Power supply device

Abstract

To provide a compact power feeding device that can efficiently perform non-contact power feeding to a movable member.SOLUTION: A power feeding device 10 feeds power to a seat S that is movable relative to a floor F of a vehicle. The power feeding device 10 includes a power reception unit 20 that includes a power reception coil 24 and moves together with the seat S, a power transmission coil 34 that is arranged by opposing the power reception coil 24 and supplies power without contact to the power reception coil 24, a power transmission extension unit 35 extending from the power transmission coil 34, a power transmission unit 30 that moves together with the sheet S and the power reception unit 20, and an excess length absorbing portion 40 that includes a take-up part 45 that performs winding and feeding of the power transmission extension unit 35 by rotating in conjunction with the movement of the sheet S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed by this specification relates to a power supply device.

Background Art

[0002] There is a power supply mechanism for non-contact power supply to a slidable seat mounted on a vehicle. This power supply mechanism has a power supply unit arranged at the bottom of the vehicle body and provided with a power supply coil, and a power receiving unit provided on the slide seat and provided with a power receiving coil. The power receiving coil is provided at a plurality of locations within the slide seat and is non-contact power supplied from the power supply coil by electromagnetic induction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above power supply device, if the distance between the power receiving coil and the power supply coil increases as the slide seat moves, there is a concern that power supply from the power supply unit to the power receiving unit may be hindered. In order to avoid such a situation, the power supply coil must be set to a size corresponding to the entire movement range of the power receiving coil, resulting in an increase in the dedicated area of the power supply coil.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The power supply device disclosed herein is a power supply device for supplying power to a movable member that is movable relative to the body of a vehicle, and comprises: a power receiving unit equipped with a power receiving coil that moves together with the movable member; a power transmitting coil disposed opposite to the power receiving coil and supplying power to the power receiving coil without contact; a power transmitting extension unit extending from the power transmitting coil and moving together with the movable member and the power receiving unit; and an excess length absorbing unit equipped with a winding unit that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the movable member to wind up and unwind the power transmitting extension unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The technology disclosed herein provides a compact power supply device capable of efficiently providing contactless power to movable components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the power supply device of the embodiment attached to the seat and the seat sliding mechanism. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the power receiving section of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the power transmission section and excess length absorption section of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the power transmission unit and excess length absorption unit of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view of the excess length absorption section and the power transmission extension section of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [Summary of the Embodiment] (1) The power supply device disclosed herein is a power supply device for supplying power to a movable member that is movable relative to the body of a vehicle, and comprises: a power receiving unit that is equipped with a power receiving coil and moves together with the movable member; a power transmitting coil that is positioned opposite the power receiving coil and supplies power to the power receiving coil without contact; a power transmitting extension unit that extends from the power transmitting coil and moves together with the movable member and the power receiving unit; and an excess length absorbing unit that is equipped with a winding unit that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the movable member to wind up and unwind the power transmitting extension unit.

[0009] With the above configuration, since the power receiving unit and the power transmitting unit move together with the moving member, the relative positional relationship between the power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil is always maintained within a certain range. This allows for efficient power supply and miniaturization of the power supply device. Furthermore, the excess length absorption unit, which accommodates the excess length of the power transmission extension unit generated when the power transmission unit moves, is equipped with a winding unit that winds up and unwinds the power transmission extension unit in conjunction with the movement of the power transmission unit. This allows for miniaturization of the excess length absorption unit and thus the entire power supply device.

[0010] (2) In the power supply device described in (1) above, the movable member may be rotatable relative to the vehicle body, and the power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil may be arranged around the rotation axis of the movable member.

[0011] With this configuration, even if the moving member rotates, the relative positions of the power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil are maintained within a certain range, so contactless power supply can be efficiently performed even if the moving member is rotated arbitrarily.

[0012] (3) In the power supply device of (1) or (2) above, the movable member may be a seat. The above configuration is suitable for a power supply device for supplying power to a seat that is movable relative to the floor of a vehicle.

[0013] [Details of the embodiment] Specific examples of the technology disclosed by this specification will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0014] [Overall Configuration] Embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The power supply device 10 of this embodiment supplies power to electrical components provided in a seat S mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. Hereinafter, the X-axis direction in FIG. 1 will be described as the front-rear direction, the Y-axis direction as the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat S is attached to the floor F of the vehicle passenger compartment via a slide mechanism 50 and a rotation mechanism 60, and is movable in the front-rear direction and rotatable with respect to the floor F. The seat S is equipped with various electrical components such as, for example, an electric reclining device, a seat heater, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant, and a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of seat belt wearing.

[0016] [Slide Mechanism 50] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide mechanism 50 includes two metal rails 51 fixed to the floor F and a slider 56 slidably attached to the rails 51.

[0017] The two rails 51 are arranged in parallel at intervals. Each rail 51 has a rectangular tubular shape, extends linearly in the front-rear direction, and has a lower wall 52, an upper wall 53 facing the lower wall 52, and two side walls 54 connecting the lower wall 52 and the upper wall 53. The upper wall 53 has a slit 55 extending in the front-rear direction.

[0018] The slider 56 includes two rail insertion portions 57 respectively accommodated movably in the front-rear direction inside the two rails 51, two leg portions 58 extending upward from each of the two rail insertion portions 57, and a support plate portion 59 connecting the upper end edges of the two leg portions 58. The two leg portions 58 are flat plate-shaped and extend upward from the two rail insertion portions 57 through the slits 55 respectively. The two leg portions 58 are arranged opposite to each other. The support plate portion 59 is substantially annular plate-shaped.

[0019] For example, according to the operation of a user on an operating means such as a slide switch, the driving mechanism such as a motor connected to the slider 56 is driven, or manually by the user, the seat S moves in the front-rear direction.

[0020] [Rotating mechanism 60] The rotating mechanism 60 is made of metal and has a base pedestal 61 fixed to the support plate portion 59 and a seat pedestal 62 rotatably assembled to the base pedestal as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The base pedestal 61 is formed in an annular plate shape and is fixed to the support plate portion 59 by bolt fastening or the like.

[0021] The seat pedestal 62 includes an annular plate-shaped flange portion 63 slightly smaller than the base pedestal 61 and a cylindrical seat support portion 64 extending upward from the flange portion 63. The flange portion 63 is attached to the base pedestal 61 via a bearing or the like, whereby the seat pedestal 62 is rotatably assembled to the base pedestal 61 and the slider 56. The seat support portion 64 is fixed to the lower surface of the seat S. When the seat pedestal 62 rotates with respect to the base pedestal 61, the seat S rotates with respect to the floor F about the rotation axis Ar shown in FIG. 1 as the rotation center. Further, since the rotating mechanism 60 and the seat S are attached to the slider 56, they move in the front-rear direction as the slider 56 moves in the front-rear direction.

[0022] For example, the seat S rotates when a drive device such as a motor is driven in response to a user's operation of an operating means such as a rotary switch, or when the user rotates it manually.

[0023] [Power supply device 10] As shown in Figure 2, the power supply device 10 includes a power receiving unit 20, a power transmission unit 30 that supplies power to the power receiving unit 20 in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic induction, and an excess length absorption unit 40 attached to the power transmission unit 30.

[0024] [Power receiving unit 20] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the power receiving unit 20 includes a first coil substrate 21 and a power receiving coil 24 supported by the first coil substrate 21.

[0025] The first coil substrate 21 is made of synthetic resin and is disc-shaped. The first coil substrate 21 is positioned below the sheet S and is fixed to the lower surface of the sheet S by bolts B1 made of synthetic resin.

[0026] The power receiving coil 24 is formed by winding a wire multiple times to create a ring shape. For example, a copper wire coated with an insulating layer such as enamel can be used as the wire constituting the power receiving coil 24. The power receiving coil 24 is positioned concentrically with respect to the first coil substrate 21 on its lower surface. The power receiving coil 24 can be attached to the first coil substrate 21 by any known method, such as ultrasonic welding or heat welding, adhesive bonding, or by a retaining member attached to the first coil substrate 21. One end of the wire constituting the power receiving coil 24 is inserted through a first insertion hole 22 in the first coil substrate 21 and guided into the interior of the sheet S, where it is connected to an electrical component provided in the sheet S via a rectifier circuit. The rectifier circuit converts the alternating current supplied from the power receiving coil 24 into a direct current and supplies it to the electrical component.

[0027] Since the power receiving unit 20 is fixed to the sheet S, it moves in the front-rear direction together with the sheet S in conjunction with the movement of the slider 56. Furthermore, the first coil substrate 21 and the power receiving coil 24 are both arranged concentrically with the sheet base 62. In other words, the first coil substrate 21 and the power receiving coil 24 are both connected to the sheet S, and are arranged so that the rotation axis Ar of the sheet S passes through the center position, so the sheet S, the first coil substrate 21 and the power receiving coil 24 rotate in conjunction with a common rotation axis Ar as the center of rotation.

[0028] [Power transmission section 30] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the power transmission unit 30 includes a second coil substrate 31, a power transmission coil 34 supported by the second coil substrate 31, and a power transmission extension 35 extending from the power transmission coil 34.

[0029] The second coil substrate 31 is made of synthetic resin and is disc-shaped. The second coil substrate 31 is positioned below the first coil substrate 21 and opposite to it. The second coil substrate 31 is positioned concentrically with respect to the first coil substrate 21.

[0030] The power transmission coil 34 is formed by winding a wire multiple times to create a ring shape. For example, a copper wire coated with an insulating layer such as enamel can be used as the wire constituting the power transmission coil 34. The power transmission coil 34 is positioned concentrically with respect to the second coil substrate 31 on its upper surface. That is, the power transmission coil 34 is positioned concentrically with the power receiving coil 24 and opposite to the power receiving coil 24. The power transmission coil 34 can be attached to the second coil substrate 31 by any known method, such as ultrasonic welding or heat welding, adhesive bonding, or by a holding member attached to the second coil substrate 31. One end of the wire constituting the power transmission coil 34 is inserted through a second insertion hole 32 in the second coil substrate 31 and guided downwards to the power transmission extension 35 via a high-frequency conversion circuit located below the second coil substrate 31. The power transmission extension unit 35 is connected to a floor harness laid under the vehicle floor via a connector C attached to its terminal end, and the floor harness is connected to a power supply unit provided in the vehicle. The high-frequency conversion circuit converts the DC current supplied from the power supply unit through the floor harness and the power transmission extension unit 35 into AC current and supplies it to the power transmission coil 34.

[0031] [Excess length absorption section 40] The excess length absorption section 40 is made of synthetic resin, is positioned below the second coil substrate 31, and is attached to the second coil substrate 31 by a plurality of synthetic resin bolts B2. As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the excess length absorption section 40 comprises a case 41 and a winding section 45 positioned inside the case 41. The case 41 comprises a plate-shaped bottom wall section 42 and a peripheral wall section 43 extending upward from the periphery of the bottom wall section 42. The peripheral wall section 43 has a first outlet 44 through which the terminal portion of the power transmission extension section 35 can be inserted. The winding section 45 is a thick, disc-shaped unit and is positioned concentrically with the second coil substrate 31 on the upper surface of the bottom wall section 42. The winding section 45 has a receiving groove 46 for receiving the power transmission extension section 35. The receiving groove 46 has a second outlet 47 on the outer circumferential surface of the winding section 45, and extends from this second outlet 47 toward the central part of the winding section 45.

[0032] The majority of the power transmission extension 35 is housed inside the case 41. As shown in Figure 6, the power transmission extension 35 is led out from the second outlet 47 through the housing groove 46 and wound around the winding section 45. The end of the power transmission extension 35 is led out from the first outlet 44 to the outside of the case 41, extends forward (to the lower right in Figure 1) along the slider 56, and is connected via connector C to the floor harness laid under the vehicle floor.

[0033] [Operation of the power receiving unit 20, power transmitting unit 30, and excess length absorption unit 40 in conjunction with the movement of sheet S] As described above, the power receiving unit 20 moves in the front-rear direction together with the sheet S in conjunction with the movement of the slider 56. In addition, the first coil substrate 21 and the power receiving coil 24 rotate together with the rotation of the sheet S, with the sheet S sharing a common rotation axis Ar as the center of rotation.

[0034] Meanwhile, the power transmission unit 30 and the excess length absorption unit 40 are connected to the slider 56 via a coupling mechanism (not shown), and move in the front-rear direction together with the sheet S as the slider 56 moves. The coupling mechanism is equipped with a drive mechanism such as a motor to rotate the power transmission unit 30 and the excess length absorption unit 40 in conjunction with the movement of the slider 56. Here, as shown in Figure 2, the second coil substrate 31 and the power transmission coil 34 are arranged concentrically with the first coil substrate 21, so that the rotation axis Ar of the sheet S passes through the center position. As a result, the second coil substrate 31 and the power transmission coil 34 rotate around the same rotation axis Ar as the sheet S, the first coil substrate 21, and the power receiving coil 24.

[0035] In this manner, the power receiving unit 20 and the power transmitting unit 30 move in the front-rear direction along with the sheet S as the slider 56 moves. Furthermore, the power receiving coil 24 and the power transmitting coil 34 rotate around a common axis of rotation Ar. Therefore, even if the sheet S moves and rotates, the relative positional relationship between the power receiving coil 24 and the power transmitting coil 34 is always kept constant. This prevents the situation where the positions of the power receiving coil 24 and the power transmitting coil 34 shift as the sheet S moves, causing problems with power supply. In general, in electromagnetic induction systems, magnetic flux in the power transmitting coil that does not link with the power receiving coil becomes leakage flux. If the positions of the power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil shift as the sheet moves, there is a concern that the leakage flux will increase. However, in this embodiment, since the positions of the power receiving coil 24 and the power transmitting coil 34 do not shift as the sheet S moves, an increase in leakage flux can be avoided, and power supply can be performed efficiently.

[0036] Furthermore, since the power transmission unit 30 moves along with the movement of the slider 56, excess length is generated in the power transmission extension unit 35 depending on the position of the power transmission unit 30. In this embodiment, the excess length absorption unit 40 rotates in conjunction with the movement of the slider 56 to wind up and unwind the power transmission extension unit 35. When the slider 56 moves forward (to the left in Figure 6), the excess length absorption unit 40 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A1 in Figure 6, and the power transmission extension unit 35 is wound onto the winding unit 45. When the slider 56 moves backward (to the right in Figure 6), the excess length absorption unit 40 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A2 in Figure 6, and the power transmission extension unit 35 is unwound from the winding unit 45 and unwound from the case 41. In this way, the excess length absorption unit 40 is configured to compactly store the excess length of the power transmission extension unit 35, so the excess length absorption unit 40 can be miniaturized, and the entire power supply device 10 can be miniaturized.

[0037] [Effects and Effects] As described above, according to this embodiment, the power supply device 10 that supplies power to a seat S that is movable relative to the floor F of a vehicle comprises: a power receiving unit 20 equipped with a power receiving coil 24 that moves together with the seat S; a power transmitting unit 30 equipped with a power receiving coil 34 positioned opposite the power receiving coil 24 and supplying power to the power receiving coil 24 without contact; a power transmitting extension unit 35 extending from the power transmitting coil 34 that moves together with the seat S and the power receiving unit 20; and an excess length absorbing unit 40 equipped with a winding unit 45 that winds up and unwinds the power transmitting extension unit 35 by rotating in conjunction with the movement of the seat S.

[0038] With the above configuration, the power receiving unit 20 and the power transmitting unit 30 move together with the movement of the sheet S, so the relative positional relationship between the power receiving coil 24 and the power transmitting coil 34 is always kept within a certain range. This allows for efficient power supply. Furthermore, since the excess length absorption unit 40 is equipped with a winding unit 45 that winds up and unwinds the power transmission extension unit 35 as the power transmitting unit 30 moves, the excess length absorption unit 40 can be miniaturized, and the entire power supply device 10 can be miniaturized.

[0039] Furthermore, the sheet S is rotatable relative to the floor F, and the power receiving coil 24 and the power transmitting coil 34 are arranged around the rotation axis Ar of the sheet S.

[0040] With this configuration, even if the sheet S rotates, the relative positions of the receiving coil 24 and the transmitting coil 34 are maintained within a certain range, so contactless power supply can be efficiently performed even if the sheet S is rotated arbitrarily.

[0041] <Other Embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, the movable member was a seat S, but the movable member is not limited to a seat, and may be a sliding door, for example. (2) In the above embodiment, the movement of the sheet S was linear movement by rail 51 and slider 56, but the movement mode of the moving member is not limited to linear movement, and may be, for example, movement along a curved or crank-shaped movement path, or free movement within a defined range. (3) In the above embodiment, the receiving coil 24 and the transmitting coil 34 rotated around a common axis of rotation Ar. However, the axes of rotation of the receiving coil and the transmitting coil do not have to coincide perfectly; it is sufficient that both the receiving coil and the transmitting coil are arranged around the axis of rotation of the moving member. With such a configuration, even if the moving member rotates, the positional relationship between the receiving coil and the transmitting coil is maintained within a certain range. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 10: Power supply device 20: Power receiving section 21: First coil substrate 22: First insertion hole 24: Power receiving coil 30: Power transmission section 31: Second coil board 32: Second insertion hole 34: Power transmission coil 35: Power transmission extension section 40: Excess length absorption section 41: Case 42: Bottom wall 43: Peripheral wall part 44: 1st outlet 45: Winding section 46: Storage groove 47:Second outlet 50: Sliding mechanism 51: Rail 52: Lower wall 53: Upper wall 54: Side wall 55: Slit 56: Slider 57: Rail insertion section 58: Legs 59: Support plate part 60: Rotation mechanism 61: Base stand 62: Seat base 63: Flange section 64: Seat support section Ar: Rotation axis B1, B2: Bolts C: Connector F:Floor S: Seat

Claims

1. A power supply device that supplies power to a movable member that is movable relative to the body of a vehicle, A power receiving unit equipped with a power receiving coil and moving together with the moving member, A power transmission unit comprising a second coil substrate, a power transmission coil disposed on the upper surface of the second coil substrate and facing the power receiving coil to supply power to the power receiving coil without contact, and a power transmission extension extending from the power transmission coil, the power transmission unit moving together with the movable member and the power receiving unit, A power supply device comprising a winding section that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the moving member to wind up and unwind the power transmission extension section, and an excess length absorption section that is positioned below the second coil substrate and attached to the power transmission section so as to be concentric with the winding section and the power transmission coil.

2. The moving member is rotatable relative to the vehicle body. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil are arranged around the rotation axis of the movable member.

3. The power supply device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the movable member is a sheet.

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