Power receiver device

Abstract

A power receiver device (100) includes a power receiver side communication coil (170), a power receiver side control unit (230) configured to control energization of the power receiver side communication coil (170) to supply a power supply request signal to a power transmitter coil (22) to the power receiver side communication coil (170), and a detector coil (401) configured to detect a magnetic field signal generated by the power receiver side communication coil (170) or a correlation value of the magnetic field signal.　 A power receiver side controller (231) of the power receiver side control unit (230) calculates a target output voltage of a power source constituting a transmitter (240) based on a detected value of the detector coil (401).　 The power receiver side controller (231) controls an output voltage of the power source to the target output voltage.

Description

POWER RECEIVER DEVICECross Reference

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Application No. 2024-208011 filed on November 29, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a power receiver device.

[0003] Patent Literature discloses a system for wireless power supply from a power transmitter device on the ground side to a power receiver device mounted on an electric vehicle.　 The power transmitter device includes a power transmitter coil and a control unit that energizes the power transmitter coil.　 The power receiver device includes a power receiver coil that receives power from a power transmitter coil in a wireless manner.

[0004] The power transmitter device and the power receiver device each include a communication coil for short-range wireless communication.　 The power receiver device supplies a power supply request signal to the communication coil of the power receiver device.　 The power transmitter device determines whether there is a power supply request based on an output signal from a communication coil of the power transmitter device.　 When it is determined that there is a power supply request, the power transmitter device energizes the power transmitter coil.

[0005] JP2024-8088A

[0006] There is desirable to have a technique that can adjust the transmission intensity value of a power supply request signal from a communication coil constituting a power receiver device.　 This technique is also desirable when the power transmitter device is a vehicle-side device and the power receiver device is a device on the ground side.

[0007] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a power receiver device capable of adjusting the transmission intensity value of a power supply request signal.

[0008] A power receiver device is to be applied to a wireless power supply system in which one of devices on a ground side and a vehicle side is a power transmitter device including a power transmitter antenna, and another is the power receiver device including a power receiver antenna. 　The power receiver device is configured to transmit a power supply request signal to request power supply to the power transmitter device. 　The power transmitter device is configured to supply power to the power receiver antenna in a wireless manner by energizing the power transmitter antenna on condition that the power transmitter device receives the power supply request signal.　 The power receiver device is configured to wirelessly transmit the power supply request signal to a power transmitter side communication antenna provided in the power transmitter device by a power receiver side communication antenna.　 The power receiver device comprises: a power receiver side control unit configured to control energization of the power receiver side communication antenna to supply the power supply request signal to the power receiver side communication antenna; and a signal detection unit configured to detect a magnetic field signal generated by the power receiver side communication antenna or a correlation value of the magnetic field signal.　 The power receiver side control unit is configured to adjust a transmission intensity value of the power supply request signal based on an intensity value, which is an amplitude or effective value of a detected signal of the signal detection unit.

[0009] The detected intensity value of a signal detection unit has a correlation with the transmission intensity value of the power supply request signal.　 Therefore, according to the present disclosure in which the detected intensity value is used, it is possible to adjust the transmission intensity value of the power supply request signal.

[0010] The drawings described herein are intended to illustrate selected embodiments, do not depict all possible embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a wireless power supply system according to a first embodiment.FIG 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the wireless power supply system.FIG. 3 shows a power transmitter device and a power receiver device.FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a transmitter and the peripheral configuration thereof.FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of abnormality determination processing.FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of abnormality determination processing according to a second embodiment.FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of abnormality determination processing according to a third embodiment.FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of abnormality determination processing according to a fourth embodiment.FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of abnormality determination processing according to a fifth embodiment.FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of threshold changing processing according to a sixth embodiment.FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an SS-type system.FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an SP-type system.FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the magnitude of a coupling coefficient and a threshold in SS and SP types.FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a PS-type system.FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a PP-type system.FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the magnitude of a coupling coefficient and a threshold in PS and PP types.FIG. 17 is a diagram showing one frame of a vehicle-side signal according to another embodiment.FIG. 18 is a time chart showing a state in which the output voltage of a power source is set at the time of start according to another embodiment.FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a transmitter and a peripheral configuration thereof according to another embodiment.FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a transmitter and a peripheral configuration thereof according to another embodiment.FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a transmitter and a peripheral configuration thereof according to another embodiment.FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a transmitter and the peripheral configuration thereof according to another embodiment.FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the procedure of target output voltage setting processing according to another embodiment.

[0012] Multiple embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.　 In multiple embodiments, functionally and / or structurally corresponding and / or related portions may be labeled with the same reference numerals or with reference numerals that differ in the hundredth or higher digits.　 For corresponding and / or related portions, reference may be made to the description of other embodiments.

[0013] <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of a wireless power supply system according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] First, the overall configuration of the wireless power supply system will be described.　 As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a wireless power supply system 10 includes a power transmitter device 20 and a power receiver device 100.　 The power receiver device 100 is a device on the vehicle side, which is mounted on a vehicle 11, as a moving object driving on a road RS.　 The vehicle 11 is, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.　 While the vehicle 11 is traveling or stopped, power is supplied from the power transmitter device 20 to the power receiver device 100.　 The wireless power supply system 10 performs wireless power transmission from the power transmitter device 20 to the power receiver device 100 by magnetic field resonant coupling (magnetic field resonance).　 The wireless power supply system 10 is also called a dynamic wireless power transfer (D-WPT) system.

[0015] The power transmitter device 20 is a device on the ground side including a power transmitter side coil unit 21 and a power transmitter side power source unit 51 that supplies power to the power transmitter side coil unit 21.　 The power transmitter device 20 is, for example, a stationary device.　 The power transmitter side coil unit 21 is installed (for example, buried) on the road RS, a parking lot, or the like.　 The power transmitter side power source unit 51 is installed, for example, at the side of the road RS.　 The power transmitter side coil unit 21 is connected to a power transmitter side power source unit 51.　 The power transmitter side power source unit 51 is connected to an AC power source 15 and supplies AC power from the AC power source 15 to the power transmitter side coil unit 21.　 The AC power source 15 is, for example, a commercial power source.　 Multiple power transmitter side coil units 21 are disposed along the lanes of the road RS.　 FIG. 2 shows an example in which four power transmitter side coil units 21 disposed side by side along the road RS are connected to one power transmitter side power source unit 51.　 In other words, one power transmitter side power source unit 51 is provided for each of four power transmitter side coil units 21.

[0016] The configuration is not limited to one power transmitter side power source unit 51 being provided for each of the multiple power transmitter side coil units 21, but may also be one power transmitter side power source unit 51 being provided for one power transmitter side coil unit 21.

[0017] The power transmitter side power source unit 51 includes a PFC circuit 61, an inverter 60, and a filter circuit 52.　 The PFC circuit 61 includes an AC / DC converter and is connected to the AC power source 15.　 The switching of the switching elements (for example, IGBTs or MOSFETs) included in the PFC circuit 61 is controlled so that the power factor of the AC power input from the AC power source 15 is improved and the input AC power is converted into DC power.

[0018] The inverter 60 is connected to the PFC circuit 61.　 The DC power input from the PFC circuit 61 is converted into AC power by controlling the switching of the switching elements (for example, IGBTs or MOSFETs) included in the inverter 60.

[0019] The filter circuit 52 removes noise contained in the AC current input from the inverter 60, and supplies the AC current from which the noise has been removed to the power transmitter side coil unit 21.　 The filter circuit 52 is, for example, an LC filter including a coil and a capacitor.　 As the filter circuit 52, circuits of various configurations are used, specifically, for example, a T-type filter circuit is used.

[0020] The power transmitter side coil unit 21 includes a power transmitter coil 22 (corresponding to a "power transmitter antenna"), a power transmitter side resonant circuit 30, and a power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 The power transmitter side resonant circuit 30 supplies the AC power supplied from the filter circuit 52 to the power transmitter coil 22.　 As the power transmitter side resonant circuit 30, various well-known resonant circuits such as a circuit including a resonance capacitor can be used.

[0021] The power receiver device 100 includes a power receiver side coil unit 101 and a power receiver side power source unit 181.　 The power receiver side coil unit 101 includes a power receiver coil 102 (corresponding to a "power receiver antenna").　 The power receiver side coil unit 101 is provided at the bottom of the vehicle body of the vehicle 11.　 The power receiver side coil unit 101 is provided at the bottom of the vehicle body to face the ground surface.　 When the vehicle 11 travels on the road RS in which the power transmitter coil 22 is buried, the power transmitter coil 22 on the ground side and the power receiver coil 102 provided on the vehicle 11 face each other in a vertical direction.

[0022] The power receiver device 100 includes a power receiver side resonant circuit 140.　 The power receiver coil 102 is connected to the power receiver side resonant circuit 140.　 Power is transmitted to the power receiver coil 102 from the power transmitter coil 22.　 The power receiver coil 102 supplies the received power to the power receiver side resonant circuit 140.　 As the power receiver side resonant circuit 140, various well-known resonant circuits such as a circuit including a resonance capacitor can be used.

[0023] The power receiver device 100 includes a filter circuit 182, a rectifier circuit 200 that functions as a DC / AC convertor circuit, and a smoothing capacitor 210.　 The filter circuit 182 removes noise contained in the AC current input from the power receiver side resonant circuit 140, and supplies the AC current from which the noise has been removed to the rectifier circuit 200.　 The filter circuit 182 of the present embodiment is, for example, an LC filter including a reactor and a capacitor.

[0024] The rectifier circuit 200 converts the input AC current into a DC current and outputs the DC current.　 The rectifier circuit 200 is, for example, a full-bridge circuit including semiconductor switching elements, or a diode rectifier circuit.　 A first end of the smoothing capacitor 210 is connected to a high potential side output terminal of the rectifier circuit 200.　 A second end of the smoothing capacitor 210 is connected to the low potential side output terminal of the rectifier circuit 200.　 The rectifier circuit 200 is also called an electronic rectification box (ERB).

[0025] The vehicle 11 includes a high-potential side main switch 301H, a low-potential side main switch 301L, and a high-voltage power storage battery 300 (corresponding to the "power supply target device") as a power storage unit.　 The high-potential side main switch 301H and the low-potential side main switch 301L are, for example, relays (specifically, mechanical relays).　 The high potential side output terminal of the rectifier circuit 200 is connected to the positive-electrode terminal of the high-voltage power storage battery 300 via the high-potential side main switch 301H.　 The low potential side output terminal of the rectifier circuit 200 is connected to the negative-electrode terminal of the high-voltage power storage battery 300 via the low-potential side main switch 301L.　 The high-voltage power storage battery 300 is a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged, and has a rated voltage of, for example, several hundred volts.　 The high-voltage power storage battery 300 is, for example, a lithium-ion power storage battery or a nickel-metal hydride power storage battery.

[0026] The vehicle 11 includes a driving inverter 310 and a rotary electric machine 320.　 The driving inverter 310 is a three-phase inverter, and is connected to the high-voltage power storage battery 300 via the high-potential side main switch 301H and the low-potential side main switch 301L.　 An armature winding of the rotary electric machine 320 is connected to the upper and lower arm switches constituting the driving inverter 310.　 With the high-potential side main switch 301H and the low-potential side main switch 301L turned on, the switching of the upper and lower arm switches of the driving inverter 310 is controlled such that the driving inverter 310 converts the DC power supplied from the high-voltage power storage battery 300 into AC power and supplies the AC power to the armature winding.　 This causes the rotor of the rotary electric machine 320 to rotate, and the drive wheels of the vehicle 11 are rotated by the rotational power of the rotor.　 As a result, the vehicle 11 travels.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the power transmitter side power source unit 51 constituting the power transmitter device 20 includes a power transmitter side control unit 70.　 The power transmitter side control unit 70 includes a power transmitter side controller 71.　 The power transmitter side controller 71 is an electronic control unit (ECU) that performs various controls of the power transmitter device 20, and includes a processor as hardware, a storage unit, and a communication bus that connects the processor and the storage unit.

[0028] The storage unit includes memory and storage as hardware.　 The memory is a storage device for storing data used in the processing of the power transmitter side controller 71.　 The memory provides the processor with, for example, a working area for temporary use when the processor performs processing.　 The memory includes, for example, a ROM or a RAM.　 The storage is a storage device that stores various programs and data to be read and executed by the processor, and is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.　 The storage includes, for example, a HDD or a flash memory.　 The storage stores program information and the like for the processing described below.

[0029] The power receiver side power source unit 181 constituting the power receiver device 100 includes a power receiver side controller 231.　 The power receiver side controller 231 is an ECU that performs various controls of the power receiver device 100, and includes a processor as hardware, a storage unit, and a communication bus that connects the processor and the storage unit.

[0030] The storage unit includes memory and storage as hardware.　 The memory is a storage device for storing data used in the processing of the power receiver side controller 231.　 The memory provides the processor with, for example, a working area for temporary use when the processor performs processing.　 The memory includes, for example, a ROM or a RAM.　 The storage is a storage device that stores various programs and data to be read and executed by the processor, and is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.　 The storage includes, for example, a HDD or a flash memory.　 The storage stores program information and the like for the processing described below.

[0031] For example, program information stored in a non-transitory tangible storage medium is installed in the storage units of the power receiver side controller 231 and the power transmitter side controller 71.　 The storage medium is, for example, a USB memory, a CD-ROM, or a DVD.　 For example, program information transmitted via a communication network, such as over the air (OTA), is installed in the storage unit 233.

[0032] The power transmitter side controller 71 performs switching control of the PFC circuit 61 and switching control of the inverter 60.　 A high-frequency AC voltage is applied to the power transmitter coil 22 by controlling the switching of the inverter 60.　 Therefore, a high-frequency current flows through the power transmitter coil 22, and a magnetic field for power transmission is generated in the power transmitter coil 22.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the power transmitter side controller 71 controls the switching of the inverter 60 so that the frequency of the high-frequency voltage applied to the power transmitter coil 22 becomes a first specified frequency (specifically, 85 kHz) that is equal to or higher than 10 kHz and equal to or less than 100 GHz.　 The resonance frequencies of the power transmitter side resonant circuit 30 and the power receiver side resonant circuit 140 are set to the same frequency as the first specified frequency or to a frequency close to the first specified frequency.

[0034] When the magnetic field generated in the power transmitter coil 22 interlinks with the power receiver coil 102 of the vehicle 11, a high-frequency current that fluctuates with the frequency of the high-frequency current flowing through the power transmitter coil 22 flows through the power receiver coil 102.　 The high-frequency current flowing through the power receiver coil 102 is supplied to the rectifier circuit 200 via the power receiver side resonant circuit 140 and the filter circuit 182.　 The rectifier circuit 200 converts the supplied AC current into a DC current and outputs the DC current.　 When the high-potential side main switch 301H and the low-potential side main switch 301L are turned on, the output current of the rectifier circuit 200 is supplied to the high-voltage power storage battery 300 and the driving inverter 310.

[0035] The vehicle 11 includes a low-voltage power storage battery 302.　 The rated voltage of the low-voltage power storage battery 302 is lower than the rated voltage of the high-voltage power storage battery 300.　 The low-voltage power storage battery 302 is, for example, a lead power storage battery.　 When power is supplied from the low-voltage power storage battery 302 to the power receiver side controller 231, the power receiver side controller 231 becomes operable.

[0036] The power receiver device 100 and the power transmitter device 20 have a configuration for communication between the power receiver device 100 and the power transmitter device 20.　 In detail, the power receiver side coil unit 101 constituting the power receiver device 100 includes a power receiver side communication coil 170 (corresponding to a "power receiver side communication antenna").　 The power receiver side control unit 230 includes a transmitter 240.

[0037] The power transmitter side coil unit 21 constituting the power transmitter device 20 includes the power transmitter side communication coil 40 (corresponding to a "power transmitter side communication antenna").　 The power transmitter side control unit 70 includes a receiver 80.　 The power receiver side communication coil 170 and the power transmitter side communication coil 40 are communication coils for performing short range wireless communication.　 The short-range wireless communication is communication with a communication distance of less than 10 meters (for example, a maximum of 3 meters).　 The short-range wireless communication has a shorter communication distance than wide-area wireless communication.

[0038] As the short-range wireless communication, various near field communication methods can be used, and for example, communication conforming to any communication standard established by IEEE, ISO, IEC, or the like is used.　 Specifically, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), radio frequency identification (RFID), or dedicated short range communication (DSRC) is used as the short-range wireless communication.

[0039] The transmitter 240 is connected to the power receiver side controller 231.　 The power receiver side communication coil 170 is connected to the transmitter 240.　 The power receiver side controller 231 controls the transmitter 240 to supply a power supply request signal COMM to the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 The power supply request signal COMM is a signal that requests the power transmitter coil 22 near the vehicle 11 to transmit power to the power receiver coil 102.

[0040] The power receiver side control unit 230 controls the transmitter 240 to include a vehicle-side signal including the power supply request signal COMM in one frame and supply the frame to the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 In the present embodiment, the power supply request signal includes ID information of the vehicle 11 (corresponding to "identification information for identifying the power receiver device") and a requested power Weq, which is a requested value of power to be supplied to the vehicle 11.　 This control causes the transmitter 240 to apply a high-frequency voltage to the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 Therefore, a high-frequency current flows through the power receiver side communication coil 170, and a magnetic field for information communication is generated in the power receiver side communication coil 170.

[0041] In the case where the power receiver side coil unit 101 of the vehicle 11 is in close proximity to the power transmitter side coil unit 21 on the ground side, when the magnetic field generated from the power receiver side communication coil 170 interlinks with the power transmitter side communication coil 40, a high-frequency current flows in the power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 This high-frequency current is input to the receiver 80.　 The receiver 80 recognizes the presence or absence of a power supply request and the ID information based on the input signal from the power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 The receiver 80 acquires the requested power Weq of the vehicle 11 having the recognized ID information based on the signal from the power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 The information recognized by the receiver 80 and the requested power Weq are input to the power transmitter side controller 71.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the power receiver side controller 231 controls the transmitter 240 so that the frequency of the high-frequency voltage applied to the power receiver side communication coil 170 becomes a second specified frequency that is equal to or higher than 10 kHz and equal to or lower than 100 GHz.　 In the present embodiment, the second specified frequency is a frequency that is shifted from the first specified frequency, and specifically, is a frequency that is higher than the first specified frequency (specifically, 13.56 MHz).

[0043] The power transmitter side controller 71 determines whether to energize the power transmitter coil 22 based on an input signal from the receiver 80.　 In detail, on condition that it is determined that there is a power supply request based on an input signal from the receiver 80, the power transmitter side controller 71 applies a high-frequency voltage to the power transmitter coil 22 at the first specified frequency by controlling the switching of the inverter 60 and the PFC circuit 61.　 Therefore, power is transmitted in a wireless manner from the power transmitter coil 22 to the power receiver coil 102.　 When it is determined that there is a power supply request, the power transmitter side controller 71 actually performs coupling determination processing to determine whether the degree of magnetic coupling between the power receiver coil 102 and the power transmitter coil 22 is appropriate for power transmission, prior to executing switching control of the inverter 60 and the PFC circuit 61.　 The power transmitter side controller 71 executes switching control of the inverter 60 and the PFC circuit 61 on condition that it is determined that the degree of magnetic coupling between the power receiver coil 102 and the power transmitter coil 22 is appropriate.　 Therefore, the power transmitter coil 22 is energized while the power receiver coil 102 and the power transmitter coil 22 are in close proximity to each other.

[0044] The power receiver side coil unit 101 includes a detector coil 401 (corresponding to a "signal generation unit") as a component for controlling the transmitter 240.　 The detector coil 401 is a coil that detects the magnetic field signal generated by the power receiver side communication coil 170 as a high-frequency voltage signal or current signal.　 The detected signal of the detector coil 401 is input to the power receiver side controller 231.

[0045] The configuration of the transmitter 240 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0046] The transmitter 240 includes a generator circuit 241, an amplifier 242, a power source 243, and a power source voltage sensor 244.　 The generator circuit 241 is connected to the power receiver side controller 231 and the amplifier 242.　 The generator circuit 241 generates a high-frequency signal as a power supply request signal based on a command from the power receiver side controller 231.　 The frequency of this high-frequency signal is the second specified frequency.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the generator circuit 241 generates a high-frequency signal of 1 MHz or higher.　 Therefore, a high-frequency current of 1 MHz or higher flows through the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 In this case, the detector coil 401 outputs a signal of 1 MHz or higher.　 In order to properly detect signals of 1 MHz or higher, the detector coil 401 is used.

[0048] The amplifier 242 operates when a DC voltage is supplied from the power source 243.　 The amplifier 242 amplifies the high-frequency signal generated by the generator circuit 241 and supplies the amplified signal to the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 The higher the DC voltage input from the power source 243 to the amplifier 242, the larger the amplitude of the high-frequency signal output from the amplifier 242.

[0049] The power source voltage sensor 244 detects the DC voltage output from the power source 243.　 The detected value of the power source voltage sensor 244 is input to the power receiver side controller 231.

[0050] The power receiver side controller 231 instructs the generator circuit 241 to generate a high-frequency signal as a power supply request signal.　 The high-frequency signal output from the generator circuit 241 is amplified by the amplifier 242.　 The amplified signal is supplied to the power receiver side communication coil 170 as a power supply request signal.

[0051] The power receiver side controller 231 acquires the detected signal of the detector coil 401, and calculates an intensity value Intd, which is the amplitude or effective value of the output signal of the detector coil 401, based on the acquired signal.　 The power receiver side controller 231 calculates a target output voltage Vtgt of the power source 243 (corresponding to a "target value") as a manipulated variable for feedback control of the calculated intensity value Intd to a target intensity value Inttgt.　 The target intensity value Inttgt is a value that is set based on the target intensity of the power supply request signal, and is set to a value that allows short-range wireless communication between the power transmitter device 20 and the power receiver device 100 to be properly performed.　 The power receiver side controller 231 operates and energizes the power source 243 to control a detected voltage Vd of the power source voltage sensor 244 to the target output voltage Vtgt.

[0052] However, when an abnormality occurs in the communication with the power receiver device 100, there is a concern that a power supply request signal may not be transmitted properly from the power receiver side communication coil 170 of the power receiver device 100.　 The power receiver side controller 231 performs abnormality determination processing to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the communication with the power receiver device 100.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the abnormality determination processing.　 This processing is repeatedly executed by the power receiver side controller 231 at a predetermined control period, for example.

[0054] In step S10, the intensity value Intd is calculated based on the detected signal from the detector coil 401 by the method described above.

[0055] In step S11, the target output voltage Vtgt is calculated by the above-mentioned method based on the calculated intensity value Intd and the target intensity value Inttgt.

[0056] In step S12, the power source 243 is operated and energized to control the detected voltage Vd of the power source voltage sensor 244 to the target output voltage Vtgt.

[0057] In step S13, it is determined whether a determination voltage Vjde (corresponding to a "determination value") exceeds a upper limit threshold VHth.　 As the determination voltage Vjde, either the target output voltage Vtgt calculated in step S12 or the detected voltage Vd of the power source voltage sensor 244 used in step S12 is used.　 The upper limit threshold VHth is a value larger than the target output voltage Vtgt.

[0058] When it is determined that the determination voltage Vjde exceeds the upper limit threshold VHth, the process proceeds to step S14, where it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication with the power receiver device 100.　 The abnormality in the communication with the power receiver device 100 includes an abnormality in any one of the power receiver side communication coil 170, the amplifier 242, the power source 243, or the generator circuit 241.

[0059] In the following step S15, communication control is stopped.　 Specifically, the generator circuit 241 is instructed to stop generating a power supply request signal.　 This causes the generator circuit 241 to stop outputting a high-frequency signal.

[0060] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S13 that the determination voltage Vjde is equal to or lower than the upper limit threshold VHth, the process proceeds to step S16.　 In step S16, it is determined whether the determination voltage Vjde falls below a lower limit threshold VLth.　 The lower limit threshold VLth is a value smaller than the target output voltage Vtgt.　 The range from the lower limit threshold VLth to the upper limit threshold VHth is the normal output voltage range of the power source 243.

[0061] When it is determined that the determination voltage Vjde falls below the lower limit threshold VLth, the process proceeds to step S14, where it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication with the power receiver device 100.　 Then, in step S15, the energization control is stopped.

[0062] According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the power receiver device 100 is being used continuously when an abnormality occurs in the communication with the power receiver device 100.

[0063] <Modification Example of First Embodiment> The power receiver side controller 231 may use the manipulated variable for feedback control of the intensity value Intd to the target intensity value Inttgt as a supplied power Wd from the power source 243 to the amplifier 242, instead of voltage.　 In this case, in step S13 or S16 of the previous FIG. 5, the power receiver side controller 231 may use the electric parameter value to be compared with the thresholds VHth and VLth as the supplied power Wd from the power source 243 to the amplifier 242, instead of voltage.　 This technique can be applied, for example, to a case where the power source 243 is controlled so that the higher the voltage supplied from the power source 243 to the amplifier 242 is, the higher the power supplied from the power source 243 to the amplifier 242 is.　 The power receiver side controller 231 may calculate the supplied power Wd (for example, Vd x Ipd) based on the detected voltage Vd of the power source voltage sensor 244 and a detected current Ipd of a power source current sensor (not shown) that detects the current supplied from the power source 243 to the amplifier 242.

[0064] The power receiver side controller 231 may use the manipulated variable for feedback control of the intensity value Intd to the target intensity value Inttgt as the detected current Ipd of the power source current sensor, instead of voltage.　 In this case, in step S13 or S16 in the previous FIG. 5, the power receiver side controller 231 may use the electric parameter value to be compared with the thresholds VHth and VLth as the detected current Ipd of the power source current sensor, instead of voltage.　 This technique can be applied, for example, to a case where the power source 243 is controlled so that the current supplied from the power source 243 to the amplifier 242 increases as the voltage supplied from the power source 243 to the amplifier 242 increases.

[0065] In the power receiver device 100, the control device (specifically, a microcomputer) that monitors the signal from the detector coil may be configured as a multiple system (for example, a dual system) to ensure redundancy.

[0066] <Second Embodiment> Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on differences from the first embodiment.　 In the present embodiment, when it is determined that the determination voltage Vjde falls below the lower limit threshold VLth, the abnormality determination is performed again.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the abnormality determination processing.　 This processing is repeatedly executed by the power receiver side controller 231 at a predetermined control period, for example.

[0068] When it is determined in step S16 that the determination voltage Vjde is lower than the lower limit threshold VLth, the process proceeds to step S17, where a counter Cnt is incremented by one.

[0069] In step S18, it is determined whether the counter Cnt exceeds a counter threshold Cth.　 The counter threshold Cth is an integer equal to or higher than 1.　 When it is determined that the counter Cnt is equal to or smaller than the counter threshold Cth, the process proceeds to step S10, and the abnormality determination is performed again in the next control period.

[0070] When it is determined in step S18 that the counter Cnt exceeds the counter threshold Cth, the process proceeds to step S14, where it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the communication with the power receiver device 100.　 Then, in step S15, the energization control is stopped.

[0071] When the determination in step S16 is negative, the process proceeds to step S19, where the counter Cnt is initialized to 0.

[0072] When the determination voltage Vjde exceeds the upper limit threshold VHth, there is a risk that the power supply request signal may be excessively large.　 In this case, since there is a risk that the power transmitter coil 22, which should not be energized, may be energized, it is desirable to immediately stop communication control.

[0073] On the other hand, when the determination voltage Vjde falls below the lower limit threshold VLth, there is no need to immediately stop communication control because such a risk is small.　 When it is determined that the determination voltage Vjde falls below the lower limit threshold VLth in the current control period, the power receiver side controller 231 continues to supply a high-frequency signal from the amplifier 242 to the power receiver side communication coil 170 without stopping the supply of the high-frequency signal, and performs the abnormality determination again in the next control period.　 Therefore, wireless power supply is continued as long as possible.

[0074] <Third Embodiment> Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on differences from the first embodiment.　 In the present embodiment, the transmission intensity value of the power supply request signal is adjusted so that the output voltage of the power source 243 approaches the target output voltage Vtgt.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the abnormality determination processing.　 This processing is repeatedly executed by the power receiver side controller 231 at a predetermined control period, for example.

[0076] When the determination in step S16 is negative, the processing of bring the output voltage of the power source 243, which is within the normal voltage range, closer to the target output voltage Vtgt.　 As the output voltage approaches the target output voltage Vtgt, the intensity value Intd based on the detected signal of the detector coil 401 approaches the target intensity value Inttgt.　 In detail, in step S20, it is determined whether the determination voltage Vjde exceeds the target output voltage Vtgt.

[0077] When it is determined in step S20 that the determination voltage Vjde exceeds the target output voltage Vtgt, the process proceeds to step S21, where the processing of reducing the gain of the amplifier 242 is performed.　 As a result, the intensity value of the power supply request signal transmitted from the power receiver side communication coil 170 is reduced.

[0078] On the other hand, when the determination in step S20 is negative, the process proceeds to step S22, where it is determined whether the determination voltage Vjde falls below the target output voltage Vtgt.

[0079] When it is determined in step S22 that the determination voltage Vjde falls below the target output voltage Vtgt, the process proceeds to step S23, where the processing of increasing the gain of the amplifier 242 is performed.　 As a result, the intensity value of the power supply request signal transmitted from the power receiver side communication coil 170 is increased.

[0080] Due to aging deterioration of the power receiver device 100, or the like, the intensity value of the power supply request signal may deviate from the appropriate value corresponding to the target intensity value Inttgt.　 Even in this case, the transmission intensity value of the power supply request signal can be adjusted to an appropriate value by the processing in steps S20 to S23.

[0081] <Fourth Embodiment> Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on differences from the first embodiment.　 In the present embodiment, the method of determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the transmission function of the power receiver device 100 is changed.

[0082] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the abnormality determination processing executed by the power receiver side controller 231.　 This processing is executed during a period in which the detected voltage Vd is feedback-controlled to the target output voltage Vtgt.

[0083] In step S30, a driving speed Vs of the vehicle 11 is acquired.　 For example, the detected value of a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle 11 is acquired as the driving speed Vs.

[0084] In step S31, the higher the driving speed Vs, the shorter a specified period Tj is set.　 The specified period Tj is, for example, a value on the order of several msec.

[0085] In step S32, it is determined whether the determination voltage Vjde has continuously exceeded the upper limit threshold VHth for a specified period Tj.　 When the determination in step S32 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0086] On the other hand, when the determination in step S32 is negative, the process proceeds to step S33, where it is determined whether the determination voltage Vjde has continuously fallen below the lower limit threshold VLth for the specified period Tj.　 When the determination in step S33 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0087] The required period for the vehicle 11 to drive over the power transmitter side coil unit 21 becomes shorter as the driving speed of the vehicle 11 increases.　 According to the present embodiment, by setting the specified period Tj according to the driving speed, the processing of step S15 is executed at an appropriate timing according to the driving speed when an abnormality has occurred.　 Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which power is transmitted from the power transmitter coil 22 when an abnormality occurs in the transmission function of the power receiver device 100.

[0088] <Modification Example of Fourth Embodiment> In step S31, the specified period Tj may be changed stepwise (for example, in two steps, or in multiple steps of three or more steps) in response to the driving speed Vs, rather than being changed continuously.

[0089] <Fifth Embodiment> Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on differences from the first embodiment.　 In the present embodiment, the abnormality diagnosis of the transmission function of the power receiver device 100 is performed at different locations.

[0090] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the abnormality determination processing executed by the power receiver side controller 231.　 This processing is executed during a period in which the detected voltage Vd is feedback-controlled to the target output voltage Vtgt.

[0091] In step S40, it is determined whether a diagnosis execution condition for the transmission function is met.　 The diagnosis execution condition is that the current position of the vehicle 11 is different from the location where the vehicle 11 was previously diagnosed.　 For example, it may be determined whether the diagnosis execution condition is met based on the detected value of a position sensor (for example, a GPS sensor) that detects the current position of the vehicle 11.　 The diagnosis execution condition may be that the starter switch of the vehicle 11 is turned on or that the starter switch is turned off.　 The starter switch is, for example, an ignition switch or a push-type start switch, and is operated by a user of the vehicle 11.

[0092] When the determination in step S40 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S41, where it is determined whether a tentative determination flag F is 0.　 The initial value of the tentative determination flag F is 0.

[0093] When it is determined in step S41 that the tentative determination flag F is 0, the process proceeds to step S42, where it is determined whether the determination voltage Vjde exceeds the upper limit threshold VHth.

[0094] When it is determined that the determination voltage Vjde exceeds the upper limit threshold VHth, the process proceeds to step S43, where the tentative determination flag F is set to 1.

[0095] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S42 that the determination voltage Vjde is equal to or lower than the upper limit threshold VHth, the process proceeds to step S44.　 In step S44, it is determined whether the determination voltage Vjde falls below the lower limit threshold VLth.

[0096] When it is determined that the determination voltage Vjde falls below the lower limit threshold VLth, the process proceeds to step S43, where the tentative determination flag F is set to 1.

[0097] After the processing of step S43 is completed, the processing of step S40 is executed again.　 A situation in which the determination in step S40 is affirmative again is a situation in which the current position of the vehicle 11 is in a second location that is different from the first location that was previously determined to be affirmative in step S40.

[0098] Thereafter, in step S41, it is determined whether the tentative determination flag F is 0.　 When it is determined in step S41 that the tentative determination flag F is 1, the process proceeds to step S45.　 In step S45, it is determined whether the determination voltage Vjde exceeds the upper limit threshold VHth.　 When it is determined in step S45 that the determination voltage Vjde is equal to or lower than the upper limit threshold VHth, the process proceeds to step S46.　 In step S46, it is determined whether the determination voltage Vjde falls below the lower limit threshold VLth.

[0099] When it is determined in step S45 that the determination voltage Vjde exceeds the upper limit threshold VHth, or when it is determined in step S46 that the determination voltage Vjde falls below the lower limit threshold VLth, the process proceeds to step S47.　 In step S47, a definitive determination is made as to whether an abnormality has occurred in the communication of the power receiver device 100.

[0100] In the first diagnosis of the transmission function, for example, due to the presence of an unintended metal object around the vehicle 11, it may be erroneously determined that an abnormality has occurred in the transmission function of the power receiver device 100 even though no abnormality has occurred.　 In this case, it may be possible to avoid erroneous determination by changing the diagnosis location.　 According to the present embodiment, since abnormality determination is executed multiple times while changing the diagnosis location, it is possible to improve the accuracy of abnormality determination.

[0101] <Modification Example of Fifth Embodiment> When it is determined that the number of times of abnormality determinations has reached a predetermined number of times, 3 or more, instead of two abnormality determinations, the power receiver side controller 231 may make a definitive determination that an abnormality has occurred.

[0102] <Sixth Embodiment> Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings focusing on differences from each of the above-described embodiments.　 In the present embodiment, the power receiver side controller 231 determines whether the relative positional relationship between the power transmitter side communication coil 40 and the power receiver side communication coil 170 is an appropriate positional relationship for wireless power supply, and changes the magnitude of the upper limit threshold VHth and the lower limit threshold VLth used in the abnormality determination processing based on the determination result.

[0103] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the abnormality determination processing executed by the power receiver side controller 231.

[0104] In step S50, it is determined whether the relative positional relationship between the power receiver side communication coil 170 mounted on the vehicle 11 and the power transmitter side communication coil 40 near this power receiver side communication coil 170 is an appropriate positional relationship for wireless power supply.　 The appropriate positional relationship is, for example, a positional relationship in which at least a part of the power receiver side communication coil 170 overlaps with the power transmitter side communication coil 40 when the vehicle 11 is viewed from above.　 For example, it may be determined whether the positional relationship is an appropriate positional relationship based on the detected value of a current sensor (not shown) that detects the current flowing through power receiver side communication coil 170.　 This determination method takes into consideration the fact that the closer the relative positional relationship is to the appropriate positional relationship, the larger the coupling coefficient between the power receiver side communication coil 170 and the power transmitter side communication coil 40 becomes.

[0105] The relationship between the magnitude of the coupling coefficient and the intensity value of the current flowing through the power receiver side communication coil 170 varies depending on the short-range wireless communication method used between the power receiver device 100 and the power transmitter device 20.　 First, an SS type or an SP type will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0106] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication method of the SS type.　 In the SS type, a power receiver side resonance capacitor 171 is connected in series to a power receiver side communication coil 170.　 In the SS type, a power transmitter side resonance capacitor 41 is connected in series to the power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a communication method of the SP type.　 In the SP type, the power receiver side resonance capacitor 171 is connected in series to the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 In the SP type, a power transmitter side resonance capacitor 42 is connected in parallel to the power transmitter side communication coil 40.

[0107] In the communication methods of the SS type and SP type, the larger the coupling coefficient between the power receiver side communication coil 170 and the power transmitter side communication coil 40, the smaller the current intensity value of the power receiver side communication coil 170 when transmitting a signal at a predetermined intensity value from the power receiver side communication coil 170 to the power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 In consideration of this point, the power receiver side controller 231 may determine that the positional relationship is an appropriate positional relationship when the intensity value of the current flowing through the power receiver side communication coil 170 is smaller than a reference intensity value.

[0108] Returning to the description of FIG. 10, when it is determined in step S50 that the positional relationship is an appropriate positional relationship, the process proceeds to step S51.　 On the other hand, when it is determined in step S50 that the positional relationship is not an appropriate positional relationship, the process proceeds to step S52.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 13, the power receiver side controller 231 sets the upper limit threshold VHth in step S51 to be smaller than the upper limit threshold VHth in step S52.　 The power receiver side controller 231 sets the lower limit threshold VLth in step S51 to be larger than the lower limit threshold VLth in step S52.

[0110] Next, the case of the PS method or the PP method will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0111] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a communication method of the PS type.　 In the PS type, a power receiver side resonance capacitor 172 is connected in parallel to the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 In the PS type, the power transmitter side resonance capacitor 41 is connected in series to the power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a communication method of the PP type.　 In the PP type, the power receiver side resonance capacitor 172 is connected in parallel to the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 In the PP type, the power transmitter side resonance capacitor 42 is connected in parallel to the power transmitter side communication coil 40.

[0112] In the communication methods of the PS and PP types, the larger the coupling coefficient between the power receiver side communication coil 170 and the power transmitter side communication coil 40 is, the larger the current intensity value of the power receiver side communication coil 170 is when transmitting a signal at a predetermined intensity value from the power receiver side communication coil 170 to the power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 In consideration of this point, the power receiver side controller 231 may determine that the positional relationship is an appropriate positional relationship when the intensity value of the current flowing through the power receiver side communication coil 170 is larger than a reference intensity value.

[0113] In the communication methods of the PS and PP types, the power receiver side controller 231 sets the upper limit threshold VHth in step S51 to be larger than the upper limit threshold VHth in step S52, as shown in FIG. 16.　 The power receiver side controller 231 sets the lower limit threshold VLth in step S51 to be smaller than the lower limit threshold VLth in step S52.

[0114] According to the present embodiment described above, the upper limit threshold VHth and the lower limit threshold VLth can be set according to the degree of magnetic coupling between the power receiver side communication coil 170 and the power transmitter side communication coil 40.

[0115] <Modification Example of Sixth Embodiment> The power receiver side controller 231 may determine whether the relative positional relationship between the power receiver side communication coil 170 and the power transmitter side communication coil 40 is an appropriate positional relationship during the tracking processing, which is temporary energization processing prior to the actual energization processing of the power transmitter coil 22.　 The tracking processing and the actual energization processing will be described below.

[0116] When it is determined that there is a power supply request, the power transmitter side controller 71 executes the tracking processing prior to the actual energization processing.　 Specifically, the power transmitter side controller 71 controls the switching of the inverter 60 and the PFC circuit 61 to set the frequency of the voltage applied to the power transmitter coil 22 to multiple different frequencies in order from higher frequency to lower frequency or from lower frequency to higher frequency.　 The power transmitter side controller 71 may set the frequency to be set initially as the frequency of the voltage applied to the power transmitter coil 22 to a frequency that is different from the resonance frequency of the power transmitter side resonant circuit 30, for example.

[0117] The power transmitter side controller 71 calculates the phase difference of the current of the power transmitter coil 22 with respect to the voltage applied to the power transmitter coil 22 while changing the frequency of the voltage applied to the power transmitter coil 22 by the switching control.　 From among the multiple frequencies of the set applied voltage, the power transmitter side controller 71 sets a frequency at which the calculated phase difference falls below a phase difference threshold to the frequency of the high-frequency current flowing through the power transmitter coil 22.　 As the phase difference threshold, for example, a value at which the efficiency of power supply from the power transmitter coil 22 to the power receiver coil 102 becomes larger than a predetermined efficiency may be set in advance based on tests or simulations.　 The power transmitter side controller 71 may calculate the phase difference based on, for example, the detected value of a current sensor that detects a current flowing through the power transmitter coil 22 and the detected value of a voltage sensor that detects the voltage of the power transmitter coil 22.　 Instead of the phase difference, another parameter, such as a detected value of the current flowing through the power transmitter coil 22, may be used.

[0118] During the execution of the tracking processing, the power receiver side controller 231 determines whether the relative positional relationship is an appropriate positional relationship.　 When it is determined that the relative positional relationship is an appropriate positional relationship, the power receiver side controller 231 transmits, to the power transmitter device 20, for example, using short-range wireless communication, information that the relative positional relationship is an appropriate positional relationship.　 On condition that information indicating that the relative positional relationship is an appropriate positional relationship is received, the power transmitter side controller 71 performs the actual energization processing with a larger transmitted power than energization during the tracking processing, using the frequency set in the tracking processing.

[0119] Instead of the intensity value of the current flowing through the power receiver side communication coil 170, the power receiver side controller 231 may use, for example, the current position information of the vehicle 11 detected by a position sensor and the installation position information of the power transmitter side coil unit 21 to determine whether the positional relationship is an appropriate positional relationship.　 The installation position information may be acquired, for example, from a navigation device mounted on the vehicle 11.

[0120] <Other Embodiments> The above embodiments may be changed and carried out as follows.

[0121] The power receiver side controller 231 may complete the processing (for example, the processing shown in the previous FIG. 5) of determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the transmission function of the power receiver device 100 during the period between start and completion of transmission of one frame of a vehicle-side signal.　 FIG. 17 shows an example of one frame of a vehicle-side signal.　 In the example shown in FIG. 17, a start determination signal for determining the start of a frame is placed at the beginning of each frame.　 Specifically, for example, the start determination signal is a preamble signal PA, which is a bit string signal used to signal the start of a frame.　 The start determination signal may be a start of frame (SOF) signal.

[0122] In each frame, ID information is placed after the start determination signal, and information on the requested power Weq is placed after the ID information.　 In each communication frame, an end determination signal for determining the end of the communication frame is placed after the information on the requested power Weq.　 Specifically, for example, the end determination signal is a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) signal.　 The end determination signal may be an end of frame (EOF) signal.

[0123] The start timing of ID information for identifying a vehicle is set in the first half of one frame of the vehicle-side signal.　 The ID information is placed before the end timing of one frame of the vehicle-side signal.

[0124] The power transmitter side controller 71 starts energizing the power transmitter coil 22 on the condition that the ID of the vehicle is recognized based on the output signal of the power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 Therefore, by completing the abnormality determination processing in the power receiver side controller 231 before the transmission of ID information from the power receiver device 100 to the power transmitter device 20 is completed, when an abnormality has occurred, it is possible to appropriately stop the transmission of vehicle-side signals including a power supply request signal.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 18, the power receiver side controller 231 may gradually increase the output voltage of the power source 243 when the power receiver device 100 is started.　 In the example shown in FIG. 18, the power receiver side controller 231 calculates the target output voltage Vtgt at the time of start, and thereafter, gradually increases the output voltage of the power source 243 up to the calculated target output voltage Vtgt.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 19, the power receiver side controller 231 may perform feedforward control so that the output voltage of the power source 243 becomes the target output voltage Vtgt.　 In this case, the power receiver side controller 231 may calculate the target output voltage Vtgt based on the calculated intensity value Intd and map information in which the intensity value Intd and the target output voltage Vtgt are linked.

[0127] In this case, the power receiver side controller 231 may supply a test signal, which is one pulse of a high-frequency signal, to the power receiver side communication coil 170 before supplying one frame of the vehicle-side signal to the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 This causes the detector coil 401 to output a pulse signal corresponding to the test signal. 　The intensity value extracted from this pulse signal is used for feedforward control, thereby improving the stability of voltage control of the power source 243.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 20, the amplifier 242 may include an air-core coil 405 without a core as a detector coil.　 The air-core coil 405 is a coil that is shaped to surround the current path between the amplifier 242 and the power receiver side communication coil 170, and detects the high-frequency current that flows through this current path.　 The air-core coil 405 is, for example, a Rogowski coil.　 The air-core coil 405 may be disposed on a control board (specifically, a PCB) included in the amplifier 242, for example.

[0129] The signal detection unit is not limited to a detector coil.　 For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the signal detection unit may be a voltage sensor 250 that detects the voltage of the resonance capacitor 171.　 The detected value of the voltage sensor 250 is input to the power receiver side controller 231.　 The power receiver side controller 231 may calculate the voltage intensity value of the resonance capacitor 171 based on the detected value of the voltage sensor 250, and calculate the target output voltage Vtgt as a manipulated variable for feedback control of the calculated voltage intensity value to the target intensity value.

[0130] The signal detection unit is not limited to a detector coil and may be, for example, a shunt resistor.　 As shown in FIG. 22, the amplifier 242 may include a shunt resistor 406 as a signal detection unit.　 The shunt resistor 406 is provided in a current path between the amplifier 242 and the power receiver side communication coil 170 (for example, in the output portion of the current path of the amplifier 242).　 When a high-frequency current flows through the shunt resistor 406, a high-frequency voltage corresponding to the high-frequency current is generated in the shunt resistor 406.　 The voltage detected by the shunt resistor 406 is input to the power receiver side controller 231 as a detected current value.　 The shunt resistor that detects the current output from the power source 243 may be provided.

[0131] When the power receiver device 100 is started (for example, when the starter switch of the vehicle 11 is turned on), the power receiver side controller 231 determines whether the intensity value Intd based on the output signal of the detector coil 401 becomes the target intensity value Inttgt.　 When it is determined that the intensity value Intd deviates from the target intensity value Inttgt, the power receiver side controller 231 sets the output voltage of the power source 243 to make the amount of deviation 0.

[0132] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the processing executed by the power receiver side controller 231.

[0133] In step S60, it is determined whether the power receiver device 100 is being started.　 When it is determined that the power receiver device 100 is being started, the process proceeds to step S61, where a high-frequency voltage that fluctuates at the second specified frequency and has a predetermined amplitude is supplied from the amplifier 242 to the power receiver side communication coil 170.　 In this case, the output voltage of the power source 243 is set to a predetermined voltage Vdf.

[0134] In step S62, the detected signal from the detector coil 401 when a high-frequency voltage is being supplied to the power receiver side communication coil 170 is acquired, and the intensity value Intd is calculated based on the acquired detected signal.

[0135] In step S63, it is determined whether the calculated intensity value Intd deviates from the target intensity value Inttgt. 　When it is determined that there is no deviation, the process proceeds to step S64, where the predetermined voltage Vdf is stored in the storage unit of the power receiver side controller 231, and the stored predetermined voltage Vdf is used as the target output voltage Vtgt thereafter.

[0136] On the other hand, when it is determined that there is deviation, the process proceeds to step S65, where the output voltage of the power source 243 is changed from the above-mentioned predetermined voltage to make the amount of deviation between the calculated intensity value Intd and the target intensity value Inttgt 0.　 Here, map information or formula information in which the target intensity value Inttgt and the output voltage of the power source 243 are associated may be used.　 In the map information or formula information, the target intensity value Inttgt and the output voltage of the power source 243 have a positive correlation.　 For example, when the calculated intensity value Intd deviates to the smaller side with respect to the target intensity value Inttgt, the output voltage of the power source 243 is increased.　 Thereafter, in step S66, the changed output voltage Vch is stored in the storage unit, and the stored output voltage Vch is used as the target output voltage Vtgt thereafter.　 Therefore, it is possible to set the target output voltage Vtgt to an appropriate value for performing short-range wireless communication.

[0137] The method of setting the target output voltage Vtgt when the power receiver device 100 is started may be the following method.　 When the power receiver device 100 is started, the power receiver side controller 231 operates the output voltage of the power source 243 to feedback control the calculated intensity value Intd to the target intensity value Inttgt.　 The power receiver side controller 231 stores in the storage unit the output voltage of the power source 243 when the intensity value Intd converges to the target intensity value Inttgt, and uses the stored output voltage as the target output voltage Vtgt thereafter.

[0138] The wireless power supply system may have a second function of supplying power in a wireless manner from a vehicle-side device to a device on the ground side, in addition to a first function of supplying power in a wireless manner from a device on the ground side to a vehicle-side device.　 In this case, the power receiver device 100 on the vehicle side has a power transmitter function in addition to a power receiver function.　 The power transmitter device 20 on the ground side has a power receiver function in addition to a power transmitter function.　 The second function will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0139] The power receiver side controller 231 applies a high-frequency AC voltage to the power receiver coil 102 by controlling the switching of the rectifier circuit 200.　 Therefore, a high-frequency current flows through the power receiver coil 102, and a magnetic field for power transmission is generated in the power receiver coil 102.

[0140] When the magnetic field generated in the power receiver coil 102 interlinks with the power transmitter coil 22, a high-frequency current that fluctuates with the frequency of the high-frequency current flowing through the power receiver coil 102 flows through the power transmitter coil 22.　 The high-frequency current flowing through the power transmitter coil 22 is supplied to the AC power source 15 via the power transmitter side resonant circuit 30, the filter circuit 52, the inverter 60, and the PFC circuit 61.　 In this case, the power transmitter side controller 71 controls the switching of the inverter 60 and the PFC circuit 61.

[0141] In the wireless power supply system having the second function, for example, the power transmitter device 20 may include a transmitter that supplies a power supply request signal to the power transmitter side communication coil 40.　 The power receiver device 100 may include a receiver that receives the power supply request signal received by the power receiver side communication coil 170 and inputs the signal to the power receiver side controller 231.

[0142] The wireless power supply system may have a function of supplying power in a wireless manner from a vehicle-side device to a device on the ground side, instead of the function of supplying power in a wireless manner from a device on the ground side to a vehicle-side device.

[0143] The power receiver side communication antenna and the power transmitter side communication antenna are not limited to communication coils, and various antennas may be used.　 For example, the communication antenna is a dipole antenna or a monopole antenna.

[0144] The method of wireless power transfer by the power transmitter antenna and the power receiver antenna is not limited to the magnetic field resonance method, and may be an electric field coupling method.　 In this case, a power transmitter antenna and a power receiver antenna that are different in form from coils and that use an electric field coupling method may be used.

[0145] The vehicle identification information used in the processing of the above embodiments is not limited to vehicle ID information, and may be, for example, a token or credit card information of a vehicle user.

[0146] The vehicle on which the power receiver device 100 is mounted is not limited to a vehicle that drives on the road RS, and may be, for example, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or a driving robot.　 In this case, the power transmitter side coil unit 21 does not need to be buried in the road RS, but may be installed on a sidewalk adjacent to the road RS, in a parking lot, or on a route along which the AGV drives.

[0147] The control units and methods thereof described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a dedicated computer including a processor programmed to execute multiple functions embodied by a computer program and a memory.　 Alternatively, the control units and the methods thereof described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a dedicated computer including a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits.　 Alternatively, the control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more dedicated computers including a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or multiple functions and a processor including one or more hardware logic circuits.　 The computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible storage medium, as an instruction executed by a computer.

[0148] The present disclosure is described based on the examples, and it is understood that present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or the structures.　 The present disclosure includes various modification examples and modifications within the equivalent scope.　 Although various combinations and configurations are set forth in the present disclosure, other combinations and configurations, including only one element, more, or less, are also intended to fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0149] Characteristic configurations extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described below. (Configuration 1) A power receiver device is to be applied to a wireless power supply system in which one of devices on a ground side and a vehicle (11) side is a power transmitter device (20) including a power transmitter antenna (22), and another is the power receiver device (100) including a power receiver antenna (102). 　The power receiver device is configured to transmit a power supply request signal to request power supply to the power transmitter device. 　The power transmitter device is configured to supply power to the power receiver antenna in a wireless manner by energizing the power transmitter antenna on condition that the power transmitter device receives the power supply request signal.　 The power receiver device is configured to wirelessly transmit the power supply request signal to a power transmitter side communication antenna (40) provided in the power transmitter device by a power receiver side communication antenna (170).　 The power receiver device includes: a power receiver side control unit (230) configured to control energization of the power receiver side communication antenna to supply the power supply request signal to the power receiver side communication antenna; and a signal detection unit (401, 405, 406) configured to detect a magnetic field signal generated by the power receiver side communication antenna or a correlation value of the magnetic field signal.　 The power receiver side control unit is configured to adjust a transmission intensity value of the power supply request signal based on an intensity value, which is an amplitude or effective value of a detected signal of the signal detection unit. (Configuration 2) The power receiver device according to configuration 1, in which the power receiver side control unit includes a generator circuit (241) configured to generate a high-frequency signal as the power supply request signal, a power source (243), an amplifier (242) configured to operate by being supplied with power from the power source to amplify the high-frequency signal generated by the generator circuit and supply the amplified high-frequency signal to the power receiver side communication antenna, and a power receiver side controller (231) configured to acquire an electric parameter value, which is a voltage, a current, or a power supplied from the power source to the amplifier, and operate the power source to control the acquired electric parameter value to a target value.　 The power receiver side controller is configured to calculate the target value based on an intensity value of the signal detection unit. (Configuration 3) The power receiver device according to configuration 2, in which the power receiver side controller is configured to adjust the transmission intensity value of the power supply request signal to bring a determination value, which is the calculated target value or the acquired electric parameter value, closer to the target value while setting the determination value to be equal to or higher than a lower limit threshold smaller than the target value and equal to or lower than an upper limit threshold larger than the target value. (Configuration 4) The power receiver device according to configuration 2 or 3, in which the power receiver side controller is configured to determine whether an abnormality occurs in communication with the power receiver device based on the determination value. (Configuration 5) The power receiver device according to configuration 4, in which when determining that the determination value exceeds the upper limit threshold or the determination value falls below the lower limit threshold, the power receiver side controller is configured to determine that an abnormality occurs. (Configuration 6) The power receiver device according to configuration 4, in which the power receiver side controller is configured to, when determining that the determination value exceeds the upper limit threshold, determine that an abnormality occurs and stop supply of the high-frequency signal from the amplifier to the power receiver side communication antenna, and when determining that the determination value falls below the lower limit threshold, determine again whether an abnormality occurs based on the determination value without stopping supply of the high-frequency signal from the amplifier to the power receiver side communication antenna. (Configuration 7) The power receiver device according to configuration 4, in which the power receiver side controller is configured to, when determining that the determination value continuously exceeds the upper limit threshold for a specified period or the determination value continuously falls below the lower limit threshold for a specified period, determine that an abnormality occurs, and when a relative speed of the power receiver side communication antenna with respect to the power transmitter side communication antenna is high while the vehicle travels, shorten the specified period compared to when the relative speed is low. (Configuration 8) The power receiver device according to configuration 4 or 5, in which the power receiver side controller is configured to supply one frame of a signal including the power supply request signal to the power receiver side communication antenna on a frame-by-frame basis, identification information for identifying the power receiver device is placed in the one frame of the signal during a period prior to an end timing of the one frame of the signal, and the power receiver side controller is configured to complete the determination whether an abnormality occurs during a period between start and completion of transmission of the one frame of the signal. (Configuration 9) The power receiver device according to configuration 4, in which the power receiver device is mounted on the vehicle, the power transmitter device is provided on the ground side, and the power receiver side controller is configured to, when determining that the determination value exceeds the upper limit threshold or falls below the lower limit threshold when the vehicle is located at a first location, make a tentative determination that an abnormality occurs, and then make a definitive determination that an abnormality occurs on condition that the power receiver side controller determines that the determination value exceeds the upper limit threshold or falls below the lower limit threshold when the vehicle is located at a second location different from the first location. (Configuration 10) The power receiver device according to any one of configurations 2 to 9, in which the power receiver side controller is configured to gradually increase the electric parameter value when the power receiver device is started. (Configuration 11) The power receiver device according to any one of configurations 3 to 9, in which the power receiver side controller is configured to determine whether a relative positional relationship between the power transmitter side communication antenna and the power receiver side communication antenna is an appropriate positional relationship for wireless power supply, and change a magnitude of the upper limit threshold and a magnitude of the lower limit threshold based on a determination result of whether the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship. (Configuration 12) The power receiver device according to configuration 11, further comprising: a resonance capacitor (171) connected in series to the power receiver side communication antenna.　 The power receiver side controller is configured to set the upper limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship to be smaller than the upper limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is not the appropriate positional relationship, and set the lower limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship to be larger than the lower limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is not the appropriate positional relationship. (Configuration 13) The power receiver device according to configuration 11, further comprising: a resonance capacitor (172) connected in parallel to the power receiver side communication antenna.　 The power receiver side controller is configured to set the upper limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship to be larger than the upper limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is not the appropriate positional relationship, and set the lower limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship to be smaller than the lower limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is not the appropriate positional relationship. (Configuration 14) The power receiver device according to any one of configurations 2 to 13, in which the electric parameter value is a voltage supplied from the power source to the amplifier. (Configuration 15) The power receiver device according to configuration 2, in which the electric parameter value is a voltage supplied from the power source to the amplifier, and the power receiver side controller is configured to, when the power receiver device is started, supply a high-frequency voltage that fluctuates at a predetermined amplitude to the power receiver side communication antenna, and acquire the intensity value of the signal detection unit when the high-frequency voltage is supplied to the power receiver side communication antenna, and when the acquired intensity value of the signal detection unit deviates from a target intensity value, set an output voltage of the power source to the target value such that an amount of deviation between the intensity value of the signal detection unit and the target intensity value becomes 0. (Configuration 16) The power receiver device according to any one of configurations 3 to 13, in which the power receiver side controller is configured to stop supply of the high-frequency signal from the amplifier to the power receiver side communication antenna when determining that an abnormality occurs. (Configuration 17) The power receiver device according to any one of configurations 2 to 16, in which the signal detection unit is a detection antenna (401) configured to detect the magnetic field signal generated by the power receiver side communication antenna as a high-frequency voltage signal or a high-frequency current signal. (Configuration 18) The power receiver device according to configuration 17, in which the amplifier includes, as the detection antenna, an air-core coil (405) having a shape surrounding a current path between the amplifier and the power receiver side communication antenna to detect a high-frequency current flowing in the current path. (Configuration 19) The power receiver device according to any one of configurations 1 to 16, in which the signal detection unit is a voltage sensor (250) configured to detect a voltage of a resonance capacitor (171) connected in series to the power receiver side communication antenna.

Claims

1. A power receiver device to be applied to a wireless power supply system in which one of devices on a ground side and a vehicle (11) side is a power transmitter device (20) including a power transmitter antenna (22), and another is the power receiver device (100) including a power receiver antenna (102), the power receiver device configured to transmit a power supply request signal to request power supply to the power transmitter device, the power transmitter device configured to supply power to the power receiver antenna in a wireless manner by energizing the power transmitter antenna on condition that the power transmitter device receives the power supply request signal, the power receiver device configured to wirelessly transmit the power supply request signal to a power transmitter side communication antenna (40) provided in the power transmitter device by a power receiver side communication antenna (170), the power receiver device comprising: 　　　　　　 a power receiver side control unit (230) configured to control energization of the power receiver side communication antenna to supply the power supply request signal to the power receiver side communication antenna; and 　　　　　　 a signal detection unit (401, 405, 406) configured to detect a magnetic field signal generated by the power receiver side communication antenna or a correlation value of the magnetic field signal, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side control unit is configured to adjust a transmission intensity value of the power supply request signal based on an intensity value, which is an amplitude or effective value of a detected signal of the signal detection unit.

2. The power receiver device according to claim 1, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side control unit includes 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 a generator circuit (241) configured to generate a high-frequency signal as the power supply request signal, 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 a power source (243), 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 an amplifier (242) configured to operate by being supplied with power from the power source to amplify the high-frequency signal generated by the generator circuit and supply the amplified high-frequency signal to the power receiver side communication antenna, and 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 a power receiver side controller (231) configured to acquire an electric parameter value, which is a voltage, a current, or a power supplied from the power source to the amplifier, and operate the power source to control the acquired electric parameter value to a target value, and 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to calculate the target value based on an intensity value of the signal detection unit.

3. The power receiver device according to claim 2, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to adjust the transmission intensity value of the power supply request signal to bring a determination value, which is the calculated target value or the acquired electric parameter value, closer to the target value while setting the determination value to be equal to or higher than a lower limit threshold smaller than the target value and equal to or lower than an upper limit threshold larger than the target value.

4. The power receiver device according to claim 3, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to determine whether an abnormality occurs in communication with the power receiver device based on the determination value.

5. The power receiver device according to claim 4, wherein 　　　　　　 when determining that the determination value exceeds the upper limit threshold or the determination value falls below the lower limit threshold, the power receiver side controller is configured to determine that an abnormality occurs.

6. The power receiver device according to claim 4, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to 　　　　　　 　　　　　　 when determining that the determination value exceeds the upper limit threshold, determine that an abnormality occurs and stop supply of the high-frequency signal from the amplifier to the power receiver side communication antenna, and 　　　　　　 　　　　　　 when determining that the determination value falls below the lower limit threshold, determine again whether an abnormality occurs based on the determination value without stopping supply of the high-frequency signal from the amplifier to the power receiver side communication antenna.

7. The power receiver device according to claim 4, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to 　　　　　　 　　　　　　 when determining that the determination value continuously exceeds the upper limit threshold for a specified period or the determination value continuously falls below the lower limit threshold for a specified period, determine that an abnormality occurs, and 　　　　　　 　　　　　　 when a relative speed of the power receiver side communication antenna with respect to the power transmitter side communication antenna is high while the vehicle travels, shorten the specified period compared to when the relative speed is low.

8. The power receiver device according to claim 4, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to supply one frame of a signal including the power supply request signal to the power receiver side communication antenna on a frame-by-frame basis, 　　　　　　 identification information for identifying the power receiver device is placed in the one frame of the signal during a period prior to an end timing of the one frame of the signal, and 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to complete the determination whether an abnormality occurs during a period between start and completion of transmission of the one frame of the signal.

9. The power receiver device according to claim 4, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver device is mounted on the vehicle, 　　　　　　 the power transmitter device is provided on the ground side, and 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to 　　　　　　 　　　　　　 when determining that the determination value exceeds the upper limit threshold or falls below the lower limit threshold when the vehicle is located at a first location, make a tentative determination that an abnormality occurs, and 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 then make a definitive determination that an abnormality occurs on condition that the power receiver side controller determines that the determination value exceeds the upper limit threshold or falls below the lower limit threshold when the vehicle is located at a second location different from the first location.

10. The power receiver device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to gradually increase the electric parameter value when the power receiver device is started.

11. The power receiver device according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 determine whether a relative positional relationship between the power transmitter side communication antenna and the power receiver side communication antenna is an appropriate positional relationship for wireless power supply, and 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 change a magnitude of the upper limit threshold and a magnitude of the lower limit threshold based on a determination result of whether the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship.

12. The power receiver device according to claim 11, further comprising: 　　　　　　 a resonance capacitor (171) connected in series to the power receiver side communication antenna, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 set the upper limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship to be smaller than the upper limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is not the appropriate positional relationship, and 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 set the lower limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship to be larger than the lower limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is not the appropriate positional relationship.

13. The power receiver device according to claim 11, further comprising: 　　　　　　 a resonance capacitor (172) connected in parallel to the power receiver side communication antenna, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 set the upper limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship to be larger than the upper limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is not the appropriate positional relationship, and 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 set the lower limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is the appropriate positional relationship to be smaller than the lower limit threshold when determining that the relative positional relationship is not the appropriate positional relationship.

14. The power receiver device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein 　　　　　　 the electric parameter value is a voltage supplied from the power source to the amplifier.

15. The power receiver device according to claim 2, wherein 　　　　　　 the electric parameter value is a voltage supplied from the power source to the amplifier, and 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 when the power receiver device is started, supply a high-frequency voltage that fluctuates at a predetermined amplitude to the power receiver side communication antenna, and acquire the intensity value of the signal detection unit when the high-frequency voltage is supplied to the power receiver side communication antenna, and 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 when the acquired intensity value of the signal detection unit deviates from a target intensity value, set an output voltage of the power source to the target value such that an amount of deviation between the intensity value of the signal detection unit and the target intensity value becomes 0.

16. The power receiver device according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein 　　　　　　 the power receiver side controller is configured to stop supply of the high-frequency signal from the amplifier to the power receiver side communication antenna when determining that an abnormality occurs.

17. The power receiver device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein 　　　　　　 the signal detection unit is a detection antenna (401) configured to detect the magnetic field signal generated by the power receiver side communication antenna as a high-frequency voltage signal or a high-frequency current signal.

18. The power receiver device according to claim 17, wherein 　　　　　　 the amplifier includes, as the detection antenna, an air-core coil (405) having a shape surrounding a current path between the amplifier and the power receiver side communication antenna to detect a high-frequency current flowing in the current path.

19. The power receiver device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein 　　　　　　 the signal detection unit is a voltage sensor (250) configured to detect a voltage of a resonance capacitor (171) connected in series to the power receiver side communication antenna.

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