JP2021027734A - Foreign matter removal device and coil device - Google Patents

Abstract

To more surely remove a foreign matter.SOLUTION: A foreign matter removal device 20 is a foreign matter removal device 20 used by a coil device 10 for non-contact power supply, and includes: a body including a surface 26a arranged on a power transmission coil C2 included in the coil device 10, and a plurality of fluid ejection holes H respectively provided with openings Ha at positions different from one another on the surface 26a; and a removal part 30 connected to the plurality of fluid ejection holes H to eject fluid F from each of the openings Ha. The removal part 30 includes: a plurality of valves 33 provided respectively corresponding to the plurality of fluid ejection holes H to make the fluid F flowing through the openings Ha to flow out; and a plurality of sensors 34 provided on flow channels for connecting the valves 33 to the openings Ha respectively to detect the flow rates or pressures of the fluid F flowing through the flow channels as detection values for determining whether a foreign matter M exists on the surface 26a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a foreign matter removing device and a coil device.

The coil device is used, for example, in a contactless power supply system. The contactless power supply system includes a power transmission coil and a power reception coil. These coils are magnetically coupled to each other based on a principle such as electromagnetic induction or magnetic field resonance. Non-contact power transmission is realized by utilizing the magnetic coupling between these coils. The non-contact power feeding system is used for, for example, a ground moving body such as an automobile, or an underwater moving body such as an underwater vehicle.

Patent Document 1 discloses a non-contact power feeding system used for an underwater mobile body. In this non-contact power supply system, the power receiving coil is installed on an underwater mobile body (unmanned underwater vehicle), and the power transmission coil is installed on a platform (water vessel or underwater base) on which the underwater mobile body returns. The power receiving coil is covered with a cover member provided on the underwater moving body, and a scraper member is attached to the outer surface of the cover member. The power transmission coil is covered with a cover member provided on the platform, and another scraper member is attached to the outer surface of the cover member. These scraper members remove foreign substances adhering to each cover member as the underwater moving body and the platform move relative to each other.

JP 2015-231307

The presence of foreign matter between the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil can cause the following problems. When the power transmission coil is installed underwater, for example, when a non-contact power supply system is used as a charging facility for an underwater moving body, for example, a living thing such as a shellfish or a conductive floating substance is placed on the power transmission coil. Foreign matter such as can adhere. When foreign matter adheres to the power transmission coil to form deposits, the deposits hinder the power receiving coil from being sufficiently close to the power transmission coil, which may cause a problem that the power feeding efficiency is lowered. Further, when the foreign matter has conductivity, the magnetic flux of the power transmission coil interlaces with the foreign matter during power reception and power transmission, and a large eddy current is generated inside the foreign matter, which causes a problem of deterioration of power feeding efficiency due to Joule loss. obtain.

In response to such a problem, as in Patent Document 1, a scraper member for physically removing organisms is attached to the cover member on the power receiving coil side, and the scraper member is also attached to the cover member on the power transmission coil side. A configuration for mounting is conceivable. However, if foreign matter adheres to the scraper member, it becomes difficult for the scraper member to remove the foreign matter on the cover member, and it may be difficult to reliably remove the foreign matter.

The present disclosure describes a foreign matter removing device and a coil device capable of more reliably removing foreign matter.

The foreign matter removing device of the present disclosure is a foreign matter removing device used in a coil device for non-contact power feeding, and is provided on an exposed surface covering the coil included in the coil device and a plurality of exposed surfaces provided at different positions from each other. It is provided with a main body including a fluid ejection hole and a removing portion which is connected to a plurality of fluid ejection holes and removes foreign matter adhering to an exposed surface by the fluid ejected from the fluid ejection hole. A plurality of sensors provided in the flow path connected to the hole, each of which detects the flow rate or pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow path as a detection value for determining whether or not a foreign substance is present on the exposed surface. Have.

This foreign matter removing device removes foreign matter from the exposed surface by ejecting fluid from a plurality of fluid ejection holes provided at different positions on the exposed surface of the main body. Further, a sensor is provided on the flow path connected to the fluid ejection hole, and the sensor detects the flow rate or pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow path as a detection value. When a foreign substance is present on the fluid ejection hole, the detected value corresponding to the fluid ejection hole fluctuates and becomes an abnormal value. Therefore, by monitoring this detected value, it is possible to determine whether or not a foreign substance is present on the fluid ejection hole. That is, it can be confirmed whether or not the foreign matter can be removed by ejecting the fluid. As a result, foreign matter can be more reliably removed from the exposed surface.

In some embodiments, the removal unit is a fluid supply unit that is connected to a flow path and provides fluid to a fluid ejection hole through the flow path, and a control unit that controls the output of the fluid supply unit based on a detected value. And may have. In this case, the control unit can control the output of the fluid supply unit corresponding to the fluid ejection hole to be large when the foreign matter is present on the fluid ejection hole. As a result, the flow velocity of the fluid ejected from the fluid ejection hole can be increased. As a result, foreign matter can be more reliably removed from the fluid ejection hole.

In some embodiments, the control unit determines whether or not the detected value satisfies a predetermined condition, thereby determining whether or not a foreign substance is present on the exposed surface, and a determination result by the determination unit. The adjusting unit includes an adjusting unit that adjusts the output of the fluid supply unit based on the above, and the adjusting unit has no foreign matter on the exposed surface because all the detected values obtained from the plurality of sensors satisfy a predetermined condition. When it is determined that, the output of each fluid supply unit is set to the first output, and at least one detected value obtained from a plurality of sensors does not satisfy a predetermined condition, so that foreign matter is generated on the exposed surface. If it is determined that it exists, the fluid ejection hole corresponding to the sensor that outputs the detected value that does not satisfy the predetermined condition is specified, and the output of the fluid supply unit corresponding to the specified fluid ejection hole is output as the first output. It may be set to a second output larger than. In this way, when the adjusting unit determines that foreign matter is present on the exposed surface, it ejects from the specified fluid ejection hole by increasing the output of the fluid supply portion corresponding to the identified fluid ejection hole. The flow velocity of the fluid can be increased. As a result, foreign matter can be more reliably removed from the specified fluid ejection hole. Further, according to the above configuration, it is not necessary to increase the output of all the fluid supply units in order to remove the foreign matter from the exposed surface, so that the foreign matter can be efficiently removed from the exposed surface.

In some embodiments, the adjuster sets the output of the fluid supply, which corresponds to the identified fluid ejection hole, to a second output and is identified when it is determined that foreign matter is present on the exposed surface. The output of the fluid supply unit corresponding to the missing fluid ejection hole may be set to a third output smaller than the second output. In this case, the flow velocity of the fluid ejected from the opening of the specified fluid ejection hole can be maximized, and the flow velocity of the fluid ejected from the opening of the unspecified fluid ejection hole can be determined by the unspecified fluid ejection hole. It can be made smaller as it moves away from the identified fluid outlet. In this way, by providing a gradient to the flow velocity of the fluid ejected from the opening of the fluid ejection hole, it is possible to facilitate the movement of foreign matter to the outside (edge side) of the exposed surface. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from staying on the exposed surface. As a result, foreign matter can be more reliably removed from the exposed surface.

In some embodiments, the plurality of fluid ejection holes comprises one first fluid ejection hole and a plurality of second fluid ejection holes surrounding the first fluid ejection hole, and the inner diameter of the second fluid ejection hole is , It may be larger than the inner diameter of the first fluid ejection hole and may become larger as the second fluid ejection hole moves away from the first fluid ejection hole. In this case, the flow velocity of the fluid ejected from the opening of the first fluid ejection hole can be maximized, and the flow velocity of the fluid ejected from the opening of the second fluid ejection hole can be adjusted by the second fluid ejection hole to the first fluid ejection hole. It can be made smaller as it goes away from. In this way, by providing a gradient to the flow velocity of the fluid ejected from the openings of the first and second fluid ejection holes, it is possible to facilitate the movement of foreign matter to the outside (edge side) of the exposed surface. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from staying on the exposed surface. As a result, foreign matter can be more reliably removed from the exposed surface.

The coil device of the present disclosure includes any of the above-mentioned foreign matter removing devices and a coil.

Since this coil device includes any of the above-mentioned foreign matter removing devices, it is possible to more reliably remove the foreign matter from the exposed surface as described above. As a result, the adhesion of foreign matter to the exposed surface can be suppressed, and the situation where foreign matter deposits are formed on the exposed surface can be suppressed. As a result, the partner coil device can be sufficiently brought close to the coil device during power reception and power transmission, so that a decrease in power feeding efficiency between the coil device and the partner coil device can be suppressed.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided a foreign matter removing device and a coil device capable of more reliably removing foreign matter.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a non-contact power feeding system including the coil device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the coil device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the coil device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control method by the control unit shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. In the following description, the terms "top" and "bottom" are used with reference to the vertical direction.

The non-contact power feeding system 1 including the coil device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The coil device 10 is used, for example, as a power transmission device 12 in the non-contact power supply system 1. The non-contact power feeding system 1 supplies electric power from the power transmitting device 12 to the power receiving device 11 by utilizing the magnetic coupling between the power receiving device 11 and the power transmitting device 12. The non-contact power supply system 1 charges, for example, a battery mounted on a moving body moving on the ground or underwater.

In the present embodiment, a case where the non-contact power feeding system 1 is applied to the moving body 2 moving in the sea is illustrated. In this case, the power receiving device 11 is provided on the moving body 2 that moves in the sea. The mobile body 2 is an underwater vehicle such as an autonomous unmanned submersible. The moving body 2 has, for example, a cylindrical housing 2a extending in the front-rear direction. The power receiving device 11 is arranged inside the housing 2a, for example. The power receiving device 11 is attached to, for example, the inner peripheral surface 2b of the housing 2a. The power receiving device 11 is electrically connected to a battery arranged inside the housing 2a via a power receiving circuit, a charging circuit, and the like. The power receiving device 11 does not have to be arranged inside the housing 2a. The power receiving device 11 may be exposed from the outer peripheral surface 2c of the housing 2a, or may protrude from the outer peripheral surface 2c, for example.

On the other hand, the power transmission device 12 is provided on the platform 3 installed in the sea. The platform 3 is a facility for charging the battery of the mobile body 2. The platform 3 has, for example, a flat wall portion 3a. The power transmission device 12 is provided on the wall portion 3a. The power transmission device 12 protrudes from the wall portion 3a, for example, and is exposed from the wall portion 3a. The power transmission device 12 may be embedded in the wall portion 3a without protruding from the wall portion 3a. The power transmission device 12 is electrically connected to an external power source via a power transmission circuit, a rectifier circuit, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, at the time of power transmission, the moving body 2 moves on the wall portion 3a of the platform 3, and is provided on the power receiving device 11 attached to the inner peripheral surface 2b of the moving body 2 and the wall portion 3a. The power transmission device 12 faces each other at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. When the power receiving device 11 and the power transmitting device 12 face each other in the vertical direction, the power receiving coil C1 inside the power receiving device 11 and the power transmission coil C2 inside the power transmitting device 12 are electromagnetically coupled to each other to form an electromagnetic coupling circuit. .. As a result, power is transmitted from the power transmission coil C2 to the power reception coil C1. In other words, the power receiving device 11 receives power from the power transmitting device 12 in a non-contact manner. It may be a circuit that transmits and receives power by the "electromagnetic induction method", and may be a circuit that transmits and receives power by the "magnetic field resonance method".

Hereinafter, the coil device 10 will be described in more detail by exemplifying an embodiment in which the coil device 10 is used as the power transmission device 12.

As described above, when the non-contact power supply system 1 is used as the charging equipment of the mobile body 2, the coil device 10 is installed on the platform 3 installed in the sea. Therefore, an unintended foreign matter M may be present on the coil device 10. Examples of the foreign matter M include organisms such as shellfish and conductive suspended matter such as metal pieces. When organisms such as shellfish adhere to the coil device 10 to form deposits, the deposits hinder the power receiving coil C1 from being sufficiently close to the power transmission coil C2, and the power feeding efficiency is lowered. It is possible. Further, when electric power is supplied, a magnetic flux is generated between the power receiving coil C1 and the power transmitting coil C2. At this time, if a conductive floating substance such as a metal piece exists between the power receiving coil C1 and the power transmitting coil C2, the magnetic flux of the power transmitting coil C2 intersects with the floating substance, so that the floating substance is large inside. Eddy currents can occur and Joule loss can reduce power supply efficiency. Therefore, the presence of the foreign matter M may prevent the desired feeding efficiency from being obtained.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the coil device 10 includes a foreign matter removing device 20 that removes the foreign matter M existing on the power transmission coil C2. The foreign matter removing device 20 includes a housing 25 (main body) that houses the power transmission coil C2, and a removing unit 30 that is connected to the housing 25. In the present embodiment, the housing 25 constitutes the housing of the coil device 10. That is, the housing 25 is integrated with the housing of the coil device 10. However, the housing 25 may be separate from the housing of the coil device 10. In this case, the housing 25 may be attached so as to cover the housing of the coil device 10. The housing 25 has, for example, a flat cylindrical shape. The housing 25 includes a cover 26 and a base 27. The cover 26 is a box body arranged on the surface side of the power transmission coil C2. The surface of the power transmission coil C2 refers to a surface close to the power receiving device 11 facing the coil device 10.

The cover 26 covers the interior parts including the power transmission coil C2. The cover 26 is made of, for example, a non-magnetic and non-conductive material. As the material of the cover 26, for example, glass fiber reinforced resin (GFRP: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) may be adopted. The cover 26 includes a front surface 26a and a back surface 26b facing each other in the vertical direction. The surface 26a is an exposed surface (outer surface) exposed to the outside of the cover 26. The surface 26a is arranged on the power transmission coil C2. That is, the surface 26a is arranged at a position facing the power transmission coil C2 in the vertical direction, and faces the side opposite to the power transmission coil C2. The surface 26a faces the power receiving device 11 in the vertical direction. Foreign matter M is attached to the surface 26a. The back surface 26b is the inner surface of the cover 26 and faces the power transmission coil C2 side. Further, the cover 26 is provided with a plurality of fluid ejection holes H. The specific configuration of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H will be described later.

The base 27 is a plate-shaped member arranged on the back surface side of the power transmission coil C2. The back surface of the power transmission coil C2 refers to a surface far from the power receiving device 11, that is, a surface opposite to the front surface in the vertical direction. The base 27 ensures the rigidity of the coil device 10 as a whole. The base 27 is formed of, for example, a non-magnetic material having conductivity. As the material of the base 27, a material having a relatively high rigidity may be adopted. Further, as the material of the base 27, for example, aluminum, which is a metal material having a low magnetic permeability, may be adopted. According to the selection of the material of the base 27, the base 27 can shield the outflow of the leakage magnetic flux. In other words, the base 27 has magnetic shielding properties. A storage space for accommodating the power transmission coil C2 and the like is formed by the cover 26 and the base 27.

The power transmission coil C2 generates a magnetic flux for power transmission to the power reception coil C1 (see FIG. 1). The power transmission coil C2 is formed by, for example, a conducting wire 15 spirally wound in the same plane. The power transmission coil C2 is, for example, a circular coil. In the circular type coil, the lead wire 15 is wound in the winding direction so as to surround the winding shaft (coil shaft). In this case, the winding direction of the lead wire 15 is a direction extending in a spiral shape on a plane perpendicular to the winding axis. The power transmission coil C2 may be in a mode in which the lead wire 15 is spirally wound, and may be one layer or multiple layers.

The shape of the power transmission coil C2 when viewed from the winding axis direction can take various shapes such as a rectangle, a circle, or an ellipse. As the conducting wire 15, for example, a litz wire in which a plurality of conductor strands insulated from each other are twisted may be used, or a litz wire having suppressed high frequency resistance due to the skin effect may be used. The lead wire 15 may be, for example, a single wire of copper or aluminum.

The power transmission coil C2 is fitted, for example, in a groove of a bobbin (not shown) which is a flat plate-shaped member. The bobbin is formed of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material (eg silicone or polyphenylene sulfide resin). Then, by fixing the bobbin to the base 27, the position of the power transmission coil C2 inside the accommodation space of the housing 25 is determined. If necessary, a ferrite plate may be provided between the bobbin and the base 27. In other words, the ferrite plate may be arranged between the power transmission coil C2 and the base 27.

Here, the configuration of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H will be specifically described. Each of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H penetrates the cover 26 in the vertical direction from the front surface 26a to the back surface 26b, for example. The inner diameter of the fluid ejection hole H gradually increases as it approaches the front surface 26a from the back surface 26b, for example. Therefore, the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H on the front surface 26a is larger than the opening of the fluid ejection hole H on the back surface 26b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the openings Ha of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H are provided at different positions on the surface 26a. The opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H has, for example, a circular shape, but may have another shape. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the openings Ha of each fluid ejection hole H are provided so as to be arranged radially with respect to the center point of the surface 26a. In other words, the fluid ejection holes H are lined up at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction centered on the center point of the surface 26a, and at a predetermined interval along the radial direction centered on the center point. Lined up. When the center point of the surface 26a is located on the winding axis of the conducting wire 15 when viewed from the normal direction of the surface 26a, the center point coincides with the intersection of the surface 26a and the winding axis of the conducting wire 15.

In FIG. 3, the opening Ha of one of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H of the fluid ejection hole H1 is arranged at the center of the surface 26a. Of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H, the openings Ha of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H2 and H3 other than the fluid ejection holes H1 are arranged so as to surround the openings Ha of the fluid ejection holes H1. The openings Ha of each fluid ejection hole H2 are separated from the fluid ejection hole H1 by a certain distance in the radial direction centered on the center point of the surface 26a, and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the center point.

The opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H3 surrounds the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H2. Specifically, the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H3 is arranged at a position farther than the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H2 in the radial direction centered on the center point, and is centered on the center point. They are lined up at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The arrangement of the openings Ha of each fluid ejection hole H is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, the openings Ha of each fluid ejection hole H may be arranged radially around a point other than the center point of the surface 26a, or may be arranged irregularly instead of being arranged radially. In the following description, when each of the fluid ejection holes H1, H2 and H3 is not particularly distinguished and described, each of the fluid ejection holes H1, H2 and H3 is simply referred to as a fluid ejection hole H.

Further, FIG. 3 shows an example in which the foreign matter M adheres to the vicinity of the center point of the surface 26a. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the foreign matter M closes a part of the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1. The location where the foreign matter M adheres to the surface 26a is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3, and it is assumed that the foreign matter M adheres to any position on the surface 26a. For example, the foreign matter M may block not only a part of the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 but also the entire opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1, and the fluid ejection hole H2 and the fluid ejection hole H2 instead of the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1. / Or it may block the opening Ha of H3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the removing portion 30 is connected to each fluid ejection hole H. The removing unit 30 supplies the fluid F to each fluid ejection hole H, and ejects the fluid F from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H. The fluid F is, for example, seawater. However, the fluid F may be water other than seawater such as river water or lake water, or may contain a substance other than water. Alternatively, the fluid F may be a gas such as air. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the fluid F ejected from the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 is shown as the fluid F1, the fluid F ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H2 is shown as the fluid F2, and each fluid ejection hole is shown. The fluid F ejected from the opening Ha of H3 is shown as the fluid F3. In the following description, unless each of the fluids F1, F2 and F3 is particularly distinguished and described, each of the fluids F1, F2 and F3 is simply referred to as a fluid F.

The removing unit 30 includes, for example, a pump 31, a plurality of pipes 32, a plurality of valves 33, a plurality of sensors 34, and a control unit 35. The pump 31 and the plurality of valves 33 constitute a fluid supply unit 36. The pump 31 is electrically connected to the control unit 35. The pump 31 sucks up the fluid F outside the coil device 10 according to the control signal S1 input from the control unit 35, and supplies the sucked up fluid F to each pipe 32. The pump 31 may have any configuration as long as the fluid F can be supplied to each pipe 32.

Each pipe 32 connects the pump 31 to each fluid ejection hole H. One end of the pipe 32 is connected to the valve 33, and the other end of the pipe 32 is connected to the opening of each fluid ejection hole H on the back surface 26b. A portion on one end side of the pipe 32 is provided outside the coil device 10, and a portion on the other end side of the pipe 32 is provided inside the coil device 10. The entire pipe 32 is made of, for example, a non-magnetic and non-conductive material such as resin. However, the portion on one end side of the pipe 32 provided outside the coil device 10 and the portion on the other end side of the pipe 32 provided inside the coil device 10 may be made of different materials. For example, only the other end portion of the pipe 32 is made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material so as not to affect the magnetic flux generated by the power transmission coil C2, while the one end side portion of the pipe 32 is conductive. It may be a material having properties and / or magnetism.

The plurality of valves 33 are provided in the plurality of pipes 32, respectively. That is, each valve 33 is provided on each flow path between the pump 31 and each fluid ejection hole H. The valve 33 is an automatic valve that opens and closes the flow path between the pump 31 and the fluid ejection hole H, and is, for example, a solenoid valve. The valve 33 is opened and closed controlled by the control unit 35. The output of the valve 33 is controlled according to the control signal S2 input from the control unit 35. In the present embodiment, the "output" of the valve 33 means the "opening" of the valve 33. The valve 33 can adjust the flow rate or pressure of the fluid F supplied to the fluid ejection hole H by changing the opening degree thereof. Therefore, the "output" of the valve 33 may be replaced with the "flow rate" or "pressure" of the fluid F supplied from the valve 33 to the fluid ejection hole H.

The plurality of sensors 34 are provided in the plurality of pipes 32, respectively. Specifically, each sensor 34 is provided on each flow path between each valve 33 and each fluid ejection hole H. The sensor 34 detects the flow rate or pressure of the fluid F supplied from the valve 33 to the pipe 32 as a detected value, and outputs data D indicating the detected value to the control unit 35. In this embodiment, a case where a flow rate sensor (flow meter) for detecting the flow rate of the fluid F is used as the sensor 34 is illustrated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sensor 34 outputs data D indicating the flow rate of the fluid F supplied from the valve 33 to the fluid ejection hole H to the control unit 35. Each sensor 34 may collectively output each data D indicating the flow rate of the fluid F supplied from each valve 33 to the fluid ejection hole H to the control unit 35, or output each data D to the control unit 35 in sequence. You may. The sensor 34 may be a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the fluid F. In this case, the sensor 34 outputs data D indicating the pressure of the fluid F supplied from the valve 33 to the fluid ejection hole H to the control unit 35.

The control unit 35 is, for example, a computer composed of hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and software such as a program stored in the ROM. is there. The control unit 35 is electrically connected to the pump 31, each valve 33, and each sensor 34. The control unit 35 controls the operation of the pump 31 and controls the opening degree of each valve 33 based on the data D output from each sensor 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 35 includes, for example, a setting unit 40, a determination unit 41, and an adjustment unit 42. The setting unit 40 sets the operating conditions of the pump 31. Specifically, the setting unit 40 outputs to the pump 31 a control signal S1 that specifies the flow rate or pressure of the fluid F sucked up by the pump 31, the timing at which the pump 31 sucks, the time at which the pump 31 sucks, and the like. Further, the adjusting unit 42 outputs a control signal S2 for designating the opening degree of each valve 33 to each valve 33. The adjusting unit 42 sets the opening degree of each valve 33 to the first opening degree (first output) by the control signal S2.

The setting unit 40 sets the operating conditions of the pump 31, and the adjusting unit 42 adjusts the opening degree of each valve 33, so that the flow rate or pressure of the fluid F ejected from each fluid ejection hole H and from each fluid ejection hole H The timing at which the fluid F is ejected, the time during which the fluid F is ejected from each fluid ejection hole H, and the like are set. Accordingly, a constant flow rate of fluid F is continuously or intermittently ejected from each fluid ejection hole H. When the adjusting unit 42 sets the opening degree of each valve 33 to the above-mentioned first opening degree, the fluid F having a flow rate or pressure corresponding to the first opening degree is ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H. The first opening degree may be an opening degree capable of delivering the fluid F having a flow rate or pressure required for confirming the presence or absence of foreign matter M on the surface 26a.

The determination unit 41 determines whether or not the foreign matter M is present on the surface 26a by determining whether or not the detected value indicated by the data D from the sensor 34 satisfies a predetermined condition. When the detected value indicates the flow rate of the fluid F as in the present embodiment, the "predetermined condition" is that the flow rate of the fluid F is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. The “predetermined threshold value” is a flow rate value of the fluid F supplied to the fluid ejection hole H in a state where the valve 33 is not blocked by the foreign matter M when the opening degree of the valve 33 is the first opening degree. The "predetermined threshold value" may be the lower limit of the variation range of the flow rate value of the fluid F supplied to the fluid ejection hole H in a state where it is not blocked by the foreign matter M. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 41 determines whether or not the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to each fluid ejection hole H is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. The determination unit 41 may sequentially determine the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to each fluid ejection hole H, one for each fluid ejection hole H, or the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to each fluid ejection hole H. May be judged at once.

When the detected value indicates the pressure of the fluid F, the "predetermined condition" is that the pressure of the fluid F is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. In this case, the "predetermined threshold value" is the pressure value of the fluid F supplied to the fluid ejection hole H in a state where it is not blocked by the foreign matter M when the opening degree of the valve 33 is the first opening degree. Is. The "predetermined threshold value" may be an upper limit value of a variation range of the pressure value of the fluid F supplied to the fluid ejection hole H in a state where it is not blocked by the foreign matter M.

When the determination unit 41 determines that the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to the fluid ejection hole H is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, that is, when the determination unit determines that the detected value satisfies the predetermined condition, the adjustment unit 42 sets each valve. The opening degree of 33 is held at the first opening degree. On the other hand, when the determination unit 41 determines that the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to the fluid ejection hole H is not equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, that is, when it is determined that the detected value does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the adjustment unit 42 determines. Among the plurality of fluid ejection holes H, the target fluid ejection hole to which the fluid F having a flow rate determined not to be equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value is supplied is specified.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, only the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 located at the center of the surface 26a is blocked by the foreign matter M, so that the determination unit 41 determines the fluid supplied to the fluid ejection hole H1. It is determined that only the flow rate of F is not equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. In this case, the adjusting unit 42 specifies only the fluid ejection hole H1 among the plurality of fluid ejection holes H as the target fluid ejection hole. By specifying the target fluid ejection hole by the adjusting unit 42, the position of the foreign matter M on the surface 26a can be grasped. When there are a plurality of fluid ejection holes H to which a fluid F having a flow rate determined not to be equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value is supplied, the adjusting unit 42 specifies each of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H as a target fluid ejection hole. To do. In this case, by specifying each target fluid ejection hole by the adjusting unit 42, the size of the foreign matter M existing on the surface 26a or the region to which the foreign matter M is attached can be grasped.

When the adjusting unit 42 specifies the fluid ejection hole H1 as the target fluid ejection hole, the adjusting unit 42 changes the opening degree of the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H1. Specifically, the adjusting unit 42 changes the opening degree of the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H1 from the first opening degree to the second opening degree (second output) larger than the first opening degree. change. The second opening may be larger than the first opening, and may be the fully open opening with the largest valve opening, or may be smaller than the fully open opening. In this way, by increasing the opening degree of the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H1, the flow velocity of the fluid F1 ejected from the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 can be increased. As a result, the foreign matter M that has blocked the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 can be easily peeled off.

Further, the adjusting unit 42 also changes the opening degree of each valve 33 corresponding to each fluid ejection hole H2 and H3 surrounding the fluid ejection hole H1. Specifically, the adjusting unit 42 adjusts the opening degree of each valve 33 corresponding to each fluid ejection hole H2 and H3 so that each fluid ejection hole H2 and H3 becomes smaller as the distance from the fluid ejection hole H1. More specifically, the adjusting unit 42 sets the opening degree of each valve 33 corresponding to each fluid ejection hole H2 from the first opening degree to a third opening degree smaller than the second opening degree (third output). ), And the opening degree of each valve 33 corresponding to each fluid ejection hole H3 is changed from the first opening degree to the fourth opening degree (third output) which is smaller than the third opening degree.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the flow velocity of the fluid F1 ejected from the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 becomes maximum, and the flow velocity of the fluid F2 ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H2 is larger than the flow velocity of the fluid F1. The flow rate of the fluid F3 ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H3 becomes smaller than the flow velocity of the fluid F2. That is, the flow velocity of the fluid F ejected from each fluid ejection hole H gradually decreases as the fluid ejection hole H moves away from the fluid ejection hole H1. As described above, the flow velocity of the fluid F becomes smaller as the fluid ejection hole H is farther from the fluid ejection hole H1, so that the foreign matter M peeled off from the fluid ejection hole H1 is moved to the outside of the fluid ejection hole H1, that is, the center of the surface 26a. It can be easily moved in the direction from to the periphery. As a result, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the peeled foreign matter M adheres to the surface 26a again and blocks the other fluid ejection holes H2 and H3. The adjusting unit 42 does not necessarily have to change the opening degree of each valve 33 corresponding to each fluid ejection hole H2 and H3, and even if only the opening degree of the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H1 is changed. Good.

As described above, the adjusting unit 42 can adjust the flow velocity of the fluid F ejected from each fluid ejection hole H by adjusting the opening degree of the valve, but the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H can be adjusted. By adjusting the inner diameter, it is also possible to adjust the flow velocity of the fluid F ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H. For example, the inner diameter of the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H is increased as the fluid ejection hole H moves away from the fluid ejection hole H1 (first fluid ejection hole). Specifically, the inner diameter of the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H2 (second fluid ejection hole) is made larger than the inner diameter of the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 to open the fluid ejection hole H3 (second fluid ejection hole). The inner diameter of Ha is made larger than the inner diameter of the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H2. The larger the inner diameter of the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H, the smaller the flow velocity of the fluid F ejected from the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H.

Therefore, when the inner diameter of the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H is adjusted as described above, the flow velocity of the fluid F1 ejected from the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 becomes maximum, and the fluid ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H2 becomes maximum. The flow velocity of F2 becomes smaller than the flow velocity of the fluid F1, and the flow velocity of the fluid F3 ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H3 becomes further smaller than the flow velocity of the fluid F2. That is, the flow velocity of the fluid F ejected from each fluid ejection hole H gradually decreases as the fluid ejection hole H moves away from the fluid ejection hole H1. Therefore, even with such a configuration, it is possible to realize an embodiment in which the flow velocity of the fluid F is reduced as the fluid ejection hole H is farther from the fluid ejection hole H1.

Subsequently, a control method by the control unit 35 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 35 sets the operating conditions of the pump 31 and sets the opening degree of each valve 33 to the first opening degree (procedure P1). The pump 31 sucks up a fluid F having a constant flow rate from the outside of the coil device 10 according to the control signal S1 from the setting unit 40, and supplies the sucked up fluid F to each fluid ejection hole H via each valve 33. The flow rate or pressure of the fluid F supplied to each fluid ejection hole H becomes a flow rate corresponding to the opening degree of each valve 33 set according to the control signal S2. In this way, the control unit 35 continuously or intermittently ejects the fluid F having a constant flow rate from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H, and checks whether or not the foreign matter M is present on the surface 26a. (Procedure P2).

Next, the sensor 34 detects the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to the fluid ejection hole H as a detection value, and outputs data D indicating the detection value to the control unit 35 (procedure P3). For example, each sensor 34 detects the detected value for each fluid ejection hole H for each fluid ejection hole H, and collectively outputs each data D indicating each detected value to the control unit 35.

Next, the determination unit 41 of the control unit 35 determines whether or not the foreign matter M exists on the surface 26a based on each detected value, and thereby, the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to each fluid ejection hole H. Determines whether or not is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (procedure P4). For example, the determination unit 41 collectively determines the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to each fluid ejection hole H. Then, when the determination unit 41 determines that the flow rates of the fluids F supplied to each fluid ejection hole H are all equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value (Yes in the procedure P4), the determination unit 41 determines that the foreign matter M does not exist on the surface 26a. To do. In this case, the adjusting unit 42 maintains the opening degree of each valve 33 at the first opening degree. After that, procedure P1, procedure P2 and procedure P3 are repeated again.

On the other hand, when the determination unit 41 has even one fluid ejection hole H to which the fluid F having a flow rate determined not to be equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value is supplied (No in procedure P4), the foreign matter M is present on the surface 26a. Then it is determined. In this case, the adjusting unit 42 identifies, among the plurality of fluid ejection holes H, the target fluid ejection hole to which the fluid F having a flow rate determined not to be equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value is supplied (procedure P5). In the present embodiment, the adjusting unit 42 specifies the fluid ejection hole H1 as the target fluid ejection hole. After that, the adjusting unit 42 changes the opening degree of the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H1 from the first opening degree to the second opening degree (procedure P6). At this time, the adjusting unit 42 changes the opening degree of each valve 33 that supplies the fluid F to each fluid ejection hole H2 to a third opening degree, and the adjusting unit 42 of each valve 33 that supplies the fluid F to each fluid ejection hole H3. The opening degree is changed to the fourth opening degree.

After that, the process returns to step P2, and steps P2, P3 and P4 are repeated again. Then, when it is determined in the procedure P4 that the flow rate of the fluid F is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, it can be determined that the foreign matter M adhering to the surface 26a has been removed. In this case, the procedure returns to P1, the opening degree of each valve 33 is set to the first opening degree again, and the procedures P2, P3 and P4 are repeated again. On the other hand, when it is determined in the procedure P4 that the flow rate of the fluid F is not equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the foreign matter M adhering to the surface 26a cannot be peeled off, or the peeled foreign matter M is on the surface. It can be determined that it has moved to another position of 26a and has adhered again. In this case, steps P5 and P6 are repeated again. Each time the procedures P5 and P6 are repeated, the size of the second opening degree of the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H1 may be gradually increased in the procedure P6. As a result, the foreign matter M can be more reliably removed from the surface 26a.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, in the procedure P3, each sensor 34 collectively outputs each data D indicating each detected value to the control unit 35, and in the procedure P4, the determination unit 41 supplies each fluid ejection hole H. The flow rate of the fluid F to be produced is collectively determined. However, each sensor 34 may sequentially output each data D for each fluid ejection hole H, and the determination unit 41 may sequentially determine the flow rate of the fluid F for each fluid ejection hole H. That is, the determination unit 41 determines the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to any one of the fluid ejection holes H, and then determines the flow rate of the fluid F supplied to the next fluid ejection hole H. May be repeated. In this way, when the determination unit 41 determines the flow rate of the fluid F one by one for each fluid ejection hole H, the adjusting unit 42 does not need to specify the target fluid ejection hole, and thus the above procedure. P5 can be omitted.

The actions and effects of the foreign matter removing device 20 and the coil device 10 according to the present embodiment described above will be described. In the foreign matter removing device 20, the removing portion 30 is connected to a plurality of fluid ejection holes H each of which has openings Ha at different positions on the surface 26a. The removing unit 30 ejects the fluid F from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H. As a result, when the foreign matter M is present on the surface 26a, the foreign matter M can be removed from the surface 26a. Further, a sensor 34 is provided on the flow path connecting the valve 33 to the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H, and the sensor 34 detects the flow rate of the fluid F flowing through the flow path as a detection value. When the foreign matter M is present on the fluid ejection hole H, the detected value corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H fluctuates and becomes an abnormal value. Therefore, by monitoring this detected value, it is possible to determine whether or not the foreign matter M is present on the fluid ejection hole H. That is, it can be confirmed whether or not the foreign matter M can be removed by ejecting the fluid F. As a result, the foreign matter M can be more reliably removed from the fluid ejection hole H.

The removal unit 30 includes a control unit 35 that controls the output of the valve 33 based on the detected value. The control unit 35 can control the output of the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H so as to increase when the foreign matter M is present on the fluid ejection hole H. As a result, the flow velocity of the fluid F ejected from the fluid ejection hole H can be increased. As a result, the foreign matter M can be more reliably removed from the fluid ejection hole H.

The control unit 35 is based on the determination unit 41 that determines whether or not the foreign matter M is present on the surface 26a by determining whether or not the detected value satisfies a predetermined condition, and the determination result by the determination unit 41. The adjusting unit 42 includes an adjusting unit 42 for adjusting the opening degree of the valve 33, and when it is determined that the foreign matter M does not exist on the surface 26a, the adjusting unit 42 sets the opening degree of each valve 33 to the first. When the opening degree is set and it is determined that the foreign matter M is present on the surface 26a, among the plurality of fluid ejection holes H, the fluid ejection hole H1 whose detection value is determined not to satisfy a predetermined condition is specified. Then, the opening degree of the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H1 is set to a second opening degree larger than the first opening degree. In this way, when the adjusting unit 42 determines that the foreign matter M is present on the surface 26a, the fluid ejected from the fluid ejection hole H1 is increased by increasing the opening degree of the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H1. The flow velocity of F can be increased. Thereby, the foreign matter M can be more reliably removed from the fluid ejection hole H1. Further, according to the above configuration, it is not necessary to increase the opening degree of all the valves 33 in order to remove the foreign matter M from the surface 26a, so that the foreign matter M can be efficiently removed from the surface 26a. it can.

When it is determined that the foreign matter M is present on the surface 26a, the adjusting unit 42 opens the opening degree of each valve 33 corresponding to each of the fluid ejection holes H2 and H3 other than the fluid ejection hole H1 among the plurality of fluid ejection holes H. Is smaller than the second opening degree, and the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H2 and H3 is adjusted to become smaller as the distance from the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 increases. As a result, as described above, the flow velocity of the fluid F1 ejected from the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1 is maximized, and the flow velocity of the fluid F2 ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H2 is larger than the flow velocity of the fluid F1. Further, the flow velocity of the fluid F3 ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H3 can be made smaller than the flow velocity of the fluid F2. In this way, by providing a gradient to the flow velocity of the fluid F ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H, it is possible to facilitate the movement of the foreign matter M to the outside (edge side) of the surface 26a. Thereby, the situation where the foreign matter M stays on the surface 26a can be suppressed. As a result, the foreign matter M can be more reliably removed from the surface 26a.

Further, the fluid ejection hole H1 which is one of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H is surrounded by a plurality of fluid ejection holes H2 and H3 other than the fluid ejection hole H1 among the plurality of fluid ejection holes H. The inner diameter of the opening Ha of the fluid ejection holes H2 and H3 is smaller than the inner diameter of the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1, and the openings Ha of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H2 and H3 move away from the opening Ha of the fluid ejection hole H1. It may become smaller as it increases. Even in such a form, as described above, the flow velocity of the fluid F ejected from the opening Ha of each fluid ejection hole H can be provided with a gradient. As a result, the foreign matter M can be easily moved to the outside (edge side) of the surface 26a, and the situation where the foreign matter M stays on the surface 26a can be suppressed. As a result, the foreign matter M can be more reliably removed from the surface 26a.

Since the coil device 10 includes the foreign matter removing device 20, as described above, the foreign matter M can be more reliably removed from the surface 26a. As a result, the adhesion of the foreign matter M to the surface 26a can be suppressed, and the situation where a deposit of the foreign matter M is formed on the surface 26a can be suppressed. As a result, the partner coil device can be sufficiently brought close to the coil device 10 during power reception and power transmission, so that a decrease in power feeding efficiency between the coil device 10 and the partner coil device can be suppressed.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the coil device has been described by taking as an example a power transmission device provided on a platform installed in the sea. However, the coil device may be adopted as a power receiving device provided in a moving body moving in the sea, or may be adopted as both a power transmitting device and a power receiving device. In the above-described embodiment and modification, the power transmission device used in the non-contact power feeding system for powering the battery of a moving body moving in the sea has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this aspect. The coil device may be used in a non-contact power supply system for supplying power to a battery of a mobile body moving in water other than the sea, or used in a contactless power supply system for supplying power to a battery of a moving body moving on water. May be done.

The configurations of the foreign matter removing device and the coil device are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the description of the claims. For example, in the above embodiment, the fluid ejection hole H provided in the cover 26 gradually expands as its inner diameter approaches the surface 26a of the cover 26. However, the inner diameter of the fluid ejection hole may be constant (constant diameter). Further, in the above embodiment, each valve 33 is provided on the flow path between the pump 31 and each fluid ejection hole H, but each valve 33 is not provided and corresponds to each of the plurality of fluid ejection holes H. A plurality of pumps may be directly provided. Further, the power transmission coil of the coil device is not limited to the circular type, and may be a coil having another shape such as a solenoid type coil.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 35 sets only the valve 33 corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H1 located at the center of the surface 26a to the second opening degree. However, when foreign matter adheres to the fluid ejection hole H2 or H3, the control unit may set only the valve corresponding to the fluid ejection hole H2 or H3 to the second opening degree, for example, the fluid. When foreign matter adheres to H2 in addition to the ejection holes H1, only the valves corresponding to the fluid ejection holes H1 and H2 may be set to the second opening.

1 Non-contact power supply system 10 Coil device 11 Power receiving device 12 Power transmission device 20 Foreign matter removing device 25 Housing (main body)
26 Cover 26a Surface 30 Removal unit 31 Pump 32 Piping 33 Valve 34 Sensor 35 Control unit 36 Fluid supply unit 40 Setting unit 41 Judgment unit 42 Adjustment unit C1 Power receiving coil C2 Transmission coil F, F1, F2, F3 Fluid H Fluid ejection hole H1 Fluid ejection hole (first fluid ejection hole)
H2, H3 fluid ejection hole (second fluid ejection hole)
Ha opening M foreign matter

Claims (6)

A foreign matter removing device used in a coil device for non-contact power supply.
An exposed surface covering the coil included in the coil device, and a main body including a plurality of fluid ejection holes provided at different positions on the exposed surface.
A removing portion which is connected to the plurality of fluid ejection holes and removes foreign matter adhering to the exposed surface by the fluid ejected from the fluid ejection holes is provided.
The removing portion is provided in a flow path connected to the fluid ejection hole, and determines whether or not the foreign matter is present on the exposed surface based on the flow rate or pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow path. A foreign matter removing device having a plurality of sensors for each detection value. The removal part
A fluid supply unit connected to the flow path and providing the fluid to the fluid ejection hole through the flow path.
The foreign matter removing device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the output of the fluid supply unit based on the detected value. The control unit
A determination unit that determines whether or not the foreign matter is present on the exposed surface by determining whether or not the detected value satisfies a predetermined condition.
Including an adjusting unit that adjusts the output of the fluid supply unit based on the determination result by the determination unit.
The adjusting part
When it is determined that the foreign matter does not exist on the exposed surface by satisfying the predetermined conditions for all the detected values obtained from the plurality of sensors, the output of each of the fluid supply units is first. Set to the output of
When it is determined that the foreign matter is present on the exposed surface because at least one of the detected values obtained from the plurality of sensors does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the detection that does not satisfy the predetermined condition. The fluid ejection hole corresponding to the sensor that outputs the value is specified, and the output of the fluid supply unit corresponding to the identified fluid ejection hole is set to a second output larger than the first output. The foreign matter removing device according to claim 2. The adjusting part
When it is determined that the foreign matter is present on the exposed surface, the output of the fluid supply unit corresponding to the specified fluid ejection hole is set to the second output, and the unspecified fluid ejection is performed. The foreign matter removing device according to claim 3, wherein the output of the fluid supply unit corresponding to the hole is set to a third output smaller than the second output. The plurality of fluid ejection holes include one first fluid ejection hole and a plurality of second fluid ejection holes surrounding the first fluid ejection hole.
The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the inner diameter of the second fluid ejection hole is larger than the inner diameter of the first fluid ejection hole, and the inner diameter of the second fluid ejection hole becomes larger as the distance from the first fluid ejection hole increases. Foreign matter remover. The foreign matter removing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
With the coil
A coil device.

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