Wireless charging power supply device

Abstract

To provide a wireless rechargeable power supply device that can increase the power receiving capability of signals transmitted from various directions without mechanically changing the orientation of an antenna.SOLUTION: A wireless rechargeable power supply device has a rectangular-shaped substrate 62. A first antenna 70 and a second antenna 72 are provided at both ends of the substrate 62 in the longitudinal direction, respectively. The first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 are both dipole antennas. The direction of extension of the elements of the first antenna 70 and the direction of extension of the elements of the second antenna 72 are orthogonal to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless charging power supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a single 3-type wireless charging battery device. This device includes one or more antennas that rotate together with a flexible circuit board inside, and a space controller that automatically rotates the flexible circuit board (paragraphs "0065" to "0067"). In this device, the flexible circuit board is rotated by the space controller in order to optimally arrange the antennas.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above wireless charging battery device needs to include a space controller inside.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described. [Aspect 1] A wireless charging power supply device including a housing, a substrate, a power storage device, and two or more antennas, wherein the housing houses the substrate, the power storage device, and the two or more antennas, and a charging circuit for charging the power storage device with the power received by the antennas is mounted on the substrate, the two or more antennas include a first antenna and a second antenna, and a wireless charging power supply device in which a direction in which the sensitivity of the first antenna is lowest and a direction in which the sensitivity of the second antenna is lowest are different from each other.

[0006] In the above configuration, the direction in which the sensitivity of the first antenna is lowest and the direction in which the sensitivity of the second antenna is lowest are different. Therefore, the power receiving capability from the direction in which the sensitivity of the first antenna is lowest in the wireless charging power supply device is compensated for by the second antenna. Thus, the power receiving capability of signals transmitted from various directions can be improved without mechanically changing the orientation of the antennas.

[0007] [Aspect 2] The first antenna and the second antenna are both dipole antennas, and the first antenna and the second antenna are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the direction in which the elements of the first antenna extend and the direction in which the elements of the second antenna extend are different from each other, in the wireless charging power supply device described in 1 above.

[0008] In a dipole antenna, the direction in which sensitivity is lowest changes depending on the direction in which the elements extend. Therefore, by arranging the elements of the first antenna and the second antenna in different directions, it is possible to make the direction in which sensitivity is lowest for the first antenna and the direction in which sensitivity is lowest for the second antenna different.

[0009] [Aspect 3] A wireless charging power supply device according to the above-mentioned paragraph 2, wherein the direction in which the elements of the first antenna extend and the direction in which the elements of the second antenna extend are perpendicular to each other. In the above configuration, the direction in which the elements of the first antenna extend is perpendicular to the direction in which the elements of the second antenna extend. Therefore, compared to the case where the direction in which the elements of the first antenna extend is slightly misaligned, the direction in which the sensitivity of the first antenna is lowest and the direction in which the sensitivity of the second antenna is lowest can be made to differ by a larger margin. Consequently, the wireless charging feeder can achieve high gain in various directions.

[0010] [Aspect 4] The wireless charging power supply device according to 2 or 3 above, wherein the direction in which the elements of the first antenna extend and the direction in which the elements of the second antenna extend are both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

[0011] In the above configuration, the direction in which the elements of the first antenna extend and the direction in which the elements of the second antenna extend are both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate. This makes it easier to connect terminals to components on the substrate, for example, when the terminals of a wireless charging power supply device are placed at both ends of the substrate in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] [Aspect 5] A wireless charging power supply device according to any one of 1 to 4 above, comprising a first coaxial cable and a second coaxial cable, wherein the first antenna is connected to the charging circuit via the first coaxial cable and the second antenna is connected to the charging circuit via the second coaxial cable.

[0013] With the above configuration, noise-induced losses can be reduced compared to the case where the first antenna and the second antenna are connected to the charging circuit by the same coaxial cable. [Aspect 6] The first antenna and the second antenna are both flexible printed circuit board antennas, and the first antenna and the second antenna are arranged along the inner circumference of the housing, and the wireless charging power supply device is one of the above 1 to 5.

[0014] In the above configuration, by employing a flexible printed circuit board antenna, the first and second antennas can be easily deformed along the inner circumference of the housing. Therefore, the first and second antennas can be easily housed inside the housing.

[0015] [Aspect 7] A wireless charging power supply device including a communication antenna and a communication control unit, wherein the communication antenna is configured to receive radio waves from the outside of the wireless charging power supply device and transmit radio waves to the outside, and the communication control unit is configured to control communication with the outside, which is the wireless charging power supply device according to any one of the above 1 to 6.

[0016] With the above configuration, the wireless charging power supply device can communicate with the outside. [Aspect 8] The wireless charging power supply device according to any one of the above 1 to 7, which has a cylindrical shape and has a positive electrode on the top surface, while the bottom surface is a negative electrode.

[0017] With the above configuration, the wireless charging power supply device can have the same shape as a dry battery. And by matching the dimensions, it is also possible to have the same dimensions and the same shape as a dry battery. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0018] The power receiving ability of signals transmitted from various directions can be enhanced. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless charging power supply device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of the wireless charging power supply device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a side view and a cross-sectional view of the wireless charging power supply device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view of the wireless charging power supply device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the wireless charging power supply device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the substrate and the antenna of the wireless charging power supply device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 7]It is a plan view showing an antenna of a wireless charging power supply device according to the same embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 「Circuit Configuration」 FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a wireless charging power supply device 10 according to this embodiment. The wireless charging power supply device 10 includes a first antenna 70 and a second antenna 72 which are a pair of power receiving antennas, a communication antenna 14, a secondary battery 16, and a power receiving circuit 20.

[0021] The first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 receive power supplied from the outside of the wireless charging power supply device 10. The power received by the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 is input to the power receiving circuit 20. The power receiving circuit 20 includes a rectifier circuit 20a, a charging circuit 20b, a control circuit 20c, and a communication control unit 20d.

[0022] The rectifier circuit 20a converts the AC power received by the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 into DC power. The charging circuit 20b charges the secondary battery 16 with the DC power output from the rectifier circuit 20a. The control circuit 20c operates the charging circuit 20b to control the amount of charge to the secondary battery 16.

[0023] The communication control unit 20d communicates with the outside of the wireless charging power supply device 10 via the communication antenna 14. For example, the communication control unit 20d transmits an identification signal of the wireless charging power supply device 10 to the outside via the communication antenna 14. For example, the communication antenna 14 is a 2.4GHz band antenna. This makes the wireless charging power supply device 10 a beacon. By transmitting the identification signal, an external power supply device can detect the presence of the wireless charging power supply device 10. The power supply device transmits power wirelessly, provided that it detects the presence of the wireless charging power supply device 10. The communication control unit 20d may also be configured to exchange information with the power supply device regarding the amount of power supplied. For example, the communication method adopted by the communication control unit 20d is BLE (registered trademark: Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0024] The secondary battery 16 is, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery. "Layout" Figure 2 shows the external shape of the wireless charging power supply device 10. The wireless charging power supply device 10 has the same shape as a dry cell battery. In particular, the wireless charging power supply device 10 has the same shape and dimensions as, for example, an AA dry cell battery. That is, the wireless charging power supply device 10 is a cylindrical component. The wireless charging power supply device 10 has a protruding positive electrode 40 on its cylindrical top surface. The wireless charging power supply device 10 houses the components shown in Figure 1 within a space partitioned by the first housing 30 and the second housing 32.

[0025] Figure 3 shows a side view of the wireless charging power supply device 10, a front view relating to the cylindrical top and bottom surfaces, and a cross-sectional view AA. As shown in Figure 3, the wireless charging power supply device 10 has a positive electrode 40 formed on the cylindrical top surface and a negative electrode 42 formed on the bottom surface.

[0026] Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the wireless charging power supply device 10. As shown in Figure 4, the wireless charging power supply device 10 includes a chassis 60 within a space partitioned by a first housing 30 and a second housing 32. A circuit board 62 is fixed to the chassis 60. A first antenna 70 and a second antenna 72 are provided at both ends of the chassis 60. A secondary battery 16 is positioned between the circuit board 62 and the first housing 30.

[0027] Figure 5 is a view of the substrate 62 from the first main surface 62a, which is the surface of the substrate 62 facing the second housing 32. As shown in Figure 5, a first coaxial cable 80 connected to the first antenna 70 and a coaxial cable 82 connected to the second antenna 72 extend along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 62 on the first main surface 62a. In addition, an electrode cable 36 connected to the positive electrode 40 and an electrode cable 38 connected to the negative electrode 42 extend from the second main surface 62b, which is the side of the substrate 62 opposite to the first main surface 62a.

[0028] Figure 6 shows the layout of the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72. In Figure 6, the longitudinal direction of the rectangular substrate 62 is labeled as the z-axis. The substrate 62 is also shown parallel to the plane stretched by the z-axis and y-axis.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6, the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 are provided at both ends of the substrate 62 in the longitudinal direction. Both the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 are dipole antennas. Both the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 are flexible printed circuit board (FPC) antennas. Figure 6 shows the shapes of the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 when housed in the space partitioned by the first housing 30 and the second housing 32. Therefore, the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 are shaped to conform to the inner circumferential surfaces of the first housing 30 and the second housing 32. This is because the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 are FPC antennas and are therefore flexible. In other words, the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 can be deformed to conform to the shape of the inner circumferential surfaces of the first housing 30 and the second housing 32.

[0030] The center of the first antenna 70 is positioned on the first side surface 62c of the substrate 62. When the first antenna 70 has a flat shape, it extends from the first side surface 62c in directions perpendicular to the first main surface 62a and the second main surface 62b. In other words, when the first antenna 70 has a flat shape, it extends in the positive and negative directions of the x-axis. However, Figure 6 shows the state of the first antenna 70 when it is housed in the space partitioned by the first housing 30 and the second housing 32. In this state, the first antenna 70 extends from the first side surface 62c so as to face the first main surface 62a and the second main surface 62b. Furthermore, the first antenna 70 has an arch shape.

[0031] The center of the second antenna 72 is positioned so as to face the center of the first main surface 62a of the substrate 62 in the short-side direction. If the second antenna 72 has a flat shape, it extends on both sides along the short-side direction of the first main surface 62a from the position facing the center of the short-side direction of the first main surface 62a. In other words, if the second antenna 72 has a flat shape, it extends in the positive and negative directions of the y-axis. Figure 6 shows the state of the second antenna 72 when it is housed in the space partitioned by the first housing 30 and the second housing 32. In this case, the second antenna 72 approaches the second main surface 62b side as it extends along the short-side direction of the second main surface 62b from the position facing the center of the short-side direction of the first main surface 62a. The ends of the second antenna 72 face the first side surface 62c and the second side surface 62d of the substrate 62. The second antenna 72 has an arch shape.

[0032] Figure 7 shows the configurations of the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72. As shown in Figure 7, the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 are formed on a flexible printed circuit board Fp with a pattern of element Em. Element Em is a conductor. Element Em is, for example, a copper foil pattern. Radio waves are transmitted through element Em to the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7, element Em has a rectangular shape with a T-shaped notch SL when in a flat state. Element Em extends along the longitudinal direction D of the flexible printed circuit board Fp.

[0034] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, when implemented in the wireless charging power supply device 10, the direction in which the element Em of the first antenna 70 extends and the direction in which the element Em of the second antenna 72 extends are orthogonal to each other. More specifically, the direction in which the element Em extends at the center of the first antenna 70 and the direction in which the element Em extends at the center of the second antenna 72 are orthogonal to each other.

[0035] "The operation and effects of this embodiment" The wireless charging power supply device 10 comprises a pair of dipole antennas, a first antenna 70 and a second antenna 72. The elements Em of the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 extend in directions perpendicular to each other. Therefore, in the wireless charging power supply device 10, the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 have different directions in which their sensitivity is lowest. Consequently, the power receiving performance of the first antenna 70 in the direction in which its sensitivity is lowest is compensated by the second antenna 72. Conversely, the power receiving performance of the second antenna 72 in the direction in which its sensitivity is lowest is compensated by the first antenna 70.

[0036] Incidentally, when using a pair of dipole antennas, it is also possible to have their element Ems extend in the same direction and have opposite directivity. That is, for example, it is possible to have a dipole antenna with directivity in the positive x-axis direction and a dipole antenna with directivity in the negative x-axis direction, as shown in Figure 6. This makes it possible to increase the gain in the negative x-axis direction compared to using only a dipole antenna with directivity in the positive x-axis direction. However, in that case, the gain will be low in the positive z-axis direction, etc., as shown in Figure 6.

[0037] <Correspondence> The correspondence between the matters in the above embodiment and the matters described in the "Means for Solving the Problems" section is as follows. Below, the correspondence is shown for each number of the embodiment described in the "Means for Solving the Problems" section. [1] The energy storage device corresponds to the secondary battery 16. [2] The element corresponds to the element Em illustrated in Figure 7. [3,4] In Figure 6, the direction in which the element Em of the first antenna 70 extends from the center is the x-axis direction and the direction in which the element Em of the second antenna 72 extends from the center is the y-axis direction. [5] Corresponds to the configuration illustrated in Figure 5. [6] Corresponds to the configurations shown in Figures 4 and 6. [7] Corresponds to the configuration shown in Figure 1. [8] Corresponds to the configurations shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0038] <Other Embodiments> Furthermore, this embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0039] "About energy storage devices" The secondary battery is not limited to lithium-ion batteries. For example, nickel-metal hydride batteries may also be used. It is not essential that the energy storage device is a secondary battery. For example, a capacitor may also be used.

[0040] "Regarding communication antennas" The communication antenna 14 is not limited to functioning as a beacon for the wireless charging power supply device 10. For example, it may be used to transmit data on the discharge current of the wireless charging power supply device 10 at each time point. This allows for the collection of data on the amount of power consumed by the user of the wireless charging power supply device 10 and the time periods in which power is consumed.

[0041] It is not mandatory for the wireless charging power supply device 10 to be equipped with a communication antenna 14. "About the circuit board" • The main surface of the circuit board does not necessarily have to be rectangular. For example, as described in the section "Regarding Wireless Charging Power Supply Devices" below, if the wireless charging power supply device has a different shape from that of a dry cell battery, the housing may have a shape where the longitudinal direction cannot be defined. In that case, the shape of the circuit board may be a square or any other shape where the longitudinal direction cannot be defined.

[0042] "Regarding the layout of the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72" In Figure 6, the notch SL of the first antenna 70 is positioned to open in the negative direction of the z-axis, but this is not the only option. For example, the notch SL may be positioned to open in the positive direction of the z-axis.

[0043] In Figure 6, the notch SL of the second antenna 72 is positioned to open in the negative direction of the z-axis, but this is not the only option. For example, the notch SL may be positioned to open in the positive direction of the z-axis.

[0044] It is not mandatory for the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 to be placed on opposite sides of the substrate 62 in the longitudinal direction. For example, the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 may be placed side by side in the center of the substrate 62 in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] As described in the "About the Substrate" section above, if the longitudinal direction of the substrate cannot be defined, the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72 may be placed, for example, at both ends of one face of the substrate.

[0046] It is not essential that the direction in which the element Em of the first antenna 70 extends and the direction in which the element Em of the second antenna 72 extends are perpendicular to each other. Even if these directions are different but the angle between them is less than 90°, the direction in which the sensitivity is lowest can be made different. Therefore, compared to the case where the directions are the same, it is possible to suppress the sensitivity in the direction in which the sensitivity is lowest from becoming excessively low.

[0047] "Regarding two or more antennas" • The shapes of the first and second antennas are not necessarily the shapes exemplified in Figure 7.

[0048] The two or more antennas are not limited to the first antenna 70 and the second antenna 72. For example, there may be three or more antennas. Specifically, for example, in the configuration illustrated in Figure 6, a third antenna may be added in which the direction in which element Em extends is the z-axis direction. When there are three or more antennas, it is desirable that each of these antennas be connected to the rectifier circuit 20a via a separate coaxial cable.

[0049] When using three or more antennas, it is not necessary for the elements of each antenna to extend in different directions. For example, when using four antennas, they may be divided into two groups, and the elements of each group may extend in different directions, but within the same group, the elements may extend in the same direction.

[0050] It is not necessary for both or more antennas to be flexible printed circuit board antennas. It is not required that two or more antennas be dipole antennas.

[0051] "About coaxial cables" It is not essential to provide a separate coaxial cable for each antenna to connect the antenna and the rectifier circuit 20a.

[0052] "Regarding wireless charging power supply devices" It is not necessary for the wireless charging power supply device 10 to have the same shape and dimensions as an AA dry cell battery. For example, the wireless charging power supply device 10 may have the same shape and dimensions as a D dry cell battery. Also, for example, the wireless charging power supply device 10 may have the same shape and dimensions as a C dry cell battery. Also, for example, the wireless charging power supply device 10 may have the same shape and dimensions as an AAA dry cell battery.

[0053] • Wireless charging power supply devices are not limited to cylindrical devices. For example, a rectangular prism-shaped device, such as a 9V dry cell battery, may also be used. It is not necessary for the wireless charging power supply device to have the same dimensions and shape as a dry cell battery. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 10…Wireless charging power supply device 14…Communication antenna 16…Secondary battery 20... Power receiving circuit 20a… Rectifier circuit 20b…Charging circuit 20c...control circuit 20d...Communication Control Unit 22...Communication antenna 30…1st Housing 32...Second Housing 36, 38… Electrode Cable 40... Positive electrode 42... Negative electrode 62... Circuit board 70...First Antenna 72... Second antenna 80, 82… Coaxial cable

Claims

1. A wireless charging power supply device comprising a housing, a circuit board, a power storage device, and two or more antennas, The housing contains the circuit board, the energy storage device, and the two or more antennas. The aforementioned circuit board is equipped with a charging circuit that charges the energy storage device with the power received by the antenna. The two or more antennas include a first antenna and a second antenna, The direction in which the sensitivity of the first antenna is lowest and the direction in which the sensitivity of the second antenna is lowest are different from each other. A wireless charging power supply device wherein the first antenna is a dipole antenna positioned only at one end of the substrate in the longitudinal direction, and the second antenna is a dipole antenna positioned only at the other end of the substrate in the longitudinal direction.

2. The first antenna and the second antenna are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, The wireless charging power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the elements of the first antenna extend and the direction in which the elements of the second antenna extend are different from each other.

3. The wireless charging power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the direction in which the elements of the first antenna extend and the direction in which the elements of the second antenna extend are perpendicular to each other.

4. The wireless charging power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the direction in which the elements of the first antenna extend and the direction in which the elements of the second antenna extend are both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate.

5. Equipped with a first coaxial cable and a second coaxial cable, The first antenna is connected to the charging circuit via the first coaxial cable. The wireless charging power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the second antenna is connected to the charging circuit via the second coaxial cable.

6. Both the first antenna and the second antenna are flexible printed circuit board antennas. The wireless charging power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are arranged along the inner circumference of the housing.

7. It is equipped with a communication antenna and a communication control unit, The aforementioned communication antenna is configured to receive radio waves from outside the wireless charging power supply device and to transmit radio waves to the outside. The wireless charging power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit is configured to control communication with the outside.

8. The wireless charging power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless charging power supply device has a cylindrical shape and is provided with a positive electrode on its top surface and a negative electrode on its bottom surface.

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