JP2015070776A - Power transmission system and device, position calculation method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately specify physical relationship between a power transmission coil and a power receiving coil constituting a contactless power transmission system, even when brightness is insufficient.SOLUTION: In either a power transmission device (100) or a power receiving device (200) constituting a power transmission system (1), either one of which faces the other device has light-emitting means for generating self-emission, etc., and first polarization means for covering part of a side of the light-emitting means facing the other device and allowing only a light polarized in a first direction to pass through. The other device, disposed on a side facing the one device, has second polarization means for allowing only a light polarized in a second direction intersecting the first direction to pass through, image-capturing means for capturing the image of at least part of the one device via the second polarization means, and calculation means (124) for calculating physical relationship between the one device and the other device on the basis of the image captured by the image-capturing means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a power transmission system capable of transmitting power in a contactless manner, a device constituting the power transmission system, a relative position calculation method between a power transmission coil and a power reception coil, and a computer program.

  In this type of system, since power transmission is performed in a non-contact manner, the positional relationship between the power transmission coil of the power transmission device and the power reception coil of the power reception device affects, for example, the power transmission efficiency. For example, in a system for charging a battery mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, it is possible to specify a positional relationship between a power transmission coil and a power reception coil that changes according to the parking position of the vehicle.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a mark indicating the embedment location of a power transmission device embedded in the ground is provided in a parking area, the mark is photographed with a camera mounted on a vehicle, and the power transmission device and the power reception are captured from the photographed image. Identify the positional relationship between devices, or detect the magnetic field strength using magnetic field sensors installed at multiple locations in the vehicle and estimate the position where the magnetic field strength peaks, and identify the positional relationship between the power transmission device and the power receiving device The technology is described.

JP 2010-172185 A

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, in a situation where the brightness is low, such as at night, the mark in the image photographed by the camera may become unclear and it may be difficult to specify the positional relationship. There are technical problems.

  In addition, the method using a magnetic field sensor has a technical problem that it is difficult to improve the accuracy of position detection because the magnetic field spreads to some extent due to the characteristics of the antenna that generates the magnetic field. Furthermore, since the attenuation of the magnetic field is steep, there is a technical problem that position detection in a relatively wide range such as 10 cm or more is difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, for example, and a power transmission system and apparatus capable of specifying a positional relationship between a power transmission coil and a power reception coil even in a situation where brightness is low, and position calculation It is an object to provide a method and a computer program.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the power transmission system of the present invention is a power transmission system including a power transmission device and a power reception device capable of transmitting power without contact with each other, and one of the power transmission device and the power reception device. The light-emitting device in which the side facing the other device of the power transmitting device and the power receiving device emits light by itself or absorbs energy from the outside, or reflects light from the outside, and the light emitting device A first polarizing means that covers a part of the side facing the other device and allows only light polarized in the first direction to pass therethrough, and the other device faces the one device. And a second polarization unit that passes only light polarized in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and an imaging unit that images at least a part of the one device via the second polarization unit And said Based on the image captured by the image means, having a calculating means for calculating a positional relationship between the one device and the other device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first device of the present invention is one of the power transmission device and the power reception device in a power transmission system including a power transmission device and a power reception device capable of transmitting power without contact with each other. A light-emitting unit that emits light by self-emission or absorbs energy from the outside, or reflects light from the outside, on the side facing the other device of the power transmission device and the power reception device, and the light-emission unit And polarizing means for covering only part of the side facing the other device and allowing only light polarized in the first direction to pass therethrough.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a second device of the present invention includes a power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a contactless manner with each other, and one of the power transmission device and the power reception device includes: A light-emitting means that emits light by self-emission or absorbs external energy, or reflects light from the outside, on the side facing the other device of the power transmission device and the power receiving device, and the other device of the light-emitting means The other device in the power transmission system having a first polarization means for passing only light polarized in the first direction, on the side facing the one device A second polarizing means arranged to pass only light polarized in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and an imaging means for imaging at least a part of the one device via the second polarizing means; , Said shooting Based on the image captured by the means, and a calculating means for calculating a positional relationship between the one device and the other device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the position calculation method of the present invention includes a power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a contactless manner, and one of the power transmission device and the power reception device includes the power transmission device. A light-emitting unit that emits light by itself or that absorbs energy from the outside, or reflects light from the outside, and the other device of the light-emitting unit. A first polarizing unit that covers a part of the opposing side and allows only light polarized in the first direction to pass therethrough, wherein the other device is disposed on the side facing the one device, and A power transmission comprising: a second polarization unit that passes only light polarized in a second direction intersecting with one direction; and an imaging unit that images at least a part of the one device through the second polarization unit. Position in the system A calculation method comprises a calculating step on the basis of the image captured by the imaging means, calculates a positional relationship between the one device and the other device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a computer program according to the present invention includes a power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a contactless manner, and one of the power transmission device and the power reception device is the power transmission device. And a side of the power receiving device that faces the other device emits light by itself, absorbs energy from the outside, or emits light, or reflects light from the outside, and faces the other device of the light emitting device. A first polarizing means that covers only a part of the first side and allows only light polarized in the first direction to pass therethrough, wherein the other device is disposed on the side facing the one device, and A power transmission system comprising: a second polarization unit that passes only light polarized in a second direction that intersects the direction; and an imaging unit that images at least a part of the one device via the second polarization unit. The definitive the other computer mounted in the device, on the basis of the image captured by the imaging means, to function as a calculating means for calculating a positional relationship between the one device and the other device.

  The effect | action and other gain of this invention are clarified from the form for implementing demonstrated below.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electric power transmission system which concerns on an Example. (A) is the schematic plan view which looked at the receiving coil unit which concerns on an Example planarly from the power transmission coil unit side. (B) is a schematic side view showing an enlarged part of a power transmission coil unit and a power reception coil unit arranged to face each other. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the concept of the identification method of the positional relationship which concerns on an Example. It is an enlarged view which expands and shows a part of lattice-like pattern which concerns on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the positional relationship specific process which concerns on an Example. (A) is the schematic plan view which looked at the receiving coil unit which concerns on the modification of an Example planarly from the power transmission coil unit side. (B) is a schematic side view showing an enlarged part of a power transmission coil unit and a power reception coil unit arranged to face each other.

  An embodiment according to the power transmission system and the like of the present invention will be described.

(Power transmission system)
The power transmission system according to the embodiment includes a power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a non-contact manner. In addition, since various well-known aspects are applicable to the structure which concerns on each power transmission of a power transmission apparatus and a power receiving apparatus, the description about the detail is omitted.

  One device of the power transmission device and the power reception device includes a light emitting unit and a first polarization unit. For example, the light emitting means such as organic or inorganic electroluminescence, nocturnal paint, reflecting material, etc., the side facing the other device of the power transmitting device and the power receiving device emits light by itself or by absorbing energy from the outside, or emits light. Reflects light from the outside. The first polarizing means covers a part of the light emitting means facing the other device, and allows only the light polarized in the first direction to pass therethrough.

  The other device of the power transmission device and the power reception device includes a second polarization unit, an imaging unit, and a calculation unit. The second polarizing means is disposed on the side facing the one device and allows only light polarized in a second direction intersecting the first direction to pass therethrough. The imaging unit images at least a part of one of the devices via the second polarizing unit. For example, a calculation unit including a memory processor or the like calculates a positional relationship between one device and the other device based on an image captured by the imaging unit.

  Here, in particular, the light incident on the imaging means is light that has passed through the second polarizing means. Accordingly, the light that has passed through the first polarizing means out of the light from the light emitting means does not enter the imaging means. For this reason, an image as if only the portion that is not covered by the first polarizing unit on the side facing the other device of the light emitting unit emits light is captured by the imaging unit.

  Based on the captured image, if the first polarizing means covers a part on the side facing the other device of the issuing means so that a predetermined pattern such as a lattice pattern appears in the captured image, for example. The positional relationship between one device and the other device can be specified. In addition, light is supplied between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device by the light emitting means. As a result, according to the power transmission system according to the embodiment, the positional relationship between the power transmission device (power transmission coil) and the power reception device (power reception coil) can be specified even at night, for example.

  In one aspect of the power transmission system according to the embodiment, the first polarizing unit includes a plurality of polarizing plates, and the plurality of polarizing plates are arranged in a matrix on a surface facing the other device of the light emitting unit. Yes.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to make the predetermined pattern appear in the captured image relatively easily, which is very advantageous in practice.

  In another aspect of the power transmission system according to the embodiment, the other device further includes an irradiation unit that irradiates one of the devices with laser light, and the calculation unit is included in the captured image. The positional relationship is calculated based on the pattern of light that appears due to the polarizing means and the second polarizing means, and the spot of the irradiated laser light.

  According to this aspect, the positional relationship between the power transmission device and the power reception device can be specified relatively easily, which is very advantageous in practice.

  In this aspect, the pattern of light that appears due to the first polarizing means and the second polarizing means is a lattice pattern, and when one device is moved relative to the other device, The calculating means refers to a plurality of images taken continuously in time by the imaging means, and the number of lines extending in the third direction forming a lattice pattern through which the spot of the irradiated laser light has passed The positional relationship may be calculated based on the number of lines constituting the lattice pattern and extending in the fourth direction intersecting with the third direction.

  If comprised in this way, when the positional relationship between a power transmission apparatus and a power receiving apparatus changes sequentially, an approximate positional relationship can be specified in a comparatively short time, and it is very advantageous practically.

(First device)
The first device according to the embodiment is one of a power transmission device and a power reception device in a power transmission system including a power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a contactless manner.

  The first device includes: a light emitting unit on a side facing the other device of the power transmitting device and the power receiving device, which emits light by itself, absorbs energy from outside, or emits light, or reflects light from outside; And a polarization unit that covers a part of the side facing the other device and allows only light polarized in the first direction to pass therethrough.

  According to the first device according to the embodiment, the positional relationship between the power transmission device and the power reception device can be specified, for example, at night, as in the power transmission system according to the above-described embodiment. In addition, also in the 1st apparatus which concerns on embodiment, the various aspects similar to the various aspects of the electric power transmission system which concern on embodiment mentioned above can be taken.

(Second device)
The 2nd apparatus which concerns on embodiment comprises a part of electric power transmission system which can transmit electric power without contact. The power transmission system includes a power transmission device and a power reception device, and one of the power transmission device and the power reception device has a side facing the other of the power transmission device and the power reception device as the second device. Light that emits light or absorbs external energy to emit light, or reflects light from the outside, and light that covers a part of the light emitting means that faces the other device and is polarized in the first direction And a first polarizing means that allows only the light to pass therethrough.

  The second device is disposed on the side facing the one device, and passes through the second polarizing unit that passes only the light polarized in the second direction intersecting the first direction, and the second polarizing unit. A positional relationship between the one device and the other device, which is the second device, based on an image pickup unit that picks up at least a part of the one device and an image picked up by the image pickup unit; And calculating means for calculating.

  According to the second device according to the embodiment, the positional relationship between the power transmission device and the power reception device can be specified, for example, at night, as in the power transmission system according to the above-described embodiment. Note that the second device according to the embodiment can also employ various aspects similar to the various aspects of the power transmission system according to the above-described embodiment.

(Position calculation method)
The position calculation method according to the embodiment is a position calculation method in a power transmission system including a power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a contactless manner.

  Here, one device of the power transmission device and the power reception device is such that the side facing the other device of the power transmission device and the power reception device emits light by itself or absorbs energy from the outside, or emits light from the outside. A light-emitting means for reflecting; and a first polarizing means for covering a part of the light-emitting means facing the other device and passing only light polarized in the first direction.

  The other device is disposed on the side facing the one device, and passes through a second polarizing device that passes only light polarized in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the second polarizing device, Imaging means for imaging at least a part of one of the devices.

  The position calculation method includes a calculation step of calculating a positional relationship between the one device and the other device based on an image captured by the imaging unit.

  According to the position calculation method according to the embodiment, the positional relationship between the power transmission device and the power reception device can be specified, for example, at night, as in the power transmission system according to the above-described embodiment.

(Computer program)
A computer program according to the embodiment includes a power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a contactless manner, and one of the power transmission device and the power reception device includes the other device of the power transmission device and the power reception device. The opposing side covers the light emitting means that emits light by itself or absorbs energy from the outside, or reflects light from the outside, and a part of the light emitting means that faces the other device, Light that is polarized in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and the other device is disposed on the side facing the one device. A computer mounted on the other device in the power transmission system, comprising: a second polarization unit that allows only light to pass through; and an imaging unit that images at least a part of the one device via the second polarization unit. , Based on the image captured by the imaging unit, to function as a calculating means for calculating a positional relationship between said one device and the other device.

  According to the computer program according to the embodiment, from a recording medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (DVD Read Only Memory) or the like that stores the computer program. If the computer program is read and executed by a computer provided in the other device constituting the power transmission system, or if the computer program is downloaded after being transmitted through the communication means, the above-described implementation is performed. The power transmission system according to the embodiment can be realized relatively easily. Thereby, similarly to the power transmission system according to the above-described embodiment, the positional relationship between the power transmission device and the power reception device can be specified even at night, for example.

  An embodiment according to the power transmission system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of power transmission system)
The configuration of the power transmission system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the power transmission system according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a power transmission system 1 includes a power transmission device 100 that is electrically connected to a power supply unit 10, a power reception device 200 that is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle and is electrically connected to a vehicle battery 20, and the like. It is configured with.

  The power transmission device 100 includes a ground-side facility 110 and a power transmission coil unit 120. The ground-side facility 110 includes a power transmission control unit 111, a power transmission unit 112, and a control communication unit 113. The power transmission coil unit 120 includes a power transmission coil main body 121, a laser pointer control unit 122, a light receiving unit 123, and an image analysis unit 124.

  The power receiving device 200 includes a vehicle-side facility 210 and a power receiving coil unit 220. The vehicle-side facility 210 includes a power reception control unit 211, a power reception unit 212, and a control communication unit 213. The power receiving coil unit 220 includes a power receiving coil body 221 and a light emitting device control unit 222.

  For example, the power transmission control unit 111 including a memory, a processor, and the like performs overall control of the power transmission device 100. For example, the power reception control unit 211 including a memory, a processor, and the like performs overall control of the power reception device 200. For example, the control communication units 113 and 213 transmit and receive signals indicating the state of the vehicle battery 20 and a command value related to the transmitted power by wireless communication.

  Various known modes can be applied to the electric circuit including the power transmission unit 112 and the power transmission coil main body 121 in the power transmission device 100 and the electric circuit including the power reception unit 212 and the power reception coil main body 221 in the power reception device 200. Because there is, the explanation about the details is omitted.

  In this embodiment, in particular, a light emitter is disposed on the surface of the power receiving coil unit 220 facing the power transmitting coil unit 120 in order to specify the positional relationship between the power transmitting coil unit 120 and the power receiving coil unit 220. (See FIG. 2).

  FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of the power receiving coil unit according to the embodiment as seen in a plan view from the power transmitting coil unit side. FIG. 2B is an enlarged schematic side view showing a part of the power transmission coil unit and the power reception coil unit that are arranged to face each other. In FIG. 2, the members constituting the power transmission coil unit 120 and the power reception coil unit 220 are made different in scale so that the members can be recognized on the drawing.

  The illuminant includes a self-luminous device such as organic or inorganic electroluminescence. As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of polarizing films are arranged in a matrix on the light emitting surface of the light emitter. For example, the plurality of polarizing films are configured to transmit only light polarized in the X direction in FIG. In addition, the shape of a polarizing film is not restricted to a square, For example, a hexagon, an octagon, etc. may be sufficient.

  On the other hand, for example, a polarizing film that transmits only light polarized in the Y direction in FIG. 2A is disposed on the lens of the optical camera provided in the power transmission coil unit 120 (see FIG. 2B).

  For this reason, the light emitted from the portion covered with the polarizing film of the light emitter (see “linearly polarized light” in FIG. 2B) does not enter the light receiving portion 123, but is not covered with the polarizing film of the light emitter. Light emitted from the portion (see “circularly polarized light” in FIG. 2B) enters the light receiving unit 123. As a result, in the image taken by the optical camera, only the portion of the illuminant that is not covered with the polarizing film appears to emit light (here, a lattice pattern appears).

  If a light shielding plate is used instead of the polarizing film, depending on the size of the light shielding plate, when the light emitter is photographed by an optical camera, the grid pattern grid may be collapsed due to the light diffraction phenomenon. It has been found by the inventor's research that this is possible. However, in the configuration using the polarizing film as in this embodiment, a clear lattice pattern can be photographed, which is very advantageous in practice.

(Positional relationship identification process)
Next, the positional relationship specifying process for specifying the positional relationship between the power transmission coil unit 120 and the power receiving coil unit 220 in the non-contact power transmission system 1 configured as described above will be described.

  When the positional relationship specifying process is performed, first, the light emitter (see FIG. 2) is controlled by the light emitting device control unit 222 of the power receiving coil unit 220 and the laser pointer control unit 122 of the power transmission coil unit 120 performs laser processing. Laser light L is emitted from the pointer (see FIG. 2B).

  Next, the image analysis unit 124 of the power transmission coil unit 120 includes the power transmission coil unit 120 and the power reception coil based on an image captured by an optical camera (see FIG. 2B) including the light receiving unit 123 (see FIG. 1). The positional relationship with the unit 220 is specified.

  Specifically, when the vehicle is moving in the vicinity of the parking space where the power transmission coil unit 120 is installed, the image analysis unit 124 refers to a plurality of images that are sequentially captured by the optical camera. Thus, the number and horizontal lines of vertical lines (for example, lines extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle) of the lattice pattern through which the spot of the laser light L irradiated on the surface of the power receiving coil unit 220 facing the power transmission coil unit 120 has passed. The number of (for example, lines extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle) is counted.

  Here, since the size of each square of the grid pattern is set in advance, the approximate size between the power transmission coil unit 120 and the power reception coil unit 220 is based on the counted number of vertical lines and horizontal lines. Can be specified.

  The image analysis unit 124 further calculates the position of the spot of the laser light L within one square of the lattice pattern based on the image captured by the optical camera (see FIG. 3). Next, the image analysis unit 124 selects the power transmission coil unit 120 based on the counted number of vertical lines and horizontal lines, and the position of the spot of the laser beam L in one grid of the calculated lattice pattern. The positional relationship with the power receiving coil unit 220 is specified.

  The above process is repeated until the vehicle stops. In addition, since various well-known aspects are applicable to the image analysis mentioned above, the description about the detail is omitted.

  Here, for example, among the plurality of squares constituting the grid pattern, a grid arranged at the end of the grid pattern along the left-right direction of the vehicle, or a grid on the outermost periphery of the grid pattern is shown in FIG. A bright and dark pattern as shown in FIG.

  With this configuration, the positional relationship between the power transmission coil unit 120 and the power reception coil unit 220 is suitably specified even when the entire grid pattern is not captured due to the angle of view of the optical camera. This is very advantageous in practice.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, if a square is composed of four sub-masses and two of the four sub-masses are darkened to form a light / dark pattern, 2 ⁴ = 16 patterns can be created.

  Next, the positional relationship specifying process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the light emitting device controller 222 of the power receiving coil unit 220 controls the light emitter so that the light emitter emits light (step S101).

  In parallel with the process of step S101, the laser pointer controller 122 of the power transmission coil unit 120 controls the laser pointer so as to emit the laser light L (step S102). Subsequently, the image analysis unit 124 determines whether or not the spot of the laser light L has entered the inside of the lattice pattern in the captured image based on the image captured by the optical camera (step S103). .

  When it is determined that the spot of the laser light L is not inside the lattice pattern (step S103: No), the image analysis unit 124 performs the process of step S103 again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the spot of the laser beam L has entered the inside of the lattice pattern (step S103: Yes), the image analysis unit 124 recognizes the vertical and horizontal lines of the lattice pattern (step S104), and the laser. Counting the number of vertical lines and horizontal lines through which the spot of the light L has passed is started (step S105).

  Subsequently, the image analysis unit 124 determines whether or not the spot of the laser light L has passed through the vertical lines of the lattice pattern (step S106). When it is determined that the spot of the laser beam L has passed through the vertical lines of the lattice pattern (step S106: Yes), the image analysis unit 124 increases the number of vertical lines that pass (step S107).

  When it is determined that the spot of the laser beam L does not pass through the vertical lines of the lattice pattern (step S106: No), or after the processing of step S107, the image analysis unit 124 determines that the spot of the laser beam L is It is determined whether or not the horizontal line of the lattice pattern has been passed (step S108). When it is determined that the spot of the laser beam L has passed the horizontal line of the lattice pattern (step S108: Yes), the image analysis unit 124 increases the number of horizontal lines to pass (step S109).

  When it is determined that the spot of the laser beam L has not passed the horizontal line of the lattice pattern (step S108: No), or after the processing of step S109, the image analysis unit 124 has the spot of the laser beam L present. The position of the spot in the square to be calculated is calculated (step S110).

  Subsequently, the image analysis unit 124 specifies the positional relationship between the power transmitting coil unit 120 and the power receiving coil unit 220 based on the number of passing vertical lines, the number of passing horizontal lines, and the calculated spot positions.

  Next, the image analysis unit 124 determines whether or not the vehicle on which the power receiving device 200 is mounted has stopped (step S111). It should be noted that the fact that the vehicle has stopped detected, for example, that the positional relationship between the power transmission coil unit 120 and the power reception coil unit 220 specified based on the image captured by the optical camera has not changed for a predetermined time or more. To determine.

  When it is determined that the vehicle is not stopped (step S111: No), the image analysis unit 124 performs the process of step S106. On the other hand, when it determines with the vehicle having stopped (step S111: Yes), the image analysis part 124 complete | finishes a positional relationship specific process.

  Note that the order in which the processes in steps S106 and S107, the processes in steps S108 and S109, and the process in step S110 are performed is not limited to the order shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, and for example, the process in step S110 is performed in step S106. It may be implemented earlier.

  For example, since a person such as a vehicle driver can also see the light of the illuminant that has passed through the polarizing film, the illuminant can also serve as a substitute for illumination. As a result, the driver and the like can visually confirm the situation under the vehicle relatively easily, which is very advantageous in practice. In addition, the appearance of the light emitter can be improved as compared with the case where a light shielding plate or the like is used instead of the polarizing film.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitter is provided on the vehicle (that is, the power receiving side), but the light emitter may be provided on the power transmission device 100 side. That is, the power transmission coil unit 120 may include a light emitting device control unit (see FIG. 1), and the power reception coil unit 220 may include a laser pointer control unit, a light receiving unit (that is, an optical camera), and an image analysis unit.

  Moreover, the image analysis part 124 (refer FIG. 1) may be provided in the ground side equipment 110 instead of the power transmission coil unit 120. FIG.

  The “light emitter”, “polarizing film on the light emitter”, “optical camera”, “polarizing film on the optical camera”, and “image analyzing unit 124” according to the examples are respectively “light emitting means” according to the present invention. , “First polarization means”, “imaging means”, “second polarization means”, and “calculation means”.

<Modification>
A modification of the power transmission system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a schematic plan view of a power receiving coil unit according to a modified example of the embodiment having the same concept as FIG. FIG. 6B is a schematic side view showing a part of the power transmission coil unit and the power reception coil unit which are arranged opposite to each other and have the same meaning as in FIG.

  In this modification, for example, the phosphor is formed by applying a fluorescent material, a reflective paint, or the like to the plate material. The power transmission coil unit 120 is provided with an illumination light source that illuminates the light emitter (see FIG. 6B). In the positional relationship specifying process, the light emitter is illuminated by the illumination light source, and the laser light L is emitted from the laser pointer.

  With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide the light emitting device control unit 222 (see FIG. 1) in the power receiving coil unit 220. For example, the power receiving device 200 can be reduced in weight and power consumption, which is extremely advantageous in practice. It is.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit or idea of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a power transmission system with such a change. In addition, an apparatus, a position calculation method, and a computer program are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Power transmission system, 10 ... Power supply part, 20 ... Vehicle battery, 30 ... Vehicle ECU, 100 ... Power transmission apparatus, 110 ... Ground side equipment, 111 ... Power transmission control part, 112 ... Power transmission part, 113, 213 ... Control communication , 120 ... power transmission coil unit, 121 ... power transmission coil body, 122 ... laser pointer control unit, 123 ... light receiving unit, 124 ... image analysis unit, 200 ... power reception device, 210 ... vehicle side equipment, 211 ... power reception control unit, 212 ... Power receiver, 220 ... Receiving coil unit, 221 ... Receiving coil body, 222 ... Light emitting device controller

Claims (8)

A power transmission system including a power transmission device and a power reception device capable of transmitting power without contact between each other,
One of the power transmission device and the power reception device is:
A light-emitting means that the side facing the other device of the power transmission device and the power receiving device emits light by itself or absorbs energy from the outside, or reflects light from the outside;
A first polarizing means covering a part of the light emitting means facing the other device and passing only light polarized in a first direction;
Have
The other device is
A second polarizing means disposed on the side facing the one device and passing only light polarized in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
Imaging means for imaging at least a part of the one device via the second polarizing means;
Calculation means for calculating a positional relationship between the one device and the other device based on an image picked up by the image pickup means;
A power transmission system comprising: The first polarizing means includes a plurality of polarizing plates,
The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of polarizing plates are arranged in a matrix on a surface of the light emitting unit facing the other device. The other apparatus further includes irradiation means for irradiating the one apparatus with laser light,
The calculation means is based on a pattern of light appearing due to the first polarization means and the second polarization means included in the captured image, and the spot of the irradiated laser light. The power transmission system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a positional relationship is calculated. The pattern of light that appears due to the first polarizing means and the second polarizing means is a lattice pattern,
When the one device is moving relative to the other device, the calculation unit refers to a plurality of images that are continuously captured in time by the imaging unit, and the irradiation is performed. The number of lines that constitute the lattice pattern and extend in the third direction, and the number of lines that constitute the lattice pattern and extend in the fourth direction intersecting the third direction. The power transmission system according to claim 3, wherein the positional relationship is calculated based on the power relationship. One of the power transmission device and the power reception device in a power transmission system including a power transmission device and a power reception device capable of transmitting power in a contactless manner with each other,
A light-emitting means that the side facing the other device of the power transmission device and the power receiving device emits light by itself or absorbs energy from the outside, or reflects light from the outside;
A polarizing unit that covers a part of the light emitting unit facing the other device and that passes only light polarized in the first direction;
One apparatus characterized by comprising. A power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a contactless manner with each other, and one of the power transmission device and the power reception device is self-luminous on the side facing the other device of the power transmission device and the power reception device. Light that emits light by absorbing energy from outside or that reflects light from outside, and light that covers a part of the light emitting means that faces the other device and is polarized in the first direction The other device in the power transmission system having first polarization means that only pass through,
A second polarizing means disposed on the side facing the one device and passing only light polarized in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
Imaging means for imaging at least a part of the one device via the second polarizing means;
Calculation means for calculating a positional relationship between the one device and the other device based on an image picked up by the image pickup means;
The other apparatus characterized by comprising. A power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a contactless manner with each other, and one of the power transmission device and the power reception device is self-luminous on the side facing the other device of the power transmission device and the power reception device. Light that emits light by absorbing energy from outside or that reflects light from outside, and light that covers a part of the light emitting means that faces the other device and is polarized in the first direction First polarizing means that allows only light to pass through, and the other device is disposed on the side facing the one device, and passes only light polarized in a second direction that intersects the first direction. A position calculating method in a power transmission system, comprising: a polarizing means; and an imaging means for imaging at least a part of the one device via the second polarizing means,
A position calculating method comprising: a calculating step of calculating a positional relationship between the one device and the other device based on an image picked up by the image pickup means. A power transmission device and a power reception device that can transmit power in a contactless manner with each other, and one of the power transmission device and the power reception device is self-luminous on the side facing the other device of the power transmission device and the power reception device. Light that emits light by absorbing energy from outside or that reflects light from outside, and light that covers a part of the light emitting means that faces the other device and is polarized in the first direction First polarizing means that allows only light to pass through, and the other device is disposed on the side facing the one device, and passes only light polarized in a second direction that intersects the first direction. A computer mounted on the other device in the power transmission system, comprising: a polarization unit; and an imaging unit that images at least a part of the one device via the second polarization unit,
A computer program that functions as a calculation unit that calculates a positional relationship between the one device and the other device based on an image captured by the imaging unit.

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