JP2013247830A - Communication control method and power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure reliable communication between a vehicle and a corresponding charger device at a charging station provided with plural charger devices.SOLUTION: A communication control method is used for a power supply system provided with plural power supply devices 1. The power supply device 1, having received a signal output from a vehicle 3 using a common channel via inter-coil communication that transfers a signal via a coil used for supplying AC power to the vehicle 3 from the power supply device 1 in noncontact, inquires a server 6 of a communication channel to be used. The server 6 selects a usable communication channel from among plural communication channels provided by the power supply system. The power supply device 1 notifies the vehicle 3 of the communication channel selected by the server 6 via inter-coil communication using the common channel. The power supply device 1 and the vehicle 3 transfers information related to charging via inter-coil communication using the communication channel selected by the server 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply system that supplies power without contact and a communication control method used in the power supply system.

  In recent years, vehicles (for example, electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV)) that travel using a motor have become widespread. These vehicles are equipped with a large-capacity battery for storing electric power.

  A battery mounted on the vehicle is charged, for example, at a charging stand. Here, at present, a system for supplying electric power from a charging stand to a vehicle via an electric power cable has been put into practical use. On the other hand, a non-contact charging method for supplying electric power to a vehicle in a non-contact manner without using a power cable has been proposed. As the non-contact charging method, for example, an electromagnetic induction method, a resonance method, and the like are known.

  When charging the vehicle, information related to charging is exchanged between the charging stand and the vehicle. Here, in a system for supplying power to a vehicle via a power cable, the charging station and the vehicle can exchange information related to charging by wired communication. On the other hand, in a system that employs a non-contact charging method, it is preferable to exchange information related to charging by wireless communication.

  Wireless communication between the charging station and the vehicle is realized by, for example, a wireless LAN. However, when the communication between the charging station and the vehicle is realized by a wireless LAN or the like, it is necessary to incorporate a communication device therefor into the system, which increases the cost as a whole. Further, when the same wireless LAN is used around the charging station, there is a possibility that the communication speed and communication quality may be reduced.

  In addition, a method for realizing communication between the charging station and the vehicle via a path for supplying electric power from the charging station side to the vehicle side in a non-contact manner has been proposed. In this case, a communication signal is transmitted and received between the charging stand and the vehicle by using electromagnetic coupling between the coil on the charging stand side and the coil mounted on the vehicle. However, even in such a communication method, when the charging stand includes a plurality of power feeding devices and a plurality of vehicles receive power at the same time, the communication signal may not be transmitted and received correctly. In other words, the power supply device on the charging stand side may communicate with a vehicle other than the power supply destination vehicle. Similarly, the vehicle communicates with a power supply device other than the power supply device. There is a risk that.

  Note that Patent Document 1 describes a wireless charging system for a vehicle that superimposes a control signal on AC power when electric power output from a power feeding device is charged in a battery of an electric vehicle in a contactless manner. In this charging system, the power feeding device is modulated by a carrier oscillator that outputs AC power, an ASK modulator that superimposes a control signal on the AC power output from the carrier oscillator using the ASK modulation method, and the ASK modulator. A power amplifier that amplifies the AC power and a first resonance coil that transmits the AC power amplified by the power amplifier. Further, the charging device provided in the electric vehicle includes a second resonance coil that receives the AC power transmitted from the first resonance coil, an ASK demodulator that demodulates the received AC power and extracts the control signal, A rectifier is provided that rectifies received AC power and supplies DC power obtained by rectification to the battery.

  Patent Documents 2 to 4 describe other related technologies.

JP 2010-068632 A JP 2005-092555 A JP 2004-133911 A JP 2008-22841 A

  An object of the present invention is a charging stand including a plurality of power feeding apparatuses, and a configuration capable of reliably communicating between a corresponding power feeding apparatus and a vehicle even when a plurality of vehicles receive power simultaneously. Is to provide a method.

  The communication control method of the present invention controls communication between a power supply apparatus and a vehicle that is supplied with power in a non-contact manner from the power supply apparatus via a coil in a power supply system including a plurality of power supply apparatuses. In this control method, a power supply apparatus that receives a signal output from a vehicle using a common channel by inter-coil communication that transmits a signal from a power supply apparatus via a coil for supplying power to the vehicle in a non-contact manner. Inquiring of a server about a communication channel to be used, the server selecting a usable communication channel from a plurality of communication channels provided by the power supply system, and the power supply device A step of notifying the vehicle of the communication channel selected by the server in inter-coil communication using the common channel, and between the coils in which the power feeding device and the vehicle use the communication channel selected by the server. Transmitting information related to charging by communication. The frequency of the common channel, the frequencies of the plurality of communication channels, and the frequency of AC power transmitted to the vehicle are different from each other.

  According to the communication control method described above, when a plurality of power feeding devices perform power feeding at the same time, communication channels having different frequencies are assigned to the plurality of power feeding devices, and each power feeding device is assigned with the assigned communication channel. Communicates with the vehicle to which power is supplied. Therefore, even when a plurality of vehicles receive power at the same time in a charging station including a plurality of power supply devices, the power supply device can reliably communicate with the vehicle at the power supply destination. It is possible to reliably communicate with the power supply device of the supply source.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is a case where a some vehicle receives electric power feeding simultaneously in a charging stand provided with a several electric power feeder, it can communicate reliably between a corresponding electric power feeder and a vehicle.

It is a figure which shows the vehicle which uses a charging stand and a charging stand. It is a figure which shows the state in which charging of a some vehicle is performed simultaneously. It is a figure explaining the frequency arrangement | positioning of a communication channel. It is a figure which shows the Example of the frequency arrangement | positioning of a communication channel. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an electric power feeder. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a charging device. It is a figure which shows the sequence of communication between the charging station and vehicle in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sequence of communication between the charging station and vehicle in other embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a charging station and a vehicle that uses the charging station. In the present embodiment, the charging stand includes a plurality of power feeding apparatuses 1 (1A to 1C) as illustrated in FIG. The configurations and operations of the plurality of power feeding apparatuses 1A to 1C are substantially the same.

  Corresponding charging areas 2A to 2C are provided for the power feeding devices 1A to 1C, respectively. Coils 102 for supplying electric power to the vehicle 3 in a non-contact manner are provided in the charging areas 2A to 2C, respectively. In the present embodiment, the coil 102 is assumed to be a part of the power feeding device 1.

  The vehicle 3 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) that travels using a motor. Further, the vehicle 3 may be a transport vehicle that transports parts in a factory.

  The vehicle 3 includes a coil 201 and a battery 5. And the vehicle 3 parks in any one of charge area 2A-2C, when charging the battery 5 in the charging stand shown in FIG. In the following description, the vehicle 3 is parked in the charging area 2B. At this time, the vehicle 3 is parked at a predetermined position in the charging area 2B so that the coil 102 of the power feeding device 1B and the coil 201 of the vehicle 3 are electromagnetically coupled to each other. Thereby, the vehicle 3 can receive supply of electric power non-contactingly from the electric power feeder 1B. At this time, AC power induced in the coil 201 of the vehicle 3 is converted to DC by a rectifier circuit (not shown), and the battery 5 is charged with this DC current.

  Furthermore, the power feeding device 1 and the vehicle 3 can transmit signals to each other via the coils 102 and 201 for supplying power from the power feeding device 1 to the vehicle 3 in a non-contact manner. Hereinafter, transmission of a signal through a coil used for power transmission in this way is referred to as “inter-coil communication”. When inter-coil communication is performed while power is being supplied from the power supply apparatus 1 to the vehicle 3, the communication signal is transmitted superimposed on AC power.

  By the way, when a charging stand is provided with several electric power feeder 1A-1C, the some vehicle 3 may charge simultaneously. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the vehicle 3A receives power supply from the power feeding device 1A, and the vehicle 3B receives power supply from the power feeding device 1C. Here, 1 A of electric power feeders and the vehicle 3A perform charging operation, exchanging the information regarding charging by communication between coils. Similarly, the power feeding device 1C and the vehicle 3B also perform a charging operation while exchanging information related to charging through inter-coil communication.

  However, when the plurality of power feeding devices 1A to 1C are installed close to each other and the plurality of vehicles 3A and 3B are charged at the same time, the inter-coil communication signal is received by a device other than the opposing device. May be. For example, in FIG. 2, a signal transmitted from the power feeding apparatus 1A may be detected not only by the vehicle 3A but also by the vehicle 3B. In addition, a signal transmitted from the vehicle 3A may be detected not only by the power feeding device 1A but also by the power feeding devices 1B and 1C. Then, the power feeding device 1A and the vehicle 3A, the power feeding device 1C, and the vehicle 3B may not be able to normally control the charging operation.

  Therefore, the power supply system of the embodiment of the present invention provides a plurality of communication channels for inter-coil communication. The frequency of each communication channel is different from each other. A set of communication channels is assigned to a pair of a power feeding device and a vehicle that receives power from the power feeding device. One set of communication channels includes a downstream channel for transmitting a signal from the power supply apparatus to the vehicle, and an upstream channel for transmitting a signal from the vehicle to the power supply apparatus. Therefore, in the power supply system of the embodiment of the present invention, even when a plurality of power feeding devices are installed close to each other and a plurality of vehicles are charged at the same time, the inter-coil communication signal Is not received by a device other than the opposite device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the frequency arrangement of communication channels for inter-coil communication. In this example, since the power supply system includes three power supply apparatuses 1A to 1C, the power supply system provides three sets of communication channels CH1 to CH3. However, the number of communication channels is not necessarily the same as the number of power supply apparatuses. In FIG. 3, the frequency f _{p of the} AC power transmitted from the power supply device 1 to the vehicle 3 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, several tens kHz to several hundreds kHz.

Each communication channel CH1 to CH3 has a downlink channel and an upper channel, respectively. In FIG. 3, f _c1 and f _c1 ′ represent the carrier frequencies of the downlink channel and the uplink channel of the communication channel CH1, respectively. Similarly, f _c2 and f _c2 'represents a downlink channel and the carrier frequency of the upstream channel of a communication channel CH2, respectively, f _c3 and f _c3' each represent a carrier frequency of the downlink channels and uplink channels of the communication channel CH3 .

f _cc and f _cc ′ represent the carrier frequency of the downlink and uplink channels of the common channel, respectively. As will be described in detail later, the common channel is a communication channel that can be used by all the power feeding apparatuses 1A to 1C and the vehicle 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a carrier frequency higher than the frequency f _{p of} AC power is assigned to each downlink channel, and a carrier frequency lower than the frequency f _{p of} AC power is assigned to each uplink channel. However, the present invention is not limited to such a frequency arrangement. In the example shown in FIG. 3, one of a pair of channels belonging to each communication channel is higher than the frequency f _{p of the} AC power and the other is lower than the frequency f _p. It is not limited to.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of frequency arrangement of communication channels. In this embodiment, the power supply system provides eight sets of communication channels CH1 to CH8. These communication channels are arranged at intervals of 10 kHz. That is, communication channels (downlink channels) CH1 to CH8 for transmitting a downlink communication signal from the power feeding apparatus side to the vehicle side are arranged at 10 kHz intervals in the frequency band 180 kHz to 250 kHz. Communication channels (uplink channels) CH1 to CH8 for transmitting an uplink communication signal from the vehicle side to the power supply apparatus side are arranged at 10 kHz intervals in a frequency band of 50 kHz to 120 kHz.

The frequency f _p of the AC power is set to, for example, 150 kHz. In addition, a common channel described later is arranged outside the frequency band of the communication channel described above.
FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the power feeding device 1. The power feeding device 1 includes a power supply circuit 101, a coil 102, a communication device 103, a coupling circuit 104, and a controller 105 (control circuit). Note that the power feeding device 1 illustrated in FIG. 5 corresponds to any one of the power feeding devices 1 (1A to 1C) illustrated in FIG. In addition, the power feeding device 1 supplies power to the charging device 4 shown in FIG. The charging device 4 is mounted on the vehicle 3 and charges the battery 5 with electric power received from the power feeding device 1.

In FIG. 5, a power supply circuit 101 is connected to a system power supply (commercial power supply 300) and generates AC power according to the control of the controller 105. The frequency f _{p of the} AC power is not particularly limited, and is, for example, several tens kHz to several hundreds kHz. The power feeding device 1 may include a matching circuit for improving the power factor, although not particularly illustrated. In this case, the matching circuit is provided between the power supply circuit 101 and the coil 102, for example.

  The coil 102 is electromagnetically coupled to the coil 201 of the charging device 4 and transmits AC power generated by the power supply circuit 101 to the charging device 4. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the coil 102 is installed in a corresponding charging area.

  The communication device 103 transmits a downlink communication signal to the charging device 4 via the coil 102. Further, the communication device 103 receives an upstream communication signal transmitted from the charging device 4 via the coil 102. That is, the communication device 103 can transmit and receive communication signals to and from the charging device 4 mounted on the vehicle 3 by inter-coil communication.

  The coupling circuit 104 includes a transformer and a capacitor, and guides a downlink communication signal generated by the communication device 103 to the coil 102. Then, the downlink communication signal is transmitted to the charging device 4 by inter-coil communication. Further, the coupling circuit 104 guides the upstream communication signal transmitted from the charging device 4 to the communication device 103.

  The communication device 103 includes an oscillator 121, a signal generation unit 122, a reception unit 123, and a communication control unit 124. The oscillator 121 outputs an oscillation signal having a frequency designated by the controller 105. The oscillator 121 is realized by, for example, a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator). In this case, a voltage signal representing a desired frequency is given to the oscillator 121 as an instruction of the oscillation frequency. The oscillator 121 may be realized by a plurality of oscillators having different oscillation frequencies. In this case, as an instruction for the oscillation frequency, a signal for selecting an oscillator that oscillates at a desired frequency from among a plurality of oscillators is supplied to the oscillator 121.

  The signal generator 122 uses the oscillation signal output from the transmitter 121 to generate a downlink communication signal. That is, the signal generator 122 generates a downlink communication signal having a frequency instructed from the controller 105. Here, the signal generation unit 122 generates a downlink communication signal by a predetermined modulation method (for example, ASK: Amplitude Shift Keying). Then, the downlink communication signal generated by the signal generator 122 is guided to the coil 102 by the coupling circuit 104 and transmitted to the charging device 4.

  The receiving unit 123 selectively receives an uplink communication signal having a frequency instructed from the controller 105. In order to extract a desired frequency component, the receiving unit 123 includes, for example, a variable bandpass filter. In this case, the pass wavelength of the variable bandpass filter is controlled by an instruction from the controller 105. In addition, for example, when detecting a desired signal component by synchronous detection, the receiving unit 123 includes a variable frequency oscillator (for example, a VCO), and controls the frequency component to be detected in accordance with an instruction from the controller 105. Also good. Furthermore, the reception unit 123 includes a demodulation circuit corresponding to a modulation scheme (for example, ASK) used for generating an uplink communication signal in the charging device 4. Therefore, the reception unit 123 can reproduce the uplink communication signal transmitted from the charging device 4.

  The communication control unit 124 controls the operation of the communication device 103 in accordance with an instruction from the controller 105. This control includes control of the oscillation frequency of the oscillator 121 and control of the reception frequency of the reception unit 123. Further, the communication control unit 124 notifies the controller 105 of the detection result of the uplink communication signal by the receiving unit 123.

  The controller 105 controls the charging operation while exchanging information related to charging with the charging device 4. At this time, the controller 105 controls the operation of the power supply circuit 101. Specifically, the controller 105 instructs the power supply circuit 101 to start the charging operation, end the charging operation, and the upper limit value (that is, the allowable current value) of the charging current. Further, the controller 105 may perform other control related to charging (for example, charge calculation).

  Further, the controller 105 inquires the server 6 about a communication channel to be used in the inter-coil communication before starting the charging operation. Then, based on the answer from the server 6 (ie, the communication channel selected by the server 6), the controller 105 instructs the communication device 103 about the oscillation frequency of the oscillator 121 and the reception frequency of the reception unit 123. Further, the controller 105 notifies the charging device 4 of the communication channel selected by the server 6 using the communication device 103.

  The server 6 is a computer that executes a software program using a processor, and can communicate with each power supply apparatus 1. The communication path between the server 6 and each power supply device 1 may be a wired link or a wireless link.

  The server 6 manages the usage state of the communication channel provided by the power supply system. When the server 6 receives an inquiry about the communication channel to be used in the inter-coil communication from the power supply device 1, the server 6 selects one usable communication channel (that is, an unused communication channel), and the selected communication. The power supply device 1 is notified of the channel. The server 6 may be provided in one of the plurality of power supply apparatuses 1 provided in the charging stand.

In the power supply system provided with the communication channels CH1 to CH3 illustrated in FIG. 3, it is assumed that “CH1” is selected as a usable communication channel by the server 6. In this case, the controller 105 instructs the oscillator 121 to “oscillation frequency = f _c1 ”. Then, the power feeding apparatus 1 transmits a downlink communication signal having a frequency f _c1 thereafter. In addition, the controller 105 instructs the receiving unit 123 to “oscillation frequency = f _c1 ′”. Then, the power feeding device 1 selectively receives the uplink communication signal having the frequency f _c1 ′ thereafter.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the charging device 4. The charging device 4 is mounted on the vehicle 3 as described above. The charging device 4 includes a coil 201, a charging circuit 202, a communication device 203, a coupling circuit 204, and an ECU (controller) 205.

  The coil 201 is electromagnetically coupled to the coil 102 of the power feeding device 1 and receives AC power transmitted from the power feeding device 1. The charging circuit 202 charges the battery 5 using AC power received by the coil 201. The charging circuit 202 includes a rectifier circuit or an AC / DC converter, and charges the battery 5 with a direct current.

  The communication device 203 transmits an upstream communication signal to the power feeding device 1 through the coil 201. Further, the communication device 203 receives a downlink communication signal transmitted from the power supply apparatus 1 via the coil 201. That is, the communication device 203 can transmit and receive a communication signal to and from the power supply device 1 installed in the charging station by inter-coil communication.

  The coupling circuit 204 includes a transformer and a capacitor, and guides an upstream communication signal generated by the communication device 203 to the coil 201. Then, the upstream communication signal is transmitted to the power feeding device 1 by inter-coil communication. Further, the coupling circuit 104 guides the downlink communication signal transmitted from the power supply apparatus 1 to the communication device 203.

  The communication device 203 includes an oscillator 221, a signal generation unit 222, a reception unit 223, and a communication control unit 224. The oscillator 221 outputs an oscillation signal having a frequency instructed from the ECU 205. The oscillator 221 is realized by a VCO, for example. In this case, a voltage signal representing a desired frequency is given to the oscillator 221 as an instruction of the oscillation frequency. The oscillator 221 may be realized by a plurality of oscillators having different oscillation frequencies. In this case, a signal for selecting an oscillator that oscillates at a desired frequency from among a plurality of oscillators is given to the oscillator 221 as an instruction for the oscillation frequency.

  The signal generation unit 222 generates an uplink communication signal using the oscillation signal output from the transmitter 221. That is, the signal generation unit 222 generates an uplink communication signal having a frequency instructed from the ECU 205. Here, the signal generation unit 222 generates an uplink communication signal by a predetermined modulation method (for example, ASK). Then, the uplink communication signal generated by the signal generation unit 222 is guided to the coil 201 by the coupling circuit 204 and transmitted to the power supply apparatus 1.

  The receiving unit 223 selectively receives a downlink communication signal having a frequency instructed from the ECU 205. In order to extract a desired frequency component, the receiving unit 223 includes, for example, a variable bandpass filter. In this case, the pass wavelength of the variable bandpass filter is controlled by an instruction from the ECU 205. In addition, for example, when detecting a desired signal component by synchronous detection, the receiving unit 223 includes a variable frequency oscillator (for example, a VCO), and controls a frequency component to be detected in accordance with an instruction from the ECU 205. Good. Further, the reception unit 223 includes a demodulation circuit corresponding to a modulation scheme (for example, ASK) used for generating a downlink communication signal in the power supply apparatus 1. Therefore, the receiving unit 223 can reproduce the downlink communication signal transmitted from the power supply apparatus 1.

  The communication control unit 224 controls the operation of the communication device 203 in accordance with an instruction from the ECU 205. This control includes control of the oscillation frequency of the oscillator 221 and control of the reception frequency of the reception unit 223. Further, the communication control unit 224 notifies the ECU 205 of the detection result of the downlink communication signal by the receiving unit 223.

  The ECU 205 controls the charging operation while exchanging information related to charging with the power supply apparatus 1. At this time, the ECU 205 controls the operation of the charging circuit 202. Specifically, the ECU 205 instructs the charging circuit 202 to start the charging operation, end the charging operation, and the upper limit value (that is, the allowable current value) of the charging current.

  Furthermore, before starting the charging operation, the ECU 205 receives a notification of a communication channel to be used by inter-coil communication with the power supply device 1. The communication channel to be notified is selected by the server 6 as described with reference to FIG. Then, the ECU 205 instructs the communication device 203 about the oscillation frequency of the oscillator 221 and the reception frequency of the reception unit 223 based on the notification from the power supply device 1 (that is, the communication channel selected by the server 6).

As an example, in the power supply system provided with the communication channels CH1 to CH3 shown in FIG. In this case, the ECU 205 instructs the oscillator 221 “oscillation frequency = f _c1 ′”. Then, the charging device 4 transmits an uplink communication signal having a frequency f _c1 ′ thereafter. In addition, the ECU 205 instructs the receiving unit 223 to “oscillation frequency = f _c1 ”. Then, the charging device 4 selectively receives a downlink communication signal having a frequency f _c1 thereafter.

FIG. 7 shows a communication sequence between the charging station and the vehicle in the embodiment of the present invention. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, four power supply apparatuses 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> D are installed in the power supply system. The configuration and operation of each of the power feeding devices 1A to 1D are as described with reference to FIG. In addition, the power supply system provides communication channels CH1 to CH4 and a common channel. The carrier frequency of each channel is as follows.
Downlink of CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4: f _c1 , f _c2 , f _c3 , f _c4
Uplink of CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4: f _c1 ', f _c2 ', f _c3 ', f _c4 '
Common channel downlink: f _cc
Common channel uplink: f _cc '
The power feeding apparatus 1A supplies power to a vehicle (not shown). At this time, the power feeding apparatus 1A exchanges information related to charging with the vehicle by inter-coil communication using the channel CH1. In this case, the power supply apparatus 1A transmits a downlink communication signal of a frequency f _c1, operating in the communication mode for receiving an uplink communication signal of a frequency f _c1 '.

The vehicle is not parked in the charging area of each of the power feeding devices 1B to 1D. In other words, none of the power feeding devices 1B to 1D performs an operation of supplying power to the vehicle. At this time, the communication device 103 of each of the power supply apparatuses 1B to 1D waits for a beacon on a common channel for inter-coil communication. Specifically, the receiving unit 123 of the communication device 103 is set to a mode for receiving the carrier frequency f _cc ′ of the common channel. The beacon has a predetermined bit pattern and is transmitted by an upstream communication signal for inter-coil communication.

  In the above-described state, it is assumed that the vehicle 3 enters the charging stand. Then, the driver of the vehicle 3 parks the vehicle 3 in the charging area of the power feeding device 1C, and changes the charging switch (SW) of the charging device 4 mounted on the vehicle 3 from the off state (OFF) to the on state (ON). Shall be switched. At this time, the communication device 203 of the charging device 4 may check the beacon.

When the charging switch is switched from the off state to the on state, the communicator 203 of the charging device 4 is set to a mode in which communication signals are transmitted and received through a common channel for inter-coil communication in accordance with an instruction from the ECU 205. That is, the oscillator 221 is set to a state of oscillating at the frequency f _cc ′, and the receiving unit 223 is set to a state of waiting for a downlink communication signal of the frequency f _cc .

  And the charging device 4 outputs a beacon by the common channel of communication between coils. Then, the communication device 103 of the power feeding device 1C detects the beacon output from the vehicle side. Thereby, 1C of electric power feeders recognize that the vehicle 3 parked in the own charge area.

  When the controller 105 of the power feeding apparatus 1 </ b> C detects the vehicle 3, the controller 105 inquires of the server 6 about a communication channel to be used in the inter-coil communication with the vehicle 3. Upon receiving this inquiry, the server 6 selects an available communication channel (that is, an unused communication channel) from the communication channels CH1 to CH4 provided by the power supply system. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the communication channel CH1 is already used by the power feeding apparatus 1A. Therefore, the server 6 selects a communication channel to be assigned to the power feeding apparatus 1C from among the communication channels CH2 to CH4. In this embodiment, the communication channel CH2 is selected.

  The server 6 notifies the power supply apparatus 1C of the communication channel selected in response to the inquiry from the power supply apparatus 1C (in this embodiment, “CH2”). Then, the power feeding apparatus 1 </ b> C further notifies the vehicle 3 of the communication channel (that is, “CH2”) notified from the server 6. At this time, the power feeding apparatus 1 </ b> C notifies the vehicle 3 of the communication channel selected by the server 6 using a common channel for inter-coil communication.

Thereafter, the communication device 103 of the power feeding apparatus 1 </ b> C is set to a mode in which communication signals are transmitted and received through the communication channel CH <b> 2 for inter-coil communication in response to an instruction from the controller 105. That is, the oscillator 121 is set to a state of oscillating at the frequency _fc2 , and the receiving unit 123 is set to a state of waiting for an upstream communication signal of the frequency _fc2 '.

On the other hand, the communicator 203 of the charging device 4 mounted on the vehicle 3 is set to a mode for transmitting and receiving a communication signal through the communication channel CH2 for inter-coil communication according to the control of the ECU 205 in response to the notification from the power feeding device 1C. The That is, the oscillator 221 is set to a state of oscillating at the frequency f _c2 ′, and the receiving unit 223 is set to a state of waiting for a downlink communication signal of the frequency f _c2 .

  When the above setting is completed, the charging device 4 of the vehicle 3 transmits a completion report to the power feeding device 1C using the communication channel CH2 for inter-coil communication. Thus, a communication link is established between the power feeding device 1C and the charging device 4 of the vehicle 3 by the communication channel CH2 for inter-coil communication.

  Thereafter, the power feeding device 1C and the charging device 4 of the vehicle 3 charge the battery 5 mounted on the vehicle 3 while exchanging information related to charging via the communication channel CH2 for inter-coil communication. Then, when charging of the battery 5 is completed, the power feeding device 1C notifies the server 6 that power feeding to the vehicle 3 is finished. Then, the server 6 recognizes that the communication channel CH2 has shifted from the used state to the unused state, and updates the table that manages the states of the communication channels CH1 to CH4. Moreover, 1C of electric power feeders transfer to the mode which waits for a beacon with the common channel of communication between coils.

  As described above, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the communication channel CH <b> 2 is assigned to the power feeding device 1 </ b> C that has detected the vehicle 3. At this time, the communication channel CH1 is assigned to the power feeding apparatus 1A during the power feeding operation. Here, the carrier frequencies of the communication channels CH1 and CH2 are different from each other. Therefore, the power supply device 1C and the vehicle 3 that receives power supply from the power supply device 1C can reliably exchange information through the communication channel CH2 while appropriately removing the communication signal of the communication channel CH1. Similarly, the power supply device 1A and the vehicle 3 that receives power supply from the power supply device 1A can reliably exchange information on the communication channel CH1 while appropriately removing the communication signal of the communication channel CH2. Therefore, according to the communication control method of the embodiment of the present invention, in a charging station including a plurality of power feeding devices, even when a plurality of vehicles receive power feeding at the same time, each power feeding device is a vehicle to which power is supplied. Thus, each vehicle can reliably communicate with the power supply device of the power supply source.

  In FIG. 8, when a communication link by the communication channel CH2 is established between the power feeding device 1C and the charging device 4 of the vehicle 3, the power feeding devices 1B and 1D transmit beacons on the common channel for inter-coil communication. The standby mode is set. Therefore, the power feeding apparatuses 1B and 1D do not detect the communication signal of the communication channel CH2.

  Note that the number of communication channels provided by the power supply system may be smaller than the number of power supply apparatuses 1 installed in the charging stand. However, in this case, it is preferable that the server 6 determines a communication channel to be assigned to the power supply apparatus 1 according to the position of the power supply apparatus 1 where the vehicle 3 is parked in the charging area. For example, the server 6 allows the power supply apparatuses 1 that are separated from each other to be assigned communication channels having the same carrier frequency, and the power supply apparatuses 1 that are close to each other are allowed to allocate communication channels having the same carrier frequency. The communication channel assignment can be determined to prohibit the assignment.

  FIG. 8 shows a communication sequence between the charging station and the vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, communication channels are fixedly assigned to the power feeding apparatuses 1A to 1D. In the example shown in FIG. 8, communication channels CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 are fixedly assigned to the power feeding apparatuses 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, respectively.

  The vehicle is not parked in the charging area of each of the power feeding devices 1A to 1D. That is, none of the power feeding apparatuses 1A to 1D performs an operation of supplying power to the vehicle. At this time, each of the power supply apparatuses 1A to 1D waits for a beacon on a common channel for inter-coil communication.

  In the above-described situation, the vehicle 3 is parked in the charging area of the power feeding device 1C, and the driver switches the charging switch (SW) of the charging device 4 mounted on the vehicle 3 to the on state (ON). In this case, the charging device 4 outputs a beacon using a common channel for inter-coil communication as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  1C of electric power feeders recognize that the vehicle 3 parked in the own charge area by detecting a beacon. Then, the power feeding apparatus 1C notifies the vehicle 3 of the communication channel ("CH3" in this example) assigned to itself using the common channel for inter-coil communication. And 1C of electric power feeders transfer to the mode which transmits / receives a communication signal by common channel CH3 of communication between coils. Further, the vehicle 3 shifts to a mode in which communication signals are transmitted and received through the common channel CH3 for inter-coil communication in response to the notification from the power feeding device 1C.

  Thereafter, the power feeding device 1C and the charging device 4 of the vehicle 3 charge the battery 5 mounted on the vehicle 3 while exchanging information related to charging via the communication channel CH3 for inter-coil communication. Then, when the charging of the battery 5 is completed, the power feeding device 1C shifts to a mode for waiting for a beacon on a common channel for inter-coil communication.

  Note that, according to the communication control method of the embodiment of the present invention, by assigning communication channels having different carrier frequencies to a plurality of power supply devices that are simultaneously supplying power, a certain pair of corresponding power supply devices and vehicles (that is, The inter-coil communication signal between the power feeding device and the vehicle that is supplied with electric power from the power feeding device is prevented from being received by another power feeding device or another vehicle. That is, the communication control method according to the embodiment of the present invention assumes that a signal of inter-coil communication between a certain set of power supply apparatuses and a vehicle can be detected by another power supply apparatus or a coil of another vehicle. ing.

  In such a situation, a power supply apparatus that is not performing power supply waits for a beacon on a common channel for inter-coil communication. For this reason, when a plurality of power feeding devices are waiting for beacons on a common channel for inter-coil communication, beacons output from a certain vehicle may be detected by the plurality of power feeding devices. Then, a plurality of power feeding devices that have detected beacons try to supply power to the vehicle.

  In order to avoid such a situation, the communication control method according to the embodiment of the present invention allows a beacon output from a certain vehicle even when a plurality of power supply apparatuses are waiting for a beacon. It is preferable to have a measure for detecting by only one power supply device. Such a measure is realized, for example, by making the amplitude of the uplink communication signal of the common channel smaller than the amplitude of other communication channels. Or you may make it provide the sensor for detecting that the vehicle is parked in the charge area of each electric power feeder. In this case, when the power feeding device detects that the vehicle is parked in its own charging area by a sensor and detects a beacon on the common channel for inter-coil communication, it establishes a communication channel with the vehicle. Start the procedure.

  Such a measure is not essential in the present invention. That is, even if such a measure is not introduced, even if a plurality of vehicles are simultaneously supplied with power, an effect that communication can be reliably performed between the corresponding power supply apparatus and the vehicle is realized. The

1 (1A to 1D) Power feeding devices 2A to 2C Charging area 3 (3A and 3B) Vehicle 4 Charging device 5 Battery 6 Server 101 Power supply circuit 102, 201 Coil 103, 203 Communication device 104, 204 Coupling circuit 105 Controller 202 Charging circuit 205 ECU (controller)
122, 222 Signal generator 123, 223 Receiver

Claims (5)

In a power supply system including a plurality of power supply devices, a communication control method for controlling communication between the power supply device and a vehicle that receives contactless AC power from the power supply device via a coil,
A power supply apparatus that receives a signal output from the vehicle using a common channel by inter-coil communication that transmits a signal from the power supply apparatus via a coil for supplying power to the vehicle in a non-contact manner is a server. Querying the communication channel to be used,
The server selecting an available communication channel from a plurality of communication channels provided by the power supply system;
The power feeding device notifying the vehicle of the communication channel selected by the server in inter-coil communication using the common channel;
The power feeding device and the vehicle have a step of transmitting information related to charging by inter-coil communication using a communication channel selected by the server, and
The frequency of the common channel, each frequency of the plurality of communication channels, and the frequency of the AC power transmitted to the vehicle are different from each other. The communication according to claim 1, wherein the power supply device does not receive a signal of a common channel of the inter-coil communication when performing inter-coil communication using the communication channel selected by the server. Control method. In a power supply system including a plurality of power supply devices each assigned a corresponding communication channel, control of communication between the power supply device and a vehicle that receives contactless AC power from the power supply device via a coil A communication control method for
A power supply apparatus that receives a signal output from the vehicle using a common channel by inter-coil communication that transmits a signal from the power supply apparatus via a coil for supplying power to the vehicle in a non-contact manner, In the inter-coil communication using a common channel, notifying the vehicle of the communication channel assigned to the power supply device;
The power supply device and the vehicle have a step of transmitting information related to charging by inter-coil communication using a communication channel assigned to the power supply device, and
The frequency of the common channel, each frequency of the plurality of communication channels, and the frequency of the AC power transmitted to the vehicle are different from each other. Each communication channel has a downstream channel for transmitting a signal from the power feeding device to the vehicle, and an upstream channel for transmitting a signal from the vehicle to the power feeding device,
The communication control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a downlink channel frequency and an uplink channel frequency of each communication channel are different from each other. A power supply system comprising a plurality of power supply devices and a server for controlling the plurality of power supply devices,
Each of the power feeding devices is
A power supply circuit for generating AC power;
A coil for transmitting the AC power generated by the power supply circuit in a non-contact manner to a charging device mounted on a vehicle;
A communication device that receives an upstream communication signal from the charging device in inter-coil communication that transmits a signal using the coil, and transmits a downstream communication signal to the charging device in the inter-coil communication;
A control circuit for controlling the power supply circuit and the communication device;
With
The communicator waits for an upstream communication signal on the common channel for inter-coil communication,
When the communication device receives an upstream communication signal through the common channel for inter-coil communication, the control circuit inquires the server about a communication channel to be used,
The server selects an available communication channel from a plurality of communication channels,
The communication device notifies the vehicle of the communication channel selected by the server via the common channel of the inter-coil communication,
The control circuit controls the communication device to a mode in which inter-coil communication is performed on a communication channel selected by the server,
The control circuit controls the power supply circuit by exchanging information related to charging with the vehicle through inter-coil communication using a communication channel selected by the server,
The frequency of the common channel, each frequency of the plurality of communication channels, and the frequency of the AC power are different from each other.