Wheel type power reception body

Abstract

A wheel-type power reception body (10) comprises a tire (80) in which an annular tread section (80b) is provided that forms a tread surface (80a). A conductive band (60) is a conductive and flexible band-shaped member and is continuously disposed in the circumferential direction. A plurality of conductors (83) are each disposed so as to penetrate the tread section (80b) and are electrically connected to the conductive band (60).

Description

Wheel-type power receiver

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel-type power receiver that receives power from a power feeder installed on a road surface.

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 51-023901 (Patent Document 1) discloses a wheel-type power receiver including a plurality of electrodes (3) each having one end embedded in a tire (1), a connection wire (5) that passes through a hollow portion inside the tire and is electrically connected to a vehicle, and power transmission lines (4a, 4b) that electrically connect one end of the electrode (3) to the connection wire (5) and form two or more series of current collecting circuits.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 51-023901

[0004] Patent Document 1 uses an elastic tire. This allows the tire's contact surface to deform in response to bumps or protrusions on the road surface, maintaining a stable contact state and facilitating stable power reception. However, in Patent Document 1, multiple power transmission lines forming a current collecting circuit are entirely embedded in the elastic tire. Therefore, Patent Document 1 has a problem in that if the number of power transmission lines is increased or the diameter of the power transmission lines is increased to increase the amount of power that can be received, the multiple power transmission lines will hinder the elastic deformation of the tire.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a wheel-type power receiver that can easily ensure the ease of elastic deformation of the tire.

[0006] The wheel-type power receiver of the present disclosure is a wheel-type power receiver that receives power from a power supplier installed on the surface of a road so as to extend along the road by rolling on the surface of the power supplier, and comprises: a tire made of an elastic material and having an internal chamber; a conductive band arranged in the internal chamber; and a plurality of conductors distributed along a tread surface, which is the outer peripheral surface of the tire; the tire has an annular tread portion that forms the tread surface; the conductive band is a strip-shaped member that is conductive and flexible and is arranged continuously along the circumferential direction of the tire; and each of the plurality of conductors is arranged to penetrate the tread portion and is electrically connected to the conductive band.

[0007] According to this configuration, each of the multiple conductors distributed along the tread surface of the tire is arranged to penetrate the tread portion, so that even when the tire is rotating, the portion of any conductor exposed to the tread surface can come into contact with the power supply and receive power from the power supply. Furthermore, each of the multiple conductors is electrically connected to a conductive band arranged continuously around the tire, which makes it easier to increase the reliability of the conductive connection of the conductive path for receiving power from the multiple conductors. Furthermore, because the conductive band is a flexible strip-shaped member arranged inside the tire, it is easy to ensure the tire's elastic deformation while enabling connections between the multiple conductors and the conductive band.

[0008] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling mechanism of FIG. 2 in a contact position; sectional view showing the coupling mechanism of FIG. 2 in a contracted position; sectional view showing the coupling mechanism of FIG. 2 in a rollover position; sectional view showing the coupling mechanism of FIG. 2 in a stored position; sectional view showing the coupling mechanism of FIG. 2 in a contact position; 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII of the wheel-type power receiver of FIG. 17; 17 is a view showing a state in which the wheel-type power receiver has rotated; 18 is a view showing a state in which the wheel-type power receiver has rotated;

[0009] First Embodiment A wheel-type power receiver 10 (hereinafter referred to as power receiver 10) according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a top view of a power supply system 101 including a power receiving device 12. Fig. 2 is a side view of the power supply system 101 including the power receiving device 12. A power receiving body 10 is provided in the power receiving device 12. The power receiving device 12 is mounted on a vehicle 11, and receives a supply of power from a power supply facility 30 while the vehicle 11 is traveling. The power supply facility 30 includes a power supply body 32. Here, the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle 11 is defined as the "vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX," and the direction perpendicular to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX when viewed in the up-and-down direction (vertical direction) is defined as the "vehicle width direction VY."

[0011] 1 and 2 , the power receiving device 12 is provided in a power supply system 101 that supplies power to a moving power supply target 103. The power supply system 101 includes a power supply facility 30 that supplies power, a power supply target 103 that receives power from the power supply facility 30, and a power receiver 10. The power receiver 10 forms a conductive path for supplying power from the power supply facility 30 to the power supply target 103.

[0012] The power receiver 10 receives power from the power feeder 32 by rolling on the surface 32a of the power feeder 32. In this embodiment, the surface 32a on which the power receiver 10 rolls is the upper surface of the power feeder 32. The power feeder 32 is installed on the road surface 20a of the road 20 so as to extend along the road 20. Here, with respect to the shape of a member, the phrase "extending along a certain direction" does not necessarily mean that the direction is taken as a reference direction and the extension direction of the member is parallel to the reference direction. The extension direction of the entire member or a part of the member may intersect the reference direction, and the concept also includes a shape in which the extension direction of the entire member is within a predetermined range (e.g., 45 degrees or less) with respect to the reference direction. In the illustrated example, the vehicle longitudinal direction VX and the extension direction of the power feeder 32 along the road 20 are the same direction.

[0013] In this embodiment, the power supply equipment 30 includes a power source 34 and a power supply body 32. The power source 34 includes a battery, a commercial power system, a private power generation device, and other systems capable of supplying power. The power supply body 32 includes rails, cables, and other components that form a path through which current from the power source 34 flows. In this embodiment, the power supply body 32 is connected to the power source 34 by an electric wire 36 to receive power. The power supply body 32 is connected to, for example, a remote power source 34 by the electric wire 36 to receive power, and supplies power to the power receiving device 12 by coming into contact with the power receiving body 10 provided in the power receiving device 12.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the power supply body 32 is installed on the road surface 20a of the road 20 so as to extend along the road 20. The road 20 includes a path along which the power supply target 103 passes. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the power supply body 32 is buried in the road 20. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , an insulator 38 for insulating the power supply body 32 from the road 20 is buried in the road 20 together with the power supply body 32. In the illustrated example, the plate-shaped power supply body 32 and the insulator 38 for insulating the power supply body 32 from the road 20 are installed in a groove 24 dug in the road surface 20a and extending in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX. In the present embodiment, the surface 32a of the power supply body 32 that contacts the power receiver 10 and the road surface 20a are at the same height.

[0015] In this embodiment, the vehicle 11 is equipped with a power supply detector 18 for detecting the power supply 32 in order to obtain the positional relationship between the vehicle 11 and the power supply 32 in the vehicle width direction VY. The power supply detector 18 may be a photographing device that photographs the imaging range E1 including the road surface 20a, or a dedicated sensor for detecting the power supply 32. When the power supply detector 18 is a photographing device, the power supply 32 is detected from the captured image including the road surface 20a, for example, by image recognition. In the illustrated example, the power supply detector 18 is a front camera that photographs the imaging range E1 including the road surface 20a in front of the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction VX. However, the power supply detector 18 may also be a rear camera that photographs the imaging range including the road surface 20a behind the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction VX. The vehicle 11 equipped with the power receiving device 12 may be, for example, an electric vehicle using a rotating electric machine as a driving source. The rotating electric machine receives power from the power receiving device 12 to rotate the wheels 16.

[0016] 2, the vehicle 11 is provided with a vehicle-side power receiving terminal 45. The power supplied to the power receiving device 12 is supplied to electronic devices (e.g., a driving source, a storage battery, a control device of the vehicle 11, etc.) provided in the vehicle 11 via the vehicle-side power receiving terminal 45. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 41 is fixed to a body 14 of the vehicle 11. Examples of the body 14 include a monocoque body and a ladder frame body.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , the power receiving device 12 includes a base member 42 that is attached to the vehicle 11. The base member 42 is attached to the underside 11b of the vehicle 11. In this embodiment, the base member 42 is attached to the vehicle 11 via an attachment portion 41. The attachment portion 41 is a member that extends in the vehicle width direction VY. The base member 42 is a member that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction VX. Note that the base member 42 may be attached to the vehicle 11 without the attachment portion 41.

[0018] The power receiving device 12 includes a power receiving body 10 that receives power by contacting a power supply body 32. The power receiving device 12 includes a connecting mechanism 43 that connects a base member 42 and the power receiving body 10. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the connecting mechanism 43 in a contact position P1. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the connecting mechanism 43 in a contracted position P2. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the connecting mechanism 43 in a stored position P3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the connecting mechanism 43 in a rolled-over state. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 5.

[0019] The coupling mechanism 43 is changed by a drive mechanism 70 (described later) between a contact position P1 in which the power receiver 10 is in contact with the power feeder 32 and a storage position P3 in which the power receiver 10 is separated from the power feeder 32. The coupling mechanism 43 includes a coupling member 51 that couples the base member 42 and the support arm 52. The coupling member 51 is coupled to the base member 42 so as to be swingable about a roll axis A3 that extends in a direction intersecting the swing axis A1 in the contact position P1 when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0020] The connecting mechanism 43 includes a support arm 52 that supports the power receiving body 10. The connecting mechanism 43 is configured so that the power receiving body 10 is suspended by the support arm 52 when in the contact position P1. In this embodiment, the support arm 52 is a strip-shaped member with a rectangular cross section, but it may be a member with another flat shape, such as an elliptical cross section. The support arm 52 may be a hollow member. Here, a hollow member also includes a member formed by stacking two or more strip-shaped members with a gap between them. Here, the direction in which the support arm 52 extends is referred to as the "extension direction D," the direction along the oscillation axis A1 is referred to as the "first width direction Y," and the direction perpendicular to both the extension direction D and the first width direction Y is referred to as the "thickness direction X."

[0021] In this embodiment, the support arm 52 is connected to the connecting member 51 so as to be swingable about the swing axis A1. As shown in FIG. 3 , in the contact position P1, the extension direction D of the support arm 52 is inclined downward Z2 and toward the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX as it extends from the swing axis A1 toward the power receiver 10. In the contact position P1, the swing axis A1 is disposed along the vehicle width direction VY. In the contact position P1, the first width direction Y is a direction along the vehicle width direction VY. In this embodiment, in the contact position P1, the first width direction Y is parallel to the vehicle width direction VY. In the storage position P3, the first width direction Y is a direction along the up-down direction Z. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , in the contact position P1, the first width direction Y is parallel to the up-down direction Z.

[0022] The connecting mechanism 43 is configured to roll the support arm 52 about a roll axis A3 that runs along a direction intersecting the swing axis A1 of the contact position P1 when viewed in the up-down direction, so that the first width direction Y of the support arm 52 is aligned along the horizontal direction in the contact position P1 and the first width direction Y of the support arm 52 is aligned along the up-down direction Z in the storage position P3. Note that the first width direction Y in the contact position P1 does not have to be parallel to the horizontal direction and may be inclined relative to the parallel direction. The first width direction Y in the storage position P3 does not have to be parallel to the up-down direction Z and may be inclined relative to the parallel direction.

[0023] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the rollover axis A3 is along the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX, but it may also be along the vehicle width direction VY. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the rollover axis A3 is horizontal, but it may also be inclined relative to the horizontal. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the rollover axis A3 is perpendicular to the swing axis A1 when viewed from the up-down direction, but it does not have to be perpendicular to the swing axis A1 as long as it intersects with the swing axis A1. The rollover of the support arm 52 may be a rollover of the connecting member 51 relative to the base member 42, or may be a bending and swinging of the support arm 52 around the rollover axis A3.

[0024] The power receiving device 12 includes a drive mechanism 70 that changes the position of the connecting mechanism 43 between a contact position P1 in which the power receiving body 10 is in contact with the power supply body 32 and a storage position P3 in which the power receiving body 10 is separated from the power supply body 32. The drive mechanism 70 is configured to be capable of a rolling operation that swings the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 about the rolling axis A3 so that in the contact position P1, the power receiving body 10 is suspended by the support arm 52 and the swing axis A1 of the support arm 52 is in a first position Pb1 along the horizontal direction, and in the storage position P3, the swing axis A1 of the support arm 52 is in a third position Pb3 along the vertical direction Z.

[0025] In this embodiment, when the drive mechanism 70 changes the position of the connecting mechanism 43 from the storage position P3 to the contact position P1, it swings the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 to position the first width direction Y of the support arm 52 along the horizontal direction, and then swings the support arm 52 around the swing axis A1 to lower the power receiving body 10.

[0026] In this embodiment, when changing the position of the coupling mechanism 43 from the contact position P1 to the storage position P3, the drive mechanism 70 swings the support arm 52 about the swing axis A1 to raise the power receiving body 10, and then swings the coupling mechanism 43 about the roll axis A3 to set the support arm 52 in a position where the first width direction Y is aligned with the up-down direction Z. Figures 4 and 7 show the state in which the coupling mechanism 43 is in the contracted position P2, i.e., after the support arm 52 has been swung about the swing axis A1 to raise the power receiving body 10, and the first width direction Y of the support arm 52 is aligned with the horizontal direction.

[0027] In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 70 is configured to allow the support arm 52 to swing around the swing axis A1 relative to the connecting member 51 in the contact position P1, while being capable of swing regulation that restricts the swing of the connecting member 51 around the roll axis A3 relative to the base member 42 in both the contact position P1 and the storage position P3.

[0028] The drive mechanism 70 includes a drive device 71 (see FIG. 2 ) and a transmission mechanism 74 that transmits the drive force of the drive device 71 to the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52. The transmission mechanism 74 performs a lowering operation to swing the support arm 52 about the swing axis A1 using the drive force of the drive device 71, thereby lowering the power receiving body 10. The transmission mechanism 74 performs a lifting operation to swing the support arm 52 about the swing axis A1 using the drive force of the drive device 71, thereby lifting the power receiving body 10. Examples of the drive device 71 include a rotating electric machine, a pneumatic pump, a hydraulic pump, and a solenoid actuator.

[0029] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 74 performs a rollover operation by swinging the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 about the rollover axis A3 from the third position Pb3 to the first position Pb1 using the driving force of the drive unit 71. The transmission mechanism 74 performs a rollover operation by swinging the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 about the rollover axis A3 from the first position Pb1 to the third position Pb3 using the driving force of the drive unit 71.

[0030] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 74 is configured to sequentially perform the following operations through the operation of the drive unit 71: an unlocking operation that releases the restriction on the swinging of the connecting member 51 around the rollover axis A3 from the storage position P3; a rolling operation that swings the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 around the rollover axis A3 from the third position Pb3 to the first position Pb1 after the unlocking operation is completed; a locking operation that restricts the swinging of the connecting member 51 around the rollover axis A3 after the rolling operation is completed; and a lowering operation that swings the support arm 52 around the swing axis A1 to lower the power receiving body 10 after the locking operation is completed.

[0031] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 74 is configured to sequentially perform the following operations through the operation of the drive device 71: a lifting operation in which the support arm 52 is swung around the swing axis A1 from the contact position P1 to raise the power receiving body 10; an unlocking operation in which, after the lifting operation is completed, the restriction on the swinging of the connecting member 51 around the rollover axis A3 is released; a rolling operation in which, after the unlocking operation is completed, the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52 are swung around the rollover axis A3 from the first position Pb1 to the third position Pb3; and a locking operation in which, after the rollover operation is completed, the swinging of the connecting member 51 around the rollover axis A3 is restricted.

[0032] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 74 includes a transmission member 75 that moves in a specific transmission direction B by the driving force of the drive device 71. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the transmission mechanism 74 includes a pulley 76. Examples of the transmission member 75 include a wire, a cable, a chain, and a gear.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the transmission mechanism 74 is arranged to pass through the inside of a cylindrical member 79 fixed to the base member 42 or the connecting member 51. One end of the transmission member 75 is fixed to the vehicle body 14, the mounting portion 41, or the base member 42, and the other end is pulled by the drive device 71, causing the support arm 52 to swing about the swing axis A1 and lifting the power receiver 10. The connecting mechanism 43 includes a first elastic member 55 (see FIG. 3 ) that biases the support arm 52 relative to the connecting member 51. The first elastic member 55 biases the support arm 52 relative to the connecting member 51 in a direction that causes the power receiver 10 to descend and contact the power feeder 32. Examples of the first elastic member 55 include a coil spring, a torsion coil spring, and a leaf spring.

[0034] The power supplied from the power feeder 32 to the power receiver 10 is sent to the vehicle-side power receiving terminal 45 (see FIG. 2) via a power transmission wire (not shown). FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the power receiver 10 in FIG. 6. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of the power receiver 10 in FIG. 10. The power receiver 10 is equipped with a tire 80 made of an elastic material. Examples of elastic materials that can be used for the tire 80 include thermosetting elastomers such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, non-conductive elastomers, conductive elastomers, etc.

[0035] The tire 80 has an annular tread portion 80b that forms a tread surface 80a, which is the outer peripheral surface of the tire 80. The tire 80 has an inner chamber 80e inside. Examples of the shape of the tread portion 80b include a cross section having a rounded rectangle, an ellipse, an arc shape such as a perfect circle, a cylindrical shape, a ring shape, etc.

[0036] The power receiver 10 is configured to rotate about a rotation axis A2. In this embodiment, the power receiver 10 is supported by a shaft 81 provided in the power receiving device 12 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis A2. The shaft 81 is fixed to the support arm 52 and supports the power receiver 10 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis A2 via a bearing (not shown). In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the power receiver 10 includes a wheel 82 to which a tire 80 is fixed, and the wheel 82 is supported by the shaft 81 via the bearing. Here, the direction along the rotation axis A2 is referred to as a "second width direction." In this embodiment, the second width direction in the contact position P1 is a direction perpendicular to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX, and the second width direction in the storage position P3 is a direction along the up-down direction Z. In the illustrated example, the second width direction is parallel to the first width direction Y. Therefore, the second width direction is indicated by Y, similar to the first width direction.

[0037] The power receiver 10 includes a plurality of conductors 83 dispersed along a tread surface 80a, which is the outer peripheral surface of the tire 80. Each of the plurality of conductors 83 is arranged so as to penetrate the tread portion 80b. The plurality of conductors 83 are dispersed not only in the circumferential direction of the tread surface 80a but also in the second width direction Y. Examples of the conductors 83 include conductive studs, conductive pins, bolts, conductive threads, conductive wires, etc.

[0038] The power receiver 10 includes a conductive band 60 disposed in the inner chamber 80e. The conductive band 60 is a strip-shaped member that is conductive and flexible. In this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is a knitted fabric using conductive yarn or conductive wire, or a woven fabric using conductive yarn or conductive wire. The conductive band 60 is, for example, cross-knitted.

[0039] Here, the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A2 of the tire 80 is referred to as the "radial direction R." In the "radial direction R," the side closer to the rotation axis A2 of the tire 80 is referred to as the "inner side in the radial direction." The side farther from the rotation axis A2 of the tire 80 is referred to as the "outer side in the radial direction R." The circumferential direction of the tire 80 is referred to as the "circumferential direction."

[0040] The conductive band 60 is arranged continuously along the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is arranged continuously in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface 80f of the tread portion 80b. In this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is arranged continuously around the entire circumference. Note that the conductive band 60 may be divided at one location or at multiple locations. In this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is arranged spaced apart on the inside in the radial direction R with respect to the inner circumferential surface 80f of the tread portion 80b, but may also be arranged so as to be in contact with the inner circumferential surface 80f of the tread portion 80b. The conductive band 60 rotates integrally with the tire 80.

[0041] Each of the multiple conductors 83 is electrically connected to the conductive band 60. In this embodiment, the dimension L1 of the conductive band 60 in the second width direction Y is set so as to overlap the entirety of the multiple conductors 83 dispersedly arranged in the second width direction Y when viewed in the radial direction. The dimension L2 of the tire 80 in the second width direction Y is smaller than the outer diameter of the tire 80. In this manner, the second width direction Y of the tire 80 is aligned with the vertical direction Z in the storage position P3, making it easy to reduce the vertical direction Z dimension of the power receiver 10 in the storage position P3. In this embodiment, at least in the third position Pb3, the dimension L8 of the support arm 52 in the first width direction Y (see FIG. 10) is smaller than the outer diameter of the tire 80. In this embodiment, at least in the third position Pb3, the dimension L9 of the connecting member 51 in the first width direction Y (see FIG. 9) is smaller than the outer diameter of the tire 80. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the dimension of the shaft portion 81 in the second width direction Y is smaller than the outer diameter of the tire 80.

[0042] In this embodiment, at least in the third posture Pb3, the dimension L7 (see FIG. 4) of the support arm 52 in the thickness direction X is greater than the dimension L8 (see FIG. 10) of the support arm 52 in the first width direction Y. In this embodiment, at least in the third posture Pb3, the dimension L7 (see FIG. 4) of the support arm 52 in the thickness direction X is greater than the dimension L9 (see FIG. 9) of the connecting member 51 in the first width direction Y. In this way, in the storage posture P3, the first width direction Y is aligned with the up-down direction Z, and therefore the strength of the support arm 52 can be increased while keeping the dimension of the power receiving device 12 in the up-down direction Z small in the storage posture P3.

[0043] The power receiving body 10 is disposed radially inward of the conductive band 60 and includes a rotating terminal 86a that rotates integrally with the tire 80. The rotating terminal 86a is electrically connected to a fixed terminal 86b included in the power receiving device 12. The fixed terminal 86b receives power from the rotating terminal 86a and transmits it to the vehicle-side power receiving terminal 45 (see FIG. 2 ) via a power transmission wire (not shown). In the illustrated example, the fixed terminal 86b is fixed to the support arm 52. Examples of the rotating terminal 86a include a rotating-side member of a slip ring, a rotating-side member of a rotary connector, etc. Examples of the fixed terminal 86b include a fixed-side member of a slip ring, a fixed-side member of a rotary connector, etc.

[0044] The power receiver 10 includes conductive wires 85 that electrically connect the conductive band 60 and the rotary terminal 86a. In the power receiver 10 of this embodiment, the conductive band 60 and the rotary terminal 86a are connected by N conductive wires 85 (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1). In this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is configured to electrically connect all of the N conductive wires 85 to one another. In this embodiment, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the N conductive wires 85 is set according to the magnitude of the current received from the power feeder 32. The total cross-sectional area of ​​the N conductive wires 85 is set to an area corresponding to a current that is, for example, 1 time or more, 1.2 times or more, or 1.5 times or more the required receiving current. The total cross-sectional area of ​​the N conductive wires 85 is set to an area corresponding to a current that is, for example, less than 1.5 times, less than 2 times, or less than 3 times the required receiving current.

[0045] The number of conductive wires 85 electrically connected to the conductive band 60 is one-half or less, one-third or less, or one-quarter or less of the number of conductors 83 electrically connected to the conductive band 60. The number of conductive wires 85 is 32 or less, 24 or less, 16 or less, 8 or less, or 4 or less. The number of conductive wires 85 is two or more, three or more, or four or more. The number of conductive wires 85 and the number of conductors 83 may be the same. Examples of conductive wires 85 include conductive wires, conductive yarns, conductive knitted fabrics, conductive woven fabrics, etc.

[0046] 11, the conductor 83 passes through a through hole provided in the tread portion 80b so as to be movable relative to the tread portion 80b in the radial direction R. This makes it easy to keep noise and wear caused by contact with the power feeder 32 low.

[0047] The conductor 83 has a columnar portion 83b. The conductor 83 has an interlocking portion 83c. The inner end of the conductor 83 in the radial direction R has a portion that is larger than the diameter of the through hole. This end corresponds to the interlocking portion 83c. By providing the conductor 83 with the interlocking portion 83c, it is possible to prevent the conductor 83 from coming off the tire 80. In the example shown, the interlocking portion 83c of the conductor 83 is a head portion that has an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the through hole, but the interlocking portion 83c may also be T-shaped or L-shaped.

[0048] The engaged portion 83c of the conductor 83 is disposed between the conductive band 60 and the inner peripheral surface 80f of the tread portion 80b. The conductive band 60 contacts the conductor 83 so as to press the conductor 83 outward in the radial direction R. In this embodiment, a pressing member 89 is provided on the inner side of the conductive band 60 in the radial direction R to press the conductive band 60 so as to contact the conductor 83. The pressing member 89 rotates integrally with the tire 80. The pressing member 89 is disposed in the inner chamber 80e. In this embodiment, the conductive band 60 and the pressing member 89 are not fixed to each other. The conductive band 60 contacts the engaged portion 83c but is not fixed to the conductor 83.

[0049] In this embodiment, the locked portion 83c of the conductor 83 and the conductive band 60 are separable in the radial direction R and are maintained in contact with each other by the pressure of the pressing member 89. Note that the pressing member 89 may not be provided, and the conductor 83 and the conductive band 60 may be fixed so as to be electrically connected by fastening, welding, or thermal spraying. Examples of the pressing member 89 include a flexible container containing gel, liquid, gas, etc., a flexible porous material, a non-conductive elastomer, a conductive elastomer, a coil spring, etc.

[0050] Fig. 12 is a side view of the cam mechanism 90 when the connecting mechanism 43 is in the contact position P1. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cam mechanism 90 when the connecting mechanism 43 is in the contact position P1. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the cam mechanism 90 when the connecting mechanism 43 is in the storage position P3. The transmission mechanism 74 includes a cam mechanism 90 that converts the movement of the transmission member 75 into the movement of the connecting member 51 and the support arm 52. Examples of the cam mechanism 90 include a three-dimensional cam mechanism such as a cylindrical cam, and a planar cam mechanism such as a plate-shaped cam.

[0051] In this embodiment, the cam mechanism 90 includes a first cam member 95 and a second cam member 96. The first cam member 95 is connected to the connecting member 51 so as to be unable to swing around the rollover axis A3. The first cam member 95 is connected to the connecting member 51 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rollover axis A3. The first cam member 95 is connected to the second cam member 96 so as to be able to swing around the rollover axis A3. The second cam member 96 is fixed to the base member 42. In the example shown in FIG. 13 , a groove 94a extending in the axial direction of the rollover axis A3 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cam member 95, and a protrusion 94b that fits into the groove 94a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 51. As a result, the first cam member 95 is connected to the connecting member 51 so as to be unable to swing around the rollover axis A3 but movable in the axial direction of the rollover axis A3.

[0052] In this embodiment, the cam mechanism 90 includes a second elastic member 97 that stores the driving force of the drive unit 71. The second elastic member 97 biases the first cam member 95 against the second cam member 96. Examples of the second elastic member 97 include a coil spring, a torsion coil spring, and a leaf spring. 12 and 13 show development views of the first cam member 95.

[0053] The transmission member 75 is configured to operate the cam mechanism 90 by moving in a predetermined first operating region toward a transmission direction first side B1, which is one side of the transmission direction B. The transmission member 75 is configured to swing the support arm 52 about the swing axis A1 and lower the power receiving body 10 by moving in a second operating region toward the transmission direction first side B1, which is further from the first operating region toward the transmission direction first side B1.

[0054] The transmission member 75 is configured to operate the cam mechanism 90 by moving in a predetermined first operating region toward a second side B2 in the transmission direction, which is the other side of the transmission direction B. The transmission member 75 is configured to swing the support arm 52 about the swing axis A1 and lift the power receiving body 10 by moving in a second operating region toward the second side B2 in the transmission direction, which is closer to the first side B1 in the transmission direction than the first operating region.

[0055] In this embodiment, the cam mechanism 90 is operated by engaging the cam contact portion 75a fixed to the transmission member 75 with the first cam member 95. The first operating region is a region where the cam contact portion 75a is engaged with the first cam member 95. The second operating region is a region where the cam contact portion 75a is not engaged with the first cam member 95.

[0056] Here, one side of the cam movement direction in the cam mechanism 90 is referred to as the cam movement direction first side C1, and the other side of the cam movement direction is referred to as the cam movement direction second side C2. Examples of the cam movement direction include the rotational movement of a cylindrical cam, the rotational movement of a plate-shaped cam, and the linear movement of a plate-shaped cam, etc. In the illustrated example, the cam movement direction is a swinging movement of the first cam member 95 about the roll axis A3 relative to the second cam member 96.

[0057] The cam mechanism 90 is configured to operate to the first side C1 in the cam operating direction in response to the movement of the transmission member 75 to the first side B1 in the transmission direction in the first operating region. The cam mechanism 90 is configured to operate to the second side C2 in the cam operating direction in response to the movement of the transmission member 75 to the second side B2 in the transmission direction in the first operating region.

[0058] The cam mechanism 90 includes a first cam region 91, a second cam region 92, and a third cam region 93, each having a different cam profile. The second cam region 92 is located on the first side C1 in the cam operation direction relative to the first cam region 91. The third cam region 93 is located on the first side C1 in the cam operation direction relative to the second cam region 92.

[0059] The first cam region 91 is configured to restrict the swinging of the connecting member 51 about the rollover axis A3 to maintain the connecting member 51 in the third position Pb3. The second cam region 92 is configured to swing the connecting member 51 about the rollover axis A3 from the third position Pb3 to the first position Pb1 in response to movement of the cam mechanism 90 toward the first side C1 in the cam operating direction. The second cam region 92 is configured to swing the connecting member 51 about the rollover axis A3 from the first position Pb1 to the third position Pb3 in response to movement of the cam mechanism 90 toward the second side C2 in the cam operating direction. The third cam region 93 is configured to restrict the swinging of the connecting member 51 about the rollover axis A3 to maintain the connecting member 51 in the first position Pb1.

[0060] 1 and 2 , the power receiving device 12 includes a plurality of power receivers 10 (three in the illustrated example). The power receiving device 12 includes a plurality of coupling mechanisms 43 (three in the illustrated example). In this embodiment, the plurality of power receivers 10 are arranged in a separate manner in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX. Note that the plurality of power receivers 10 may also be arranged in a separate manner in the vehicle longitudinal direction VX and the vehicle width direction VY.

[0061] The drive mechanism 70 is configured to change the positions of the multiple linking mechanisms 43 between the contact position P1 and the retracted position P3 using a single drive device 71. In this embodiment, the drive device 71 and the transmission member 75 are provided in common to the multiple linking mechanisms 43, and a cam mechanism 90 is provided corresponding to each of the multiple linking mechanisms 43. Preferably, one drive device 71 is a single drive source.

[0062] The power receiving device 12 includes a movement mechanism 99 that moves the connecting mechanism 43 and the power receiver 10 in the vehicle width direction VY relative to the vehicle 11. In this embodiment, the movement mechanism 99 moves the base member 42 in the vehicle width direction VY relative to the mounting portion 41. Note that the movement mechanism 99 may also move the connecting mechanism 43 and the power receiver 10 in the vehicle width direction VY and the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX, i.e., obliquely relative to the vehicle width direction VY. Examples of the movement mechanism 99 include a mechanism using a worm gear, a belt, etc.

[0063] In this embodiment, when the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P3, the coupling mechanism 43 and the power receiver 10 are entirely disposed within a range overlapping with the vehicle body 14 in the vehicle width direction VY as viewed in the up-down direction. When the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P3, the coupling mechanism 43 and the power receiver 10 are entirely disposed within a range overlapping with the vehicle body 14 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX as viewed in the up-down direction. Note that when the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P3, the lower end of the coupling mechanism 43 may be configured to be located on the upper side Z1 than the lower end of the vehicle body 14. When the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P3, the lower end of the power receiver 10 may be configured to be located on the upper side Z1 than the lower end of the vehicle body 14. When the coupling mechanism 43 is in the storage position P3, the coupling mechanism 43 and the power receiver 10 are configured to be located, for example, between the storage battery of the vehicle 11 and the road surface 20a.

[0064] As described above, the power receiving body 10 of this embodiment comprises a tire 80 made of an elastic material and having an inner chamber 80e therein, a conductive band 60 arranged in the inner chamber 80e, a plurality of conductors 83 dispersed along a tread surface 80a which is the outer peripheral surface of the tire 80, a rotating terminal 86a arranged inside the conductive band 60 in the radial direction R and rotating integrally with the tire 80, and a conductive wire 85 electrically connecting the conductive band 60 and the rotating terminal 86a, the tire 80 having an annular tread portion 80b which forms the tread surface 80a, the conductive band 60 being a strip-shaped member which is conductive and flexible and which is arranged continuously in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface 80f of the tread portion 80b, and each of the plurality of conductors 83 is arranged to penetrate the tread portion 80b and is electrically connected to the conductive band 60.

[0065] According to the power receiver 10 described above, each of the plurality of conductors 83 dispersed along the tread surface 80a of the tire 80 is arranged to penetrate the tread portion 80b. Therefore, even when the tire 80 is rotating, the portion of any of the conductors 83 exposed on the tread surface 80a contacts the power feeder 32, thereby receiving power from the power feeder 32. Because each of the plurality of conductors 83 is electrically connected to the conductive band 60, which is connected to the rotating terminal 86a via the conductive wire 85, it is easier to reduce the number of conductive wires 85 compared to when each of the plurality of conductors 83 is connected to the rotating terminal 86a via the conductive wire 85. This makes it easier to ensure the tire 80 is easily elastically deformable. Furthermore, it is easier to reduce the weight of the power receiver 10. Furthermore, since the conductive band 60 is a flexible band-shaped member and is arranged in the inner chamber 80e of the tire 80, it is possible to connect a large number of conductors 83 to the conductive band 60 while easily ensuring that the tire 80 is easily elastically deformable.

[0066] In the receiver 10 of this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is a knitted fabric using conductive threads or conductive wires, or a woven fabric using conductive threads or conductive wires.

[0067] According to the above-described power receiver 10, it is easy to ensure high conductivity and flexibility of the conductive band 60.

[0068] In the receiver 10 of this embodiment, the multiple conductors 83 are distributed not only in the circumferential direction of the tread surface 80a but also in the width direction (second width direction Y) of the tread surface 80a, and the dimension L1 in the width direction (second width direction Y) of the conductive band 60 is set so as to overlap, when viewed radially, with the entire multiple conductors 83 distributed in the width direction (second width direction Y).

[0069] According to the above-described power receiver 10, the plurality of conductors 83 are dispersedly disposed not only in the circumferential direction of the tread surface 80a but also in the width direction of the tread surface 80a, which makes it easy to ensure a large amount of power reception by the plurality of conductors 83. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the dimension L1 in the width direction (second width direction Y) of the conductive band 60 is set so as to overlap with all of the plurality of conductors 83 dispersedly disposed in the width direction (second width direction Y) when viewed in the radial direction, which makes it easy to connect all of the conductors 83 to the conductive band 60.

[0070] In the power receiving body 10 of this embodiment, the conductive band 60 and the rotating terminal 86a are connected by N conductive wires 85 (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1), the conductive band 60 is configured to electrically connect all of the N conductive wires 85 to each other, and the total cross-sectional area of ​​the N conductive wires 85 is set according to the magnitude of the current received from the power supply body 32.

[0071] The above-described power receiver 10 is configured so that the necessary current can flow through all of the N conductive wires 85 connected to each other by the conductive bands 60, and therefore it is easy to keep the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductive wires 85 small. This makes it easy to ensure that the tire 80 can easily deform elastically, and also makes it easy to reduce the weight of the power receiver 10.

[0072] Second Embodiment A power receiver 10 according to a second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the power receiver 10 is provided in a power supply system 101 that supplies power to a moving power supply target 103 .

[0074] The power supply system 101 includes a power supply facility 30 that supplies power, a power supply target 103 that receives power from the power supply facility 30, and a power receiver 10. The power receiver 10 forms a conductive path for supplying power from the power supply facility 30 to the power supply target 103.

[0075] In this embodiment, the power supply equipment 30 includes a power source 34 and a power supply body 32. The power source 34 includes a battery, a commercial power system, a private power generation device, and other systems capable of supplying power. The power supply body 32 includes rails, cables, and other members that form a path through which current from the power source 34 flows. In this embodiment, the power supply body 32 is connected to the power source 34 by an electric wire 36 to receive the power supply.

[0076] In this embodiment, the power supply body 32 is installed on the road surface 20a of the road 20 so as to extend along the road 20. The road 20 includes a path along which the power supply target 103 passes. In the example shown in Figures 15 and 16, the power supply body 32 is buried in the road 20, and the surface 32a of the power supply body 32 is at the same height as the road surface 20a. In the example shown in Figures 15 and 16, an insulator 38 for insulating the road 20 from the power supply body 32 is buried in the road 20 together with the power supply body 32.

[0077] The power supply target 103 moves along the road 20 while receiving power from the power supply body 32. In this embodiment, the power supply target 103 is an electric device or electronic device mounted on the vehicle 11 traveling on the road 20. Examples of such electric devices or electronic devices include a driving source for traveling, a storage battery, and a control device for the vehicle 11. In the example shown in FIG. 15 , the power supply target 103 moves along the road 20 at a position above the road surface 20 a.

[0078] In this embodiment, the power receiving device 10 contacts the power supply device 32 to form a conductive path from the power source 34 to the power supply target 103. The power receiving device 10 moves together with the power supply target 103. For this reason, the power supply system 101 further includes a connection mechanism 105 for connecting the power receiving device 10 to the power supply target 103.

[0079] The connection mechanism 105 forms part of the conductive path from the power supply equipment 30 to the power supply target 103 and holds the power receiver 10. The connection mechanism 105 illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 is attached to the underside 11b of the vehicle 11. In this embodiment, the connection mechanism 105 electrically connects the power supply target 103 and the power receiver 10 and rotatably holds the power receiver 10. As shown in FIG. 16 , the connection mechanism 105 of this embodiment positions the power receiver 10 in a position where it contacts the power supply unit 32 when forming the conductive path from the power supply equipment 30 to the power supply target 103. On the other hand, although not shown, the connection mechanism 105 of this embodiment positions the power receiver 10 at a position away from the power supply unit 32 when the power supply target 103 does not receive power from the power supply equipment 30.

[0080] The structure of the power receiver 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. Figures 17 and 18 show the power receiver 10 in contact with the power feeder 32 in a stationary state.

[0081] The power receiver 10 rolls on a surface 32a of the power feeder 32 to receive power from the power feeder 32. In this embodiment, the surface 32a on which the power receiver 10 rolls is the upper surface of the power feeder 32.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the power receiver 10 includes a tire 80 that rolls on the surface 32a of the power feeder 32, a conductive band 60, a plurality of conductors 83, a restricting member 440, and a wheel 82. The conductive band 60 is movably disposed inside the tire 80 and is electrically connected to a connection mechanism 105. The conductors 83 are movable toward and away from the conductive band 60 and are electrically connected to both the power feeder 32 and the conductive band 60. The restricting member 440 restricts the movement of the conductive band 60 and the conductors 83. The wheel 82 supports the tire 80 rotatably relative to the power supply target 103. In this embodiment, the power receiver 10 further includes a filling member 146 inside the tire 80.

[0083] Hereinafter, the power receiver 10 will be described based on each direction relative to the tire 80. The direction perpendicular to the radial direction R is referred to as the "third width direction." In the "third width direction," the side closer to the tire 80 is referred to as the "inner side of the third width direction." In the illustrated example, the third width direction is parallel to the second width direction. For this reason, the third width direction is indicated by Y, just like the second width direction.

[0084] When viewed from the outside, the tire 80 includes a tread portion 80b and a sidewall portion 80c. The tread portion 80b has an annular shape and forms a tread surface 80a, which is the outer peripheral surface of the tire 80. In the present embodiment, the tread portion 80b has a cylindrical shape. The sidewall portions 80c extend inward in the radial direction R from both end portions of the tread portion 80b in the third width direction Y, and form the sides of the tire 80. In the present embodiment, the tire 80 further includes an inner diameter wall portion 80d. The inner diameter wall portion 80d illustrated in FIG. 17 extends inward in the third width direction Y from the inner end portions of the sidewall portions 80c in the radial direction R.

[0085] An inner chamber 80e is formed inside the tire 80. The conductive band 60 and a part of the restricting member 440 are disposed in the inner chamber 80e. In this embodiment, the inner chamber 80e is a space surrounded by the tread portion 80b and the sidewall portion 80c. In addition, in this embodiment, the inner chamber 80e is covered from the inside in the radial direction R by an inner diameter wall portion 80d. The inner diameter wall portion 80d shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 has an opening 415 that communicates the inner chamber 80e with the space outside the tire 80.

[0086] The tire 80 is made of an elastic material. Examples of elastic materials that can be used for the tire 80 include thermosetting elastomers such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, non-conductive elastomers, non-conductive rubbers, and other polymeric materials. Preferably, the tire 80 is made of an electrically non-conductive material.

[0087] The conductive band 60 is disposed continuously in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is disposed continuously in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface 80f of the tread portion 80b. In this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is disposed continuously around the entire circumference. Note that the conductive band 60 may be divided at one location or at multiple locations.

[0088] The conductive band 60 includes a strip-shaped member that is conductive and flexible. In this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is formed into a strip by combining a plurality of conductive threads, conductive wires, or other electric wires 36. The conductive band 60 may be either a knitted fabric or a woven fabric. The conductive band 60 is formed, for example, by cross-knitting a plurality of conductive wires.

[0089] The plurality of conductors 83 are dispersedly arranged along the tread surface 80a. In this embodiment, the plurality of conductors 83 are dispersedly arranged not only in the circumferential direction of the tread surface 80a but also in the third width direction Y. Each of the plurality of conductors 83 is arranged to penetrate the tread portion 80b. For this reason, in this embodiment, a first through hole 417 that penetrates the tread portion 80b in the radial direction R is formed in the tread portion 80b. The conductor 83 illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 is inserted into the first through hole 417 so as to be movable in the radial direction R.

[0090] Each of the multiple conductors 83 is electrically connected to the power supply body 32 and the conductive band 60. As a result, the conductive band 60 and the conductors 83 form a conductive path from the power supply body 32 to the power supply target 103. In this embodiment, the conductors 83 contact both the power supply body 32 and the conductive band 60, thereby forming a conductive path between the power supply body 32 and the power supply target 103. In the example shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the conductor 83 located closest to the surface 32 a of the power supply body 32 forms the conductive path from the power supply body 32 to the power supply target 103. A portion of the conductor 83 located outside the tire 80 contacts the power supply body 32, and a portion of the conductor 83 located in the inner chamber 80 e contacts the conductive band 60. Examples of the conductor 83 include conductive studs, conductive pins, bolts, and other conductive members.

[0091] The conductor 83 includes a columnar portion 83b and a locked portion 83c. In this embodiment, the conductor 83 has a rivet shape. The columnar portion 83b corresponds to the shaft portion of the rivet. The locked portion 83c corresponds to the head portion of the rivet.

[0092] The columnar portion 83b penetrates the restricting portion 441 and the tread portion 80b in the radial direction R. In this embodiment, the columnar portion 83b is cylindrical. Note that the shape of the columnar portion 83b is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a quadrangular prism with a square cross section or other polygonal shape, or, for example, a shape with a step in the longitudinal direction or other shape whose diameter changes along the length direction. The columnar portion 83b shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is inserted into a first through-hole 417 formed in the tread portion 80b. With this configuration, the tread portion 80b can restrict movement of the conductor 83 in the circumferential direction and the third width direction Y.

[0093] The locked portion 83c is located inward in the radial direction R from the tread portion 80b and is electrically connected to the conductive band 60. In this embodiment, the locked portion 83c is provided inward in the radial direction R from the columnar portion 83b, and is formed to have a larger dimension in at least one of the third width direction Y and the circumferential direction than the columnar portion 83b. The locked portion 83c illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 is formed at the inner end of the conductor 83 in the radial direction R, and is formed to have a larger dimension in both the third width direction Y and the circumferential direction than the columnar portion 83b. In addition, in this embodiment, the conductive band 60 is arranged to contact the locked portion 83c from the inner side in the radial direction R. The locked portion 83c directly contacts the conductive band 60, thereby forming a conductive path.

[0094] The restricting member 440 includes a restricting portion 441 and a connecting portion 442 that connects the restricting portion 441 to the wheel 82. The restricting portion 441 is disposed in the inner chamber 80e. In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 442 extends inward in the radial direction R from the restricting portion 441 and is exposed to the outside of the inner chamber 80e through an opening 415 in the inner diameter wall portion 80d.

[0095] The restricting portion 441 is disposed radially outward from the conductive band 60 and the plurality of locked portions 83c, and is configured to restrict outward movement of the conductive band 60 and the plurality of conductors 83 in the radial direction R. In the example shown in Figures 17 and 18, the restricting portion 441 is disposed radially outward from and spaced apart from the conductive band 60 and the plurality of locked portions 83c. Note that, as long as the restricting portion 441 is disposed in the inner chamber 80e, a portion of the restricting portion 441 may be disposed outside the inner chamber 80e.

[0096] In the present embodiment, the restricting portion 441 has an annular shape with an outer peripheral surface facing the inner peripheral surface 80f of the tread portion 80b, and includes a plurality of second through-holes 443 penetrating in the radial direction R. In the example shown in Figures 17 and 18, the restricting portion 441 has a cylindrical shape with edge portions 444 extending inward in the radial direction R at both ends in the third width direction Y.

[0097] Each of the second through holes 443 is formed in a portion other than the edge portion 444 so as to be positioned so as to communicate with each of the first through holes 417 formed in the tread portion 80b. The second through holes 443 are formed so that at least one dimension in the third width direction Y or the circumferential direction is smaller than that of the locked portions 83c. The second through holes 443 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 are formed so that both dimensions in the third width direction Y and the circumferential direction are smaller than that of the locked portions 83c. Therefore, when the locked portions 83c move outward in the radial direction R, they catch on the inner circumferential surface of the restricting portion 441, and the outward movement of the entire conductor 83 in the radial direction R is restricted by the restricting portion 441.

[0098] With this configuration, the length from the surface of the restricting portion 441 that restricts movement of the conductors 83 in the radial direction R to the tread surface 80a is shortened. In the example shown in Figures 17 and 18, the length from the inner circumferential surface of the restricting portion 441 to the tread surface 80a is shortened. Therefore, the distance between the positions where the multiple conductors 83 protrude from the tread surface 80a can be narrowed.

[0099] In the present embodiment, when no load is applied to the tread portion 80b, the restricting portion 441 is disposed so as to be spaced inward in the radial direction R from the tread portion 80b and spaced outward in the radial direction R from the conductive band 60 and the plurality of locked portions 83c. Note that when the tread portion 80b is deformed by a load, the restricting portion 441 does not need to be spaced apart from the conductive band 60 and the plurality of locked portions 83c. For example, as will be described later, when centrifugal force is generated in the conductor 83 as the tire 80 rotates, the conductor 83 comes into contact with the restricting portion 441.

[0100] The restricting member 440 is formed of a material having a rigidity sufficient to prevent deformation of the tire 80 due to the centrifugal force generated in the conductor 83. Examples of such materials include synthetic resin, aluminum, and other metals.

[0101] The wheel 82 supports the tire 80 from the inside in the radial direction R. In the example shown in Fig. 16, the wheel 82 is rotatably supported by the connection mechanism 105. The wheel 82 rotates due to friction generated between the power feeder 32 and the tire 80 as the vehicle 11 moves. In this embodiment, the wheel 82 includes a main body 451 and a shaft 81.

[0102] The main body portion 451 is fixed to at least one of the sidewall portion 80c and the inner diameter wall portion 80d. The main body portion 451 illustrated in Fig. 17 (part of the main body portion 451 is omitted) and Fig. 18 is disk-shaped and fixed to the inner diameter wall portion 80d. Note that the shape of the main body portion 451 is not limited to a disk shape and may be any shape that can support the tire 80 from the inside in the radial direction R. For example, the main body portion 451 may be formed of a plurality of spokes extending radially from the center of rotation, or may be formed by combining a plurality of members.

[0103] The shaft portion 81 is a rotatably supported portion. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 81 is a shaft that extends from the main body portion 451 along the rotation axis A2 of the tire 80. In the example shown in FIGS. 16 and 18 (the shaft portion 81 is not shown in FIG. 17 ), the shaft portion 81 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the connection mechanism 105.

[0104] The shaft portion 81 is provided with a rotary terminal 86a (see FIG. 11 ) that rotates integrally with the tire 80. The rotary terminal 86a is electrically connected to a fixed terminal 86b (see FIG. 12 ) that the connection mechanism 105 has. The fixed terminal 86b receives power from the rotary terminal 86a and transmits it to the power supply target 103 via a power transmission wire (not shown). Examples of the rotary terminal 86a include a rotating-side member of a slip ring, a rotating-side member of a rotary connector, etc. Examples of the fixed terminal 86b include a fixed-side member of a slip ring, a fixed-side member of a rotary connector, etc.

[0105] The restricting member 440 is fixed to the wheel 82. The restricting member 440 is disposed in the inner chamber 80e of the tire 80 by connecting the connecting portion 442 to the wheel 82. In the example shown in Fig. 18 , the connecting portion 442 is connected to the main body portion 451 at a position on the inner diameter side of the inner diameter wall portion 80d of the tire 80 in the radial direction R.

[0106] The wheel 82 is made of a material having higher rigidity than the tire 80. For example, the wheel 82 may be made of aluminum, iron, or other metals, or synthetic resin.

[0107] Preferably, the wheel 82 is made of a conductive material. In this embodiment, the wheel 82 is made of aluminum. With such a configuration, the wheel 82 can form part of the conductive path. Therefore, if a structure is adopted in which the conductive band 60 is in contact with the wheel 82, there is no need to attach wiring to the wheel 82 to form the conductive path from the conductive band 60 to the connection mechanism 105, and the structure of the wheel 82 can be simplified.

[0108] More preferably, when the wheel 82 is made of a conductive material, the restricting member 440 is also made of a conductive material. In this embodiment, the wheel 82 and the restricting member 440 are integral and made of aluminum. With this configuration, a conductive path from the conductive band 60 to the connection mechanism 105 can be formed by bringing the conductive band 60 into contact with the restricting portion 441. In the example shown in FIG. 18 , a conductive path from the conductive band 60 to the connection mechanism 105 is formed by bringing the edge portion 444 of the restricting member 440 into contact with the conductive band 60. Therefore, there is no need to attach wiring to the wheel 82 to form a conductive path from the conductive band 60 to the connection mechanism 105, and the structure of the wheel 82 is simplified.

[0109] When the restricting member 440 and the wheel 82 are integrally formed of a conductive material, if a structure is adopted that allows the conductor 83 to come into contact with the restricting member 440, the conductive path from the conductor 83 to the connection mechanism 105 is formed by contacting the conductor 83 with the restricting member 440. Therefore, when this structure is adopted, the conductive band 60 is not required, and the structure of the power receiver 10 is simplified.

[0110] The filling member 146 is filled in the inner chamber 80e. In this embodiment, the filling member 146 is filled in the space inside the conductive band 60 in the radial direction R, the space between the tread portion 80b and the restricting portion 441, and the space between the sidewall portion 80c and the restricting portion 441. With this configuration, the filling member 146 can maintain the tire 80 in an appropriately inflated shape. Examples of the filling member 146 include a flexible container containing gel, liquid, gas, etc., a flexible porous material such as urethane foam, a non-conductive elastomer, a conductive elastomer, a coil spring, etc.

[0111] A method of using the power receiver 10 will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 20. Figures 19 and 20 show the power receiver 10 in a rotating state.

[0112] 17 and 18 , the power receiver 10 comes into contact with the power feeder 32, thereby forming a conductive path from the power feeder 32 to the power supply target 103. In this embodiment, a connection mechanism 105 (see FIG. 16 ) positions the power receiver 10 at a position where it comes into contact with the power feeder 32. In this case, the power receiver 10 may come into contact with the power feeder 32 in either a rotating state or a non-rotating state. The power receiver 10 illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 comes into contact with the power feeder 32 in a non-rotating state.

[0113] In detail, the conductive path from the power supply element 32 to the power supply target 103 is formed when one of the plurality of conductors 83 contacts both the power supply element 32 and the conductive band 60. In this case, a conductive path is formed through which current flows in the following order: the power supply element 32, the conductor 83, the conductive band 60, the wiring provided on the wheel 82 (the wheel 82 in this embodiment), the connection mechanism 105, and the power supply target 103. In the example shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the conductor 83 located closest to the surface 32a of the power supply element 32 is in contact with the power supply element 32. The locked portion 83c of the conductor 83 in contact with the power supply element 32 is in contact with the conductive band 60.

[0114] Preferably, the power receiver 10 is positioned so that the tire 80 is elastically compressed and deformed when it comes into contact with the power feeder 32. When the power receiver 10 is positioned in this manner, it can properly contact the power feeder 32 even if there is a recess in the power feeder 32. In this embodiment, the power receiver 10 is pressed against the power feeder 32 by the connection mechanism 105 so that the tire 80 is elastically compressed.

[0115] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 , when the power supply target 103 moves along the road 20, the tire 80, which was in contact with the power supply body 32, rotates. As the tire 80 rotates, the conductors 83, the conductive band 60, the restricting member 440, the filling member 146, and the wheel 82 also rotate together with the tire 80. In this case, the conductors 83 move outward in the radial direction R due to centrifugal force. At the same time, the conductive band 60 also deforms outward in the radial direction R due to centrifugal force, pressing against the conductors 83. In the example shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 , the conductive band 60 bulges outward in the radial direction R due to centrifugal force and is in contact with the locked portions 83 c of the multiple conductors 83. This forms a conductive path from the conductors 83 to the power supply target 103.

[0116] The restricting member 440 restricts the movement of the conductor 83 moving outward in the radial direction R. The conductor 83 abuts against the restricting portion 441 from the outside in the radial direction R, and is restricted by the restricting portion 441 from moving outward in the radial direction R by a certain amount or more. At the same time, the conductor 83 arranged in a position close to the road surface 20a abuts against the surface 32a of the power feeder 32, and is restricted from moving outward in the radial direction R.

[0117] The plurality of conductors 83 are maintained in a state where they protrude from the tread surface 80a of the tire 80 while being restricted from moving outward in the radial direction R. Therefore, the conductors 83 can reliably come into contact with the power feeder 32 without being obstructed by the tire 80.

[0118] As the tire 80 rotates, the conductors 83 that reach the positions closest to the surface 32a of the power feeder 32 sequentially come into contact with the power feeder 32. This keeps one of the conductors 83 in constant contact with the power feeder 32. As a result, power is stably supplied from the power supply facility 30 to the power supply target 103.

[0119] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the power receiver 10 will be described.

[0120] (1) In the above embodiment, the connecting member 51 is connected to the base member 42 so as to be able to swing freely around the rollover axis A3. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the connecting member 51 may be configured integrally with the base member 42, or may be a separate member that is fixed integrally with the base member 42.

[0121] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the power receiver 10 includes the rotating terminal 86a and the conductive wire 85, and the conductive band 60 is continuously disposed in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface of the tread portion 80b. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the power receiver 10 may not include the rotating terminal 86a and the conductive wire 85, and the conductive band 60 may be electrically connected to the fixed terminal 86b via a brush. For example, the conductive band 60 does not have to be continuously disposed along the inner circumferential surface of the tread portion 80b or along the circumferential direction of the tire 80.

[0122] (3) In the above embodiment, the conductive band 60 is a knitted fabric using conductive yarn or conductive wire, or a woven fabric using conductive yarn or conductive wire. However, the conductive band 60 is not limited to such an example. For example, the conductive band 60 may be a flexible bus bar, a conductive elastomer, or the like.

[0123] (4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the plurality of conductors 83 are arranged dispersedly in the second width direction Y, and the dimension L1 of the conductive band 60 in the second width direction Y is set to overlap with all of the plurality of conductors 83 when viewed in the radial direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the plurality of conductors 83 of the conductive band 60 may be arranged in a row along the circumferential direction rather than being arranged dispersedly in the second width direction Y. For example, the plurality of conductors 83 may be electrically connected to the conductive band 60 without overlapping with the conductive band 60 when viewed in the radial direction.

[0124] (5) In the above embodiment, the conductive band 60 is configured to electrically connect all of the N conductive wires 85 to one another, and the total cross-sectional area of ​​the N conductive wires 85 is set according to the magnitude of the current received from the power feeder 32. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the conductive band 60 may be divided in the circumferential direction, and each divided wire may be connected to the rotary terminal 86a independently by a different conductive wire 85. For example, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the N conductive wires 85 does not have to be set according to the magnitude of the current received from the power feeder 32.

[0125] (6) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the power receiver 10 includes the restricting portion 441, and the restricting portion 441 includes the restricting member 440 that is arranged radially outward from the conductive band 60 and the plurality of locked portions 83c. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the restricting member 440 may be arranged radially inward from the locked portions 83c. For example, the power receiver 10 may not include the restricting portion 441. For example, the conductor 83 may not include the locked portions 83c. For example, the outer diameter of the inner end of the conductor 83 in the radial direction R may be smaller than the diameter of the through hole. For example, the conductor 83 may be locked by the conductive wire 85 so as not to come off the tire 80.

[0126] (7) In the above embodiment, the support arm 52 is a single arm member. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the support arm 52 may be composed of multiple arm members.

[0127] (8) In the above embodiment, the first width direction Y is a direction along the vehicle width direction VY in the contact position P1, and is a direction along the up-down direction Z in the storage position P3. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the first width direction Y may be a direction along the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX in the contact position P1, and the second width direction may be a direction perpendicular to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction VX.

[0128] (9) In the above embodiment, the shaft portion 81 is fixed to the support arm 52. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the shaft portion 81 may be supported by the support arm 52 via a bearing so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotary terminal 86a around the rotation axis A2.

[0129] (10) In the above embodiment, the power supply element 32 is described as being buried in the road 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the power supply element 32 may be disposed above or to the side of the road surface 20a.

[0130] (11) In the above embodiment, the power supply system 101 has been described as including the connection mechanism 105. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the power receiver 10 may be directly connected to the power supply target 103 without using the connection mechanism 105. In this case, the power supply target 103 is electrically connected to the power receiver 10 and holds the power receiver 10 rotatably.

[0131] (12) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a non-conductive material is used for the tire 80 has been described as an example. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the tire 80 may be made of a conductive material. Examples of such materials include a conductive elastomer and a conductive rubber.

[0132] (13) In the above embodiment, the conductive band 60 is formed by combining a plurality of electric wires. However, the conductive band 60 is not limited to such an example. For example, the conductive band 60 may be formed by combining a plate-shaped conductor or a conductor other than an electric wire into a band shape.

[0133] (14) In the above embodiment, the conductor 83 is made of a conductive material. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the conductor 83 may be a conductive thread, a conductive wire, or other electric wire. In addition, the conductor 83 may be a conductive twisted thread formed by twisting multiple electric wires 36.

[0134] (15) In the above embodiment, the locked portion 83c is formed at the inner end of the conductor 83 in the radial direction R. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the conductor 83 may include a protruding portion (not shown) that protrudes inward in the radial direction R from the locked portion 83c and has conductivity. The protruding portion may be brought into contact with the conductor 83 to form a conductive path from the power supply element 32 to the power supply target 103.

[0135] (16) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the locked portion 83c is in direct contact with the conductive band 60, thereby forming a conductive path from the conductor 83 to the power supply target 103. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the locked portion 83c may not be in direct contact with the conductive band 60, but a conductive member or portion may be provided separately from the locked portion 83c, and the conductive member may be brought into contact with the conductive band 60, thereby forming a conductive path from the conductor 83 to the power supply target 103. For example, the conductive portion may be a portion that has been subjected to thermal spraying treatment to interpose a fine conductive material in a portion inward of the locked portion 83c in the radial direction R. A portion of the conductive path may be formed in advance by using a member that fixes the conductor 83 to the conductive band 60, or by fixing the conductor 83 to the conductive band 60 using a fixing method such as welding.

[0136] (17) In the above embodiment, the tread portion 80b has been described as having a cylindrical shape. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the tread portion 80b may be configured to roll on the surface 32a of the current feeder 32, and is not limited to a cylindrical shape. Examples of the shape of the tread portion 80b include a rectangular shape with rounded corners, an elliptical shape, or a ring shape with an arc-shaped cross section.

[0137] (18) In the above embodiment, the restricting portion 441 is disposed at a distance from the conductive band 60 and the plurality of locked portions 83 c on the outer side in the radial direction R. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the restricting portion 441 may be disposed at a fixed position in contact with the conductive band 60 and the plurality of locked portions 83 c from the outer side in the radial direction R.

[0138] (19) In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 442 is disposed in the inner chamber 80e and a portion of the connecting portion 442 is exposed to the outside of the inner chamber 80e. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the entire connecting portion 442 may be disposed in the inner chamber 80e. In addition, the connecting portion 442 may be fixed to the wheel 82 via a separate member such as a bracket.

[0139] (20) In the above embodiment, the conductive band 60 is described as being a knitted fabric using conductive yarn or conductive wire, or a woven fabric using conductive yarn or conductive wire. However, the conductive band 60 is not limited to such an example, and may be, for example, a flexible bus bar, a conductive elastomer, or the like.

[0140] (21) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the wheel 82 was made of a conductive material. However, without being limited to such an example, the wheel 82 may be made of, for example, a non-conductive material. In such a configuration, the conductive path from the conductive band 60 to the power supply target 103 is formed by a conductive wire covered with an insulating coating.

[0141] (22) In the above embodiment, the filling member 146 is described as filling the inner chamber 80e of the tire 80. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the filling member 146 may or may not be fixed to at least one of the tire 80, the conductive band 60, and the restricting member 440.

[0142] (23) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0143] Summary of the above embodiment The wheel-type power receiver (10) according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0144] In one aspect, a wheel-type power receiver (10) is a wheel-type power receiver (10) that receives a supply of power from a power feeder (32) by rolling on a surface (32a) of the power feeder (32) that is installed on a road surface (20a) of the road (20) so as to extend along the road (20), and includes: a tire (80) made of an elastic material and having an internal chamber (80e); a conductive band (60) arranged in the internal chamber (80e); and a plurality of conductors (83) distributed along a tread surface (80a) that is the outer peripheral surface of the tire (80), the tire (80) having an annular tread portion (80b) that forms the tread surface (80a), the conductive band (60) being a strip-shaped member that is conductive and flexible and that is continuously arranged along the circumferential direction of the tire (80), and each of the plurality of conductors (83) is arranged so as to penetrate the tread portion (80b) and is electrically connected to the conductive band (60).

[0145] According to this configuration, each of the plurality of conductors (83) distributed along the tread surface (80a) of the tire (80) is arranged to penetrate the tread portion (80b). Therefore, even when the tire (80) is rotating, a portion of any of the conductors (83) exposed on the tread surface (80a) comes into contact with the power feeder (32) and can receive power from the power feeder (32). Furthermore, each of the plurality of conductors (83) is electrically connected to the conductive bands (60) continuously arranged along the circumferential direction of the tire (80). This makes it easy to increase the reliability of the conductive connection of the conductive path for receiving power from the plurality of conductors (83). Furthermore, since the conductive bands (60) are flexible band-shaped members and are arranged in the interior chamber (80e) of the tire (80), it is easy to ensure the tire (80) is easily elastically deformable while enabling connection between the plurality of conductors (83) and the conductive bands (60).

[0146] In one aspect, the power receiver (10) is provided with a rotating terminal (86a) that is arranged radially inward (R) of the conductive band (60) and rotates integrally with the tire (80), and a conductive wire (85) that electrically connects the conductive band (60) and the rotating terminal (86a), and the conductive band (60) is arranged continuously in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface (80f) of the tread portion (80b).

[0147] According to this configuration, each of the plurality of conductors (83) is electrically connected to the conductive band (60), and the conductive band (60) is connected to the rotating terminal (86a) via the conductive wire (85), so that the number of conductive wires (85) can be easily reduced compared to when each of the plurality of conductors (83) is connected to the rotating terminal (86a) via the conductive wire (85), and therefore, ease of elastic deformation of the tire (80) can be easily ensured.

[0148] In one embodiment, the conductive band (60) is a knitted fabric using conductive threads or conductive wires, or a woven fabric using conductive threads or conductive wires.

[0149] According to this configuration, it is easy to ensure high conductivity and flexibility of the conductive band (60).

[0150] In one embodiment, the plurality of conductors (83) are arranged in a dispersed manner not only in the circumferential direction of the tread surface (80a) but also in the width direction (second width direction Y) of the tread surface (80a), and the dimension (L1) of the conductive band (60) in the width direction (second width direction Y) is set so as to overlap, when viewed in the radial direction, with the entirety of the plurality of conductors (83) arranged in a dispersed manner in the width direction (second width direction Y).

[0151] According to this configuration, the plurality of conductors (83) are dispersedly disposed not only in the circumferential direction of the tread surface (80 a) but also in the width direction of the tread surface (80 a), which makes it easy to ensure a large amount of power received by the plurality of conductors (83). Furthermore, according to this configuration, the dimension L1 in the width direction (second width direction Y) of the conductive band 60 is set to overlap with all of the plurality of conductors (83) dispersedly disposed in the width direction (second width direction Y) when viewed in the radial direction, which makes it easy to connect all of the conductors (83) to the conductive band (60).

[0152] In one embodiment, the tire includes a rotating terminal (86a) that is arranged inside the conductive band (60) in the radial direction R and rotates integrally with the tire (80), and conductive wires (85) that electrically connect the conductive band (60) and the rotating terminal (86a), the conductive band (60) and the rotating terminal (86a) are connected by N conductive wires (85) (N is an integer of 1 or more), the conductive band (60) is configured to electrically connect all of the N conductive wires (85) to one another, and the total cross-sectional area of ​​the N conductive wires (85) is set according to the magnitude of the current received from the power feeder (32).

[0153] According to this configuration, the necessary current can be passed through all of the N conductive wires (85) connected to each other by the conductive band (60), which makes it easy to keep the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductive wires (85) small, thereby making it easy to ensure the ease of elastic deformation of the tire (80) and to reduce the weight of the power receiver (10).

[0154] In one aspect, the wheel-type power receiving body (10) includes a regulating member (440) having a regulating portion (441) arranged in an inner chamber (80e), and the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A2 of the tire (80) is defined as a radial direction (R), and each of the plurality of conductors (83) includes an engaging portion (83c) located inside the tread portion (80b) in the radial direction (R), and the regulating portion (441) is arranged outside the conductive band (60) and the plurality of engaging portions (83c) in the radial direction (R) and is configured to regulate the outward movement of the conductive band (60) and the plurality of conductors (83) in the radial direction (R).

[0155] According to this configuration, the restricting member (440) restricts the outward movement of the plurality of conductors (83) in the radial direction (R), so that the deformation of the tire (80) can be restricted within a predetermined range by the centrifugal force acting on the conductive band (60) and the plurality of conductors (83) during rotation of the tire (80). Therefore, even when the tire (80) rotates at high speed, it is easy to properly maintain the positional relationship of the plurality of conductors (83) with respect to the power feeder (32), which also makes it easy to increase the reliability of the conductive connection with the power feeder (32).

[0156] In one aspect, the regulating portion (441) is arranged so that, when no load is applied to the tread portion (80b), it is spaced inward in the radial direction R from the tread portion (80b) and spaced outward in the radial direction (R) from the conductive band (60) and the multiple engaged portions (83c).

[0157] According to this configuration, since the restricting portion (441) is spaced inward in the radial direction R with respect to the tread portion (80b), the restricting portion (441) is less likely to hinder elastic deformation of the tread portion (80b) in the radial direction R. Furthermore, since the restricting portion (441) is spaced outward in the radial direction (R) with respect to the conductive band (60) and the plurality of engaged portions (83c), the restricting portion (441) is less likely to hinder movement of the conductive band (60) and the plurality of conductors (83) in the radial direction R in response to elastic deformation of the tread portion (80b). Therefore, the tread portion (80b) and the plurality of conductors (83) can easily deform or displace in response to unevenness, etc., of the current feeder (32), and contact between the current feeder (32) and the plurality of conductors (83) can be easily maintained.

[0158] In one aspect, the wheel-type power receiving body (10) has a plurality of conductors (83) each having a columnar portion (83b) that penetrates the regulating portion (441) and the tread portion (80b) in the radial direction (R), the engaging portion (83c) is provided on the inside of the columnar portion (83b) in the radial direction (R), and at least one dimension in the third width direction (Y) and the circumferential direction of the tire (80) is formed larger than the columnar portion (83b), and the conductive band (60) is arranged so as to contact the engaging portion (83c) from the inside in the radial direction R.

[0159] According to this configuration, the restricting portion (441) is disposed radially outwardly of the conductive band (60) and the plurality of locked portions (83 c), thereby appropriately realizing a configuration capable of restricting outward movement of the conductive band (60) and the plurality of conductors (83) in the radial direction (R). Furthermore, according to this configuration, the conductive band (60) is disposed so as to contact the locked portions (83 c) from the inside in the radial direction (R), and therefore, by utilizing the force directed inward in the radial direction R that the conductors (83) receive from the power feeder (32) when they are in contact with the power feeder (32), it is possible to easily ensure good electrical connection between the conductive band (60) and the conductors (83).

[0160] In one embodiment, the wheel-type power receiver (10) further includes a wheel (82) that supports the tire (80) from the inside in the radial direction (R), and the regulating member (440) is fixed to the wheel (82).

[0161] According to this configuration, the restricting portion (441) can be disposed at an appropriate position in the inner chamber (80e) of the tire (80).

[0162] It is sufficient for the wheel-type power receiver according to the present disclosure to achieve at least one of the above-described effects.

[0163] 10: power receiver (wheel-type power receiver), 12: power receiving device, 16: wheel, 20: road, 20a: road surface, 32: power supply body, 32a: surface, 36: electric wire, 80: tire, 80a: tread surface, 80b: tread portion, 80e: inner chamber, 80f: inner peripheral surface, 82: wheel, 83: conductor, 83b: columnar portion, 83c: engaging portion, 84: conductive band, 85: conductive wire, 86a: rotating terminal, 101: power supply system, 440: restricting member, 441: restricting portion, A2: rotation axis, L1: width direction dimension of conductive band, Y: second width direction, third width direction (width direction)

Claims

1. A wheel-type power receiver that receives power from a power supplier installed on the surface of a road so as to extend along the road by rolling over the surface of the power supplier, the wheel-type power receiver comprising: a tire made of an elastic material and having an internal chamber; a conductive band arranged in the internal chamber; and a plurality of conductors distributed along a tread surface which is the outer circumferential surface of the tire, the tire having an annular tread portion that forms the tread surface, the conductive band being a band-shaped member that is conductive and flexible and that is continuously arranged along the circumferential direction of the tire, and each of the plurality of conductors is arranged to penetrate the tread portion and is electrically connected to the conductive band.

2. A wheel-type receiver as described in claim 1, comprising: a rotating terminal arranged radially inward of the conductive band and rotating integrally with the tire; and a conductive wire electrically connecting the conductive band and the rotating terminal, wherein the conductive band is arranged continuously along the inner circumferential surface of the tread portion.

3. The wheel-type receiver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductive band is a knitted fabric using conductive yarn or conductive wire, or a woven fabric using conductive yarn or conductive wire.

4. A wheel-type receiver as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the multiple conductors are distributed and arranged not only circumferentially but also widthwise of the tread surface, and the widthwise dimension of the conductive band is set so as to overlap, when viewed radially, with the entirety of the multiple conductors distributed and arranged in the widthwise direction.

5. A wheel-type power receiver as described in claim 1 or 2, comprising: a rotating terminal arranged radially inside the conductive band and rotating integrally with the tire; and a conductive wire electrically connecting the conductive band and the rotating terminal, wherein the conductive band and the rotating terminal are connected by N conductive wires (N is an integer of 1 or more), the conductive band is configured to electrically connect all N conductive wires to each other, and the total cross-sectional area of ​​the N conductive wires is set according to the magnitude of the current received from the power supply.

6. A wheel-type receiver as described in claim 1 or 2, comprising a regulating member having a regulating portion arranged in the inner chamber, wherein a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire is taken as a radial direction, each of the multiple conductors has an engaging portion located radially inward than the tread portion, and the regulating portion is arranged radially outward with respect to the conductive band and the multiple engaging portions, and is configured to regulate the radially outward movement of the conductive band and the multiple conductors.

7. A wheel-type receiver as described in claim 6, wherein the regulating portion is positioned so as to be spaced radially inward from the tread portion and spaced radially outward from the conductive band and the multiple engaged portions when no load is acting on the tread portion.

8. A wheel-type receiver as described in claim 6, wherein each of the multiple conductors has a columnar portion that penetrates the regulating portion and the tread portion in the radial direction, the engaging portion is provided radially inward from the columnar portion and is formed so that at least one dimension in the width direction and circumferential direction of the tire is larger than that of the columnar portion, and the conductive band is positioned so as to contact the engaging portion from the radially inner side.

9. The wheel-type power receiver according to claim 6, further comprising a wheel supporting said tire from the inside in the radial direction, said regulating member being fixed to said wheel.

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