JP2023069310A - Enclosure equipment and wireless power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce power consumption of enclosure equipment which outputs information that is necessary for a housed wireless communication device to control a device to be controlled remotely.SOLUTION: An enclosure 131 has a storage section 131a in which an electronic key 12 with a first coil 121 and a movable part 122 is stored. An actuator 133 can operate the movable part 122 of the electronic key 12 stored in the storage section 131a. A second coil 132 is arranged to surround the first coil 121 of the electronic key 12 stored in the storage section 131a. A communication unit 134 is capable of receiving an unlocking signal LK from a mobile device that can be carried by a user. When the communication unit 134 receives the unlocking signal LK, a control unit 136 starts supplying power to the second coil 132 and causes the actuator 133 to operate the movable part 122, thereby causing the electronic key 12 to output a second signal S2 necessary to control a locking device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a housing device that causes a stored wireless communication device to output information necessary for remote control of a controlled device. The present invention also relates to a system for wirelessly powering a wireless communication device housed in a housing device.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a housing device arranged in a vehicle interior that is opened and closed by a vehicle door. The housing device includes a storage section, a communication section, and an actuator. The storage unit stores an electronic key as an example of a wireless communication device. An electronic key is a device that causes a control device mounted on the vehicle to control a locking/unlocking device, which is an example of a controlled device, through wireless communication when a specific operation is performed. When the communication unit receives a locking/unlocking instruction from a mobile device that can be carried by the user, the actuator performs the specific operation on the electronic key. As a result, the operation of the locking/unlocking device can be remotely controlled from outside the vehicle through the mobile device while the electronic key is left inside the vehicle.

EP-A-3418985

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption of a housing device that causes a stored wireless communication device to output information necessary for remote control of a controlled device.

One aspect for achieving the above object is a housing device,
a housing having a storage section in which a wireless communication device having a first coil and a movable section is stored;
an actuator capable of operating the movable part of the wireless communication device stored in the storage part;
a second coil arranged to surround the first coil of the wireless communication device stored in the storage unit;
a communication unit capable of receiving a trigger signal from a user-carryable mobile device;
When the communication unit receives the trigger signal, the wireless communication device causes the wireless communication device to control the controlled device by starting power supply to the second coil and causing the actuator to operate the movable portion. a control unit for outputting information for
It has

One aspect for achieving the above object is a wireless power supply system,
a first coil mounted in a wireless communication device having a movable part;
a housing having a storage unit in which the wireless communication device is stored;
an actuator capable of operating the movable part of the wireless communication device stored in the storage part;
a second coil arranged to surround the first coil of the wireless communication device stored in the storage unit;
a communication unit capable of receiving a trigger signal from a user-carryable mobile device;
When the communication unit receives the trigger signal, the wireless communication device causes the wireless communication device to control the controlled device by starting power supply to the second coil and causing the actuator to operate the movable portion. a control unit for outputting information for
It has

The closer the distance between the two coils arranged so as to line up in the axial direction, or the higher the degree of matching of the shapes when the two coils are viewed from the respective axial directions, the higher the cross-sectional area. The greater the value, the higher the efficiency of power transmission during the execution of wireless power supply. Therefore, the general design concept is to match the shape and cross-sectional area of the coil on the housing device side with the coil mounted on the electronic key. However, the coil mounted on the electronic key is generally small, and the mounting position in the electronic key differs depending on the model. Therefore, it is difficult to improve the power transmission efficiency based on the policy of increasing the matching degree of the shape of the coil on the housing device side and the coil on the electronic key side, and the distance between the two coils along the axial direction is not constant. As a result, power transmission efficiency can be reduced.

The inventor of the present application purposely devised an arrangement in which the cross-sectional areas of the first coil and the second coil are different and then the first coil is surrounded by the second coil. When power supply to the second coil is started by the control unit, wireless power supply to the first coil surrounded by the second coil is performed. According to this configuration, the inventor of the present application suppresses a decrease in power transmission efficiency during wireless power supply regardless of the position of the first coil inside the second coil, which may differ depending on the model of the wireless communication device. I found what I can do. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the housing device that causes the stored wireless communication device to output information necessary for remote control of the controlled device.

1 illustrates the configuration of a remote control system according to one embodiment. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the enclosure device of FIG. 1; 1 illustrates a circuit configuration of a wireless power supply system according to one embodiment; 3 shows an example of the operation of the enclosure device of FIG. 2; 3 shows an example of the operation of the enclosure device of FIG. 2;

Exemplary embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a remote control system 10 according to one embodiment. In each drawing, the scale is appropriately changed in order to make each illustrated element recognizable.

Remote control system 10 includes control device 11 . The control device 11 is mounted on the vehicle 20 . The control device 11 is configured to control the operation of a locking/unlocking device 31 mounted on the vehicle 20 . The locking/unlocking device 31 is a device for locking/unlocking the door 22 that opens and closes the compartment 21 of the vehicle 20 . Vehicle 20 is an example of a mobile object. The compartment 21 is an example of a defined space. The door 22 is an example of an opening/closing body. The locking/unlocking device 31 is an example of a controlled device.

Remote control system 10 includes electronic key 12 . Electronic key 12 is a device that can be carried by user 40 . The electronic key 12 is a wireless communication device capable of causing the control device 11 to control the operation of the locking/unlocking device 31 based on the first wireless communication. The first wireless communication includes transmission and reception of a first signal S1 using a first frequency band and a second signal S2 using a second frequency band. The first frequency band and the second frequency band are different. Examples of the first frequency band include the long wave (LF) band. Examples of the second frequency band include the ultrahigh frequency (UHF) band. In other words, the electronic key 12 outputs information necessary for controlling the locking/unlocking device 31 .

Specifically, the control device 11 transmits the first signal S<b>1 through a communication device arranged at an appropriate location on the vehicle 20 . The transmission of the first signal S1 may be performed continuously or intermittently. The electronic key 12 comprises a communication device including an antenna capable of receiving the first signal S1 and transmitting the second signal S2. The electronic key 12 is configured to transmit a second signal S2 upon receiving the first signal S1. The second signal S2 is configured to include authentication information necessary for authenticating the electronic key 12. FIG. The authentication information is information that can identify at least one of the electronic key 12 and the user 40 .

The control device 11 is configured to execute authentication processing upon receiving the second signal S2 through a communication device arranged at an appropriate location in the vehicle 20 . Specifically, the control device 11 is configured to collate the authentication information included in the second signal S2 with the authentication information of the electronic key 12 pre-stored in a storage device (not shown). If the degree of matching between both pieces of information exceeds the threshold, the control device 11 determines that the electronic key 12 has been authenticated.

The control device 11 is configured to output a permission signal EN for permitting the locking/unlocking operation of the locking/unlocking device 31 when it is determined that the electronic key 12 has been successfully authenticated. For example, the locking/unlocking device 31 can be configured to lock/unlock the door 22 when the user 40 touches a touch sensor provided on the door handle while receiving the enable signal EN.

That is, when the user 40 carrying the electronic key 12 enters the area where the first signal S1 can be received, the electronic key 12 is authenticated through the first wireless communication. If the authentication is successful, the user 40 can lock and unlock the door 22 without inserting the key into the key cylinder and turning it.

The remote control system 10 includes a housing device 13 . The housing device 13 is configured to be installed inside a cabin 21 of the vehicle 20 . The housing device 13 is configured to accommodate the electronic key 12 . That is, the electronic key 12 can be arranged inside the vehicle compartment 21 .

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the electronic key 12 has a first coil 121 mounted thereon. In this example, the first coil 121 is an air core coil.

The housing device 13 has a housing 131 . The housing 131 is made of a material through which at least the second signal S2 can pass. The housing 131 has a storage portion 131a in which the electronic key 12 is stored.

The housing device 13 has a second coil 132 . The second coil 132 is an air core coil. The second coil 132 is arranged to surround the first coil 121 of the electronic key 12 stored in the storage portion 131a.

The expression "the second coil 132 surrounds the first coil 121" used in this specification means that the first coil 121 and the second coil 132 are at least It means that some parts overlap.

The housing device 13 has an actuator 133 . The actuator 133 is configured to be able to operate the movable portion 122 of the electronic key 12 stored in the storage portion 131a. The electronic key 12 is configured to transmit the second signal S2 regardless of the receiving state of the first signal S1 when the movable portion 122 is operated in a predetermined manner. The movable part 122 can be realized by a button, a lever, or the like. Actuator 133 can be realized by a solenoid, a cam mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, or the like. An example of the operation of the movable portion 122 for causing the electronic key 12 to transmit the second signal S2 includes a repeated pressing operation N times.

The housing device 13 has a communication section 134 . The communication unit 134 has an antenna for performing second wireless communication with the mobile device 50 . As illustrated in FIG. 1, mobile device 50 is a device that can be carried by user 40 . An example of the mobile device 50 is a general-purpose mobile information terminal such as a smart phone. In this example, the second wireless communication is short-range wireless communication.

As used herein, the term "short-range wireless communication" refers to wireless communication conducted in accordance with standards IEEE 802.15 or IEEE 802.11. Technologies capable of such wireless communication include Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), UWB (Ultra Wide Band), and the like. be done. "Short-range wireless communication" in this specification is distinguished from "proximity wireless communication" that uses contactless communication technology in which a mobile device transmits information by obtaining minute power from radio waves transmitted from a reader. . RF-ID, NFC, and the like are examples of technologies capable of implementing close proximity wireless communication.

A user 40 who desires to lock/unlock the door 22 of the vehicle 20 with the electronic key 12 stored in the housing device 13 performs a predetermined operation on the mobile device 50 . As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mobile device 50 is configured to transmit the locking/unlocking signal LK based on the predetermined operation. The lock/unlock signal LK is an example of a trigger signal.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the housing device 13 has a power supply 135 . Power supply 135 is an AC power supply. The operating frequency of the power supply 135 should be different from the frequency of the first signal S1 and the frequency of the second signal S2, and should not affect the frequency of the first signal S1 and the frequency of the second signal S2, respectively. Determined. For example, frequencies that are multiples of each of the frequency of the first signal S1 and the frequency of the second signal S2 are not used.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the power supply 135 forms a primary-side wireless power supply circuit together with the second coil 132 and the capacitor 137 . The second coil 132 and capacitor 137 form an LC series resonant circuit.

On the other hand, in the electronic key 12, the first coil 121, together with the capacitor 123, the diode 124, and the capacitor 125, form a wireless power feeding circuit on the secondary side. The first coil 121 and capacitor 123 form a resonant loop circuit. Diode 124 is provided to provide half rectification. A capacitor 125 is provided for smoothing.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the housing device 13 has a control section 136 . Control unit 136 is configured to cause power supply 135 to supply power to second coil 132 when communication unit 134 receives lock/unlock signal LK. Thereby, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , wireless power is supplied from the second coil 132 to the first coil 121 and an electromotive force is generated in the first coil 121 .

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electronic key 12 is equipped with a voltage regulator 126 . The voltage regulator 126 is configured to limit the power generated in the first coil 121 by wireless power supply to a predetermined value and supply the power to the load 127 . The load 127 contains the elements necessary for transmitting the second signal S2.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5 , the control section 136 is configured to be able to control the operation of the actuator 133 . Specifically, control unit 136 is configured to cause actuator 133 to operate movable unit 122 to cause electronic key 12 to transmit second signal S2. That is, when the communication unit 134 receives the locking/unlocking signal LK, the electronic key 12 is activated through wireless power supply, and the second signal S2 is transmitted.

The second signal S<b>2 transmitted from the electronic key 12 is received by the control device 11 mounted on the vehicle 20 . As described above, upon receiving the second signal S2, the control device 11 performs authentication processing of the electronic key 12 and outputs the permission signal EN for permitting the locking/unlocking of the door 22 by the locking/unlocking device 31. FIG.

Therefore, when the user 40 transmits the locking/unlocking signal LK from the mobile device 50 with the electronic key 12 stored in the housing device 13 installed in the passenger compartment 21, the door 22 can be locked and unlocked. In other words, the user 40 can lock and unlock the door 22 from outside the passenger compartment 21 by performing a predetermined operation on the mobile device 50 without carrying the electronic key 12 .

The controller 136 having the functions described above can be implemented by an integrated circuit device such as a microcontroller, ASIC, or FPGA.

The closer the distance between the two coils arranged so as to line up in the axial direction, or the higher the degree of matching of the shapes when the two coils are viewed from the respective axial directions, the higher the cross-sectional area. The greater the value, the higher the efficiency of power transmission during the execution of wireless power supply. Therefore, the general design concept is to match the shape and cross-sectional area of the coil on the housing device side with the coil mounted on the electronic key. However, the coil mounted on the electronic key is generally small, and the mounting position in the electronic key differs depending on the model. Therefore, it is difficult to improve the power transmission efficiency based on the policy of increasing the matching degree of the shape of the coil on the housing device side and the coil on the electronic key side, and the distance between the two coils along the axial direction is not constant. As a result, power transmission efficiency can be reduced.

The inventor of the present application purposely devised an arrangement in which the first coil 121 and the second coil 132 have different cross-sectional areas and the first coil 121 is surrounded by the second coil 132 . When power supply to the second coil 132 is started by the control unit 136, wireless power supply to the first coil 121 surrounded by the second coil 132 is performed. According to the inventors of the present application, according to such a configuration, regardless of the position of the first coil 121 inside the second coil 132, which may differ depending on the model of the electronic key 12, the decrease in power transmission efficiency during wireless power supply can be reduced. can be suppressed. Thereby, the power supplied from the power supply 135 for transmitting the second signal S2 required for remote control of the locking/unlocking device 31 can be reduced. Therefore, the power consumption of the housing device 13 that causes the stored electronic key 12 to transmit the second signal S2 can be suppressed.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the dimension of the second coil 132 along the axis 132a is set to be larger than the dimension of the first coil 121 along the axis 121a.

It is preferable that the entire first coil 121 overlaps the second coil 132 when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the axial center 132 a of the second coil 132 in order to suppress a decrease in power transmission efficiency during wireless power feeding. According to the configuration as described above, this state can be easily realized.

More specifically, the dimension of the second coil 132 along the axis 132a is determined to be larger than the dimension of the electronic key 12 that can be stored in the storage portion 131a.

According to such a configuration, a state in which the entire first coil 121 overlaps the second coil 132 when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the axial center 132a of the second coil 132 can be realized reliably.

The above embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention. The configurations according to the above embodiments can be modified and improved as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 136 of the housing device 13 causes the actuator 133 to operate the movable portion 122 of the electronic key 12 after power supply to the second coil 132 is started. According to such a configuration, it is possible to shorten the time from reception of the locking/unlocking signal LK to transmission of the second signal S2. In addition, unnecessary consumption of the battery built into the electronic key 12 due to the operation of the movable portion 122 can be suppressed. However, power supply to the second coil 132 may be started after the actuator 133 is caused to operate the movable portion 122 .

In the above embodiment, the first wireless communication between control device 11 and electronic key 12 uses different frequency bands. However, the first wireless communication may be based on any suitable wireless communication standard using the same frequency band.

The first coil 121 mounted on the electronic key 12 can be detachable. For example, in the space in which the battery of the electronic key 12 is accommodated, a device having the secondary side power supply circuit illustrated in FIG. 3 can be installed in place of the battery. In this case, the voltage supplied to load 127 by voltage regulator 126 corresponds to the voltage of the battery.

In the above embodiments, the second wireless communication between mobile device 50 and communication unit 134 is short-range wireless communication. In this case, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the housing device 13 installed in the passenger compartment 21 can be increased. However, the second wireless communication may be close proximity wireless communication.

In the above embodiment, the electronic key 12 stored in the housing device 13 is remotely operated based on the locking/unlocking signal LK transmitted from the mobile device 50, and the door 22 of the vehicle 20 is locked/unlocked by the locking/unlocking device 31. is performed. Thereby, the security of the compartment 21 opened and closed by the door 22 can be enhanced. In addition, the security of the vehicle 20, which is a moving object relatively easy to be stolen, can be enhanced.

However, the mobile object on which the control device 11 and the locking/unlocking device 31 are mounted is not limited to the vehicle 20 . Examples of other moving bodies include railroads, aircraft, ships, and the like. The mobile object may not require a driver.

Further, the opening/closing body to be locked/unlocked by the locking/unlocking device is not limited to the door 22 of the vehicle 20 . Doors and windows in houses and facilities can also be examples of opening and closing bodies. In this case, the security of the space opened and closed by the opening/closing body can be enhanced.

The controlled device whose operation is controlled by the second signal S2 transmitted from the electronic key 12 through remote operation from the mobile device 50 is not limited to the locking/unlocking device 31 mounted on the vehicle 20 . The operations of the ignition power supply and anti-theft device of the vehicle 20, security devices, lighting devices, air conditioning equipment, audiovisual equipment, etc. in the vehicle 20 or the above-mentioned houses and facilities can be appropriately controlled. A signal transmitted from mobile device 50 to activate each of these controlled devices can be an example of a trigger signal.

12: electronic key, 121: first coil, 121a: axial center, 122: movable part, 13: housing device, 131: housing, 131a: storage part, 132: second coil, 132a: axial center, 133: Actuator 134: communication unit 136: control unit 20: vehicle 21: cabin 22: door 31: locking/unlocking device 40: user 50: mobile device LK: locking/unlocking signal S1: first signal, S2: second signal

Claims (9)

a housing having a storage section in which a wireless communication device having a first coil and a movable section is stored;
an actuator capable of operating the movable part of the wireless communication device stored in the storage part;
a second coil arranged to surround the first coil of the wireless communication device stored in the storage unit;
a communication unit capable of receiving a trigger signal from a user-carryable mobile device;
When the communication unit receives the trigger signal, the wireless communication device causes the wireless communication device to control the controlled device by starting power supply to the second coil and causing the actuator to operate the movable portion. a control unit for outputting information for
is equipped with
housing device. The dimension along the axis of the second coil is larger than the dimension along the axis of the first coil,
The enclosure device according to claim 1. The dimension of the second coil along the axial center is larger than the dimension of the wireless communication device that can be stored in the storage unit along the direction,
The enclosure device according to claim 2. The control unit causes the actuator to operate the movable unit after power supply to the second coil is started.
The housing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The wireless communication device is a controlled device based on a first wireless communication comprising receiving a first signal using a first frequency band and transmitting a second signal using a second frequency band in response to the first signal. is configured to cause the control device to control the
The communication unit receives the trigger signal based on a second wireless communication conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard.
The housing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It is configured to be arranged in a space that is opened and closed by the opening and closing body,
The controlled device includes a locking/unlocking device that locks/unlocks the opening/closing body.
The enclosure device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The space is part of a moving object,
The housing device according to claim 6. a first coil mounted in a wireless communication device having a movable part;
a housing having a storage unit in which the wireless communication device is stored;
an actuator capable of operating the movable part of the wireless communication device stored in the storage part;
a second coil arranged to surround the first coil of the wireless communication device stored in the storage unit;
a communication unit capable of receiving a trigger signal from a user-carryable mobile device;
When the communication unit receives the trigger signal, the wireless communication device causes the wireless communication device to control the controlled device by starting power supply to the second coil and causing the actuator to operate the movable portion. a control unit for outputting information for
is equipped with
Wireless power supply system. The first coil is detachable from the wireless communication device,
The wireless power feeding system according to claim 8.

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