JP2012085404A - Power transmission system and electronic shelf label system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power transmission system that can increase the degree of freedom in mounting position of electronic shelf label devices (receiving devices) without increasing entire electronic shelf label system costs, and an electronic shelf label system using the power transmission system.SOLUTION: The power transmission system includes the electronic shelf label device having first coupling electrodes (first active electrode and first passive electrode) for coupling each other via an electrostatic field and displaying merchandise information, and the electronic shelf label holding device holding the electronic shelf label device and having second coupling electrodes (second active electrode and second passive electrode), and the electronic shelf label holding device transmits power to the electronic shelf label device in a contactless manner. The second coupling electrodes (second active electrode and second passive electrode) are longer ones, and the electronic shelf label device is mounted along the position where the second coupling electrodes (second active electrode and second passive electrode) are arranged.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power transmission system that transmits power without being physically connected, and an electronic shelf label system to which the power transmission system is applied.

  In recent years, many electronic devices that transmit power without contact have been developed. In order to transmit electric power in an electronic device in a non-contact manner, a magnetic field coupling type electric power transmission system in which coil modules are provided in both the electric power transmission unit and the electric power reception unit is often employed.

  Many electronic shelf label systems to which the above power transmission system is applied have been developed in order to display the price of the day at a store, a convenience store or the like, or to quickly execute time sales. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a conventional electronic shelf label system (see Patent Document 1).

  In the example of FIG. 1, the electronic shelf label system includes a plurality of power supply coils 4 that supply power to a plurality of electronic shelf label devices (power receiving devices) 2 using electromagnetic induction. The power supply coil 4 is a spiral flat coil similar to the charging coil, and is arranged in a horizontal row. In addition, a pair of guide rails 5 that hold the plurality of electronic shelf label devices 2 movably in a horizontal row are arranged on the upper and lower ends on the surface, and a plurality of power supply coils are provided between the pair of guide rails 5. A plurality of positioning marks are written side by side in accordance with the four arrangement locations.

  A plurality of positioning marks are described according to the arrangement locations of the plurality of power supply coils 4, and are composed of four L-shaped marks 3 for aligning the four corners of the electronic shelf label device 2. In this case, the four L-shaped marks 3 indicating the four corners of the electronic shelf label device 2 are written at intervals corresponding to the length of each side of the electronic shelf label device 2.

  When the electronic shelf label device 2 is mounted, the four corners of the electronic shelf label device 2 are placed on the four L-shaped marks 3 while the electronic shelf label device 2 is moved laterally along the pair of guide rails 5. Align. By doing in this way, positioning with the center of the charging coil incorporated in the electronic shelf label apparatus 2 and the center of the hold | maintained power supply coil 4 can be performed.

JP 2008-206901 A

  However, in the magnetic field coupling method, since the magnitude of the magnetic flux passing through each coil greatly affects the electromotive force, the positional deviation between the center of the charging coil built in the electronic shelf label device 2 and the center of the power supply coil 4 There was a risk that the power transmission efficiency would be greatly reduced. Therefore, there is a problem in that the position where the electronic shelf label device 2 is mounted is restricted near the position where the power supply coil 4 is disposed. Providing a large number of power supply coils 4 can also solve the problem, but in that case, providing a large number of power supply coils 4 increases the material cost and the manufacturing process, so that the overall cost is reduced. A new problem of increasing occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an electric power transmission system capable of increasing the degree of freedom of the mounting position of an electronic shelf label device (power receiving device) without increasing the cost of the entire electronic shelf label system. And an electronic shelf label system using the power transmission system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a power transmission system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a power receiving device having a first coupling electrode and a power transmission device having a second coupling electrode that are coupled to each other via an electrostatic field. In the power transmission system for transmitting power from the power transmission device to the power reception device in a non-contact manner, the second coupling electrode is provided in a long shape, and the power reception device is connected to the second coupling electrode. It is characterized by being mounted along the position where it is arranged.

  In the first invention, the second coupling electrode of the power transmission device is provided in an elongated shape, and the power receiving device can be attached to any position along the position where the second coupling electrode is disposed. Regardless of the position of the power receiving device on the second coupling electrode, an electrostatic field can be reliably formed, and the power transmitting device can transmit power with high efficiency.

  In the power transmission system according to the second invention, in the first invention, the first coupling electrode includes a first passive electrode and a first active electrode having a higher voltage than the first passive electrode. The second coupling electrode includes a second passive electrode and a second active electrode having a higher voltage than the second passive electrode.

  In the second invention, the first coupling electrode is composed of the first passive electrode and the first active electrode having a higher voltage than the first passive electrode, and the second coupling electrode is the second coupling electrode. Since the first active electrode and the second active electrode are close to each other via a gap, the strong electric field is Therefore, electrostatic field coupling can be ensured, and power can be transmitted to the power receiving apparatus with high efficiency. The active electrode means a combined electrode having a higher voltage than the other electrodes among the plurality of existing electrodes, and the passive electrode means a combined electrode having a lower voltage than the other electrodes among the plurality of existing electrodes.

  Next, in order to achieve the above object, an electronic shelf label system according to a third aspect of the present invention has a first coupling electrode for coupling to each other via an electrostatic field, and displays information relating to goods. And an electronic shelf label holding device that holds the electronic shelf label device and has a second coupling electrode, and transmits electric power from the electronic shelf label holding device to the electronic shelf label device in a contactless manner. In the electronic shelf label system, the second coupling electrode is provided in an elongated shape, and the electronic shelf label device is mounted along a position where the second coupling electrode is disposed. Features.

  In the third invention, the second coupling electrode of the electronic shelf label holding device is provided in an elongated shape, and the electronic shelf label device is mounted at an arbitrary position along the position where the second coupling electrode is arranged. Therefore, it is possible to reliably form an electrostatic field no matter where the electronic shelf label device is mounted on the second coupling electrode, and the electronic shelf label holding device can generate power with high efficiency. It becomes possible to transmit.

  The electronic shelf label system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the electronic shelf label system according to the third aspect, wherein the first coupling electrode includes a first passive electrode and a first active electrode having a higher voltage than the first passive electrode. The second coupling electrode includes a second passive electrode and a second active electrode having a higher voltage than the second passive electrode.

  In the fourth invention, the first coupling electrode is composed of the first passive electrode and the first active electrode having a higher voltage than the first passive electrode, and the second coupling electrode is the second coupling electrode. Since the first active electrode and the second active electrode are close to each other via a gap, the strong electric field is Therefore, electrostatic field coupling can be ensured, and electric power can be transmitted to the electronic shelf label device with high efficiency. The active electrode means a combined electrode having a higher voltage than the other electrodes among the plurality of existing electrodes, and the passive electrode means a combined electrode having a lower voltage than the other electrodes among the plurality of existing electrodes.

  An electronic shelf label system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the electronic shelf label system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the second passive electrode has two of the second passive electrodes, and the second passive electrodes are placed at positions facing each other across the second active electrode. There are two first passive electrodes, and the first passive electrodes are arranged at positions facing each other across the first active electrode.

  In the fifth invention, the electronic shelf label holding apparatus has two second passive electrodes, and the second passive electrodes are arranged at positions facing each other across the second active electrode. On the other hand, the electronic shelf label apparatus has two first passive electrodes correspondingly, and the first passive electrodes are arranged at positions facing each other across the first active electrode. Since the passive electrode close to the ground potential sandwiches the active electrode having a relatively high voltage from both sides, it is possible to reduce leakage of electromagnetic waves to the surroundings.

  The electronic shelf label system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the electronic shelf label holding device according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the amplifier and the modulation means for modulating the amplitude by changing the gain of the amplifier are provided in the electronic shelf label holding device. It is characterized by providing.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, the electronic shelf label holding device is provided with an amplifier and modulation means for varying the gain of the amplifier to modulate the amplitude, whereby desired data is converted into binary data from the electronic shelf label holding device to the electronic shelf label device. Can transfer data.

  The electronic shelf label system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the electronic shelf label holding device according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, wherein the load modulation detecting means for detecting the load modulation of the second coupling electrode is provided as the electronic shelf label holding device. It prepares for.

  In the seventh invention, the electronic shelf label is provided by mounting the electronic shelf label device on the electronic shelf label holding device by providing the electronic shelf label holding device with load modulation detecting means for detecting the load modulation of the second coupling electrode. The load modulation of the second coupling electrode of the holding device can be detected, and it can be determined whether or not the electronic shelf label device is mounted.

  An electronic shelf label system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the electronic shelf label system according to any one of the third to seventh aspects, wherein the second coupling electrode is disposed by adjoining unit coupling electrodes having a predetermined length. It is formed in a long shape.

  In the eighth invention, since the second coupling electrode is formed in a long shape by arranging unit coupling electrodes of a predetermined length adjacent to each other, the unit coupling electrode on which the electronic shelf label device is mounted It is sufficient to supply power only to the power supply, and the power saving effect can be enhanced.

  An electronic shelf label system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes, in the eighth aspect of the invention, a sensor that detects whether or not the electronic shelf label device is mounted for each unit coupling electrode. When it is detected that the electronic shelf label device is mounted, power is supplied only to the unit coupling electrode provided with the detected sensor.

  In the ninth invention, each unit coupling electrode has a sensor for detecting whether or not an electronic shelf label device is mounted, and when the sensor detects that the electronic shelf label device is mounted, Power is supplied only to the unit coupling electrode provided with the sensor, that is, the unit coupling electrode provided with the electronic shelf label device. When the sensor detects that the electronic shelf label device is attached, power is supplied only to the unit coupling electrode on which the electronic shelf label device is attached, so that the power saving effect can be enhanced. Further, there is no need to maintain a meaningless electrostatic field, and the influence of electromagnetic waves on other electronic devices can be minimized.

  In the power transmission system and the electronic shelf label system according to the present invention, the second coupling electrode of the power transmission device (electronic shelf label holding device) is provided in a long shape, and the power receiving device (electronic shelf label device) is the second one. Since it can be attached to any position along the position where the coupling electrode is located, power can be transmitted regardless of the position of the power receiving device (electronic shelf label device) on the second coupling electrode. The device (electronic shelf label holding device) can transmit power with high efficiency.

It is a schematic plan view which shows the structure of the conventional electronic shelf label system. It is a circuit diagram which shows typically the structure of the power transmission apparatus of the electric power transmission system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an equivalent circuit diagram which shows typically the structure of the electric power transmission system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows typically the structure of the electric power transmission system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the electric power transmission system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the electronic shelf of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic cross section which shows the structure seen from the side surface of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label holding | maintenance apparatus which has arranged the unit coupling electrode of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention in order. It is a functional block diagram which shows typically the structure of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a graph which shows the time fluctuation of voltage. It is a functional block diagram which shows typically the structure in the case of performing data communication from the power receiving apparatus with respect to the power transmission apparatus of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a graph which shows the time fluctuation of voltage.

  Hereinafter, a power transmission system and an electronic shelf label system according to embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention described in the claims, and all combinations of characteristic items described in the embodiments are essential to the solution. It goes without saying that it is not limited.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram schematically showing the configuration of the power transmission device of the power transmission system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, the power transmission device 1 of the power transmission system according to the first embodiment includes at least a high-frequency generator 12, a step-up transformer 13, and a coupling electrode (second coupling electrode) 11. I have. In the circuit of FIG. 2A, when boosted by the step-up transformer 13, the active electrode (second active electrode) 11a has a high voltage, and the passive electrode (second passive electrode) 11p has a low voltage.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, the ground line 14 shown in FIG. 2A is not necessarily required. In this case, when the voltage is stepped up by the step-up transformer 13, all the coupling electrodes 11 are at a high voltage, which is equivalent to connecting a plurality of active electrodes 11a. In the following, description will be made along the configuration of FIG. 2A, but it goes without saying that the configuration of FIG. That is, in the configuration of FIG. 2B, the power transmission device 1 is provided with two active electrodes (second active electrode and fourth active electrode) 11a, and the corresponding power receiving device also includes two active electrodes ( A first active electrode and a third active electrode).

  FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram schematically showing the configuration of the power transmission system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling electrode (second coupling electrode) 11 of the power transmission device 1 and the coupling electrode (first coupling electrode) 21 of the power receiving device 2 are respectively an active electrode (second active electrode) 11a, It is composed of a passive electrode (second passive electrode) 11p having a size larger than that of the active electrode 11a, an active electrode (first active electrode) 21a, and a passive electrode (first passive electrode) 21p having a size larger than the active electrode 21a. Yes. That is, the active electrode (second active electrode) 11a, the passive electrode (second passive electrode) 11p, the active electrode (first active electrode) 21a, and the passive electrode (first passive electrode) 21p are asymmetrical. Shape.

  The coupling electrode 11 of the power transmission device 1 and the coupling electrode 21 of the power reception device 2 are capacitively coupled by generating a strong electric field in the proximity of the second active electrode 11a and the first active electrode 21a via a gap, Electric power can be transmitted. The transmitted power is stepped down by the step-down transformer 23 and supplied to the load circuit 22. In FIG. 3, the resonance circuit is also included, but this is for improving the stability of power transmission, and the resonance circuit is not necessarily required.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the power transmission system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, AC power supplied from the high-frequency generator 101 of the power transmission device 1 is amplified by the amplifier 102, boosted by the boost transformer 103, and supplied to the coupling electrode 104. The power transmitted from the coupling electrode 104 of the power transmission device 1 to the coupling electrode 201 of the power reception device 2 is stepped down by the step-down transformer 202, rectified by the rectification unit 203, and then supplied to the load circuit 204.

  Here, the coupling electrode 11 (active electrode 11a, passive electrode 11p) of the power transmission device 1 in FIG. 3 and the coupling electrode 21 (active electrode 21a, passive electrode 21p) of the power receiving device 2 are each formed of a conductive material. Is done. For example, conductors such as copper, gold, and silver, and these compounds can be used. Capacitance is generated between the coupling electrode 11 and the coupling electrode 21 by arranging the coupling electrode 11 and the coupling electrode 21 formed of a conductive material at a position where electrostatic coupling occurs with each other. The power transmission efficiency varies depending on the size of the generated capacitance. Note that the frequency of the AC power is, for example, 100 kHz to several tens of MHz. Needless to say, the sizes of the power transmitting device 1 and the power receiving device 2 are sufficiently smaller than the AC wavelength in the surrounding medium.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the power transmission system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the power transmission system according to the first embodiment, the coupling electrode (second coupling electrode) 11 of the power transmission device 1, that is, the active electrode (second active electrode) 11a and the passive electrode (second passive electrode) 11p are provided. The power receiving device 2 can be mounted without any particular restriction as long as it is formed in a long shape and the coupling electrode 11 is disposed at the position. In other words, a plurality of power receiving devices 2 can be attached to one power transmitting device 1, and the electrostatic field 55 is no matter where the power receiving device 2 is attached on the elongated coupling electrode 11. Can be reliably formed, and power can be transmitted with high efficiency.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the coupling electrode 11 of the power transmission device 1 is provided in a long shape, and the power receiving device 2 is arbitrarily arranged along the position where the long coupling electrode 11 is disposed. Therefore, according to the position where the power receiving device 2 is mounted, it is possible to always transmit power with high efficiency without changing the power transmission efficiency.

(Embodiment 2)
Since the configuration of the electronic shelf label system according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the power transmission system according to the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted by attaching the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, the electronic shelf label holding device 1 functioning as the power transmission device 1 is provided with a plurality of electronic shelves each having a long coupling electrode 11. The electronic shelf label device 2 functioning as the power receiving device 2 can be mounted at an arbitrary position on each stage.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an electronic shelf label system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The electronic shelf label system wirelessly communicates with the electronic shelf label device 2 while holding the plurality of electronic shelf label devices 2 (three in FIG. 6) that display various information about the products to be sold, and the plurality of electronic shelf label devices 2. The electronic shelf label holding device 1 that performs communication, the control box 7 that connects the electronic shelf label holding device 1 and the in-store LAN 9, and the control box 7 that is connected to the display via the in-store LAN 9. And a host computer 8 for controlling the operation.

  The host computer 8 performs display control of the electronic shelf label device 2 by transmitting display control data to the electronic shelf label device 2 via the control box 7 and the electronic shelf label holding device 1. The display control data here is data for displaying the product name, sales price, inventory management information, etc. on the electronic shelf label device 2.

  In addition, the electronic shelf label device 2 is supplied with power in a state where it is mounted on the electronic shelf label holding device 1. The electronic shelf label holding device 1 is supplied with electric power from the control box 7 connected to the high frequency generator 12, and supplies the electric power supplied from the high frequency generator 12 to the electronic shelf label device 2 using electrostatic field coupling. . The electronic shelf label device 2 is formed in a thin rectangular plate shape, and is provided with a display unit 29 that displays information about the product in the center. Below the display unit 29, a label printed with a barcode is attached. The display unit 29 may be composed of a self-luminous type display element such as an organic EL display with high brightness, or a liquid crystal element with low power consumption. Further, the electronic shelf label device 2 may be configured by a microcapsule type electrophoretic electronic paper element that maintains rewritten character information without supplying power. The electronic shelf label apparatus 2 using the electronic paper element does not need to be provided with a battery as a power source. However, when rewriting character information, it is necessary to supply power from the outside.

  The host computer 8 is a computer that controls display of the electronic shelf label device 2 by transmitting display control data, and preferably stores product master data in a hard disk provided therein. The host computer 8 generates display control data including sales price, inventory management information, etc. from the product master data, and transmits the generated display control data to the electronic shelf label device 2.

  The control box 7 transmits the display control data received from the host computer 8 to the electronic shelf label device 2 via the electronic shelf label holding device 1, and controls communication between the host computer 8 and the electronic shelf label device 2. In addition, the power supply is controlled between the high-frequency generator 12 and the electronic shelf label device 2.

  Similar to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the electronic shelf label holding device 1 is a coupling electrode (second coupling electrode) 11 of the electronic shelf label holding device 1, that is, an active electrode (second active electrode) 11a and a passive electrode. The (second passive electrode) 11p is formed in a long shape, and the electronic shelf label device 2 can be mounted without any particular restriction at a position where the coupling electrode 11 is disposed. That is, a plurality of electronic shelf label devices 2 can be attached to one electronic shelf label holding device 1 and the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached to any position on the long coupling electrode 11. Even if it exists, the electrostatic field 55 can be formed reliably and electric power can be transmitted with high efficiency.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the electronic shelf of the electronic shelf label system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 is a connector in which long coupling electrodes 11 (active electrodes 11 a and passive electrodes 11 p) are provided in a horizontal row and connected to a power source via a connection line 15. 6 is connected. The connector 6 includes a power transmission module 61 and an AC / DC converter 62. The power transmission module 61 includes the high frequency generator 101, the amplifier 102, the step-up transformer 103, and the coupling electrode 104 shown in FIG.

  The electronic shelf label device 2 includes a power receiving module. A display unit 29 is provided almost at the center, which receives power from the electronic shelf label holding device 1 and displays information relating to the product placed at the mounted position, such as a product name and a selling price. The power receiving module includes the coupling electrode 201, the step-down transformer 202, the rectifying unit 203, and the load circuit 204 shown in FIG. The load circuit 204 is the display unit 29 or the like.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration viewed from the side of the electronic shelf label system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the electronic shelf label apparatus 2 is provided with a coupling electrode 21 (active electrode 21a and passive electrode 21p) across a load circuit 22, and the active electrode 21a is provided on the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 side. It is.

  The power receiving module 28 includes a step-down transformer 202, a rectifying unit 203, and the like, and supplies the transmitted power to the display unit 29. The display unit 29 displays the display control data received from the host computer 8 when power is supplied.

  The method for mounting the electronic shelf label device 2 to the electronic shelf label holding device 1 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, rail portions 81 are provided above and below the coupling electrode 11 of the electronic shelf label holding device 1, and the surface opposite to the surface on which the display portion 29 of the electronic shelf label device 2 is provided. The electronic shelf label device 2 is attached to the electronic shelf label holding device 1 by fitting the provided rail portion 82 to the rail portion 81.

  Further, the rail part is provided only on the upper part of the coupling electrode 11 of the electronic shelf label holding device 1, and the hook part that can be hooked on the rail part from the upper part is also provided on the upper part of the electronic shelf label apparatus 2. By hooking the hook portion of the electronic shelf label device 2 on the rail portion of the electronic shelf label holding device 1, the electronic shelf label device 2 can be mounted on the electronic shelf label holding device 1 by its own weight.

  The electronic shelf label holding device 1 has two passive electrodes 11p, and two passive electrodes 11p are arranged at positions facing each other across the active electrode 11a. Two passive electrodes 21p may be provided, and the two passive electrodes 11p may be arranged at positions facing each other across the active electrode 21a. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the electronic shelf label system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 has two passive electrodes 11p, and two passive electrodes 11p are arranged at positions facing each other across the active electrode 11a. As shown in FIG. 9A, the electronic shelf label apparatus 2 has two passive electrodes 21p corresponding to the arrangement of the active electrodes 11a and the passive electrodes 11p of the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1, and the active electrode 21a Two passive electrodes 21p are arranged at positions facing each other with respect to each other. The passive electrodes 11p and 21p are close to the ground potential, and the same effect can be obtained as when the ground potential is arranged on both sides of the relatively high voltage active electrodes 11a and 21a. It becomes possible to reduce.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 is provided with the two long passive electrodes 11p sandwiching the long active electrode 11a. 2 can be attached to any position of the passive electrode 11p and the active electrode 11a, so that the power transmission efficiency does not fluctuate regardless of the position where the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached. It becomes possible to transmit electric power with efficiency. Moreover, it becomes possible to reduce the leakage of electromagnetic waves to the periphery by sandwiching the active electrodes 11a and 21a between the two passive electrodes 11p and 21p.

(Embodiment 3)
Since the configuration of the electronic shelf label system according to the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the electronic shelf label system according to the second embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted by attaching the same reference numerals. In the third embodiment, the coupling electrode 11 of the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 that functions as the power transmission apparatus 1 is formed in a long shape by arranging a plurality of unit coupling electrodes 11u having a predetermined length adjacent to each other. ing.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an electronic shelf label system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the electronic shelf label system according to the third embodiment, the coupling electrode 11 of the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 is a unit coupling electrode 11u having a predetermined length, that is, an active electrode (second active electrode) 11a having a predetermined length. The combination electrode 11 is formed in a long shape by aligning the combination of the passive electrodes (second passive electrodes) 11p in a horizontal row.

  Unlike the conventional case of performing power transmission by magnetic field coupling via a coil, the combination of the active electrode (second active electrode) 11a and the passive electrode (second passive electrode) 11p is aligned in a horizontal row. Thus, the strength of the electrostatic field 55 does not change greatly at any position on the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1. Therefore, regardless of the position where the electronic shelf label apparatus 2 is mounted, the electrostatic field 55 can be reliably formed, and power can be transmitted with high efficiency.

  Further, for example, a sensor for detecting whether or not the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached is provided for each unit coupling electrode 11u, and when the sensor detects that the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached, Power may be supplied from the high-frequency generator 12 only to the unit coupling electrode 11u on which the electronic shelf label device 2 is mounted using a mechanism or the like. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic shelf label system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a sensor 111 for detecting whether or not the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached is provided for each of the plurality of unit coupling electrodes 11u, and the sensor 111 is attached to the electronic shelf label device 2. When the effect is detected, the control box 7 switches the switch 112 to identify the unit coupling electrode 11u that supplies power from the high-frequency generator 12. The type of the sensor 111 is not particularly limited, and may be an optical sensor that detects when light is blocked, or a weight sensor that detects based on the weight of the mounted electronic shelf label device 2. good. The sensor 111 may be a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element, or may use a phenomenon in which the impedance of the unit coupling electrode 11u connected to the high frequency generator 12 changes due to the presence of the electronic shelf label device 2.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the sensor 111 detects that the electronic shelf label apparatus 2 is mounted, the unit coupling electrode 11u provided with the detected sensor 111, that is, the electronic shelf label. Electric power can be supplied only to the unit coupling electrode 11u to which the device 2 is attached, and the power saving effect can be enhanced. In addition, it is not necessary to maintain the meaningless electrostatic field 55, and it is possible to minimize the influence of electromagnetic waves on other electronic devices.

  In the electronic shelf label system according to the third embodiment, when weak power is supplied to the electronic shelf label holding device 1 that functions as the power transmission device 1, the electronic shelf label is attached when the electronic shelf label device 2 is mounted. Load modulation from the device 2 can be detected. Therefore, it can be determined that the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached to the unit coupling electrode 11u that has detected the load modulation.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 in which a plurality of unit coupling electrodes 11u are arranged side by side in the electronic shelf label system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 12, each unit coupling electrode 11 u is connected to the power transmission module 122, and the plurality of power transmission modules 122 are each connected to the switch 112 and switched by the control box 7. The power transmission module 122 includes an amplifier 102 and a step-up transformer 103.

  The control box 7 is connected to the high frequency generator 12 and receives supply of AC power. The host computer 8 is connected via the in-store LAN 9 so as to be able to perform data communication with the control box 7 and a load voltage detection unit 121 described later.

  The AC power supplied from the high-frequency generator 12 is amplified by the amplifier 102 of the power transmission module 122, boosted by the boost transformer 103, and supplied to the coupling electrode 104 (unit coupling electrode 11u). When the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached, power is transmitted from the coupling electrode 104 to the coupling electrode of the electronic shelf label device 2, but the unit coupling electrode 11u has weak power until the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached. Only supplied.

  In the third embodiment, a load voltage detection unit 121 that detects the voltage V1 is provided as load modulation detection means between the amplifier 102 and the step-up transformer 103 of the power transmission module 122 of the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1. The high-frequency generator 12 supplies weak power to all the power transmission modules 122 and unit coupling electrodes 11u that are normally connected. When the electronic shelf label device 2 is mounted on the unit coupling electrode 11u, the voltage V1 detected by the load voltage detection unit 121 is modulated. When modulation occurs in the voltage V1 detected by the load voltage detection unit 121, the host computer 8 controls the operation of the switch 112 via the control box 7, and the power transmission module 122 and the unit coupling electrode 11u in which the voltage V1 is modulated. Is supplied with a rated power and a strong electrostatic field 55 is formed to start transmission of power.

  As described above, the load voltage detection unit 121 is provided, and weak power is normally supplied to all the connected power transmission modules 122 and unit coupling electrodes 11u, and the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached to the voltage. Is modulated, the rated power is supplied only to the unit coupling electrode 11u whose voltage is modulated, and the power is transmitted. Therefore, power can be supplied only to the necessary unit coupling electrode 11u, and the power saving effect can be enhanced. In addition, it is not necessary to maintain the meaningless electrostatic field 55, and it is possible to minimize the influence of electromagnetic waves on other electronic devices.

  In addition, although the structure provided with the load voltage detection part 121 for every unit coupling electrode 11u is demonstrated, you may provide for every shelf of an electronic shelf. In this case, the position of the attached electronic shelf label device 2 cannot be specified, but it can be determined whether or not the electronic shelf label device 2 is attached, so whether or not power is supplied to each shelf. Can be controlled.

(Embodiment 4)
Since the configuration of the electronic shelf label system according to the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that of the electronic shelf label system according to the second embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted by attaching the same reference numerals. The fourth embodiment is characterized in that data communication is performed from the electronic shelf label holding device 1 functioning as the power transmission device 1 to the electronic shelf label device 2 functioning as the power receiving device 2.

  FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the electronic shelf label system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, AC power supplied from the AC power supply 101 of the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 is amplified by the amplifier 102, boosted by the boost transformer 103, and supplied to the coupling electrode 104. The power transmitted from the coupling electrode 104 of the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 to the coupling electrode 201 of the electronic shelf label apparatus 2 is stepped down by the step-down transformer 202, rectified by the rectifying unit 203, and then supplied to the load circuit 204.

  The voltage V1 between the amplifier 102 and the step-up transformer 103 of the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1 can be changed by amplitude modulation. Specifically, the gain of the amplifier 102 may be changed. The gain can be changed by changing the feedback resistance (modulation means) 140 of the amplifier 102. Accordingly, the voltage V2 between the step-down transformer 202 and the rectifying unit 203 of the electronic shelf label device 2 to be transmitted also varies. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the time variation of the voltage.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the voltage V1 has a low state and a high state. The voltage V2 that varies according to the variation of the voltage V1 also has a low state and a high state. By setting the data “0” for the low voltage state and the data “1” for the high voltage state, the voltage V1 is intentionally changed to convert the desired data as binary data from the electronic shelf label holding device 1 to the electronic shelf label. Data can be transferred to the device 2.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, desired binary data can be transmitted to the electronic shelf label apparatus 2 by amplitude-modulating the voltage V1 by the amplifier 102 of the electronic shelf label holding apparatus 1. The electronic shelf label system can also be used for data communication.

  Data communication may be performed from the electronic shelf label device 2 functioning as the power receiving device 2 to the electronic shelf label holding device 1 functioning as the power transmission device 1. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration in the case where data communication is performed from the power receiving device 2 to the power transmitting device 1 in the electronic shelf label system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

  FIG. 15 differs from FIG. 13 in that a load modulation switch 150 is provided between the step-down transformer 202 and the rectifying unit 203 of the electronic shelf label device 2. By controlling on / off of the load modulation switch 150, the voltage V2 between the step-down transformer 202 of the electronic shelf label device 2 and the rectifying unit 203 varies, and at the same time, between the amplifier 102 and the step-up transformer 103 of the electronic shelf label holding device 1. The voltage V1 also fluctuates.

  FIG. 16 is a graph showing the time variation of the voltage. As shown in FIG. 16, the voltage V <b> 2 has a low state and a high state by performing on / off control of the load modulation switch 150. And the voltage V1 which fluctuates according to the fluctuation of the voltage V2 has a low state and a high state. By setting the data low state to data “0” and the high state data to “1”, the load modulation switch 150 is controlled to be turned on / off, and the desired data is stored as binary data from the electronic shelf label device 2 to hold the electronic shelf label. Data can be transferred to the device 1. As a result, the electronic shelf label holding device 1 can make a data transmission request to the electronic shelf label device 2 to rewrite the shelf label, acquire sales data, and the like.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the active electrode 11a and the passive electrode 11p of the power transmission device 1 do not have to be asymmetrical shapes, and may have the same size and the same shape. Similarly, the active electrode 21a and the passive electrode 21p of the power receiving device 2 do not need to be asymmetrical, and may have the same size and the same shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power transmission apparatus, electronic shelf label holding apparatus 2 Power receiving apparatus, electronic shelf label apparatus 11, 104 Coupled electrode (second coupled electrode)
11a Active electrode (second active electrode)
11p passive electrode (second passive electrode)
11u unit coupling electrode 12 high frequency generator 21, 201 coupling electrode (first coupling electrode)
21a Active electrode (first active electrode)
21p passive electrode (first passive electrode)
22 Load circuit 55 Electrostatic field 111 Sensor 121 Load voltage detection unit (load modulation detection means)

Claims (9)

A power receiving device having a first coupling electrode for coupling to each other via an electrostatic field, and a power transmission device having a second coupling electrode,
In a power transmission system for transmitting power from the power transmission device to the power receiving device in a contactless manner,
The second coupling electrode is provided in a long shape,
The power transmission system, wherein the power receiving device is mounted along a position where the second coupling electrode is disposed. The first coupling electrode is composed of a first passive electrode and a first active electrode having a higher voltage than the first passive electrode,
2. The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling electrode includes a second passive electrode and a second active electrode having a higher voltage than the second passive electrode. An electronic shelf label device having a first coupling electrode for coupling to each other via an electrostatic field and displaying information relating to a product, and an electronic shelf label holding the electronic shelf label device and having a second coupling electrode Holding device,
In the electronic shelf label system that transmits power from the electronic shelf label holding device to the electronic shelf label device in a contactless manner,
The second coupling electrode is provided in a long shape,
An electronic shelf label system, wherein the electronic shelf label device is mounted along a position where the second coupling electrode is disposed. The first coupling electrode is composed of a first passive electrode and a first active electrode having a higher voltage than the first passive electrode,
4. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 3, wherein the second coupling electrode comprises a second passive electrode and a second active electrode having a higher voltage than the second passive electrode. . The second passive electrode has two, and the second passive electrode is arranged at a position facing each other across the second active electrode,
5. The electronic shelf label according to claim 4, wherein the two first passive electrodes are provided, and the first passive electrodes are arranged at positions facing each other across the first active electrode. system. An amplifier;
The electronic shelf label system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the electronic shelf label holding device includes a modulation unit that varies the gain of the amplifier to modulate the amplitude.   The electronic shelf label system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the electronic shelf label holding device includes load modulation detection means for detecting load modulation of the second coupling electrode.   The said 2nd coupling electrode is formed in the elongate shape by arrange | positioning the unit coupling electrode of predetermined length adjacently, The Claim 3 thru | or 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Electronic shelf label system. A sensor for detecting whether or not the electronic shelf label device is mounted for each unit coupling electrode;
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the sensor detects that the electronic shelf label device is mounted, power is supplied only to the unit coupling electrode provided with the detected sensor. Electronic shelf label system.