JP2012157170A - Transmission system and power reception device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmission system and the like that can efficiently transmit an electric signal in a non-contact manner by means of capacitive coupling to a thin power reception device which energizes a display unit.SOLUTION: A transmission system comprises: a power transmission device for transmitting an electric signal; and an electronic paper device for receiving the electric signal in a non-contact manner by means of at least two power reception electrodes. The electronic paper device includes a display unit for displaying an image, and the display unit includes a pixel electrode for energizing the display unit. In the electronic paper device, there is a pixel electrode region formed by translating a pixel electrode face in a direction vertical to the pixel electrode face which is a face having the largest area among faces the pixel electrode has in a flattened state. A first power reception electrode which is one of the power reception electrodes receives the electric signal in a region other than the pixel electrode region.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission system and a power receiving device, and in particular, a power transmitting device that sends an electrical signal (including power, including a signal in which an information signal is superimposed on power. The same applies hereinafter) and a power receiving device that receives the electrical signal. The present invention relates to a transmission system for transmitting electrical signals in a non-contact manner.

  Conventionally, a transmission system for transmitting an electrical signal from a power transmission device to a power reception device in a contactless manner has been developed. Of these methods, the method of transmitting an electric signal by applying electromagnetic induction needs to precisely adjust the positional relationship between the power transmission side and the power reception side. In view of this, as a method for relaxing constraints on positional relationships, for example, a transmission system that transmits an electric signal in a non-contact manner using an electrostatic field is known (see Patent Document 1).

  The transmission system described in Patent Literature 1 includes a power transmission device and a power reception device. The power transmission device includes an AC signal generation unit that generates an AC signal, a first resonance unit that resonates the AC signal, and a first power transmission electrode and a second power transmission electrode for sending an electric signal to the power reception device in a non-contact manner. Prepare. The power receiving device includes a first power receiving electrode and a second power receiving electrode for receiving an electric signal in a non-contact manner from the power transmitting device, a second resonating unit that resonates the received electric signal, and a rectifying unit that converts alternating current into direct current. And a circuit load that consumes power.

JP 2009-296857 A

  However, a transmission system for transmitting an electric signal in a non-contact manner using capacitive coupling and having a power receiving device for energizing the display unit has not been sufficiently developed. When the power receiving device includes a display unit, the following problem occurs.

  In order to energize the display unit, the power receiving device needs to include an electrode (pixel electrode) that energizes the display unit. At this time, capacitive coupling may occur between the pixel electrode, the first power receiving electrode, and the second power receiving electrode. Then, electrostatic coupling between the power transmission electrode of the power transmission device and the power reception electrode of the power reception device is inhibited. As a result, non-contact transmission efficiency is reduced.

  In particular, when the power receiving device is thin, both the first power receiving electrode and the second power receiving electrode in the power receiving device are close to the pixel electrode. Therefore, there is a problem that the effect of capacitive coupling in the power receiving apparatus is increased, and transmission efficiency is reduced.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to reduce the size of each electrode in order to reduce the interaction between the electrodes. However, when the power receiving electrode is made small, there is a problem that the transmission efficiency is lowered. Further, the downsizing of the pixel electrode has a problem that the display unit must be downsized.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a transmission system and the like that can efficiently transmit an electric signal in a non-contact manner using capacitive coupling to a thin power receiving device that energizes a display unit. .

  The invention according to claim 1 is a transmission system including a power transmission device that transmits an electrical signal and an electronic paper device that receives the electrical signal in a non-contact manner by at least two power receiving electrodes. A display unit that displays an image, the display unit includes a pixel electrode that energizes the display unit, and the electronic paper device has a maximum of surfaces that the pixel electrode is planarized. There is a pixel electrode region which is a region formed by translating the pixel electrode surface in a direction perpendicular to the pixel electrode surface which is a surface having an area, and the first power receiving electrode which is one of the power receiving electrodes is The electrical signal is received in a region other than the pixel electrode region.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic paper device includes a second power receiving electrode which is an electrode different from the first power receiving electrode among the power receiving electrodes. A part or the whole is provided in the pixel electrode region.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the transmission system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic paper device includes a sensitizing unit that improves reception efficiency of the electric signal, and the sensitizing unit is externally connected. The first power receiving electrode is electrically connected to the sensitizing unit, or the first power receiving electrode is electrically connectable to the outside. A part or all of one power receiving electrode functions as the sensitizer.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power receiving device that receives an electric signal transmitted from a power transmitting device in a non-contact manner, a display unit that displays image information, and a first power receiving electrode for receiving the electric signal. And the display unit includes a pixel electrode for energizing the display unit, and the first power receiving electrode is a pixel having a maximum area among surfaces having the pixel electrode planarized. A pixel electrode region, which is a region formed by translating the pixel electrode surface in a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface, is provided in a region other than the pixel electrode region, and the pixel electrode is the electric signal. Is used to receive at least the first power receiving electrode and the pixel electrode to receive the electrical signal, or a second power receiving electrode different from the pixel electrode, part or all of which is the pixel electrode. Exists in the region At least the first receiving electrode and the second receiving electrodes by providing by receiving the electric signal.

  Here, the electronic paper apparatus or the power receiving apparatus may be an apparatus that is so thin that the display unit can display a still image or a moving image while being reversibly bent. That is, the electronic paper device or the power receiving device may be a flexible and thin display device such as paper. The electronic paper device or the power receiving device is, for example, all portable terminal devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet PCs, electronic newspapers, electronic posters, electronic shelf labels, POPs, electronic menus, electronic recipes, electronic bulletin boards, An apparatus using electronic paper such as an electronic information transmission board, an electronic book, an electronic process instruction sheet, an electronic packing slip, an electronic blackboard, and an IC card / IC tag with a display function may be used.

  In addition, the pixel electrode region may be defined in other expressions as long as it is defined as a region that is easily capacitively coupled to the pixel electrode during power reception. For example, the pixel electrode region may be defined as “a region formed by translating a pixel electrode portion including a peripheral circuit of a pixel electrode or a substrate in a direction perpendicular to the pixel electrode surface”.

  Further, the first power receiving electrode according to the present invention may be present in the pixel electrode region except when receiving an electric signal (at the time of receiving power). For example, the first power receiving electrode may be present in the pixel electrode region during storage as long as it does not receive an electrical signal when stored (when stored). Conversely, when the first power receiving electrode is present outside the pixel electrode region even when stored, the power receiving device may receive an electrical signal in the stored state.

  Furthermore, in the power receiving device, it is sufficient that at least a part of the second power receiving electrode exists in the pixel electrode region, and it does not matter whether the second power receiving electrode is the same as or separate from the pixel electrode. The sensitizer may be electrically connected to the second power receiving electrode.

  Further, “electrically connectable to the outside” means that it can be electrically connected to the outside regardless of whether it is direct or indirect. That is, the sensitizing unit may be electrically connected to the outside through an electrical resistance by being exposed to the outside. Alternatively, it may be electrically connected to the outside through an insulator by capacitive coupling.

  Furthermore, the present invention may be regarded as an invention of a transmission method in a transmission system including a power transmission device that transmits an electrical signal and an electronic paper device or a power reception device that receives the electrical signal from the power transmission device in a contactless manner. Alternatively, the present invention may be regarded as an invention of a production method for producing an electronic paper device or a power receiving device.

  According to the invention according to each claim of the present application, the first power receiving electrode is disposed such that capacitive coupling with the pixel electrode is suppressed. Therefore, even when a thin power receiving device including a display unit such as an electronic paper device is used, efficient transmission from the power transmitting device to the power receiving device is possible without contact.

  In addition, since capacitive coupling between the first power receiving electrode and the pixel electrode is suppressed, the pixel electrode can be used as a power receiving electrode (second power receiving electrode) different from the first power receiving electrode. Thereby, compared with the case where the power receiving device includes two power receiving electrodes apart from the pixel electrode, the display unit can be enlarged or the power receiving device can be downsized. In addition, the production method for producing the power receiving device can be simplified.

  According to the invention of claim 2 of the present application, at least a part of the second power receiving electrode is disposed in the pixel electrode region. That is, the second power receiving electrode and the pixel electrode can be arranged so as to overlap each other. Accordingly, the area of the pixel electrode can be increased as compared with the case where the power receiving device includes the pixel electrode, the first power receiving electrode, and the second power receiving electrode on the same plane. As a result, the display portion can be enlarged or the power receiving device can be reduced.

  Even when the second power receiving electrode is capacitively coupled to the pixel electrode, there is no problem that the transmission efficiency of the electric signal is lowered. This is because the second power receiving electrode and the pixel electrode can have the same potential. Therefore, it is possible to provide a thin power receiving device that efficiently receives an electrical signal in a non-contact manner.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 3 of the present application, the first power receiving electrode can be electrically connected to the outside through the sensitizer. That is, it becomes easier for the power receiving apparatus to receive an electrical signal from the power transmitting apparatus. Therefore, even if the pixel electrode and the display portion are enlarged and the area of the first power receiving electrode is reduced, it is easy to provide a power receiving device that efficiently receives an electrical signal.

1 is a block diagram of a transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the electrode in the power receiving apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a circuit diagram of a transmission circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the sensitizing effect | action of the sensitizing part which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following examples.

  First, a transmission system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transmission system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The transmission system 1 (an example of “transmission system” in the claims of the present application) includes a power receiving device 3 (an example of “electronic paper device” or “power receiving device” in the claims of the present application) and a power transmission device 5 (in the claims of the present application). An example of “power transmission device”. The power receiving device 3 is a thin power receiving device including a display unit, and receives an electrical signal from the power transmitting device 5 in a non-contact manner by two power receiving electrodes. The power transmission device 5 sends an electrical signal to the power reception device 3 in a non-contact manner.

  The power receiving device 3 includes a display unit 7 (an example of a “display unit” in the claims of the present application), a power reception unit 9, and a sensitizing unit 13 (an example of the “sensitizing unit” in the claims of the present application). The display unit 7 includes a display 10 and a pixel electrode 11 (an example of “pixel electrode” in the claims of the present application), and displays a still image or a moving image. The power receiving unit 9 receives an electrical signal from the power transmission device 5. The pixel electrode 11 energizes the display unit 7 to display a still image or a moving image on the display 10. The sensitizing unit 13 improves the efficiency with which the power receiving unit 9 receives an electrical signal. The sensitizer 13 can be electrically connected to the outside.

  The power receiving unit 9 includes a first power receiving electrode 15 (an example of “first power receiving electrode” in the claims), a second power receiving electrode 17 (an example of “second power receiving electrode” in the claims), a power source A circuit 19 and a rectifying unit 21 are provided. The first power receiving electrode 15 and the second power receiving electrode 17 receive an electrical signal from the power transmission device 5 in a non-contact manner. The first power receiving electrode 15 is electrically connected to the sensitizing unit 13. The power supply circuit 19 generates an AC signal from the electrical signals received by the first power receiving electrode 15 and the second power receiving electrode. The rectifier 21 converts the AC signal created by the power supply circuit 19 into a DC signal.

  The power transmission device 5 includes an AC signal generation unit 31, a resonance unit 33, a first power transmission electrode 35, and a second power transmission electrode 37. The AC signal generator 31 generates an AC signal. The resonance unit 33 resonates the AC signal generated by the AC signal generation unit 31. The first power transmission electrode 35 faces the first power reception electrode 15 and radiates an electric signal toward the first power reception electrode 15. The second power transmission electrode 37 faces the second power reception electrode 17 and radiates an electric signal toward the second power transmission electrode 17.

  Next, the arrangement of the electrodes in the power receiving device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of electrodes in the power receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In order for the power receiving device 3 to receive an electrical signal from the power transmitting device 5 in a contactless manner, at least two electrodes are required. These two electrodes are opposed to the electrodes of the power transmission device 5 and cause capacitive coupling. Here, if both of these two electrodes are capacitively coupled to the pixel electrode 11, the efficiency of receiving an electrical signal from the power transmission device 5 is reduced.

  With respect to this problem, it is possible to increase the distance between the electrode surfaces of the two electrodes and the electrode surface of the pixel electrode 11. This is because capacitive coupling can be suppressed by increasing the distance between the electrodes. However, increasing the distance between the electrodes increases the thickness of the power receiving device 3 and hinders the realization of the thin power receiving device 3.

  In the power receiving device 3 of FIG. 2, the first power receiving electrode 15 is arranged so that capacitive coupling with the pixel electrode 11 is suppressed. That is, the first power receiving electrode 15 exists outside the pixel electrode region 51.

  Here, the pixel electrode region 51 (an example of “pixel electrode region” in the claims) refers to a region where capacitive coupling with the pixel electrode 11 is likely to occur. In the present embodiment, the pixels are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the pixel electrode surface 53 (an example of “pixel electrode surface” in the claims of the present application) which is the surface having the largest area among the surfaces of the pixel electrode 11 in a planarized state. A virtual region formed when the electrode surface 53 is translated.

  Since the first power receiving electrode 15 exists outside the pixel electrode region 51, capacitive coupling between the pixel electrode 11 and the first power receiving electrode 15 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently transmit an electrical signal from the power transmitting device 5 to the power receiving device 3 in a non-contact manner using capacitive coupling.

  The second power receiving electrode 17 is disposed in the pixel electrode region 51. Thereby, the design flexibility of the power receiving device 3 is improved as compared with the case where both the first power receiving electrode 15 and the second power receiving electrode 17 are installed outside the pixel electrode region 51. As a result, it becomes easy to enlarge the display unit 7 or the pixel electrode 11 or downsize the power receiving device 3.

  Here, the second power receiving electrode 17 may be disposed so that a part of the second power receiving electrode 17 protrudes from the pixel electrode region 51, but is preferably disposed in a region other than the first power receiving electrode region 55. This is because when the first power receiving electrode 15 and the second power receiving electrode 17 are capacitively coupled, the transmission efficiency decreases.

  Next, a transmission circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the transmission circuit 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The transmission circuit 60 includes a load 61, a resistor 63, a resistor 65, a capacitor 67, a capacitor 69, an impedance 71, a coil 73, a resistor 75, a coil 77, and a resistor 79.

  The load 61 is one in which the pixel electrode 11 energizes the display unit 7 and consumes power. The capacitor 67 is formed so that the first power receiving electrode 15 and the first power transmitting electrode 35 face each other. The capacitor 69 is formed so that the second power receiving electrode 17 and the second power transmitting electrode 37 face each other.

  The other circuit elements represent components of the transmission circuit 60, respectively. The resistor 63 or 65 is a resistance component between the load 61 and the capacitor 67 or 69, respectively. The impedance 71 is the impedance of the AC signal generation unit 31. The coil 73 or 77 is an inductance component between the AC signal generator 31 and the capacitor 67 or 69, respectively. The resistor 75 or 79 is a resistance component between the AC signal generator 31 and the capacitor 67 or 69, respectively.

  With the transmission circuit 60, the power generated by the AC signal generation unit 31 included in the power transmission device 5 can be consumed in the load 61 included in the power reception device 3.

  The sensitizing action of the sensitizing unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the sensitizing action of the sensitizing unit 13.

  Here, it is assumed that the power receiving device 3 is a thin electronic paper device (an example of “electronic paper device” in the claims) having the display unit 7. The power receiving device 3 includes the sensitizing unit 13 in a form that is electrically connected to the outside of the power receiving device 3. In addition, it is assumed that the first power transmission electrode 35 included in the power transmission device 5 is grounded to the ground, and the second power transmission electrode 37 appears on the ground. The AC signal generator 31 is installed between the first power transmission electrode 35 and the second power transmission electrode 37.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the user of the power receiving device 3 charges the power receiving device 3 while holding it over the second power transmission electrode 37. At this time, the second power receiving electrode 17 and the second power transmitting electrode 37 face each other and are capacitively coupled to form a capacitor 67. Further, the first power receiving electrode 15 receives an electric signal radiated from the first power transmitting electrode 35 on the ground, and a capacitor 69 is formed in a pseudo manner.

  Here, since the 1st receiving electrode 15 is electrically connected with the sensitizing part 13 exposed outside, the efficiency which receives an electrical signal is improving. When the user touches the sensitizing unit 13, the user himself / herself serves as an antenna that receives an electrical signal radiated from the first power transmission electrode 35. At this time, the efficiency can be further improved. In other words, the first power transmission electrode 35 is electrically connected to the first power reception electrode 15 through some route, for example, through a user.

  In the above embodiment, the transmission system 1 may transmit only power as an electric signal. Data may be transmitted by superimposing an information signal on the power.

  The reason why the pixel electrode surface 53 is defined as “a surface having a planarized state” is that the power receiving device 3 is a thin device, for example, a device that is wound and accommodated. In this case, the first power receiving electrode 15 exists in the pixel electrode region 51 at the time of storage. However, capacitive coupling between the pixel electrode 11 and the first power receiving electrode 15 causes a problem during power reception. Therefore, the first power receiving electrode 15 may exist in the pixel electrode region 51 except during power reception.

  On the contrary, it is also assumed that the first power receiving electrode 15 exists outside the pixel electrode region 51 at the time of storage by a storage method other than winding. In this case, the power receiving device 3 may receive power in a stored state.

  Further, the arrangement of the first power receiving electrode 15 and the second power receiving electrode 17 may be reversed. That is, at least a part of the first power receiving electrode 15 may exist in the pixel electrode region 51, and the second power receiving electrode 17 may exist outside the pixel electrode region 51. Further, either one or both of the first power receiving electrode 15 and the second power receiving electrode 17 may be composed of a plurality of electrodes.

  Furthermore, the power reception electrode may be close to the power transmission electrode of the power transmission device, or may be an electrical signal received from the power transmission electrode at a distance.

  Further, the pixel electrode 11 may be a single electrode plate or a combination of a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes. Further, the pixel electrode 11 may be a single electrode or a plurality of electrodes. Further, the pixel electrode 11 may also serve as the second power receiving electrode 17.

  Further, the pixel electrode 11 may be integrated with the display 10. For example, the pixel electrodes 11 are formed as two electrode substrates (operation electrodes and signal line electrodes) having a plurality of strip-shaped patterns, and the two electrode patterns are opposed to each other so as to be orthogonal to each other. Then, the display unit 7 may be installed so as to be sandwiched between the two pixel electrode substrates to form a matrix display method. In this case, the pixel electrode surface 53 and the pixel electrode region 51 are defined so that capacitive coupling hardly occurs between the pixel electrode and the power receiving electrode. That is, the pixel electrode surface 53 may be a surface formed by the outline of the outermost strip that forms the matrix. Alternatively, the gap portion of the matrix may not be the pixel electrode surface 53.

  Further, the power receiving device 3 may include a resonance unit that resonates the AC signal generated by the power supply circuit 19, in addition to the resonance unit 33 of the power transmission device 5.

  Furthermore, the display 10 does not have to have the same area as the pixel electrode surface. A part or all of the display 10 may be outside the pixel electrode region 51.

  Further, the pixel electrode 11 may be one that energizes the display unit 7 only when a still image or a moving image displayed on the display 10 is updated.

  Furthermore, an antenna may be connected to the sensitizing unit 13 from the outside for sensitization to increase the efficiency with which the power receiving device 3 receives an electrical signal.

  Further, the load 61 may be a battery that stores electric power.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transmission system, 3 ... Power receiving apparatus, 5 ... Power transmission apparatus, 7 ... Display part, 9 ... Power receiving part, 11 ... Pixel electrode, 13 ... Sensitization part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... 1st receiving electrode, 17 ... 2nd receiving electrode, 51 ... Pixel electrode area | region, 53 ... Pixel electrode surface

Claims (4)

A transmission system comprising: a power transmission device that transmits an electrical signal; and an electronic paper device that receives the electrical signal in a contactless manner by at least two power receiving electrodes,
The electronic paper device has a display unit for displaying an image,
The display unit has a pixel electrode for energizing the display unit,
The electronic paper device is a region formed by translating the pixel electrode surface in a direction perpendicular to the pixel electrode surface which is the surface having the largest area among the surfaces of the pixel electrode in a planarized state. There is a pixel electrode area,
A transmission system characterized in that a first power receiving electrode, which is one of the power receiving electrodes, receives the electrical signal in a region other than the pixel electrode region.   The said electronic paper apparatus is equipped with the 2nd receiving electrode which is an electrode different from the said 1st receiving electrode among the said receiving electrodes, the one part or all part is made to exist in the said pixel electrode area | region. Transmission system. The electronic paper device has a sensitizer that improves the reception efficiency of the electrical signal,
The sensitizer can be electrically connected to the outside,
The first power receiving electrode is electrically connected to the sensitizing unit, or the first power receiving electrode can be electrically connected to the outside, whereby a part or all of the first power receiving electrode is The transmission system according to claim 1, which functions as a sensitizer. A power receiving device that receives an electrical signal transmitted from a power transmitting device in a contactless manner,
A display for displaying image information;
A first power receiving electrode for receiving the electrical signal;
The display unit has a pixel electrode for energizing the display unit,
The first power receiving electrode is a region formed by translating the pixel electrode surface in a direction perpendicular to the pixel electrode surface which is the surface having the largest area among the surfaces of the pixel electrode in a planarized state. With respect to a certain pixel electrode region, it is provided in a region other than the pixel electrode region,
The pixel electrode is also used to receive the electrical signal and receives the electrical signal by at least the first power receiving electrode and the pixel electrode, or a second power receiving electrode different from the pixel electrode, A power receiving device that receives the electrical signal by at least the first power receiving electrode and the second power receiving electrode by providing a part or the whole in the pixel electrode region.

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