JP2010200511A - Charger, electronic device, and electronic device charging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a non-contact charging type charger, along with an electronic device, for sure optical wireless communication even if there occurs turning or minute dislocation between the charger and the electronic device, as well as for sure optical wireless communication without affected by AC magnetic field that follows non-contact charging between the charger that performs non-contact charging and the electronic device. <P>SOLUTION: A first optical communication module 4 including a first light emitting element 24 and a first light receiving element 25 is arranged outside a power transmission coil 3, away from a central part, with the central part of the power transmission coil 3 as a reference. So, an induced electromotive force generated by AC magnetic field at the first light emitting element 24 and the first light receiving element 25 is very small. Since the first light emitting element 24 and the first light receiving element 25 generate little heat and electric noise, there occurs less error in transmission/reception of optical signal, and less failure at an optical communication part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact charging type charger and an electronic device, for example, a charger including a cradle, an electronic device such as a mobile phone terminal that performs charging and optical wireless communication with the charger, and the charger and the electronic device. The present invention relates to an electronic device charging system.

  Conventionally, as a charging method from a charger to a secondary battery built in an electronic device such as a mobile phone terminal, a method using a connector connection or a contact connection has been the mainstream. In recent years, non-contact chargers using an AC magnetic field have been proposed for the purpose of reducing the occurrence of power supply problems due to poor electrical connection in connection and contact connection.

  In such a non-contact charger, a power transmission coil for generating an alternating magnetic field is provided on the charger side, while a power reception coil for power reception is provided on the electronic device side, and a power transmission coil is generated. An induced electromotive force is generated in the power receiving coil by the AC magnetic field, and electricity is supplied to the secondary battery via the charging unit on the electronic device side.

  In the configuration as described above, since the power transmission coil and the power reception coil generally have shape symmetry and spatial expansion, rotation around the center of the coil between the power transmission coil and the power reception coil and in the coil plane Even if a slight misalignment occurs, power can be transmitted and received.

  On the other hand, recent electronic devices such as mobile phone terminals have a communication function for exchanging data such as music and images with other electronic devices or other electronic devices such as printers, televisions, recording devices and personal computers. In some cases, a charger such as a cradle is equipped with a communication function, and an electronic device such as a mobile phone terminal exchanges data with other electronic devices via the cradle. As a system for performing communication between such an electronic device and a charger, one that performs non-contact communication by optical wireless using light such as infrared rays has been proposed for convenience.

  When non-contact charging and optical wireless communication are performed between the charger and the electronic device, the non-contact charging can be performed even if rotation or slight misalignment occurs between the charger and the electronic device. Similarly, it is desirable that wireless communication can be performed even if rotation or some positional deviation occurs between the charger and the electronic device.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses a technique that enables communication such as optical wireless communication in the same manner as non-contact charging even when rotation occurs between a charger and an electronic device.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the non-contact power supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a transmitting element 19 made of a light emitting element and a receiving element 17 made of a light receiving element are similarly received at the center of the first coil 18 on the power transmission side. The transmitting element 16 and the receiving element 14 are placed in the center of the second coil 15 on the side. Since the transmitting element and the receiving element are arranged at the center of each coil in this way, the change in the relative position between the transmitting element and the receiving element becomes small with respect to the rotation around the center of the coil. Communication is possible even if rotation occurs between the transmitting and receiving devices.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-92752 (FIG. 2)

  However, in the non-contact power supply device as disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged at the center of the coil, the light is emitted in a strong alternating magnetic field generated by the coil for power supply such as charging. An element or a light receiving element is placed, and an induced electromotive force is generated by an alternating magnetic field in a metal part such as a wiring of the light emitting element or the light receiving element. As a result, heat generation and electrical noise are generated in the light emitting element and the light receiving element. Therefore, the heat generation reduces the electro-optical conversion efficiency of the light emitting element and the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the light receiving element, thereby reducing the signal level. Noise increases noise and unwanted signal levels, causing problems such as poor communication quality and inability to communicate. If heat generation and electrical noise increase, the light emitting element and light receiving element are destroyed thermally or electrically. Problem arises.

  Furthermore, in electronic devices such as mobile phone devices and their chargers, the coil and light emitting element or light receiving element are placed close to each other in order to reduce the size and thickness, and the alternating magnetic field in which the light emitting element and light receiving element are placed is placed. Become stronger. As a result, the problem that the communication quality is deteriorated due to the influence of the AC magnetic field and the communication is disabled, and the problem that the light emitting element and the light receiving element are thermally or electrically destroyed become larger.

  On the other hand, when performing bidirectional communication between the charger and the electronic device, it is not possible to place both the light emitting element and the light receiving element on the central axis of the power transmission coil of the charger, and the power receiving coil of the electronic device. Neither a light emitting element nor a light receiving element can be arranged on the central axis of. Therefore, between the charger and the electronic device, the light emitting element of the charger and the light receiving element of the electronic device, or between the light emitting element and the light receiving device of at least one of the light emitting element of the electronic device and the light receiving element of the charger are provided. As a result, a relative displacement occurs with respect to the rotation of the light, and as a result, the rate at which the light emitted from the light emitting element is incident on the light receiving element is reduced, and the signal level is lowered. This causes a problem. Further, if a slight misalignment other than rotation occurs between the charger and the electronic device, problems such as a deterioration in communication quality and an inability to communicate occur as in the case of rotation.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems described above, and the object thereof is to ensure that there is no influence of an AC magnetic field associated with non-contact charging between a charger that performs non-contact charging and an electronic device. To provide a non-contact charging type charger and an electronic device that perform optical wireless communication and reliably perform optical wireless communication even if rotation or minute positional deviation occurs between the charger and the electronic device. is there.

1 In order to achieve the above-described object, a charger according to the present invention is disposed with a first position as a central portion of a coil (including the center and the vicinity of the center), and a power transmission coil that transmits power, and the power transmission coil A power supply for supplying power; a first light emitting element that is disposed at a second position and emits an optical signal; a first light propagation element that propagates an optical signal emitted from the light emitting element; and the first position. And a first light emitting unit that emits an optical signal propagated by the first light propagation element to the outside, wherein the second position is outside the power transmission coil with respect to the first position. It is characterized by being.

In the battery charger configured as described above, the intensity of the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil arranged with the center portion (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the coil as the first position is determined based on the first position. Since it is small at the second position outside the coil, the induced electromotive force generated by the alternating magnetic field in the first light emitting element arranged at the second position is extremely small, and almost no heat generation or electrical noise is generated in the first light emitting element. The deterioration due to the electro-optical conversion in transmission is small, and the failure of the first light emitting element is small. Further, the optical signal emitted from the first light emitting element is propagated by the first light propagating element having the first light emitting portion disposed at the first position, so that the optical signal emitted from the first light emitting element is transmitted to the first light emitting element. Since the light is emitted from the center of the coil at the position, the optical transmission is centered on the center of the coil at the first position in the same manner as power transmission is free for rotation about the center of the coil at the first position. Free to rotate.
2 The charger according to the present invention is arranged with the first position as the central portion of the coil, and is arranged at the first position, a power transmission coil that transmits power, a power supply that supplies power to the power transmission coil, and the first position. A first light incident portion that receives an optical signal from the outside, a second light propagation element that propagates an optical signal that is incident on the first light incident portion, and a second light propagation that is disposed at a third position. A first light receiving element that receives an optical signal propagated by the element, wherein the third position is outside the power transmission coil with respect to the first position.

In the battery charger configured as described above, the intensity of the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil arranged with the center portion (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the coil as the first position is determined based on the first position. Since it is small at the third position outside the coil, the induced electromotive force generated by the AC magnetic field in the first light receiving element arranged at the third position is extremely small, and almost no heat generation or electrical noise is generated in the first light receiving element. The deterioration due to photoelectric conversion during reception is small, and the failure of the first light receiving element is small. Further, the light signal received by the first light receiving element is propagated by the second light propagation element having the first light incident portion disposed at the first position, so that the light incident on the central portion of the coil at the first position. Since the second light emitting element receives the signal, light reception is centered on the coil at the first position, just as power transmission is free for rotation about the center of the coil at the first position. Free to rotate.
3. The charger according to the present invention is arranged with the first position as the center of the coil (including the center and the vicinity of the center), and a power transmission coil that transmits power, and a power supply that supplies power to the power transmission coil, A first light emitting element that is disposed at the second position and emits an optical signal; a first light propagation element that propagates an optical signal emitted from the light emitting element; and the first light emitting element that is disposed at the first position, A first light emitting unit that emits an optical signal propagating from the light propagation element to the outside; a first light incident unit that is disposed at the first position and that receives the optical signal from the outside; and the first light incident unit includes: A second light propagation element that propagates an incident optical signal; and a light receiving element that is disposed at a third position and receives an optical signal propagated by the second light propagation element, wherein the second position is The third position is outside the power transmission coil with respect to the first position, It is outside the said power transmission coil on the basis of a 1st position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

In the battery charger configured as described above, the strength of the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil arranged with the central portion of the coil as the first position is the second position outside the power transmission coil with respect to the first position. In the first light emitting element arranged at the second position, the induced electromotive force generated by the alternating magnetic field is extremely small, and the first light emitting element hardly generates heat or electrical noise. There is little deterioration and there are few failures of a 1st light emitting element. Further, since the optical signal emitted from the first light emitting element is propagated by the first light propagation element having the first light emitting portion disposed at the first position, the optical signal emitted from the first light emitting element is transmitted to the first position. Since the light is emitted from the center of the coil, the optical transmission is centered on the coil at the first position in the same manner as power transmission is free to rotate around the center of the coil at the first position. Freedom to rotate. Furthermore, since the strength of the AC magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil arranged with the coil center portion as the first position is small at the third position outside the power transmission coil with respect to the first position, The induced electromotive force generated by the alternating magnetic field in the arranged first light receiving element is extremely small, and hardly generates heat or electrical noise in the first light receiving element, so that there is little deterioration due to photoelectric conversion in reception, and the first light receiving element There are few failures. Further, the optical signal received by the first light receiving element is propagated by the second light propagation element having the first light incident portion disposed at the first position, so that the optical signal incident on the central portion of the coil at the first position. Since the second light emitting element receives light, the light reception is centered on the coil at the first position in the same manner as power transmission is free to rotate about the center of the coil at the first position. Freedom to rotate.
4 Further, the charger according to the present invention is characterized in that the second position and the third position substantially coincide.

In the charger configured as described above, the first light emitting element at the second position and the first light receiving element at the third position are substantially aligned with each other. Can be integrated, and the charger becomes smaller.
5 Further, the charger according to the present invention is characterized in that an area of the light emitting part is larger than a light emitting and emitting area of the light emitting element.

In the charger configured as described above, since the area of the first light emitting portion of the first light propagation element is larger than the light emitting and emitting area of the first light emitting element, the emission sectional area of the transmission light from the charger is large. Thus, the robustness of the optical transmission against the misalignment of the charger is improved.
6 In the charger according to the present invention, the first light propagation element includes a light diffusing unit.

In the charger configured as described above, the spatial distribution of the emitted light at the first light emitting portion is widened, so that the robustness of the optical transmission with respect to the positional deviation of the charger is improved.
Further, the charger according to the present invention is characterized in that an area of the incident portion is larger than a light receiving incident area of the light receiving element.

In the charger configured as described above, since the area of the first light incident portion of the second light propagation element is larger than the light receiving incident area of the first light receiving element, the area in which the received light can enter the charger is large. Thus, the robustness of the optical reception with respect to the position shift of the charger is improved.
8 In the charger according to the present invention, the second light propagation element includes a light diffusing unit.

In the charger configured as described above, the area of the first light incident portion capable of propagating light between the first light incident portion and the first light receiving element is widened. Robustness is improved.
9 Further, the charger according to the present invention is characterized in that the first light propagation element or the second light propagation element and a housing of the charger are integrated.

In the charger configured as described above, the first light propagating element or the second light propagating element and the charger casing are integrated, so that the charger is small.
10 In the electronic device of the present invention, the fourth position is disposed at the center of the coil (including the center and the vicinity of the center), and charging is performed using a power receiving coil that receives power and power received by the power receiving coil. Secondary battery, a second light emitting element that is disposed at a fifth position and emits an optical signal, a third light propagation element that propagates an optical signal emitted by the second light emitting element, and the fourth position And a second light emitting unit for emitting an optical signal propagating by the third light propagation element to the outside, wherein the fifth position is outside the power receiving coil with respect to the fourth position. It is characterized by being.

In the electronic apparatus configured as described above, the strength of the alternating magnetic field sensed at the time of charging by the power receiving coil arranged at the center of the coil as the fourth position is the fifth outside the power receiving coil with respect to the fourth position. Since the induced electromotive force generated by the AC magnetic field in the second light emitting element arranged at the fifth position is extremely small and hardly generates heat or electrical noise in the second light emitting element. And the second light emitting element has few failures. Further, the optical signal emitted from the second light emitting element is propagated by the third light propagation element having the second light emitting portion disposed at the fourth position, so that the optical signal emitted from the second light emitting element is transmitted to the fourth light signal. Since the light is emitted from the center of the coil at the position, the power transmission is free from rotation about the center of the coil at the fourth position, and the optical transmission is centered on the center of the coil at the fourth position. Free to rotate.
11 In the electronic device of the present invention, the fourth position is disposed at the center of the coil (including the center and the vicinity of the center), and charging is performed using the power receiving coil that receives power and the power received by the power receiving coil. A secondary battery, a second light incident part that is disposed at the fourth position and receives an optical signal from the outside, a fourth light propagation element that propagates an optical signal incident on the second light incident part, A light receiving element disposed at a sixth position for receiving an optical signal propagated by the fourth light propagation element, wherein the sixth position is located outside the power receiving coil with respect to the fourth position. It is characterized by being.

In the electronic device configured as described above, the strength of the alternating magnetic field sensed by the power receiving coil arranged with the central portion of the coil as the fourth position during charging is the sixth strength outside the power transmitting coil with respect to the fourth position. Since the induced electromotive force generated by the AC magnetic field in the second light receiving element arranged at the sixth position is extremely small and almost no heat generation or electrical noise is generated in the second light receiving element, photoelectric conversion in reception is performed. And the second light receiving element is less damaged. Further, the light signal received by the second light receiving element is propagated by the fourth light propagation element in which the second light incident part is arranged at the fourth position, so that the light incident on the central part of the coil at the fourth position. Since the second light receiving element receives the signal, light reception is centered on the coil at the fourth position in the same manner as power transmission is free to rotate about the center of the coil at the fourth position. Free to rotate.
In the electronic device of the present invention, the fourth position is disposed at the center of the coil (including the center and the vicinity of the center) and is charged using the power receiving coil that receives power and the power received by the power receiving coil. A secondary battery that is disposed at a fifth position, a light emitting element that emits an optical signal, a third light propagation element that propagates an optical signal emitted by the light emitting element, and a fourth position, A light emitting part for emitting an optical signal propagated by the third light propagation element to the outside; a light incident part arranged at the fifth position for receiving an optical signal from the outside; and a light incident on the light incident part A fourth light propagating element that propagates a signal; and a light receiving element that is disposed at a sixth position and that receives an optical signal propagated by the fourth light propagating element, wherein the fifth position is the fourth position. And the sixth position is outside the power receiving coil with respect to the position of It is outside the said receiving coil on the basis of the said 4th position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

In the electronic apparatus configured as described above, the strength of the alternating magnetic field sensed at the time of charging by the power receiving coil arranged at the center of the coil as the fourth position is the fifth outside the power receiving coil with respect to the fourth position. Since the induced electromotive force generated by the AC magnetic field in the second light emitting element arranged at the fifth position is extremely small and hardly generates heat or electrical noise in the second light emitting element. And the second light emitting element has few failures. Further, the optical signal emitted from the second light emitting element is propagated by the third light propagation element having the second light emitting portion disposed at the fourth position, so that the optical signal emitted from the second light emitting element is transmitted to the fourth light signal. Since the light is emitted from the center of the coil at the position, the power transmission is free from rotation about the center of the coil at the fourth position, and the optical transmission is centered on the center of the coil at the fourth position. Free to rotate.
In addition, since the strength of the AC magnetic field sensed by the power receiving coil arranged at the fourth position at the center of the coil during charging is small at the sixth position outside the power transmission coil with respect to the fourth position, the sixth position The induced electromotive force generated by the AC magnetic field in the second light receiving element arranged in the second is extremely small, and the second light receiving element hardly generates heat or electrical noise. There are few element failures. Further, the light signal received by the second light receiving element is propagated by the fourth light propagation element in which the second light incident part is arranged at the fourth position, so that the light incident on the central part of the coil at the fourth position. Since the second light receiving element receives the signal, light reception is centered on the coil at the fourth position in the same manner as power transmission is free to rotate about the center of the coil at the fourth position. Free to rotate.
Further, the electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the fifth position and the sixth position substantially coincide.

In the electronic apparatus configured as described above, the second light emitting element at the fifth position and the second light receiving element at the sixth position are substantially aligned with each other. Can be integrated, and the electronic device becomes small.
Further, the electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that an area of the light emitting portion is larger than a light emitting / emitting area of the light emitting element.

In the electronic device configured as described above, the area of the second light emitting portion of the third light propagation element is larger than the light emitting and emitting area of the second light emitting element, and thus the emission cross-sectional area of the transmission light from the electronic device is large. Thus, the robustness of the optical transmission against the positional deviation of the electronic device is improved.
Further, the electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the third light propagation element includes light diffusing means.

In the electronic device configured as described above, since the spatial distribution of the emitted light in the second light emitting unit is widened, the robustness of the optical transmission with respect to the positional deviation of the electronic device is improved.
Further, the electronic apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the area of the incident portion is larger than the light receiving area of the light receiving element.

In the electronic device configured as described above, since the area of the second light incident portion of the fourth light propagation element is larger than the light receiving incident area of the first light receiving element, the area in which the received light can enter the electronic device is large. Thus, the robustness of the optical reception with respect to the positional deviation of the electronic device is improved.
17 In the electronic device of the present invention, the fourth light propagation element includes a light diffusing unit.

In the electronic device configured as described above, the area of the second light incident portion capable of propagating light between the second light incident portion and the second light receiving element is widened. Robustness is improved.
Further, the electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the third light propagation element or the fourth light propagation element and a housing of the electronic apparatus are integrated.

In the electronic apparatus configured as described above, the third light propagation element or the fourth light propagation element and the housing of the electronic apparatus are integrated, and thus the electronic apparatus is downsized.
19 An electronic device charging system according to the present invention includes the charger and the electronic device described above.

  In the electronic device charging system configured as described above, optical wireless communication can be reliably performed without being affected by an alternating magnetic field, and rotation and minute positional deviation occur between the charger and the electronic device. However, optical wireless communication can be performed reliably.

  The charger according to the present invention has a light emitting element or a light receiving element arranged outside the power transmission coil with reference to the central part of the power transmission coil, and a light propagation element having a light emitting part or a light incident part in the central part of the power transmission coil. Since the light from the light emitting element is emitted to the outside of the charger or the light from the outside of the charger is incident on the light receiving element, the electronic device according to the present invention can be arranged outside the power receiving coil with reference to the center of the power receiving coil. A light emitting element or a light receiving element is disposed in the light receiving coil, and the light from the light emitting element is emitted to the outside of the electronic device through the light propagation element having the light emitting part or the light incident part at the center of the power receiving coil, or from the outside of the electronic apparatus. Since the light is incident on the light receiving element, the optical wireless communication can be reliably performed between the charger and the electronic device for performing the non-contact charging without being affected by the AC magnetic field due to the non-contact charging. Charger and electronics Rotation and slight misalignment can reliably perform optical wireless communication also occurs between the.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  A charger according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the charger, and FIG. 2 is an electrical configuration diagram.

  The charger 1 is generated and emitted from the power transmission coil 3 for non-contact charging, the first communication module 4 including the first light emitting element 24 and the first light receiving element 25, and the first light emitting element 24 inside the charger housing 2. The first light propagation element 5 that propagates the transmitted light as the first transmission propagation light 7 and the second propagation that propagates the first reception incident light 12 incident on the charger 1 as the first reception propagation light 11 to the first light reception element 25 An element 9 is provided.

  For example, the power transmission coil 3 is formed by forming a wiring pattern such as a circle, a square, or a spiral on a flexible substrate, or after winding a thin wire into a shape such as a circle or a square, a resin or the like A coil is formed by solidifying using

  In the first optical module 4, the first light emitting element 24 and the first light receiving element 25 are integrally formed of resin, for example, and the power transmission coil is based on the center portion (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power transmission coil 3. 3 and is optically coupled to the end surfaces of the first light propagation element 5 and the second light propagation element 9 by, for example, bonding using an optical adhesive.

  In the first light propagation element 5, a first light emitting portion 6 is formed at the center (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power transmission coil 3. The transmission light generated by the first light emitting element 24 propagates as the first transmission propagation light 7 while diffusing in the first light propagation element 5, and the first light emitting unit 6 diffuses and propagates the first light propagation element 5. The light is emitted out of the charger housing 2 as first transmission outgoing light 8 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface.

  On the other hand, in the second light propagation element 9, the first light incident part 10 is formed at the center part (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power transmission coil 3. The first received incident light 12 incident substantially perpendicularly to the diffusion propagation surface 9 of the light 9 propagates as the second light propagation light 11 in the diffusion propagation surface of the second light propagation element 9 by the first light incident portion 10, The light is input to the light receiving element 25 as received light.

  As the first light propagation element 5, for example, a plate-like glass material or polymer material has a refractive index distribution, an optical waveguide for confining light and propagating in the plane, or a glass material or plastic used for illumination of a liquid crystal display A light guide plate made of a material is used. Further, in order to diffuse and propagate the light inside the first light propagation element 5, for example, a spherical polymer material having a refractive index higher than that of the first light propagation element 5 having a diameter of about the wavelength of the light is used as the base material. And diffuses the refraction angle and reflection angle of light at the interface of the spherical polymer material, or forms fine irregularities and slopes of about the wavelength at the interface of the first light propagation element 5, and light is emitted by these irregularities and slopes. Diffuse the reflection direction.

  The first light emitting unit 6 is configured by a diffractive element or a fine slope formed in the first light propagation element 5, and the first transmission propagation light 7 is first reflected by a diffraction action by the diffraction element or a reflection action by the fine slope. It is converted into a transmission outgoing light 8 and emitted. Here, the light emission part of the first light emission part 6 is φ5-50 mm, and the light emission area is made larger than the light emission emission area of the first light emitting element 24 of φ3 mm.

  The first light incident part 10 is composed of a diffractive element or a fine slope formed in the second light propagation element 9, and the incident first received incident light 12 is reflected by a diffraction action by the diffraction element or a reflection action by the fine slope. Conversion to first propagation reception light 11 is performed. Here, the light incident part of the first light incident part 10 is φ5-50 mm, and the light incident area is made larger than the light receiving incident area of the first light receiving element 25 of φ3 mm.

  The first light propagation element 5 and the second light propagation element 9 are laminated and integrated. However, since the structures are almost the same, it is possible to serve as a pair of light propagation element and light emitting part or light incident part. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a power supply unit 21 is electrically connected to the power transmission coil 3. The power supply unit 21 is supplied with electricity from a commercial power source directly or through a voltage converter such as an AC adapter (not shown), or from a dry battery. The power supply unit 21 is composed of a voltage conversion circuit, a rectification circuit, a frequency conversion circuit, a load detection circuit, and a control circuit, and is optimal depending on the load environment, the ambient environment such as temperature, the charging conditions selected by the user such as quick charging, etc. An alternating current having an amplitude, a frequency, and a waveform shape, which are appropriate conditions, is supplied to the power transmission coil 3, and the current supply is stopped when it is detected that charging is complete.

  With the current supplied from the power supply unit 21, the power transmission coil 3 generates an AC magnetic field for non-contact charging. The AC magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil 3 is distributed so that the strength is greatest at the center of the coil.

  The first light emitting element 24 is collimated or condensed in order to optically couple the emitted light to the first light propagation element 5 with a light emitting diode or semiconductor laser chip made of a compound semiconductor that emits visible or infrared light, for example. And a lens for converting the electrical signal into an optical signal and emitting it.

  A first light emitting element driving unit 22 is electrically connected to the first light emitting element 24, and the first light emitting element driving unit 22 includes a current control circuit and a waveform shaping circuit. The first light emitting element driving unit 22 supplies a current suitable for light emission to the light emitting element 24 in response to a data input signal (not shown).

  The first light receiving element 25 includes a light receiving diode chip made of, for example, silicon or a compound semiconductor, and a lens that collects light on the light receiving diode chip, and converts the incident optical signal into electricity.

  A first light receiving element receiver 23 is electrically connected to the first light receiving element 25, and the first light receiving element receiver 23 includes a reverse bias power supply circuit, an amplifier circuit, and a waveform shaping circuit. The first light receiving element receiving unit 23 supplies the first light receiving element 25 with a reverse bias voltage necessary for generating a photocurrent in the first light receiving element 25, and the electric light converted from the optical signal by the first light receiving element 25. The signal is amplified and waveform shaped and output as a data output signal (not shown).

  In the first embodiment, the first optical communication module 4 composed of the first light emitting element 24 and the first light receiving element 25 is based on the central portion (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power transmission coil 3. The outside is arranged away from the center. Although the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the coil depends on the shape of the coil, it is approximately inversely proportional to the square of the distance, and therefore the intensity of the AC magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil 3 at the position of the first optical communication module 4 becomes small. Therefore, the induced electromotive force generated by the alternating magnetic field in the first light emitting element 24 and the first light receiving element 25 is extremely small, and almost no heat generation or electrical noise is generated in the first light emitting element 24 or the first light receiving element 25. There are few errors in transmission and reception, and there are fewer failures in the optical communication unit.

  Next, a charger and an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Since the charger according to the second embodiment is the same as the charger according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electronic device, and FIG. 4 is an electrical configuration diagram of the electronic device.

  The electronic device 31 emits light inside the electronic device casing 32 by the power receiving coil 33 for non-contact charging, the second optical communication module 34 including the second light emitting element 54 and the first light receiving element 55, and the second light emitting element 54. A third light propagation element 35 that propagates the emitted light as the second transmission propagation light 37, and a fourth reception light that propagates the second reception incident light 42 incident on the electronic device 31 to the second light reception element 55 as the second reception propagation light 41. A propagation element 39 is provided.

  The power receiving coil 33 forms a coil by, for example, forming a circular, square, or spiral wiring pattern on a flexible substrate. Alternatively, a coil is formed by winding a thin wire in a shape such as a circle or a square and solidifying it using a resin or the like.

  In the second optical module 34, the second light emitting element 54 and the second light receiving element 55 are integrally formed of, for example, resin, and the power receiving coil is based on the center portion (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power receiving coil 33. For example, an optical adhesive is used for optical coupling with the end surfaces of the third light propagation element 35 and the fourth light propagation element 39, which are arranged outside of 33.

  In the third light propagation element 35, a second light emitting portion 36 is formed at the center portion (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power receiving coil 33. The transmission light generated in the second light emitting element 54 propagates as the second transmission propagation light while diffusing in the third light propagation element 35, and the diffusion propagation surface of the third light propagation element 35 in the second light emitting unit 36. On the other hand, the second transmitted outgoing light 38 is emitted out of the electronic device casing 32 in a substantially vertical direction.

  On the other hand, in the fourth light propagation element 39, the second light incident part 40 is formed at the center part (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power receiving coil 33, and the fourth light propagation element is formed from the outside of the electronic device casing 32. The second received incident light 42 incident on the diffusion propagation surface 39 substantially perpendicularly propagates in the diffusion propagation surface of the fourth light propagation element 39 as the second light propagation light 41 in the second light incident portion 40, The light is input to the light receiving element 55 as received light.

  As the third light propagation element 35, for example, a plate-like glass material or polymer material has a refractive index distribution, an optical waveguide for confining light and propagating in the plane, or a glass material or plastic used for illumination of a liquid crystal display A light guide plate made of a material is used. Further, in order to diffuse and propagate light inside the third light propagation element 35, for example, a spherical polymer material having a refractive index higher than that of the base material of the third light propagation element 35 having a diameter of about the wavelength of the light is used as the base material. And diffuses the refraction angle and reflection angle of light at the interface of the spherical polymer material, or forms fine irregularities and slopes of about the wavelength at the interface of the third light propagation element 35. Diffuse the reflection direction.

  The second light emitting unit 36 is configured by a diffractive element or a fine slope formed on the third light propagation element 35, and the second transmission propagating light 37 is transmitted to the second light by a diffraction action by the diffraction element or a reflection action by the fine slope. It is converted into a transmission outgoing light 38 and emitted. Here, the light emitting part of the second light emitting part 36 is φ5-50 mm, and the light emitting area is made larger than the light emitting area of the second light emitting element 54 having φ3 mm.

  The second light incident portion 40 is configured by a diffractive element or a fine slope formed on the fourth light propagation element 39, and the incident second received incident light 42 is reflected by a diffraction action by the diffraction element or a reflection action by the fine slope. Conversion to first propagation reception light 41 is performed. Here, the light incident part of the second light incident part 40 is φ5-50 mm, and the light incident area is made larger than the light receiving incident area of the second light receiving element 55 of φ3 mm.

  The third light propagating element 35 and the fourth light propagating element 39 are laminated and integrated. However, since the structures are almost the same, it is possible to serve as a pair of light propagating elements and a light emitting part or a light incident part. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the charging unit 51 is electrically connected to the power receiving coil 33. The current generated by the electromagnetic induction of the AC magnetic field by the charger 1 in the power receiving coil 33 is supplied to the charging unit 51. The charging unit 51 includes a voltage conversion circuit, a rectification circuit, a load detection circuit, and a control circuit. The charging unit 51 has an optimum current value according to a load condition, an ambient environment such as a temperature, and a charging condition selected by a user such as a quick charge. The charging current is supplied to the secondary battery 56, and the current supply is stopped when it is detected that the charging is completed.

  The second light emitting element 54 is collimated or condensed in order to optically couple the emitted light to the second light propagation element 35 with a light emitting diode or semiconductor laser chip made of a compound semiconductor that emits visible or infrared light, for example. And a lens for converting the electrical signal into an optical signal and emitting it.

  A second light emitting element driving unit 52 is electrically connected to the second light emitting element 54, and the second light emitting element driving unit 52 includes a current control circuit and a waveform shaping circuit. The second light emitting element driving unit 52 supplies a current suitable for light emission to the light emitting element 54 in response to a data input signal (not shown).

  The second light receiving element 55 includes a light receiving diode chip made of, for example, silicon or a compound semiconductor, and a lens that collects light on the light receiving diode chip, and converts an incident optical signal into electricity.

  A second light receiving element receiver 53 is electrically connected to the second light receiving element 55, and the second light receiving element receiver 53 includes a reverse bias power supply circuit, an amplifier circuit, and a waveform shaping circuit. The second light receiving element receiving unit 53 supplies the second light receiving element 55 with a reverse bias voltage necessary for generating a photocurrent in the second light receiving element 55, and the second light receiving element 55 converts the electric signal converted from the optical signal. The signal is amplified and waveform shaped and output as a data output signal (not shown).

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the case where the charger 1 and the electronic device 31 are opposed to each other and non-contact charging and optical wireless communication are performed between the charger 1 and the electronic device 31.

  The light input / output surface of the charger housing 2 includes a first housing window 61, which transmits the wavelengths of the first transmitted outgoing light 8 and the first received incident light 12. Resin material is used. The first housing window 61 transmits light and prevents foreign substances such as dust and water from entering the charger housing 2.

  In the charger 1, the first casing window 61, the power transmission coil 3, the first light propagation element 5, and the second light propagation element 9 are arranged in this order toward the inside of the charger casing 2.

  The light input / output surface of the electronic device housing 32 includes a second housing window 62, and the second housing window 62 transmits the light wavelengths of the second transmitted outgoing light 38 and the second received incident light 42. Resin material is used. The second housing window 62 transmits light and prevents foreign matter such as dust and water from entering the electronic device housing 32.

  In the electronic device 31, the second housing window 62, the power receiving coil 33, the third light propagation element 35, and the fourth light propagation element 39 are arranged in this order toward the inside of the electronic device housing 32.

  The charger 1 and the electronic device 31 are disposed so as to face each other so that the central portion (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power transmission coil 3 of the charger 1 and the central portion of the power receiving coil 31 of the electronic device 31 substantially coincide. , Non-contact charging and optical wireless communication. For example, an uneven portion may be formed in the charger housing 2 or the electronic device housing 32 so that the charger 1 and the electronic device 31 can be easily arranged to face each other.

  Between the charger 1 and the electronic device 31 arranged opposite to each other, an alternating electromotive force generated by the power transmission coil 3 generates an induced electromotive force due to electromagnetic induction in the power receiving coil 31, and this current flows to the charging unit 51. The secondary battery 56 is charged by being supplied.

  Further, the first transmission outgoing light 8 emitted from the charger 1 through the first housing window 61 becomes the second received incident light 42 and passes through the second housing window 62 to the electronic device 31. The second transmitted outgoing light 38 that is incident and emitted from the electronic device 31 through the second casing window 62 becomes the first received incident light 12 and enters the first casing window 61 of the charger 1. Thus, optical wireless communication is performed between the charger 1 and the electronic device 31.

  In the second embodiment, the third optical communication module 34 composed of the second light emitting element 54 and the second light receiving element 55 is based on the center of the power receiving coil 33 (including the center and the vicinity of the center). The outside is arranged away from the center. The strength of the magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil 3 depends on the shape of the coil, but is approximately inversely proportional to the square of the distance, and therefore the strength of the alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil 3 at the position of the second optical communication module 34 is small. Therefore, the induced electromotive force generated by the AC magnetic field in the second light emitting element 54 and the second light receiving element 55 is extremely small, and almost no heat generation or electrical noise is generated in the second light emitting element 54 or the first light receiving element 55. There are few errors in transmission and reception, and there are fewer failures in the optical communication unit.

  In addition, the first light emitting portion 6 having an area larger than the light emitting and emitting area of the first light emitting element 24 at the center (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power transmission coil 3 and the light receiving incident area of the first light receiving element 25. The first light incident portion 10 having a large area is disposed, and the second light emitting portion 36 having an area larger than the light emitting and emitting area of the second light emitting element 54 is further provided at the center (including the center and the vicinity of the center) of the power receiving coil 33. In addition, since the second light incident portion 40 having an area larger than the light receiving incident area of the second light receiving element 55 is disposed, even if rotation or a slight positional deviation occurs between the charger 1 and the electronic device 31, Between the first light emitting unit 6 and the second light incident unit 40, and between the second light emitting unit 36 and the first light incident unit 10, the overlapping area of the light emitting and incident unit necessary for optical coupling is ensured. Therefore, optical wireless communication can be performed.

  Next, an electronic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described using the transparent perspective view of FIG. 6 and the cross-sectional view of FIG.

  In the electronic device according to the third embodiment, the hollow portion formed on the surface of the electronic device casing 32 on the light input / output surface side in accordance with the outer shapes of the third light propagation element 35 and the fourth light propagation element 39 has The third light propagating element 35 and the fourth light propagating element 39 are fitted, the electronic device casing 32, the third light propagating element 35 and the fourth light propagating element 39 are integrated using an adhesive, and the third light The propagation element 35 and the fourth light propagation element 39 are configured to be a part of the electronic device casing 32. Therefore, in the electronic device 31 in the third embodiment, the third light propagation element 35, the fourth light propagation element 39, and the power receiving coil 33 are arranged in this order toward the inside of the electronic device housing 32.

  The third light propagating element 35 and the fourth light propagating element 39 function to prevent foreign matters such as dust and water from entering the inside of the electronic device casing 32, similarly to the casing window portion in the second embodiment mobile phone. If yes.

  The configurations of the third light propagation element 35 and the fourth light propagation element 39 are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the third light propagation element 35 and the fourth light propagation element 39 are laminated and integrated.

  Other reference numerals are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  The second received incident light 42 to the electronic device 32 is directly incident on the second light incident portion 40, and the second transmitted emitted light 38 from the electronic device 32 is directly emitted from the second light emitting portion 36.

  In the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, the third light propagation element 35 and the fourth light propagation element 39 are integrated with the electronic device casing 32, so Compared with the case where the second light emitting part 36 and the second light incident part 40 are provided, the electronic device 31 is made thinner.

  In addition, since the second light emitting part 36 and the second light incident part 40 are disposed on the surface portion of the electronic device casing 32, the second light emitting part 36 and the second light incident are provided inside the electronic apparatus casing 32. When the unit 40 is present, the necessary casing window is not required, and there is no light absorption or light scattering by the casing window, so that there are few errors in transmission / reception of optical signals due to a decrease in optical signal intensity.

  Further, since the second transmitted outgoing light 38 and the second received incident light 42 are emitted and incident on the surface portion of the electronic device casing 32, the second light emitting portion 36 and the second light incident are inside the electronic device casing 32. Compared to the case where the unit 40 is present, for example, the light propagation distance between the external connection device such as a charger is shortened, so that the decrease in the optical signal intensity due to the spatial spread of the light accompanying the increase in the light propagation distance can be suppressed. There are few errors in transmission and reception of optical signals.

  Similarly to the electronic device of the third embodiment, in the charger, the hollow formed on the surface of the charger housing on the light input / output surface side according to the outer shapes of the first light propagation element and the second light propagation element. The first light propagating element and the second light propagating element are fitted in the part, and the charger, the first light propagating element and the second light propagating element are integrated using an adhesive, and the first light propagating element and By making the second light propagation element a part of the charger housing, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the charger and reduce errors in transmission and reception of optical signals between the charger and the electronic device.

  As described above, the charger according to the present invention has the light emitting element or the light receiving element arranged outside the power transmission coil with respect to the central part of the power transmission coil, and the light emitting part or the light incident part is provided in the central part of the power transmission coil. Since the light from the light emitting element is emitted to the outside of the charger through the light propagation element or the light from the outside of the charger is incident on the light receiving element, the electronic device according to the present invention is The light emitting element or the light receiving element is arranged outside the power receiving coil with reference to the above, and the light from the light emitting element is transmitted to the outside of the electronic device through the light propagation element having the light emitting part or the light incident part at the center of the power receiving coil. Since light emitted from the outside or the outside of the electronic device is incident on the light receiving element, the optical wireless communication is reliably performed between the charger and the electronic device for performing the non-contact charging without being affected by the AC magnetic field due to the non-contact charging. Can also do An electronic device comprising an charger and an electronic device, and an electronic device comprising a charger and an electronic device, having the effect of reliably performing optical wireless communication even if rotation or a slight positional deviation occurs between the electric device and the electronic device It is useful as a charging system.

The perspective perspective view which shows the charger which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention The electrical block diagram of the charger which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention The perspective perspective view which shows the electronic device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention The electrical block diagram of the electronic device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing which shows the state which is performing non-contact charge and optical wireless communication between the charger and electronic device in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention The perspective perspective view which shows the electronic device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing which shows the electronic device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the conventional non-contact power supply device

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charger 2 Charger housing 3 Power transmission coil 4 1st optical communication module 5 1st light propagation element 6 1st light emission part 7 1st transmission propagation light 8 1st transmission emission light 9 2nd light propagation element 10 1st light Incident unit 11 First received propagation light 12 First received incident light 21 Power supply unit 22 First light emitting element driving unit 23 First light receiving element receiving unit 24 First light emitting element 25 First light receiving element 31 Electronic device 32 Electronic device housing 33 Power reception Coil 34 2nd optical communication module 35 3rd light propagation element 36 2nd light emission part 37 2nd transmission propagation light 38 2nd transmission emission light 39 4th light propagation element 40 2nd light incident part 41 2nd reception propagation light 42 Second received incident light 51 Charging unit 52 Second light emitting element driving unit 53 Second light receiving element receiving unit 54 Second light emitting element 55 Second light receiving element 56 Secondary battery
61 1st frame window 62 2nd frame window

Claims (19)

  A power transmission coil that transmits electric power, a power transmission unit that supplies electric power to the power transmission coil, and a first light emitting element that emits an optical signal and is disposed at the first position as a central portion of the coil A first light propagation element that propagates an optical signal emitted from the light emitting element, and a first light emitting unit that is disposed at the first position and emits the optical signal propagated by the first light propagation element to the outside And the second position is outside the power transmission coil with reference to the first position.   The first position is disposed at the center of the coil, the power transmission coil that transmits power, the power source that supplies power to the power transmission coil, and the first position that is disposed at the first position and receives an optical signal from the outside. A first light incident portion; a second light propagation element that propagates an optical signal incident on the first light incidence portion; and a second light propagation element that is disposed at a third position and that receives the optical signal propagated by the second light propagation element. A charger, wherein the third position is outside the power transmission coil with respect to the first position.   A power transmission coil that transmits electric power, a power transmission unit that supplies electric power to the power transmission coil, and a first light emitting element that emits an optical signal and is disposed at the first position as a central portion of the coil A first light propagation element that propagates an optical signal emitted from the light emitting element, and a first light emitting unit that is disposed at the first position and emits the optical signal propagated by the first light propagation element to the outside A first light incident part that is disposed at the first position and receives an optical signal from the outside; a second light propagation element that propagates an optical signal that is incident on the first light incident part; and a third position. A light receiving element that receives an optical signal propagated by the second light propagation element, wherein the second position is outside the power transmission coil with respect to the first position, The charger in which the position of 3 is outside the power transmission coil with respect to the first position   4. The charger according to claim 3, wherein the second position and the third position substantially coincide with each other.   5. The charger according to claim 1, wherein an area of the light emitting portion is larger than a light emitting emission area of the light emitting element.   6. The charger according to claim 5, wherein the first light propagation element includes light diffusing means.   5. The charger according to claim 2, wherein the area of the incident portion is larger than the light receiving incident area of the light receiving element.   8. The charger according to claim 7, wherein the second light propagation element includes a light diffusing unit.   9. The charger according to claim 1, wherein the first light propagation element or the second light propagation element and a housing of the charger are integrated.   The fourth position is disposed at the center of the coil, and a receiving coil that receives power, a secondary battery that is charged using the power received by the receiving coil, and a fifth position that emits an optical signal. The second light emitting element, the third light propagating element that propagates the optical signal emitted from the second light emitting element, and the optical signal that is disposed at the fourth position and propagated by the third light propagating element to the outside A second light emitting unit that emits light, and wherein the fifth position is outside the power receiving coil with respect to the fourth position.   The fourth position is disposed at the center of the coil, the power receiving coil that receives power, the secondary battery that is charged using the power that is received by the power receiving coil, and the fourth position that is disposed at the fourth position to transmit the optical signal. A second light incident part incident from the outside, a fourth light propagation element propagating an optical signal incident on the second light incident part, and light propagated by the fourth light propagation element disposed at the sixth position An electronic device including a light receiving element that receives a signal, wherein the sixth position is outside the power receiving coil with reference to the fourth position.   The fourth position is disposed at the center of the coil, and a receiving coil that receives power, a secondary battery that is charged using the power received by the receiving coil, and a fifth position that emits an optical signal. A light emitting element that emits light, a third light propagation element that propagates an optical signal emitted from the light emitting element, and a light emission that is disposed at the fourth position and emits the optical signal propagated by the third light propagation element to the outside Disposed at the fifth position, a light incident part for receiving an optical signal from the outside, a fourth light propagation element for propagating the optical signal incident on the light incident part, and a sixth position. A light receiving element that receives an optical signal propagated by the fourth light propagation element, wherein the fifth position is outside the power receiving coil with respect to the fourth position, and the sixth position Is an outside of the power receiving coil with respect to the fourth position. . 13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the fifth position and the sixth position substantially coincide with each other.   14. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein an area of the light emitting portion is larger than a light emitting / emitting area of the light emitting element.   15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the third light propagation element includes a light diffusing unit.   14. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein an area of the incident portion is larger than a light receiving area of the light receiving element.   17. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the fourth light propagation element includes a light diffusing unit.   18. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the third light propagation element or the fourth light propagation element and a housing of the electronic apparatus are integrated.   An electronic device charging system comprising the charger according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and the electronic device according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

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