JP2010187444A - Charging apparatus and non-contact charging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging apparatus that stably transmits electric power when a device to be charged covered with a deformable protection member is stabilized in the setting area of the charging apparatus and a non-contact charging system equipped with this charging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The charging apparatus includes a protrusion 21 provide on its surface, and a protection member 22 that covers the surface with at least the protrusion 21 exposed. It further includes a transmission unit 17 available in combination with a device 2 to be charged that can receive power in a non-contact manner and capable of transmitting power to the device 2 to be charged in a non-contact manner, a main unit 12 having a surface with a setting area 14 where the device 2 to be charged is to be set, and a recess 11 provided in the surface of the main unit 12 and having such a shape that engages with the protrusion 21 when the device 2 to be charged is set in the setting area 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device capable of transmitting power to a charged device in a contactless manner, and a contactless charging system.

  Conventionally, there is an apparatus provided with a rechargeable battery as a power source. In a device provided with a rechargeable battery in this way, the rechargeable battery can be charged if the electromotive force generated by the rechargeable battery decreases or disappears. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the rechargeable battery. Therefore, the situation where the environment is polluted by the disposal of the dry battery is eliminated.

  Thus, in order to charge the apparatus provided with the rechargeable battery, a charger for transmitting power to the rechargeable battery is required. Patent Document 1 describes an example of this type of charger (hereinafter referred to as a charging device). That is, the charging device is used in combination with an electronic device (hereinafter referred to as a device to be charged). The charging device has a groove in which the device to be charged is attached. The charging device is provided with a primary coil (hereinafter referred to as a charging device side coil), and the charged device is provided with a secondary coil (hereinafter referred to as a charged device side coil).

  When the charging device is attached to the charged device, the charging device side coil and the charged device side coil face each other to cause electromagnetic induction. Therefore, electric power is transmitted from the charging device to the charged device in a contactless manner. Therefore, the charging device can be charged in contact.

  Patent Document 2 also describes an example of this type of charging device. That is, a charging device for a portable device (hereinafter referred to as a charging device) is provided with a power supply coil (hereinafter referred to as a charging device-side coil), while a portable device (hereinafter referred to as a charged device) is provided with a charging coil (hereinafter referred to as a charged device). The to-be-charged device side coil) is provided. When the to-be-charged device is attached to the charging device, the charging device-side coil and the to-be-charged device-side coil face each other and electromagnetic induction occurs, so that the charging device can be charged in contact.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-110357 JP 2008-236886 A

  By the way, in order to transmit electric power efficiently without contact, it is desirable that the charging device side coil and the to-be-charged device side coil be as coaxial as possible. Moreover, the space | interval suitable for the electric power efficiently transmitted by non-contact exists in the space | interval of the axial direction made between a charging device side coil and a to-be-charged device side coil. Therefore, in many of the charging devices, there is an attachment region where the device to be charged is to be attached. For example, in Patent Document 1, a groove exists as an attachment region.

  However, in some cases, a protection member (for example, a rubber cover) can be attached to the main body of the device to be charged (for example, a remote controller) so that the main body is prevented from being dropped and damaged as much as possible. Thus, when the surface of the device to be charged is covered with the protective member, the following problems may occur when the device to be charged is charged. For example, the protective member may be deformed when the protective member receives an impact. Further, when the protective member is made of a rubber cover, the thickness of the protective member itself may not be uniform.

  Thus, in a non-charging device, when the thickness of the protective member itself is not uniform, when the charging device is attached to the charging device, the charging device tends not to be stable within the attachment region of the charging device. is there. In this case, a phenomenon in which one of the charging device side coil and the to-be-charged device side coil is shifted in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the charging device side coil and the to-be-charged device side coil is likely to occur. In addition, the axial interval between the charging device side coil and the charged device side is not stable. For this reason, it may occur that the charging device cannot stably transmit power to the device to be charged.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and a device to be charged, which is covered with a protective member that is easily deformed, is stabilized in a mounting region of the charging device, thereby stably transmitting power. It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging device that can be used, and a non-contact charging system including such a charging device.

  A charging device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a convex portion provided on a surface and a protective member that covers the surface with at least the convex portion exposed, and receives power in a non-contact manner. A charging device that is used in combination with a to-be-charged device capable of transmitting electric power to the to-be-charged device in a non-contact manner, and an attachment region to which the to-be-charged device is to be attached A main body having a surface formed thereon, and a recess provided on the surface of the main body, and having a shape that fits with the protrusion when the device to be charged is attached to the attachment region. (Claim 1).

  According to this configuration, in the charging device, the surface of the main body has a shape in which a convex portion that is not covered with the protective member in the charged device is fitted when the charged device is attached to the attachment region. A recess is provided. Therefore, even if the thickness of the protective member is not constant, the charged device is in a stable state in the charging device mounting region by fitting the concave portion of the charging device with the convex portion not covered with the protective member. It becomes. Accordingly, the charging device can stably transmit power to the device to be charged.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said convex part can be set as the structure which is an operation part for a user to operate (Claim 2).

  According to this structure, the convex part provided as an operation part which is not covered with a protection member fits into a recessed part. Therefore, it is not necessary to newly provide a dedicated convex portion on the charged device so that the charged device is properly attached to the attachment region. Thereby, even if the device to be charged is, for example, a device that the user holds and uses, the dedicated device does not need to be provided separately, so that the device to be charged has a shape that can be easily held by the user.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The induction | guidance | derivation member which guides the said to-be-charged apparatus so that the said to-be-charged apparatus may be attached to the said attachment area | region can be set as the structure provided in the surface of the said main-body part.

  According to this configuration, the charging device is provided with the guide member that guides the device to be charged so that the device to be charged is attached to the attachment region. Therefore, the device to be charged can be attached to the attachment region of the charging device more easily.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said guidance member can be set as the structure which guides the said to-be-charged apparatus by contacting with the to-be-charged apparatus (Claim 4).

  According to this configuration, the guide member guides the device to be charged by contacting the device to be charged. For this reason, since the device to be charged is guided to the attachment region while being in contact with the guide member, the device to be charged can be easily guided to the attachment region of the charging device.

  In the above configuration, the device to be charged has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and the guide member can be in contact with an end surface of the device to be charged (Claim 5). According to this configuration, when the device to be charged is guided to the attachment region, the end surface of the device to be charged is guided to the attachment region while being in contact with the guide member. It can be easily induced.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said guidance member can be set as the structure which is the guidance wall standingly arranged on the surface of the said main-body part (Claim 6). According to this configuration, since the induction wall can be provided by integral molding at the time of manufacturing the charging device, the charging device can be produced at low cost.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said recessed part has faced upwards, and when the front-end | tip of the said convex part of the said to-be-charged device faces downward, it has a shape fitted with the said convex part. It can be set as a structure (Claim 7).

  According to this configuration, when the charging device is attached to the attachment region with the tip of the convex portion of the device to be charged facing downward, the concave portion of the charging device is not covered with the protective member. To fit. Therefore, when the device to be charged is attached to the attachment region, the stability in the vertical direction is increased. Accordingly, the vertical distance between the charging device and the device to be charged is properly maintained.

  Moreover, the non-contact-type charging system which concerns on the other situation of this invention is equipped with the charging device as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7, and the said to-be-charged apparatus (Claim). 8). According to this structure, the contact-type charging system with which the effect of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7 is show | played is implement | achieved.

  According to the present invention, in the charging device, the surface of the main body has a shape in which a convex portion that is not covered by the protective member in the charged device is fitted when the charged device is attached to the attachment region. A recess is provided. Therefore, even if the thickness of the protective member is not constant, the charged device is in a stable state in the charging device mounting region by fitting the concave portion of the charging device with the convex portion not covered with the protective member. It becomes. Accordingly, the charging device can stably transmit power to the device to be charged.

It is the perspective view which showed an example of the external appearance of the charging device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the rear view of a charging device, a top view, a front view, and a side view. It is sectional drawing which showed an example of the use condition of a charging device typically, and showed typically the non-contact-type charging system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed an example of the external appearance of a to-be-charged apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows roughly an example of an internal structure of a to-be-charged device and a charging device when a to-be-charged device is attached to a charging device. It is the block diagram which showed an example of the internal structure of a charging device and a charging device. It is the figure which showed the other example of the structure of the charging device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and a non-contact-type charging system.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a charging device and a contactless charging system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view, a plan view, a front view, and a side view of the charging device. 2A is a rear view, FIG. 2B is a plan view, FIG. 2C is a front view, and FIG. 2D is a side view. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a usage state of the charging device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and schematically showing a contactless charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. is there.

  The charging device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a recess 11, a guide wall (guide member) 13, and an attachment region 14 on the surface of the main body 12. The charging device 1 also includes a power line 15 for receiving AC power (AC 100V power). The concave portion 11 includes an inclined portion 110 inclined in a downward direction (a direction opposite to the Z axis) from the upper bottom portion 160 of the protrusion 16 having a trapezoidal cross section provided on the surface of the main body portion 12, and the inclined portion 110. It comprises an inclined portion 111 having a line-to-line relationship with respect to a line parallel to the Z-axis direction. In the recess 11, a trough 112 is formed by the inclined portions 110 and 111. The width of the valley 112 (length in the X-axis direction) is the same as the width of the recess 11 (length in the X-axis direction).

  The guide wall 13 is erected on both end portions 120 and 121 on the surface of the main body portion 12, and is divided into a left end guide wall 13A and a right end guide wall 13B. Such guide walls 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are guided in contact with the end face 25 (see FIG. 3) of the device to be charged 2 so that the device to be charged (for example, a remote controller) 2 is attached to the attachment region 14. Here, the end face 25 of the device to be charged 2 is divided into a left end face 25A and a right end face 25B.

  The attachment area 14 is an area indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 1 and is an area to which the charged device 2 is to be attached. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the mounting region 14 has a horizontal plane 141 and exists on the left end of the horizontal plane 141 (in the direction opposite to the X axis in FIG. 1). And a bottom surface 140 having a shape rising toward the right end of the horizontal surface 141 (the end existing in the X-axis direction in FIG. 1), and the depth direction from the bottom 140 (the Y-axis direction in FIG. 1). It consists of a rising part 142, a concave part 11, and a projecting part 16, which rises toward the surface.

  In the attachment region 14, the concave portion 11 may be fitted with the convex portion 21 (see FIG. 3) of the device to be charged 2 when the device to be charged 2 is attached to the attachment region 14 on the surface of the main body 12. It is provided in a possible position. That is, the concave portion 11 is provided in the attachment region 14 between the rising portion 142 and the upper bottom portion 160 of the protruding portion 16 in the Y-axis direction. The reason why the concave portion 11 is provided between the raised portion 142 and the upper bottom portion 160 is to correspond to the curved shape (see FIG. 3) near the convex portion 21 of the device to be charged 2. .

  Further, the recess 11 is provided at a substantially central position in the X-axis direction on the surface of the main body 12. The reason is that the convex portion 21 of the device to be charged 2 is present at a substantially central position in the left-right direction (depth direction in FIG. 3) of the device to be charged 2.

  Moreover, the recessed part 11 is carrying out the shape which can fit the convex part 21 of the to-be-charged apparatus 2 when the to-be-charged apparatus 2 is attached to the attachment position 14. FIG. That is, the width of the concave portion 11 (the length in the X-axis direction) has substantially the same length as the width of the convex portion 21 (the depth direction in FIG. 3). Further, the inclination rate of the inclined portion 110 is substantially the same as the inclination rate of the inclined portion 210 (see FIG. 3) of the convex portion 21. Further, the inclination rate of the inclined portion 111 is substantially the same as the inclination rate of the inclined portion 211 (see FIG. 3) of the convex portion 21. The depth of the recess 11 (the length in the Z-axis direction) is naturally determined if the inclination rates of the inclined portions 110 and 111 are determined.

  In the charging device 1, a charging device side coil (described later) is attached to the attachment region 14 below the horizontal surface 141 in the attachment region 14 (opposite to the Z-axis direction in FIG. 1). In this case, it is provided so as to be opposed to the to-be-charged device side coil (described later) coaxially with an appropriate interval.

  In addition, the rising part 142 and the protrusion part 16 are provided according to the curved shape of the to-be-charged apparatus 2 as mentioned above. That is, although the charged device 2 is supported by the charging device 1 by fitting the convex portion 21 and the concave portion 11, in the following case, the charged device 2 is in the forward direction (FIG. 3). This is because it can be inclined in the right direction).

  That is, in FIG. 3, the surface 24 of the surface of the device to be charged 2 that exists above the convex portion 21 (the right direction in FIG. 3B) faces the horizontal surface 141 that exists in the charging device 1 ( It exists in a position higher than the surface 23A) of the battery pack 23 (upward position in FIG. 3B). In such a case, the interval between the surface 24 of the charged device 2 and the surface of the charging device 1 is larger than the interval between the surface 23A of the charged device 2 and the surface of the charging device 1, and the charged The device 2 can be tilted in the forward direction (the right direction in FIG. 3B) by the force applied from the outside.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the surface of the charged device 2 is covered with a protective member 22 at least with the convex portion 21 exposed. Here, as the protection member 22, for example, a rubber cover may be mentioned. Moreover, as the convex part 21, an operation part (operation button) is mentioned, for example. Since such an operation part needs to be operated by the user, it is not usually covered with the protective member 22. In addition, the to-be-charged apparatus 2 is made into the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, as FIG. 3 (a) and FIG.3 (b) show.

  When the to-be-charged device 2 is attached to the charging device 1, the left end surface 25A comes into contact with the left end guide wall 13A. Further, the right end face 25B is in contact with the right end guide wall 13B. In this way, the charged device 2 is guided to the mounting region 14 of the charging device 1 while the left end surface 25A and the right end surface 25B are in contact with the left end guide wall 13A and the right end guide wall 13B, respectively. .

  In addition, in order to guide to the attachment area | region 14 when the to-be-charged apparatus 2 is attached to the charging apparatus 1, the following aspects also exist. For example, any one of the front surface (the surface depicted in FIG. 3A) of the charged device 2 and the back surface of the charged device 2 (the surface depicted in FIG. 3A is the back surface). Examples thereof include a guide member that guides one or both surfaces. Further, unlike the guide wall 13, the guide member is not necessarily required to stand on the surface of the main body 12. That is, the induction member only needs to be able to appropriately guide the attachment target device 2 to the attachment region 14 when the device to be charged 2 is attached to the charging device 1.

  When the to-be-charged device 2 is attached to the charging device 1, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the convex portion 21 is fitted with the concave portion 11. In a state where the convex portion 21 is fitted to the concave portion 11, the charged device 2 is supported on the surface of the charging device 1 by fitting the convex portion 21 and the concave portion 11. In FIG. 3B, a state in which the protective member 22 that covers the surface of the charged device 2 is not in contact with the surface of the charging device 1 is illustrated. However, the protection member 22 may be in contact with the surface of the charging device 1. In short, the to-be-charged device 2 may be supported on the surface of the charging device 1 by fitting the convex portion 21 and the concave portion 11 together.

  Thus, since the to-be-charged apparatus 2 is supported on the surface of the charging apparatus 1 by the convex part 21 and the recessed part 11 fitting, when a user attaches the to-be-charged apparatus 2 to the charging apparatus 1 It becomes easy to position.

  Thus, the to-be-charged apparatus 2 was attached to the attachment area | region 14 in the state by which the to-be-charged apparatus 2 was firmly supported on the surface of the charging apparatus 1 by the convex part 21 and the recessed part 11 fitting. It becomes a state. Therefore, the to-be-charged device side coil (described later) built in the battery pack 23 of the to-be-charged device 2 and the charging device side coil (described later) built in the charging device 1 exist on the same axis. Become. Moreover, the space | interval between both coils becomes an appropriate space | interval.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the charged device 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the battery pack 23 of the device 2 to be charged. 4A is a plan view and FIG. 4B is a perspective view.

  In the battery pack 23 shown in FIG. 4, the pack main body 236 includes a circuit board 230, a rechargeable battery 231, a cover case 232, a claw portion 233 used when attached to the device to be charged 2, and a cushion material 235. . Electronic components such as a coil to be charged (described later) are mounted on the circuit board 230, and when the charged apparatus 2 is attached to the charging apparatus 1, the circuit board 230 is attached to the surface of the charging apparatus 1. And face up.

  The rechargeable battery 231 is a battery that converts the current flowing from the positive electrode to the GND by the power received from the charging device 1 into chemical energy and accumulates it. Examples of the rechargeable battery 231 include a nickel metal hydride battery, a lithium ion battery, and a nickel cadmium battery. The cover case 232 is a case for holding the rechargeable battery 231 so as not to move. The cushion material 235 is for preventing the rechargeable battery 231 from being damaged.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the internal configuration of the device to be charged 1 and the charging device 2 when the device to be charged 2 is attached to the charging device 1.

  The charging device 1 includes a planar coil 17 as the above-described charging device-side coil at a position corresponding to a lower side of the horizontal plane 141 (a direction opposite to the Z-axis direction in FIG. 1). In addition, the charging device 1 includes a magnetic body 18 at a position corresponding to the lower side of the horizontal plane 141 in the inside thereof. The magnetic body 18 increases the magnetic flux density, thereby promoting mutual induction, which will be described later, and improving the efficiency of transmitting power from the charging device 1 to the non-charging device 2. The charging device 1 also includes a circuit board 19 on which the planar coil 17 and the magnetic body 18 are mounted.

  Moreover, in the to-be-charged apparatus 2, the battery pack 23 is provided with the planar coil 234 as a to-be-charged device side coil mentioned above. Such a planar coil 234 is provided on the circuit board 230 described above. Further, the battery pack 23 includes the rechargeable battery 213 described above. In the charging device 1, as described above, when the device 2 to be charged is attached to the charging device 1, the mounting position 14 includes the planar coil 17 and the planar coil 234 as shown in FIG. 5. Opposite on the same axis with proper spacing.

  As described above, when an oscillating current is passed through the planar coil 17 on the charging device 1 side in a state where the planar coil 17 and the planar coil 234 face each other with an appropriate interval on the same axis, the magnetic flux generated from the planar coil 17 changes. To do. Since the magnetic flux generated from the planar coil 17 is linked to the planar coil 234, when the magnetic flux generated from the planar coil 17 changes, an electromotive force is generated in the planar coil 234 due to the change, and current flows. Such a phenomenon is called mutual induction.

  Then, the current flowing through the planar coil 234 is stored as chemical energy in the rechargeable battery 231. As described above, electric power is transmitted from the charging device 1 to the charged device 2 in a contacted manner.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the charging device 1 and the charging device 2. The charging device 1 includes the control circuit unit 100, the oscillation circuit unit 101, the voltage conversion circuit unit 102, and the rectifying / smoothing circuit unit 103 in addition to the planar coil 17 described above as a power transmission coil.

  The control circuit unit 100 is composed of a CPU and the like, and comprehensively controls the entire charging device 1. The oscillation circuit unit 101 is configured by a CR oscillation circuit or the like, and generates an oscillation current to flow through the power transmission coil 17. The voltage conversion circuit unit 102 includes a transformer or the like, and converts the voltage value of the direct current power generated by the rectifying and smoothing circuit unit 103 into an appropriate voltage value. The rectifying / smoothing circuit unit 103 includes a transformer, a diode, a capacitor, and the like, and rectifies and smoothes the input AC power supply to obtain a DC power supply.

  Moreover, the to-be-charged apparatus 2 is provided with the rectifier circuit part 200, the control circuit part 201, and the load 202 other than providing the planar coil 234 mentioned above as a coil for electric power reception. The rectifier circuit unit 200 rectifies the current generated in the power receiving coil 234 into a direct current. The control circuit unit 201 comprehensively controls the entire charged device 2. The load 202 is a load that is driven based on a current that is converted into a DC power source by the rectifier circuit unit 200.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the charging device and the non-contact charging system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the same components as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 7, the device to be charged is attached to the attachment region 14 at the rear end (the end opposite to the Y-axis direction in FIG. 1) on the surface of the charging device 1. 2 is provided with a rear end guide wall (guide member) 13C that guides in contact with the rear end face 25C (left end face in FIG. 7) 25C. Since such a rear end guide wall 13 </ b> C is provided, the device to be charged 2 can be attached to the attachment region 14 of the charging device 1 more easily.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the aspect by which the to-be-charged apparatus 2 is mounted from the upper direction of the charging apparatus 1 (above Z-axis direction in FIG. 1) is illustrated. However, when the attachment region 14 of the charging device 1 is oriented in the horizontal direction or in a direction other than the horizontal direction and the vertical direction (for example, obliquely upward), the charged device 2 is attached to the charging device 1. May be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charging apparatus 2 Charged apparatus 11 Recessed part 12 Main body part 13 Guide wall 14 Mounting area 17 Planar coil (coil for power transmission)
21 convex part 22 protection member 25 end face of to-be-charged apparatus

Claims (8)

A convex portion provided on the surface, and a protective member that covers the surface with at least the convex portion exposed, and is used in combination with a device to be charged that can receive power in a non-contact manner. A charging device,
A power transmission unit capable of transmitting power to the charged device in a contactless manner;
A main body having a surface provided with an attachment region to which the device to be charged is to be attached;
A charging device, comprising: a concave portion provided on a surface of the main body portion, and having a shape that fits with the convex portion when the device to be charged is attached to the attachment region.   The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is an operation unit for a user to operate.   The charging device according to claim 1, wherein an induction member that guides the device to be charged is provided so that the device to be charged is attached to the attachment region.   The charging device according to claim 3, wherein the guide member guides the device to be charged by contacting the device to be charged. The charged device has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape,
The charging device according to claim 3, wherein the guide member is in contact with an end surface of the device to be charged.   The charging device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the guide member is a guide wall standing on a surface of the main body. The recess is
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a shape that faces upward and is fitted to the convex portion when the tip of the convex portion of the device to be charged is attached to the attachment region in a state of facing downward. The charging device according to any one of claims 6 to 6. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The charged device;
A non-contact charging system comprising:

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