JP2014121125A - Non-contact power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a non-contact power supply system which performs alignment between coils in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and monitors an object intruding into a space between the coils.SOLUTION: Detection lights are arranged at respective rear sides of rear wheels RL, RR by a pair of detection units of a rear side monitor unit 161. The pair of detection lights are arranged over a vehicle 200 in a width direction, and crossed each other. The detection lights arranged at rear sides of the rear wheels RL, RR enable, when the vehicle 200 is parked, the vehicle 200 to be monitored to prevent the vehicle 200 from backing excessively relative to a regulated parking position. When the vehicle 200 is charged, the detection lights are located between a car body bottom and a ground surface, therefore an object can be monitored to prevent the object from intruding into a place between coils through the space. Therefore, alignment between coils in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be performed, and at the same time the object intruding into the place between the coils can be monitored.

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact power feeding system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a non-contact power feeding system that supplies power in a non-contact manner by magnetic coupling of a pair of coils is known. This non-contact power supply system is being applied to an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle, for example. One coil connected to an AC power source is installed in a parking space such as a power supply stand, and the electric vehicle is connected to a battery. The other coil is installed. Then, by using the coil on the parking space side as the primary coil and the coil on the electric vehicle side as the secondary coil, the electric power is supplied from the parking space side AC power source to the vehicle side battery by the magnetic coupling of the pair of coils. Can be supplied. By the way, since magnetic force is generated between the coils at the time of charging, a countermeasure against an object approaching the coil is desired. Moreover, in order to improve power transmission efficiency and to suppress leakage of magnetic field lines, it is necessary to monitor whether or not the alignment between the coils in the vehicle length direction (front-rear direction), which is the moving direction of the vehicle, is appropriate. There is.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a non-contact power feeding system. The contactless power supply system includes a power transmission device including a primary self-resonant coil that receives power from a power source and transmits power, and a power reception device including a secondary self-resonant coil that receives power transmitted from the primary self-resonant coil. ing. In addition, a shield member is disposed so as to surround a region located between the primary self-resonant coil and the secondary self-resonant coil during power feeding.

JP 2010-98807 A

  According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the height and installation range of the shield member must be adjusted in accordance with changes in the vehicle weight and the parking position, and the position in the vehicle length direction between the coils. There is a problem that it is impossible to monitor whether or not is appropriate.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to monitor an object entering between coils while positioning the coils in the vehicle length direction in a non-contact power feeding system. is there.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention is based on a vehicle parked at a parking position, and a pair of detection units that set detection light in a space between the bottom of the vehicle body and the ground existing outside the wheels, A non-contact power feeding system is provided. Here, each of the detection units includes a light emitter and a light receiver, and the detection light is arranged across the vehicle in the vehicle width direction by causing the light emitter and the light receiver to face each other, while a pair of detection units The arrangement of the light emitters and the light receivers is set so that the detection lights from the units cross each other.

According to the present invention, when a vehicle is parked, it can be monitored that the vehicle has traveled more than the prescribed parking position by a pair of detection lights arranged on the outside of the wheel. Since light exists in the space between the bottom of the vehicle body and the ground, it is possible to monitor the approach of the object between the coils through the space. Thereby, it can monitor that an object approachs between coils, aiming at position alignment between coils in the direction of vehicles front and back.

Block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the non-contact power supply system Schematic diagram showing the state of the power transmission coil installed in the parking space Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the vehicle parked in a predetermined parking position, and a monitoring sensor Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the vehicle parked in a predetermined parking position, and a monitoring sensor Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the vehicle parked in a predetermined parking position, and a monitoring sensor Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the vehicle parked in a predetermined parking position, and a monitoring sensor Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the vehicle parked in a predetermined parking position, and a monitoring sensor

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the non-contact power feeding system according to this embodiment. The non-contact power supply system includes a power supply device 100 that is a ground-side unit and a vehicle 200 that includes a vehicle-side unit, and supplies power from the power supply device 100 in a non-contact manner and charges a battery 28 provided in the vehicle 200. It is.

  The power supply apparatus 100 is installed in a charging stand or the like provided with a parking space for the vehicle 200 and supplies power to the vehicle 200. The power supply apparatus 100 is mainly configured by a power control unit 11, a power transmission coil 12, a wireless communication unit 14, and a control unit 15.

The power control unit 11 is a circuit for converting AC power transmitted from the AC power source 300 into high-frequency AC power and transmitting the power to the power transmission coil 12. The power control unit 11 includes a rectification unit 111, a PFC (Power Factor Correction) circuit 112, an inverter 113, and a sensor 114.

  The rectifying unit 111 is electrically connected to the AC power source 300 and rectifies the output AC current from the AC power source. The PFC circuit 112 is a circuit for improving the power factor by shaping the output waveform from the rectifying unit 111, and is connected between the rectifying unit 111 and the inverter 113. The inverter 113 is a power conversion device including a smoothing capacitor, a switching element such as an IGBT, a PWM control circuit, and the like. The inverter 113 converts a direct current into a high-frequency alternating current based on a control signal from the control unit 15, and transmits the transmission coil 12. To supply. The sensor 114 is connected between the PFC circuit 112 and the inverter 113 and detects current and voltage.

  The power transmission coil 12 is a coil for supplying power in a non-contact manner to the power reception coil 22 on the vehicle 200 side, and is configured by winding a conductive wire made of a conductor such as metal. The power transmission coil 12 is provided at a target location such as a parking space where the vehicle 200 is parked, and is housed inside the housing 120 (see FIG. 2) from the viewpoint of coil protection and security. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the description will be made on the assumption that the parking mode in the parking space is backward-facing parking, and when the vehicle 200 is parked at a specified parking position Cp, The power receiving coil 22 faces the lower side of the power transmitting coil 12.

  The wireless communication unit 14 performs bidirectional communication with the wireless communication unit 24 provided on the vehicle 200 side. Since the communication frequency between the wireless communication unit 14 and the wireless communication unit 24 is set to a frequency higher than the frequency used in the vehicle peripheral device such as an intelligent key, the wireless communication unit 14 and the wireless communication unit 24 Even if it communicates between, vehicle peripheral devices are hard to receive the interference by the said communication. For communication between the wireless communication unit 14 and the wireless communication unit 24, for example, various wireless LAN methods are used, and communication methods suitable for long distances are used.

  The control unit 15 has a function of comprehensively controlling the power supply apparatus 100. For example, the control unit 15 controls the power control unit 11, the power transmission coil 12, and the wireless communication unit 14. The control unit 15 transmits a control signal to start power supply to the vehicle 200 side or receives power from the vehicle 200 side through communication between the wireless communication unit 14 and the wireless communication unit 24. Receive control signals. The control unit 15 performs switching control of the inverter 113 based on the detection current of the sensor 114 and controls electric power supplied from the power transmission coil 12. As the control unit 15, a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface can be used.

  In relation to the present embodiment, the control unit 15 monitors the alignment between the power transmission coil 12 and the power reception coil 22 using the monitoring sensor 16 described later, or between the power transmission coil 12 and the power reception coil 22. Or monitor objects approaching in between.

  The vehicle 200 includes a power receiving coil 22, a wireless communication unit 24, a charging control unit 25, a rectifying unit 26, a relay unit 27, a battery 28, an inverter 29, a motor 30, and a notification unit 32. Yes.

  The power receiving coil 22 is a coil for receiving electric power in a non-contact manner from the power transmitting coil 12 on the power supply apparatus 100 side, and is configured by winding a conductive wire made of a conductor such as metal. The power receiving coil 22 is mounted, for example, between the left and right rear wheels RR and RL at the bottom of the vehicle body, and is housed inside the housing 220 (see FIGS. 4 to 7) from the viewpoint of coil protection and security. Has been. When the vehicle 200 is parked at a specified position in the parking space, the power receiving coil 22 faces the power transmitting coil 12 on the power supply apparatus 100 side.

  The wireless communication unit 24 performs bidirectional communication with the wireless communication unit 14 provided on the power supply apparatus 100 side.

  The rectifying unit 26 is connected to the power receiving coil 22 and is configured by a rectifying circuit that rectifies AC power received by the power receiving coil 22 into direct current.

  The relay unit 27 includes a relay switch that is turned on and off under the control of the charging control unit 25. The relay unit 27 can disconnect the battery 28 side from the power receiving coil 22 and the rectifying unit 26 on the charging circuit unit side by turning off the relay switch.

  The battery 28 is a power source of the vehicle 200 and is configured by electrically connecting a plurality of secondary batteries, for example.

  The inverter 29 is a power conversion device including a switching element such as an IGBT, a PWM control circuit, and the like. The inverter 29 converts a direct current output from the battery 28 into an alternating current based on the control signal, and converts the alternating current power to the motor 30. Supply. The motor 30 is composed of, for example, a three-phase AC motor, and is a drive source for driving the vehicle 200.

  The notification unit 32 includes a warning lamp, a display of a navigation system, a speaker, and the like, and is arranged on an instrument panel or the like in the vehicle interior. The notification unit 32 outputs light, an image, sound, or the like to the user based on the control by the charging control unit 25.

The charging control unit 25 has a function of controlling charging of the battery 28. For example, the charging control unit 25 controls the wireless communication unit 24 and the notification unit 32. The charging control unit 25 transmits a control signal indicating that power supply is started by communication between the wireless communication unit 24 and the wireless communication unit 14.
It receives from the 0 side or transmits a control signal to the vehicle 200 side to receive power.

  Although not shown, the charging control unit 25 is connected to a controller that controls the entire vehicle 200 via a CAN communication network. The controller manages the switching control of the inverter 29 and the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 28. When the charging control unit 25 determines full charging based on the SOC of the battery 28 obtained from the controller, the charging control unit 25 transmits a control signal to the power supply apparatus 100 to end charging.

  In the non-contact power feeding system according to the present embodiment, high-frequency power is transmitted between the power transmission coil 12 and the power receiving coil 22 in a non-contact state by electromagnetic induction. That is, when a voltage is applied to the power transmission coil 12, magnetic coupling occurs between the power transmission coil 12 and the power reception coil 22, and power is supplied from the power transmission coil 12 to the power reception coil 22.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the monitoring sensor 16 that is one of the features of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of side walls 17 </ b> L and 17 </ b> R are provided around the power transmission coil 12 (housing 120) on the power supply apparatus 100 side. One side wall 17L is arranged on the left side of the left rear wheel RL of the vehicle 200 with reference to the vehicle 200 parked at the specified parking position Cp, and the other side wall 17R is a vehicle 200 parked at the parking position Cp. With respect to the right rear wheel RR of the vehicle 200. These side walls 17L and 17R function as members that regulate the position in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) when the vehicle 200 is parked at the parking position Cp. Positioning in the vehicle width direction can be performed. The side walls 17L and 17R also function as attachment members for attaching the monitoring sensor 16.

  The monitoring sensor 16 includes a front monitoring unit 160 and a rear monitoring unit 161. The front side monitoring unit 160 sets detection light in a space between the vehicle body bottom part and the ground existing on the inner side (the front side in the present embodiment) behind the rear wheels RL and RR with the specified parking position Cp as a reference, Monitoring is performed using the detection light. On the other hand, the rear monitoring unit 161 uses the prescribed parking position Cp as a reference, and detects light in a space between the bottom of the vehicle body and the ground existing outside the rear wheels RL and RR (rear side in the present embodiment). And monitoring is performed using the detected light.

  Here, FIG. 3 to FIG. 7 are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the vehicle 200 parked at the prescribed parking position Cp and the monitoring sensor 16. Here, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the front monitoring unit 160 and the rear monitoring unit 161 from the left side of the vehicle. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the front monitoring unit 160, and FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the rear monitoring unit 161. 6 shows the configuration of the front monitoring unit 160 and the rear monitoring unit 161 from the inside of the vehicle, and FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the front monitoring unit 160 and the rear monitoring unit 161 from the vehicle bottom side. It is.

  The front monitoring unit 160 includes three detection units. Each detection unit includes a light emitter 160a that outputs detection light and a light receiver 160b that receives the detection light. By causing the light emitter 160a and the light receiver 160b to face each other, the vehicle 200 is moved in the vehicle width direction. The detection light is arranged across.

The three detection units are arranged such that their positions in the vehicle height direction (vertical direction) are different. The detection unit located in the lower stage is set at a position where the detection light from the light emitter 160a to the light receiver 160b is not blocked by the rear wheels RL and RR when the vehicle 200 is present at the parking position Cp. On the other hand, the detection unit located in the upper stage is set at a position where the detection light from the light emitter 160a to the light receiver 160b is blocked by the rear wheels RL and RR when the vehicle 200 is present at the parking position Cp. It is sufficient that the detection unit located in the middle stage is between the lower detection unit and the upper detection unit. However, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle 200 exists at the parking position Cp, the light emitter 160a to the light receiver 160b. It is set at a position where the detection light that reaches is not blocked by the rear wheels RL and RR. These detection units detect the contour positions of the rear wheels RL and RR from the combination of the detection light states (blocking / non-blocking) related to the three detection units.

  In the present embodiment, the three detection units are linearly arranged along the vehicle height direction, but may be offset in the front-rear direction as long as the above-described conditions are satisfied.

  In the front monitoring unit 160, the three detection units are set so that the directions of the detection light are staggered. Specifically, the upper and lower detection units have the same detection light direction, but the middle detection unit has a reverse detection light direction compared to the upper and lower detection units. For this reason, the upper and lower detection units have a light emitter 160a on the left side of the vehicle 200 and a light receiver 160b on the right side thereof. On the other hand, in the middle detection unit, a light emitter 160a is disposed on the right side of the vehicle 200, and a light receiver 160b is disposed on the left side thereof.

  In contrast, the rear monitoring unit 161 includes two detection units. Each detection unit includes a light emitter 161a that outputs detection light and a light receiver 161b that receives the detection light. The light emitter 161a associated with one detection unit is disposed on the left side of the vehicle 200, and the light emitter 161a associated with the other detection unit is disposed on the right side of the vehicle 200, and is disposed in the vicinity of the rear wheels RL and RR, respectively. .

  In each detection unit, the light receiver 161b is provided at a position shifted to the rear side of the light emitter 161a, and is provided at a position shifted to the upper side of the light emitter 161a. The light receiver 161b arranges the detection light across the vehicle 200 in the vehicle width direction by causing the light receiver 161b to face the light emitter 161a.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the detection lights arranged by the pair of detection units are set to cross each other, specifically, in an X shape. The plane defined by the pair of detection lights is set three-dimensionally so that the side near the rear wheels RL and RR is low and the side far from the rear wheels RL and RR is high.

  In the non-contact power supply system including the monitoring sensor 16 having such a configuration, the control unit 15 performs a monitoring operation prior to the power supply operation when the power is supplied from the power supply apparatus 100 to the vehicle 200 when the battery 28 of the vehicle 200 is charged. Do. Specifically, when the vehicle 200 approaches the parking position Cp, the control unit 15 operates the light emitters 160a and 161a included in the detection units of the monitoring units 160 and 161, and the corresponding light receivers 160b, The detection signal 161b is read.

  First, the control unit 15 determines that the detection light is blocked in the three detection units (light receiver 160b) related to the front monitoring unit 160. In this case, the control unit 15 determines that the vehicle 200 moves backward and the rear wheels RL and RL pass through the front monitoring unit 160. Next, when the detection light changes from the blocking state to the non-blocking state in the lower and middle detection units while the detection light is blocked in the upper detection unit, the control unit 15 moves the rear wheels RL and RR to the proper positions. It can be judged that it was advanced to. In other words, it can be determined that the vehicle 200 has been properly moved backward and has escaped from a state where it has stopped in front of the prescribed parking position Cp.

Next, the control unit 15 includes two detection units (light receivers 161b) related to the rear monitoring unit 161.
), It is determined that the detection light is not blocked. In this case, the control unit 15 can determine that the rear wheels RL and RR are present at appropriate positions. In other words, in such a state, it can be determined that the vehicle 200 has not reached the state of retreating too far from the prescribed parking position Cp.

  Note that if the vehicle 200 moves backward too much from the specified parking position Cp, the upper detection unit related to the front monitoring unit 160 switches from the shut-off state to the non-cut-off state. Or each detection unit which concerns on the rear side monitoring part 161 switches from a non-blocking state to a blocking state. The control unit 15 can determine that the parking position of the vehicle 200 is inappropriate based on such a state change.

  When determining that the state in which the vehicle 200 exists at the specified parking position Cp continues for a predetermined time, the control unit 15 determines that the vehicle 200 is appropriately parked at the parking position Cp. And the control part 15 will monitor the object which approaches between coils until this is complete | finished, if charging operation is started. Specifically, the control unit 15 detects whether the detection light in the non-blocking state is switched to the blocking state in the detection units related to the front monitoring unit 160 and the rear monitoring unit 161. Determine that is approaching.

  When the approach of the object is determined, the control unit 15 can stop charging or limit the output from the power transmission coil 12 during the power feeding operation. In addition, the control unit 15 can operate the notification unit 32 of the vehicle 200 by performing communication between the wireless communication unit 14 and the wireless communication unit 24.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the pair of detection units related to the rear monitoring unit 161 arranges the detection light on the rear side of the rear wheels RL and RR. Here, the pair of detection lights are arranged so as to cross each other while being arranged across the vehicle 200 in the vehicle width direction.

  According to such a configuration, the pair of detection lights arranged on the rear side of the rear wheels RL and RR monitor that the vehicle 200 is lowered too much later than the predetermined parking position Cp when the vehicle 200 is parked. In addition, at the time of charging, since the detection light exists in the space between the bottom of the vehicle body and the ground, it can be monitored that the object approaches between the coils through the space. In particular, the rear side of the rear wheels RL and RR has a structure that allows an object to enter more easily than the front side of the rear wheels RL and RR where the front wheels exist, but a pair of detection lights are arranged so as to cross each other. Thus, the space can be effectively monitored. Thereby, it can monitor that an object approachs between coils, aiming at position alignment between coils in the direction of vehicles front and back.

  In the present embodiment, each of the detection units is provided at a position where the light emitter 161a is shifted to the rear side in the vehicle length direction relative to the light receiver 161b and at a position shifted to the upper side in the vehicle height direction.

  According to such a configuration, the space that becomes the entry path of the object can be covered with the detection light that is arranged three-dimensionally. Thereby, the object which approaches between coils can be monitored appropriately. In addition, since the light emitter 161 a disposed on the side close to the power transmission coil 12 is disposed at a low position, a short object can be finally detected immediately before the power transmission coil 12.

In the present embodiment, the light emitter 161a is set at a position lower than the light receiver 161b and the two are opposed to each other, so that the light receiver 161b is arranged to face downward toward the light emitter 161a. Become. For this reason, since disturbance light, such as illumination and sunlight, becomes difficult to enter into the light receiver 161b, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy by the detection unit.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitter 161a is disposed in the vicinity of the rear wheels RL and RR. According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the crossed detection lights can be set so as to surround the ranges A1 and A2 of the magnetic flux generated between the coils. Thereby, an object approaching the vicinity of the coil can be effectively monitored.

  Further, in the present embodiment, detection light is disposed on the front side of the rear wheels RL and RR by the detection unit related to the front monitoring unit 160. Here, the detection light is arranged across the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

  According to such a configuration, when the vehicle 200 is parked, it can be monitored that the vehicle 200 is not sufficiently retracted with respect to the specified parking position Cp by the detection light disposed on the front side of the rear wheels RL and RR. Further, at the time of charging, since the detection light exists in a space between the bottom of the vehicle body and the ground, it can be monitored that an object approaches between the coils through the space. Thereby, it can monitor that an object approachs between coils, aiming at position alignment between coils in the direction of vehicles front and back.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of detection units are provided so that positions in the vehicle height direction are different. According to such a configuration, the arc-shaped contours of the rear wheels RL and RR can be detected by detecting different positions in the vehicle height direction, so that the vehicle related to the specified parking position Cp and the vehicle 200 can be detected through this. The suitability of the position in the long direction can be determined. Thereby, position alignment between coils can be performed appropriately.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of detection units are set so that the directions of the detection light are staggered. When the directions of the individual detection lights are the same, the light receiver 161b is also arranged in the same direction. Therefore, when noise light or the like is present, all the detection units are affected. However, according to the present embodiment, since the arrangement of the light receivers 161b can also be staggered, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the influence of noise spreads to all the detection units.

  In the present embodiment, the monitoring unit is provided separately on the front side and the rear side of the rear wheels RL and RR because the power receiving coil 22 is disposed between the left and right rear wheels RL and RR. However, when the power receiving coil 22 is disposed between the front wheels, the above-described monitoring unit may be applied, and in this case, the inner side (that is, the rear side with respect to the front wheel) and the outer side (that is, the front side with respect to the front wheel). It is sufficient to provide a monitoring unit in each area.

  The unit on the vehicle 200 side of the non-contact power feeding system is mounted on an electric vehicle, but may be a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle.

  The contactless charging system has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Power supply apparatus 11 Electric power control part 12 Power transmission coil 120 Case 15 Control part 16 Monitoring sensor 160 Front side monitoring part 160a Light emitter 160b Light receiver 161 Rear side monitor 161a Light emitter 161b Light receiver 17L Side wall 17R Side wall 200 Vehicle 22 After power receiving coil RL
Rear wheel RR

Claims (4)

A first coil disposed at a parking position of the vehicle in order to transfer power in a non-contact manner with a second coil mounted between the left and right wheels at the bottom of the vehicle body;
With a vehicle parked at the parking position as a reference, a pair of detection units that set detection light in a space between the vehicle body bottom and the ground existing outside the wheels, and
Each of the detection units includes a light emitter that outputs the detection light and a light receiver that receives the detection light, and the vehicle is moved in the vehicle width direction by causing the light emitter and the light receiver to face each other. A non-contact power feeding system in which the arrangement of the light emitter and the light receiver is set so that the detection light is disposed across the pair, while the detection light from the pair of detection units intersects each other.   Each of the detection units is provided at a position where one element of the light emitter and the light receiver is shifted to the outside in the vehicle length direction from the other element and at a position shifted to the upper side in the vehicle height direction. The non-contact electric power feeding system according to claim 1 characterized by things.   The non-contact power feeding system according to claim 2, wherein the one element is the light receiver.   The contactless power feeding system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the other element is disposed in the vicinity of the wheel.

Images