to be within a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm. This configuration, which uses the heat generated during power supply to adjust the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10, makes it possible to appropriately keep the battery 73 of the vehicle V warm using simple equipment, without requiring a separate equipment for adjusting the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10. As a result, it becomes possible to use the battery 73 for a long period of time, and it is possible to suppress the increase in resources and energy required for manufacturing and disposing of the battery 73. Furthermore, since there is no need for equipment such as air conditioning equipment, there is no need to supply energy to operate the equipment, and energy savings can be achieved.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the entire process from when the vehicle V enters the storage unit 10, to when it receives power from the power supply device 20 and then exits the storage unit 10 can be performed automatically and unmanned. As a result, there is no need to provide a separate opening in the storage unit 10 for people to enter and exit. This prevents the warmed air in the storage unit 10 from being released to the outside through the opening, thereby further improving the thermal insulation of the storage unit 10. As a result, the heat generated when power is supplied to the vehicle V can be efficiently utilized to keep the battery 73 warm with less energy. Note that if the vehicle V is an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a power source, unlike a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, it does not need to take in ambient oxygen and does not emit exhaust gases, so ventilation between the inside and outside of the storage unit 10 is not necessarily required. Therefore, the storage unit 10 can exhibit high thermal insulation when the door 19 is closed.

[0112] In this embodiment, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is higher than the upper limit of the temperature range, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply to the vehicle V. This makes it possible to suppress a temperature rise inside the accommodation unit 10 caused by heat generated when power is supplied to the vehicle V. This makes it possible to adjust the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 so that it does not exceed the upper limit of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm. Furthermore, by stopping the power supply to the vehicle V, it is possible to suppress the energy supplied from the power supply device 20 to the battery 73.

[0113] In this embodiment, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is lower than the lower limit of the temperature range, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to start supplying power to the vehicle V. This can promote a temperature increase inside the accommodation unit 10 caused by heat generated when power is supplied to the vehicle V. As a result, the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 can be adjusted so as not to fall below the lower limit of the temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm.

[0114] In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 60 is installed inside the storage section 10 at a position closer to the ceiling wall 13 of the storage section 10 than to the floor surface 11 of the storage section 10. In this case, it is possible to prevent the temperature sensor 60 from interfering with the movement of the vehicle V, compared to when the temperature sensor 60 is installed on the floor surface 11 of the storage section 10. Furthermore, air warmed by heat generated from the battery 73 during power supply tends to rise by convection and accumulate near the ceiling wall 13, so the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 installed at a position close to the ceiling wall 13 can be appropriately used as the environmental temperature of the battery 73.

[0115] In this embodiment, the power supply device 20 is installed on the floor 11 of the housing 10 and includes a power transmission coil unit 21 that transmits power contactlessly to the battery 73. As a result, during power supply, the heat generated by the power transmission coil unit 21, in addition to the heat generated by the battery 73, can also be used to adjust the temperature inside the housing 10.

[0116] In this embodiment, the power transmission coil section 21 may be exposed to the inside of the housing section 10 from the floor surface 11. In this case, heat generated from the power transmission coil section 21 during power supply tends to remain inside the housing section 10, and the temperature inside the housing section 10 can be efficiently adjusted by using the heat generated from the power transmission coil section 21.

[0117] In this embodiment, the power transmission circuit unit 22 is installed inside the housing unit 10 at a position closer to the floor surface 11 than to the ceiling wall 13 of the housing unit 10. In this case, during power supply, in addition to the heat generated from the battery 73 and the power transmission coil unit 21, the heat generated from the power transmission circuit unit 22 can also be used to adjust the temperature inside the housing unit 10. Furthermore, by installing the power transmission circuit unit 22 at a position closer to the floor surface 11 of the housing unit 10, the heat generated from the power transmission circuit unit 22 can be used to efficiently adjust the temperature inside the housing unit 10.

[0118] In this embodiment, power supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C are installed at a distance from each other in a direction along the floor surface 11 of the storage unit 10. In this case, power supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C can be used to simultaneously supply power to multiple vehicles V. This allows the temperature inside the storage unit 10 to be efficiently adjusted by utilizing the heat generated when power is supplied to the battery 73 of each vehicle V. Furthermore, by allowing multiple vehicles V to be powered by the storage unit 10 in this manner, the possibility that a vehicle V requiring power supply is present inside the storage unit 10 can be increased. As a result, it becomes possible to continuously adjust the temperature inside the storage unit 10 by utilizing the heat generated when power is supplied.

[0119] In this embodiment, temperature sensor 60 is located between power supply device 20B and power supply device 20C in direction D1. This allows temperature sensor 60 to be placed in a position inside accommodation section 10 that does not interfere with the movement of vehicle V, while also being able to approach a position close to battery 73 of vehicle V. As a result, the temperature detected by temperature sensor 60 can be more appropriately used as the environmental temperature of battery 73.

[0120] In this embodiment, the guidance control unit 7 controls the door unit 19 to an open state when the vehicle V enters the storage unit 10 through the opening 18, and controls the door unit 19 to a closed state when the passage sensor 40 detects that the vehicle V has passed through the opening 18. This allows the door unit 19 to be closed before the vehicle V arrives at the parking space P of the storage unit 10. As a result, the time that the opening 18 of the storage unit 10 is open can be minimized, and a situation in which the air heated inside the storage unit 10 is released to the outside can be suppressed.

[0121] The power supply system of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and specific aspects of the power supply system of the present disclosure may be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the claims.

[0122] <Variation 1> For example, the power supply process executed by the power supply control unit 8 is not limited to the power supply process shown in Fig. 9 described above. The power supply control unit 8 may execute the power supply process shown in Fig. 12, for example. When the state of charge of the battery 73 of the vehicle V is higher than a predetermined threshold (for example, 95%), even if the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range (for example, 20°C), the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 cannot be increased by using the heat generated when power is supplied to the battery 73. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 12, the power supply control unit 8 controls the battery 73 to discharge when the state of charge of the battery 73 of the vehicle V is higher than a predetermined threshold and the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 is lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range.

[0123] Even when the battery 73 is being discharged, the increase in the amount of heat inside the accommodation unit 10 due to heat generation from the battery 73 and the like can promote a rise in the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10. Therefore, the power supply control unit 8 can adjust the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 by instructing the start or stop of discharge of the battery 73. In the example shown in FIG. 12 , the power supply control unit 8 controls the battery 73 of at least one vehicle V to be discharged when the charging rates of the batteries 73 of all vehicles V parked in the parking space P in which the power supply device 20 is installed are higher than a predetermined threshold. When the power supply control unit 8 executes the power supply process shown in FIG. 12 , at least one power supply device 20 and a charging unit 70 of a vehicle V entering the parking space P in which the power supply device 20 is installed are configured to be able to supply power bidirectionally between the power supply device 20 and the charging unit 70. In other words, the power supply device 20 and the charging unit 70 are configured to be able to supply power from the power supply device 20 to the charging unit 70 and to discharge power from the charging unit 70 to the power supply device 20.

[0124] In the power supply process shown in FIG. 12, first, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether the vehicle V is parked in any parking space P in which a power supply device 20 is installed (step S501). If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the vehicle V is not parked in any parking space P in which a power supply device 20 is installed (i.e., all parking spaces P in which a power supply device 20 is installed are empty) (step S501: No), the power supply control unit 8 instructs all power supply devices 20 to stop supplying power to the vehicle V (step S502). At this time, if all power supply devices 20 are not supplying power to the vehicle V, power is not supplied to the vehicle V. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that the vehicle V is parked in any parking space P in which a power supply device 20 is installed (step S501: Yes), the power supply control unit 8 acquires the ID of the vehicle V parked in that parking space P and the charging rate of the battery 73 (step S503). Furthermore, the power supply control unit 8 acquires the detection result (that is, the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10) from the temperature sensor 60 (step S504).

[0125] Next, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether the acquired temperature is higher than the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range (e.g., 30°C) as previously described. The predetermined temperature range is a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm, and is set to, for example, 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower. If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the acquired temperature is higher than the upper limit of the predetermined temperature range (step S505: Yes), it instructs all power supply devices 20 to stop power supply (step S502). At this time, if none of the power supply devices 20 is supplying power to the vehicle V, power is not supplied to the vehicle V. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that the acquired temperature is not higher than the upper limit of the predetermined temperature range (step S505: No), it determines whether the acquired temperature is lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range (e.g., 20°C) as previously described (step S506).

[0126] When the power supply control unit 8 determines that the acquired temperature is not lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range (step S506: No), it instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply to the vehicle V whose battery 73 has a state of charge higher than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 95%) (step S507). Specifically, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether the state of charge of the battery 73 of the vehicle V parked in each parking space P is high. Then, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to stop power supply to the vehicle V whose battery 73 has a state of charge higher than the predetermined threshold. On the other hand, the power supply control unit 8 does not instruct the power supply device 20 to start or stop power supply to the vehicle V whose battery 73 has a state of charge lower than the predetermined threshold. In this case, if the power supply device 20 is supplying power to the vehicle V, power supply to the vehicle V is continued, and if the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, power supply to the vehicle V is not performed.

[0127] If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the acquired temperature is lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range (step S506: Yes), it determines whether the state of charge of the batteries 73 of all vehicles V parked in the parking space P is higher than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 95%) (step S508). If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the state of charge of the batteries 73 of all vehicles V is not higher than the predetermined threshold (i.e., there is a vehicle V whose state of charge of the battery 73 is not higher than the predetermined threshold) (step S508: No), it instructs the power supply device 20 to start supplying power to the vehicle V whose state of charge of the battery 73 is determined to be not higher than the predetermined threshold (step S509). At this time, if the power supply device 20 is in a state of supplying power to the vehicle V, the power supply to the vehicle V is continued.

[0128] If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the charging rates of the batteries 73 of all the vehicles V are higher than the predetermined threshold (step S508: Yes), it starts discharging from the battery 73 of at least one of the vehicles V (step S510). Specifically, the power supply control unit 8 outputs a signal to the power supply device 20 and the vehicle V to instruct the start of discharging from the battery 73. Next, the power supply control unit 8 determines whether a discharge stop condition is met (step S511). The discharge stop condition may be, for example, when the temperature acquired from the temperature sensor 60 is not lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range (e.g., 20°C), or when the charging rate of the battery 73 of the vehicle V during discharging becomes equal to or lower than a certain value (e.g., 80%). The discharge stop condition is not limited to the above example and may be changed as appropriate.

[0129] If the power supply control unit 8 determines that the discharge stop condition is not satisfied (step S511: No), it repeatedly executes step S511 until the discharge stop condition is satisfied. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 8 determines that the discharge stop condition is satisfied (step S511: Yes), it stops discharging from the battery 73 of the vehicle V (step S512). Specifically, the power supply control unit 8 outputs a signal to the power supply device 20 and the vehicle V instructing them to stop discharging from the battery 73. After step S502, step S507, step S509, or step S512 is completed, the power supply process shown in FIG. 12 is started again from step S501 after a predetermined time. In this way, the power supply control unit 8 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG. 12 for all parking spaces P in which the power supply devices 20 are installed. Note that, if the power supply control unit 8 receives an exit request signal while repeating the process shown in FIG. 12, it instructs the power supply device 20 of the parking space P in which the exiting vehicle V is parked to stop power supply. At this time, if the power supply device 20 is not supplying power to the vehicle V, power is not supplied to the vehicle V. If the vehicle V to be exited is discharging, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 of the parking space P where the vehicle V to be exited is parked to stop discharging.

[0130] To summarize the above processing, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is higher than the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range (e.g., 30°C), the power supply control unit 8 instructs all power supply devices 20 to stop power supply. Also, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is not higher than the upper limit of the predetermined temperature range and is not lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range (e.g., 20°C), the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply devices 20 whose battery 73 has a state of charge higher than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 95%) to stop power supply. On the other hand, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is lower than the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range and the state of charge of the battery 73 of all vehicles V is not higher than the predetermined threshold, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply devices 20 whose battery 73 has a state of charge not higher than the predetermined threshold to start power supply.

[0131] Furthermore, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is lower than the lower limit of a predetermined temperature range and the state of charge of the batteries 73 of all vehicles V is higher than a predetermined threshold, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to start discharging from at least one of the batteries 73 of the vehicles V. Then, if the discharge stop condition described above is satisfied, the power supply control unit 8 instructs the power supply device 20 to stop discharging from the batteries 73. Therefore, in the power supply process shown in FIG. 12 , even if the state of charge of the batteries 73 of all vehicles V is high, the power supply control unit 8 executes the discharge process from the batteries 73, thereby promoting a temperature increase inside the accommodation unit 10 by utilizing heat generated from the batteries 73 of the vehicles V during discharge. This more reliably adjusts the temperature inside the accommodation unit 10 so that it does not fall below the lower limit of a temperature range suitable for keeping the batteries 73 warm. Note that the power discharged from the batteries 73 may be used for electrical equipment in an external building or may be sold.

[0132] <Variation 2> The configuration of the parking facility 2 is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 above. For example, a parking facility 2A shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 may be used. In the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the parking facility 2A has a double-door structure. In this case, the parking facility 2A has a temporary storage section 100 outside the opening 18 of the storage section 10 that temporarily stores a vehicle V heading towards the storage section 10. The temporary storage section 100 is capable of storing, for example, one vehicle V. The temporary storage section 100 is configured, for example, with a floor surface 111 adjacent to the floor surface 11 via the opening 18, a side wall 101 facing the side wall 14 of the storage section 10 with a gap in between in the direction D1, two side walls 102 and 103 connecting the side wall 14 and the side wall 101 in the direction D1, and a ceiling wall 104 facing the floor surface 111 above and below.

[0133] The interior of the temporary storage unit 100 communicates with the interior of the storage unit 10 via an opening 18, and a floor surface 111 of the temporary storage unit 100 and a floor surface 11 of the storage unit 10 are smoothly connected via the opening 18. An opening 105 is formed in a side wall 101 of the temporary storage unit 100, through which a vehicle V enters or exits the interior of the storage unit 10. As shown in FIG. 13 , the opening 105 is formed, for example, at a position corresponding to the opening 18 of the storage unit 10. The opening 105 has a size that allows the vehicle V to pass through, and communicates between the interior and exterior of the temporary storage unit 100. The floor surface 111 of the temporary storage unit 100 and the external road surface R are smoothly connected via the opening 105.

[0134] The opening 105 is provided with a door unit 106 for opening and closing the opening 105. The door unit 106 is, for example, an electrically operated door unit that can be opened and closed based on instructions from the parking facility control device 3, and has the same configuration as the door unit 19. The door unit 19 and the door unit 106 are configured as a double door. The door unit 19 is an inner door unit provided at the connection between the storage unit 10 and the temporary storage unit 100, and the door unit 106 is an outer door unit that faces the outside of the storage unit 10 and the temporary storage unit 100. When the door unit 19 and the door unit 106 are in a closed state, the opening 18 and the opening 105 are in a closed state, and the interior of the storage unit 10 and the interior of the temporary storage unit 100 are blocked off, respectively.

[0135] One temporary waiting section PY is set in advance on the floor surface 111 of the temporary storage section 100. The temporary waiting section PY is a section that defines a position where a vehicle V entering the storage section 10 from an external stopping section PX will temporarily wait. One vehicle V can be stopped in the temporary waiting section PY. The temporary waiting section PY is defined by two section boundary lines L3 provided on both sides in the direction D2. In other words, the temporary waiting section PY is defined as an area sandwiched between the two section boundary lines L3. The two section boundary lines L3 are, for example, lines drawn in a color different from that of the floor surface 111 (for example, white lines).

[0136] The vehicle V can extract two section boundary lines L3 from the image captured by the camera 91 and recognize the area between the two extracted section boundary lines L3 as the temporary waiting section PY. The temporary waiting section PY is set so that the two section boundary lines L3 indicating the temporary waiting section PY are within the field of view of the camera 91 of the vehicle V parked in the parking section P or the stopping section PX. The temporary waiting section PY may have the same color as the floor surface 111 (i.e., have a uniform appearance with the floor surface 111), or may be painted in a color different from the floor surface 111 and the section boundary lines L3. Note that, for convenience, the temporary waiting section PY is shown by a dashed line in FIG. 13, but the dashed line does not actually need to be drawn on the floor surface 111.

[0137] When the parking facility 2A shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is used, the guidance control unit 7 of the parking facility control device 3, when guiding a vehicle V parked in a stopping section PX to a parking section P, first controls the outer door unit 106 to be in an open state. Next, the guidance control unit 7 transmits an entry permission signal to the vehicle V parked in the stopping section PX, permitting the vehicle V to enter a temporary waiting section PY. Upon receiving the entry permission signal, the vehicle V parked in the stopping section PX automatically travels to the temporary waiting section PY indicated by the two section boundary lines L3 by the mounted camera 91. When the vehicle V arrives at the temporary waiting section PY, the guidance control unit 7 controls the outer door unit 106 to be in a closed state. Next, the guidance control unit 7 controls the inner door unit 19 to be in an open state.

[0138] Next, the guidance control unit 7 transmits an entry permission signal to the vehicle V parked in the temporary waiting section PY, permitting the vehicle V to enter the parking section P. When the vehicle V parked in the temporary waiting section PY receives the entry permission signal, it automatically drives to the parking section P indicated by the two section boundary lines L1 by the mounted camera 91. When the vehicle V arrives at the parking section P, the guidance control unit 7 controls the inner door unit 19 to be in a closed state. In this way, the guidance control unit 7 controls at least one of the door unit 19 and the door unit 106 to be in a closed state while guiding the vehicle V from the parking section PX to the parking section P. The guidance control unit 7 similarly controls at least one of the door unit 19 and the door unit 106 to be in a closed state while guiding the vehicle V from the parking section P to the parking section PX. This prevents the interior of the storage section 10 and the interior and exterior of the temporary storage section 100 from becoming completely connected, and more reliably prevents heat (warmed air) inside the storage section 10 from being released to the outside through the openings 18 and 105.

[0139] 13 and 14, the vehicle V may transmit an arrival signal to the parking facility control device 3 when it arrives at the temporary waiting section PY or the parking section P, and the guidance control unit 7 may control the door section 19 or the door section 106 to open or close when it receives the arrival signal. Alternatively, a passage sensor 40 may be installed in one or both of the opening section 18 and the opening section 105, and the guidance control unit 7 may control the door section 19 or the door section 106 to open or close depending on the detection result from the passage sensor 40.

[0140] <Other variations> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described examples, and various other modifications are possible. For example, an air curtain may be provided at the opening 18 of the storage unit 10. In this case, air is controlled to flow vertically or in direction D2 at the opening 18 of the storage unit 10. Similarly, an air curtain may be provided at the opening 105 of the temporary storage unit 100. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the heated air inside the storage unit 10 from leaking out to the outside while the door 19 and the door 106 are open.

[0141] Storage section 10 does not necessarily have one opening 18 and one door section 19, and may have two or more openings and two or more door sections. For example, another opening may be formed in side wall 15 opposite side wall 14 where opening 18 is formed, and another door section may be installed at that other opening. In this case, opening 18 in side wall 14 may be used as an entrance of storage section 10 for vehicle V to enter storage section 10, and the opening in side wall 15 may be used as an exit of storage section 10 for vehicle V to exit storage section 10.

[0142] The storage unit 10 may have an access opening for people to enter and exit. In this case, if a decrease in the thermal insulation of the storage unit 10 due to air leaking through the access opening is acceptable, the storage unit 10 may be configured so that the driver manually drives the vehicle V into the storage unit 10, and after the vehicle V stops in a parking space P of the storage unit 10, the driver can exit through the access opening. When the vehicle V moves manually in this manner, the opening and closing operations of the door unit 19 and the like provided in the storage unit 10 may be performed by the driver's instruction (for example, remote control operation). Then, when the vehicle V arrives at the parking space P, the driver may notify the parking facility control device 3 of the parking space P where the vehicle V has arrived and the ID of the vehicle V via wireless communication. When power is supplied to the vehicle V, the power supply device 20 may be a wired power supply device that supplies power to the vehicle V via a cable, or the driver may manually connect the power supply device 20 and the vehicle V via a cable.

[0143] When the power supply device 20 and the vehicle V are connected via a cable, the power supply device 20 and the vehicle V may be automatically connected via the cable. In this case, for example, the vehicle V includes a socket installed on the bottom surface of the vehicle V instead of the power receiving coil unit 71. The power supply device 20 includes a plug that can be raised and lowered instead of the power transmitting coil unit 21. In this configuration, when the vehicle V arrives at the parking space P, the plug of the power supply device 20 is raised and inserted into the socket of the vehicle V. As a result, the plug of the power supply device 20 is automatically connected to the socket of the vehicle V, and power is supplied from the power supply device 20 to the vehicle V via a wired connection.

[0144] When power is supplied contactlessly from the power supply device 20 to the vehicle V, the power receiving coil unit 71 of the vehicle V does not necessarily have to be provided on the underside of the vehicle V, and may be provided, for example, on the side of the vehicle V. In this case, the power transmitting coil unit 21 of the power supply device 20 may be installed above the floor surface 11 of the parking space P, and may be configured so that when the vehicle V is parked in the parking space P, the power receiving coil unit 71 provided on the side of the vehicle V faces the power transmitting coil unit 21 in the horizontal direction.

[0145] The storage unit 10 may be configured to include a highly insulating material (for example, double-glazed glass or a transparent heat-shielding sheet) that is transmissive to light in a wavelength band detectable by the camera 91 mounted on the vehicle V (for example, visible light or near-infrared light). In this case, even when the door unit 19 is closed, the two compartment boundary lines L1 can be recognized from the vehicle V located outside the storage unit 10. The temporary storage unit 100 may also be configured to include the above-mentioned materials. In this case, even when the door unit 106 is closed, the two compartment boundary lines L3 can be recognized from the vehicle V located outside the temporary storage unit 100.

[0146] The storage unit 10 may be configured to include, for example, a material (e.g., ferrite) that functions as an electric shield. In this case, it is possible to reduce the propagation of electromagnetic waves generated during power supply to the vehicle V to the outside of the storage unit 10. Similarly, the temporary storage unit 100 may be configured to include the above-mentioned material.

[0147] A fan may be provided inside the storage unit 10 near the ceiling wall 13. In this case, by operating the fan, the air heated in the parking space P where power is being supplied to the vehicle V can be forced to flow to the parking space P where power is not being supplied to the vehicle V. This makes it possible to make the temperature inside the storage unit 10 uniform.

[0148] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle V recognizes the area between the two section boundary lines L1 illuminated by the lit lights 30 as the parking section P and drives automatically. However, as long as the vehicle V can drive automatically to a predetermined position and stop there, the method of automatic driving of the vehicle V and the method of specifying the area in which the vehicle should stop are not particularly limited. For example, lighting may be provided at each section boundary line L1. In this case, when guiding the vehicle V to the parking section P, only two section boundary lines L1 may be controlled to be lit and the other section boundary lines L1 may be controlled to be unlit.

[0149] In the above-described embodiment, when power is supplied to the vehicle V, the guidance control unit 7 may control the door 19 to be in an open state if the charging rate of the battery 73 is not higher than a predetermined threshold and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is higher than the upper limit of a predetermined temperature range. In this case, the opening 18 of the storage unit 10 is in an open state, thereby lowering the temperature inside the storage unit 10, and therefore power supply to the vehicle V can be resumed to increase the charging rate of the battery 73.

[0150] In the above-described embodiment, the power supply control unit 8 controls to switch between stopping and starting power supply to the vehicle V in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60. However, the power supply control unit 8 may also control to increase or decrease the amount of power supplied from the power supply device 20 to the vehicle V in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60. For example, the power supply control unit 8 may control to increase the amount of power supplied from the power supply device 20 to the vehicle V when there is a large difference between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 and a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery 73 warm, or may control to decrease the amount of power supplied from the power supply device 20 to the vehicle V when the temperature difference is small. For example, in cases where electricity rates fluctuate depending on the demand for electricity, it may be possible to suppress increases in electricity rates by adjusting the amount of power supplied from the power supply device 20 to the vehicle V in accordance with the temperature difference as described above.

[0151] In the above-described embodiment, when the time when the vehicle V will leave the parking facility 2 is known in advance, the power supply control unit 8 may control the vehicle V that leaves early to be supplied with power first (or to be supplied with large power), and may control the vehicle V that leaves later to be supplied with delayed power (or to be supplied with small power). This reduces the possibility that the vehicle V that leaves early will leave with insufficient charge.

[0152] [Note] The power supply system disclosed herein can contribute to the spread of electric vehicles, and therefore contributes to Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations, which is to take urgent action to combat climate change. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 1 Power supply system 7 Guidance control unit 8 Power supply control unit 10 Storage section 11 Floor 13 Ceiling Wall 18 Opening 19 Door section 20 Power supply device (power supply unit) 20B Power supply device (first power supply section) 20C Power Supply Device (Second Power Supply Unit) 21 Power transmission coil section (coil section) 22 Power transmission circuit section 40 Passing sensor 60 Temperature Sensor 73 Batteries V vehicle

Claims

1. A power supply system that supplies power to a vehicle equipped with a battery, a storage section configured to include a heat insulating material and to store the vehicle; a power supply unit that supplies power to the battery of the vehicle accommodated in the accommodation unit; a power supply control unit that controls power supply to the battery by the power supply unit; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the storage unit, The power supply control unit controls the power supply to the battery so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within a temperature range suitable for keeping the battery warm.

2. The power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply control unit instructs the power supply unit to stop supplying power to the battery when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than an upper limit of the temperature range.

3. 3 . The power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply control unit instructs the power supply unit to start supplying power to the battery when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a lower limit of the temperature range.

4. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply control unit outputs a signal instructing the start of discharge from the battery when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a lower limit of the temperature range and the charging rate of the battery is higher than a predetermined threshold.

5. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature sensor is installed inside the storage unit at a position closer to a ceiling wall of the storage unit than to a floor surface of the storage unit.

6. The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the power supply unit includes a coil unit that is installed on a floor surface of the storage unit and that transmits power to the battery in a non-contact manner.

7. The power supply system according to claim 6 , wherein the coil portion is exposed from the floor surface to the inside of the housing portion.

8. the power supply unit further includes a power transmission circuit unit electrically connected to the coil unit and configured to transmit power to the coil unit, The power supply system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the power transmission circuit unit is installed inside the housing unit at a position closer to the floor surface than to a ceiling wall of the housing unit.

9. The power supply unit includes a first power supply unit and a second power supply unit, The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit are installed apart from each other in a direction along a floor surface of the accommodation unit.

10. The power supply system according to claim 9 , wherein the temperature sensor is located between the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit in a direction along a floor surface of the housing unit.

11. a guidance control unit that guides the vehicle into the storage unit; the storage section is provided with an opening through which the vehicle can pass, a door section that can open and close the opening, and a passage sensor that detects whether the vehicle has passed through the opening, The power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the guidance control unit controls the door unit to an open state when the vehicle enters the storage unit through the opening, and controls the door unit to a closed state when the passage sensor detects that the vehicle has passed through the opening.

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