Non-contact power supply device

Abstract

The power receiving electrode unit (300) is provided on the movable body (1002) and capacitively coupled with the power transmitting electrode unit (200). The power transmitting electrode unit (200) has a power transmitting electrode tooth portion (220) and a power transmitting electrode connection portion (230). The power receiving electrode unit (200) has a power receiving electrode tooth portion (220) and a power receiving electrode connection portion (230). The power transmitting electrode tooth portion (220) and the power receiving electrode connection portion (230) are connected to the power transmitting electrode tooth portion (230). The power transmitting electrode tooth portion (220) and the power receiving electrode tooth portion (320) face each other at a distance from each other, a first capacitance and a second capacitance are formed in the facing region of the power transmitting electrode tooth portion (220) and the power receiving electrode portion (320), a third capacitance and a fourth capacitance are formed in the facing region of the end of the power transmitting electrode tooth portion (220) and the power receiving electrode connecting portion (230) and a facing region of the end of the power receiving electrode tooth portion (320) and the power transmitting electrode connecting portion (230), and a dielectric is provided on the surfaces forming the first to fourth capacitances.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Contactless power supply using the electric field coupling method is a technology that transmits power by forming a coupling capacitance by opposing a power transmitting electrode and a power receiving electrode made of parallel plates. This technology is used for contactless power transmission in applications involving the movement of objects such as electric vehicles and conveying equipment that run on a specific lane.

[0003] When using the electric field coupling method for contactless power supply to a moving object, the distance between the electrodes changes due to vibrations that occur when the moving object is moving, and this changes the coupling capacitance, which in turn changes the power supply characteristics such as the output voltage, making the system unstable. Ensuring a separation distance greater than necessary to prevent vibration of the moving body improves stability against the coupling capacitance, but reduces the coupling capacitance. Therefore, in order to maintain high stability against changes in the separation distance while ensuring a high coupling capacitance, it is necessary to ensure a large facing area for each electrode, but this increases the size of each electrode, posing a problem of making the system larger.

[0004] To solve this problem, a highly robust electrode member structure has been disclosed that includes a plate-shaped power transmitting electrode portion and a power receiving electrode portion that sandwiches the power transmitting electrode portion, thereby stabilizing the coupling capacitance against variations in the separation distance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 6726081 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the device in the patent document is limited to a configuration with a power transmitting electrode having one tooth and a power receiving electrode having two teeth, so there is a limit to how much the coupling capacitance can be increased. Also, the closer the separation distance is tried to obtain a larger coupling capacitance, the more abruptly the coupling capacitance changes when the position of the moving body changes due to vibration or the like.

[0007] The present disclosure discloses technology for solving the problems described above, and provides a contactless power supply device with an electrode structure that suppresses a decrease in coupling capacitance while also suppressing fluctuations in coupling capacitance in response to fluctuations in separation distance, thereby enabling an increase in coupling capacitance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The non-contact power supply device disclosed herein includes a fixed body, a movable body movably installed relative to the fixed body, a power transmission electrode unit installed parallel to a direction of movement of the movable body, and a power receiving electrode unit installed on the movable body and capacitively coupled to the power transmission electrode unit, wherein the power transmission electrode unit has a plurality of power receiving electrode teeth, the power receiving electrode unit has a plurality of power transmitting electrode teeth, a power transmission electrode connecting unit connecting the power transmitting electrode teeth to form a single structure, and a power receiving electrode connecting unit connecting the power receiving electrode teeth to form a single structure, the power transmission electrode teeth and the power receiving electrode teeth face each other at a constant interval, and a first power transmission electrode tooth of the power transmission electrode unit and the 1. A contactless power supply device in which power is supplied by forming a first capacitance in a facing region with a first power receiving electrode tooth of the power receiving electrode unit, a second capacitance in a facing region between the first power transmitting electrode tooth of the power transmitting electrode unit and the second power receiving electrode tooth of the power receiving electrode unit, a third capacitance in a facing region between an end of the first power transmitting electrode tooth of the power transmitting electrode unit and the power receiving electrode connection portion of the power receiving electrode unit, and a fourth capacitance in a facing region between the end of the second power receiving electrode tooth of the power receiving electrode unit and the power transmitting electrode connection portion of the power transmitting electrode unit, At least a part of a surface forming the first capacitance, at least a part of a surface forming the second capacitance, at least a part of a surface forming the third capacitance, and at least a part of a surface forming the fourth capacitance, A dielectric is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the non-contact power supply device of the present disclosure, a non-contact power supply device having an electrode structure is obtained in which a decrease in coupling capacitance is suppressed, while a variation in coupling capacitance due to a variation in separation distance is also suppressed, and thus the coupling capacitance can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a linear transport system to which a non-contact power supply device according to a first embodiment is applied. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a contactless power supply device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrode structure of the non-contact power supply device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a basic structure of an electrode of the contactless power supply device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an electrode structure of the contactless power supply device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 11 is an explanatory diagram of an electrode structure of a contactless power supply device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is an explanatory diagram of conditions for an electrode structure of a contactless power supply device according to embodiment 2. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram of a change in electrostatic capacitance of an electrode of a contactless power supply device according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram of a change in electrostatic capacitance of an electrode of a contactless power supply device according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the characteristics of the dielectric of the electrodes of the contactless power supply device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a summary of changes in capacitance under various conditions of the electrodes of the contactless power supply device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is an explanatory diagram of an electrode structure of a contactless power supply device according to embodiment 3. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Embodiment 1 The first embodiment relates to a contactless power supply device comprising a fixed body, a movable body movably arranged relative to the fixed body, a power transmission electrode unit arranged parallel to the direction of movement of the movable body, and a power receiving electrode unit arranged on the movable body and capacitively coupled to the power transmission electrode unit, wherein the power transmission electrode unit has a plurality of power transmission electrode teeth and a power transmission electrode connection, the power receiving electrode unit has a plurality of power receiving electrode teeth and a power receiving electrode connection unit, the power transmission electrode teeth and the power receiving electrode teeth face each other at a constant distance from each other, a first capacitance and a second capacitance are formed in the facing area of ​​the power transmission electrode teeth and the power receiving electrode unit, a third capacitance is formed in the facing area of ​​the end of the power transmission electrode tooth and the power receiving electrode connection unit, a fourth capacitance is formed in the facing area of ​​the end of the power receiving electrode tooth and the power transmission electrode connection unit, and a dielectric is provided on the surfaces forming the first to fourth capacitances.

[0012] The non-contact power supply device according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 which is a perspective view of a linear conveyance system to which the non-contact power supply device is applied, FIG. 2 which is a schematic configuration diagram of the non-contact power supply device, FIG. 3 which is a perspective view of an electrode structure, FIG. 4 which is an explanatory diagram of the basic structure of an electrode, and FIG. 5 which is an explanatory diagram of the electrode structure. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0013] First, a linear transport system 1000 to which the contactless power supply device 100 of the first embodiment is applied, and the configuration of the contactless power supply device will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] In FIG. 1, a linear transport system 1000 is composed of a fixed body 1001 and a mobile body (transport device) 1002 that travels on an orbit around the fixed body 1001, that is, that is, that is movably installed. The fixed body 1001 includes a power transmitting electrode unit 200 , and the mobile body 1002 includes a power receiving electrode unit 300 .

[0015] Next, a specific example of the non-contact power supply device 100 applied to the linear transport system 1000 will be described with reference to FIG. The non-contact power supply device 100 includes a non-contact power supply electrode section 150 including a power transmitting electrode section 200 and a power receiving electrode section 300 , a power transmitting circuit 160 , and a power receiving circuit 170 . A mobile body 1002 equipped with wheels 1002W moves around a fixed body 1001 in a Y direction, which is a direction from the front to the rear of the paper in the figure. A power transmitting electrode unit 200 is fixed to a floor on which the fixed body 1001 is placed by a support stand 1001P. A power receiving electrode unit 300 is installed on the mobile body 1002. The power transmitting electrode unit 200 is placed parallel to the direction of movement of the moving body 1002 , and the power receiving electrode unit 300 is disposed so as to face the power transmitting electrode unit 200 .

[0016] The power transmitting electrode unit 200 is connected to the power transmitting circuit 160 via an electric wire 161. The power receiving electrode unit 300 is connected to the power receiving circuit 170 via an electric wire 171. AC power is supplied to the power transmitting electrode unit 200 from the power transmitting circuit 160, and the AC power is transmitted in a non-contact manner to the capacitively coupled power receiving electrode unit 300. The AC power received by the power receiving electrode unit 300 is converted to DC power by the power receiving circuit 170 inside the mobile object 1002, and is consumed by a load (not shown) mounted on the mobile object 1002.

[0017] Next, the electrode structure of the non-contact power supply device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a basic structure of the non-contact power supply electrode section 150 of the non-contact power supply device 100. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the up-down direction in the drawing is the Z direction, the left-right direction is the X direction, and the traveling direction of the moving body 1002, that is, the direction in which each power transmitting electrode unit 200 is arranged is the Y direction. The non-contact power supply electrode section 150 is composed of a power transmitting electrode section 200 and a power receiving electrode section 300. The non-contact power supply electrode section 150 will be referred to as a power supply electrode section 150 where appropriate.

[0018] The power transmitting electrode 200 has a comb-tooth structure and is composed of power transmitting electrode teeth 220 extending in the X direction in the figure and power transmitting electrode connecting parts 230 connecting the teeth in the Z direction in the figure. The power transmitting electrode teeth 220 include a first power transmitting electrode tooth 221, a second power transmitting electrode tooth 222, ..., an mth power transmitting electrode tooth 22m. The power receiving electrode portion 300 has a comb-tooth structure and is composed of power receiving electrode teeth 320 extending in the X direction in the figure and a power receiving electrode connecting portion 330 connecting the teeth in the Z direction in the figure. The power receiving electrode teeth 320 include a first power receiving electrode tooth portion 321, a second power receiving electrode tooth portion 322, ..., an nth power receiving electrode tooth portion 32n. The power transmitting electrode teeth 220 (221, . . . , 22m) and the power receiving electrode teeth 320 (321, . . . , 32n) face each other at a constant interval as shown in FIG. In addition, in the configuration, m and n are integers and have a relationship of m=n-1 or m=n+1, and this disclosure targets contactless power supply device 100 having a configuration in which m is 2 or more in the relationship of m=n-1.

[0019] 3, a first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the first power receiving electrode teeth 321 and the first power transmitting electrode teeth 221. In addition, a first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the first power transmitting electrode teeth 221 and the second power receiving electrode teeth 322. A second dielectric DE2 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the tooth end 221T of the first power transmitting electrode tooth portion 221 and the power receiving electrode connecting portion 330. In addition, a second dielectric DE2 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the tooth end 322T of the second power receiving electrode tooth portion 322 and the power transmitting electrode connecting portion 230. By providing the power feeding electrode section 150 of the non-contact power feeding device 100 with this structure, it is possible to efficiently ensure an area where the power transmitting electrode teeth section 220 and the power receiving electrode teeth section 320 face each other.

[0020] Next, the basic structure of the electrodes of the contactless power supply device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Although the present disclosure is directed to a case where the number of teeth of the power transmitting electrode teeth portion 220 is two or more, for ease of understanding, a case where the power transmitting electrode teeth portion 220 has one tooth will first be described.

[0021] The power transmitting electrode section 200 includes a first power transmitting electrode tooth section 221 , and the power receiving electrode section 300 includes a first power receiving electrode tooth section 321 , a second power receiving electrode tooth section 322 and a power receiving electrode connection section 330 . A first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the first power receiving electrode teeth 321 and the first power transmitting electrode teeth 221, and a first capacitance SC1 is formed in this region. A first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the first power transmitting electrode teeth 221 and the second power receiving electrode teeth 322, and a second capacitance SC2 is formed in this region. Furthermore, a second dielectric DE2 is provided on each of the surfaces where the tooth end portion 221T of the first power transmitting electrode tooth portion 221 and the power receiving electrode connecting portion 330 face each other, and a third capacitance SC3 is formed in this region.

[0022] Next, a case will be described in which the number of teeth of the power transmitting electrode tooth portion 220 of the non-contact power supply device 100 in FIG. 5 is two and the number of teeth of the power transmitting electrode tooth portion 220 is three, that is, a case in which one power transmitting electrode tooth portion 220 and one power receiving electrode tooth portion 320 are added to the configuration in FIG. 4 .

[0023] The power transmitting electrode section 200 includes a first power transmitting electrode tooth section 221, a second power transmitting electrode tooth section 222, and a power transmitting electrode connection section 230. The power receiving electrode section 300 includes a first power receiving electrode tooth section 321, a second power receiving electrode tooth section 322, a third power receiving electrode tooth section 323, and a power receiving electrode connection section 330. A first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the first power receiving electrode teeth 321 and the first power transmitting electrode teeth 221, and a first capacitance SC1 is formed in this region. A first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the first power transmitting electrode teeth 221 and the second power receiving electrode teeth 322, and a second capacitance SC2 is formed in this region. A first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the second power receiving electrode teeth 322 and the second power transmitting electrode teeth 222, and a first capacitance SC1 is formed in this region. Furthermore, a first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the second power transmitting electrode teeth 222 and the third power receiving electrode teeth 323, and a second capacitance SC2 is formed in this region.

[0024] A second dielectric DE2 is provided on each of the surfaces where the tooth end portion 221T of the first power transmitting electrode tooth portion 221 and the power receiving electrode connecting portion 330 face each other, and a third capacitance SC3 is formed in this region. Further, a second dielectric DE2 is provided on each of the surfaces where the tooth end portion 322T of the second power receiving electrode tooth portion 322 and the power transmitting electrode connecting portion 230 face each other, and a fourth capacitance SC4 is formed in this region. Furthermore, a second dielectric DE2 is provided on each of the surfaces where the tooth end portion 222T of the second power transmitting electrode tooth portion 222 and the power receiving electrode coupling portion 330 face each other, and a third capacitance SC3 is formed in this region.

[0025] 5, in addition to a first capacitance SC1 and a second capacitance SC2 coupled between the teeth of the power transmitting electrode teeth 220 and the power receiving electrode teeth 320, and a third capacitance SC3 coupled between the power transmitting electrode teeth 220 and the power receiving electrode connecting portion 330, a fourth capacitance SC4 coupled between the power receiving electrode teeth 320 and the power transmitting electrode connecting portion 230 is formed. As a result, it is possible to increase the ratio of the coupling capacitance (third capacitance SC3 and fourth capacitance SC4) between the power transmitting electrode teeth and the power receiving electrode connecting portion, and between the power receiving electrode teeth and the power transmitting electrode connecting portion, to the overall coupling capacitance.

[0026] In the above description, the first dielectric DE1 is formed by the power transmitting electrode teeth portion 220 and the power receiving electrode teeth portion 320. Opposite In the above description, it is assumed that the first dielectric DE1 and the second dielectric DE2 are disposed over the entire surfaces where the power transmitting electrode teeth portion 220 and the power receiving electrode connecting portion 330 face each other, and the second dielectric DE2 is disposed over the entire surfaces where the power receiving electrode teeth portion 320 and the power transmitting electrode connecting portion 230 face each other. However, the same effect can be obtained even if the first dielectric DE1 and the second dielectric DE2 are disposed over part of the facing surfaces rather than over the entire surfaces.

[0027] Here, the features and effects of the contactless power supply device of the first embodiment will be summarized. The power transmission electrode and power receiving electrode of the contactless power supply device in the electric field coupling method are comb-shaped. By utilizing the characteristics of the four types of coupling capacitance (first capacitance to fourth capacitance) formed between the power transmission electrode and the power receiving electrode, the decrease in coupling capacitance is suppressed, and high stability against vibration of the moving body is obtained. Specifically, a dielectric is provided on a surface that defines an opposing region between the power transmitting electrode teeth and the power receiving electrode teeth, and on a surface that defines an opposing region between the power transmitting electrode teeth and the power receiving electrode connector, and on a surface that defines an opposing region between the power receiving electrode teeth and the power transmitting electrode connector. As a result, the dielectric functions as an insulator, thereby increasing the breakdown voltage and reducing the separation distance, thereby increasing the coupling capacitance.

[0028] As described above, the contactless power supply device of the first embodiment can realize a contactless power supply device having an electrode structure in which a variation in coupling capacitance is suppressed in response to a variation in separation distance, and the coupling capacitance can be increased.

[0029] Embodiment 2 In the second embodiment, the parameters of the electrode structure of the contactless power supply device are adjusted to optimize the coupling capacitance.

[0030] The non-contact power supply device of embodiment 2 will be described focusing on the differences from embodiment 1, with reference to FIG. 6 which is an explanatory diagram of the electrode structure of the non-contact power supply device, FIG. 7 which is an explanatory diagram of electrode structure conditions, FIGS. 8 and 9 which are explanatory diagrams of changes in electrode capacitance, FIG. 10 which is an explanatory diagram of the dielectric characteristics of the electrodes, and FIG. 11 which is a summary of changes in capacitance for each electrode condition. In the configuration diagram of the second embodiment, the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0031] FIG. 6 defines the parameters (thickness of dielectric, separation distance, facing area, and amount of deviation) that are prerequisites for optimizing the coupling capacitance by adjusting the parameters of the electrode structure of the contactless power transfer device. 6, the thickness of the first dielectric DE1 is denoted by dDE1, the thickness of the second dielectric DE2 is denoted by dDE2, the relative dielectric constant of the first dielectric DE1 is denoted by εs1, and the relative dielectric constant of the second dielectric DE2 is denoted by εs2. The regions in which the first capacitance SC1 and the second capacitance SC2 are formed have a separation distance d1 and an opposing area S1, while the regions in which the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 are formed have a separation distance d2 and an opposing area S2. The positional fluctuation caused by the vibration of the mobile body 1002 traveling on an orbit around the fixed body 1001 is represented by a, with the vertical (Z direction) component in FIG. 6 being dominant over the horizontal (Y direction) component.

[0032] If the total coupling capacitance of the non-contact power supply electrode section 150 is C0, the coupling capacitance of the first capacitance SC1 is C1, the coupling capacitance of the second capacitance SC2 is C2, and the coupling capacitance of the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 is C3, then the respective capacitances are expressed by the following formulas (1) to (4). Note that the unit of each formula is [F]. Note that this disclosure is directed to a non-contact power supply device 100 having a configuration in which m is 2 or more in the relationship of m=n-1.

[0033] C0 = C1 + C2 + C3 (1) C1=(ε0εs1S1) / (2dDE1+εs1(d1-a))×m ···(2) C2=(ε0εs1S1) / (2dDE1+εs1(d1+a))×m ···(3) C3=(ε0εs2S2) / (2dDE2+εs2d2)×(2m-1)···(4)

[0034] As can be seen from equations (1) to (4), the first capacitance SC1 and the second capacitance SC2 change depending on the deviation a of the separation distance caused by vibration, but the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 do not change depending on a.

[0035] Figure 7 shows the conditions for each parameter of the electrode structure. Six conditions are set, Condition 1 to Condition 6. Note that the conditions are set on the premise that the opposing areas S1 and S2 generally have a relationship of S1>S2, from the viewpoint of efficiently obtaining coupling capacitance. FIG. 8 shows the proportions of the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 (C3) to the total coupling capacitance (C0) corresponding to these six conditions. FIG. 9 shows the overall coupling capacitance (C0) corresponding to these six conditions. 8 and 9, condition 1 is represented by a thin solid line, condition 2 by a thin dashed dot line, condition 3 by a thin dashed two-dot line, condition 4 by a thick solid line, condition 5 by a thick dashed dot line, and condition 6 by a thick dashed two-dot line. In addition, in Figures 8 and 9, the curves for conditions 2 and 3 overlap, so they are drawn with the line for condition 3 (thin dashed two-dot line), and the curves for conditions 5 and 6 overlap, so they are drawn with the line for condition 6 (thick dashed two-dot line).

[0036] Next, the changes in each parameter and their characteristics will be described for each condition in Figure 7 with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Note that the "thickness of the dielectric" will be appropriately written as "dielectric thickness". [Condition 1] From Fig. 7, the number of teeth of the power transmission electrode m is 1, the facing area S1 is 1000 mm2, S2 is 300 mm2, and the separation distances d1 and d2 are 6 mm. Note that no dielectric is inserted. From Figure 8, the proportion of C3 to C0 at a = 0 mm is 13.0%, and from Figure 9, C0 at a = 0 mm is 3.4 pF, and the rate of change of C0 when a is shifted from 0 to 3 mm is +29.0%.

[0037] [Condition 2] As shown in Fig. 7, in condition 2, the number of teeth m of the power transmitting electrode in condition 1 is changed from 1 to 2. No dielectric is inserted. From Figure 8, the proportion of C3 to C0 at a = 0 mm is 18.4%, and from Figure 9, C0 at a = 0 mm is 7.2 pF, and the rate of change of C0 when a is shifted from 0 to 3 mm is +27.2%. This result shows that by setting m to 2 or more for condition 1, an increase in the coupling capacitance and a reduction in the rate of change of C0 due to the value of a are achieved.

[0038] [Condition 3] In condition 3, the separation distances d1 and d2 in condition 2 are changed from 6 mm to 4.5 mm, and the first dielectric DE1 and second dielectric DE2 are inserted. The relative dielectric constants εs1 and εs2 are 2.67, and the dielectric thicknesses dDE1 and dDE2 are 2 mm. From Figure 8, the proportion of C3 to C0 at a = 0 mm is 18.4%, and from Figure 9, C0 at a = 0 mm is 7.2 pF, and the rate of change of C0 when a is shifted from 0 to 3 mm is +27.2%. This result is similar to that of condition 2, and indicates that the separation distance can be reduced by inserting a dielectric.

[0039] [Condition 4] 7, in condition 4, the relative dielectric constant of the first dielectric DE1 in condition 3 is changed from 2.67 to 2, and the relative dielectric constant of the second dielectric DE2 is changed from 2.67 to 100. From Figure 8, the proportion of C3 to C0 at a = 0 mm is 24.4%, and from Figure 9, C0 at a = 0 mm is 7.2 pF, and the rate of change of C0 when a is shifted from 0 to 3 mm is +20.5%. This result shows that while maintaining the same coupling capacitance for condition 3, a reduction in the rate of variation of C0 depending on the value of a is achieved.

[0040] [Condition 5] As shown in FIG. 7, in condition 5, the separation distances d1 and d2 in condition 4 are changed from 4.5 mm to 3.2 mm, and the dielectric thickness of the first dielectric is changed from 2 mm to 3.3 mm. From Figure 8, the proportion of C3 to C0 at a = 0 mm is 31.1%, and from Figure 9, C0 at a = 0 mm is 7.9 pF, and the rate of change of C0 when a is shifted from 0 to 3 mm is +18.7%. This result shows that, for condition 4, it is possible to further increase the proportion of C3 relative to C0 at a = 0 mm by making the separation distances d1 and d2 closer together and increasing the dielectric thickness dDE1 of the first dielectric DE1.

[0041] [Condition 6] As shown in FIG. 7, in condition 6, the dielectric thickness of the first dielectric in condition 5 is returned from 3.3 mm to 2 mm, and the separation distance d1 is changed from 3.3 mm to 4.5 mm. From Figure 8, the proportion of C3 to C0 at a = 0 mm is 31.1%, and from Figure 9, C0 at a = 0 mm is 7.9 pF, and the rate of change of C0 when a is shifted from 0 to 3 mm is +18.7%. This result shows that for condition 4, by keeping the dielectric thicknesses dDE1 and dDE2 at the same value (2 mm) and reducing the separation distance d2 from 4.5 mm to 3.3 mm, it is possible to further increase the proportion of C3 relative to C0 at a = 0 mm. Condition 6 also shows that it is a different aspect of condition 5, since it has the same C0 and the same ratio of C3 to C0 as condition 5.

[0042] The dielectric constant of the first dielectric DE1 is set to 2 and 2.67. This dielectric constant value assumes the use of polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate, which are polypropylene-based materials. The second dielectric DE2 has a relative dielectric constant of 100. This relative dielectric constant value assumes the use of titanium oxide or barium titanate, which are barium titanate-based materials. For reference, typical dielectrics and their relative dielectric constants are shown in Figure 10. Note that this list is quoted from (https: / / www.aictech-inc.com / information / capacitor_foundation03.html). In FIG. 10, "A" indicates a candidate for the first dielectric, and "B" indicates a candidate for the second dielectric.

[0043] The results of the investigation of conditions 1 to 6 described above are summarized in FIG. Conditions 1 and 2 are cases where no dielectric is used. Condition 3 is a case where dielectrics with the same dielectric constant are inserted into the surfaces forming C1 to C3. Conditions 4 to 6 are cases where dielectrics with different dielectric constants are inserted into the surfaces forming C1 and C2 and the surface forming C3. From FIG. 11, it can be seen that by setting the number m of the power transmitting electrode teeth 220 of the power transmitting electrode unit 200 to 2 or more and inserting dielectrics with different dielectric constants, it is possible to suppress the decrease in coupling capacitance and realize an electrode structure that has high stability against vibrations of the moving body 1002.

[0044] The configuration and features of the contactless power supply electrode that embodies the above-mentioned study results will be described below. When the dielectric provided on the surface forming the first capacitance SC1 and the second capacitance SC2 is defined as a first dielectric DE1, and the dielectric provided on the surface forming the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 is defined as a second dielectric DE2, it is effective to use a dielectric material having a relative dielectric constant of the second dielectric DE2 higher than the relative dielectric constant of the first dielectric DE1. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the rate of change of the entire coupling capacitance (C0) and increase the proportion of the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 (C3) in the entire coupling capacitance (C0).

[0045] In the case where the first dielectric DE1 has a relative dielectric constant of 2 and the second dielectric DE2 has a relative dielectric constant of 100, the standard value of the separation distance between the surfaces forming the first capacitance SC1 and the second capacitance SC2 is 4.5 mm, the standard value of the separation distance between the surfaces forming the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 is 4.5 mm, the standard value of the thickness of the first dielectric DE1 is 2 mm, and the standard value of the thickness of the second dielectric DE2 is 2 mm, it is effective to set the separation distance between the surfaces forming the first capacitance SC1 and the second capacitance SC2 and the separation distance between the surfaces forming the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 to the same value of 3.2 mm which is smaller than the standard value of 4.5 mm, and to set the thickness of the first dielectric DE1 to a value of 3.3 mm which is larger than the standard value of 2 mm. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the rate of change of the entire coupling capacitance (C0) and increase the proportion of the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 (C3) in the entire coupling capacitance (C0).

[0046] In addition, when the relative dielectric constant of the first dielectric DE1 is 2 and the relative dielectric constant of the second dielectric DE2 is 100, if the standard value of the separation distance between the surfaces forming the first capacitance SC1 and the second capacitance SC2 is 4.5 mm, the standard value of the separation distance between the surfaces forming the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 is 4.5 mm, the standard value of the thickness of the first dielectric DE1 is 2 mm, and the standard value of the thickness of the second dielectric DE2 is 2 mm, it is also effective to set the separation distance between the surfaces forming the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 to a value of 3.2 mm, which is smaller than the standard value of 4.5 mm. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the rate of change of the entire coupling capacitance (C0) and increase the proportion of the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 (C3) in the entire coupling capacitance (C0).

[0047] As described above, the contactless power supply device of the second embodiment can realize a contactless power supply device with an electrode structure that can increase the coupling capacitance by suppressing the decrease in the coupling capacitance and suppressing the variation in the coupling capacitance with respect to the variation in the separation distance. Furthermore, by selecting appropriate parameters, the coupling capacitance can be optimized.

[0048] Embodiment 3 In the third embodiment, the non-contact power supply electrode portion is made lighter and smaller in size.

[0049] The contactless power supply device of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12 which is an explanatory diagram of the electrode structure, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the configuration diagram of the third embodiment, the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals. In order to distinguish from the first embodiment, in the third embodiment, for example, the non-contact power supply device 100A, the power transmitting electrode unit 200A, and the power receiving electrode unit 300A are named with "A" added.

[0050] Figure 12 shows the main parts of Figure 5, and the configuration is the same as that described below. If the dimensions of each part change, the capacity of that area also changes, so they are not strictly the same, but for the sake of clarity, only the components are distinguished.

[0051] The power transmitting electrode section 200A includes a first power transmitting electrode tooth section 221A and a power transmitting electrode connecting section 230A. The power receiving electrode section 300A includes a first power receiving electrode tooth section 321A, a second power receiving electrode tooth section 322A, and a power receiving electrode connecting section 330A. A first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the first power receiving electrode teeth portion 321A and the first power transmitting electrode teeth portion 221A, and a first capacitance SC1 is formed in this region. A first dielectric DE1 is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the first power transmitting electrode teeth 221A and the second power receiving electrode teeth 322A, and a second capacitance SC2 is formed in this region.

[0052] A second dielectric DE2 is provided on each of the surfaces where the tooth end portion 221AT of the first power transmitting electrode tooth portion 221A and the power receiving electrode coupling portion 330A face each other, and a third capacitance SC3 is formed in this region. Further, a second dielectric DE2 is provided on each of the surfaces where the tooth end portion 322AT of the second power receiving electrode tooth portion 322A and the power transmitting electrode coupling portion 230A face each other, and a fourth capacitance SC4 is formed in this region.

[0053] The features of the non-contact power supply electrode section 150A of the third embodiment will be described. The opposing area S2 of the regions forming the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4 and the separation distance d2 are the same as those in FIG. The thickness in the Z direction of the tooth end 221AT of the first power transmitting electrode tooth portion 221A is the same as that in FIG. 5, but the thickness in the Z direction from the power transmitting electrode connection portion 230A to this end is made smaller. The thickness in the Z direction of the tooth end 322AT of the second power receiving electrode tooth portion 322A is the same as that in FIG. 5, but the thickness in the Z direction from the power receiving electrode connection portion 330A to this end is made smaller. Furthermore, the thickness of the first power receiving electrode teeth portion 321A in the Z direction is reduced. In other words, the power transmitting electrode teeth portion 220A and the power receiving electrode teeth portion 320A are thinned except for the tooth end portions. The length in the X direction of the tooth end 221AT of the first power transmitting electrode tooth portion 221A and the length in the X direction of the tooth end 322AT of the second power receiving electrode tooth portion 322A may be any dimension that can reliably fix the second dielectric DE2.

[0054] With this structure, there is no need to increase the thickness of the teeth in order to increase the third capacitance SC3 and the fourth capacitance SC4, and the non-contact power supply electrode section 150A can be made lighter and smaller, and the cost can be reduced.

[0055] As described above, the contactless power supply device of the third embodiment can suppress the decrease in coupling capacitance while suppressing the variation in coupling capacitance with respect to the variation in the separation distance, and can realize a contactless power supply device with an electrode structure that can increase the coupling capacitance. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the weight, size, and cost of the contactless power supply device.

[0056] Although the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments and examples, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to application to a particular embodiment, but may be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless modifications not exemplified are assumed within the scope of the technology disclosed in this specification, including, for example, modifying, adding, or omitting at least one component, and further, extracting at least one component and combining it with a component of another embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100 non-contact power supply device, 150 non-contact power supply electrode section, 160 power transmission circuit, 161 electric wire, 170 power reception circuit, 171 electric wire, 200 power transmission electrode section, 220 power transmission electrode tooth section, 230 power transmission electrode connection section, 221 first power transmission electrode tooth section, 222 second power transmission electrode tooth section, 300 power reception electrode section, 320 power reception electrode tooth section, 321 first power reception electrode tooth section, 322 second power reception electrode tooth section, 323 third power reception electrode tooth section, 330 power reception electrode connection section, 1000 linear transport system, 1001 fixed body, 1002 moving body, 1001P support base, 1002W wheel, DE1 first dielectric, DE2 second dielectric, SC1 first capacitance, SC2 second capacitance, SC3 third capacitance, SC4 fourth capacitance, d1 Separation distance, d2 separation distance, dDE1 thickness of first dielectric, dDE2 thickness of second dielectric, S1 opposing area, S2 opposing area, 100A non-contact power supply device, 150A non-contact power supply electrode portion, 200A power transmitting electrode portion, 221A first power transmitting electrode tooth portion, 230A power transmitting electrode connection portion, 300A power receiving electrode portion, 321A first power receiving electrode tooth portion, 322A second power receiving electrode tooth portion, 330A power receiving electrode connection portion.

Claims

1. a fixed body, and a movable body that is installed so as to be movable relative to the fixed body; a power transmitting electrode unit that is installed parallel to the direction of movement of the moving body, and a power receiving electrode unit that is installed on the moving body and capacitively coupled to the power transmitting electrode unit, the power transmitting electrode portion has a plurality of power transmitting electrode teeth, the power receiving electrode portion has a plurality of power receiving electrode teeth, a power transmitting electrode connecting portion that connects the power transmitting electrode teeth to form a single structure, and a power receiving electrode connecting portion that connects the power receiving electrode teeth to form a single structure, the power transmitting electrode teeth and the power receiving electrode teeth facing each other at a constant interval, a first capacitance is formed in a region where a first power transmitting electrode tooth portion of the power transmitting electrode portion and a first power receiving electrode tooth portion of the power receiving electrode portion face each other; a second capacitance is formed in a region where a first power transmitting electrode tooth portion of the power transmitting electrode portion and a second power receiving electrode tooth portion of the power receiving electrode portion face each other; a third capacitance is formed in an opposing region between an end portion of the first power transmitting electrode tooth portion of the power transmitting electrode portion and a power receiving electrode connection portion of the power receiving electrode portion; a fourth capacitance is formed in an opposing region between an end portion of a second power receiving electrode tooth portion of the power receiving electrode portion and a power transmitting electrode connection portion of the power transmitting electrode portion, and power is supplied through the fourth capacitance, Among the power transmitting electrode teeth and the power transmitting electrode connecting portion of the power transmitting electrode portion, and the power receiving electrode teeth and the power receiving electrode connecting portion of the power receiving electrode portion, A contactless power supply device in which a dielectric is provided on at least a portion of a surface forming the first capacitance, at least a portion of a surface forming the second capacitance, at least a portion of a surface forming the third capacitance, and at least a portion of a surface forming the fourth capacitance.

2. A contactless power supply device as described in claim 1, wherein the dielectric is installed on the entire surface where the power transmitting electrode portion and the power receiving electrode portion face each other, the entire surface where the power transmitting electrode tooth portion and the power receiving electrode connecting portion face each other, and the entire surface where the power receiving electrode tooth portion and the power transmitting electrode connecting portion face each other.

3. When the dielectric provided on both the surfaces forming the first capacitance and the second capacitance is defined as a first dielectric, and the dielectric provided on both the surfaces forming the third capacitance and the fourth capacitance is defined as a second dielectric, 3. The contactless power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric has a dielectric constant equal to the dielectric constant of the first dielectric.

4. A contactless power supply device as described in claim 3, wherein the thickness of the second dielectric is the same as the thickness of the first dielectric.

5. When a dielectric provided on one or both of the surfaces forming the first capacitance and the second capacitance is defined as a first dielectric, and a dielectric provided on one or both of the surfaces forming the third capacitance and the fourth capacitance is defined as a second dielectric, 3. The contactless power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the second dielectric is made of a material having a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric.

6. When a standard value of the separation distance between the surfaces forming the first capacitor, the second capacitor, the third capacitor, and the fourth capacitor is set to a first standard value, and a standard value of the thickness of the first dielectric and the thickness of the second dielectric is set to a second standard value, a separation distance between the surfaces forming the first capacitor, the second capacitor, the third capacitor, and the fourth capacitor is smaller than the first standard value; The contactless power supply device according to claim 5 , wherein the thickness of the first dielectric is greater than the second standard value.

7. When a standard value of the separation distance between the surfaces forming the first capacitor, the second capacitor, the third capacitor, and the fourth capacitor is set to a first standard value, and a standard value of the thickness of the first dielectric and the thickness of the second dielectric is set to a second standard value, The contactless power supply device according to claim 5 , wherein a separation distance between the surfaces forming the third capacitor and the fourth capacitor is smaller than the first standard value.

8. 6. The contactless power supply device according to claim 5, wherein the first dielectric material is a propylene-based material, and the second dielectric material is a barium titanate-based material.

9. When the direction in which the power transmitting electrode teeth and the power receiving electrode teeth face each other is defined as the facing direction, the power transmitting electrode tooth portion facing the power receiving electrode connection portion has a thickness in the facing direction from the power transmitting electrode connection portion to an end of the power transmitting electrode tooth portion that is smaller than a thickness of the end of the power transmitting electrode tooth portion, the power receiving electrode tooth portion facing the power transmitting electrode connection portion has a thickness in the facing direction from the power receiving electrode connection portion to an end of the power receiving electrode tooth portion that is smaller than a thickness of the end of the power receiving electrode tooth portion, 3. The contactless power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the power receiving electrode tooth portion that does not face the power transmitting electrode connecting portion has a thickness in the facing direction that is the same as a thickness of the power receiving electrode tooth portion that faces the power transmitting electrode connecting portion.

10. When the direction in which the power transmitting electrode teeth portion and the power receiving electrode teeth portion face each other is defined as the facing direction, the power transmitting electrode tooth portion facing the power receiving electrode connection portion has a thickness in the facing direction from the power transmitting electrode connection portion to an end of the power transmitting electrode tooth portion that is smaller than a thickness of the end of the power transmitting electrode tooth portion, the power receiving electrode tooth portion facing the power transmitting electrode connection portion has a thickness in the facing direction from the power receiving electrode connection portion to an end of the power receiving electrode tooth portion that is smaller than a thickness of the end of the power receiving electrode tooth portion, 6. The contactless power supply device according to claim 5, wherein the power receiving electrode tooth portion that does not face the power transmitting electrode connecting portion has a thickness in the facing direction that is the same as a thickness of the power receiving electrode tooth portion that faces the power transmitting electrode connecting portion.

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