JP2014168370A - Carrier system and carrier device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carrier system in which a carrier device with non-contact electric power supply as a power source is movable along a carrying passage that is easily changeable.SOLUTION: A carrier system, in which electric power transmitting electrodes 11, 12 are arranged along a predetermined carrying passage R, comprises an electric power transmission electrode part 100 to which a predetermined voltage is applied in a direction vertical to the carrying passage R and a carriage 200 which converts an electric power received from the electric power transmission electrode part 100 into a driving force and moves along the carrying passage R. The carriage 200 is arranged at positions facing the electric power transmitting electrodes 11, 12 respectively, and includes electric power receiving electrodes 21, 22 which form electric coupling in resonance with the electric power transmitting electrodes 11, 12, and a motor 204 which moves the carriage 200 along the carrying passage R by the receiving electric power of the electric power receiving electrodes 21, 22 which form the electric coupling in resonance with the electric power transmitting electrodes 11, 12.

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance system and a conveyance device that convert electric power into driving force and convey a conveyance object along a predetermined conveyance path.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a reciprocation in which a first power transmission unit and a second power transmission unit are provided on one end side and the other end side of a track so as to sandwich a power reception unit provided on a movable body movable along the track. A mobile device is described. In such a reciprocating device described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to reciprocate the moving body between both ends of the track by non-contact power feeding.

JP2012-110118A

  However, in the reciprocating device described in Patent Document 1, the length of the transport path of the mobile body is limited and the transport path is changed because the mobile body cannot perform non-contact power feeding except at both ends of the track. It was difficult to do.

  The object of the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a transport system and a transport apparatus in which a transport apparatus using a non-contact power supply as a power source can be moved along a transport path that can be easily changed. The purpose is to do.

(First aspect)
In the transport system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first and second power transmission electrodes are arranged along a predetermined transport path, and a predetermined voltage is applied in a direction perpendicular to the transport path. And a transfer device that converts electric power received from the power transmission electrode unit into a driving force and moves along a predetermined transfer path, and the transfer device is located at a position facing the first and second power transfer electrodes. First and second power receiving electrodes that are respectively disposed and are coupled to the first and second power transmission electrodes by electric field resonance, and first and second power reception electrodes that are coupled to the first and second power transmission electrodes by electric field resonance. And an electric part that moves along the conveyance path by the received power.

  According to the first aspect, the transport device receives power by electric field resonance coupling between the first and second power transmission electrodes and the first and second power reception electrodes arranged along the transport path, The received power is converted into driving force and moved along the transport path. Since the first and second power transmission electrodes are arranged along the transport path, the transport device moves in a direction perpendicular to the electric field between the power transmission electrodes. As described above, when the transfer device moves in the direction perpendicular to the electric field between the power transmission electrodes, the transmission efficiency is less likely to change relative to the change in the positions of the power transmission electrode and the power reception electrode facing each other.

  Therefore, according to the said 1st aspect, a conveying apparatus can receive electric power efficiently and can move continuously, moving a conveyance path | route. In addition, according to the first aspect, the transport path can be easily changed by changing the arrangement of the first and second power transmission electrodes, and the non-contact power feeding is driven along the transport path. The conveying device as a source can be continuously moved.

(Second aspect)
According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the power generation unit applies an alternating voltage of a predetermined wavelength λ between the first and second power transmission electrodes, and the first and second power transmission electrodes are The electrode length in the longitudinal direction is λ / 2π or less. According to the said 2nd aspect, electric power can be efficiently transmitted to a conveying apparatus by restrict | limiting the electrode length of the 1st and 2nd power transmission electrode to below predetermined length.

(Third aspect)
According to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the first and second power transmission electrodes are arranged on the same plane, or the first and second power reception electrodes are on the same plane. It is characterized by satisfy | filling at least one of being arrange | positioned. According to the third aspect, it is possible to reduce the height of the power transmission electrode unit and the transfer device.

(Fourth aspect)
According to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the first and second power transmission electrodes are installed on the surface of the foam material.

  According to the fourth aspect, by installing the power transmitting electrodes on the surface of the foam material having a relatively low dielectric constant, the space between the power transmitting electrodes becomes closer to free space, and the power transmitting electrodes are installed on the surface of the material having a high dielectric constant. Compared with the case where it does, increase of the electric force line which passes between power transmission electrodes can be suppressed. Thereby, according to the said 4th aspect, an electric force line can be concentrated between a power transmission electrode and a power reception electrode, and favorable power transmission efficiency can be implement | achieved.

(5th aspect)
According to the fifth aspect, in the second to fourth aspects, the electric unit of the transport device transports the wheel by setting the wheel on the first and second power transmission electrodes and rotationally driving the wheel. The first and second power transmission electrodes move along the route, and a bent portion that restricts the movement of the wheel is formed by bending the end portion in the direction perpendicular to the transport route. Features. According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to prevent the transport device from being removed from the transport path.

(Sixth aspect)
According to a sixth aspect, in the first to fifth aspects, the transport device further includes a cargo bed part to which a transported object can be attached and detached. According to the said 6th aspect, a conveyed product can be easily installed in a conveying apparatus.

(Seventh aspect)
According to a seventh aspect, in the first to sixth aspects, the first and second power transmission electrodes are bent with a predetermined curvature along the transport path. According to the seventh aspect, the conveyance path can be easily bent so as to have a predetermined curvature.

(Eighth aspect)
According to an eighth aspect, in the first to seventh aspects, the power transmission device includes a plurality of first and second power transmission electrodes, and the first power transmission electrode has other end portions in the longitudinal direction. The second power transmission electrode is connected to the other second power transmission electrode at the end in the longitudinal direction. According to the said 8th aspect, a conveyance path | route length can be lengthened by connecting a some power transmission electrode.

(Ninth aspect)
According to a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the relay device further includes a relay that relays power between the connected first power transmission electrodes and between the connected second power transmission electrodes. . According to the ninth aspect, a voltage can be efficiently applied between the first and second power transmission electrodes.

(Tenth aspect)
According to the 10th aspect, in the said 8th or 9th aspect, the insulation member which spaces apart between the 1st power transmission electrodes connected and between the 2nd power transmission electrodes connected is provided along a conveyance path | route. It is characterized by being. According to the tenth aspect, by connecting the power transmission electrodes via the insulating member, it is possible to reduce interference between adjacent power transmission electrodes and efficiently transmit power to the transport apparatus.

(Eleventh aspect)
According to an eleventh aspect, in the tenth aspect, the insulating member is bent with a predetermined curvature along the transport path. According to the eleventh aspect, by using the insulating member without deforming the power transmission electrode, the conveyance path can be easily bent so as to have a predetermined curvature.

(Twelfth aspect)
According to a twelfth aspect, it is further characterized in that an insulating member that covers the periphery of the first and second power transmission electrodes and electrically insulates between the power transmission electrodes is further provided. According to the twelfth aspect, a short circuit between the power transmission electrodes can be prevented.

(13th aspect)
According to a thirteenth aspect, in the first to twelfth aspects, the first and second power transmission electrodes are formed on a flexible printed circuit board. According to the thirteenth aspect, when the transport system is not used, the power transmission electrode unit can be stored in a compact manner by winding the flexible printed board.

(14th aspect)
According to a fourteenth aspect, in the first to thirteenth aspects, the box-shaped portion in which the transfer device removed from the transfer path is disposed is provided in the vicinity of the transfer path, and the box-shaped portion is a material that shields an electric field. And has a side wall higher than the installation positions of the first and second power receiving electrodes of the transport device. According to the fourteenth aspect, by placing the transport device removed from the transport path so that the power receiving electrode is hidden in the box-shaped portion where the electric field radiated from the power transmitting electrode portion is shielded, The power supply to the transport device can be stopped.

(15th aspect)
According to a fifteenth aspect, in the first to fourteenth aspects, the transport device further includes a mounting member to which a conductive member for short-circuiting between the first and second power receiving electrodes is detachable. . According to the fifteenth aspect, when the transport device is removed from the transport path, the power receiving electrode unit can be short-circuited between the power receiving electrodes by attaching the conductive member to the mounting member to stop power feeding from the power transmission electrode unit to the transport device. it can.

(Sixteenth aspect)
According to a sixteenth aspect, in the first to fifteenth aspects, the power transmission electrode unit is provided on each of the plurality of rails arranged along the transport path, and the power transmission electrode provided on one rail. The apparatus further includes a power repeater that relays the power supplied to the section to a power transmission electrode section provided on another rail. According to the sixteenth aspect, by using the power repeater, it is possible to supply power to the power receiving electrode of the transfer device disposed on each rail. That is, since it is not necessary to provide an independent power supply device for each rail, the number of transport devices that can be transported along the transport path can be increased while suppressing an increase in the device scale.

(17th aspect)
According to a seventeenth aspect, in the first to fifteenth aspects, the power transmission electrode portion is provided on one rail among the plurality of rails arranged along the transport path, and the transport device includes one The first and second power receiving electrodes of the transport device are disposed at positions where the first power receiving electrode and the second power receiving electrode of the transport device are coupled to the power transmitting electrode portion by electric field resonance. According to the seventeenth aspect, electric power can be supplied to a transport device that transports on a plurality of rails using one power transmission electrode portion.

(Other aspects)
Further, the present invention as described above is not limited to the above-described aspect of the transport system, but can be realized by another aspect, that is, a transport device incorporated in the transport system.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the conveying apparatus which uses non-contact electric power feeding as a motive power source can be moved along the conveyance path | route which can be changed easily.

It is a figure for demonstrating the whole structure of the conveyance system of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of each part with which a conveyance trolley is provided. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of a power transmission circuit and a power receiving circuit. It is a figure which shows the equivalent circuit of the power transmission circuit and power receiving circuit which are shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a perspective view in which a power transmission electrode and a power reception electrode are arranged on a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate XYZ. FIG. 5B is a perspective view in which a power transmission coil and a power reception coil are arranged on a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate XYZ. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of the power transmission efficiency when changing the relative position of the electrodes which carry out the electric field resonance coupling, and the coils which carry out the magnetic field resonance coupling. It is a figure for demonstrating the whole structure of the conveyance system which concerns on a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the structure of a power transmission electrode part. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example which installed the power transmission electrode part in the surface of foaming material. It is a figure for demonstrating the power transmission efficiency when the power transmission electrode part is installed in the surface of a foam material. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the power transmission electrode part which concerns on a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning which connected the power transmission electrode part via the insulating member. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the arrangement | positioning which connected the power transmission electrode part via the insulating member. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of a power transmission electrode part. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of a power transmission electrode part. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of a power transmission electrode part. It is a figure for demonstrating the box-shaped part which arrange | positions the conveyance trolley removed from the conveyance path | route. It is a figure for demonstrating the mounting member which can attach or detach the electrically-conductive member which short-circuits a receiving electrode. It is a figure for demonstrating the power transmission electrode provided in the rail of multiple (three in the figure as an example) arranged along the conveyance path | route R. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the power transmission electrode provided only in the rail 10 of the some rails located in a line along the conveyance path | route. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of each part with which the conveyance trolley | bogie which concerns on a modification is provided.

  A mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with a specific example. The present embodiment relates to a transport system that converts electric power into driving force and transports a transported object along a predetermined transport path.

(1) Whole structure The conveyance system 1 of this embodiment is comprised from the power transmission electrode part 100 and the conveyance trolley 200, as shown to FIG. 1 (A). In the transport system 1, a transport route R is created, and the power transmission electrode unit 100 is disposed on, for example, two desks 150 a and 150 b along the created transport route R, and the power received by the transport cart 200 from the power transmission electrode unit 100 is driven. It is converted into force and moved along the transport path R.

  The power transmission electrode unit 100 includes two power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 that are arranged apart from each other along the transport path R, and is perpendicular to the transport path by the power transmission circuit 10 connected to the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12. A predetermined voltage, for example, an AC voltage having a frequency of 13.56 MHz is applied between the direction, that is, between the electrodes of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12. By applying such a voltage between the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12, an electric field is generated in a direction perpendicular to the transport path R. Moreover, the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 are arrange | positioned on the same plane, ie, the surface of the desks 150a and 150b, for example, and can achieve the height reduction of the power transmission electrode part 100 by this. In addition, the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 should just be arrange | positioned mutually spaced apart, and the arrangement | positioning may not be on the same plane.

  The transport cart 200 is an example of a transport device that moves along the transport route R. As described above, the transport cart 200 receives power from the power transmission electrode unit 100, converts the received power into driving force, and moves the transport route R. . In addition, as shown by an arrow A1 in FIG. 1B, the transport cart 200 stops when it is separated from the power transmission electrode unit 100 and cannot be fed by, for example, an administrator who manages transport. Further, for example, when the transport cart 200 is arranged at a position where power can be supplied to the power transmission electrode unit 100 as indicated by an arrow A2 in FIG. To do. As shown in FIG. 1 (A) and FIG. 2, the transport cart 200 is configured to receive a contactless power from the power transmission electrode unit 100, so that a vehicle body 201 and a power reception circuit 20 including first and second power reception electrodes 21 and 22 are provided. , A rectifier circuit 203, a motor 204, wheels 205 a and 205 b, and a cargo bed portion 206. Here, the first and second power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 are spaced apart from each other.

  The power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 are disposed at positions facing the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12, respectively, as shown in FIG. In order to satisfy such an arrangement condition, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 are arranged, for example, on the same plane, that is, on the bottom surface 202 of the vehicle body 201 of the transport carriage 200. Since the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 are arranged at positions facing the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 22, respectively, contactless power feeding is possible.

  The power receiving electrodes 21, 22 may be disposed at a portion of the vehicle body 201 other than the bottom surface portion 202 as long as the power receiving electrodes 21, 22 are disposed at positions facing the power transmitting electrodes 11, 12. The power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 are arranged on the same plane, that is, on the bottom surface portion 202, so that the height of the transport cart 200 can be reduced. The power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 need only be arranged apart from each other, and the arrangement may not be on the same plane.

  The power received by the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 is rectified by the rectifier circuit 203 and supplied to the motor 204. The motor 204 is an electric part that converts electric power received by the power receiving electrode 21 and the power receiving electrode 22 into a driving force that rotates a wheel 205 a provided in the vehicle body 201. The transport cart 20 can move along the transport route R by rotating the wheels 205a as drive wheels and rotating the wheels 205b in conjunction with the rotation.

  The loading platform 206 can removably attach a conveyed product, and can easily install and convey the conveyed product on the transport cart 20.

(2) Contactless Power Supply The operation principle of contactless power supply that is enabled when the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 face the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12, respectively, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating circuit configurations of the power transmission circuit 10 and the power reception circuit 20.

  The power transmission circuit 10 includes power transmission electrodes 11 and 12, inductors 13 and 14, connection lines 15 and 16, and an AC power generation unit 17. The power receiving circuit 20 includes power receiving electrodes 21 and 22, inductors 23 and 24, connection lines 25 and 26, and a load 27. The power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the inductors 13 and 14 constitute a power transmission coupler. The power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 and the inductors 23 and 24 constitute a power receiving coupler.

  Here, the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12 and the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 are configured by members having conductivity, and are disposed with a predetermined distance d1 therebetween. In the example of FIG. 3, for convenience, as the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12 and the power receiving electrodes 21 and 2, flat electrodes having a rectangular shape having substantially the same size are illustrated. The power transmission electrode 11 and the power reception electrode 21 are arranged in parallel so as to face each other with a distance d2, and the power transmission electrode 12 and the power reception electrode 22 are arranged in parallel so as to face each other with the same distance d2.

  The total width D including the distance d1 between the electrodes of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 is set to be narrower than the near field indicated by λ / 2π, where λ is the wavelength of the electric field radiated from these electrodes. Has been. Similarly, the total width D including the distance d1 between the electrodes of the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 is set to be narrower than the near field represented by λ / 2π. The length L of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 is set to be narrower than the near field indicated by λ / 2π. The length L of the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 is also set to be narrower than the near field indicated by λ / 2π. The distance d2 between the power transmission electrode 11 and the power reception electrode 21 and between the power transmission electrode 12 and the power reception electrode 22 is also set to be shorter than the near field indicated by λ / 2π.

  When the electrode length exceeds the near field, the radiated electric power is remarkably increased. Therefore, the electrode length L in the longitudinal direction of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 is set to be narrower than the near field indicated by λ / 2π. Thus, power can be efficiently transmitted to the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22.

  For example, the inductors 13 and 14 are configured by winding a conductive wire (for example, copper wire). In the example of FIG. 3, one end of each of the inductors 13 and 14 is electrically connected to the ends of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12. Yes. The connection line 15 is composed of a conductive wire (for example, copper wire) that connects the other end of the inductor 13 and one end of the output terminal of the AC power generation unit 17. The connection line 16 is formed of a conductive wire material that connects the other end of the inductor 14 and the other end of the output terminal of the AC power generation unit 17. The connection lines 15 and 16 are constituted by coaxial cables or balanced cables.

  The AC power generation unit 17 generates AC power having a predetermined frequency and supplies the AC power to the inductors 13 and 14 via the connection lines 15 and 16.

  For example, the inductors 23 and 24 are formed by winding a conductive wire. In the example of FIG. 3, one end of each of the inductors 23 and 24 is electrically connected to the end of the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22. The connection line 25 is composed of a conductive wire (for example, copper wire) that connects the other end of the inductor 23 and one end of the input terminal of the load 27. The connection line 26 is formed of a conductive wire that connects the other end of the inductor 24 and the other end of the input terminal of the load 27. The connection lines 25 and 26 are constituted by coaxial cables or balanced cables.

  The load 27 is supplied with power output from the AC power generation unit 17 and transmitted via the power transmission coupler and the power reception coupler. That is, the load 27 is constituted by the rectifier 203 and the motor 204.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of power transmission circuit 10 and power reception circuit 20 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, impedance 2 indicates the characteristic impedance of the connection lines 15 and 16 and the connection lines 25 and 26, and has a value of Z0. The inductor 3 corresponds to the inductors 13 and 14 and has an element value of L. The capacitor 4 has an element value (C−Cm) obtained by subtracting a capacitor having an element value Cm generated between the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12 and the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 from a capacitor having an element value C generated between the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12. Have The capacitor 5 indicates a capacitor generated between the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 and has an element value of Cm. The capacitor 6 has an element value (C−Cm) obtained by subtracting a capacitor having an element value Cm generated between the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12 and the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 from a capacitor having an element value C generated between the receiving electrodes 21 and 22. Have The inductor 7 corresponds to the inductors 23 and 24 and has an element value of L.

  The power transmission electrodes 11, 12 of the power transmission circuit 10 and the power reception electrodes 21, 22 of the power reception circuit 20 are arranged at positions facing each other so as to be coupled by electric field resonance, so that the power transmission electrodes 11, 12 of the power transmission circuit 10 AC power is transmitted to the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 by an electric field.

(3) Transmission Efficiency Next, changes in transmission efficiency when the relative positions of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 are changed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a perspective view in which the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12 and the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 are arranged on the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates XYZ. That is, for the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12 and the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22, the direction perpendicular to the electric field generated between the electrodes is defined as the X-axis direction, and the direction parallel to the electric field is defined as the Y-axis direction. The height direction separating the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 is defined as a Z axis. Under such an arrangement, electric field resonance coupling is performed with a state where the feeding point Port1 with the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the feeding point Port2 with the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 coincide on the XY plane as the center position, and the X axis and FIG. 6 shows the power transmission efficiency when the relative position is moved in the Y-axis direction. The power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 have a dimension defined on the XY plane of 500 mm × 500 mm, and the distance between the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 defined in the Z-axis direction. Is 300 mm.

  As a comparative example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a power transmission coil 301 and a power reception coil 302 are arranged on the XY plane, and a height direction separating the power transmission coil 301 and the power reception coil 302 is taken as a Z axis. Under such an arrangement, a magnetic field resonance coupling is performed with the feeding point Port1 with the power transmission coil 301 and the feeding point Port2 with the power receiving coil 302 coincident on the XY plane as the center position, and in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. FIG. 6 shows the power transmission efficiency when the relative position is moved. Note that the power transmission coil 301 and the power reception coil 302 are approximately the same size as the electrode shape illustrated in FIG. 5A, and thus have a diameter of 520 mm and the power transmission coil 301 and the power reception coil defined in the Z-axis direction. The separation distance of 302 is set to 300 mm. The resonance frequency of the magnetic field resonance coupling is 13.56 MHz.

  In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the deviation [mm] between Ports 1 and 2 from the center position, and the vertical axis indicates the transmission efficiency when the center position is 100%.

  In FIG. 6, the “field resonance coupling X direction” indicates transmission efficiency when the relative positions of the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12 and the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 shown in FIG. 5A are shifted in the X-axis direction. It is a graph. The “field resonance coupling Y direction” is a graph showing transmission efficiency when the relative positions of the power transmitting electrodes 11 and 12 and the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 shown in FIG. 5A are shifted in the Y-axis direction.

  The “magnetic resonance coupling X direction” is a graph showing the transmission efficiency when the relative position between the power transmission coil 301 and the power reception coil 302 shown in FIG. 5B is shifted in the X-axis direction. “Magnetic resonance coupling Y direction” is a graph showing transmission efficiency when the relative position between the power transmission coil 301 and the power reception coil 302 shown in FIG. 5B is shifted in the Y-axis direction.

  As is apparent from FIG. 6, when power transmission is performed by magnetic field resonance coupling between the power transmission coil 301 and the power reception coil 302, transmission efficiency similarly decreases even if the power transmission is shifted to either the X axis or the Y axis. . On the other hand, when power transmission is performed between the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 by electric field resonance coupling, the electrodes are shifted in the X-axis direction compared to the case where the electrodes are shifted in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, there is less decrease in transmission efficiency. As is apparent from this result, even if the relative positions of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 are moved to the X axis that is perpendicular to the electric field, there is a characteristic that the transmission efficiency is not easily lowered.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, in the transport system 1, the power transmission electrodes 11, 12 are arranged along the transport route R, so that the transport carriage 200 is perpendicular to the electric field generated between the power transmission electrodes 11, 12. Move. That is, in the transport system 1, the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 facing the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 while the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 move in the X-axis direction in which the transmission efficiency is not easily lowered as illustrated in FIG. Electric field resonance coupling will occur. That is, when the transport carriage 200 moves in a direction perpendicular to the electric field between the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12, the transmission efficiency is relatively high with respect to the change in the positions of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 facing each other. Difficult to fluctuate.

  Therefore, the transport cart 200 can efficiently receive power from the power transmission electrode unit 100 and move continuously while moving along the transport route R. In the transport system 1, the transport path R can be easily changed by changing the arrangement of the power transmission electrodes 11, 12. A transport cart that uses non-contact power feeding as a power source along the transport path R. 200 can be moved continuously. That is, in the transport system 1, for example, it is extremely easy to cope with installation and movement of the transport path and change of the transport path as compared with the belt conveyor. The desks 150a and 150b can be used as ordinary desks if the power transmission electrode unit 100 is removed.

(4) Modification In addition, in the transport system 1, the power transmission electrode unit 100 can be installed even on a surface other than a surface such as a desk or a floor as shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, for example, rod-shaped power transmission electrode holding members 301, 302, and 303 are installed along the transport path R, and the installed power transmission electrode holding members 301, 302, You may install the power transmission electrode part 100 in the upper surface parts 301a, 302a, and 303a of 303. FIG. Further, desks 311, 312, 313, and 314 may be installed on the side surfaces of the power transmission electrode unit 100 as work tables. By installing the power transmission electrode unit 100 in the power transmission electrode holding members 301, 302, and 303 in this manner, the dielectric constant around the power transmission electrode unit 100 is compared with the case where the power transmission electrode unit 100 is installed on a desk or a floor, for example. Can be prevented from approaching a member having a high height, and as a result, the power transmission efficiency can be increased.

  Moreover, in the conveyance system 1, as shown to FIG. 8 (A) and FIG.8 (B), the side part of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 of the perpendicular directions D1 and D2 with respect to the conveyance path | route R is made to the conveyance trolley 20 side. The bent parts 11a and 12a may be formed. The bent portions 11a and 12a can prevent the transport carriage 20 from coming off the transport route R by restricting the wheels 25a and 25b from moving in the vertical directions D1 and D2. For example, by using aluminum as a member of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12, and bending the aluminum member into an L shape, the bent portions 11a and 12a that easily regulate the traveling direction of the carriage can be formed.

  Further, in the transport system 1, in addition to the surfaces 1a and 1b such as the desk and floor shown in FIG. 1 and the power transmission electrode holding members 301, 302, and 303 shown in FIG. 7, for example, as shown in FIG. In addition, the power transmission electrode unit 100 may be installed on the surface 401 of the foam material 400 in which foam rubber or the like is formed into a plate shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the foam material 400 is laminated on the desk 150a, and the power transmission electrode unit 100 is installed on the surface 401 of the foam material 400, or as shown in FIG. 9C. The foaming material 400 may be laminated on the power transmission electrode holding member 301, and the power transmission electrode unit 100 may be installed on the surface 401 of the foam material 400. Thus, by installing the power transmission electrode unit 100 on the surface 401 of the foam material 400, good power transmission efficiency can be realized for the following reason.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 are installed in a free space, the lines of electric force are between the power transmission electrode 11 and the power reception electrode 21, and the power transmission electrode. 12 and the power receiving electrode 22 are concentrated respectively, and the power transmission efficiency is good. Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 and the power reception electrodes 21 and 22 are installed on a desk 150a having a relatively high dielectric constant, the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 are passed. Power transmission efficiency decreases due to an increase in electric field lines. In contrast to the arrangement example shown in FIG. 10B, power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 are installed on the surface 401 of the foam material 400 having a relatively low dielectric constant, as shown in FIG. 10C. The space between the electrodes 11 and 12 becomes closer to free space, and an increase in the lines of electric force passing between the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 can be suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to concentrate electric lines of force between the power transmission electrode 11 and the power reception electrode 12 and between the power transmission electrode 12 and the power reception electrode 22, thereby realizing good power transmission efficiency.

  In addition, by installing the power transmission electrode unit 100 on the surface 401 of the foam material 400, when the transport carriage 200 moves on the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12, the foam material 400 absorbs the impact and absorbs the power of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12. Breakage and deformation can be prevented.

  In the transport system 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the power transmission electrode units 100 are installed on the desks 150a, 150b, 150c, and 150d, and the power transmission electrode units 100 are installed along the transport path R. You may connect physically. Specifically, the end of the power transmission electrode 11 along the transport path R is connected to the other power transmission electrode 11, and the end of the power transmission electrode 12 along the transport path R is connected to the other power transmission electrode 12. Thus, the path length of the conveyance path | route R can be lengthened by connecting the some power transmission electrode part 100 physically. Moreover, when physically connecting each power transmission electrode part 100 along the conveyance path | route R, as shown, for example in FIG.11 (B), the alternating current power generation part 17 is electrically connected for every power transmission electrode part 100, for example. Power can be supplied. Each AC power generation unit 17 can also prevent an electric field from interfering between adjacent power transmission electrode units 100 and 100 by changing the phase of the AC power supply. As a result, power can be efficiently transmitted from the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 to the power reception electrodes 21 and 22.

  In addition to FIG. 11B, the transport system 1 supplies power from the AC power generation unit 17 only to the power transmission electrode unit 100 on one end side of the transport path R, for example, as illustrated in FIG. However, the other power transmission electrode unit 100 may be provided with a repeater 500 that relays power at a connection part with the adjacent power transmission electrode unit 100. That is, the relay unit 500 relays electric power between the connected power transmission electrodes 11 and 11 and between the connected power transmission electrodes 12 and 12, thereby efficiently supplying a predetermined voltage to all the power transmission electrode units 100. Can be applied.

  Moreover, the conveyance system 1 may provide the insulating member 600 which spaces apart between the electrodes between the adjacent power transmission electrodes 11 and the connection between the power transmission electrodes 12 and 12 as shown in FIG. In addition, when the carriage 200 passes through the insulating member 600, power cannot be supplied from the power transmission electrode unit 100, but after passing through the insulating member 600 due to the inertial force of the carriage 200, power is then supplied from the power transmission electrode unit 100. Is possible. In this way, by providing the insulating member 600 that separates the power transmission electrode units 100 and 100, while moving on the transport route R without stopping the movement of the transport carriage 200, between the adjacent power transmission electrode units 100 and 100. The electric field can be prevented from interfering. As a result, power can be efficiently transmitted from the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 to the power reception electrodes 21 and 22.

  Further, the insulating member 600 provided in the connecting portion between the power transmission electrode portions 100 and 100 may be bent along the transport path R with a predetermined curvature as shown in FIG. Here, the insulating member 600 is formed with bent portions 601 and 602 that are bent toward the transport carriage 20 at both ends in a direction perpendicular to the transport path R. By providing such an insulating member 600 at the connecting portion between the power transmission electrode portions 100, 100, the conveyance path R can be easily bent so as to have a predetermined curvature without deforming the power transmission electrode portion 100. . Further, since the carriage 200 does not supply power from the power transmission electrode unit 100 when passing through the insulating member 600, it can move along the transport path R while decelerating. Accordingly, the transport cart 200 can be decelerated when it is bent along the transport route R. Therefore, the transport cart 200 can prevent the transport cart 200 from being detached from the transport path R due to centrifugal force when the transport cart 200 bends a curve without providing a speed reduction mechanism.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the transport system 1 may use the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 having the curved portions 111 and 121 bent at a predetermined curvature along the transport path R without providing the insulating member 600. Good. In addition, the bent portions 11a and 12a described above are provided in the curvature portions 111 and 121 in order to restrict the carriage 200 from moving in a direction perpendicular to the transport path R due to centrifugal force. In this way, the conveyance path R can be easily bent so as to have a predetermined curvature.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, the transport system 1 covers the periphery of the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 where the bent portions 11a and 12a are formed, and electrically insulates the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 from each other. A member 71 may be provided. For the insulating member 71, for example, a resin that covers the entire power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 is used. By using the resin, the insulating member 71 can be formed in a shape along the conveyance path even if the conveyance path is a curve. Moreover, it functions as a spacer 711 that keeps the distance between the power transmission electrodes 11, 12 by covering the power transmission electrodes 11, 12, and prevents changes in electric field strength characteristics due to fluctuations in the separation distance between the power transmission electrodes 11, 12. be able to.

  Further, the transport system 1 may use an insulating member 72 as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 15B, the bent portions 11 a and 12 a are not formed on the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12, but by forming the bent portions 721 and 722 on the insulating member 72, the traveling direction of the transport carriage is restricted. can do.

  Since the insulating members 71 and 72 dissipate heat generated in the power transmission electrode unit 100, it is preferable to use a resin having good heat dissipation. In order to achieve particularly good heat dissipation characteristics, the transport system 1 uses an insulating member 73 in which air holes 731 and 732 for heat dissipation are formed around the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 as shown in FIG. be able to.

  Moreover, the conveyance system 1 may form the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 on the flexible printed circuit board 80, as shown to the front view of FIG. 16 (A), and sectional drawing of FIG. 16 (B). The flexible printed circuit board 80 is provided with resin walls 81 and 82 molded from resin at both ends in the direction perpendicular to the carriage movement direction. By forming the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 on the flexible printed circuit board 80 in this way, when the transport system 1 is not used, the power transmission electrode unit 100 can be stored in a compact manner by winding the flexible printed circuit board 80. Can do.

  Moreover, the conveyance system 1 may provide the box-shaped part 90 which arrange | positions the conveyance trolley | bogie 200 removed from the conveyance path | route R in the vicinity of the conveyance path | route R, as shown to FIG. Here, the box-shaped part 90 has side walls 91 and 92 higher than the installation positions of the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 included in the transport carriage 200 as shown in FIG. Further, the box-shaped portion 90 is formed including a material that shields an electric field, such as a metal or a conductive resin. For example, the box-shaped portion 90 may be formed of a material in which the periphery of the metal is coated with an insulating resin, a material in which a resin is coated with a metal, or the like. The transfer system shown in FIG. 17A has a power receiving electrode 21 in a box-like portion 90 in which an electric field radiated from the power transmitting electrode portion 100 is shielded by side walls 91 and 92 as shown in FIG. 22 becomes hidden. For this reason, by placing the transport carriage 200 removed from the transport path R in the box-shaped portion 90, the power supply from the power transmission electrode section 100 to the transport carriage 200 can be stopped.

  In the transport system 1, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the transport cart 200 further includes mounting members 211 and 212 to which the conductive member 220 that short-circuits the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 can be attached and detached. You may make it prepare. The conductive member 220 is preferably formed of a metal such as copper or aluminum. As shown in FIG. 18A, the mounting members 211 and 212 are magnets provided in the vicinity of the exposed portions 21a and 21b where the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 are exposed, for example. When the conductive member 220 is mounted on the mounting members 211 and 212 by magnetic force, the conductive member 220 comes into contact with the exposed portions 21a and 21b, so that the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 are short-circuited. For this reason, when the transport cart 200 is removed from the transport path, the power feeding electrode unit 100 feeds the transport cart 200 by attaching the conductive member 220 to the mounting members 211 and 221 and short-circuiting the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22. Can be stopped.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 19A, the transport system 1 includes power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 on a plurality of rails 10a, 10b, and 10c (three as an example in the figure) arranged along the transport path R, respectively. It may be provided. Further, in order to supply power to the three sets of power transmission electrode portions 11 and 12, the transport system 1 provided power supplied to the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 provided on one rail 10a to the other rails 10b and 10c. Power relays 181 and 182 that relay to the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 may be provided. In this way, the power relays 181 and 182 can be used to supply power to the power receiving electrodes 21 and 22 of the transport carriage 200 arranged on each rail. That is, since it is not necessary to provide an independent power supply device for each rail, the number of transport carts 200 that can be transported along the transport route R can be increased while suppressing an increase in the device scale. Moreover, it is not necessary to arrange the transport carriage 200 on all the rails 10a, 10b, and 10c. For example, as shown in FIG. 19B, a power transmission circuit 19 having a repeater function built in is installed on the rail 10b. Also good.

  Moreover, the conveyance system 1 may provide the power transmission electrode part 100 only in the rail 10b in the some rail 10a, 10b, 10c arranged along the conveyance path | route R, as shown to FIG. 20 (A). . When the transport cart 200 is installed on each of the rails 10a, 10b, 10, the power receiving electrodes 21, 22 are arranged at positions where they are electrically resonantly coupled with the power transmitting electrodes 11, 12. In this way, electric power can be supplied to the conveying device 200 that conveys the plurality of rails 10a, 10b, and 10c by using one power transmission electrode unit 100. Further, it is not necessary to arrange the transport carriage 200 on all the rails 10a, 10b, and 10c. For example, as shown in FIG. 20B, a power transmission circuit 19 that incorporates the function of a repeater is installed on the rail 10b. Also good. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 20 (C), the rail 10b is formed of plastic or the like separately from the other rails 10a and 10c, and the flexible printed circuit board 191 on which the power transmission electrodes 11 and 12 are formed is installed. Power may be supplied to the carriage 200 that carries the other rails 10a and 10c.

  Further, in the transport system 1, as shown in FIG. 21, the transport carriage 200 may include a DCDC converter 207 that converts the DC voltage rectified by the rectifier circuit 203 into a DC voltage having a predetermined value. By applying the DC voltage converted by the DCDC converter 207 to the motor 204, the motor 204 can be driven stably.

  As described above, the transport system 1 uses the long power transmission electrode unit 100 with electric field resonance coupling as a rail, and by installing the simple transport carriage 200 including the power receiving circuit 20 and the motor 204 on such a rail, A transport system that can be easily recombined can be constructed. Further, the transport system 1 can provide a transport system that can be used in a production line or the like without using a large-scale device such as a belt conveyor. Furthermore, when the configuration of the transport path R changes, the transport system 1 can change the part transport range in accordance with the path length.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transfer system 11, 12 Power transmission electrode 100 Power transmission electrode part 200 Carriage carriage 21, 22 Power receiving electrode 204 Motor R Transport path

Claims (18)

A power transmission electrode unit in which first and second power transmission electrodes are arranged along a predetermined transport path, and a predetermined voltage is applied in a direction perpendicular to the transport path;
A transfer device that converts electric power received from the power transmission electrode unit into a driving force and moves along the predetermined transfer path, and
The transfer device
First and second power receiving electrodes that are arranged at positions facing the first and second power transmitting electrodes, respectively, and are coupled to the power transmitting electrode section by electric field resonance;
And a motor unit that moves along the transport path by the received power of the first and second power receiving electrodes that are coupled to the power transmission electrode by electric field resonance. The power generation unit applies an alternating voltage of a predetermined wavelength λ between the first and second power transmission electrodes,
2. The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second power transmission electrodes have an electrode length in the longitudinal direction of λ / 2π or less.   The first and second power transmission electrodes satisfy at least one of being disposed on the same plane or the first and second power reception electrodes being disposed on the same plane. The transport system according to claim 1 or 2.   The said 1st and 2nd power transmission electrode is installed in the surface of the foam material, The conveyance system of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The electric part of the transfer device moves along the transfer path by installing wheels on the first and second power transmission electrodes and rotating the wheels.
The first and second power transmission electrodes are formed with bent portions that restrict movement of the wheels by bending an end portion in a direction perpendicular to the transport path. Item 5. The conveyance system according to any one of Items 2 to 4.   The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device further includes a loading platform part to which a transported object can be attached and detached.   The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first and second power transmission electrodes are bent with a predetermined curvature along the transport path. A plurality of the first and second power transmission electrodes;
The first power transmission electrode has an end in the longitudinal direction connected to another first power transmission electrode,
The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an end of the second power transmission electrode in the longitudinal direction is connected to another second power transmission electrode.   The transport system according to claim 8, wherein the power transmission device further includes a relay that relays power between the connected first power transmission electrodes and between the connected second power transmission electrodes.   The insulating member which spaces apart between the said 1st power transmission electrodes connected and the said 2nd power transmission electrode connected is provided along the said conveyance path | route. Conveying system.   The transport system according to claim 10, wherein the insulating member is bent with a predetermined curvature along the transport path.   The transport system according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating member that covers the periphery of the first and second power transmission electrodes and electrically insulates between the power transmission electrodes.   The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first and second power transmission electrodes are formed on a flexible printed circuit board. A box-like portion for disposing the transport device removed from the transport path is provided in the vicinity of the transport path;
14. The box-shaped portion according to claim 1, wherein the box-shaped portion is formed of a material that shields an electric field, and has a side wall that is higher than an installation position of the first and second power receiving electrodes included in the transfer device. The conveyance system of any one of them. The transfer device
The transport system according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting member to which a conductive member for short-circuiting the first and second power receiving electrodes can be attached and detached. The power transmission electrode part is provided on each of a plurality of rails arranged along the transport path,
The power repeater that relays the electric power fed to the power transmission electrode part provided on one rail to the power transmission electrode part provided on the other rail, further comprising: The conveyance system of any one of Claims. The power transmission electrode part is provided on one rail among a plurality of rails arranged along the transport path,
The transport device transports on another rail close to the one rail, and the first and second power receiving electrodes of the transport device are disposed at a position where the first power receiving electrode and the power transmitting electrode portion are coupled by electric field resonance. The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the transport system is one of the following. First and second power receiving electrodes that are arranged at positions facing the first and second power transmitting electrodes arranged along a predetermined transport path, and are in electric field resonance coupling with the first and second power transmitting electrodes;
And a motor unit that moves along the transport path by the received power of the first and second power receiving electrodes that are coupled in electric field resonance with the first and second power transmitting electrodes.

Images