JP2003045732A - Non-contact power feed apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a non-contact power feed apparatus which can supply electric power to a mobile apparatus on the non-contact basis, transfer signals on non-contact basis, reduce the size thereof and also assure safe and stable operation. SOLUTION: A power line 3, which supplies an AC current, is installed along the moving route of the mobile apparatus 10 and an electric power receiving part 1, including a pickup 12 provided adjacent to the power feeding line 3 is also provided to the mobile apparatus 10 for supplying the electrical power thereto. Moreover, a fixed apparatus 2 for optical communication fixed for the power feed line 3 and a mobile apparatus 11 for optical communication provided to the electric power receiving part 1 are also provided. Optical communication can be realized with the optical path, provided along the power feed line 3 and signals may be transferred to the mobile apparatus 10. Accordingly, the apparatus itself can be reduced in size. In addition, a cover 4 made of conductive material which surrounds the power feeing line 3 is also provided to confine electromagnetic waves generated from the power feed line 3. Thereby, transmission of signals by optical communication can be stabilized and electromagnetic influence on external apparatus can be prevented, to enhance safe operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a non-contact power supply device for supplying electric power required by a moving body in a non-contact manner and transmitting / receiving a signal for controlling the moving body in a non-contact manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A moving body system including a moving body that makes a linear motion in one axis direction is widely used in the work of carrying an article or positioning an article. As a method for supplying electric power for driving the moving body to the moving body and transmitting and receiving signals such as control signals for controlling the moving body, a method of connecting a cable to the moving body, or a moving body There is known a method in which a transmission line is arranged on the moving path of the vehicle and a current collector provided in the moving body is brought into contact with the transmission line to transmit electric power and a signal.

The method using a cable has a problem that noise and dust are generated because the moving body drags the cable. In addition, there is a problem that a large space is required for the cable to move. Furthermore, since the cable is dragged by the moving body and repeatedly bent, there is a problem that the cable is damaged such as disconnection and has a short life.

In the method using the transmission line and the current collector, there is a problem that the transmission line and the current collector come into contact with each other and slide, so that they both wear and have a short life, and dust is generated due to the wear. There was a problem. Further, the contact state between the transmission line and the current collector is not stable, the signal transmission is unstable, and the moving body cannot be accurately controlled.

In order to solve the above problems, a device for transmitting electric power and a signal to a moving body in a contactless manner has been developed. As a device for transmitting electric power in a contactless manner, a feeder line in which an alternating current flows is installed in a moving path of a moving body, and a pickup configured using a coil is provided in the moving body in a contactless proximity to the feeding line, 2. Description of the Related Art A non-contact power supply device that supplies an induced electromotive force generated in a pickup to a moving body as electric power by an alternating current flowing through a power supply line has been conventionally known.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-284907, two sets of power feed lines are provided in the moving path of the moving body, two pickups are provided in one moving body, and two sets of non-contact power feeding devices are provided. There is disclosed a non-contact transmission device that uses one non-contact power supply device for power supply and the other non-contact power supply device for signal transmission. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-135694
In the gazette, a moving body is equipped with a pickup of a non-contact power feeding device and an optical communication mobile unit, and an optical communication fixed unit that detects the position of the moving body and transmits a position signal is installed along a power supply line. Power is supplied to the mobile unit using the contact power supply device, and the position signal is transmitted from the optical communication fixed device to the optical communication mobile device by optical communication using the optical path intersecting the moving route of the mobile unit, and the mobile unit receives the position signal. A device is disclosed which controls its own position according to a position signal.

By using the devices disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-284907 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-135694, generation of noise and dust is small, a large space is not required, the life is long, and It is possible to realize a mobile body system capable of accurately controlling a mobile body.

[0008]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-28490
The device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7 has a problem that the moving body and the non-contact power feeding device are increased in size because one moving body is provided with two pickups and two sets of power feeding lines are required. In the device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-135694, it is necessary to install a large number of optical communication stationary devices that detect the position of a moving body and transmit a position signal along the power supply line, which increases cost. There is a problem,
There is also a problem that optical communication is easily affected by ambient light. Furthermore, JP-A-9-284907 and JP-A-2
In both of the devices disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 000-135692, since the power supply line is exposed, the device forming the contactless power supply device and the moving body, or the external device,
There is a problem that the safety is low due to electromagnetic influences such as noise reception and malfunction due to electromagnetic waves generated from the power supply line.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to supply electric power to a moving body by using a power supply line and a pickup, and to follow the path of the moving body. An object of the present invention is to provide a contactless power supply device capable of suppressing an increase in cost without increasing the size of the device by transmitting a signal to a mobile object using an optical communication device that performs optical communication on an optical path.

Another object of the present invention is to:
By including a cover made of a conductive material that covers the entire power supply line including the optical communication device and shields it from the outside, signal transmission is stable without being affected by ambient light in optical communication, and electromagnetic influence is external Another object of the present invention is to provide a contactless power supply device that can safely operate a mobile body without affecting the above.

[0011]

A contactless power supply device according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided in a power supply line through which an alternating current flows and another device that moves along the power supply line, and is provided close to the power supply line. In a contactless power supply device including a power receiving unit that supplies the induced electromotive force to the device by using a pickup that generates an induced electromotive force, an optical communication fixing device, and the optical communication fixing device provided in the power receiving unit. An optical communication mobile device for performing optical communication between the optical communication fixed device and the optical communication mobile device, and an optical path used for optical communication between the optical communication fixed device and the optical communication mobile device is configured along the power supply line. And

The contactless power supply device according to the second invention is further characterized by further comprising a cover made of a conductive material and surrounding the power supply line.

In the contactless power supply device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the optical communication fixing device and the optical communication mobile device are arranged inside the cover.

In the non-contact power feeding device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the optical communication stationary device and the optical communication mobile device are each covered with a shield made of a conductive material.

The contactless power feeding device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the optical path is formed by using a light guide body installed along the power feeding line.

A contactless power supply device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the pickup is provided with a friction reducing material in a portion facing the power supply line.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the mobile unit is provided with the power receiving unit having the pickup to supply electric power, and the optical communication stationary unit and the optical communication mobile unit provided in the power receiving unit are provided along the path of the mobile unit. By transmitting and receiving a signal such as a control signal for controlling a moving body using the optical path, the number of pickups and power feeding lines included in a required optical communication fixed machine and a power receiving unit provided in the moving body is reduced, and a contactless power feeding device is provided. It is possible to reduce the size and suppress an increase in cost.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the cover made of a conductive material is provided to surround the power supply line through which an alternating current flows, the electromagnetic wave generated from the power supply line is contained in the cover, and the electromagnetic wave is received by the external device due to the electromagnetic wave or the external device receives or makes a mistake. It is possible to safely operate the moving body by preventing electromagnetic influences such as operation.

In the third aspect of the invention, since the optical communication fixing device and the optical communication mobile device are arranged inside the cover, a blocker to an optical path used for optical communication between the optical communication fixing device and the optical communication mobile device is provided. The cover prevents the intrusion of light or disturbance light, and further suppresses the scattering of light in optical communication to stabilize the signal transmission using optical communication.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, since the optical communication fixed device and the optical communication mobile device are individually covered with the shield made of a conductive material, the influence of electromagnetic waves generated by the power supply line such as noise reception or malfunction is generated. It can be cut off and the signal transmission can be stabilized.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, a light guide is installed along the power supply line, and optical communication is performed through the light guide to align the optical axis between the optical communication fixed device and the optical communication mobile device. In addition, since the optical path used for optical communication is not blocked by the moving body, one optical communication fixed machine can transmit a signal to a plurality of moving bodies.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by providing a friction absorbing material in the portion of the pickup facing the power supply line,
Wear or damage when the pickup comes into contact with the power supply line can be reduced.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a non-contact power supply device of the present invention. The contactless power supply device of the present invention is provided in a loop, and a power supply unit provided in a power supply line 3 to which an AC power source 5 is connected and a high-frequency AC current of 1 kHz or more flows, and a moving body that moves along the power supply line 3. 1 and the power reception unit 1 includes a pickup 12 that is close to the power supply line 3 and that generates an induced electromotive force. Further, an optical communication fixed device 2 that transmits and receives signals by optical communication is fixed to the power supply line 3, and an optical communication mobile device 11 that performs optical communication with the optical communication fixed device 2 is provided in the power receiving unit 1. It is equipped. The optical communication fixing device 2 does not have to be fixed by a fixing tool such as a bolt, and may be placed without moving with respect to the power feeding line 3. Further, there is provided a cover 4 surrounding the power supply line 3, the optical communication fixed device 2, the optical communication mobile device 11 and the pickup 12 and made of a conductive material such as metal, and the cover 4 covers the installation surface of the power supply line 3. It is composed of an installation surface portion 41 to be formed and an enclosure portion 42 surrounding the portion other than the installation surface. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile body including the contactless power supply device of the present invention and the power receiving unit 1.
Reference numeral 10 in the figure denotes a moving body. The moving body 10 includes the power receiving unit 1, is supplied with power from the power receiving unit 1 to a load 13 such as a traveling motor, and linearly moves along the power supply line 3 to perform work such as movement or positioning of an article.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the pickup 12. The pickup 12 includes a core 12a made of a magnetic material,
The coil 12b is wound around the core 12a. The core 12a is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having two holes through which the reciprocating power supply line 3 penetrates, and the coil 12b is wound around the portion between the two holes. Core 12a
Is formed by vertically assembling E-shaped magnetic members in a front view. Both ends of the coil 12b are connected to the moving body 10
Of the load 13 and the optical communication mobile unit 11. A time-varying magnetic field is generated around the power supply line 3 by the alternating current flowing through the power supply line 3, and the generated magnetic field is applied to the coil 1
Induced electromotive force is generated in the coil 12b by interlinking with 2b, and the generated induced electromotive force is supplied to the load 13 and the optical communication mobile unit 11 as electric power. In addition, E-shaped, C-shaped,
The shape of the core 12a may be another shape such as an H shape and a square shape. Further, the coil 12b may be wound at another position, or may be wound at a plurality of positions.

The fixed optical communication device 2 is installed at the end of the moving path of the moving body 10, and the fixed optical communication device 2 and the fixed optical communication device 11 construct an optical path used for optical communication along the feeder line 3. And are opposed at a distance. A signal input / output device such as a control device (not shown) is connected to the optical communication fixed device 2, and a signal such as a control signal of the mobile unit 10 is input from the signal input / output device and the signal is transmitted by optical communication. It transmits to the communication mobile unit 11. The optical communication mobile device 11 receives a signal from the optical communication fixed device 2, inputs it to the load 13, and transmits a signal from the load 13 such as a feedback signal to the optical communication fixed device 2. The signal paths are indicated by arrows in FIG. As described above, the signal is transmitted to the moving body 10, and the work such as positioning of the moving body 10 can be controlled. Since only two optical communication devices, that is, the transmitting side and the receiving side are used as means for transmitting signals, the device can be downsized and the cost increase can be suppressed. Further, since the signal transmission medium is light, it is less susceptible to electromagnetic influence by the alternating current flowing through the power supply line 3, and the signal transmission is stabilized.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the optical communication mobile unit 11. Reference numeral 11a in the figure denotes a light transmitting / receiving unit, which inputs and outputs light for optical communication. The optical communication mobile unit 11 is covered with a shield 11b made of a conductive material such as metal except for the light transmitting / receiving unit 11a. The shield 11b shields the electromagnetic wave generated by the power supply line 3 and can prevent the influence of the electromagnetic wave such as noise reception or malfunction, and the optical communication mobile device 11 can stably transmit a signal. The optical communication fixing machine 2 has the same structure and is covered with a shield except for the light transmitting / receiving section.

The cover 4 surrounds the power supply line 3 while leaving a space for the power receiving unit 1 to be connected to the moving body 10 in the surrounding unit 42. Inside the cover 4, the optical communication fixing device 2 is further provided.
And the optical communication mobile device 11 is located. By surrounding the power supply line 3 with the cover 4, it is possible to contain the electromagnetic wave generated by the power supply line 3 and prevent the influence of the electromagnetic wave on the external device such as the mixing of noise or malfunction, and the moving body 10 is safe. Can be operated. Also, the cover 4
Protects the optical communication light transmitted and received between the optical communication fixed device 2 and the optical communication mobile device 11 from the intrusion of a shield or disturbance light, so that the signal transmission by optical communication can be stabilized. it can. Further, when a metal background is exposed on the inner surface of the cover 4, the inner surface reflects the light of the optical communication and prevents the light of the optical communication from being weakened by scattering or absorption. Can be more stable. Alternatively, it is possible to suppress the outputs of the optical communication fixed device 2 and the optical communication mobile device 11 to further reduce the size of the device.

As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, since the electric power is supplied to the moving body 10 by using the non-contact power feeding device, the noise is low and the life is long. In order to carry out optical communication along the optical path along 3 to transmit signals, the device is downsized, and since the optical communication fixed device 2 and the optical communication mobile device 11 are each covered with a shield made of a conductive material, the influence of electromagnetic waves Is blocked to stabilize the signal transmission,
Since the cover 4 made of a conductive material surrounding the optical communication stationary device 2 and the optical communication mobile device 11 is provided, electromagnetic influence of an electromagnetic wave generated by the power supply line 3 on an external device is prevented, and a disturbance light or Stabilizes the signal transmission by optical communication by eliminating the influence of the shield. As a result, it is possible to realize a contactless power supply device that is safe, small in size, low in cost, has a long life, and can control the operation of the moving body with high accuracy.

In the present embodiment, the power supply line 3 is provided in the form of a loop, but the present invention is not limited to this form, and the power supply line 3 may be formed by stacking loops a plurality of times. . Further, although the AC power supply 5 is provided on the outside of the cover 4, the AC power supply 5 may be provided on the inside of the cover 4.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of Embodiment 2 of the non-contact power supply device of the present invention and a mobile body to which power is supplied using the non-contact power supply device. Reference numeral 6 in the figure denotes a long light guide that guides light for optical communication. In the present embodiment, the light guide 6 is used to provide a space between the optical communication fixed device 2 and the optical communication mobile device 11. Optical communication is performed. The light guide 6 is installed with its longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the power supply line 3, and the moving body 10 is configured to move beside the light guide 6. The light guide 6 is configured to allow the light used for optical communication to pass through inside and emit the light passing through the inside at a predetermined position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 2 is installed at the end of the light guide 6, and the optical communication mobile unit 11 provided in the power receiving unit 1 is arranged such that the light transmitting / receiving unit 11a faces the light guide 6. Other configurations of the non-contact power supply device and the moving body 10 according to the present embodiment are as follows.
This is the same as the first embodiment, and the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the form of the light guide 6, and the arrows in the figure show the paths of light. The light guide body 6 is formed of a light-transmitting material such as glass or synthetic resin, and has a structure in which light is reflected and propagates inside by applying a light-reflecting agent to the outer wall of the light guide body 6, for example. A light emitting portion 61 that emits light at a predetermined position on the side facing the optical communication mobile unit 11 is provided by removing the light reflecting agent at the position. The signal transmitted from the optical communication stationary device 2 is transmitted through the inside of the light guide body 6, emitted from the light emitting portion 61, and received by the optical communication mobile device 11. The shape of the light guide 6 is
The present invention is not limited to the example of this embodiment, and any form may be used as long as it allows light to pass through the inside in the longitudinal direction and emits the light at a predetermined position. The light guide 6 may be attached to the power supply line 3 or may be provided on the inner surface of the cover 4.

In this embodiment, the elongated light guide 6 is used.
The optical communication fixed device 2 and the optical communication mobile device 11 are installed substantially parallel to the power supply line 3 and optical communication is performed between the optical communication fixed device 2 and the optical communication mobile device 11 via the light guide 6. It becomes easy to align the optical axis between the and, and the cost can be suppressed. Moreover, since optical communication is performed using the light guide 6 installed beside the moving path of the moving body 10, one optical communication fixing device 2 is used.
Can communicate with each of the optical communication mobile units 11, 11, ... Provided in the power receiving units 1, 1 ,.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a pickup according to a third embodiment of the contactless power supply system of the invention. In this embodiment, the pickup 1
The frictional absorbing material 12c is provided on the portion of the second surface facing the power supply line 3 to form the non-contact power supply device of the present invention. The pickup 12 includes a core 12a made of a magnetic material having two holes through which the power supply line 3 penetrates, a coil 12b wound around a portion between the two holes of the core 12a, and two holes. It is configured by using friction modifiers 12c and 12c provided on the inner surface. Both ends of the coil 12b are connected to a load of a mobile unit and an optical communication mobile unit (not shown). Friction modifier 12c
Is a low-friction material such as fluororesin.
Core 12a formed in the shape of a tube that fits on the inner surface of the coil, and the power supply line 3 is positioned inside the tube to wind the coil 12b.
Is fitted to the inner surface of the. The other configuration of the contactless power supply device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the pickup 1
Since the low frictional friction reducing material 12c is provided in the portion of the power supply line 2 facing the power supply line 3, even when the pickup 12 contacts the power supply line 3, the contactless power supply device is used to supply power. The movement of the body can be smoothed, and the wear and damage of the pickup 12 and the power supply line 3 can be reduced to prolong the life of the device.

[0035]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the mobile unit is provided with the power receiving unit having the pickup to supply electric power, and the optical communication stationary unit and the optical communication mobile unit provided in the power receiving unit are provided in the path of the mobile unit. Realizes a low-noise, long-life non-contact power supply device that can transmit power and signals to the mobile body in a non-contact manner by transmitting and receiving signals such as control signals for controlling the mobile body using the optical path along In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost without increasing the size of the device.

In the second aspect of the invention, since the cover made of a conductive material surrounding the power supply line is provided, the cover can contain the electromagnetic waves generated from the power supply line to prevent the electromagnetic influence such as noise mixing or malfunction from the outside. It is possible to realize a safe contactless power supply device that does not affect the equipment.

In the third aspect of the invention, since the optical communication fixing device and the optical communication mobile device are arranged inside the cover, the optical communication is not affected by the shield or the ambient light, and the signal transmission is stable. Further, when the inner surface of the cover is configured to reflect light, the light used for optical communication is reflected and the signal transmission by optical communication is more stable, or the output of the fixed optical communication device and the optical communication mobile device. It is possible to reduce the size of the device by suppressing this.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, since the optical communication fixed device and the optical communication mobile device are individually covered with the shield made of a conductive material, the influence of electromagnetic waves generated by the power supply line such as noise reception or malfunction is generated. It can be cut off and the signal transmission can be stabilized.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, the light guide is installed along the power supply line, and the optical communication is performed through the light guide so that the optical axes of the optical communication fixed device and the optical communication mobile device can be easily aligned. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost, and it is possible to transmit a signal to a plurality of optical communication mobile devices with one fixed optical communication device.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by providing a friction reducing material in a portion of the pickup which is close to the power supply line and which faces the power supply line, it is possible to reduce wear or damage when the pickup contacts the power supply line. That is, the present invention has excellent effects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a non-contact power supply device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile body including a contactless power supply device and a power receiving unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a pickup.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an optical communication mobile device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a non-contact power supply device of the present invention and a moving body to which electric power is supplied using the non-contact power supply device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the form of a light guide.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a pickup according to a third embodiment of the non-contact power supply device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Power receiving section 10 moving bodies 11 Optical communication mobile devices 11b shield 12 pickups 12c Friction modifier 2 Optical communication fixed machine 3 power lines 4 cover 5 AC power supply 6 Light guide

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A power supply line through which an alternating current flows and another device that moves along the power supply line, and a pickup is provided to the device by using a pickup that generates an induced electromotive force in the vicinity of the power supply line. In a contactless power supply device including a power receiving unit that supplies an electromotive force, an optical communication fixed device, and an optical communication mobile device that is provided in the power receiving unit and performs optical communication with the optical communication fixed device, The non-contact power feeding device, wherein an optical path used for optical communication between the optical communication fixed device and the optical communication mobile device is configured along the power feeding line. 2. The non-contact power feeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cover made of a conductive material surrounding the power feeding line. 3. The contactless power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the optical communication fixed device and the optical communication mobile device are arranged inside the cover. 4. The contactless power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the optical communication fixed device and the optical communication mobile device are each covered with a shield made of a conductive material. . 5. The non-contact power feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the optical path is configured by using a light guide body installed along the power feeding line. 6. The non-contact power feeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pickup is provided with a friction reducing material in a portion facing the power feeding line.